We had a similar experience many years ago when we purchased our first travel trailer and traded in our PUP. The dealer was Tom Raper RV, who eventually sold out to Camping World in Richmond, Indiana. Camping World had nothing to do with that back then. But after signing, we were ushered to a table with a high pressure pitch for the 2 night "free camping". We were pretty clueless back then, and the Internet was NOT as powerful as it is now, so checking up on this offer was sketchy at best.
Well, we took the information and made an appointment to stay one week-end. After we checked in we were informed the condition for the free week-end was to endure a "presentation" about membership and privileges for joining their organization. We scheduled a late Sunday morning meeting.
Well, we were park out in the "North 40" part of the camp ground, kind of away from every one else. And I noticed there were a few others camped, pretty far apart. We enjoyed the first night and day, and then Saturday afternoon I stared talking to the "long distance neighbors". Found out they already had their sales pitch. I asked them what was the bottom dollar. I was shocked and horrified at the same time! And then having to use their campgrounds, with their restrictions, after paying a fortune, and there were really none convenient to where we actually lived, well .....
We discussed the matter between us, and decided we were not going to be high pressured. Several of the other campers caved and signed the dotted lines, and then had remorse, shocked at what they did, and were now trying to figure out how to get out of it now. They were miserable.
Well, we pulled up stake about 8:00 am in the morning and got the H*** out of there and never turned back! I was so D*** mad at Tom Raper RV then, I could spit nails and swore I'd never do business with them again for snookering us. We really though that was part of the package for the camper. Boy were we stupid or something!
Oh ... the name of the resort? yea.... Thousand Trails!
Edit! We did finally figure out why they parked all us there for the free week-end camp, spaced out so far apart. They were hoping we would not communicate with each other, before getting the sale pitch. It's almost as if they knew, if one person told the next person before they got the pitch, they would bail! Which is exactly what we did.
For 4 or 5 thousand dollars of initial membership, that a LOT of camping in ANY State Park and Private Campground for a LOT of years! And then add the annual dues. Oh my!
