C&MC bookings…….

[The Wino]

Another thing that ought to happen and it might already is only allowing members to book one site on a particular day rather than hold two in the expectation of cancelling the other

 

[Harrogate motorhomer]

When working we did book weekends & stuck to them. I’m referring to the ones who book every weekend & then decide which ones to use. I dare say they will be the ones squealing the most.
Every system is open to abuse & no doubt people will be looking for a way round it such as booking longer stays & amending them nearer the time which won’t count as a cancellation.

 

[SpeedyDux]

The changes being made are for the benefit of CAMC not the members just the same as the recently introduced 1 pm arrival times which at this time of year means a 25% reduction in daylight hours on arrival day. All their excuses about extra covid cleaning are just that. I haven’t seen anyone cleaning anymore thoroughly but have seen wardens having time for lunch before opening up & 1pm arrivals was introduced on some sites well before covid. Can’t wait to get back through the tunnel.

I must have missed the 1 pm arrival time change. Does it apply to all sites or only some sites?

It would annoy us because we tend to pitch up then walk to the nearest pub for lunch.

 

[two]

We can only guess at what that club is really up to. Maybe they have a cash flow problem?
They could easily chase the 'few' no-shows for compensation, or prevent them from booking in future.
Like much of the propaganda put out by them, my guess is split between them not having a clue and something which has nothing to do with late cancellations. The ability to book without a deposit was once something they bragged about.

 

[busbuddy]

I assume that their whole business plan has received a huge wake up call
Many sites had to close before the end of the season because of staff shortages, not covid just people leaving the job.
The live in ex caravanner warden is, in my opinion, a dying breed and the camc is probably having to up its recruitment meaning more cost, I dont think it will be long before the camc business plan will include contract cleaners, gardeners and receptionists.
Nearly everything over the last few years, including pre covid, has gone to paying when you book instead of paying when you arrive whether it be a campsite or large outdoor event.

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[SpeedyDux]

We can only guess at what that club is really up to. Maybe they have a cash flow problem?
They could easily chase the 'few' no-shows for compensation, or prevent them from booking in future.
Like much of the propaganda put out by them, my guess is split between them not having a clue and something which has nothing to do with late cancellations. The ability to book without a deposit was once something they bragged about.

Yes, this was the C&MC's big USP in marketing terms, that they introduced in 2010 I believe. One reason why we re-joined.

What is the point in following the deposit herd again? Members will choose other C&CC sites, or cheaper private commercial sites.

 

[two]

Things move on but the CC (as was) has not been very nimble when it comes to change.
Whilst the number of pitches available reduces in proportion to those being sought, costs and inconvenience are bound to rise, so things like deposits might be no surprise. Members who don't like the idea are not obliged to remain, of course.

For years the CC used to boast about the increasing size of its membership but I don't think such growth was ever matched by an increase in the number of pitches available. The CC may not be much different to other organisations, however, it's just the one that I had been an active member of and able to observe a steady decline over time. The inordinate cost to re-brand does not seem to have brought it much success either (I don't even remember what the new identity is).

 

[hja]

I think the intention is to take payment the day before arrival, presumably using the same card you used to pay the deposit.

 

[SpeedyDux]

I think t ..he intention is to take payment the day before arrival, presumably using the same card you used to pay the deposit.

The option of payment of the balance on arrival is still going to be available, I understand. I would prefer to pay on arrival, in case circumstances outside my control such as breakdown of the MH mean I become a no-show. Getting a refund seems unlikely.

 

[Spriddler]

Nearly everything over the last few years, including pre covid, has gone to paying when you book instead of paying when you arrive whether it be a campsite or large outdoor event.

Quite right too.
Pubs and restos began taking substantial deposits for meal reservations during Covid because they lost a lot of money with 'No shows' at their already reduced capacity businesses.

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[Gellyneck]

Only to the three phone calls we received this summer when staying at Carnon Downs.

Wonder if it was anything to do with their transition from independent site to C&MC owned as we've never been contacted for advanced payment?

 

[Gellyneck]

Another thing that ought to happen and it might already is only allowing members to book one site on a particular day rather than hold two in the expectation of cancelling the other

An individual member can only book one site on a specific date. This is what you get if you try to book two.

 

[stewartwebr]

I knew of someone (a tugger) who used to book 3 or 4 sites in different places for the same weekend then on the Thursday decide which they would go to and either cancel the others or just not turn up. Not 100% sure but I think a couple of their cronies used to do the same thing.
Totally selfish attitude in my opinion

That is not possible, the system will not allow a member to have more than one booking on any one date. They could of course have multiple memberships, but if they are paying the annual memberships that would be up to them, selfish but within the rules.

I know this because I have at time tried to make a booking and got start or finish dates wrong and the system tells me it is not possible as I already have a booking.

 

[The Wino]

I wonder if the next thing will be a booking fee non refundable to cover the admin costs. I intensely dislike that with theatres paying a fee to buy something really annoys me. I do think making say£5 of any booking non refundable to cover admin on the refund would be fair enough.

 

[charliesgrandad]

I wonder if the next thing will be a booking fee non refundable to cover the admin costs. I intensely dislike that with theatres paying a fee to buy something really annoys me. I do think making say£5 of any booking non refundable to cover admin on the refund would be fair enough.

Surely there is no admin on online bookings , if that is so when someone cancels a booking in the middle of the night does the CMC have someone altering the availability doesn't the website get paid to do that

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[The Wino]

Surely there is no admin on online bookings , if that is so when someone cancels a booking in the middle of the night does the CMC have someone altering the availability doesn't the website get paid to do that

I was thinking mainly where a refund is required.

 

[SpeedyDux]

What would happen if someone booked 2 weeks on a site knowing they only wanted 4/5 days & then amended it to suit the weather & or other circumstances . Every system is open to abuse.
People who are due to arrive in bad weather & for the duration of their stay won’t care less about £25.
We only book Rowntree park in advance to keep the wheels turning in the winter & have only cancelled in extreme circumstances. We were there 2 weeks ago & there were quite a few spare pitches midweek so I guess it’s the weekend fair weather block bookers who will lose out.

I recall there is an example posted on the C&MC thread by a caravanning farmer who makes a 21 day booking intending to cancel about a week off either end, depending on the weather, so he can make his silage. I am not criticising that kind of circumstance as a reason for amending or cancelling a booking, merely observing that the actual requirements of the Membership are more varied than I realised.

 

[robnchris]

Wonder if it was anything to do with their transition from independent site to C&MC owned as we've never been contacted for advanced payment?

That we don't know, can't see why as in the many years we have been going to Carnon Downs Simon the previous owner never phoned for payment prior to arrival, the first time it happened the lady on the phone said it was to save people going into the office re the covid virus.
We would stay over night at Exeter Racecourse just to break the journey up to Cornwall, when I mentioned the phone call to the Warden there she was really surprised saying the Club would never do that, so it will remain to be seen if the practice continues.

 

[SpeedyDux]

Yet as many here know when you camp in the EU, where most of our camping is done, you normally don’t book in advance, if you do you don’t pay a deposit very often, just turn up and stay as long as you want then pay the bill the day before you leave.
Probably not in August though, but I wouldn’t know I’m on a CAMC site if any. Can’t wait to get back to getting away again.

France is wonderful for the just-turn-up people like us although there are some popular sites near coasts where you would need to book during August. We should be grateful to their government who I understand ordered communes to set up municipal campsites after WW2 so ordinary French families could have somewhere cheap to stay on holiday. Hence France has over 10,000 sites with touring pitches, almost double the number in the UK. What a difference that makes. Even though some municipals have been effectively transferred to the private sector due to the cost of upkeep. I would still prefer to tour France.

Against the background of the almost 6000 or so private UK campsites with touring pitches, the 2 main clubs C&MC and C&CC are tiddlers. Once the C&MC insists on deposits they will have to compete much harder, because most of their sites are in the middle of nowhere. I think the Club is making a big mistake.

 

[The Wino]

I recall there is an example posted on the C&MC thread by a caravanning farmer who makes a 21 day booking intending to cancel about a week off either end, depending on the weather, so he can make his silage. I am not criticising that kind of circumstance as a reason for amending or cancelling a booking, merely observing that the actual requirements of the Membership are more varied than I realised.

I wonder if they would expect to book other holidays in a similar fashion.

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[The Wino]

France is wonderful for the just-turn-up people like us although there are some popular sites near coasts where you would need to book during August. We should be grateful to their government who I understand ordered communes to set up municipal campsites after WW2 so ordinary French families could have somewhere cheap to stay on holiday. Hence France has over 10,000 sites with touring pitches, almost double the number in the UK. What a difference that makes. Even though some municipals have been effectively transferred to the private sector due to the cost of upkeep. I would still prefer to tour France.

Against the background of the almost 6000 or so private UK campsites with touring pitches, the 2 main clubs C&MC and C&CC are tiddlers. Once the C&MC insists on deposits they will have to compete much harder, because most of their sites are in the middle of nowhere. I think the Club is making a big mistake.

It depends on the balance. At the moment we're in strange times but I recon they are probably largely fully booked but end up with some spaces due to cancellations. If they can swap speculative bookings for people who turn up and pay they could do better financially even if they lose a few members.

 

[599]

its not just the c/c/clubs brownhills members are the same they book & no show because its free just incase they might come . our frinds have tried to book loads of times & us only to find the the computer says NO but lots of empty spots these people should have to forfeit in someway one of our pet hates .val

 

[Gellyneck]

Once the C&MC insists on deposits they will have to compete much harder, because most of their sites are in the middle of nowhere. I think the Club is making a big mistake.

Along with pricing themselves out of the market.

 

[SpeedyDux]

I wonder if they would expect to book other holidays in a similar fashion.

Who knows, eh. I was observing that the current no-deposit system suits his individual requirement as a livestock farmer. There could be other examples. In my previous profession as a litigator the judge-centric Court listing system, and random delays and overruns, could completely mess up my pre-booked holidays. All of which supports the principle of mutuality and Club ethos, rather than a one-size-fits-all commercial approach.

 

[Barryh]

I wonder if they would expect to book other holidays in a similar fashion.

A lot of folk think that normal rules of commerce shouldn’t apply to the industry. What other goods or services can you place an order for and not expect to pay either a deposit or the full amount?

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[Spriddler]

A lot of folk think that normal rules of commerce shouldn’t apply to the industry. What other goods or services can you place an order for and not expect to pay either a deposit or the full amount?

Agreed. The issue arises partly because the CAMC promotes itself as a 'Club' and not as a commercial business.

 

[Mikey RV]

To the peaple that say they are going to leave the club when they start to take deposits etc. when you leave the club and decide to go on holiday and ring to book up and the site says yes that will be £ deposit and balance due one month before arrival, are you still going to book.

 

[phase3begins]

France is wonderful for the just-turn-up people like us although there are some popular sites near coasts where you would need to book during August. We should be grateful to their government who I understand ordered communes to set up municipal campsites after WW2 so ordinary French families could have somewhere cheap to stay on holiday. Hence France has over 10,000 sites with touring pitches, almost double the number in the UK. What a difference that makes. Even though some municipals have been effectively transferred to the private sector due to the cost of upkeep. I would still prefer to tour France.

Against the background of the almost 6000 or so private UK campsites with touring pitches, the 2 main clubs C&MC and C&CC are tiddlers. Once the C&MC insists on deposits they will have to compete much harder, because most of their sites are in the middle of nowhere. I think the Club is making a big mistake.

France is 2.3 times bigger than UK so theoretically France has fewer pitches per area…….

 

[two]

France is 2.3 times bigger than UK so theoretically France has fewer pitches per area…….

But the critical measure is availability V demand (the pitches available V those seeking one).
France does, indeed, have more space than us, per head of population, so should find it much easier to provide more pitches in proportion.
Perhaps we should take to boats, rather than motorhomes...

 

[charliesgrandad]

The changes being made are for the benefit of CAMC not the members just the same as the recently introduced 1 pm arrival times which at this time of year means a 25% reduction in daylight hours on arrival day. All their excuses about extra covid cleaning are just that. I haven’t seen anyone cleaning anymore thoroughly but have seen wardens having time for lunch before opening up & 1pm arrivals was introduced on some sites well before covid. Can’t wait to get back through the tunnel.

I noticed 1 pm arrival time on a recent visit to Knaresborough site and was led to believe all sites were implementing this for Covid reasons, I have just looked at the details for Abbeywood site prior to booking for next year and they are obviously very quick at carrying out covid protocols as they don't ask you to arrive till 1 pm
Type of site:Club
Open to:Non members welcome
Open all year
Earliest arrival time:10:00
Total pitches:151 (95 hardstanding)
Max outfit length (m):9

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