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Old 03-22-2018, 08:17 PM   #1
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KOA vs. WALMART

I was just looking at the San Antonio, TX KOA website and found this: (Sorry for the terrible screenshot)



Very smart of them to offer a bare-bones site with access to their amenities. Price was listed as $23 per night. I have stayed there in the past, and it is a nice location. Having the security and quiet, plus a nice hot shower, vs. all the downsides of Wally Docking makes it worthwhile for me.

I hope to see more of this in the future. A win-win for both the campers and the campground.
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Old 03-22-2018, 08:30 PM   #2
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Smart Marketing........
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Old 03-22-2018, 08:35 PM   #3
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I like KOA
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Old 03-22-2018, 09:28 PM   #4
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eh, but thing is this alternative still isn't what one might want.

we stop at wallyworld and truck stops and others for ONLY a 4-5 hr sleep stop and away we go again. We don't need bathhouse or laundry etc. but does show smart marketing for sure $0 still beats $23 for 4-5 hr sleep stop on our longer travels and fastest in and out for us.
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Old 03-22-2018, 09:35 PM   #5
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That is good marketing. For those that want the security of an actual campground vs a parking lot, it's reasonably priced. Although, I feel they could go lower since most of the RV-rs who'd use that type of site wouldn't even use the amenities



Quote:
Originally Posted by Whirrlly View Post
... $0 still beats $23 for 4-5 hr sleep stop on our longer travels and fastest in and out for us.
I've never managed to get out of a WM on a quick over night for $0. It's $100 if not more. I always buy stuff at the store as a thank you for letting us stay.

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Old 03-22-2018, 09:41 PM   #6
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If after overnighters needs to be pull through. IMHO.
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Old 03-23-2018, 05:15 AM   #7
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That is good marketing. For those that want the security of an actual campground vs a parking lot, it's reasonably priced. Although, I feel they could go lower since most of the RV-rs who'd use that type of site wouldn't even use the amenities





I've never managed to get out of a WM on a quick over night for $0. It's $100 if not more. I always buy stuff at the store as a thank you for letting us stay.

Lori-
I so hear ya on that one but if we do the 4-5 hr stop we rarely shop, well, maybe run inside for a nice rotisserie chicken to eat up before we leave and the funny thing is the KOA offering amenities doesn't have that meal ready for us
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Old 03-23-2018, 08:30 AM   #8
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I would never use any Walmart or parking lot at a big box store for any type of overnight camping. That is not the purpose of those establishments.

I am retired and on a fix income but really camping at a Walmart!
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Old 03-23-2018, 08:44 AM   #9
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Quote:
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I would never use any Walmart or parking lot at a big box store for any type of overnight camping. That is not the purpose of those establishments.

I am retired and on a fix income but really camping at a Walmart!
WalMart and other big box stores don't mind so why should you? WalMart has made it clear that overnighting is an acceptable purpose for their establishments in some locations and I think they have a right to determine that.

If it's not for you that's fine. Others find WalMart's overnight invitation to be useful in some situations.
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Old 03-23-2018, 08:46 AM   #10
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If Wal-Mart doesn't mind... I'll sleep there as long as there are other RVers. The safety in numbers thing is real. I won't stop at roadside parks ever again. The one time I did one of my bumper caps and a marker light lens were pulled off... I heard it happen but couldn't get dressed in time to stop whoever did it. The next morning on my walk-around I found screws standing up under a tire. I checked all of them closely after that. I can only guess that I was being targeted and would have been robbed while changing a tire in the middle of nowhere... Be careful out there.
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Old 03-23-2018, 08:52 AM   #11
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23.00 and no hook ups? Hope you can run the genny all night in August.
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Old 03-23-2018, 08:55 AM   #12
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Quote:
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I would never use any Walmart or parking lot at a big box store for any type of overnight camping. That is not the purpose of those establishments.

I am retired and on a fix income but really camping at a Walmart!


Nobody is camping, we/they are using it as a rest-stop for a few hours of sleep. If WalMart (or whatever store) is OK with it... fine by me.

Zipping into a WalMart parking lot is way more convenient than finding a campground and checking in... for a few hours of sleep. WalMart is not the destination, it is simply a short stop on the way.
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Old 03-23-2018, 09:51 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bluepill View Post
I was just looking at the San Antonio, TX KOA website and found this: (Sorry for the terrible screenshot)



Very smart of them to offer a bare-bones site with access to their amenities. Price was listed as $23 per night. I have stayed there in the past, and it is a nice location. Having the security and quiet, plus a nice hot shower, vs. all the downsides of Wally Docking makes it worthwhile for me.

I hope to see more of this in the future. A win-win for both the campers and the campground.
I have never stayed at a KOA, they look nice, but the price is always what has kept me away. This $23 didn't sounds too bad ..... till i saw post #


Quote:
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23.00 and no hook ups? Hope you can run the genny all night in August.
So now it just became a rest area + shower? a rest area has a place to park+ has a bathroom and is $23 cheaper. It doesn't add up for me.


I would love to see some campgrounds do a 1 night special With electric hookup only for $18.
You are only going to use $.50-$1.50 worth of electric running a AC all night.
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Old 03-23-2018, 10:25 AM   #14
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I guess Walmart or rest stops don't work for us. We like to stop around 4 o'clock for the night - disconnect the Jeep and ask at the office what is there to see in the local area. Then have a late supper and watch a little TV and in bed by 11:00. Getup in the moring about 7:00 have coffee and breakfast and nice long hot shower and be on the road by 9:00 AM. Life is to short for 5 hour rest stops and back on the road --- take time to smell the roses. Some of the most interesting sites we have seen is on layovers.
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