Florida State Park feeding frenzy

The fees credit card processors charge would far exceed any interest income any business could earn on a deposit. On top of the fees, there are costs involved in keeping the records of those deposits. At the government level, there are reporting and compliance hoops that have to be jumped thru. Deposits are very much a net cash loser, they are nothing but a cost of doing business.

I've never thought about it. I make my reservations to ensure I get a specific spot (anywhere, any state) for the dates I want. In order to do that, yes, I may have to pay several months ahead of time. It's like paying for a new television for a Christmas gift and Christmas is 2 months away. So you pay for the television with your credit card, but you don't give the gift for 2 more months. Have I lost money? Should I have waited the day before Christmas to purchase the television and run the risk there may be none available if I wait till then? Do I think about the interest the store is receiving from my purchase, 2 months before I actually want or need it? No! I make the purchase, and that's it! Final! Done! Forget it!

User fees are never enough to pay all the expenses of a state park. The taxpayers pickup the majority of the expenses/costs.

bucky wrote:
I am currently playing the game for spots next winter and doing pretty well at it but a question came to mind.
How much money does FL make on the money our credit card payments that they get to hold for 11 months? The amount of interest has to be staggering.

Your idea would only be valid if you were purchasing a commodity rather than a service. With a commodity, the state would hold your money for that 11 months, then exchange that money with their vendor for the item you purchased, then give you that item.

wildtoad wrote:
I doubt they hold anything other than a spot for you. I suspect they spend it then take any refunds out of current receipts.

Double ditto. That money is put to use for maintenance, salaries & benefits and other needs. State Parks are still one of the best bargains for recreation. I don't begrudge them one cent. We even volunteer to help around the parks. We meet a lot of nice people who appreciate the state parks like we do.

I doubt they hold anything other than a spot for you. I suspect they spend it then take any refunds out of current receipts.