Community Forums

SoIlBoy · 07-27-2011, 06:34 PM

In May I sent an online reservation request to Happy Holidays in Rapid City, asking for reservations for 4 nights in June. I never got a reply, either E-mail or telephone from them. I went on my trip and on the way made reservations for 4 nights at another park. The day after I arrived in Rapid City I got a call from Happy Holidays asking where I was. I informed them that I had never heard from them, so I made reservations elsewhere. The clerk said they must have made a mistake and not notified me. She did say that my credit card had just been charged for one night, but she would tell the manager what happened and get the charge reversed. I got my June statement and the charge was still there, so I called and explained the whole thing again and was told they would credit my card. I checked my card and still no action. I e-mailed the manager and asked for the credit and did not hear from them. I sent another follow-up this week asking for action and at least the courtesy of a response. Nothing.
I need to know, what should I do next? It is only $35 or so, but I WOULD have stayed there if they had followed through and let me know I had a reservation, but they let the ball drop. Watcha think?

4Knights · 07-27-2011, 06:42 PM

Call your cc company and tell them the story have them remove the charge and they can deal with the campground

mga60tw · 07-27-2011, 06:43 PM

can you dispute the charge with your card holder? Let them know and they will handle the situation.

JimM68 · 07-27-2011, 09:23 PM

if you got as far as to give them a credit card number, why would you question the validity of your reservation?
And if you did, why didn't you call them in advance to verify?

SoIlBoy · 07-28-2011, 07:51 AM

The credit card number is required on the on-line reservation request. I didn't speak to anyone from the campground in asking for a reservation.

I didn't follow up with a call since I had never heard back from them telling me if they even had a vacancy, let alone a reservation.

Just got off the phone with the credit card company and the dispute is in process.

I'm most dissapointed in the fact that Happy Holidays won't even respond to me.

okie-dokie · 07-28-2011, 08:13 AM

I had the same thing happen to me a few years ago at Rushmoor Shaddows. They were supposed to e-mail a confermation number. They never did. Unless I get the reservation number via e-mail, I don't go.

njs42 · 07-28-2011, 08:42 AM

The RV place has modest culpability at best only because they admitted error in not confirming with you which evidently is their normal proceedure. However they did hold your space which was their agreement with you. You ask they honored---mutual assent-----a contract.

When making reservations in advance if I do not have a confirmation I call back or e-mail just to be sure---and would not assume that because I did not hear anything that they did not expect me to be there----after all they took a credit card number they had better have a space---and in fact they did---honoring their agreement with you.

In this case both parties have contributed to the problem IMO. But you will get your money back----fair?

Perhaps you should ask how you would have felt if you arrived and they did not have a space------even without a confirmation you would have expected one I'm sure---after all they took your credit card number---you would point out!

In this case they had one--all yours--just waiting expressly for you. What more could you ask?

Perhaps a decent proposal might have been asking them, because of the confusion, to simply hold your reservation and apply it to your next visit. Then everyone can win.

cutrell01 · 07-28-2011, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoIlBoy

In May I sent an online reservation request to Happy Holidays in Rapid City, asking for reservations for 4 nights in June. I never got a reply, either E-mail or telephone from them. I went on my trip and on the way made reservations for 4 nights at another park. The day after I arrived in Rapid City I got a call from Happy Holidays asking where I was. I informed them that I had never heard from them, so I made reservations elsewhere. The clerk said they must have made a mistake and not notified me. She did say that my credit card had just been charged for one night, but she would tell the manager what happened and get the charge reversed. I got my June statement and the charge was still there, so I called and explained the whole thing again and was told they would credit my card. I checked my card and still no action. I e-mailed the manager and asked for the credit and did not hear from them. I sent another follow-up this week asking for action and at least the courtesy of a response. Nothing.
I need to know, what should I do next? It is only $35 or so, but I WOULD have stayed there if they had followed through and let me know I had a reservation, but they let the ball drop. Watcha think?

I always make reservations by telephone and many RV places will give you a confirmation number. Call back prior to leaving home to confirm reservation. Most will charge 1 night if you cancel or don't show up. Better to get their attention if you dispute charge through you credit card company. Have stayed at this campground a few years ago. They used to have their own gas/diesel pumps and gave campers a good discount. Don't know if they still do that.

doc · 07-28-2011, 08:49 AM

Bit late to dispute it with the CC company isn't it? Or, did the charge occur on the date you should have been there?

danes-on-tour · 07-28-2011, 09:06 AM

I think that this is one of those things that is really really irritating and when that is said it's not worth the aggravation. You have tried to recuperate your money and the CC have not responded well or at all. Let it go and put it down to experience. Kick a chair and treat you to an extra adult beverage - then let it go.

If you are a member of Good Sam or FMCA you can lodge a complaint with them and they are likely to get your money back for you.

"Nil illegitimi carborundum, Nolite te bastardes carborundorum." I am sure you all agree.

njs42 · 07-28-2011, 09:16 AM

Cancellation Policy
To avoid forfeiture of your deposit, you must cancel your reservation at least as many days ahead of arrival as you have booked at Happy Holiday Resort. (Example: If you book a reservation for 10 days you must cancel your reservation at least 10 days prior to your arrival date). A $15.00 cancellation fee is charged for cancellations made in accordance with this policy. Cancellations made after the deadline or no-shows will result in forfeiture of the total deposit.
Holiday weekends or special events may require a minimum length of stay and may have special deposit, cancellation requirements or rate changes.
CHECK IN time is 1:00 PM.

Here is the cancellaton policy from their website---did not try to register---so do not know if they specified a confirmation policy or not.

If you reserve it seems you agree to the above----

njs42 · 07-28-2011, 10:42 AM

Thank you for your your reservation request at Happy Holiday Resort. We will contact you within 24 hours in-season or 72 hours off-season to confirm your reservation. We look forward to seeing you in our beautiful area.

To be fair---I put in a dummy reservation and here is their----confirmation policy-----as Paul Harvey would say "the rest of the story".

You can print their reservation page but either way-----it seems you are within your rights to a refund.

ralper · 07-28-2011, 04:05 PM

In 5 years of full timing I have made reservations about 4 times and always by phone. If they do not answer their phone and I get an answering machine then I call another CG.

What should you do? Since you did not follow up on the reservation you should pay for one night.