Booking ahead is unfair at some sites

I think it depends how specific one wants to be about site/date selection.

Like Steve, and many others no doubt, we were consigned to touring in the UK once the April lockdown was released but a mix of CL, THS, commercial and Club sites have seen us squeeze in 12 weeks so far with another three weeks upto New Year..

there were obviously some limitations but, again like Steve, we are retired and can move dates and places about a bit to make the tour 'fit'...this is this is the bit that is really difficult for working families and sometimes no amount of 'forward planning' can make it all come together.

While I understand the different range of commitments retired folk have (we have them, too....) we oldies certainly have an 'advantage' over folk with work and school prominent in their diaries...

a first year member is certainly going to find it 'tricky' playing catch up with those who've had a year to book...

We live in exceptional times  when many who would travel overseas are now doing staycations. 

As can be seen with the very High numbers of new members with both major pitch providors 

Also with the very High level also over the last couple of years of LV ownership ,it has been at times difficult to put together any tours or the usual two week holidays on many sites in this country, unless booking very early

With the now opening up of borders ,there is a possibility.   there will be an easing of pressure on site availability in the UK ,next year ,

And it seems from conversations and articles in some media,  there could also be very many used low mileage. LVs on dealers forecourts 

It made very little diference to non arrivals or short notice cancelations when this club had a deposit system, before the booking system was computerised for members to use

According to club information ,non arrival figures were less after this system was introduced

But this year it has gone up according to site staff and it seems to be new members with motor caravans and campers that are the most non arrivals

For me, a user, the club is a most unusual place for the trust, dignity ease and civility it projects and allows. The introduction of deposits would remove what to me makes it very special. I'd be worried of a shift in values of distinctive club towards an anonymity of many commercial organisations. 

I don't really mind either way re deposits...if they come, they come...however, I do think the '72 hr' cancellation period is too short and this could easily be moved to a full week.

if deposits are supposed to sharpen the mind re 'commitment' then we can't still have folk being 'undecided' 3 days from arrival.

with pitches only being returned to 'stock' 72 hrs before being due to be used, it's more likely they will be snapped up by those who have the time to 'keep an eye on' the late availability...that won't be working mums and dads...

While a lengthier period would still favour those sitting at a PC but it might just give a sporting chance to others.

it depends how much 'commitment' the club is looking to get from bookers moving forward....I'd have thought 7 days prior is better than 3.

I took David to mean any difference to the ease of booking, rather than wether folk would choose not to use CAMC sites.  Personally I do not think it will make a significant difference at a site like Chatsworth, there are just so many wanting to go there. It might end up being a different set of folk who book well in advance but undoubtedly it will happen.

Yesterday I tried to book a C&CC site for October 22 during half term. The only pitch on offer was grass without EHU, everything else was booked up, despite a £25 deposit. I wouldn’t rate it anywhere near as go to as Chatsworth either.

Personally, I think we are moving towards new times in terms of the “Club”. It’s appointed a new Director of Sites, Operations or whatever the title is, and it’s going to become more competitive in terms of what it offers, and how it’s marketed and sold. Underpinning this is a raft of marketing posts designed to keep an eye on trends, the competition, and making sure the Membership grows.
Any prospective new Member could be forgiven for thinking that payment of a fee will buy them a guaranteed pitch where they want, when they want, but the reality at the moment doesn’t meet that expectation, partly because the Club is struggling with staffing issues, partly because newer Members won’t be fully conversant with just how popular some Sites are, and possibly because there are just not enough Club pitches to meet the current unprecedented demand.

Deposits are not going to be the nirvana some think they will be, at least not alone. 

Indeed, as TDA says other tweaks will be required to make a difference. I agree with BB and have long argued that a seven day cancellation period is more realistic. 72 hours is ridiculously short.

I would agree re the retirement thing and also the catch up. In that respect not a lot has changed and there wasn’t even a pandemic in 2005, when we joined. We bought our first van in the February and took it to Clumber for a weekend to try it out. Then tried to book for Easter BH (we still worked then). We only got anywhere within 150 miles of home, because they decided to open Malvern after a refurbishment early. We then played catch up for the rest of our first year, having to be flexible on where we went. However, just like now there were sites available. Clearly it will depend on where you are located, but I have not looked at any month this year, where a bit of flexibility wouldn’t  have allowed a break, even if we were working.

From our observations, Club Site occupancy changes at weekends. Midweek it’s mainly couples, a good bit quieter. Come Fridays, the family outfits move in. Quite how deposits will alter this I am not sure, other than penalise families of working age.

I still think it’s going to need a lot of commitment and effort, regardless of age, income etc....to get a pitch at certain Sites at certain times of the year.