New Site Booking System

Possibly ,and many others

But we are getting to the stage now where a lot of thinking has to be done before we take up all our bookings under at this time this clubs USP 

So far, we have only one booking for next year, and that is on a fully hard standing site, but for the rest of our bookings, due to the lack of clarity on how bookings made under the old system will be handled, booking with the other club is becoming an even more attractive option!

Yes there are several sites where that could be a problem. Apart from Looe, Seacroft and Centenary Park spring to mind. I suppose one interesting side issue of the new system might be that the Club see a greater reluctance for members to book grass pitches when they know they have a choice? If that leaves sites half empty it will put pressure on the Club to convert more grass pitches to hardstandings where that is allowed? 

David

Within reason it does , but that is down to the time folks want to arrive at the site . At present you turn up and can clearly see what is or isn't available. Under the proposed scheme early bookers won't  be afforded any option. But you can bet the powers that be won't offer you a SP at a normal HS price .

I would prefer to see those who've booked under the old system being offered the chance to re-book under the new system before it goes live. I suspect there might be quite a few cancellations at that point too but it might ease the situation for all.

Without having given any details to members  at this time, we are in the dark, but will any HSs at all be allocated to previous bookings, unless of course existing bookings exceed the number of HSs on a site?    

I just hope the Club has spent enough on this new system for decent software so that as you suggested the number of a pitch type available on any date can easily be seen when trying to book.

Putting a tour together is going to become more tricky......not only will unavailable weekend days be a problem, so will your preferred pitch surface not being available for a day in the middle of your required dates!  

On sites where there is a fairly high percentage of grass pitches, I can foresee having to book a long way ahead if you require a HS and particular dates.

Yes brue, I think this would be the only fair way to handle things.

The flexibility of the existing system was the main reason for joining the club, the new system will cripple the club sites with grass and hardstandings, due to the unpredictable weather we have if having to choose a pitch type most people will book a hardstanding when others go to book and there's only grass many will not book especially members that are aware of the large number of awful grass pitches there are on the network, whereas before you booked a standard pitch and took a chance, this will also be a problem when one or two nighters book a hardstanding someone who wants the week wont bother.

My experience of private sites is not good but I will have another look next year.

As I see it the main problems could arise if your stay includes a weekend. You might be arriving on a Wednesday or Thursday and there are ample HS pitches for all, but if the Friday or Saturday have been booked under the new system, resulting from cancellations of speculative bookings, there won’t be one available for those days. Therefore you will only have the option of grass.

Yes,I suspect that will be the inevitable result sadly. Depends on how many folks like us can cope with grass, as it may well be that the grass pitches will provide that bit of spare capacity that allows spontaneous touring for those who can cope and only want/ need the odd night. 
I’m not that familiar with the Club Site network to be honest, beyond the Sites that we have used, so not sure how many mixed surface sites there are. You had to be very wary on the grass at Rosedale Abbey last time we were there, but Club put in some HS pitches a few years ago. We have used Marazion loads of times, and whilst we have never had problems, we know others who have. The grass pitches at Warwick Racecourse were out of use once when we were there, so probably has issues. 

It strikes me that those with big Motorhomes are going to have to rebook to be honest, or risk not getting a HS and end up getting stuck. Folks might need to go more prepared this year unless bookings are altered. Ditto big vans pulled by non 4x4 vehicles.