Why do campgrounds not post rates on their own websites

It's often a false economy on their part in this techy day and age of fewer folks wishing to waste time on comparisons with phoning when there are umpteen others that show their rates low season, high season, weekends and holidays.

Often those that don't put up their rates, particularly in high demand areas at certain times of year/events in town, will adjust up and down depending on their vacancy rates at time of asking. If they were to look at the big picture that can cause bad feelings amongst those that find out others paid a far lower price for a similar or better site, and consequently lose any future business.

Well, that's how we tick and I'm sure many others do as well. Just post your rates, update as necessary by checking weekly competition or based on vacancy rates and make it as hassle free as possible for us the consumers to make the decision to call to book or not.

We are not solely driven by price, we are driven by "perceived value and appreciation", and chose to do business like most do with those we know, love and trust so to speak as with any business and refer along experience in that regards. Sadly most small business owners are not clued into proper marketing of their businesses, and not having an regularly updated website, displaying prices, genuine full name with permission reviews dated in today's day and age is just one of many areas they sadly fail in.

SD.

PS: Check out Pikes Fish Market Seattle = owner almost went bust, then a coach combined with an employee suggestion related to the "consumer experience" turned it all around by engaging the consumer, making it a fun place to go, and showing they "care" about their customers and employees. Their bottom line improved exponentially - now all their employees have to undergo a mini training school, and most employees interviewed been there a decade, fifteen and twenty+ years. One example of many successful turn around businesses.

I treat those CGs same way I do restaurants that don't post prices....see ya.


It always amazes me with the availability of communications these days and the lack of providing complete information

Just how difficult is it to provide
Business hours
Pricing (Winter/Summer Rates......daily/weekly/monthly)
Rules/Restrictions
Address/directions
Contact Phone/e-mail
Services Number/Types of sites FHU/W&E/W 50A/30A
Amenities
Pets

Advertise your business..then provide the information :S

sch911 wrote:
Because the rates change...

and they're too lazy to change the site...or don't know how.

They are run by the same folks who offer a service but neglect to mention where on planet earth they are located. Sooooo, let me get this straight, I'm trying to book a photographer, caterer, wedding consultant, masseuse/massseur, chiropractor, etc, and you think I'll fly you half-way around the world … rriigght.

I don't see this as a big deal. Price is NOT my first consideration when choosing a CG. If I'm curious I will make the call. If there is no price most likely there is no on line reservation system which means I have to make a call anyway.
location and amenities are far more important then price on my list of criteria.
I imagine prices are not posted because CG must pay to update pricing on website. Therefore they omit pricing to avoid pricing conflicts via the website.

From what I've seen the CGs that don't post prices are also the same ones that have web sites that look like they were designed by a 12 year old 15 years ago. Very basic with only a few links to things like amenities, etc. The site is up because it has to be, but no one that runs the place is tech savvy enough to update it or maintain it.

Very few private CGs have online reservation systems so you have to call them anyway. I don't see this as a negative either way. And you can usually get an idea of rate from review sites like rvparkreviews.com.

rr2254545 wrote:
Looking at campground in Nashville and Montgomery to stay this week,
what makes some campgrounds not post rates - had to call or e-mail them to get rates.

Venting

Could also be a seasonal thing. Or also a holiday thing, given that over the Christmas/New Years holiday week, there could be more demand, hence them not posting prices, to try to get maximum $$$.

Out here in Colorado, all of the CG/RV parks that I check/use have the prices posted. They usually have the high season/summer and the lower/shoulder prices posted. Not many out here are open all year.

Terryallan wrote:
They want to sell you on the CG first. Then hit you with over pricing.

Same as some car and RV dealers, you must call to get the price. I just keep looking.

They want to sell you on the CG first. Then hit you with over pricing.

All of the CGs we go to advertise their prices on their sites. And or have no problem telling you when you call.

I figure they don't think a posted price would draw them in. Something I keep in mind when looking around their web site.