New Booking System

Posted on 21/09/2022 13:12 by peedee

Too many cancellations is what really did it not the minority of complaints which simply helped to highlighted problems. Just in case some have not been observant this is what the Club said:

Why has the Club introduced deposits?
Back in 2018, to improve availability for all members, we changed the way we put pitches on sale to enable you to always book at least a year ahead, all year round. This new system has proven very popular, with over one million nights already booked for stays in 2022!

We’ve now introduced deposits coupled with cancellation terms and conditions as the next step to improving availability. This helps address the rise in cancellations, which has been a growing problem that has increased in recent years.

In a normal year, we were seeing over 25% of all bookings being cancelled (that’s over 950,000 cancelled nights...every year!)
Of those cancelled nights, over 25% were made within four days of arrival, so it was very difficult for other members to take advantage of the newly vacant pitches.
And it wasn't just a small minority of 'block bookers' who were cancelling, almost half of all members who made a booking each year made at least one amendment or cancellation too.
As you can imagine, a lot of members all cancelling a few times a year soon added up! After reviewing the market, speaking to members and looking at other campsite providers, the best solution to reduce speculative bookings was to introduce a deposit system. This reduces the number of speculative bookings and creates more availability for members.We know plans sometimes do have to change, so if you cancel or amend your booking at least 21 days before arrival, your deposit will be fully refunded. This will give other members enough time to make a new booking and take advantage of the newly available pitch.

Club members and staff have worked together to create this new approach, and we’re all confident it provides all members with more availability and an easier booking experience.

So far it appears to be working because there are plenty of pitches available after May2023 even on the popular sites.

peedee

 

Posted on 21/09/2022 17:19 by brue

It wasn't difficult to sort on our bank account KJ, I immediately added a note to the pending payment at the bank. However as the new booking site looked a bit wobbly on the first few days I cancelled the whole lot and started again which left me waiting for a refund. I feel this is quite adequate rather than sorting out credit card debits. The refund was prompt although no doubt the bank holiday intervened.

Either way I'd advise prompt checking of bank accounts and prompt actions if anything is amiss.

I was also pleased the club contacted me after sending them an email.

Posted on 21/09/2022 20:34 by nelliethehooker

Surely the start in the growth in cancellations can be attributed to the introduction of the 12 month ahead booking system the club introduced. So in fact the growth was indirectly one of their own making, for which all member now have to suffer with the deposits and a C**P new booking system.

Posted on 21/09/2022 21:44 by Rocky 2 buckets

The point being missed is-to brush it away as a minor inconvenience flys in the face of your original reaction as I recall🤷🏻‍♂️

Posted on 22/09/2022 08:03 by brue

I was referring to personal banking methods not my original annoyance at my deposit being taken twice. No need for further comments.

Posted on 14/09/2022 09:31 by Rowena

Good morning. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience being caused with the implementation of our new booking system. Members and guests are able to make bookings through the new system however this is not the complete experience we have designed. 

Please be assured our IT and Technical Teams are working extremely hard to resolve all of the issues as soon as possible.

Posted on 22/09/2022 06:52 by peedee

It did invite further problems and I for one was surprised they did not introduce deposits at the same time.

peedee

 

Posted on 22/09/2022 08:15 by Bene

At what point would it be reasonable to expect a formal acknowledgment of the concerns that people are experiencing when trying to navigate the new website?  With all due respect to Rowena, I suspect she is not a particularly senior member of the hierarchy.  If she is monitoring the discussion and transmitting the feedback upwards, who might we expect to come forward and own these problems?  Or are we simply being left to sort them out ourselves with creative work-arounds?  

Posted on 21/09/2022 20:18 by nelliethehooker

And nowt was done about it!!😖