Posted on 06/11/2021 09:02
Hi everyone,
Not sure if it’s just me but since starting caravan life I have found one site which is busy most of the time and this site is chatsworth park. What is frustrating is you can book space here well in advance but noticed that people release their booked space indicating that they only booked in case they want to go. Maybe a small deposit would stop the crazy booking system.
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Posted on 02/01/2022 12:31 by compass362Alas all the whinging & whining by a limited number of our unsatisfied membership that constantly begged, prayed for & yes even demanded the club set up a new booking system that includes the reintroduction of deposits for all future bookings.
It seems to have backfired on their ideas that it would /should make for more abundant availability in those areas that they couldn't get before.
Having deposits won't solve any member's lack of not being able to book a certain site/pitch & time of the year, clearly that was the expectation thought by many, when the answer is so much simpler..... book early to avoid disappointment.
Being able to book pay a deposit & cancel /make date amendments with deposits refunded or reusable on future bookings, changes nothing.
The silver bullet of taking a deposit & making more availability is the new club myth.
Posted on 02/01/2022 13:01
I so agree with your post ,but then it seems it is the vocal minority who as this time have not really. thought their comments through have it seems yet again shot themselves in the foot, at the expense of what the majority were quite satisfied,
It will be very interesting if this clubs USP that has been now done away with will have an effect.on the clubs finances in the future ,as many will now think why Pay £56 to book this company when there is no need for other site suppliers
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Posted on 02/01/2022 11:24 by AmesfordDo you think the new booking system could make things worse I note that some members prefer grass pitches but with the present system they appear to be the last pitches to be taken up, so with our future bookings we will try and book a hardstanding if not available I may well give that site a miss rather than book and hope one is available as with the present system thus perhaps resulting in unused pitches ?? At present we do book well ahead at the moment using service pitches for long stays
Posted on 02/01/2022 13:09
It will be interesting to see how the ability to book a pitch surface pans out. I wonder if the Club has conducted any research via friendly commercial sites to establish how it works out for them? I suppose if the Club find grass pitches under subscribed it will spur them on to provide more hardstandings where that is possible. The problem in trying to work out what will happen is that we have two major changes at the same time, deposits and pitch surface booking. What we don't know is whether members will still be so committed to book so far in advance knowing they have to pay a deposit? I wonder if the Club are working on the basis that whilst some will do that for their main holiday/s they might be less inclined to book lots of weekends or other holidays if they are uncertain they will take them up. Looking at what we might do this year I am certainly looking at more non Club options if they happen to be more convenient for where we want to be.
David
Posted on 02/01/2022 12:31 by compass362Alas all the whinging & whining by a limited number of our unsatisfied membership that constantly begged, prayed for & yes even demanded the club set up a new booking system that includes the reintroduction of deposits for all future bookings.
It seems to have backfired on their ideas that it would /should make for more abundant availability in those areas that they couldn't get before.
Having deposits won't solve any member's lack of not being able to book a certain site/pitch & time of the year, clearly that was the expectation thought by many, when the answer is so much simpler..... book early to avoid disappointment.
Being able to book pay a deposit & cancel /make date amendments with deposits refunded or reusable on future bookings, changes nothing.
The silver bullet of taking a deposit & making more availability is the new club myth.
Posted on 02/01/2022 13:01 by JVB66I so agree with your post ,but then it seems it is the vocal minority who as this time have not really. thought their comments through have it seems yet again shot themselves in the foot, at the expense of what the majority were quite satisfied,
It will be very interesting if this clubs USP that has been now done away with will have an effect.on the clubs finances in the future ,as many will now think why Pay £56 to book this company when there is no need for other site suppliers
Posted on 02/01/2022 13:32
Out of interest are there any holiday sites that take bookings without deposits, I assumed the club was unique in this respect?
If deposits are now to become universal the club will be up against competion on a different scale eg better value overall, better provisions etc.
Posted on 02/01/2022 12:34 by TinwheelerIs it a case of be careful what you wish for?
Posted on 02/01/2022 13:38
It cannot be any worse than the current system. As for the impact of deposits, it remains to be seen. One thing I feel certain about is sites are not going to get booked up so far in advance as they currently do which should give those wanting to make a positive committment a better chance of obtaining pitches and hopefully if grass turns out to be unpopular, it will be available for those last minute bookings or those who just turn up.
peedee
1 person likes this
Posted on 02/01/2022 13:32 by brueOut of interest are there any holiday sites that take bookings without deposits, I assumed the club was unique in this respect?
If deposits are now to become universal the club will be up against competion on a different scale eg better value overall, better provisions etc.
Posted on 02/01/2022 13:38 by peedeeIt cannot be any worse than the current system. As for the impact of deposits, it remains to be seen. One thing I feel certain about is sites are not going to get booked up so far in advance as they currently do which should give those wanting to make a positive committment a better chance of obtaining pitches and hopefully if grass turns out to be unpopular, it will be available for those last minute bookings or those who just turn up.
peedee
Posted on 02/01/2022 13:43
Those as is the vast majority it seems will still book a long way in advance just to make sure it seems they will get the pitch type of their choice
It may well be the case that many more hardstands will be needed, which if possible will then reduce the pitches available on sites
Posted on 02/01/2022 13:46
JVB I interpreted "why pay £56 to book this company when there is no need for other site suppliers" as meaning some other places didn't require deposits. 
However being able to cancel so easily has also been a USP and has not been good for the business model.
Posted on 02/01/2022 13:32 by brueOut of interest are there any holiday sites that take bookings without deposits, I assumed the club was unique in this respect?
If deposits are now to become universal the club will be up against competion on a different scale eg better value overall, better provisions etc.
Posted on 02/01/2022 13:46 by brueJVB I interpreted "why pay £56 to book this company when there is no need for other site suppliers" as meaning some other places didn't require deposits.
However being able to cancel so easily has also been a USP and has not been good for the business model.
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