randot
Ellensburg, WA
Full Member
Joined: 09/23/2011
View Profile
 Offline
|
I thank everyone for their responses. I didn't really want this to be a "you booked it and knew it so eat it" post, I simply wanted to know what others think about such a rigid policy and if it is that common. Luckily, I have not had to cancel a lot of reservations (which I prefer to have so there is no stress and I have a place to park my RV), but I had never run into this policy. I understand the standard within 14 days pay penalty policy, just thought this one was a little over-kill. Of course, live and learn and I will not book another nonrefundable campground which might be hard as more and more campgrounds are booked solid which is why I made these reservations more than 6 months out.
2012 Ford F350 Super Duty
2013 Voltage 3200 EPIC II
Two GSDs and toys
|
Crowe
Merrimack, NH
Senior Member
Joined: 01/29/2002
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
I thank everyone for their responses. I didn't really want this to be a "you booked it and knew it so eat it" post, I simply wanted to know what others think about such 'a rigid policy and if it is that common.
The policy stinks but it is what it is and is completely understandable. If these places want to stay in business they must protect themselves. It is very common in resort and heavily traveled areas as well as those with short seasons.
I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be Douglas Adams
RV-less for now but our spirits are still on the open road.
|
lbrjet
Gold Canyon, AZ
Senior Member
Joined: 09/20/2010
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
I have made reservations in around 200 campgrounds, for around 800 nights, mostly 5-9 months in advance. Never once did I get there and not get a spot. If that happened it would make me mad. I have had to eat the cost of non-refundables for a few nights due to my schedule changing slightly now and then. If you choose that campground, knowing the policy and have to cancel then I don't understand why anyone would complain about it.
2010 F250 4X4 5.4L 3.73 LS
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equalizer E4 1200/12000
|
SDcampowneroperator
South Dakota
Senior Member
Joined: 01/25/2011
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
RealtorRick had the best way yet of calling a deposit what it is, a partial payment, not a deposit.
When we had our park - by the way, near Mt. Rushmore, so theres no drive in traffic, it was all by reservation months in advance. it took us years to find the best way to both serve changing plans for guests and protect our business.
In the end, a 1 night deposit served fine in shoulder seasons with cancellation fee refund for any reason up to 48 hrs. before arrival, less a $10 fee to cover our labor time phone and card fees.
As the season progressed and occupancy peaked deposit amount increased to 2 days , cancellation with refund to 7 days, 25% fee ( cabins to tent s are varied pricing) which gave us a chance of rebooking except during special events like the big 3 holiday weekends and Sturgis Rally week which required 30 days prior for some refund
We established that policy based on our margins, likelyhood of rebooking, guest satisfaction our loyalty to them and they to us.
Many times guests would want a refund because they chose to leave early. Never could we refill that short term vacancy. When they threatened a poor review, our resolve became a solid wall. I even offered to escort them out.
We had poor reviews of our policy, which when mixed in with the other reviews made the sour grapes of the dissatisfied look complimentary
I have to point out, why is this industry so chosen for this topic?
Can anyone get a refund from an airline, cruise ship, state park? NO.
We are so glad to have sold our park.
|
wapiticountry
Mountain West
Senior Member
Joined: 10/02/2011
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
SDcampowneroperator wrote:
We are so glad to have sold our park. It’s been nearly three years since we began the get out of jail process. My smile gets bigger as the parks grow smaller in the rear view mirror. It is even possible that someday I will stop hating the general public.
On second though: Naaaah
|
|
|
JoeH
Apollo Beach,FL
Senior Member
Joined: 02/21/2001
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Just a week ago, I was making reservations and the CG I wanted to stay at had me sign an online form stating that I was aware and would abide by their no refund policy. I did sign it.
Joe
2013 Dutch Star 4338- all electric
Toad is 2015 F-150 with bikes,kayaks and Harley aboard
|
time2roll
Southern California
Senior Member
Joined: 03/21/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
Next time you encounter a no refund policy reservation...... ask if you could pay an extra 10% in advance to have the possibility of a refund.
2001 F150 SuperCrew
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
675w Solar pictures back up
|
Crowe
Merrimack, NH
Senior Member
Joined: 01/29/2002
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
Can anyone get a refund from an airline, cruise ship, state park? NO.
Yes. Buy refundable tickets on an airline, no issue. Non-refundable tickets get put into a ticket bank for future use-you generally have a year. Due to COVID some airlines are giving/gave 2 years. Cruise ships refund as well, as long as you aren't within a certain time frame, usually minus an administrative fee. It's not a "no refund at all" policy. State parks I can't comment on.
Trip insurance doesn't even come into play here. It doesn't cover "Acts of God" such as wildfires or "I just don't want to go". Some policies, however, are now covering cancellations due to COVID.
Another suggestion is to ask to put the deposit towards a future reservation. Some will be more than happy to do that.
|
wapiticountry
Mountain West
Senior Member
Joined: 10/02/2011
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
time2roll wrote:Next time you encounter a no refund policy reservation...... ask if you could an extra 10% in advance to have the possibility of a refund. To an owner that would scream we want to stay at a different park but can’t get a reservation. Therefore we are booking with you as a backup, But we will be checking with the other park daily to see if they have a cancellation and then we will exercise that cancellation clause, you will refund our 10% larger deposit and you will be collecting 10% more of ZERO. (Less the credit card fees for both the deposit and the refund)
|
valhalla360
No paticular place.
Senior Member
Joined: 08/19/2009
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
Crowe wrote:Can anyone get a refund from an airline, cruise ship, state park? NO.
Yes. Buy refundable tickets on an airline, no issue.
Sure but the cost of the tickets is so much higher, you could cancel and lose your money on 50% of non-refundable tickets and still come out ahead.
Tammy & Mike
Ford F250 V10
2021 Gray Wolf
Gemini Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and RV
|
|
|
