RV parks do not honor advertised rate when booking?

Never experienced this and we have stayed many times at Flying Flags, BUT our reservations are seldom even months in advance. One of the challenges is the long lead time. They could just say we take reservations up to 90 days out and guarantee the rate or they will hold a slot for you for up to a year but subject to change.

Things like our draught that drove up water casts for everyone they can't foresee a year in advance.

I've had this happen in Myrtle Beach (Pirateland) after having made my reservation the year prior. However, we're only talking a couple of $/night here. An increase of $35/night? What on earth could they have done to their campground to justify a $35 increase per night over the previous year's rates?

mileshuff wrote:

Lantley wrote:
Let's say the CG cost increase since your reservation were made. Utility cost,insurance,taxes or whatever.
Do you think they should eat the increase? Or should they increase their rates as required and pass on the increase to campers.
Guess what they do.;)

Perhaps but why don't hotels, airlines, car rental etc. do the same thing? All seem to honor the rate you book at.

Not always. Lower rates are likely honored if pre-paid, non-refundable, but not if just a quote. You can get a quote for an airfare, not buy the ticket, and find that the price has changed 30 minutes later.

mileshuff wrote:

Lantley wrote:
Sounds like the OP's CG is a busy place if reservations are taken 1 year out. If the OP doesn't want to pay the rate there is probably a line of people that will.
Simple supply and demand. Capitalism at work.

Yes it is a busy park. Its not that I don't wish to pay the rate. I wish to know what the rate is when I make a reservation and not have it jacked up $35 more per night when I arrive. This park holds the right to tell you any rate they wish on the day you arrive regardless of any prior rate they may have quoted and that you have paid prior to arriving. True, nothing illegal there but not exactly ethical.

The one conflict here is that they have a cancellation penalty fee. What about those that wish to cancel because of the jacked up surprise rate? Their policy suggests thats too bad. Pay the higher rate or pay the penalty. Again, unethical.

I get it. But at some point I imagine the rate is set. Maybe you could call them a month out and check the rate. From there you can decide if you want to pay or accept the cancellation penalty.
I assume it's a decent/great place or you would not need to make reservations a year in advance.
The only way the CG can have such a policy is if the demand is that great.
Once again supply and demand takes over. If you want to play you pay if you think it's unethical you keep your money and let someone else suffer the unethical treatment.

Lantley wrote:
Sounds like the OP's CG is a busy place if reservations are taken 1 year out. If the OP doesn't want to pay the rate there is probably a line of people that will.
Simple supply and demand. Capitalism at work.

Yes it is a busy park. Its not that I don't wish to pay the rate. I wish to know what the rate is when I make a reservation and not have it jacked up $35 more per night when I arrive. This park holds the right to tell you any rate they wish on the day you arrive regardless of any prior rate they may have quoted and that you have paid prior to arriving. True, nothing illegal there but not exactly ethical.

The one conflict here is that they have a cancellation penalty fee. What about those that wish to cancel because of the jacked up surprise rate? Their policy suggests thats too bad. Pay the higher rate or pay the penalty. Again, unethical.

Never had this happen in 20 years.

If the RV park is where I want to be. I pay the rate and play by their rules.
If I don't like there rules I may stay at the next closest place. If there is no alternative CG. I play by their rules.
At the end of the day cost of the site is a very small part of my overall camping budget so I don't put a lot of emphasis on it.
I seldom if ever choose a CG due to price.
Location location location is the deciding factor. Location/popularity always determines price.
There is generally a cheaper alternative that is never quite as convenient to your desired location.
There is only 1 Fort Wilderness where you pay a lot to play, the cheaper alternatives do not deliver the same experience and are not nearly as convenient.
Sounds like the OP's CG is a busy place if reservations are taken 1 year out. If the OP doesn't want to pay the rate there is probably a line of people that will.
Simple supply and demand. Capitalism at work.

travelnutz wrote:
mileshuff,

We'd much rather drive a little or select another place/area than to be dissappointed or feel ripped off. If enough RV'ers did so, it wouldn't be long before the RV park/resort etc got the message and revised their ways or they would be amongst the huge list of closed or bankrupt or sold parks. Got to hit them where it hurts the most for the fastest and best results/effect!

I would be curious as to where you have seen huge numbers of parks closing or selling. The few closed parks I have run into are usually parks that have never re-invested in their infrastructure and finally succumbed to the inevitable failure of that infrastructure. Parks that sell usually are bought by new operators wishing to move a successful business forward or by investors wishing to convert the land to higher value usage. Doubt you could specify a single park that failed because they had a reservation or refund policy people didn't like.
The park in question has nothing but extremely high scores for it's reviews and many reviews mention that the park is very full. Sounds like their policies work. When people make their reservations early, I believe the vast majority of the people do so to secure a site either at a specific park or a specific site within that specific park. The OP would be able to accomplish that goal under the park's current policies. Seldom is it done to secure a rate. I think I am going to file this complaint in the "can't please everyone" file.

mileshuff,

We'd much rather drive a little or select another place/area than to be dissappointed or feel ripped off. If enough RV'ers did so, it wouldn't be long before the RV park/resort etc got the message and revised their ways or they would be amongst the huge list of closed or bankrupt or sold parks. Got to hit them where it hurts the most for the fastest and best results/effect!

Not had it happen but for a few dollars. On our reservation sheets for July, Oct. & Nov. 2015. Have to book in advance or not able to get a site. It clearly states

All rates & policies are subject to change without notice. Rates are guaranteed for reservations with departure dates up to & including 3/31/2015.
Last year they instituted a $100 fine going to local animal rescues for not picking up your pet waste next year I hear a $100 fine & loss of use, for certain golf car infractions including load stereos at quite times. When you are as big as they are security has to keep control.

No Fraud you should know it up front from the web site or your paperwork. When they book reservations up to 18 months in advance they have to keep the right. Hotels are usually large chains most campgrounds are smaller privately owned.