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.
2 people like this
Posted on 07/10/2022 14:35 by Roger RandallThe C&MC justify the introduction of their punitive deposit scheme by saying, and I quote "almost half of all members who made a booking each year made at least one amendment or cancellation". Really - shock horror! That's exactly my point - the touring lifestyle means you need to make last minute adjustments to schedules (especially when you are a Motorhomer or Campervanner). But don't they realise that for every day cancelled there is another booked at another site. Its swings and roundabouts. In the big scheme of things, on average, they don't lose out!
Please C&MC answer the following:
1.Why don't you cap the membership, so that you can improve pitch availability to your existing members?
2. You have allowed a never ending stream of new members to join, now we all have to book sites many months ahead, some even into next year. What exactly are you planning on doing with our deposit money, and the huge amount of interest it will earn you? When are you going to give members ’interest’ on their deposits if you hold them for a period longer than say 3 mths?
3. When are you going to start acknowledging the needs of the biggest (and fastest growing) segment of your club - namely us Motorhomers and Caravaners? Show willing and adjust your punitive cancellation policy so that a deposit is only required when you book 5 or more days. That at least would be something to show you care and understand the needs of all your members!
4. The 21 day cancellation deadline is unacceptable - we’re campers for goodness sake and you now ask that we book many months ahead (sometimes even a year in advance) and set our plans into stone for at least 21 days before arrival! Here is what the Savoy Hotel in London does: "Guests can cancel up to 72 hours prior to arrival, free of charge." – this is the SAVOY hotel and they will allow clients to cancel up to just 78 hours before arrival. What makes you, the C&MC so special that you want to start taking our hard earned money from day 20?
The C&MC used to be run BY the members FOR the members. They have sadly become corporate and are chasing profit. A sad day!
Posted on 07/10/2022 16:29 by peedeeThe new booking system will soon be water under the bridge. What members should be more concerned about is the rising cost of C&MC sites.
peedee
Posted on 07/10/2022 20:21
If you read the T&C small print, they reserve the right to do this at anytime they like, and it doesn’t matter when you book, you will be charged the new price. You will get an email telling you about any price rises, but not sure on the cancellation policy if the price rise falls in the 21 day cut off period.
2 people like this
Posted on 07/10/2022 18:25 by TimboCIn my opinion, virtually none of them.
£54 a year is a drop in the ocean for access to some excellent sites, and they'll be shooting themselves in the foot.
They best way to get change is by fighting from within. I recieved my voting form today and made my opinion of the board clear. I also had a survey email from the club today, and did likewise. Will they listen? Don't know. But I've got a better chance of being heard than non members
Posted on 07/10/2022 20:36
I saw a post on a Facebook Group encouraging members to vote against those standing for election including the Chairman! I suspect the people that really need to be voted against, according to some, are not standing for election? It could be that the AGM is coming at a difficult time viz a viz the new booking system. Perhaps better to flood the AGM with difficult questions which will need to be answered, see link in the AGM thread elsewhere on the Forum.
David
Posted on 07/10/2022 14:35 by Roger RandallThe C&MC justify the introduction of their punitive deposit scheme by saying, and I quote "almost half of all members who made a booking each year made at least one amendment or cancellation". Really - shock horror! That's exactly my point - the touring lifestyle means you need to make last minute adjustments to schedules (especially when you are a Motorhomer or Campervanner). But don't they realise that for every day cancelled there is another booked at another site. Its swings and roundabouts. In the big scheme of things, on average, they don't lose out!
Please C&MC answer the following:
1.Why don't you cap the membership, so that you can improve pitch availability to your existing members?
2. You have allowed a never ending stream of new members to join, now we all have to book sites many months ahead, some even into next year. What exactly are you planning on doing with our deposit money, and the huge amount of interest it will earn you? When are you going to give members ’interest’ on their deposits if you hold them for a period longer than say 3 mths?
3. When are you going to start acknowledging the needs of the biggest (and fastest growing) segment of your club - namely us Motorhomers and Caravaners? Show willing and adjust your punitive cancellation policy so that a deposit is only required when you book 5 or more days. That at least would be something to show you care and understand the needs of all your members!
4. The 21 day cancellation deadline is unacceptable - we’re campers for goodness sake and you now ask that we book many months ahead (sometimes even a year in advance) and set our plans into stone for at least 21 days before arrival! Here is what the Savoy Hotel in London does: "Guests can cancel up to 72 hours prior to arrival, free of charge." – this is the SAVOY hotel and they will allow clients to cancel up to just 78 hours before arrival. What makes you, the C&MC so special that you want to start taking our hard earned money from day 20?
The C&MC used to be run BY the members FOR the members. They have sadly become corporate and are chasing profit. A sad day!
Posted on 07/10/2022 20:00 by peedeeHow is punitive? You can have your deposit back if you cancel before 21 days before arrival and you will have lost nothing and instead of just 72 hours to obtain any cancellations you have 21 days.
peedee
Posted on 07/10/2022 20:43
A lot can happen in 21 days though PD. Anyone with underlying health issues that could mean not being able to travel will tell you this. So that’s a fair percentage of the older membership affected.
Then there are the carer’s (like myself) who cannot guarantee dates for any period upfront, lots of those around as well. (It’s why we seldom book anything but cottages upfront.)
Then there’s the weather factor, how happy are folks going to be to book say Looe months in advance, at a cost of something like £500-£600+ and not know what the weather is going to be like? I know a lot of folks who have had bad weather for a big holiday and it’s put them of places for good. (I personally have to be dragged kicking and screaming to the Lake District, as it’s rained torrentially on every previous visit).
That 21 day cut off is very punitive, weighted very much in favour of the Club retaining monies for one reason or another.
4 people like this
Posted on 07/10/2022 21:24
Tonight is my first experience of the new booking system and not an experience that particularly impressed me. The booking by map option was very slow and clunky and for some of the time unresponsive. As previous poster said, why do they need all of our dates of birth and car length. As member of near 20yrs I wouldn't have thought this was relevant. I am hardly likely to be underage.
I feel sorry for the wardens who are going to get all of the flack for the issues encountered by the members.
Somewhat disappointed by the advertised price "from". I am booking a half-term break and as a teacher I get fleeced every holiday because I have no choice when I can go away. Off peak I could have had an extra night for what I paid. Roll on retirement!!
Posted on 07/10/2022 22:11
Not impressed with the new booking system. Not sure why my 5m van (essentially a people carrier with no signage) prevents me from making a booking; and as if by magic when I change it to a 5m car, the booking is accepted!
The 25% deposit removes USP in one swoop.
2023 membership renewal will be considered thoughtfully.
Posted on 14/09/2022 09:31 by RowenaGood 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 07/10/2022 20:43 by TakethedogalongA lot can happen in 21 days though PD. Anyone with underlying health issues that could mean not being able to travel will tell you this. So that’s a fair percentage of the older membership affected.
Then there are the carer’s (like myself) who cannot guarantee dates for any period upfront, lots of those around as well. (It’s why we seldom book anything but cottages upfront.)
Then there’s the weather factor, how happy are folks going to be to book say Looe months in advance, at a cost of something like £500-£600+ and not know what the weather is going to be like? I know a lot of folks who have had bad weather for a big holiday and it’s put them of places for good. (I personally have to be dragged kicking and screaming to the Lake District, as it’s rained torrentially on every previous visit).
That 21 day cut off is very punitive, weighted very much in favour of the Club retaining monies for one reason or another.
Posted on 07/10/2022 22:39
You cannot expect the Club to take into account everyone's individual circumstances. It maybe that this new sytem proves kinder to those less fortunate members than they think hy providing a better opportunity to make late bookings.
peedee
1 person likes this
Posted on 07/10/2022 20:21 by TakethedogalongIf you read the T&C small print, they reserve the right to do this at anytime they like, and it doesn’t matter when you book, you will be charged the new price. You will get an email telling you about any price rises, but not sure on the cancellation policy if the price rise falls in the 21 day cut off period.
Posted on 08/10/2022 07:42
I don’t mind them reserving the right to put the price up, as long as you are given the right to cancel with a full refund. However, I do think the clause relating to reducing the number of people staying meaning you loose a proportion of your deposit, if done within 21 days, a bit mean spirited. It’s not as though they were occupying another pitch, or room if we were staying in a hotel, when I could understand it.
This is clearly stated on my confirmation of booking:-
Amending or cancelling
Remember to Book Smart! We know plans sometimes have to change and that's ok. Just let us know as early as possible if you can't take up your pitch so it can be made available to fellow members. Unless otherwise advised, your deposit is fully refundable if you amend your booking or cancel your booking more than 21 days before your booked arrival date.
You will lose the deposit paid for amendments and all cancellations made within 21 days of your booked arrival date (for example if you cancel a night or multiple nights of your stay, or if you reduce the number of guests on the booking within 21 days of your booked arrival date you will lose a part or all of the deposit paid).
1 person likes this
Rowena
Trailertenter