I was hoping this would not turn into a KOA bashing thread, BUT..........
ALL KOAs, get together, in their geographically area, compare profit , loss and the ability to charge all they can. This is done under GUIDANCE from KOA personnel. It is a proven fact that most KOAs charge everything they can and then some.
I have no problem with the american way of supply and demand. In fact, the KOA in San Ant charges 26.00 per night for travelers. When I asked the owner, why so cheap, he replied "There are two right down the street that charge the same and If I charged more, they would get my business". Now that is called competetion and supply and demand, the american way.
However, when 20 or more KOA owners ONLY get together (in their immediaate area), with input and guidance from the KOA 0ffice,compare rates, charges and P&L, to raise rates, set prices , etc, that is collusion and conspiracy.
Geez, I hope you can see that.
I would ask you , if the San Ant park charges 26.00, chula vista charges 70.00 and Cherokee NC ( and Ill wager that NC is a lot cheaper on taxes, wages, etc ) charges 85.00, and they are ALL FRANCHISED PARKS, what excuse would you make for the difference in rates? The opnly difference is location, but they are all franchised by KOA. So under your assumption, any faast food restrauant could chargae whatever they wanted , and the head office wouldnt say a word. I doubt that very much.
The original post was about the personal treatment and lack of compassion in a KOA, and I agree it was inexcusable and very bad PR in an age of information at rocket speeds.
On the other hand if any newcomers don't know KOA is one of the more expensive campgrounds, they should now.
2002 Ford F350 Crew, LB, DRW, 7.3L
Jayco Designer 34RLQS
This is an interesting thread. I wanted to say thank you to the original poster for articulting a well written post and for taking the time to complain to the KOA headquarters. Yes the local ones are a franchise but to use the KOA name there are specific standards that need to be met. The local KOA mentioned will hopefully get the message trickled down. I will say that we don't typically go to KOA's for many reasons. Mostly it is because they nickle and dime the customer to much. Of course that is our opinion.
floridacamping wrote: It will be interesting to hear if you even get a reply from them! Please let us know. That was very cold hearted of them. I would not have cost them anything to let you stay for a few more hours.
No I have not,,,, I have also sent this Forum link ,, to that KOA and to head Office,,, still nothing,, I think they don't care...... I cannot belive how much this has stirred up.... WOW the power of Campers..... We are impressed,,,, My Son, my Wife and I have a very large FAMILY, in this Campers world.... makes us feel good,, Thankyou
About 2 months ago, I had a problem at McDonald's. So I asked for their store # and HQ's number. I emailed my complaints to HQ. WITHIN 24 HOURS, a REAL HUMAN called me back. Asked in detail about the problems, said they would send the email on to the store manager & get the problem taken care of, and sent my THREE email coupons for free meals. Guess which restaurant I frequent even more now???
I want to, thank your Customer's complaint site for not responding to my E-mail... Please look at the following link,, just to see how many people are behind me....and the power of the WEB... Problems like this will not go away,,, as you can see by your empty sites..... This is what happens when you penny pinch the Family..... and have very rude and uncaring Staff dealing with your Customers,,,,,as for me and my Family,,, were are very disappointed in your KOA's...
One thing I absolutely agree with is the lack of consistant standards throughout the country in regards to KOA. I really agree that KOA does a poor job of making sure that their franchise owners maintain a decent quality standard. I have not read their FDD, but it must be pretty loosely written in regards to minimum standards.
Some of the nicest RV parks I have stayed in over the years were KOA. Some of the worst were also KOA.
I have no idea just how much a KOA owner pays for the "priveledge" of being a KOA franchise, but it probably is not cheap. That certainly has an effect on their pricing. Personally I would never own one. If I ever purchase an RV park, it will not be one tied to a franchise. Unfortunately, many owners are first time business owners and the blanket of a franchise is appealing.
All I am saying is do not hold all KOA owners responsible for the actions of some bad ones.
Yeah!!! bashing all KOAs because of a few bad experiences may be unreasonable, but if the common thread was, say NY state, or say, Florida campgrounds had so many bad ones people will say never go camping in NY or never go camping in Florida. Sometimes a few bad apples CAN spoil the whole barrel.
Offline
