Posted on 14/09/2022 09:31
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.
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Posted on 28/09/2022 14:12 by Rufs"Talking to a warden last week, it seems that the new system is not bespoke, but bought off the shelf and, using his word, 'bastardised'
To provide a "bespoke" system is normlly horrendously expensive and time consuming, so why would you do that when there are many "generic" systems that are out there that can be "customised" to meet your needs.
It is always very difficult to roll-out a new system and "beta" test it whilst ensuring the business continues to function, which is what the club has had to do, it cant simply close the doors for 2 months whilst "beta" testing takes place.
The only other alternative would have been to purchase a whole new platform, install the new system and gradually migrate members onto the new system, ironing out the bugs/anomolies as you go along in a controlled manner, this way only a minimum number of users would have been inconvenienced, but once again horrendously expensive.
my view is, that it will take many months to iron out all the anomolies, if at all, so many we will have to learn to live with, for me not a major problem as i very seldom use club sites and certainly do not do tours that involve frequently amending bookings etc.
Posted on 28/09/2022 15:16
Your comment makes a lot of sense, especially to those of us who are not IT wizzards. One wonders why the Club did not simply send out a similar warning explanation by e-mail, to all of its members who are online, before it actually started the new booking system and perhaps we would not have complained so much about it!
Posted on 28/09/2022 10:19 by Dave WoolleyI keep hearing once the problems have been ironed out the new system will be fine but the old system worked perfectly and didn't need changing or did the club really pander to the minority who wanted deposits thinking it would make things better! It doesn't work for the other club and didn't the last time this club had deposits so why would it work now? I've never known such bad feeling towards the club over this new system and the hike in prices but the club ( in name only)really need to start listening to the majority for a change.
Posted on 28/09/2022 15:35
Dave
I don't know how much you have been following the debate about a new booking system over the years. I am pretty sure that it was back in 2018 that the Club announced it had purchase an "off the shelf" software solution to replace the old booking system. Initially it was used for the Overseas Booking side of the Club but with the intention of replacing the UK Booking system in due course. The fact that it is also used for Overseas bookings is probably why you are required to enter things like DOB and names of people in the party. Something people find perfectly acceptable and without question if going abroad but odd in a UK situation. In the meantime there has been a separate discussion on how to avoid speculative bookings which created a situation whereby members found it difficult to book full weeks or even a weekend away as everything was booked up many months ahead. This has been discussed in quite some detail at the last two AGM's and published for all to see and of course on this forum and other social media. The decision was made that taking a deposit was the way forward to help equally distribute booking opportunities amongst members. So that is how we got here. I very much doubt that any system dealing with the volume of bookings could be introduced without a few problems. Over time I am sure the system will be tweaked to be more user friendly.
David
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Posted on 28/09/2022 15:54
TDA wrote
Club commenced taking deposits for bookings made on or after 12th September 2022. Any bookings made prior to this date, and not amended, are not subject to a deposit.
Have they changed things since the start? I amended a pre September the 12th booking on day 2 of the new system and was charged a deposit of £0. Certainly the original FAQ’s on the new system said no deposits would be charged for amendments of old system bookings.
Posted on 28/09/2022 16:05
"I am pretty sure that it was back in 2018 that the Club announced it had purchase an "off the shelf" software solution to replace the old booking system. Initially it was used for the Overseas Booking side of the Club but with the intention of replacing the UK Booking system in due course. "
Wow! 4 years to roll it out across the board, should have been "PITCH" perfect 
"Over time I am sure the system will be tweaked to be more user friendly. "
how much time do they need ?, 4 years and still in the making, would like to share your optimisim , but I guess there are a lot of members out there who are not overly familiar with new technology who will find the change difficult, but yes it will get there, and once all the bluff and bluster has died down we will wonder what all the fuss was about.
Posted on 28/09/2022 17:23
but I guess there are a lot of members out there who are not overly familiar with new technology who will find the change difficult, but yes it will get there, and once all the bluff and bluster has died down we will wonder what all the fuss was about.
I've heard this many times about failed systems and change, blame the end user for not understanding the new technology and don't worry it will eventually be ok, very soon afterwards the persons responsible for the change leave, members will muddle through it but those responsible should be held to account this system should never have been released in the state it was.
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Posted on 28/09/2022 15:54 by SteveLTDA wrote
Club commenced taking deposits for bookings made on or after 12th September 2022. Any bookings made prior to this date, and not amended, are not subject to a deposit.
Have they changed things since the start? I amended a pre September the 12th booking on day 2 of the new system and was charged a deposit of £0. Certainly the original FAQ’s on the new system said no deposits would be charged for amendments of old system bookings.
Posted on 28/09/2022 17:29
I've just amended a booking (adding an extra day) and there was no deposit but it looked as if I was going to have to and it was confusing.
To fully process the amendment I had to go to the checkout (unless I was doing something wrong) where having selected on pay deposit it displayed I had £0.00 to pay. Which I fully paid quite happily.
FYI it also had a check box already ticked that said the money would be taken out the day before arrival, easy to miss and why already ticked?
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Posted on 28/09/2022 17:31
New website is rubbish, prices have gone through the roof and extra charges too boot!
Enough is enough after 10 years plus. I'm off to the Caravan and Camping Club and I bet I won't be the only one!!
Check out there website.... and prices!
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Rowena
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