KOA ridiculous charge

That's the price you pay for not making a reservation. If he was assigned to an overflow spot because they overbooked, then that's a problem and I'm sure he'd be squawking about it.

When driving up to any CG without a reservation, remember two things: 1)You git what you git so don't throw a fit. 2) Walmart parking lots are free.

I guess what I don't get, is this? Why is it a ripoff? Over priced maybe, I would not argue that. But the word ripoff to me implies somehow you were cheated, lied to, of someone took advantage of your misfortune.If their standard charge for an overflow site is $40, and they did not jack it up just for him, then yeah maybe overpriced, but not a ripoff.

What is the charge at surrounding CG'S, for a similar site, what is the location, time of year, etc. For all any of us know, $40 could be a pretty fair charge given the above. I am sure, I don't know.

I don't see from the OP's post, how anything like that happened. No one forced him to take the overflow option. He did it of his own free will. He knew at the time what he was getting. Then to later badmouth them and call for a boycott, I am sorry I just can not hang with his line of thought.

On the other hand. posting how he felt the place was over priced for what he received, I think that would be legit and proper. Just not the ripoff boycott part.

accumack wrote:
To me $40 for a site with no amenities is a ripoff. I would rather boondock at a Wally world. But I wouldn't have stayed at that KOA. We use Kids Of America from time to time and you cannot lump them all into the same boat some are good some not so.

x2. Charging $40 for overflow when the regular price for FHU is only $43? That's price gouging.

That'd be like charging $15 a gallon for gas because you know your the only place in town that has any. Are people going to pay that much? Depends on how bad the need gas.

But are they going to be repeat customers? Probably not...and they going to tell everyone about the unpleasant experience - just as the OP has done.

To me $40 for a site with no amenities is a ripoff. I would rather boondock at a Wally world. But I wouldn't have stayed at that KOA. We use Kids Of America from time to time and you cannot lump them all into the same boat some are good some not so.

I am not really a fan of any private CG. Unless of course we have the GD with us. Then I am, if they have a pool, play ground etc.

As for the $40 charge, I picture myself, hot tired, just want off the road. Then $40 for a safe, secure spot, for the night. And having no reservations, I would be fine with that. If not, I have the same option as the OP did, keep on rolling. But too complain after the fact, when no one forced the OP to take the spot, and he knew what he was getting at the time of purchase, I don't think that is right.

Roy&Lynne wrote:
You know when you have a bad experience with a campground, you remember it and unfortunately for KOA I had a horrible experience with them also and while it was one owner who I feel cheated me out of $35. and while $35 is nothing, that was in 2005 and I let my membership expire and I have never been back to a KOA since. I know it is silly, I don't blame all military base FAMCAMPS for one bad experience, but I won't go back to any KOAs ever.
Sorry OP you had a bad experience and charging you $40 to park your rig sounds absolutely ridiculous but now KOA has another unsatisfied customer and like me, you will think of it every time you think of a place to stay. What is that saying about cutting off your nose to spite your face.? I think KOA does that often.

So what, exactly, should the park have charged? Would $38 dollars been appropriate?. For me, it's pretty hard to decide when we have absolutely no idea what the circumstances were.
As for the idea they now have an upset customer, I don't know of many businesses that let the customer decide what the price should be. The fact is every business is going to have a some dis-satisfied customers. There is no way to please everyone. Funny that you let the Famcamps off the hook for one bad experience, but won't do the same for KOA.

Desert Captain wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:
The reason KOA's charge so much is because they can. :) Like you said, all you were offered was overflow, so that means the place was full. Lots of people paying $43.

I've always assumed that the KOA's are high because of franchise fees, but never really cared enough to find out. We stay at KOA's when nothing else is available nearby, never seek them out because they tend to be crowded and overpriced. But sometimes there is little choice. And they generally are very kid friendly.

X2 We avoid KOA like the plague. Have yet to find one that wasn't on a busy highway, usually adjacent at least one set of railroad tracks. The sites tend to be small and very close together. Add in the noise of lots of kids (as that is the market they serve), combined with what ares always the highest rates in the area and staying there for us just makes no sense.

If you travel with kids, have lots of money, and like tight sites KOA is your kind of park.
:S

As always.... Opinions and YMMV.

X2 I have found this to be true also. KOA has it's apologists/supporters on this site as well as it's detractors. I find the detractors reasoning much more convincing than the others. They are high priced for whatever area they are in and are often not any better than those of similar amenities at much lower prices.

fj12ryder wrote:
The reason KOA's charge so much is because they can. :) Like you said, all you were offered was overflow, so that means the place was full. Lots of people paying $43.

I've always assumed that the KOA's are high because of franchise fees, but never really cared enough to find out. We stay at KOA's when nothing else is available nearby, never seek them out because they tend to be crowded and overpriced. But sometimes there is little choice. And they generally are very kid friendly.

X2 We avoid KOA like the plague. Have yet to find one that wasn't on a busy highway, usually adjacent at least one set of railroad tracks. The sites tend to be small and very close together. Add in the noise of lots of kids (as that is the market they serve), combined with what ares always the highest rates in the area and staying there for us just makes no sense.

If you travel with kids, have lots of money, and like tight sites KOA is your kind of park.
:S

As always.... Opinions and YMMV.

That park has excellent reviews. If the only site you were offered was over flow, they were full. There is a local event there from July 17-july 30. How many extra people/kids over 6 do you have? As other have said, the price is the price. Unlike Hotel Ca you can leave anytime. What were their comments when you ranted to them about the price?

The reason KOA's charge so much is because they can. :) Like you said, all you were offered was overflow, so that means the place was full. Lots of people paying $43.

I've always assumed that the KOA's are high because of franchise fees, but never really cared enough to find out. We stay at KOA's when nothing else is available nearby, never seek them out because they tend to be crowded and overpriced. But sometimes there is little choice. And they generally are very kid friendly.