on a campground's website when they simply never respond?Here are the facts: We are new to RV-ing. We own a 1988 Bounder and have a Golden Lab dog. Many campgrounds say on their website that because of the age of our RV we need their approval to enter their campground. I am not about to drive my RV hundreds of miles just to be told "no" so I send an email asking. The universal response I get is SILENCE - no response.I call and leave a message. Once again... no response.Many campgrounds pet pages prohibit a pet from being left alone in a site. I e-mail asking if this means if I bring my pet I cannot leave my campsite to see the area? No response.Needless to say, I don't go to campgrounds that won't answer a simple question.OK, veterans - what's the answer? How do you get them to respond to questions? Or is asking a question the sign of an unwanted "troublemaker"?

My answer is to mark them off your "go to" list......... You can't make them respond, their profit will be reflected when they have no one coming to their park. Generally, I feel most places have a clerk that is supposed to answer e-mails, and may not care or have the knowledge, therefore, no answer. Good luck! BTW -- I call most of the time, and if I leave a msg and don't have an answer within 4 hours (at the most), I write them off. You want my money, then your customer service starts the minute I call. I've never seen an RV park so busy that they can't answer phones.......eventually.

Probably best to just find another park if they don't respond to e-mail or voicemail. Only times we didn't get through to someone at a particular park usually meant that it was a small potatoes operation run entirely by a couple of people who didn't care to return calls or e-mails. These older parks usually have many long-term residents and just a few spots for those seeking a night or two stay. Private parks are always our last choice when visiting an area as we prefer federal, state, and county campgrounds whenever they are available. Rules against older RVs is uncalled for in most cases as many of these rigs have been well cared for, it's absurd to drive a distance to see if your rig makes the cut so to speak. Can't comment on the pet issue as we leave our dogs home unless we are boondocking where they can run free.

First, I don't email. Second, I call during business hours and haven't had any problems. I know that some parks don't want broken down hulks polluting the landscape but will waive the requirement if the rig is in decent shape. As for the pets, we leave our two dogs alone all the time while we sight-see. I'm not aware of the 'don't leave pets alone policy'. Here is KOA's official policy, for example: "Some visitors enjoy sharing the pleasures of camping with their dogs or cats. To ensure that all guests have a safe and enjoyable experience, KOA has established some guidelines.Call ahead. Check with the campground about its specific pet policies. Some don't allow pets in Cabins, for example, or may have limited pet units. Others don't accept particular breeds that insurance providers have identified as having a history of aggression.Bring your helper. Service dogs are welcomed at all KOA Kampgrounds. (Leash and aggressive behavior rules apply.)Good behavior is required. Dogs of any breed that are hostile or aggressive will be asked to leave the campground, along with their owners.Bring the leash. Dogs must be kept on leashes no longer than 6 feet when outside their owners' vehicles or rental units. Do not leave a tethered dog unattended.Remember manners. Constant barking bothers other campers. If your pet is too vocal, you'll need to find other accommodations."You'll notice no mention of leaving a pet alone inside a rig.

I would think the 'leaving a pet alone inside a rig' would correspond to 'constant barking'. At least in my overall experience.

Here's what I am talking about:RV age policy from Islander RV Resort (Lake Havasu City AZ): No RVs older than 10 years unless approved by management are allowed.Comment: Just how do I get this approval without the 400 mile round trip needed to get there, and what do I do if the approval is not given once I get there?Pet Policy from Oasis RV Resort (Las Vegas NV): 8.Dogs must be accompanied by owners and under voice command/control at all times inside the Resort and/or the Pet Park.I interpret this as saying the dog and I must be together at all times - I cannot leaver her in my RV and leave the park.

What good are the "contact us" buttons | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

tatest
Explorer II
Jul 03, 2014
If the "contact" button goes to e-mail rather than a phone number, chances are this was set up by the web service provider and the CG or park operators have nothing set up to handle what comes in. Very few small businesses respond to e-mail inquiries, so I am more surprised when I get an answer than when I don't. Part of the thinking is "If they don't bother to call me, the question is not important."

The one exception, and it is usually service departments of large organizations, will be where "contact" leads to a "do not call us" notice and a fax number and or e-mail address, or sometimes a web page to fill in a service request form. E.G. lost luggage claims department of airlines, lost and found departments at metropolitan police departments.
minn_camping_fa
Explorer
Jun 25, 2014
I would call and if they didn't answer leave one message saying "I'd like to make a reservation." Then when or if they call back, ask your questions in the process of making the reservation. If they didn't call back then I'd definitely strike them from the possible cg list.
NYCgrrl
Explorer
Jun 24, 2014
I agree with ddndoug that a picture speaks a thousand words.

The second part of your question as worded makes you sound argumentative instead of looking for a constructive response so in my line of work, I'd at
least be wary of corresponding with you, and at most, never answer.

Were it me I'd want to "sell" myself and be as pleasant as apple pie.

Send out an email detailing how much love and care is apparent in my RV maybe note any vintage RV societies or groups I belong to and ASK if there were any facilities nearby for day trips w/o your pet like a kennel/vet/pet sitter.
HTH
ddndoug
Explorer
Jun 24, 2014
Flyingifr wrote:

Comment: Just how do I get this approval without the 400 mile round trip needed to get there, and what do I do if the approval is not given once I get there?

Pet Policy from Oasis RV Resort (Las Vegas NV): 8.Dogs must be accompanied by owners and under voice command/control at all times inside the Resort and/or the Pet Park.

I interpret this as saying the dog and I must be together at all times - I cannot leaver her in my RV and leave the park.

The answer to first question is to email them a picture of your RV. And keep all corresponding emails with you when you travel. If your rig is in good shape and not an eye-sore, you will more than likely be fine. But if it hasn't had a bath in years, duct tape is holding the front bump together, and you had plywood in place of the side window.... you may not get your spot. A lot of private parks have this rule to allow them to keep up the appearance of their investment (their RV park).

As far as the second question... It's perfectly OK to leave your dog in your RV as you sightsee or venture from the RV park. The one caveat to that statement would be... as long as your dog doesn't have separation anxiety that would cause it to bark/whine the entire time you are gone. (Just thought of another... Or that he/she will bark at everyone who walks by the RV.) When we head out of the campgrounds it gives our dog a chance to take a nap while we are gone, because she certainly won't nap while we're around because she's afraid she might miss something. LOL

Doug
Dog_Folks
Explorer
Jun 24, 2014
E-Mail inquires get three business days for response. Smaller parks do get busy or have a special event going on. Phone calls, left a message, get one day. Phone calls that are not answered at all, get nothing.

If the response is not within the above guidelines, then that park is added to our personal "No-Go" list and no further contact is attempted.
Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Jun 24, 2014
You might have more success if you hang fire on exactly why you're calling/contacting them. Just tell 'em that you're interested in becoming a customer but have "some questions". No need to say about what until you get called back.
BB_TX
Nomad
Jun 24, 2014
It's not just campgrounds. I have had little success from any web sites that list a contact us e-mail address.
lanerd
Explorer II
Jun 24, 2014
A large and well known park such as lake Havasu will surely take and respond to phone calls....email response may be spotty. Maybe a 2nd phone call will be necessary...the office people do get busy at times.

And I take the word "accompanied" to mean if you "venture" around the park...not inside your rv.

Ron
downtheroad
Explorer
Jun 24, 2014
Flyingifr wrote:
Here's what I am talking about:
Pet Policy from Oasis RV Resort (Las Vegas NV): 8.Dogs must be accompanied by owners and under voice command/control at all times inside the Resort and/or the Pet Park.

I interpret this as saying the dog and I must be together at all times - I cannot leaver her in my RV and leave the park.

I doubt you will find any RV park...private or public that doesn't have this pet policy or very similar. Most also include a lease component..

If it is followed by all campers to the strict letter is another story...
Flyingifr
Explorer
Jun 24, 2014
Here's what I am talking about:

RV age policy from Islander RV Resort (Lake Havasu City AZ): No RVs older than 10 years unless approved by management are allowed.

Comment: Just how do I get this approval without the 400 mile round trip needed to get there, and what do I do if the approval is not given once I get there?

Pet Policy from Oasis RV Resort (Las Vegas NV): 8.Dogs must be accompanied by owners and under voice command/control at all times inside the Resort and/or the Pet Park.

I interpret this as saying the dog and I must be together at all times - I cannot leaver her in my RV and leave the park.