KM Resorts - what is going on??
We've been members of KM Resorts (dba Sound Pacific Resources) for 3 years now and recently received a letter that implies there are some sort of major changes coming up. Does anyone know what is goi...
Forum Discussion
Well, we had our one-on-one meeting. It was just a high pressure sales tactic (as suggested above) to try and get us to pay another $6,100 on the spot before he walked out of our house. We are not impressed and are ticked off and disgusted to the point of seriously considering selling our membership. The meeting was just another used car salesman type approach just like the first time we met with a salesman at Beachwood Resort. At the end of the meeting, the "independent consultant" did not leave us any paperwork, brochures, or anything else for our records or for evidence that he was even here. He left a card and it did not have his name on it or the name of the consulting firm - it only had the phone numbers for contacting Beachwood Resorts.
Funny thing is, we have no idea who the guy really was. We only know that he called himself Steve and Beachwood sent him. He was rather rude and arrogant too. If was really was an independent consultant, why was he giving us a hard sell to fork out $6K right then and there???
First, the guy purported to be from a totally independent consulting firm and said that KM Resorts had to do that for legal reasons.
The "meeting" was supposed to be in two parts, the first part of which was supposed to be for hearing any issues and complaints we had. That was obviously a ruse to get in our house. We seriously doubt that KM will listen to or do anything whatsoever about our issues. KM has rules but they don't enforce them and doubt they ever will. The "consultant" would not listen to complaints about any other KM park and only about Beachwood.
The 2nd part of the "meeting"...
KM Resorts has supposedly formed a strategic alliance with Equity Lifestyle Properties (ELP). ELP has a reputation for buying distressed RV parks around the US and not maintaining them. Great partner! They apparently want to add a bunch of cabins at Beachwood (mobile homes actually) as they supposedly generate more revenue.
Our current contract allows us to camp at Beachwood Resort (Birch Bay, Wa.) and any of the other 10 KM CGs, including in Oregon. The "consultant" insisted that our contract is with Beachwood only and does NOT allow for camping at any other KM resorts. Total horse poop... We've been to all KM CGs except for Maple Grove and Cascade Meadows in Or. and had no issues whatsoever in getting in. What our contract clearly states on paper totally contradicts his statement. This website from KM Resorts clearly states that Beachwood Resort "is part of the family of K/M Resorts of America".
They want us to trade in our old membership and pay about $6,000 more to upgrade to a "Diamond" membership. He said that the cost for new memberships today costs $13,000 (about 3 times what we paid). There are some additional benefits like 221 day stays and 90 days out to book.
Oh, and wait, there's more... The salesman gave us the option of buying their "Diamond Plus" package on the spot which included a few more perks like frozen dues. Heck, it even included free breakfasts!! If we didn't buy the package on the spot, it would never be available again. (Oh well)
Not sure too many people would be interested in paying $13K for a new membership for the privilege of taking your RV to one of their parks when you can go elsewhere for a fraction of the cost? Thousand Trails, for example, costs under $600 for a year and would get us into over 30 CGs in their western zones. And we're not interested in paying $6100 more for what is working perfectly fine now.
So do we think that paying another $6100 would lead to an improvement in the quality of service and level of enjoyment at Beachwood? Nope, nada, zip.... :R
Funny thing is, we have no idea who the guy really was. We only know that he called himself Steve and Beachwood sent him. He was rather rude and arrogant too. If was really was an independent consultant, why was he giving us a hard sell to fork out $6K right then and there???
First, the guy purported to be from a totally independent consulting firm and said that KM Resorts had to do that for legal reasons.
The "meeting" was supposed to be in two parts, the first part of which was supposed to be for hearing any issues and complaints we had. That was obviously a ruse to get in our house. We seriously doubt that KM will listen to or do anything whatsoever about our issues. KM has rules but they don't enforce them and doubt they ever will. The "consultant" would not listen to complaints about any other KM park and only about Beachwood.
The 2nd part of the "meeting"...
KM Resorts has supposedly formed a strategic alliance with Equity Lifestyle Properties (ELP). ELP has a reputation for buying distressed RV parks around the US and not maintaining them. Great partner! They apparently want to add a bunch of cabins at Beachwood (mobile homes actually) as they supposedly generate more revenue.
Our current contract allows us to camp at Beachwood Resort (Birch Bay, Wa.) and any of the other 10 KM CGs, including in Oregon. The "consultant" insisted that our contract is with Beachwood only and does NOT allow for camping at any other KM resorts. Total horse poop... We've been to all KM CGs except for Maple Grove and Cascade Meadows in Or. and had no issues whatsoever in getting in. What our contract clearly states on paper totally contradicts his statement. This website from KM Resorts clearly states that Beachwood Resort "is part of the family of K/M Resorts of America".
They want us to trade in our old membership and pay about $6,000 more to upgrade to a "Diamond" membership. He said that the cost for new memberships today costs $13,000 (about 3 times what we paid). There are some additional benefits like 221 day stays and 90 days out to book.
Oh, and wait, there's more... The salesman gave us the option of buying their "Diamond Plus" package on the spot which included a few more perks like frozen dues. Heck, it even included free breakfasts!! If we didn't buy the package on the spot, it would never be available again. (Oh well)
Not sure too many people would be interested in paying $13K for a new membership for the privilege of taking your RV to one of their parks when you can go elsewhere for a fraction of the cost? Thousand Trails, for example, costs under $600 for a year and would get us into over 30 CGs in their western zones. And we're not interested in paying $6100 more for what is working perfectly fine now.
So do we think that paying another $6100 would lead to an improvement in the quality of service and level of enjoyment at Beachwood? Nope, nada, zip.... :R
