Community Forums

mojoracing · 09-02-2015, 11:10 AM

I had a campground that insisted they escort us to our site. They then proceeded to back us in over my objections. My wife and I have a routine and are very good at it. I have never damaged my coach or others property in the 20 years of rving. As they were backing us in, the tires touched the bumper that was in place and i figured i was good. The attendant insisted I keep going back over my protests. The coach ended up hitting the electrical box and putting a 7 inch long scratch in my rear cabinet door. All i got was a whoops. Never offered to pay for it or comp us a night. I probably should have taken it up with the office. Never again will I let them back us into a site. If they insist I will find another campground. As far as tipping, I will tip if they do something extra. Wait staff and bartenders always get a tip. Thats how they make the majority of their living. There are a lot of cheap skates out their and I am embarrassed FOR them. If they did a poor job, its another story. Guess what? When I tip well, they fall all over themselves the next time I'm there. The best is when I'm on a cruise, I tip the room guy big when we get to our stateroom and guess what? This guy works his tail off and makes sure I get what i need before i even ask. Im the guy enjoying myself while others wait.

JMonroe · 09-02-2015, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dog Folks

I think your auto correct got you, and you meant "precedent" instead of "president."

bsirby · 09-03-2015, 04:25 PM

My husband escorted campers at the KOA's where we worked. He would get off the golf cart, make sure the unit was lined up with the utilities and nothing would obstruct the slides. He would always ask if there was anything else they needed. Sometimes he would get a tip, sometimes not, but he never expected one.

beamisl · 09-03-2015, 05:34 PM

We haven't been at this very long but have had a guide at about half of the CG's we have stopped at. I don't mind it but one guy was surprised when I got out to "double check" where the rig was and how it was lined up. I told him I am the one driving and I need to be sure. He was fine with it but I would have done it either way. He was very helpful but I never considered tipping him.

I don't mind the service but can do my own parking without it. DH and I have talkies and we do fine on our own.

tinkerreknit · 09-03-2015, 05:49 PM

Good post, thanks! It gives insight into the escort's perspective.

Moonrover · 09-03-2015, 06:20 PM

Interesting discussion. I don't recall ever hearing anything about tipping the guide. Our experience has been that we are guided sometimes, but mostly not. I'm content with a magic marker circle on the camp map, and elated if directional arrows are added.

My form of "tipping" is returning to the same RV park because we feel it provides a comfortable experience.

Oh yes, I worked for tips when I was in college. It was tough work, and my motivation to elevate from that way of life was strong. Today, I empathize with young people struggling to provide great service in restaurants. The size of my tips is based on the service effort quality, and cheerful attitude ... period. I won't tip more than a couple of bucks (if even that much) for nonchalant slovenly poor attitude "service".

Deny · 09-03-2015, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mojoracing

I had a campground that insisted they escort us to our site. They then proceeded to back us in over my objections. My wife and I have a routine and are very good at it. I have never damaged my coach or others property in the 20 years of rving. As they were backing us in, the tires touched the bumper that was in place and i figured i was good. The attendant insisted I keep going back over my protests. The coach ended up hitting the electrical box and putting a 7 inch long scratch in my rear cabinet door. All i got was a whoops. Never offered to pay for it or comp us a night. I probably should have taken it up with the office. Never again will I let them back us into a site. If they insist I will find another campground. As far as tipping, I will tip if they do something extra. Wait staff and bartenders always get a tip. Thats how they make the majority of their living. There are a lot of cheap skates out their and I am embarrassed FOR them. If they did a poor job, its another story. Guess what? When I tip well, they fall all over themselves the next time I'm there. The best is when I'm on a cruise, I tip the room guy big when we get to our stateroom and guess what? This guy works his tail off and makes sure I get what i need before i even ask. Im the guy enjoying myself while others wait.

I agree with The "Wife & I" routine. We were in a nice older campground in Portland Maine, one of those with lots of trees & other obstacles-The new owner added some more spots, but did not renumber> So, #10 was right next to #66, and # 24., I headed back to the office for better directions, the Mgr then led me in his golf Cart-it was twilight- he "Mon-backed" me into the fence. Bent my bike rack a little, did not hurt his fence nor my coach. The Owner/Operator could not have been a nicer guy- I decided to be the same.

No matter who helps- the collision is always the drivers fault- I guess we are luckier than most to be in the position to tell travel tales.

Gordon Dewald · 09-04-2015, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moonrover

Oh yes, I worked for tips when I was in college. It was tough work, and my motivation to elevate from that way of life was strong. Today, I empathize with young people struggling to provide great service in restaurants. The size of my tips is based on the service effort quality, and cheerful attitude ... period. I won't tip more than a couple of bucks (if even that much) for nonchalant slovenly poor attitude "service".

IMO it is time for the service providers to step up to the plate and pay their employees a decent wage. We have been pulled down a road that expects the consummer to "top up" workers remuneration. Another tax.

Service workers, including servers, are a profession. Most places in Europe servers are well trained and paid for the work they do. I expect someone to bring me dinner after I make my selection. It should be included in the price on the menu.

It seems to be North America where we do not give them the respect due their position and seem to think we have to give them incentive to do the job properly. This seems to be creating a delineation between professional work and what some consider menial work. All jobs should be considered a profession!

I wonder how long it will be before we will be expected to start tipping engineers and doctors in order for them to do their job?

Menendez · 09-04-2015, 10:39 AM

I always tip servers in restaurants at least 20% because the system is set up so that I, rather than their employer, am directly responsible for part of their wages. So I don't care about their attitude or "cheerfulness", nor do I expect them to kiss my a** as so many people nowadays seem to expect. Curt and to the point is fine with me, just get the job done.

Also, I'm working class and feel a solidarity with people who work hard at often thankless jobs. You know, lots of people value hard work...until they have to pay for it.

timetogo · 09-04-2015, 02:05 PM

Regardless of paid or well meaning backers, I only watch my wife and follow her directions.

I always tip her with at least a cold beverage

Cat320 · 09-05-2015, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpharley

KOAs typically guide you to your campsite and we have occasionally run into parking assistance at other campgrounds. We have never tipped anyone who has showed us to our site. They are paid staff and it is part of their job.

Agree, plus KOA charges enough to pay him/her a decent wage.

Monacoach · 09-05-2015, 06:38 PM

I hate the whole tipping process and it's not about the money. Its about having to decide how much to give when the bill comes. Just add it to the bill to keep it simple. I dont tip rv escorts.

Fred1609 · 09-05-2015, 07:42 PM

I never have tipped anyone who has escorted me to my site. Generally they have slowed down pointed to the site and left.

Ray,IN · 09-05-2015, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goreds2

Thought of this while in traffic this morning. Does anyone tip the person the guides you to your campsite? I was thinking since it is a holiday weekend and they will be crazy busy, I may tip the person.

Maybe this is just for high end resorts?

You're kidding right? Usually this is a workcamper who is working in exchange for a free parking space with FHU. They made a contract to perform XX work for the space, I will never subsidize their contract.