Guest Frank Wilkinson Posted January 22, 2007 Posted January 22, 2007 Absolutely - couldn't agree more! :-D:-D:-D
Keith T Posted January 22, 2007 Author Posted January 22, 2007 sorry about the empty box - pressed the wrong button, then tried to edit it, and having gone off to do something else, like talk on the phone, wrote it out, pressed 'submit' and it told me I'd missed my 30min slot! However. I'll try again..... 'Tow off' period......? anyone come up with this on the internet booking system for CC. It seems you cannot get a subsequent booking within 21 days of your first one - but you can by telephoning the CC call centre! Evidently, the computer isn't quite clever enough to ascertain that you've only stayed 2 days or so, and want to go back a couple of weeks later! Whilst I am aware of the 21 day rule (may be shorter sometimes?) on CC sites, it appears to operate against simplicity of on-line reservation. All I wanted to do was stay a couple of nights, go home and come back for another short stay two weeks later....... Any thoughts, and whilst I think it can be overcaome (round the houses!) tI wouldn't want to post it on this forum, the CC might not like it! I've taken this up with theCC, and will post any reply I get, but it does seem a little of the old problem of the way we use our motorhomes!
Guest starspirit Posted January 22, 2007 Posted January 22, 2007 I am no longer allowed to use a spratt to catch a trout Keith - sorry!
Keith T Posted January 23, 2007 Author Posted January 23, 2007 Hi again. I promised to report any response form the CC regarding the blocking of bookings under the tow-off rules, and quote below from the response received........ 'In regard to your concerns about the tow off period, this has to be enforced online as it is impossible for us to monitor it and it could be badly abused. The rules state that nobody can stay on site for more than 21 nights however people continuously try to do so or don’t realise they can’t. If we did not enforce a tow off period online, people could book several successive stays and accumulate over 21 nights in a row – this could only be monitored and prevented if we had people manning the book system 24 hours a day. We would always advise somebody to phone the contact centre in this instance as our operators can use personal judgement on each individual case and override the tow off period where necessary, which is why you were able to make the booking through the call centre'. Whilst I understand where they are coming from, I still think the computer booking system should be able to cope, and they relly don't need a live 'person' doing it.....I've taken this up again, so will post any further info. I also mentioned the 'calendar' booking system and they haev confirmed they are looking into re-instating this as soon as feasible, assuming the 'trialling' is OK. Interesting they also state that the Motorcaravan side is now the fastest growing, and 25/30% of membership is in this category!
Dave Newell Posted January 23, 2007 Posted January 23, 2007 Am I being thick here? Wouldn't the warden of the site knoww if you had been on site for 21 days, then "towed off" and then returned for a further 21 days? Or am I missing something?
Keith T Posted January 23, 2007 Author Posted January 23, 2007 Hi Dave- No, at this stage there's no warden involved, we're talking about internet bookings in advance.....! My point was why the Booking system blocked you from booking the same site within 21 days of your previous arrival, even though you would have only stayed a couple of days.....! What they seem to say is that the only way to overcome this sysyem, is by someone in the call centre actually doing the booking and seeing what others you have already made for that site. What I can't fathom out is why the computer system can't do the same calculation!?
Dave Newell Posted January 23, 2007 Posted January 23, 2007 I see. Could you not book your next stay directly with the warden while you are on site though? This is quite typical of computerised systems. One fact is that computers don't make mistakes, they simply do what they're told to do. The old IT adage of "crap in =crap out" comes to mind. D.
Keith T Posted January 23, 2007 Author Posted January 23, 2007 Hi Dave Perhaps you've never been to Baltic Wharf at Bristol. It's one of our 'regular' sites, subject to actually being able to get on it!! Super site, excellent location. ...but, no, it's no use expecting to find a pitch a couple of weeks before you go, hence the need to book 3 periods at once to stay there over the course of a couple of months...... Guess another one would be York, and possibly a few others, and of course, also depends on what time of year. We were at Bristol ,over the last week or so, and Friday night was supposesdly fully booked - the day we were due to leave. We wanted to stay on, and eventuslly on the day before, a 'vacancy'occurred, which we took, of course. However we noticed wneh we left very early Saturday morning, there were something like 6 empty pitches = presumably 'non arrivals' or cancellations!
Dave Newell Posted January 23, 2007 Posted January 23, 2007 Hi Keith, no I've never been to Baltic wharf but if its that popular I probably never will. We tend to prefer quiter, less popular sites although we do occasionaly use popular CC sites, like last weekend when we went to Losehill but we did manage to book a pitch within a couple of weeks of going there. Perhaps its time to spread your wings and use some of the less popular/crowded sites? D.
Keith T Posted January 23, 2007 Author Posted January 23, 2007 Dave Newell - 2007-01-23 4:10 PM Perhaps its time to spread your wings and use some of the less popular/crowded sites? D. Hi dave We do that as well, but prefer to use those which are easily accssible to public transport or walking into places of interest.......and of course at this time of year, not too much choice!
Ralph Posted January 23, 2007 Posted January 23, 2007 Dave Newell - 2007-01-23 4:10 PM I've never been to Baltic wharf but if its that popular I probably never will. We tend to prefer quiter, less popular sites although we do occasionaly use popular CC sites, like last weekend when we went to Losehill D. Generally agree with you Dave but if you should ever be going that way I think Baltic Wharf is worth making an exeption for. The site itself is pretty ordinary but It's easy to walk to Bristol Centre and do the SS Great Britain etc. And it has a pub just next door...
Dave Newell Posted January 23, 2007 Posted January 23, 2007 Nice idea but if I've got to book three months in advance I'll pass ta. D.
Ralph Posted January 23, 2007 Posted January 23, 2007 Shhh, not so loud. Frank and Starspirit will hear you.
Mel B Posted January 23, 2007 Posted January 23, 2007 Baltic Wharf is a very nice site, right by the water - just go through the gate and it's there! Nice pub less than 1 minutes slow waddle away and my dog can vouch for the food ... the 'nice young things' kept feeding him as he walked by looking pathetic! You can also get the water taxi into Bristol which is very good and there's plenty to keep you occupied whilst you're there and also at the museums. We also peddled about quite a bit and really enjoyed ourselves, we even got the canoe out and went for a paddle on the water just after tea-time, really lovely. What I don't understand is why anyone would want to stay on the same site for 21 days or more! Surely there's a limit to what you can do, even with a caravan which takes longer to set-up, it's not that difficult to move to another site, I'd get bored silly being on the same site for more than a few days! *-)
Keith T Posted January 23, 2007 Author Posted January 23, 2007 Mel B - 2007-01-23 8:03 PM What I don't understand is why anyone would want to stay on the same site for 21 days or more! Surely there's a limit to what you can do, even with a caravan which takes longer to set-up, it's not that difficult to move to another site, I'd get bored silly being on the same site for more than a few days! *-) Mel - I agree, although we have just spent 9 nights at Baltic Wharf, but for specific reasons...... however, I know there is a problem there and some other 'all year' sites, I think, that there seems to be a number of people who live in the motorhomes/caravans, and simply go round the 'open' sites....I know we have seen the same ones there quite often. Surprisingly, according to the CC, they do frequently get members who try to break the 21/21 rule - yes, I know, hard to beleive, but obviously they can afford the fees. Maybe it's just cheaper than the council tax, water and electric bills.....!
Guest starspirit Posted January 23, 2007 Posted January 23, 2007 Sorry Ralph - I'm on best behaviour orders so would not dream of saying '@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@'
Miami Posted January 23, 2007 Posted January 23, 2007 The problem is that there are more and more people living in MHs or caravans and are taking up spaces. The caravan clubs were set up for people to use sites on a temporary basis so that they are able to visit the area and spend their holidays in a different environment and not for people to use them as an escape from life (and council tax)on a permanent basis. We are even finding long stayers on CL's now. It is good money for the CL owners and for the Clubs but they do block the pitches from other members who want to enjoy the reasons why the clubs were set up in the first place. The clubs will have to decide what they are going to do to sort this problem out.
Ralph Posted January 23, 2007 Posted January 23, 2007 Keith T - 2007-01-23 8:16 PM Surprisingly, according to the CC, they do frequently get members who try to break the 21/21 rule - yes, I know, hard to beleive, but obviously they can afford the fees. Maybe it's just cheaper than the council tax, water and electric bills.....! It's easy to spot them. I saw some caravans on a CC site (Redhill) with large propane bottles outside and surrounded by pot plants! Actually the fees aren't bad for one person. Around £70 per week with water, electric etc. Much less than a flat I guess.
Pat Posted January 24, 2007 Posted January 24, 2007 There are people living on sites all over the country, yes it is easy to spot them large gas bottles potted plants faded awings I even seen little fences around their pitch. However this is mainly by caravan owners. It would be a sustantial saving for some people, they can negotiate a discount from the site for long stay, no council tax, water rates,no tv licence and fixed electricity costs. Hang on I've talked myself into it! Just off to sell the house and join them!!!!!!! Regards Pat
Dave Newell Posted January 24, 2007 Posted January 24, 2007 Just because you might live in a caravan on a caravan site doesn't mean you are not liable for council tax or a TV licence and you will be paying water rates indirectly as the site owners, whether that be a club or private individual will have built the cost into your pitch fee. D.
Ralph Posted January 24, 2007 Posted January 24, 2007 Dave Newell - 2007-01-24 9:50 AM Just because you might live in a caravan on a caravan site doesn't mean you are not liable for council tax or a TV licence D. How does that work then? If the van keeps moving around can they catch up with them for council tax? A question for the full timers? Just wondering...
Dave Newell Posted January 24, 2007 Posted January 24, 2007 I'm not 100% certain of how its supposed to work but I beleive you are supposed to inform the local council for any area you are staying in long term and register yourself for council tax. Perhaps someone else can fill in the details? Obviously if you are moving about regularly then its different but we're talking about people who are staying (or trying to) on sites for 21 days or more. It has been mentioned that some caravans even have picket fences and garden type areas, I would construe this to mena they are living there as if it were a fixed adress in which case they should register with the local council and pay the council tax. D.
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