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 07/11/2021 14:17
Even introducing "pay in full on booking" for other members is never going to work to suit some others. Once one has taken the initial hit it becomes just a case of replacing one booking (or set of bookings) with another. As interest rates are approaching the position of banks charging their customes to keep money in their accounts, having a series of booking with caravan sites (Clubs and commercials) is possibly a better use of funds.
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Posted on 07/11/2021 14:17 by NavigateurEven introducing "pay in full on booking" for other members is never going to work to suit some others. Once one has taken the initial hit it becomes just a case of replacing one booking (or set of bookings) with another. As interest rates are approaching the position of banks charging their customes to keep money in their accounts, having a series of booking with caravan sites (Clubs and commercials) is possibly a better use of funds.
Posted on 07/11/2021 15:11
Once one has taken the initial hit it becomes just a case of replacing one booking (or set of bookings) with another
I would argue that this depends on the T&C's the club sets out...will they say 'non refundable if cancelled in the 30 days prior to arrival' with the proviso...'we strongly recommend you take out travel insurance'...which we will provide at £??....
Posted on 07/11/2021 12:28 by GraydjamesOK this is off topic I know, but I am amused at the notion of Chatsworth being a "honeypot" site. It is seven years since I went to this site and, unless it has been markedly improved, I have no plans to return. I just re-read my review of the site (I stayed on a super pitch) and it is one negative after another. The only positives in my review were the friendly wardens and Chatsworth House - the latter nothing to do with the club. If I want to visit the house again or the various events they hold, I am fortunate to be able to do it as a day trip from my home.
On the topic: I find the OP confusing. If all he wants is deposits then I agree 100%. If there really are more than a very few who will stop using CMC sites because of deposits, which I seriously doubt, then so be it. Hopefully that's more space available for the rest of us. But no one has mentioned the headline to the post, wherein the OP describes advance booking as unfair. This implies that busy sites (or even all sites) should not have advance booking. I think we must all agree that that would result in chaos and is surely impracticable.
Some of the criticism of the OP, especially early in the thread is unfair and unkind. If he is recently joined, he has a right to be disappointed at the difficulty in finding pitches.
Posted on 07/11/2021 17:16
I don’t know the Site at Chatsworth, but living not far from Sheffield, and having family in Bakewell, we do know the area very well. For those looking to pitch up up, not turn a wheel of any kind, it’s not a bad location. Easy access to the house and parklands, and that basically is the big draw, along of course with a big selection of events at the house, throughout the year. Perfect for a a bit of walking, retail therapy (if your wallet can stand it) in the Estate shops, eat out either in Baslow or in the Estate eateries. Some other nice places a stones throw away. It’s a cheap place to visit a popular area of Peak District if you own a tourer, so same as visiting York RP, or Bristol BW. Family Summer holiday location? Not as far as I am concerned. We have never stayed, and go elsewhere in the Peaks, with more to visit, better cycling and walking, and a lot cheaper overnight fees. Been round the house &estate a couple of times on day trips, so ticked those boxes. Haddon Hall is a far nicer day out as far as we are concerned.
I think the term the OP has used, unfair, is a little bit harsh, because as pointed out, the booking conditions are the same for everyone. To me, I don’t think the Club has met the expectations of a new Member who might have thought that belonging to something (paying a fee) gave them easy access to Sites. That simply isn’t the case at the moment, because too many Members are chasing too few pitches at selected locations.
Posted on 07/11/2021 17:16 by TakethedogalongI don’t know the Site at Chatsworth, but living not far from Sheffield, and having family in Bakewell, we do know the area very well. For those looking to pitch up up, not turn a wheel of any kind, it’s not a bad location. Easy access to the house and parklands, and that basically is the big draw, along of course with a big selection of events at the house, throughout the year. Perfect for a a bit of walking, retail therapy (if your wallet can stand it) in the Estate shops, eat out either in Baslow or in the Estate eateries. Some other nice places a stones throw away. It’s a cheap place to visit a popular area of Peak District if you own a tourer, so same as visiting York RP, or Bristol BW. Family Summer holiday location? Not as far as I am concerned. We have never stayed, and go elsewhere in the Peaks, with more to visit, better cycling and walking, and a lot cheaper overnight fees. Been round the house &estate a couple of times on day trips, so ticked those boxes. Haddon Hall is a far nicer day out as far as we are concerned.
I think the term the OP has used, unfair, is a little bit harsh, because as pointed out, the booking conditions are the same for everyone. To me, I don’t think the Club has met the expectations of a new Member who might have thought that belonging to something (paying a fee) gave them easy access to Sites. That simply isn’t the case at the moment, because too many Members are chasing too few pitches at selected locations.
Posted on 07/11/2021 11:04 by TakethedogalongThat’s three possible suggestions to run alongside deposits, and you can bet the Club are mulling over all three😉
Restricted bookings for certain Sites
Premium price for certain Sites (I suspect this is in use already)
Premium price certain days of the week, and certain times of the year. (Already in use, but it’s termed mid week discounts, and high season)
All the above are common to a lot hospitality businesses. The Club is unique however in that it needs to retain its core Membership, those that have supported it through thick and thin, whose fees have helped keep it going through difficult times, and then trying to build on newer, younger Members who they can rely on for the future. Both are needed, and need to respect each other’s contribution.
Posted on 07/11/2021 17:35
Well, as an IT guy I can assure you if there's going to be an announcement in the next 12 months, they aren't mulling over anything.
They will be way past the point of no return in terms of systems development to make these kind of fundamental changes. OK, adding a new class or classes of pitch fairly easy, differential pricing based on availability a nightmare and deposits, big big change.
Not only on systems, probably they'll need a whole new back office team to deal with the ramifications of failed payments, refunds, expired cards etc etc.
They have the simplest of systems at the moment. Turn up and pay.
Look at the other club, can't even view your bookings online let alone amend them...
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Posted on 07/11/2021 17:55
It has been rumoured the Club has bought into some hospitality system, but as far as I am aware, it’s just rumour. But I take your word for how long such a system will need to be in place and up and running. Recruitment of posts......there was a flurry in September/October, but not sure what exactly.
I have just opened a thread on the current inability to alter my profile or marketing preferences at the moment, so I have little faith things will get any better.
Personally, not a huge user of Club Sites, tend to take up short term availability, so totally on the fence about deposits, couldn’t care less. No experience of other Club, other than reading what others post, namely that CAMC system seems easier.
Now, If the Club offered a cheaper, access to CL network only option, I would definitely go for that👍👍👍 😂
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Posted on 07/11/2021 17:32 byI used to live nearby and agree Baslow is a very nice location and the site has a lot going for it but £50 a night is quite ridiculous. I paid £40pn for a few nights this year when for the first time ever we ventured onto a high season French site. I wont list everything it had on offer but it's enough to say it is in an altogether different league from any club site. I think £50 is straightforward exploitation of the members willing to pay it.
Posted on 07/11/2021 18:47 by TakethedogalongBaslow is just a roundabout to me😂 Pretty scenery granted, but the walks are elsewhere. Totally agree £50 per night doesn’t represent good value to us. But others are happy, their choice😁
Posted on 07/11/2021 19:16
At £50 a night, no way! Although that is for 2 adults + 2 children, haven't looked it up, but would be less for us as just 2 adults. Suspect it would be around the £40 mark, so still wouldn't entertain that.
We have stayed on that site a couple of times many years ago; agree that as a site it's unattractive, first time the pitch we were on flooded after heavy rain, so not impressed, and steered clear of that pitch after that! But we did enjoy a number of lovely walks from there, that's the best thing I remember about that site 
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Posted on 07/11/2021 19:43
I posted on another thread,, when we were parked at FM next to 3 hired motor caravans ,and were very impressed at how reasonable it was to stay on this "companies "sites off peak non members prices was £43 for a couple per night
Which seems with what some post on CT ,about prices, is what new LV users are quite prepared to pay
Posted on 06/11/2021 09:02 by ChrisSummers46Hi 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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ChrisSummers46
Motorhomer