No News Yet on the New Booking System

It wouldn’t be unreasonable to think that the last two years, and the pandemic in particular, along with Brexit,  might have changed the Club as it was forever. There are obviously a whole lot of new Members, with no previous knowledge of prices, booking conditions, etc...... who won’t have any loyalty as such to what they might have known and loved for years, and whose usual and previous holiday experiences are quite different from what the Club provides. Hence, what long term Members might consider very pricey, is but a much smaller spend per night to those committed to a new outfit and staying in UK. Likewise, being able to cancel, alter, simply not turn up, all without penalty will be completely unique to this new Market.

The Club now has the unenviable task of caring for its long term Market, but continuing to retain and attract new Members, many of whom will be its future. Some big challenges to come, not least around being able to keep Sites (and therefore the maximum number of pitches) available as planned. 

What we don't really know and what would be interesting to know is why the Club are going down the deposit route when for many years they always held up the lack of deposits as a point of difference. Some will remember that at one point they almost suggested that having  deposits would increase costs because it would involve two transaction charges! The financial authorities have at least removed that impediment.

So what are the reasons? Is it a way of regulating the booking systems so that more members get the opportunity which they feel under the current system they don't? Is the level of cancellations, particularly late on towards site arrival date impacting of financial performance and perhaps driving up costs? Coupled with that is there too much speculative booking which ends up being cancelled? Hopefully the Club will be direct with us and give us the full reasons behind the decision.

I am sure there are many like me who actually quite like the current system but if deposits are introduced it won't be a game changer. Clearly for some the introduction of deposits will be a change that they might find difficult to accept. However it does seem the decision has been made. Those that don't like the idea will try and suggest alternatives. The problem is that it is easier to buy a software package that takes a deposit than buying more complicated software that works out how many bookings you have made?

Finally I would say its good to see members we don't often see on CT coming on to add their contributions.

David

I wanted to share my views about deposits, and provide an insight to my C&MC experience in the hope it is of use. I'm strongly against deposits if they are non-transferable or non-refundable.

I am early 40's, owned a Motorhome for nearly 5 years, work full-time and go away in my van most weekends, all year around, and you can definitely class me as a weekend block booker. Exactly the person some people want to be able to stop being able to book multiple sites so they can have their full week booking. I also additionally book maybe 5 full weeks a year.

I sometimes change my mind about which site I want to stay at, so switch and change between them. Very rarely I will cancel a booking outright in plenty of time if work or family commitments arise. I have never in my nearly 5 years membership cancelled within the 72 hours, or not turned up.

If deposits were introduced I would not be able to book so far in advance, and take advantage of this flexibility. This leaves the C&MC with a similar product offering to most other service providers in the market. What the C&MC is not similar to other providers on is cost. As a camper with a van that is self-sufficient without EHU I can save a fortune booking with other clubs and service providers instead. I wonder, have the club been able to successfully measure the cost of giving up their USP, (unique selling point)? Have they measured how many people are currently paying their premium prices only because of this USP? Are they satisfied that the gains of giving up their USP will offset the losses of people like me - people who are spending a lot of money across the year with the C&MC because of the flexibility the current booking system offers? Are the big spenders with the club only big spenders because this flexibility allows them to be? When you are away for a big chunk of the year and camping is part of your lifestyle, rather than just two weeks away every summer you really value the flexibility afforded by the current system. 

This flexibility means I can plan ahead, the current system, with unlimited bookings allows me to commit to spending lots of money with C&MC, safe in the knowledge that if something should change I can take advantage of the flexibility. I currently have around 40 bookings, (yes 40!) with the C&MC. Over the course of the next year I suspect I will cancel 3 or 4 of these in plenty of time. Is it really a positive move to limit someone who will spend so much money over the next year to stop them making so many bookings? 

I've seen it said that you shouldn't book a pitch if you are not committed to it and completely agree. Despite my numerous bookings that commitment is there, but the fact is when you spend so long away the chances of something cropping up to prevent me getting away at some point over the course of the year are pretty high, but on any given booking I'd wager my risks are no higher than anyone else who has booked. 

Is introducing deposits even going to solve the problems that are why some people would like them introduced? If people think it will mean they can get in last minute for a full week at Chatsworth or York Rowntree I suspect they will still be disappointed - then what, they demand you have to book for a minimum stay? Or reduce the bookings you are permitted to make? It is always going to be the case at those honeypot sites, unless they are priced so that demand drops, that you snooze you lose. 

Only the club knows the true extent of the issue of no shows, but I wonder - is the ultimate goal of those asking for deposits to be introduced to reduce demand sufficiently so they can have their definition of flexibility - empty sites that they can book? Realistically that isn't going to happen with current levels of demand, so what will be achieved by introducing deposits?

As the flexibility offered by the club declines the potential market shifts, it must be very difficult to weigh up the pros and cons, financial and otherwise. It is my belief that people are looking for, and appreciating increased flexibility in their lives - not less. Personally I'm hopeful over the next few years I may even be able to work from the van and flexibility will be key.

I just hope that whatever decisions are made are not based on who shouts loudest but modelled based on market research, including costing, demographics and exploring what future requirements people may have, not even just of those who are currently in the club, but those who are the future of it.

Some people will read this and say I'm part of the problem - I am the reason they can't book Chatsworth for a week in August when they plan their holiday a couple of months before. It's up to the club to decide if people like me are the problem and they want to encourage me to take my custom elsewhere. I have no doubt that if non-refundable or non-transferable deposits are introduced, my spending levels with the club will dramatically decrease. They have to answer the question - will that spending be recovered elsewhere?

I should say I have no issue with deposits if the current levels of flexibility are maintained, and you only lose money in the event of a no show or late cancellation. For example if I could shift my booking to another date or site easily, (online, not sitting on the phone for 15 minutes) outside of the 72 hours cancellation cut off - then keep taking my money C&MC!

It actually says in the latest magazine on page 23

Campsite and pitch choice - we'll be looking at improving the system so you can book multiple campsites in one go and secure your preferred pitch type at the time of booking.

Straightforward Bookings - edit to full quote

we're reviewing how to make the booking system a simpler experience for all to help ease the avavilability issues that some of you may have experienced recently. This includes reviewing the need for deposits and improving campsite choice and value.

A bit different to what the site staff seem to have been advised what is the future as they understand ,deposits are part of the way forward 

I wonder if feedback ,the club is recieving from members ,is giving food for thought,and remember all site staff are members

The other club operates a system where anyone wanting weekends only on the most sought after holiday sites will not take precedence over someone wanting a holiday ie at least five days. However they do offer last minute pitches on these sites to anyone who turns up and there has been a cancellation or there is a gap in the system.

It may well be JVB that plans are further ahead than we know. The magazine is only a snap shot and was put together several weeks ago.

I see the AGM questions and answers are available. LINK There is perhaps more info about future plans on there. 

Apologies, another edit...

I feel we're a bit late for the party!!

More apologies for my AGM link, that was last years link but it appears strangely relevant to this year. 

This will not ease availability

Thanks for the link Brue. I note that last years questions are also included in the list!

peedee