Message Forums

Quote: Originally posted by David Klyne on 10/12/2009

---

Quote: Originally posted by Caroline M on 10/12/2009

---

Was talking for ages this weekend to the wardens at the CC site we went to last weekend, (It was the last pre booking we had made with the CC and we have now cancelled our membership) It is  fact there are a lot of no shows ( 5 on Friday night at that particular site) and even worse a lot of cancellations made on Fridays when other people have made alernative plans ( they had 8 cancellations on friday) so a site that was showing full for that weekend for weeks had 13 free pitches. So solve that one without deposits!

---

Caroline

I think it would be quite easy to resolve without deposits. As I have suggested before if you had to register a credit card, like you do with a hotel, if you cancelled within 48 hours of your visit you would pay the first nights site fee automatically. The advantage of this system is that it does not penalise those members who always honour their bookings. I am not even sure I would allow mitigating circumstances to be taken into account. If you were a no show then the Club has a process in place for dealing with people who do that on a regular basis. The real problem is that we don't know whether its the same people doing late cancellations or whether they are one offs. My view is that now the Club are asking for a reason when you cancel they are now clearly starting to monitor the reasons why people cancel. To me the next natural step would be for them to start to monitor those members that cancel at the last minute frequently and perhaps in the fullness of time you will see those members treated in the same way as no shows. 

David

---

Absolutley David could agree more with you. I suppose I presumed "Deposits" would be sending the money to the club but giving credit or debit card details would help enormously. No one would be financially worse off but the no shows could be debited the cost of that night stay fairly easily. brilliant!!  I was aware of the 3 no shows and you are out policy, but I wonder if they do actually follow that up. I suspect the club only tell us what they want us to hear in the magazine. Talking to the Wardens on the coal face, so to speak ,gives a different picture.

Cheers

Quote: Originally posted by Le Phantom on 10/12/2009

---

Quote: Originally posted by Caroline M on 10/12/2009

---

Was talking for ages this weekend to the wardens at the CC site we went to last weekend, (It was the last pre booking we had made with the CC and we have now cancelled our membership) It is  fact there are a lot of no shows ( 5 on Friday night at that particular site) and even worse a lot of cancellations made on Fridays when other people have made alernative plans ( they had 8 cancellations on friday) so a site that was showing full for that weekend for weeks had 13 free pitches. So solve that one without deposits!

---

Well I think you should be applauded on cancelling your membership; not everybody is prepared to back their statements on here with action and if more did there would be that bit less pressure on bookings for those who accept the current system.

It's perhaps a little churlish to point out that one site on one weekend is not statistically significant, only the CC can really know what the overall picture is. I agree with what has been said that deposits will only favour the rich.

However, if the CC is pursuing a policy of three strikes and you are out I support that above any financial penalties as it will rid us of anybody who makes such a significant number of no shows in a year.

---

sorry if i was "churlish" I was quoting the what the warden told me and it is not the only site we have seen this happen. As for favouring the rich...David has come up with what seems to me to be a brilliant solution.  We have a guest house and booking have to be made with a credit card. If we get a no show or a cancellation after 12.00pm on the day of arrival when I am unlikely to rebook the room the guest is debited the cost of the room ( expect in very exceptional circumstances ie sudden bereavement or serious illness or accident on the journey) We state that in our booking terms and everyone accepts it.

Anyway I am bowing out of this one. No matter how many times it is debated we always come to stalemate.

Quote: Originally posted by David Klyne on 10/12/2009

---

Quote: I think it would be quite easy to resolve without deposits. As I have suggested before if you had to register a credit card, like you do with a hotel, if you cancelled within 48 hours of your visit you would pay the first nights site fee automatically. The advantage of this system is that it does not penalise those members who always honour their bookings. I am not even sure I would allow mitigating circumstances to be taken into account. If you were a no show then the Club has a process in place for dealing with people who do that on a regular basis. The real problem is that we don't know whether its the same people doing late cancellations or whether they are one offs. My view is that now the Club are asking for a reason when you cancel they are now clearly starting to monitor the reasons why people cancel. To me the next natural step would be for them to start to monitor those members that cancel at the last minute frequently and perhaps in the fullness of time you will see those members treated in the same way as no shows. 

David

---

---

On the subject of no shows, say on Fridays.......

I have asked on more than one occasion by ringing the site, are there any vacancies for the coming weekend. And on all occasions get an anwser, we don't know unless someone cancells. I say can you ring if you get one, the anwser is no we can't you will have to ring back later.......Have done again on more that one occasion and get the same anwser, no all full........Well put this one to the test one weekend and found a site just a few miles from the one I really wanted to stop at. So took a short drive over to it from the one I was stopping at (it was only 8 miles) and low and behold there were at least a dozen pitches vacant, this was at 5pm on a Saturday. Went past the site on the Sunday and half the site was empty. Had to go and ask them to be nosey, were you full last night and are you full tonight. Got a very snotty anwser and feeble excuse about keeping a few pitches empty incase someone turns up.  

Now if we have to play ball and ring and cancel, which I go along with, why can't they  be honest or have the decency to help someone who does want to stay on the site.

Mick

Quote: Originally posted by jim oldham on 10/12/2009

---

---

Following David's suggestion, I mentioned this point in my E mail to the CC and other suggestions, which have been brought up during these postings.
I have been informed that they will be considered in time for nest year.
I for one think it is time for a reappraisal and probable change.
Regards,
Jim.

---

I wouldn't be holding your breath. You would be amazed at the rigmarole involved to change anything in the caravan club and the number of people who need to approve things.

Quote: Originally posted by Caroline M on 10/12/2009

---

Quote: Originally posted by Le Phantom on 10/12/2009

---

Quote: Originally posted by Caroline M on 10/12/2009

---

Was talking for ages this weekend to the wardens at the CC site we went to last weekend, (It was the last pre booking we had made with the CC and we have now cancelled our membership) It is  fact there are a lot of no shows ( 5 on Friday night at that particular site) and even worse a lot of cancellations made on Fridays when other people have made alernative plans ( they had 8 cancellations on friday) so a site that was showing full for that weekend for weeks had 13 free pitches. So solve that one without deposits!

---

Well I think you should be applauded on cancelling your membership; not everybody is prepared to back their statements on here with action and if more did there would be that bit less pressure on bookings for those who accept the current system.

It's perhaps a little churlish to point out that one site on one weekend is not statistically significant, only the CC can really know what the overall picture is. I agree with what has been said that deposits will only favour the rich.

However, if the CC is pursuing a policy of three strikes and you are out I support that above any financial penalties as it will rid us of anybody who makes such a significant number of no shows in a year.

---

sorry if i was "churlish" I was quoting the what the warden told me and it is not the only site we have seen this happen. As for favouring the rich...David has come up with what seems to me to be a brilliant solution.  We have a guest house and booking have to be made with a credit card. If we get a no show or a cancellation after 12.00pm on the day of arrival when I am unlikely to rebook the room the guest is debited the cost of the room ( expect in very exceptional circumstances ie sudden bereavement or serious illness or accident on the journey) We state that in our booking terms and everyone accepts it.

Anyway I am bowing out of this one. No matter how many times it is debated we always come to stalemate.

---