Wow. I just went through this exact same thing the last two days booking sites at an apparently very popular cg in TN for a family reunion. I literally couldn't even get three sites with electric ANYWHERE in the park for our weekend (let alone near each other)! And I'm an old pro with getting concert tix and opening day baseball tix, so I know the tricks.
I got one electric site because I'm planning to arrive Wed or eat the first night fee if I don't make it until Thursday (there were no other options I could do this with for the others). I was trying to get two more sites this morning for the Thursday arrivals, and I got neither. Kept getting "it's too early" - I could tell when it switched over because it took longer to load, but went straight to "no inventory." SO frustrating when you're trying to plan a family reunion that people are traveling cross-country to attend. I even called the call center to see if there was a trick I was missing (for next time, of course). Nope. And there's NO WAY that could be faster given the menus + hold time given they don't start answering until the same times the sites open.
Ultimately, I booked non-electric sites for the other family members as there were plenty available - I'm fortunate that was an option (unlike Great Sand Dunes during runoff season where you're like to get a site at all).
Thanks to you guys, I now know the trick to it. I agree, I don't like it. But, if it's the only way to schedule what I want during peak times, I'll have to take an "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" approach. Now I also know to keep an eye out in case people cancel and those dates magically open up (since they are over a July weekend, it's unlikely).
