Campground Cancellation Fees

I would be extremely upset if I made a reservation 7 months ago and the campground decided to cancel it, so I expect to honor my end of the agreement and either show up or pay for it.

Well put.

When I make a reservation I believe I have as much responsibility to honor my end as the campground has to honor theirs.
I would be extremely upset if I made a reservation 7 months ago and the campground decided to cancel it, so I expect to honor my end of the agreement and either show up or pay for it.

I spent 18 years in the hospitality business. A sightseeing/snorkeling boat business by private charter only. I did not do head trips, as in renting one campsite. With me you were renting the whole CG or nothing. The boat was yours for you & your party, unshared, filling it or not.

I learned early that people could not be trusted on their word when making a booking so it was credit card or you had nothing.

I was very liberal cancellations. Up to 48 hours from departure time without penalty however if you cancelled within 24 hours of departure time, full charge. Weather cancellation was my call.

In season I would think that CGs should do something similar. Charging a cancellation penalty a week or more out is a bit stiff IMO.

I agree, the cancellation fees or fines as you stated are a ripoff. We rarely make reservations and have no problems getting a site.

Lantley wrote:
I think we are on the same page. Consideration can be given,but It cannot be part of the written or established policy.
If the policy is to be effective there needs to be no exceptions.
If exceptions are made in the name of customer service they need to be done discreetly and under the table.
Publicly known exceptions will degrade the integrity of the policy an ultimately effect the efficiency the overall reservation system.
The cancellation policy is not there to punish the camper or make money. It is designed to maintain the integrity of the reservation system.
Every cancellation has a ripple effect and causes grief for someone.
The cancellation fee is in place to keep cancellations to a minimum.

Yup... Totally agree.

Mike

Interesting topic. I worked in the hotel business for 10 years and the hotels & resorts I worked for never charged a cancelation fee. However, all of them charged no-show fees, which was only the first night's room & tax -- even if it was a 2-week reservation. Of course, this meant the room was unavailable for others to reserve prior to the day of arrival and potential guests may have chosen another hotel instead. Resevations canceled by 4pm the day of arrival, were not charged no-show fees.

Although I also think the cancelation fees are a bit excessive in some cases, the thing that chaps my hide a bit more, is when reservations aren't canceled (especially "in-season"), leaving a campsite unoccupied and potential campers being turned away because the campground was supposedly sold-out. It bugs me to see idle resources.

Of course, if we followed the same logic of cancelation fees and apply them to returned merchandise, retailers should be charging fees due to the administrative burden and merchant service fees they incur on returns. Similar to tied-up campsites, the product was not on the shelf for others to buy. Anyway, some retailers charge restocking fees, but not many.

Walaby wrote:
I agee Lantley, but all Im saying is some places do take some things into consideration. Depends on how you approach them, and what the situation is. I never count on it, and quite honestly, I have never really even asked for consideration. I know the canx policy, and accept it.

Mike

I think we are on the same page. Consideration can be given,but It cannot be part of the written or established policy.
If the policy is to be effective there needs to be no exceptions.
If exceptions are made in the name of customer service they need to be done discreetly and under the table.
Publicly known exceptions will degrade the integrity of the policy an ultimately effect the efficiency the overall reservation system.
The cancellation policy is not there to punish the camper or make money. It is designed to maintain the integrity of the reservation system.
Every cancellation has a ripple effect and causes grief for someone.
The cancellation fee is in place to keep cancellations to a minimum.

I agee Lantley, but all Im saying is some places do take some things into consideration. Depends on how you approach them, and what the situation is. I never count on it, and quite honestly, I have never really even asked for consideration. I know the canx policy, and accept it.

Mike

Walaby wrote:
Understand what you're saying, but the question would be, where do you draw the line? If 7 months, what happens if the next guy comes in 5 months out and wants to cancel?

The insight on the fees associated with CC processing from westernrvparkowner was spot on. While I don't own a RV park, I assist my niece in a restaurant business and the fees for credit card processing are crazy. One can say it's the cost of doing business, which is true, but it is a cost, and when someone cancels, and the business incurs cost, it's only fair they have a way to recoup the cost.

As others have said, knowing the canx policy is important. I also believe alot of places will take individual situations into consideration. Family illness, accident etc would be reasonable. Cancel because of work.. probably not so much.

I also get frustrated when it appears that folks make reservations that tie up campgrounds, when they may or may not really stick to the reservations. But, seems to be the way to do things.

Mike

Unfortunately the cancellation fees should be applied in all cases without exception. Deaths, illness , breakdowns or my dog ate my homework are not valid excuses. A grand parent dies everyday, but the cancellation fees are still due!

Understand what you're saying, but the question would be, where do you draw the line? If 7 months, what happens if the next guy comes in 5 months out and wants to cancel?

The insight on the fees associated with CC processing from westernrvparkowner was spot on. While I don't own a RV park, I assist my niece in a restaurant business and the fees for credit card processing are crazy. One can say it's the cost of doing business, which is true, but it is a cost, and when someone cancels, and the business incurs cost, it's only fair they have a way to recoup the cost.

As others have said, knowing the canx policy is important. I also believe alot of places will take individual situations into consideration. Family illness, accident etc would be reasonable. Cancel because of work.. probably not so much.

I also get frustrated when it appears that folks make reservations that tie up campgrounds, when they may or may not really stick to the reservations. But, seems to be the way to do things.

Mike