Booking ahead is unfair at some sites

Deposits would add unnecessary complexity to the system. Just take credit card info. Clear T&C that any late cancellation/no show will incur a penalty of £50. No agreement to T&C = no booking. The penalty then doesn't have to rely on a deposit and is not related to the actual cost of the stay. 72 hours before is a ridiculously short period. 7 days minimum. I would suggest 14 days. That would sort out the "Oh dear it's going to rain" brigade.

I'm off to selfishly book as many days as I can for sometime next year before the deposits come into play  ..... just in case I might want to go away .... after all it's in the rules!!! 

Sorry - yes I meant two nights or less

I personally don't think a week is long enough.  The Club is in the leisure industry and, if you booked a hotel or other holiday, you wouldn't get your money back if you cancelled within 6 weeks unless it was potentially covered by insurance.

Members seem to think this is their club and run for them.  it isn't.  It's in business to make a profit and, whilst that profit isn't paid to highly paid executives or to shareholders, it needs to be run as a business.

I'm the first to admit I've used the booking system to my advantage but, as i said earlier, a £10 or £20 deposit wouldn't stop me booking speculatively whereas payment in full for two nights away would.

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And?  It isn't against the rules.  I hope more members admit to doing it!

You are a rare individual mb👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻, you have open honesty, as you say you haven’t broken rules at all so have no concerns nor are you selfish. If more had your level of honesty these conversations & complaints wouldn’t need airing so often.

At the end of the day whatever system the club introduce some members will like and some members won't.  If you don't like it you can walk with your feet but most members won't - They'll just whinge about it on here. I've used the fact that i don't have to pay a deposit to my advantage, particularly on a "honeypot" site.. I've not broken any rules.

We all know there are too many people chasing too few pitches.

You wouldn't book a holiday abroad, a ferry, a cottage without paying a sizeable non refundable deposit.  Why should the Club be any different.

Yes it will make me think of when and where I book.

It might be within the rules but is it within the 'spirit' of club membership?

I've recently booked up for next April and again for June. I have had to pay a deposit of £40 for one week in April and 50% for a two week stay in June. I'm not complaining as my holidays will seem that much cheaper come the time.