GrandmaLee wrote: We were considering joining, but we keep on hearing negative things about this Good Sam Club.....now not so sure
As with many things, it's the negatives that usually make the news as opposed to the positives. Seems to me the folks operating GS are actively getting their arms around the things that irk RVers and they will continue to make improvements to things under their control. For one thing, they are not afraid to have open discussions with forum members about the products and services.
I certainly would not hesitate to join.
Just my opinion.
Eric
2009 Holiday Rambler Admiral 33SFS (34' 3")
2008 Jeep Liberty - North Edition (4x4 auto)
FQCC/Camping Quebec, KOA, Good Sam, Coach-Net
WyoTraveler wrote: Maybe I didn't understand the post. I don't think anyone is saving 30% by buying at camping world. That is just advertizement scam. That has been around a long time.
It seems this new policy is a very recent change with the merger, yet it is still advertised. It may have been uncommon to save in the past, but now it is apparently no longer available to members- unless there are some coupons out there?
In any case, I think I'll call Good Sam Club and request they cancel my club membership and refund the monies. If they decide to make some adjustments or clarifications that make it a good value again, we'll reconsider at that time.
But for now, since the discounts have been discontinued, I just don't see the value.
After about 40 mins on the phone with GSC and CW, I have now *successfully* cancelled my order for the Good Sam Club Membership. In all fairness, only about 2 mins were spent on the line with CW and that was mostly me telling them that GSC doesn't believe the online discount change...
What a poor experience
1. Joed at GSC is thoroughly convinced that GSC members still get an online discount at CW. When suggested he browse to the site, he said they do not have internet access to the CW site.
2. I sent the email I rec'd from CW Customer Service to Joed. He indicated there isn't any way to determine who sent it. The sender didn't sign his/her name, just a generic "Camping World Customer Care"
3. I did ask Joed to forward the email and the issues (directed him to this forum for more details) to *someone* who could correct the advertisement on the GSC banners and website indicating the discounts for GSC members.
4. Joed mentioned 'coupons' for members. I asked when, how many, how long are they valid, etc. He didn't know. I don't know if those would be a value, or if they would be for only certain items that I don't need, or... It's a guess at best.
5. Initially, Joed said he would send me a check for the $25 in 3-4 weeks. When I told him that was not acceptable that he should simply notify CW and they would credit the original credit card, he did so.
6. Kendra at CW did credit my card quite easily and without difficulty. She also confirmed the online discounts do not require a GSC membership and therefore is not a benefit of GSC membership.
7. Kendra did say that if people go to a CW *STORE* or *CALL* to order a product, they would have to have a GSC membership to get the discounted price.
8. Joed intially said they don't have any way to send a confirmation that the order was cancelled and the amount of the credit. When pressed, he did finally say he would email me the confirmation code. 20 mins later I have not received it yet.
Wow. At one point I told him that since they couldn't cancel the 'not yet active' membership, were not aware that one of the key benefits is no longer valid, couldn't send me a confirmation of the cancellation (once we got that far), I would be forced to call my credit card company and dispute the entire charge for both the Club and Roadside Assistance (which I still want) and post their refusal online.
That was eventually resolved (see above) and I kept the RA.
Wow, what a mess! So far all the issues seem to revolve around just the Good Sam Club department and their 'communications' issues. I don't know if they are living in one of those GeoDomes with piped in oxygen and aren't allowed to interact with the outside world, or if they just need a revamp of their policies and procedures?
I don't know if GSC is being phased out or if it is just getting left behind, or maybe it is going to be transformed into something better in the near future???
IMHO, they need some time to figure out their role in this new organization and they need some *HELP* understanding the changes in benefits, billing, memberships, etc.
Not all things that start out as good ideas make it. Sadly, it's the impression I am getting from the last few days. I hope I am mistaken. I'd like to think it is an isolated incident, but the information and procedures appear more systemic.
It's going to take some effort to get them back on track. I just hope it is before they end up completely derailed. That is the purpose of posting this level of detail.
I hope to see these issues addressed and learn of Marcus' and his Team's triumph in yet another area of their business. (If I didn't believe they will read and address their issues, I wouldn't waste my time explaining. I'd simply tell people to avoid them)
DiskDoctr wrote: Really? Anyone else know about this?
I recently had reason to email with Camping World about my brand new Good Sam Club membership and discounts at Camping World.
This part concerned me (I've removed sections that may not be public, such as the coupon code):
"Pricing format on our website has been redesigned since the merge of President's Club & Good Sam Club memberships. The ‘Internet Sale’ price is actually the price of product with discount factored in. An additional discount is not earned on top of already discounted pricing with a valid Good Sam Club membership. At this time, only our store locations require a valid membership to obtain discounted pricing on products & installation. To 'offset' this format on our website, we have Member Only promotions such as coupon code {snip} and the current promotion of free shipping."
So this means GSC members will *not* be getting any special discounts, even though it is (still) advertised as such?
We're going to have to re-evaluate the club membership and its value. The Roadside Assistance still seems like a good deal, but not sure about GSC?
I'm trying to be patient as I know the company is going through some changes and I really respect how Marcus and his team continue to have a sense of responsibility towards customers. But I am wondering if this 'member discount' isn't just a bit...misleading?
Keep in mind I posted the above so others won't be misled. I don't know if anyone else knows this or not?
I look forward to Marcus' explanation. He seems to have good reasons for his decisions.
- JC
I am interpreting this correctly.......that folks who ARE NOT GSC/CW PC members get the same price for products ordered on the CW Internet site as those who are? If so why in the world would I pay anything to be a member? I can buy from the website and get the same prices as a member; seems to me that the only "real" benefit is getting a better price on the Roadside Assistance and/or the Extended Warranty and I'd have to check that out to be certain. But even so factoring in the membership fees even that benefit is somewhat reduced. Members should get some quantifiable benefits that ARE NOT available to non-members...otherwise there is no benefit to being a member. I will indeed be checking to verify this information to determine the "value" of my membership.
LTCLarry wrote: I am interpreting this correctly.......that folks who ARE NOT GSC/CW PC members get the same price for products ordered on the CW Internet site as those who are? If so why in the world would I pay anything to be a member? I can buy from the website and get the same prices as a member; seems to me that the only "real" benefit is getting a better price on the Roadside Assistance and/or the Extended Warranty and I'd have to check that out to be certain. But even so factoring in the membership fees even that benefit is somewhat reduced. Members should get some quantifiable benefits that ARE NOT available to non-members...otherwise there is no benefit to being a member. I will indeed be checking to verify this information to determine the "value" of my membership.
The lack of members-only discount only applies to CW online/website purchases. Apparently you still need the membership for in-store service and product purchases, and for over-the-phone orders.
I have no idea if there is any discount or what it is for any other GS products?
This is what I understand to be correct. Trying to be fair. It doesn't make sense IMHO, but still want to be fair
LTCLarry wrote: I am interpreting this correctly.......that folks who ARE NOT GSC/CW PC members get the same price for products ordered on the CW Internet site as those who are? If so why in the world would I pay anything to be a member? I can buy from the website and get the same prices as a member; seems to me that the only "real" benefit is getting a better price on the Roadside Assistance and/or the Extended Warranty and I'd have to check that out to be certain. But even so factoring in the membership fees even that benefit is somewhat reduced. Members should get some quantifiable benefits that ARE NOT available to non-members...otherwise there is no benefit to being a member. I will indeed be checking to verify this information to determine the "value" of my membership.
The lack of members-only discount only applies to CW online/website purchases. Apparently you still need the membership for in-store service and product purchases, and for over-the-phone orders.
I have no idea if there is any discount or what it is for any other GS products?
This is what I understand to be correct. Trying to be fair. It doesn't make sense IMHO, but still want to be fair
- JC
I like fairness too and I believe that members should recieve discounts not available to the non-member.
wannavolunteerFT wrote: Please tell me why I shouldn't just drop my membership and continue ordering at the "member discount" price via the internet.
I've asked myself this same question regarding propane tanks on sale online. I'm a Good Sam member but it doesn't show the little icon on my posts for some reason.
edatlanta wrote: One time I got to use the "We will beat any price on comparable product by 110%" eye8Ubutler. Yes, they said they would refund your original purchase price plus 10%.
Back in about 1995 I bought a DirecTV system from Circuit City. I had been thinking about it for a while, but finally got up and pulled the trigger late on a Saturday afternoon. They had a "self install kit" for $75.00 additional that had an assortment of nuts, bolts, etc. that I could have picked up individually for a lot less, but I wanted to watch TV NOW! So I bought the kit and went home and installed it. Everything worked great.
A couple of days later my son-in-law bought the same set up to give his father for Christmas and Circuit City had a "one day only special" on the install kit. It was $0.01. Soooooooo
I borrowed my son-in-law's receipt and went to Circuit City. I asked about their low price guarantee and they proudly told me all about it. I then showed them my receipt and my son-in-law's receipt and asked them for my 110% refund. The clerk looked like a deer in the headlights. They could not argue about the difference in the product since it was their store and their exact item number. They were the competition.
The manager was called over and he just grinned as he instructed the clerk to issue me a credit for the original $75.00 plus $7.49.
It was a great day and a lot of fun. The little guy wins one every now and then.
That is nothing new. Most big box retailers will honor a discount if you buy something that goes on sale so long as you bring back your receipt within 30 days. I have done this everywhere from Circuit City (when they were still open obviously), to Target, to Best Buy. Never had a moment's problem with it.
You can't expect the store will never offer a heck of a sale, and the fact that they even honor it within 30 days and will refund you is pretty decent of them I think. They don't have to. They could easily modify the fine print on the policy to say 'does not include sale merchandise bought at this location".
....Who cares.I have my TH AND my toys 
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