Community Forums

Moniki · 04-04-2019, 07:56 PM

We are fairly new at RVing and have been planning a summer trip to the Northeast. Made a lot of park reservations last year, since I heard that was imperative to get into some of the parks. Some of these we had to pay ahead of time. We made reservations at one popular resort in New Hampshire last November paying in full and receiving a receipt and confirmation. The other day, I received a letter stating that we owed $80 because of the 2019 price hikes.

Is this right? I mean if I bought a plane ticket last year for this year, could they bill me for a price change? I don’t think so. Is this normal for RV parks?

Moniki

Ohiomike · 04-04-2019, 08:03 PM

That’s ridiculous. I don’t understand how they could do that with a receipt saying you paid in full a year in advance. I would call and speak to a manager.

Stateboy · 04-04-2019, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohiomike

That’s ridiculous. I don’t understand how they could do that with a receipt saying you paid in full a year in advance. I would call and speak to a manager.

X2. The Michigan State Parks system only allow you to reserve up to six months in advance and whatever you pay at that time is the final payment. I can't speak for private parks except for those I've stayed at. None of those have ever asked for additional money prior to or at my arrival (even up to a year later).

GaryKD · 04-05-2019, 03:55 PM

Nope, it is not right or good business. That being said is there anything in your receipt (the small print) that allows this because they didn't have their 2019 rates when you purchased? Usually a CG will advertise and allow early birds to "reserve now" at the current rate because next year rates are going up. They get the money up front and you get the current year rate.

All that being said, for me I'd:
1. complain to the CG manager
2. if #1 does not work, leave posts on all the social media you subscribe to naming the CG, location, contact information and manager's name.
3. Notify Good Sam. They take up RVer complaints like this. Would be bad advertising if the CG ended up in a GS column.
4. Write FMCA, same as #3.
5. If you paid with a CC is it too late to dispute the charge?

If they get the feeling it will cost them more to fight it, combined with the bad publicity they might drop the extra charge.

FL420 · 04-05-2019, 04:03 PM

Would this legally be a version of the old "bait and switch?"

Brecklundin · 04-05-2019, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL420

Would this legally be a version of the old "bait and switch?"

well, yes it's not ok. Not sure of legality but it sure is a violation of their merchant card account terms of service.

Just file charge back with your CC provider. Too many people do that and *poof* goes their account or their discount rates (percentage merchant pays on each transaction) increase a bunch. This will get the merchant's far faster and gives you the freedom to let the people with all our money deal with it...

Brecklundin · 04-05-2019, 05:21 PM

btw, i ran a hotel for a few years and was traveling to the relief manager fir a few years prior to that time.

Policy is the same wether RV Park/Campground or hotel/motel room.

If the guest guarantees the room with a CC and the place charges or even puts hold on the funds then that accommodation is yours ni discussion.

That is one of the things to avoid at all costs along with selling their room before the guests arrive...if that happens or they try and charge you more for a different class accommodation the establishment is required to pay for a room at another place. And they cannot limit what they are willing to oay for the room. If you pay $50 but the only available accommodation is $300 they have to pay it. There is no wiggle room.

And a spot for your RV might not be close by a ride or gas is also added. If that is not acceptable to the guest then it's a paid room elsewhere.

Moniki · 04-07-2019, 03:05 PM

Well, I did complain and talked to the manager and she said that was just the way it was and if I talked to the director of the park, they would not budge. The woman I talked to was very understanding, but said these are the rules! She inferred that either I paid the $80 extra or forfeit my reservation. I'm afraid if I make trouble, they may cancel my res. I wish I could print all of your reponses and send them to her!

GaryKD · 04-07-2019, 05:07 PM

Like I said in post #4, get Good Sam to intervene. Do not worry about the CG people making trouble for you. You have a legitimate grievance. They should understand that. Pay the money now (under protest) to get past the reservation. Then let Good Sam handle it.

twogypsies · 04-07-2019, 06:28 PM

Read the fine print. Is there a cancellation statement? I'd find another place.

rlott2k · 04-07-2019, 06:33 PM

Very unethical business practice. I’ll bet it’s an independent, owner operator park.Look for another park, if ones available, call your credit card co and cancel the charges. No need to call the offending camp. Let them find out on their own.
I one had a park try to upcharge me $5 for internet booking, told me its standard practice! I refused and noted there was nothing on their web page about this. I cancelled my reservation and left.

rlott2k · 04-07-2019, 06:39 PM

As your new, I’d also note many parks offer weekly or monthly discounts.
Good Sam, Passport America, AAA, also could earn you discounts.

V3600 · 04-07-2019, 07:19 PM

Sounds like a contractual issue in which the RV park is violating the contract they made with you last year. Same thing happened to us decades ago. We reserved a weekend at the Crystal Pier Hotel in San Diego and paid in full when the reservation was made. We were notified a few weeks in advance of our stay that the Crystal Pier staff erred and didn't charge us the higher summer rates and that we owed them more money. They wouldn't budge in their insistence that we pay more. I cancelled the room and swore I would forever drag their name in mud, as I am now doing.

Teamfoxy · 04-08-2019, 09:49 AM

The problem is that in some areas, there are few alternative places to stay. Sounds like this place knows they are going to be able to sell the spot at a higher rate and are going to hold you hostage.

We have a similar situation in IL where our son lives. We can't even get a one or two week stay in any of the RV parks in the area, they are all seasonal only. We used to go to Kankakee River state park, but they closed the campgrounds 3 years ago and have not reopened. So now our only alternative is to dry camp in their driveway and mid-stay go to a KOA or a casino 50 miles away to dump.