Cowshed Online Booking

Has anyone had any luck using the online Cowshed booking form? I always get the error message:

'We have been unable to process your request. You can either return to the home page and try again or contact us.'

I have 52 days until my return flight from London, so I'm assuming the error message is not because I am trying to book too early.

Sounds like a typical VS.com Web site error unfortunately ... you can keep trying or telephone them. I'd do it earlier rather than later, it tends to get booked up nowadays.

[Nottingham Nick]

I have used it three times in the past few weeks without a problem.

Nick

Maybe it is your web-browser Baldbrit... what are you using?

Boo

I tried the online Cowshed booking form several times over the past week or so, but I got the error message every time. This was using Firefox 2. I should have tried using a different browser, but I didn't think about that at the time.

I was reluctant to call them due to the potential cost (I am in the States), but I was more worried about missing out on the Clubhouse treatment, so I gave in. I rang them using the published number for this (+44 208 897 5055), and someone picked up right away, so I was able to book my appointment in about 3 minutes.

mikew99

[Darren Wheeler]

Just booked mine on IE7.0.6 and went through OK. Will await the reply.

Booked mine (for Sept) back in April ... all done on line, using Firefox.

[honey lamb]

Originally posted by baloobear
Booked mine (for Sept) back in April ... all done on line, using Firefox.

April for September?! I thought you could only book within eight weeks of the flight? [?]

Originally posted by Boo Boo
Maybe it is your web-browser Baldbrit... what are you using?

Boo

IE 7.0.6

Originally posted by mikew99


I was reluctant to call them due to the potential cost (I am in the States), but I was more worried about missing out on the Clubhouse treatment, so I gave in. I rang them using the published number for this (+44 208 897 5055), and someone picked up right away, so I was able to book my appointment in about 3 minutes.

mikew99

I was actually wondering if the issue was that I am in the States, but it seems to be hit and miss from both sides of the pond.

I will give them a call in the morning. Thanks everyone!

Originally posted by honey lamb

Originally posted by baloobear
Booked mine (for Sept) back in April ... all done on line, using Firefox.

April for September?! I thought you could only book within eight weeks of the flight? [?]

Im' sure I was able to book up to 3 months in advance earlier this year - but when I tried to do so a few weeks back, I got a reply asking me to re-submit the request within 8 weeks of the flight. Has it changed back to 8 weeks?

[Darren Wheeler]

Just had confirmation back for my facial [:w] even though I'm outside the 8 week period.

Originally posted by baldbrit
IE 7.0.6

So it wasn't that then... [:?]

I booked two appointments (one for husband, one for me) online yesterday, both went through with no problems...

Good luck phoning [:)]
Boo

Well, this is anecdotal, as I can't really debug the problem without risking creating a whole load of bookings ... [;)]

but I have repeatedly found that switching your site locale from US to UK does the trick. Namely, I log in, US user, try to do it, get error, switch locale to UK, try submitting the form again, it works. Done it every time I have made the booking. Not sure whether you might still run into issues on the UK site, but for me the switch has always done the trick so far.

Originally posted by honey lamb

Originally posted by baloobear
Booked mine (for Sept) back in April ... all done on line, using Firefox.

April for September?! I thought you could only book within eight weeks of the flight? [?]

So did I... but have the email confirmation - was pleasantly surprised! [:D]

Originally posted by baloobear

Originally posted by honey lamb

Originally posted by baloobear
Booked mine (for Sept) back in April ... all done on line, using Firefox.

April for September?! I thought you could only book within eight weeks of the flight? [?]

So did I... but have the email confirmation - was pleasantly surprised! [:D]

oops been a while since I posted, but I have plenty to say on the subject. Three of us booked albeit on Z's told no bookings prior to 8 weeks. When I went to book 8 weeks to the day the response was 'Sorry the times you wanted are no longer available'. Seems the 8 week rule depends who you get on the day.

I also didn't think it was very good customer service to require me to diarise the 8 weeks. Why couldn't they keep my request and put it in 8 weeks before. Not a very Upper Class service. I hope it's good, it's our first time in LHR CH and we are pretty impressed by the Virgin Touch salon at LGW.

I kept getting the message re the 8 weeks, so treatments could not be booked and then around 10 weeks before, i managed to book one, however my next one didn't go through so i telephoned them. A member of staff said, this should not have gone through, well it did, so i booked 2 more treatments for my mum and daughter, so all booked in, although they are all after each other. I did ring exactly 8 weeks before to try and get my hubby the shave treatment and they were all fully booked.

The previous time i booked a treatment, we only booked 1 week before and i managed a manicure without any problem.

So it looks as though you just have to keep trying in the run up to your trip. I think I tried as soon as I booked my flight which was in May for an August flight. When I was told I couldn't book I left it until exactly 8 weeks before the flight to try again, so it seems as though I might have got lucky if I had started trying again before the 8 weeks, hence the times I wanted were not available because other passengers had been able to book. I am little bit of a saddo rule follower, if you tell me you can't do it I accept it and go away and come back when you tell me.

I do not think it's right to have the 8 week rule but not apply it in all cases. Mind you I have heard of BA Golds not being able to get appointments on the day in the Molton Brown spa too.

It does also raise another question as well, as it seems a common problem for the Cowshed even after promises that staff levels would be increased after the withdrawal of IFBT's. I wonder just by how much VA has increased the staff by in the cowshed.

It does seem a shame that you can't have the option to book when you purchase your ticket like you can with CDC, surely that would be a fairer system i.e. first come first served....

And Baldy you are very right about the Molton Brown spa, lots of problems there too i.e. demand vs. supply

Originally posted by MarkedMan
Well, this is anecdotal, as I can't really debug the problem without risking creating a whole load of bookings ... [;)]

but I have repeatedly found that switching your site locale from US to UK does the trick. Namely, I log in, US user, try to do it, get error, switch locale to UK, try submitting the form again, it works. Done it every time I have made the booking. Not sure whether you might still run into issues on the UK site, but for me the switch has always done the trick so far.

You found the issue! I do not get the error when I log in as a UK user. The only problem I have now is that it won't take the booking as it doesn't recognize US phone numbers [:)] Time to get on the phone and make the booking...

Originally posted by baldbrit

Originally posted by MarkedMan
Well, this is anecdotal, as I can't really debug the problem without risking creating a whole load of bookings ... [;)]

but I have repeatedly found that switching your site locale from US to UK does the trick.

So how do you do that and can anyone do it????

I don't really mind whether it's 8, 10, 12 weeks beforehand you can book, I just wish it were consistent. I re-emailed 8 weeks before, having been told 12 was too early, and did get the slots I requested. Reading the comments here though, sounds as though luck was on my side....[ii]

[honey lamb]

Originally posted by catsilversword

Originally posted by baldbrit

Originally posted by MarkedMan
Well, this is anecdotal, as I can't really debug the problem without risking creating a whole load of bookings ... [;)]

but I have repeatedly found that switching your site locale from US to UK does the trick.

So how do you do that and can anyone do it????

When you log on to the VS website there is a box at the top right hand corner saying 'You are in the United Kingdom site'. Simply click on the drop down menu and click on the US site (or the Australian or any other one that is available) and yes, anyone can do it.

Ah... thanks HL!

I can't actually find the booking page for treatments[:I]