haggling on camping prices

Bigdog wrote:
...We did negotiate thru a couple of layers of cars and it was fun...

Cool that you can have fun in the process. Personally, it would have given me a headache!

Went thru a discount outfit for airline tickets to San Diego and then went online to Alaska and found that they were cheaper there. Used a discounter for a car rental there and when I got to the rental office with my rental reservation, I found that their description of what I was supposed to get was also different. The discounter showed me getting a Charger for a full size and the rental company was an Avenger. Took the Avenger as they didn't have a Charger available and they gave me a better price. Had some problems with the Avenger and took it back and had a nice conversation with the manager and wound up with a brand new Taurus SEL off the Hertz lot next door at no extra cost. It does turn out that Dollar and Thrifty (?) are owned by Hertz. We did negotiate thru a couple of layers of cars and it was fun, but I did have him kinda over a barrel.

I suppose it is OK to ask, but I can say most of the campgrounds we go to are set on their prices & probably would like to show you where the gate is, if you protest too much.

My dad ...........

Yup, dealt honestly and fairly and kept getting repeat customers and new ones.

But, I agree, it was different times.

beemerphile1 wrote:

Another form of haggling could be offering some service in lieu of lot rent.

ie; "I notice the bath house needs painted, would you be interested in..."

Bartering! Not something I could/would do, but maybe for others. Cool idea, B.

4X4Dodger wrote:

ScottG wrote:
Asking for some kind of discount is reasonable but haggling IMO, isn't going to happen.

Asking for a lower price in the form of a discount IS in fact "Haggling" or more properly "negotiating"

I ask simply and politely. "Can you give me a better rate than that?"

Another form of haggling could be offering some service in lieu of lot rent.

ie; "I notice the bath house needs painted, would you be interested in..."

ScottG wrote:
Asking for some kind of discount is reasonable but haggling IMO, isn't going to happen.

Asking for a lower price in the form of a discount IS in fact "Haggling" or more properly "negotiating"

I ask simply and politely. "Can you give me a better rate than that?"

Negotiating over prices is done in many places that you may not suspect. I have done it successfully at Best Buy and other department stores especially if I find the box dented or even slightly opened.

Open Box product costs stores tons of money and they will often negotiate to get rid of damaged and open box items.

There is NOTHING wrong with asking for a lower price. Especially in the Hotel/Services/travel and hospitality industries of which RV Parks are a part.

As a guy who used to own a small boutique hotel in an international resort area I can tell you for sure our BEST rates were given to those who contacted us IN PERSON in advance and asked for a good deal. The best rates were never the internet or advertised ones.

Lauren wrote:
...

My immigrant Swede father ran a small town car business for 3 1/2 decades starting in 1922 - he did not stay in a business like that by playing games and not doing the above.
...

A car dealership that did not play games with prices? I honestly have never heard of that. That must have made car buying an actual pleasant experience!

In my mind, there is a big difference between "haggling" and "asking for a discount". Most campgrounds I've been to, during the busy season, would just tell you NO if you started haggling about the price and would show you the door. On the other hand, if you simply ask about any discounts, you might just get one or a pleasant "none available right now", and you would have a nice stay at that campground.

At a car dealership, though, I certainly do haggle and shop around! And the car dealers are very happy to play that game! Some salespeople almost seem disappointed if you don't try to "haggle".

We started a near riot in a upscale large chain hotel on the way to the Great American Race one year. We picked up a discount flyer at the welcome center and presented it to the clerk at check in. The line behind us immediately went into hyper drive, the manager was less than pleased. Hey, we didn't place the ad.
The more we save, the sooner we can quit is the way I look at it.

Lauren wrote:
wpo - tried to send you a nice PM but could not; could you open up PM to me?

Somehow the gremlins turned on a function that only allowed those on "My Buddy" list to PM. Since I have no friends, that meant no one could send me a message. It's been changed to allow any and all scoundrels to send me whatever they want. Thanks for the notification something was amiss.