I appreciate that lots of people arent keen on up front payments systems. We took our touring caravan to a site in Cornwall last year and was asked for full payment. When people travel abroad everyone has to pay in advance - so really whats the difference?
Ang
I think that only applies if you book in advance through the likes of the Clubs. On the few occassions I have booked in advance its only been the deposit. Generally we don't book when we go to Europe. Also in Europe it very unusually to pay the campsite fees before the day you leave!
David
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My advice would be to take credit/debit card payments, say first nights payment when booking. I never have a problem with paying up front, why should I?
As a plumber I now ask for deposits for emergency work out of hours. I was sick and tired of leaving the house at midnight and driving for 10 miles to be phoned and told that I was no longer needed as Uncle Fred / Next door neighbour etc had fixed it
I pay 30p per debit card payment and 2% for credit cards . Minimum fees are £25 a month and I can take payments on laptop or on my iphone.
On another point, perhaps you could state on your listing that you are happy to accept small campervans ( VW and transit type?) or even smal caravans? Might be helpfull to state the width of the narrow lane.
i was thinking that about small campervans, i dont like big camp sites, prefer smaller ones, and while im up north and wont be down south until next year, its the sort of thing i will plan soon
Is this the only form of holiday where you don't have to pay in full before you go?
I don't see the problem with paying, last year I had a cottage in Cornwall, I had to pay a deposit when I booked and the balance 6 weeks before I went, no problem, I wanted commitment from the cottage owner that the booking was mine, he wanted commitment that he'd get paid for it. A very basic trading agreement in my eyes.
People seem to think that the risk of weather should be the burden of the site owner, I disagree, if you want guaranteed weather go to spain. The site owners are running a business, and if we want prices to stay affordable then we mustn't make them lose money so they have to increase costs to compensate.
What needs to happen is for insurance companies to recognise the growing market for campers insurance, and offer realistic purpose designed policies at reasonable cost to protect the customers, not modified policies based on all-inclusive holidays costing 1000's, purpose made policies.
I know that it is different for me since I live (and camp) in France, but I have never been able to book a site without a deposit, which normally includes a booking fee as well.
Were I not to turn up I very much doubt that any excuse would get my deposit back! Why should it?
If I ask for a pitch and the owner reserves me one why should the "my dog ate the car" excuse make any difference to the owner?
I think its a sign of the times really and can see more and more sites going this way. It is a shame and it does mean it is not so easy to just make a decision to go away last minute in the main season.
------------- Ang
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I think we are going to change things for next years Bank Holidays, We had people book for the weekend, Thursday to Monday, but then left on Sunday as they wanted to leave whilst the awning was dry (which was late Sunday) so lost one night. I think whilst we won't ask for payment before, we will request paying within 24hrs of arriving.
------------- Visit Llandrindod Wells! Great scenery, walks, cycling, red kites. Ideal for exploring Mid Wales.
keigcf - when do people actually pay for their pitch? we take balances on arrival and if someone were to leave early because they did not want their awning to get wet then that is their decision, they wouldnt get a nights refund though.
Im sure most parks wont take payment on departure, it is not a restaurant.
We always have been very considerate. We never ask for money straight away, I tell people to go and set up and have a cup of tea etc and I'll see them later. When it comes to leaving, I appreciate that it takes time to pack up, and theres nothing worse than having to get up early to ensure kids are fed before having to be off pitch by 11 say. It's only when things like this happen that I get a bit miffed really.
------------- Visit Llandrindod Wells! Great scenery, walks, cycling, red kites. Ideal for exploring Mid Wales.
Don't forget to leave a review of the campsites you have visited this year or last!
I am generally a last minute camper, which is why I always find it hard to find a pitch in peak times, I dont book too far in advance because i dont want to have to cancel and let the owner down. Having said that, when I do book (normally a couple of days before I go) i would be more than happy to pay in full, most of the sites normally just let me pay on arrival though, but we always pay in full for the whole time we are planning on staying and when we have left early we would never expect a refund. Only once have I paid a deposit and then we paid for the first nights camping as a deposit and paid for the rest upon arrival.
I really feel for you site owners with people not turning up, its not fair at all either to you or the people who you may have turned away because you thought you were full! The last site we stayed on we had only booked 4 nights initially and loved it so much we wanted to stay but we couldnt as they were fully booked, the owner told us to back the night before we were due to leave though as people often didnt turn up (despite paying deposit) and sure enough we were able to stay a further 2 nights!
Just a small gripe on the other side of the issue. I booked a pitch over the phone with a site I hadn't been to before, but within an hour a favourite site had offered us a cancellation. I phoned the first site immediately and then 3 or 4 times a day for the following week - no answer, no answerphone, no mobile and no e-mail address. They would see us a no-show, but had left us with little opportunity to cancel. So while i agree that everyone should respect the contract made by booking, sites need to be contactable too.
I do agree that owners need to be able to be contacted one way or another every day they are open.
Looking at the timing issue, we state arrivals from 12 noon and departures by 12 noon during high season, but at other times we have no problem with people leaving by 4pm. On the other hand if they decide to leave early evening because of traffic/weather what ever we wouldnt issue a refund because basically they have been on the pitch all day and would not be able to be booked out to someone else.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
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