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RV PARK DEPOSITS ON RESERVATIONS

Yahoo Message Number: 63788
When I make a reservation for a park I generally check the cancellation policy when I make the reservation. Recently we had a break down on I 84 and were unable to continue as we were dead in the water. We had reservations at Kah Nee Ta, Pendleton (Casino), Richland (Horn Rapids), and Walla Walla.
All the parks were very understanding especially Kah Nee Ta who gave me a full refund even though I was outside of their 72 hour cancel policy.
The only park that seems to have changed their policy is Blue Valley RV (formerly Fairway RV park) in Walla Walla. They said if you cancel for any reason too bad we take your $32. That was not stated to me when I called ( to my memory but I could be wrong) to first cancel and they did not get back to my e mail. So I called and was told their new policy. I have stayed their (Fairway) many times and canceled before at the previous Fairway, no problem.
Seems kind of strange they would alienate someone who has spent hundreds of $$ in the past for $32 especially since this was roundup time and they would have easily re rented the spot. So in essence they rented it twice would be my guess. I have a good memory on things like this and will never stay there again, too bad its a pretty nice park.
I am wondering if this is a new trend in RV parks if so I need to be more careful when booking not to leave guarantees on credit cards.
Curious as to your experiences.
Jerry Brawley 11651 03 intrigue

Re: RV PARK DEPOSITS ON RESERVATIONS

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63789
This is taken monies for service not rendered, or stealing in my book. We check the cancel policy and are more inclined to pay for one night at a time. Seems there should be a law against taken money without value given this way. Just plain dishonest. We got stung close to Yosemite. Paid for two nights, then the park weather was showing snow and they expected the route east to close. We decided to beat the storm. RV park refused give refund. I called them thieves and left. Where else can people take money for non-service and get away with it. The users should have some recourse. Keep in mind these are the same folks who are getting the free (Walmart) places closed. To bad we can't have a site for 'bad' RV parks and get the word out.

One person's opinion. Remember the 'delete" key.

Leonard Kerns
97' Magna 5418

Re: RV PARK DEPOSITS ON RESERVATIONS

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63791
WOW guys. Cool site. But does it tell us about them not refunding? Quick look have not found that part. But it has really good and useful information. Bookmarked it and sent to the trip planner.

Has anyone used the Credit Card to pay and when they did not receive the refund called the Credit Card com. and ask for there help? If enough did this then the RV park might loose the use of the credit card co.

Leonard
97' Magna

Re: RV PARK DEPOSITS ON RESERVATIONS

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63794

rvparkreviews is a great site! We've avoided many parks basd on reviews and selected more to stay at. Sometimes you have no choice as it's the only park in the area in which case we verify or correct information posted by others. Great way to fight back at the dishonest or misleading operators.
It's not specifically set up for refund issues because it is a park review system - you have to have been there to make meaningful entries. I would bet that someone has posted a refund issue in there some place or other but you would have to search for it. As it seems refund policies change with the weather, season, ownership, etc it would be hard to remain accurate. As noted, we've also had situations where the refund policy changed from when the reservation was made to the current time.
We usually don't bother making reservations until the day of travel. Cell phone plus books or websites and I can't remember a time we could not find a place to stop. Worst case we stay at Wally World or other "free" or almost free locations.
Unfortunately there are business people who see most of us as one time customers and the goal is to get something out of us one way or another. Service businesses that overcharge are also stealing but they figure you'll never be that way again so you're fair game. That's been clear many times over the years but the one that hit home wasn't an overcharge but a very fair set of charges for a breakdown on the road. I used CoachNet for that one and asked the responding tech why the charges were so reasonable when they could have charged me almost anything. The reason given was I would probably complain to CoachNet (got that right) and they would lose the business from that source. That's the same thing as treating folks like a repeat customer so they'll come back.
As for the campground that you had stayed at before I doubt they even checked that. More than once we've made reservations and when we show up they lower the price because at check in they see we've been there before. So I suspect the refund refusal was at least in part because they didn't recognize you by name and did not check the computer to see if you were a repeat - assuming they have one.
That kind of business sense goes a long way towards understanding why so many campgrounds go under or get sold. It's a lousy way to try and be successful.

Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178

Re: RV PARK DEPOSITS ON RESERVATIONS

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63795
Gordo here. Shall we look at this issue differently? You pull in after a long day and the park tells you your site was given to another RV'est! So how does this differ from last minute "oh sorry we can't make it"? The park, held a space for you, now you back out last minute and they are supposed to eat the loss? Not sure in the real world how people view the cost factors to take your call, give you the space you wanted, labor fees, use of their 1-800 number. And then last minute cancel all, for no fee whatsoever?
While I understand this action places a bad taste in some peoples mouths. It is not unreasonable to expect cancellation fees. I have myself paid for cancelled RV spaces due to my own reasons and twice due to a break downs. I have found RV parks understand break downs, far more then I've changed my mind for the weekend. KOA has a very strict policy when it comes to cancellations, yet was rather understanding when I broke down. They gave me a free day for my next visit at their park. Fair enough in my world. But the time I changed my weekend plans last minute, no refund and that was also fair in my world.
Gordo

99 Allure 30344
Sacramento, Ca.

Re: RV PARK DEPOSITS ON RESERVATIONS

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63796

Gordo:

Cost of doing business versus having a business? Many operators get away with outlandish behavior because they can, pure and simple. Maximizing the dollars made by lying and deceit is stealing, Period. If a cancellation is sought, given and then changed, that's theft. If a promise is made and not kept, the fee should be returned, or it is theft.
My wife has MS, we were to attend an old car national meet in Ohio, I work so I need an internet connect. More than a 6 MONTHS in advance, with a full price deposit, we were promised such a site by a large KOA. We verfied the "reservation" 2 weeks before arrival again stating what we had been promised. Yes sir, no problem
When we got there, gee, sorry, all those sites are taken. When we expressed some displeasure we told take it or leave and no refund.
I can in no way come up with a reasonable justification for such a screw the customer attitude. All we can do is vote with our feet - and leave a description of how we were treated on an appropriate website.

Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178

Re: RV PARK DEPOSITS ON RESERVATIONS

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63798
Jerry,

I looked at their website and found nothing on their cancellation policy - only that they require a credit card to confirm a reservation. The email note of confirmation should have stated it clearly. I would call them back in your friendliest tone of voice ("honey attracts way more flies than lemon juice"), identify yourself and how many times you have enjoyed their facility, re-explain the circumstances for your cancellation, and ask again for a credit on your card, or a coupon for a nights stay within say a year. You were apparently caught in the midst of their policy change so point that out.
Failing that, I would dispute the charge on the credit card to see if you can get your $32 back.

Good Luck.

Nate Richards
04 Allure 31043

RV PARK DEPOSITS ON RESERVATIONS

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63801
If you had paid the deposit with a credit card you should be able to block the payment or demand a reimbursement through your credit card companies fraud department. You did not receive what you paid for. If paid with a debit card that will not work. That is the reason to use credit cards when making a this type of payment.

Sue Gilbert

2000 Affinity #5681

RV PARK DEPOSITS ON RESERVATIONS

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63803
Sue You should be careful using the word " Fraud ". A deposit on an RV space is just that, A deposit. It appears that Gerry did not ask about the terms , when booking, since he had stayed there previously. The onus is on the purchaser to find out the terms under which he is making a deposit. I have reread Gerry's post a number of times and cannot see where fraud has taken place. The credit card company would not have reversed the purchase without contacting the RV park. I am sure they would have explained what their policy was and that Gerry had contravened that policy, end of story. Do I agree that it was not good business, to at least hold the funds for some future use from a long time user of the park, the answer is no. I am sure cancellations , are a huge problem for RV parks, but it behooves them to be fair , if they wish someone to be a repeat customer. To suggest " fraud " has taken place is extreme. It is a case of not knowing the policy before putting down a deposit. Let me be clear , I am not taking sides on this, but it is far from clear that this is fraud

Ron Baran 09 Magna 7025

Re: RV PARK DEPOSITS ON RESERVATIONS

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63804
This is an interesting thread. While it would be nice to influence in a significant way, the business practices of those many thousands of RV park small businesses, we can't. My DW and I have had similar problems and have taken some practical steps.
We rarely reserve and only reserve ahead when intuition tells us RV sites will be dear, like on a Friday/Weekend, near a town of some size, or close to a popular tourist destination. Otherwise, around midday, when we are beginning to get an idea of where we might stop for the evening/night, Jeanne will call likely camps. As you all must know, there is an RV park in about every town in the country, and a few in between each town. If the first camp called is full, there will be another a few miles down the road. We have never been skunked. This approach has worked well for us for years.
We soon started trying more and more public campgrounds, run by local, state and federal governments. We have found these park employees to be honest, helpful, and customer service oriented. Since these are government employees I think they are comfortable in what they do and want to keep their jobs. And yes, this has worked so well for us, I wrote a book about some of these campgrounds, there are over 11,000 of them across the US.
My intent here is to share another way to minimize experiences with neferious RV camp personnel, though I suspect some of you will consider this post an ad. I don't, I'm just trying to share another way to deal with the threat topic. My other point is that we have never gotten screwed on a reservation at a public campground. Finally, in my experiences the reservation rules for public campgrounds are always stated clearly up front.

Lee Zaborowski

07 Intrigue 12153, Cat C-13

Re: 06 Inspire Generator fuel line hose

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63805
Our generator has not been working, and I wrote earlier and got excellent responses regarding the possible reasons. One response said to unplug the 2 signal lines into the inverter and then hever had another problem. I did this, the generator did start but shut down within 5 minutes. I have with me fuel line hose, and I wonder if anyone would be able to tell me how long a time it might take to replace the fuel line hoses. Also, would anyone happen to know the inside diameter of the fuel line hoses? Thank you.

Mike Frederick
06 Inspire 51784

Re: 06 Inspire Generator fuel line hose

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63807
Hi Mike

I have changed both lines for the generator, The inlet line is 3/8" and the return is 5/16 "What I did is I left the old lines in place and cut them at the tank and the generator and rerouted the new lines up and over the front end, To gain access to the top of the fuel tank you need to open the 1st passenger side bay door and remove the back panel it is screwed and glued in place. Its a time consuming job but not hard, good luck

Jerry

2004 Inspire 51012

Re: RV PARK DEPOSITS ON RESERVATIONS

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63808
There is a site for good and bad RV parks. It's called www.rvparkreviews.com and I use it all the time. Sometimes a park will get consistent 9-10 ratings until they change management or policy and then the ratings go down. If you have a problem with a park, post it there and others will see it.

Bob

'05 Intrigue 11872

Re: RV PARK DEPOSITS ON RESERVATIONS

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63811
Gerald,

We had an experience with JGW RVpark in Anderson, California. We had stayed there several times and taken our groups there also. Made a reservation one weekend and due to a serious family illness had to cancel the weekend. Called on Tuesday prior and was shocked when 1 night charge still showed on the Credit Card. Called and they said I was a no show. I explained we would never do that and told them who I talked to and when. Asked that the owner Joan call me but I never got any response after 3 calls. Have never been back to the park and now we travel with no reservation and have always got a spot. Only reservations we might make is if we are staying a week or @ Signature Resorts.

Gary Bender

04' Intrigue #11701

Re: RV PARK DEPOSITS ON RESERVATIONS

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63812
Looks like, as a group, we are figuring out how to deal with the "crooks". They are very short sighted. Steal and loose a customer for good. Get one nights pay and never again. That is the business model to go broke. They simply can not stay in business when they abuse there customers. Look at Wal-Marts return policy as to how to treat your customers. Keep them happy and watch the growth.

Lots of very smart people on this forum. How can we take the offense? We need some way to have a RV'ers Bill of Rights to give the RV parks to let them know they are being held responsibility by reporting to other RV'ers.

Seems we need to be calling the Credit Card Co. and asking for more refunds. Puts pressure on the RV park to be honest.

Leonard Kerns
97' Magna 5418

Re: 06 Inspire Generator fuel line hose

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63813
?
Mike,

I don't remember your post completely but Might I ask a couple questions? Is the generator operating at a normal temp or possibly running a little hot. Have you tried just getting a gas can and run some short fuel lines into it and see if it runs without stopping in 5 minutes. That would tell you if it's the fuel lines or not.
I just pulled my 12.5kw Onan Genset from the coach to change the fan belt among other maintenance issues. The fan shroud was rubbing on the squirrel cage fan which was causing the belt/fan to slip. It was overheating and shut down a couple times. I haven't put it back in the coach yet but I going to start it up and run it out of the coach for a while before I go to the trouble of putting it back in.
Kevin Burns

00 Affinity #5865

Re: RV PARK DEPOSITS ON RESERVATIONS

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63820
Good morning fellow travelers,

I think a little balance is due in this discussion. While I can see the frustration some may have at losing a deposit I think we should remember that right now the RV Park business in most part has a very 'user' friendly cancellation policy.

Think about the number of cancellations you have made compared to the number of deposits you have lost.

When a Park takes your reservation (sometimes many weeks in advance) they remove a site from the availability list. In a lot of cases this is a long site (due to the length of our coaches). Now for good reason you cancel your reservation at the last minute.

How many times could the Park have rented that space in the prior weeks but now with just twenty-four hours left it goes empty, lost revenue, forever. To the Park owners the loss of revenue due to late cancellations (no matter how relevant the reason) is considered "a cost of doing business".

Ask yourself how many times you have personally lost a deposit in the past five years. If you have, maybe you should consider it "a cost of doing business".

I know my comments may not sit well with some people, but honestly we need to keep things in perspective. Would we want the Park owners to follow airlines and overbook their spaces just to get a 'full house'. I think not.

Have a great day.

David Allure 2006

Re: RV PARK DEPOSITS ON RESERVATIONS

Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63857
We were charged $10 cancellation fee for two reservsations at the Grizzly RV park in West Yellowstone. We had a serious illness in the family and had to cancel some 6 park reservations. all were understanding except Grizzly, even though it was 3 weeks before the reservation date and they are booked full all summer. IMHO just a gouge. Lost my business forever, so I hope the enjoy the 20 bucks.

Jim Hodges

2007 Inspire, #51969

Re: RV PARK DEPOSITS ON RESERVATIONS

Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63859
From the Grizzly RV web site.

Cancellation Policy

RV Sites: Cancellation notice must be given by 11:00 am one (1) day prior to scheduled arrival date. A $50.00 fee will be charged without proper cancellation notice. There is a $10.00 processing fee for all cancellations.
I suspect that Grizzly is a very high demand/short season park and that they have a very high rate of "speculative reservations" and a lot of cancellations that follow. Takes labor or other investment to handle it all.

It seems clearly stated and fair to me.

George in Birmingham
'04 Allure 31038
George in Birmingham
2003 Magna 6298

Re: RV PARK DEPOSITS ON RESERVATIONS

Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63861
Some do it good, some do it bad. As has been mentioned, just so many variables, it's hard to know what is right, what is wrong. Seems to me to be an ongoing opportunity for Clubs, Boards, Membership's to come up with a 'Standard's of Best Practices' recommendations. (Good Sam, Thousand Trails, Escapees, Yoahoo RV Groups, RV.Net, IRV2, RVParks Review, etc.).

Some recent personal experiences for us:

Quote
>Leaving for our first big trip with our Allure, our Old Dog came down with a lung infection. She was at the vet for three days, IV, med's etc. The day before we were to go, we found out the vet felt that it would be OK, as long as we did not push her, and kept up the medications. We had planned on a 1 1/2 day visit to Bryce, staying at Ruby's. We called, the day we were supose to be coming in, and via Voice Mail only, explained we had a very sick dog, and felt we should skip Bryce for this trip. That we would understand if they had to charge us for the day, as it was such short notice. No charge ever showed up by Ruby's. I would have felt that a charge was OK, and would have expected it.
>Leaving Sandpoint on the way to Burns RV in Oregon. We called, and made final reservations the day before our leaving. We mentioned we had stayed with them before about three years ago, and they quickly explained that they had changed the cancelation rules, and holding a spot open rules. If they had not heard from us by 5:00PM on our expected day, they would let our spot go to someone else, and we would be charged. They asked us to please call us the day of our reservation, to confirm we would be showing up. OK to be after 5:00PM, but they wanted to know. (This is a busy, high volume, drop in place. As most people are going are coming and staying one night only. (Not all, as Burns, Or has many times a year when hunters are happy to spend many days.) I understood the rules, and we called them from the road around 2:00PM, to confirm we would be coming in that night. They kept the pull thru, with no need to unhook, spot we had requested.
These are too examples of how things are, in today's RV Parks world.
One more quick info sharing. We once paid for a State Park in CaliKornia, that we ended up not being able to make due to schedule conflicts. We paid for the site, but did not use it. Our problem, not the State Parks. I was OK with them keeping the funds. I will contrast that story, with another. We were going to a RV Park in Sedona RV? (Blanking on the name, down by the creek, in all of the trees) We had to cancel at the last moment, within the rules that we should have been charged. The staff said how about let's see if we can use that space for someone else as a drive in? If so, we won't charge you. They did, and did not charge us. Sure, the could have 'double booked' and been paid twice for the site. I thought that was very fair. If I had been asked to pay, I would have.
Suspect, this is a good subject for many RV Clubs and Boards to come together on and develop a Standard Process Code.

Best to all,
Smitty

04 Allure 40' Tag, 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: RV PARK DEPOSITS ON RESERVATIONS

Reply #21 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63882
Gordo here, Some people really crack me up. So let me get this right? For 20 bucks you'll shoot yourself in the foot and never stay at the cleanest-closest-nicest type RV park right next to the Yellowstone gate? I'd shudder to think what would happen if you were to burn 30 dollar steaks on the BB-Q ! Gordo

99 Allure 30344

Re: RV PARK DEPOSITS ON RESERVATIONS

Reply #22 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63888
Gordo You have the inimitable way of making a point and I agree with you on this one. Taken , to the extreme, if there were no penalty for cancelling a reservation, the parks would be fully booked, and going broke because people didn't show up. We are lucky parks let us off so easily. Anyone and everyone can come up with an excuse ( real or not ) as to why they should get their deposit back. It's time to stop this thread , as we are not going to convince those that want something for nothing, that their views are unfair to the RV parks in the country. They have a business to run, and if enough people stiff them , they will go broke. Go Ahead , FLAME AWAY

Ron Baran 09 Magna 7025
R

Re: RV PARK DEPOSITS ON RESERVATIONS

Reply #23 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63890
What is being overlooked is the amount and strength of negative energy on this issue. Try this, I'm WalMart, when you come in my front doors you own me $10. If you buy $25 or more, I will give you back your $10 when you leave. If you buy nothing or less, I keep the $10. How long would this business survive?

The only customers RV parks have are RV users. What good comes from making so many of your customers so mad they feel they have been robbed. Seems RV parks need to give very serious thought to this business model. In a closed loop market, negative energy spreads far. RV'ers will take steps to protect themselves from perceived abuse. Just note the responses.

If you have no issues with the policies, fine. That does not give one the final word or the right to close a topic.

Leonard Kerns
97' Magna 5418

Re: RV PARK DEPOSITS ON RESERVATIONS

Reply #24 –
Yahoo Message Number: 63891
One more post and we match the PTO issue![/b]
George

'04 Inspire 51061