Has the club made the right move?

Posted on 19/08/2023 19:43 by TimboC

I can see how the OP would see it as a fee though TW.

The point is though that we all are in the the habit of ticking those boxes that say we've read the T and C's when doing something online, but how many of us actually do?

Posted on 19/08/2023 18:02 by tr54tds

I'm just wondering if anyone else feels the same as me. I understand that before deposits were introduced some people block booked popular sites and didn't arrive for those they didn't want which kept others from using them. I for one got annoyed at this. But my recent experience has left me with a bad taste in my mouth. On Thursday 18th August I made a booking for Clumber Park for 5 night from Sunday 20th August, thinking I could correct it if through my busy life I needed to amend it. I was surprised to learn I now needed to leave a deposit but oh well i did it anyway. When my wife came home from work she made me realise I needed to reduce the nights in favour of staying somewhere else prior so making our journey broken up. When trying to amend, it seemed I was being charged £16. We decided to call the club to see what we could do, only to be told we had to stand to the charge or lose the £20 deposit. They did waiver the charge after long discussions but after rethinking we have decided to not turn up and lose the deposit as it now doesn't fit with our travel plans. I am now thinking of cancelling my membership as I can't get along with this system as last minute bookings suit us and sometimes we need to change because of our busy lifestyles. I didn't sign up to the travel industry but a club which now seems to be into just making money. I also don't agree with being charged for visitors that also seems wrong to me. This along with the increase in prices leaves me thinking that I'm getting a hotel rather than a piece of turf (forgive the exaggeration). I think the club need to rethink what they are doing, there are other ways of stopping block booking like limiting how many bookings can be made or asking for deposits if making many bookings but for general bookings this new system is completely out of order and insensitive to customers who need to change plans, amend bookings and cancel sometimes. Does anyone else feel the same as we do?

Posted on 19/08/2023 21:05 by Hja

We tend not to book until the last minute. So booked yesterday for arrival Sunday. It is a CL which doesnt require a deposit - pay on arrival, cash or bacs. So I paid today by bacs. Prefer that to cash and I dont like trying to use bacs while away.

Seems to me that you may be better of using CLs - more and more do need deposits, but not usually a penalty for CHANGING your booking, just if you dont go.  And of course the increase in deposits is because they have had too many "no shows". As a CL owner said to me the other week, those that most moan about deposits are those most likely not to turn up.

Seems to me maybe a bit of miscommunication between you & your partner? I have to make sure my partner is really listening to me before making site decision - he is apt to agree with me without having heard me!!!!  

Posted on 19/08/2023 21:19 by eribaMotters

Firstly, I am totally in favour of deposits. It is about time the Club moved forward from the archaic practices of old in not requiring a deposit. If you place an order for something then it is sound and fair business practice as you are entering into a contract.

I'm am however confused by this post.  Over the last few months I'd booked at two independent sites and paid the required deposit. Due to the sale of our previous caravan and late collection of the replacement I could not make the bookings.

I duly called both sites who agreed to hold the deposits for a later date.

I have subsequently made two new bookings and my deposits have been honoured towards these new bookings.

Is this not the norm?

Are members saying the Club does not operate such a business model?

 

Colin