jswickard
Summerfield, FL
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Joined: 11/06/2001
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On a recent two-month trip, it seemed that more campgrounds are tacking on extra charges than I remember from the past. Listings in the Trailer Life directory show many places with extra charges for Wi-Fi, pay showers, and charges for cable. One Ontario 10/10/10 campground not only had pay Wi-Fi and showers, but they charged an additional $7 fee just to make a phone reservation. Some of the Wi-Fi adders have been in the range of $4-$6 a night (which I decline; I can go to the local library or Mickey D’s). A highly rated costal North Carolina campground had a huge base rate for the campsite, and then added an unexplained $3 “resort fee!”
Is this a wave of the future? Will we someday face electric meters, pay toilets, and level site surcharges? With quality campground fees often in the $40 range, I find the approach of extra fees objectionable. How can we as RVers fight the trend of campgrounds trying to “nickel and dime” us to bolster their bottom line?
Jim and Rosalie Swickard
2011 Newmar Ventana 3433
2004 Honda Pilot
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mockturtle
WA
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If they go this route, they will price themselves out of business. It's one reason we don't stop at KOAs any more. We have never overnighted at a Walmart but we can understand why more and more people do.
2000 Born Free 24RB Class C
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2002 Honda CR-V toad
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past-MIdirector
Michigan
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State Parks have been charging reservation fees for years. Campgrounds have to pay extra for some of these items such as Wi-Fi, and cable TV since everyone don't use it, you charges those that want the service for it. Today's 50 AMP rigs used up to 4 times the electric a 30 AMP rig uses. A lot are charging for more than a couple and pets since someone has to clean up after them now a days.
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nelson
Clio,Mi USA
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It is not a new trend, It has always been done as long as I have been RVing. Long time ago they used to charge extra if you used your air or used an electric hot water plug. As more people used these services and some abused it they just raised there price to cover the cost as is everyone used it. More is coming, Some place don't allow you to wash you rig and some do but someone must pay for the water. The more waste we have the more the price will rise.
2002 Damon Challenger 348 Ford V10
Blue Ox Auto Stop and Aventa II Tow Bar
2001 Ford Sport Trac with Remco Driveshaft Disconnect
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JTHarley
Northeast, Michigan, USA
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I own a small motel in northern michigan on lake huron. For the last 5 years we have kept our rates the same. Over that same period of time it isn't very difficult to calculate my increase in costs. Electric, (and yes when people leave the room with the air on it really racks up the cost), fuel & maintenance costs, costs of employees, taxes, insurance ect.......
Just like you, everyone of these costs go up each year. I'm trying to hold down prices but at some point simply looking for more internal cost cuts just doesn't do it and prices will need to go up. I don't mind paying for well managed campgrounds that obviously take the time and effort to keep them nice.
I think about the campgrounds in the south where it is 90+ degrees and the air conditioners in our coaches are running 8-10 hours a day non-stop.....$$$$$. If they are on municiple water, those rates are skyrocketing so they charge to wash your coach. It's a tough call but I can see both sides.
Jim , MJ & Spirit of Sambuca Bear
"He's one big Newfie"
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zigzagrv
Nazareth, PA
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Was at a CG in CT a few weeks ago that charged a dollar a foot for every foot over 30', 3 bucks extra if you use your A/C, and 6 bucks to dump, since the site only had grey water dumping. It was a 'resort' with nice, large sites, but a bit overpriced. Won't be going back.
Ron
2003 Gulf Stream Ultra Supreme 33'
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SWD
W 109°58'22 N 50°33'40
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Perhaps some reverse phsycology may help. Give them a bill for $10 to clean up campsite and fire pit. $5 reduction for showing up before 6pm and a further $5 for leaving prior to check out time.
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randallb
On the road
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Joined: 11/19/2007
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We have a number of members, I am guilty also, who use the term "won't be going back". Since extra fees are the wave of the future these individuals will be staying at WalMart, if the lawsuits do not force them to close their campground.
Randy
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mockturtle
WA
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Maybe we should deduct charges for services that were advertised but nonexistent or worked only marginally.
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rockhillmanor
On the Road
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Joined: 12/06/2003
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zigzagrv wrote:Was at a CG in CT a few weeks ago that charged a dollar a foot for every foot over 30', ....
I've seen a lot of these too. This is where I draw the line purely on principals.
2 people in a 24 ft MH and 2 people in a 31 ft MH are IMHO going to use the same water and sewer useage. 
Quote:Maybe we should deduct charges for services that were advertised but nonexistent or worked only marginally.
YES! I would sure like to see this be part of CG charges! 
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