RV Park, Full Amenities but no hot water

gdbudlong wrote:
I am staying at an RV park that is pricey (over $50 per night). I got here. Checked in. Went to their showers to get cleaned up only to see a sign, "No hot Water". Went back to the desk who said it could be several days or more until they have hot water again. Their attitude is "well, it's just one of those things!" No offer to compensate me. Nothing. Should I dispute the charge on my credit card? Make a stink? Or give them an opportunity to make a "good faith" effort at making me happy? I know things like this can happen, but why should I bear the burden of the inconvenience. And going down the road to a different park is not an option.

Thanks for your responses and your input.

I opt for the "make a stink" part of your post. A couple days without hot water won't kill you. If you're married a cold shower might be appreciated by your SO. ;)

Do what I did when "cannabis camp" took ownership of the place we stayed at for a weekend. It seems they HAD a new water heater, but nobody had gotten around to installing it (imagine that!)

You take the world's fastest and very cold shower!

"Cut them some slack?" No. Would you accept that situation if you had no hot water in a hotel room? I bet not. This is no different. The OP paid a high fee, which included hot water. No hot water means they did not fulfill their end of the bargain. Sure he could use his motorhome, but that was not part of the equation. Make a stink? Maybe not, but I would contest it.

I don't see it the same as a hotel room. First, most hotels don't advertise bathrooms with showers as an amenity - they're a standard part of the room being rented. Those hotels (such as in Europe) which don't provide a shower with each room often have limited hot water available so guests may find themselves taking a cold shower. The fact is that a full hookup RV park provides electrical, sewer, and water hookups as part of the site - everything else is a convenience.

Second, the majority of guests at an RV Park are bringing their own showers with them - using the park's showers is a convenience not a necessity for most.

Third, the fee paid has nothing to do with it. If you think that a discount should be given because of no hot water, then you should think that regardless of how much the OP paid for the site.

Fourth, showers doesn't always equate to hot showers. There are many places that offer showers with no hot water (beaches, swimming pools, campgrounds, etc.).

toedtoes wrote:
I don't see it the same as a hotel room. First, most hotels don't advertise bathrooms with showers as an amenity - they're a standard part of the room being rented. Those hotels (such as in Europe) which don't provide a shower with each room often have limited hot water available so guests may find themselves taking a cold shower. The fact is that a full hookup RV park provides electrical, sewer, and water hookups as part of the site - everything else is a convenience.

Second, the majority of guests at an RV Park are bringing their own showers with them - using the park's showers is a convenience not a necessity for most.

Third, the fee paid has nothing to do with it. If you think that a discount should be given because of no hot water, then you should think that regardless of how much the OP paid for the site.

Fourth, showers doesn't always equate to hot showers. There are many places that offer showers with no hot water (beaches, swimming pools, campgrounds, etc.).

I am not sure where these ideas get started.

This is not Europe. HOT showers are the OVERWHELMING norm here and it is the exception, (cold showers) that are noted in brochures and other materials.

Second I dont understand where you get the definition of a "full hookup RV Park" where showers are a "convenience". They are not. If the showers have been noted in published materials by the park they are part of the amenity package and ALL customers regardless of type of RV they have, have a reasonable expectation that they will be provided with the "normal" shower in this country, ie a HOT one.

The parks are quite clearly offering a full service bathroom with toilets, sinks and showers. This is not the same as a rinse-off shower at the beach or poolside.

And whether the park owner gives a discount or some other form of compensation...free ice or a discount on your next stay at least the service failure has been recognized and an effort made to rectify it.

And lastly many hotels advertise their upgraded, fancy bathrooms with everything from jacuzzis to steam rooms, personal care amenities and on and on. And HOT Water is a GIVEN, taken for granted as part of the way our society functions.

It is this attitude that lets companies get away with shoddy service, poor quality goods, and not giving you precisely what you are paying for. I hope I never find a post of yours complaining about the service at Camping world or Good Sam RSA. It might be embarrassing. As consumers who spend our hard earned dollars on goods and services we DESERVE to get not only exactly what we pay for but also good value for money as part of the bargain. Anything less is cheating ourselves.

I would say in the U.S. the standard is to advertise "No Bath House" and I have seen campgrounds advertise that, mostly municipal or state park. Otherwise, everyone can assume there is a bath house.

I'm in a pop-up. We rely on the bath house and expect hot water. And despite the earlier poster, not all sites in full hookup park are full hookup. I wouldn't be mad. Stuff breaks at my house too. But there should be a discount. The hotel example does fit. Now, how much I'd push depends on the price of admisison. I've had hot water out at a $15 municipal campground and I just took a cold shower and moved on. If it was $50/night, I think $10 discount is fair.

It's been two days now... any update?

I'd try the reasonable talk with management. I would think they would give some sort of discount for your stay.

OP has not been back to respond since 1st post. Do you think maybe you have been "trolled"? Ya think ya think :o

I've been in the same situation. At the time I had a pickup camper and there was no way to shower in there after a day on the lake. I received no help even after speaking with management. I disputed the charge with my credit card company and got half back. Also, there were no other camp grounds in the area.

4X4Dodger wrote:

toedtoes wrote:
I don't see it the same as a hotel room. First, most hotels don't advertise bathrooms with showers as an amenity - they're a standard part of the room being rented. Those hotels (such as in Europe) which don't provide a shower with each room often have limited hot water available so guests may find themselves taking a cold shower. The fact is that a full hookup RV park provides electrical, sewer, and water hookups as part of the site - everything else is a convenience.

Second, the majority of guests at an RV Park are bringing their own showers with them - using the park's showers is a convenience not a necessity for most.

Third, the fee paid has nothing to do with it. If you think that a discount should be given because of no hot water, then you should think that regardless of how much the OP paid for the site.

Fourth, showers doesn't always equate to hot showers. There are many places that offer showers with no hot water (beaches, swimming pools, campgrounds, etc.).

I am not sure where these ideas get started.

This is not Europe. HOT showers are the OVERWHELMING norm here and it is the exception, (cold showers) that are noted in brochures and other materials.

Second I dont understand where you get the definition of a "full hookup RV Park" where showers are a "convenience". They are not. If the showers have been noted in published materials by the park they are part of the amenity package and ALL customers regardless of type of RV they have, have a reasonable expectation that they will be provided with the "normal" shower in this country, ie a HOT one.

The parks are quite clearly offering a full service bathroom with toilets, sinks and showers. This is not the same as a rinse-off shower at the beach or poolside.

And whether the park owner gives a discount or some other form of compensation...free ice or a discount on your next stay at least the service failure has been recognized and an effort made to rectify it.

And lastly many hotels advertise their upgraded, fancy bathrooms with everything from jacuzzis to steam rooms, personal care amenities and on and on. And HOT Water is a GIVEN, taken for granted as part of the way our society functions.

It is this attitude that lets companies get away with shoddy service, poor quality goods, and not giving you precisely what you are paying for. I hope I never find a post of yours complaining about the service at Camping world or Good Sam RSA. It might be embarrassing. As consumers who spend our hard earned dollars on goods and services we DESERVE to get not only exactly what we pay for but also good value for money as part of the bargain. Anything less is cheating ourselves.

YUP!