dav5942
Stuart, FL
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Joined: 05/24/2004
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Not sure this is totally Class A revelant, but over the past five years of some serious camping(National, State, private, resorts, full hookup and dry camping) we have found the following to be true at almost every place we go:
You call up to make reservations and they say were full but we can get you in for some other time. You arrive and they are half full!
You want to stay for another night in the same spot, they say you can stay but you must move as your spot is taken. Your original spot is never used.
After spending over 500 nights over the five years we have never found a camp full! And most of the ones that say they are full are rarely over 80% and turning away customers!
I just don't get it! If we were operating a park we would want it truley full all the time. I know some of the systems being used are just no good but its not that hard to plan properly to make money!
Sorry for the long post.
2007 Newmar 42' Mid Engine w/Fatboy,ATVs-in Garage,lifted Jeep(s) in tow, Hog Valley Florida(a diamond in the rough),'09 Alaska again!
2007 Tour Alaska Fishing '08 Tour Grandchildren Newmar Mid Engine
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Polishnurse
Schodack, NY
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Joined: 03/13/2007
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I would like to add a little bit of a defense here of the Camp Grounds. I know that in some of the parks I have visited, they have rented to seasonal folks, they get a vary favorable rate, but they still choose to take there rigs on jaunt's for how ever long. They just want to know they have a space when need. Then there is cancellation game. The no shows. They have either broken down, sickness or some other reason failed to show. Not saying this is always the case but might play a part in the overall picture. JM2Cents Bill
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ruth_anne_b
Central Florida
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Joined: 03/15/2004
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WOW, the last several trips with several other campers we have been on there have been last minute changes and people want to arrive a day or two early or want to stay longer and the worst case was we had a couple that needed to be on a different site for one night. There was someone in the site they were to use and as soon as the site was free they were able to move onto it. We've had folks stay longer and not have an issue. We must be lucky!
Ruth anne Baker
ruth_anne_b@cfl.rr.com
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StanleyandIris
Louisiana
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Joined: 06/17/2007
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Never had this problem either. I always tell them, for example "we will be staying for 3 nights, but may stay 4" so they know to put us in a spot that can accomodate our "maybe 4" status and has not been reserved by someone else on that 4th night. Of course we do not specify a particular site either, just one that has what we need.
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dav5942
Stuart, FL
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Joined: 05/24/2004
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Did not mean to imply that it was a "problem", just seeing a lot of empty spots when people are being turned away over the phone and sometimes right at the office. Many times we have been told they are full over the phone and we show up anyways getting a spot-no problem.
I guess we are just too much business oriented.
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cjalphonso
Columbia, SC
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Joined: 08/22/2006
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I for one am glad they do not do like the hotel business and overbook. Most places I stay require full payment and you own the site for the time you paid weather you show up or not. I like to know when I book a site, its mine, no matter what time I show up or what day I show up. Maybe you experience is that people just arent showing up, but still paying for the site?
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CSpenceFLY
Macon,Ga
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Joined: 06/12/2006
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I was told that here in Georgia, in the state parks 10% of the sites are not reservable. They are set aside for drive ups. I have never tried it. I don't want to get somewhere and not have a site. I sounds pretty stupid,like something someone in government would come up with.
"You're lucky to be alive my friend."
Quote from the "Do it yourself police" and many others that have known me.
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Sully2
Cincinnati
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Joined: 01/20/2003
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Ive never had that sort of problem. Might be WHERE you travel and stay ( area )
I make my reservations and tell them my "target date" for arrival and that Id be staying "X" days...but..I might arrive the day before or the day after the target ( driving 1500-1800 miles one way..may things can change the arrival date) and if we are enjoying ourselves may stay 1 or 2 days more.
Never have any any sort of problems
2000 Country Coach Allure; Cummins ISC 330 HP; 71/2 - 8 MPG regardless
2002 Jeep Liberty
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Sully2
Cincinnati
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Joined: 01/20/2003
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cjalphonso wrote:I for one am glad they do not do like the hotel business and overbook. Most places I stay require full payment and you own the site for the time you paid weather you show up or not. I like to know when I book a site, its mine, no matter what time I show up or what day I show up. Maybe you experience is that people just arent showing up, but still paying for the site?
I wouldnt pay full price "up front" on a campsite if it include free hot and cold running blonds!
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tatest
Oklahoma
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Joined: 05/14/2005
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In some parts of the country where supply is low relative to demand, and reservation costs are low relative to disposable income, reservation systems are abused. A significant number of potential customers will make reservations at all the places they might want to go, and decide at the last minute which one to use, if any.
Tom Test
Itasca Spirit 29B
2001 Ranger Edge
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