Campground Damage Deposit

[wxtoad]

I've been camping for many years, but I have never come across a Damage Deposit required at a public campground. Cypress Black Bayou
Recreation and Water Conservation District in Louisiana, however, does have such a policy:

"We require a reservation deposit to be paid at the time of booking. The total amount of the reservation deposit will equal the total amount of stay and a $100 damage deposit. The amount of stay will be applied at check-in. The $100 damage deposit will be refunded after your site has been checked and cleared."

I could maybe understand this requirement at a high-end commercial RV resort or similar, but at a public CG?

WxToad

[Carl_n_Susan]

I am *NOT* a fan of their cancellation policy. It is bad enough they want full payment plus $100 at reservation time. Should you have to cancel inside 14 days there is no refund!!! Zero, zip, nada. Yes you cam reschedule (one time within a year) but no chance of getting a portion of your deposit back. I would pass and find another park.

[2gypsies1]

Here's a list of their rules.

It sounds like this is a well-managed park and one that we would enjoy. I wish more parks would be like this.

http://www.cypressblackbayou.com/images/pdf/occupancy-7.pdf

[Allworth]

Myrtle Beach would be a ghost town!

[DrewE]

flguppie wrote:
You don't pay a security deposit for a motel room and there's a lot more at risk in a motel than a wooded site. This doesn't make sense.

Many hotels or motels do require a damage/security deposit if you are paying with cash (and don't have a reservation against a credit card). If you pay with a credit card (or otherwise give them credit card information), they often put a hold on the card against possible damages. Since it's a hold, and not a charge, you don't see it on the credit card bill.

[Veebyes]

An actual charge on the card or an amount 'hold' on it to be applied only if the site is left in a mess?

Who hasn't pulled into a site & found beer cans, baby diapers, assorted trash in the fire ring. Who hasn't been greeted by fresh dog poop in their site?

No problem with people having to pay for their lack of consideration to the future CG users.

[crudeman]

Dog Folks wrote:

crudeman wrote:

Sprink-Fitter wrote:

cyntdon2010 wrote:
Milk the campers for money. they have unlimited cash flow.

It does not cost any more money, you get the $100.00 back when you leave.

You know that for a fact? So we can assume you have experienced this campground with a deposit return?

Are you inferring that they are lying on their website, under the RV section, when they say: "We require a $100 damage deposit up front that will be refunded after your site has been checked and cleared." :h

I did not refer anything other than asking if said poster had any personal experience at this park. Try again and re-read what I asked. Geez

[CA_Traveler]

I posted what I found and it says "checked and cleared". Maybe they are more flexible but that is why I posted - Questions.

[Bumpyroad]

I would think they could just run a separate $100 credit card purchase and give that back if and when things are ok.
bumpy

[Dog_Folks]

crudeman wrote:

Sprink-Fitter wrote:

cyntdon2010 wrote:
Milk the campers for money. they have unlimited cash flow.

It does not cost any more money, you get the $100.00 back when you leave.

You know that for a fact? So we can assume you have experienced this campground with a deposit return?

Are you inferring that they are lying on their website, under the RV section, when they say: "We require a $100 damage deposit up front that will be refunded after your site has been checked and cleared." :h

[mikensallyt]

At Garner State Park for 50 amp hook ups, water, and electric it was $26 a night. Dump sites are available throughout the park but not at the camp sites. You do have to pay an entry fee though. But you can buy a card (one time offer, or fee which is good for a year) and never pay the entrance fee again. I'm not sure they have time limits though. You'll have to call them and see. I stayed for two weeks and would/could have stayed longer, but I was missing home. I'm a solo person since my wife went solo to heaven prior to us closing on our MH. Loved it since there were few campers around and lot of room between neighbors. I even had a local car rental agency bring me a rental car. They picked me up and gave me a ride back upon turning in the rental. The water is "frigging" cold in the winter, but it sure sounded nice listening to it. Once again I liked their fire rings and the bbq sites (as we call them). They also have picnic tables set into cement. The parking sites are gravel with lots of shade trees around. There are no pulls throughs but I had no problem as a newbie getting in correctly. A map of the area and sites are available during check in. There are also a lot of site seeing areas to explore on bicycle and by car. Sorry but I don't walk "no more" than I have to, so its either a bike or a rental car. Its not that I am lazy.

[midnightsadie]

I have no problem with this, if you leave early go in the evening before and ask for a check over. it will really help keep trashy campers out .

[CA_Traveler]

We require a $100 damage deposit up front that will be refunded after your site has been checked and cleared.

I've never encountered this.

So what do you do - wait while they check and issue the refund? Leave including early and hope you get the refund somehow and someone doesn't trash your site before you leave?

Questions Questions Questions

[FLGup]

You don't pay a security deposit for a motel room and there's a lot more at risk in a motel than a wooded site. This doesn't make sense.

[crudeman]

Sprink-Fitter wrote:

cyntdon2010 wrote:
Milk the campers for money. they have unlimited cash flow.

It does not cost any more money, you get the $100.00 back when you leave.

You know that for a fact? So we can assume you have experienced this campground with a deposit return?

[mockturtle]

Wouldn't it make more sense to get everyone's license number (most do anyway) and keep a computerized data bank of those who are 'problem' campers and deny them future use? I seldom even have $100 on me.