Deposit to secure site for 3 nights

[Cmftblynumb]

We were looking to stay at Georgian Bay Park in Ontario for 3 nights in May and they asked for a $300 deposit along with the $197 rate all to be sent via e-transfer. I would have figured out the e-transfer piece but a $300 deposit for a $200 stay seemed a bit steep. This was going to be our first stop in Canada from Niagara but with the border situation up in the air and this hiccup in our first attempt at a Canadian campground we are going to reroute and just stay in the U.S. We are fairly new to the RV life but in our first 30 or so reservations we had yet to be asked for a security deposit.

[rk911]

$300 canadian or $300 US?

[Cmftblynumb]

It really does not specify but I am guessing they are in Canada and would expect it in Canadien funds? Also it was for two nights not three as I had noted. Also not sure what “plus host” stands for.

RE: ONE PULL THROUGH SITE

DATE: May 5 to 7, 2022 TWO NIGHTS

RATE: $198 plus hst

DEPOSIT: $300. This deposit helps to protect your vacation as park and safety rules are followed and adapters are returned.
Please send eTransfer to gbaypark@gmail.com. eTransfers make refunds easier. Refund policy on webpage.

[rk911]

HST is a tax...harmonious sales tax. $300 CDN = ~$235 US. betting the $198 per nite + HST = $235 US

[Kenny Loney]

'Gulp' SKIP them, but not necessarily Ontario. I looked over their website and it seems that they are trying to cater more to seasonal sites. They are in the Wasaga Beach, Georgian Bay tourist area, lots of nice places to visit.
The $99 Canadian a night seems quite high even for the area and the $300 reservation fee WOW. Any other campgrounds in the area only charge a deposit of the first nights rates and they pay the remainder when you check in.

Ken

At that time of year you are not likely to need reservations, most campgrounds don't open for the season until Mid April to the end of April or first weekend of May. Campgrounds may be busy on the weekends in May if the weather is good, but our camping season doesn't really get underway until the May 24th weekend.

[L2D2]

We visited Canada in September and it was not a disaster but we will never do it again. We had to get tested for Covid 3 different times after we got tested within 72 hrs. in the states. We were held up at the border for an hour and a half while they took apart our motorhome. The road at the border crossing was something out of "the Walking Dead" no vehicles in either direction for miles but we got picked for an enema. We had intended to go from PEI down the Canadian side to Niagara Falls but we had to jump back into Maine, Canadians wanted a fifth covid test. Needless to say no way; went by ME.,NH., VT and NY St. Lawrence Seaway 1,000 Islands etc, etc to Niagara awesome! SAVE YOUR MONEY AND SPEND IT IN THE USA WHERE YOUR WELCOMED AND APPRECIATED!!

[Cmftblynumb]

You had me at enema, we have far too much to see in the US to go through all of that nonsense. I which them the best and maybe we will visit them in a later year in our travels. Thanks for the feedback!!

[PanJH]

Originally Posted by L2D2

We visited Canada in September and it was not a disaster but we will never do it again. We had to get tested for Covid 3 different times after we got tested within 72 hrs. in the states. We were held up at the border for an hour and a half while they took apart our motorhome. The road at the border crossing was something out of "the Walking Dead" no vehicles in either direction for miles but we got picked for an enema. We had intended to go from PEI down the Canadian side to Niagara Falls but we had to jump back into Maine, Canadians wanted a fifth covid test. Needless to say no way; went by ME.,NH., VT and NY St. Lawrence Seaway 1,000 Islands etc, etc to Niagara awesome! SAVE YOUR MONEY AND SPEND IT IN THE USA WHERE YOUR WELCOMED AND APPRECIATED!!

I had a similar experience several years ago.....as a result, I haven't been back to canada since and have no plans to do so in the future.

[igave]

Where we are, returning thru the US border has usually been far less friendlier than crossing into Canada. That may have changed since COVID, as we haven’t traveled North since. On the whole it sure seems everything is far more complicated these days than perhaps it needs to be.
As far as that deposit, I believe I’d pass as that's pretty steep no matter which side of the line.

[ArtJoyce]

Originally Posted by igave

Where we are, returning thru the US border has usually been far less friendlier than crossing into Canada. That may have changed since COVID, as we haven’t traveled North since. On the whole it sure seems everything is far more complicated these days than perhaps it needs to be.
As far as that deposit, I believe I’d pass as that's pretty steep no matter which side of the line.

That's my experience. US return requires passport that is the only reason canada want's to see passport.

[96 Wideglide]

Originally Posted by L2D2

We were held up at the border for an hour and a half while they took apart our motorhome. The road at the border crossing was something out of "the Walking Dead" no vehicles in either direction for miles but we got picked for an enema.

Friends of ours have had that treatment 3 out of 4 years, at the US border!

It happens both ways!

[Triangle Drifter]

Crossing into Canada is no big deal. Simply have everything in order & comply with whatever current covid rules there are.

Fastest crossing we ever had was wheels stopped for about a minute, however we have had a bit of a shakedown as well taking almost an hour. Same with the return into the US. Most of the time maybe a minute or so wheels stopped, then on occasion we have run into THE Border Protection Agent who is having a bad day & needs a traveller to take his mood out on.

It is all part of the experience. It really is like a box of chocolates dealing with borders sometimes.

[richard5933]

Originally Posted by Cmftblynumb

We were looking to stay at Georgian Bay Park in Ontario for 3 nights in May and they asked for a $300 deposit along with the $197 rate all to be sent via e-transfer. I would have figured out the e-transfer piece but a $300 deposit for a $200 stay seemed a bit steep. This was going to be our first stop in Canada from Niagara but with the border situation up in the air and this hiccup in our first attempt at a Canadian campground we are going to reroute and just stay in the U.S. We are fairly new to the RV life but in our first 30 or so reservations we had yet to be asked for a security deposit.

To be honest, this sounds very similar to hotels where they take a deposit/authorization on your credit card upon check in for more than the anticipated room rate.

This just happened to us in Colorado, where the hotel pulled an auth for almost $100 over the final bill. They explained it was to cover incidentals and in case any damage occurred.

The info from the campground seemed to indicate that the deposit was also to ensure return of adapters - perhaps they have also had problems with people leaving and taking campground property.

Their business - their rules.

[77Travco]

Originally Posted by Cmftblynumb

We were looking to stay at Georgian Bay Park in Ontario for 3 nights in May and they asked for a $300 deposit along with the $197 rate all to be sent via e-transfer. I would have figured out the e-transfer piece but a $300 deposit for a $200 stay seemed a bit steep. This was going to be our first stop in Canada from Niagara but with the border situation up in the air and this hiccup in our first attempt at a Canadian campground we are going to reroute and just stay in the U.S. We are fairly new to the RV life but in our first 30 or so reservations we had yet to be asked for a security deposit.

I do not do anything but cash or credit card.
I explain that I do not perform or accept internet/online transactions.
I sometimes take it a step further and tell people that I do not have a smart phone or an email address as I am not on the internet at all.
I keep U.S. post office money orders on hand as they never expire. I have given money orders when cash wasn't accepted. The confused look on their face is priceless.
Otherwise, I move on. Too many other places to be and spend my money at.