Elite Resorts

[Kluckraft]

Just FYI: made a reservation in August 2014 to spend a month (March 2015) in Elite Resorts Citrus Valley, Clermont (people at the resort were extraordinarily gracious). When making the reservation, the campground fee was going to be $943; in good faith, we made a $500 deposit. Found out in November we had to return home after medical complications following back surgery. Called Elite Resorts to cancel (over three months before our scheduled arrival) and found out there would be a $100 cancellation fee. Nowhere on the Elite Resorts website was it reflected there would be a $100 cancellation fee. I understand administration fees....have been charged anywhere between $10 to $25 in our 12 years of rv'ing for cancellation. Even after asking for reconsideration, we were told the owner would not alter from the "unpublished" cancellation fee. Just BEWARE!!!

[peaches_cream]

FunnyCamper wrote:
They should disclose their cancellation fee on the website. I don't like the subject to 'whatever' we feel like charging you this day policy 🙂 🙂

but it is Elite. It is newly renovated, paved sites, new landscaping, 8 miles from Disney, brand new 6,700 sq ft Lodge and YOU (the customer) IS GOING to pay for this new work 🙂

I agree. A $100 flat, no excuses, cancellation fee would not cost them any customers. I think they should publish it.

[FunnyCamper]

They should disclose their cancellation fee on the website. I don't like the subject to 'whatever' we feel like charging you this day policy 🙂 🙂

but it is Elite. It is newly renovated, paved sites, new landscaping, 8 miles from Disney, brand new 6,700 sq ft Lodge and YOU (the customer) IS GOING to pay for this new work 🙂

[peaches_cream]

Jan., Feb., and March are prime months for that area. People reserve 6 mo. and more out to be assured of having a space. Very possible Resort missed booking as they felt March was reserved. Many will go elsewhere if all 3 mo. are not available. Doubt OP will be accepted in the future because of bad publicity this post is creating.

[kcmoedoe]

Old-Biscuit wrote:

kcmoedoe wrote:

magnusfide wrote:

DKeppner wrote:
Correct me if I'm wrong but $100 is just slightly over 10% fee. Have to base it on the full rental, just just the $500 deposit. I wouldn't like it either and you might be able to declare force majeure if Florida supports the concept but let's face it, 10% is pretty reasonable.

No, it's not even reasonable if the fee amount was never stated nor disclosed as a part of the website or a written contract. That makes the fee arbitrary and suspect. I agree with contacting Florida's AG and their Consumer Affairs division.

Their website actually discloses that cancellations are reviewed on a case by case basis and that there will be fees charged on all cancellations before a refund is issued. Not quite as black and white as the OP would have us believe. The park honored their commitment to have a site available and they obviously would have taken the site off the market once a deposit was received. Now they are facing the need to resell that site. A fee is reasonable since they are now facing additional expenses (Credit card fee for the deposit, fee to refund, labor, costs and risk of re-renting the site, after all there is no guarantee they will rent it). It is not their fault the OP can't make it.

OP didn't cancel on short notice......which could cause the park issues but cancelled months in advance.

Just for giggles I contacted the park yeterday via their website with the following inquiry:

Comments: What is your reservation cancellation policy.

Can't find anything on website.

Have read on internet you charge $$$ even of cancelled months ahead of reservation.

If I make reservation and should have to cancel what will I be charged?

Received this reply today:

Cancellation Policy:

Exchanges must be arranged before check in date, and is based on availability.

No refund or credit for early departure. Special circumstances reviewed on an individual basis, fees apply.

(Normally $25 to $100, based on circumstance and length of stay)

Although some info was provided it is still arbitrary.

It sure is arbitrary, but these forums are full of posts where people are upset that a park won't take their personal situation into consideration when enforcing a refund policy. As for the fact it was far in advance, what exactly is the correct time frame to enforce a policy? Remember, for snowbird type parks many people make their reservations far in advance, so it is possible that they have missed the opportunity to rent the site already.. Also, the park has paid a credit card fee on the deposit, which usually is around 3% ($15.00 on a $500.00 deposit). Then they have to pay a similar amount on a refund. Someone was paid to enter the reservation and someone will be paid to handle the cancellation. Should the park just take those losses because someone chooses not to honor their reservation?

[Old-Biscuit]

kcmoedoe wrote:

magnusfide wrote:

DKeppner wrote:
Correct me if I'm wrong but $100 is just slightly over 10% fee. Have to base it on the full rental, just just the $500 deposit. I wouldn't like it either and you might be able to declare force majeure if Florida supports the concept but let's face it, 10% is pretty reasonable.

No, it's not even reasonable if the fee amount was never stated nor disclosed as a part of the website or a written contract. That makes the fee arbitrary and suspect. I agree with contacting Florida's AG and their Consumer Affairs division.

Their website actually discloses that cancellations are reviewed on a case by case basis and that there will be fees charged on all cancellations before a refund is issued. Not quite as black and white as the OP would have us believe. The park honored their commitment to have a site available and they obviously would have taken the site off the market once a deposit was received. Now they are facing the need to resell that site. A fee is reasonable since they are now facing additional expenses (Credit card fee for the deposit, fee to refund, labor, costs and risk of re-renting the site, after all there is no guarantee they will rent it). It is not their fault the OP can't make it.

OP didn't cancel on short notice......which could cause the park issues but cancelled months in advance.

Just for giggles I contacted the park yeterday via their website with the following inquiry:

Comments: What is your reservation cancellation policy.

Can't find anything on website.

Have read on internet you charge $$$ even of cancelled months ahead of reservation.

If I make reservation and should have to cancel what will I be charged?

Received this reply today:

Cancellation Policy:

Exchanges must be arranged before check in date, and is based on availability.

No refund or credit for early departure. Special circumstances reviewed on an individual basis, fees apply.

(Normally $25 to $100, based on circumstance and length of stay)

Although some info was provided it is still arbitrary.

[peaches_cream]

kcmoedoe wrote:

magnusfide wrote:

DKeppner wrote:
Correct me if I'm wrong but $100 is just slightly over 10% fee. Have to base it on the full rental, just just the $500 deposit. I wouldn't like it either and you might be able to declare force majeure if Florida supports the concept but let's face it, 10% is pretty reasonable.

No, it's not even reasonable if the fee amount was never stated nor disclosed as a part of the website or a written contract. That makes the fee arbitrary and suspect. I agree with contacting Florida's AG and their Consumer Affairs division.

Their website actually discloses that cancellations are reviewed on a case by case basis and that there will be fees charged on all cancellations before a refund is issued. Not quite as black and white as the OP would have us believe. The park honored their commitment to have a site available and they obviously would have taken the site off the market once a deposit was received. Now they are facing the need to resell that site. A fee is reasonable since they are now facing additional expenses (Credit card fee for the deposit, fee to refund, labor, costs and risk of re-renting the site, after all there is no guarantee they will rent it). It is not their fault the OP can't make it.

Finally, a reasonable response. We spent 2 mo. at this "resort" and it was worth every penny. We reserved for the following year, had to cancel (sold our MH), paid the $100 and went on our way. Did not complain.

[kcmoedoe]

magnusfide wrote:

DKeppner wrote:
Correct me if I'm wrong but $100 is just slightly over 10% fee. Have to base it on the full rental, just just the $500 deposit. I wouldn't like it either and you might be able to declare force majeure if Florida supports the concept but let's face it, 10% is pretty reasonable.

No, it's not even reasonable if the fee amount was never stated nor disclosed as a part of the website or a written contract. That makes the fee arbitrary and suspect. I agree with contacting Florida's AG and their Consumer Affairs division.

Their website actually discloses that cancellations are reviewed on a case by case basis and that there will be fees charged on all cancellations before a refund is issued. Not quite as black and white as the OP would have us believe. The park honored their commitment to have a site available and they obviously would have taken the site off the market once a deposit was received. Now they are facing the need to resell that site. A fee is reasonable since they are now facing additional expenses (Credit card fee for the deposit, fee to refund, labor, costs and risk of re-renting the site, after all there is no guarantee they will rent it). It is not their fault the OP can't make it.

[magnusfide]

DKeppner wrote:
Correct me if I'm wrong but $100 is just slightly over 10% fee. Have to base it on the full rental, just just the $500 deposit. I wouldn't like it either and you might be able to declare force majeure if Florida supports the concept but let's face it, 10% is pretty reasonable.

No, it's not even reasonable if the fee amount was never stated nor disclosed as a part of the website or a written contract. That makes the fee arbitrary and suspect. I agree with contacting Florida's AG and their Consumer Affairs division.

[DKeppner]

Correct me if I'm wrong but $100 is just slightly over 10% fee. Have to base it on the full rental, just just the $500 deposit. I wouldn't like it either and you might be able to declare force majeure if Florida supports the concept but let's face it, 10% is pretty reasonable.

[paulcardoza]

That's why we have places like this and RV Park Reviews..... To alert us of parks that might pull this sort of thing.

[fla-gypsy]

I guess no situation including medical emergencies 3 months in advance are "special" enough to keep them from taking an exhorbiant fee.

[paulcardoza]

Correct...... They leave the subject wide open to interpretation:

"Special circumstances reviewed on an individual basis, fees apply."

mgirardo wrote:
Their cancellation policy (at bottom of page) on their web site specifically mentions that Fees Apply to cancellations. They don't mention the amount, but Fees Apply probably is enough to cover their butt.

I would dispute the charge with CC. It doesn't cost you anything, maybe you'll get lucky.

-Michael

[mgirardo]

Their cancellation policy (at bottom of page) on their web site specifically mentions that Fees Apply to cancellations. They don't mention the amount, but Fees Apply probably is enough to cover their butt.

I would dispute the charge with CC. It doesn't cost you anything, maybe you'll get lucky.

-Michael

[Old-Biscuit]

Did you use a credit card?
If so....dispute the charges.

Also contact Attorney General Florida and file complaint.

Ignore it and that is what they want.......and they win. FIGHT IT!