We are workamping at a very nice smaller RV resort (I call it a park) in Colorado. In my opinion,the price to stay here is way too high and apparently others think so too. On a daily basis I see so many RVs drive by on this very popular highway and we have very little business. We had very few sites rented out on Memorial Day weekend. The owner is very nice and is really working hard to make this a first rate park, but he does not want to lower rates to get customers in. All those empty sites are dollars lost you can never make up. The less customers we have, the less work we do for upkeep, but I would like to see him do well with this business. Guess he knows what he wants, but I just don't get the business mentality going on here. Guess I'll just sit back and enjoy our workamping experience here.
Of course it is a little early in the season here in Colorado. The low snowpack this year means camping season started earlier than normal, but many people don't get going until later in June. Last night, I was talking to a couple of guys in the rafting business here in Glenwood that say the season doesn't get really booming until just before the 4th of July, even though the river has already peaked this year.
We have come across similar thoughts about some businesses. Hopefully, the owner doesn't need to have more people to be able to meet his obligations.
Don't know if it's a sign that I haven't been retired long enough, that I keep thinking how to improve a business plan!
Nancy
How are people knowing your rates before they stop by? Word of mouth? Internet? Many times, I won't know the cost until I come in to the office, and by then, I just pay - for one night only, and then move on down the road.
* This post was
edited 06/02/12 09:01am by korbe *
korbe wrote: How are people knowing your rates before they stop by? Word of mouth? Internet? Many times, I won't know the cost until I come in to the office, and by then, I just pay.
RVer's tend to be a savvy lot and the Internet has made it MUCH easier to get information on anything. The recent economic times (not to mention the cost of fuel) has many of us looking for ways to lower the cost of travel. With rare exceptions, I've already researched the CG's I think we may be visiting. Cost is not the sole criterion; for the most part I tend to look at what I'm getting for my dollars. JMHO
korbe wrote: How are people knowing your rates before they stop by? Word of mouth? Internet? Many times, I won't know the cost until I come in to the office, and by then, I just pay - for one night only, and then move on down the road.
Internet and phone, we have had many people call, ask the rates, and then say "thank you" and hang up. We have a had a few stop in while we were on duty, check the rates, and then leave. I generally would not pay what the rates are here.
So where in CO, and what highway are you. Your post is not too helpful to us travelers without that information.
Besides, we might want to drop in and meet fellow workampers.
Hopefully it will pick up. We have been going to a very large RV park near South Fork, CO for the last 8 years, and will again this year. We arrive mid June and leave after July 4th. When we arrive, the park is considerably less than half full. When we leave, it is bursting at the seams. Other parks in the area seem to do about the same (at least viewing from the road passing by).
He needs to do a survey of surrounding parks with similar amenities and then see if his prices are in line or providing business for his competition. We also use the internet to decide on campgrounds and while price isn't the deciding factor it is in the top 3. That being said, we're camp hosting at a COE park here and they were way behind last year until Memorial Day and now the business is picking up. People may just be getting a late start this year.
Dick and Joyce
2010 Montana 3665RE
Dodge 2500HD Maxi Cab Laramie Edition
Diego, Norm, & Bitsy
Offline
