Is KM Resorts for real?

[rlw999]

I got a call from KM Resorts RV camping membership club -- apparently I received a "free" membership when I bought my RV.

It sounded like a timeshare scam... err.. sales pitch. My coupon would let me waive the $2000 membership fee (really? People pay that much to join? She said they do). But there's still an annual fee.

I checked their website while we were on the phone and pointed out that there were only 8 parks in my state, and she said they had "a lot more" that didn't want to be listed online because they are private parks. How many more? She didn't know exactly, but it was "a lot", but if I drove down to their office (an hour away), she could show them to me in their membership book.

That's when I declined, I figured that's when the real hard-sell would start.

But I'm still curious, has any one joined KM Resorts and was it worth the money?

[valhalla360]

doxiemom11 wrote:
I have never heard of it. Cannot imagine campgrounds that do not want to be listed or known. Most would want to be listed as they join to gain additional business. We use Passport America a lot when we are traveling. There membership fee is $44 and campgrounds are 50% off. Most are great for an overnight at least. Some do have periods of time the discount is excluded, such as during snowbird season. Each park stipulates what days, how many days, year round or only certain season, but there are 1800+ parks in the directory. You can view the listings on line without being a member if you want to check it out.

Yeah, never heard of them either. Sounds like the typical time share campground setup.

If you can really use it, the timeshare programs can be good but 99% of people will wind up cheaper just paying for campgrounds as they need them.

PPA is good if it fits your travel needs and with the cost, it only takes a few nights per year to pay off. You can go on their site and see every park and even the limitations at each park, so you can make an informed decision about purchasing.

What makes no sense is Harvest Host...they show a map but won't let you zoom in or give you any details about the campsites. They give a BS FAQ about businesses not wanting people to find out about them....what business doesn't want potential customers to know about them?

[Lwiddis]

Yes, some RV parks are “private” and don’t advertise. Then when they don’t fill up...they seek us commoners with advertising, billboards, internet etc.

[Edd505]

Check Escapees RV club 15% off across the US.
PassPort America 50% off

you can join both for under $100

[navigator2346]

Last time I was in the KM park in Birch Bay, it was a dump

[enblethen]

Had K & M years ago. Had problems getting into home park.
They catered to the "friends" of the managers. Then they went public so they catered to the public rather then members for more income!
Ended up having to file complaint with Attorney General to stop them from trying to collect dues on a "free" membership.

[Crowe]

Look up their reviews. They aren't good.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

I believe they only own resorts in the state of Washington.

Their 'other resorts' are in the RPI, Coast to Coast or Resorts of Distinction networks which are mainly reciprocal programs.

We are happy Thousand Trails members, with a resale used membership that cost us close to $3,000. Been using it for several years now.

We are full-timers, with TT resorts near our kids and family members from Connecticut to Florida to Texas to Oregon. This summer we stayed in a TT resort in Arizona and affiliated Trails Connection resorts in Arizona. Visiting a granddaughter who lives with her mother, and some cousins of mine.

We spent over half of each year in those campgrounds. So it pays for us very well.

We also know some folks who are unhappy with TT. The campgrounds are not the very best. If you have the budget, you can find great top quality full hook commercial resorts almost anywhere a membership campground is located.

We also have the RPI membership, which gives us access to almost all KM Resorts, Sunrise Resorts, Colorado River Adventures and others.

Yes, the time share analogy is appropriate. But I can cancel my membership if I wish and walk away. Have to do it a certain way.

Thousands of people are happy with them, thousands are not.

If you can visit some of the KM Resorts without paying additional money, I urge you to do so. Ignore the sales pitch. Decide if that type camping is for you. Might also look at some of the others.

There are Facebook groups for all. Now, you will hear many more complaints than positive reviews. Complainers seem to be more vocal.

I would never recommend buying from the company, if a used membership can be purchased. Rather than researching and buying from an individual, I recommend you talk to a broker about a resort program. We used Camping Membership Outlet their advice and explaining some things about Thousand Trails was essential for us to understand the basics.

TT is probably the most complex program, partially because it has been around for almost 50 years, and has had dozens of different memberships, programs and such.

We needed a national program.

You might need something less, and RPI and Coast to Coast might be a cheaper way to try the system and see what the different companies have to offer.

[Old-Biscuit]

KM Resorts is a 'Membership' Camping Club
You buy a membership and then can utilize the various CGs that are affiliated with the KM Club
Many are PRIVATE CGs only available to Direct members/affiliated members so they do not advertise cause they are not open to general public

We bought/used an affiliated membership via RESALE Market when we FTng
Resale cost was $950 total (membership fee/transfer fee/1st year membership dues)
2nd year it cost us $125 for Deluxe dues (allowed stays up to 2 weeks at private CGs across the USA....FHU $10/$15 night)

Their are MANY Camping Memberships
Thousand Trails. Ocean Canyon Properties, Midwest Outdoor Resorts, Colorado River Adventures, Coast to Coast (Affiliate), RPI (affiliate) AOR (Affiliate)
List goes on......
Buying Direct via a Campground will always be high priced...most start at price then keep lowering it as the hard-sale pitch continues
WE went to a couple just to see how ridiculous the pricing was. One started at $6000 but 30 minutes later it at dropped to $2000 today only special.

Membership CGs can be beneficial provided you buy RESALE and USE them
Best for FTrs === we saved a lot in nightly fees over the course of 7 yrs and stayed at some pretty nice CGs


RESALE

[Lwiddis]

There are A LOT! But I too don't want to list them here on an RV forum where members might actually use those parks. It's a secret!

[doxiemom11]

I have never heard of it. Cannot imagine campgrounds that do not want to be listed or known. Most would want to be listed as they join to gain additional business. We use Passport America a lot when we are traveling. There membership fee is $44 and campgrounds are 50% off. Most are great for an overnight at least. Some do have periods of time the discount is excluded, such as during snowbird season. Each park stipulates what days, how many days, year round or only certain season, but there are 1800+ parks in the directory. You can view the listings on line without being a member if you want to check it out.