Municipal Campground/RV Park reservation discrepancy.

[Skid_Row_Joe]

Recently, I made a telephone call to this particular city owned and operated RV park to reserve a space for my RV later that day. I left my name and cell phone number when asked for the name on the reservation. I did not guarantee the reservation in any way, shape or form. Hence, the RV park did not have my credit card information.

I was unable to make it to this RV park, as it started storming and I was still about 75 miles away, when I decided to stop along the way in another small town for the night.

The next morning about mid-morning, I received a terse telephone call from the RV Park manager, telling me they were charging me for the night, since I was a no-show. I reminded the manager that I had not guaranteed the site for the night, and that it was understood that the reservation would cancel upon my absence. Well, that set-off the manager at that point again telling me that they were charging me for the night. At which time I re-stated the above. The manager then hung-up on me.

I am wondering if I should have called the city manager to relate the story in-full, as to file a complaint on this rude manager? I fully intend to stay at this RV park in the future, but am wary because of this out of control city worker they have managing this RV park. What would you do?

[Skid_Row_Joe]

Charlie D. wrote:

Skid Row Joe wrote:
So, something's up with their system, if they thought they could charge me for something I didn't agree to purchase.

If you have stayed there before and you gave your name and number during your first call perhaps they did a check of records to find your CC number?

I suspect the manager was trying to intimidate me into backing down and giving them the go ahead. Nothing doing - I'd of turned them in for fraud at the point of an unauthorized charge to any CC they had on-file.

[RandACampin]

Skid Row Joe wrote:
Recently, I made a telephone call to this particular city owned and operated RV park to reserve a space for my RV later that day. I left my name and cell phone number when asked for the name on the reservation. I did not guarantee the reservation in any way, shape or form. Hence, the RV park did not have my credit card information.

I was unable to make it to this RV park, as it started storming and I was still about 75 miles away, when I decided to stop along the way in another small town for the night.

The next morning about mid-morning, I received a terse telephone call from the RV Park manager, telling me they were charging me for the night, since I was a no-show. I reminded the manager that I had not guaranteed the site for the night, and that it was understood that the reservation would cancel upon my absence. Well, that set-off the manager at that point again telling me that they were charging me for the night. At which time I re-stated the above. The manager then hung-up on me.

I am wondering if I should have called the city manager to relate the story in-full, as to file a complaint on this rude manager? I fully intend to stay at this RV park in the future, but am wary because of this out of control city worker they have managing this RV park. What would you do?

Perhaps you should have shown them the common courtesy of calling them and telling the you would not be able to make it.

[Lantley]

You feel the need to rant here and possibly file a complaint but you never felt the need to call back and cancel!
Consider it a lesson learned on your part.
If you want to do the right thing, how about call the manager back and apologize for the confusion you caused.

[Wavesprite]

Why didn't you call back and tell them you weren't making it?

[Charlie_D_]

Skid Row Joe wrote:
So, something's up with their system, if they thought they could charge me for something I didn't agree to purchase.

If you have stayed there before and you gave your name and number during your first call perhaps they did a check of records to find your CC number?

[soos]

Skid Row Joe wrote:
So, something's up with their system, if they thought they could charge me for something I didn't agree to purchase.

Well, not to quibble, but you DID agree to purchase when you made the call to make a reservation. You asked them to reserve a spot for you, which they did.
It is not the norm to have a verbalized "hold for late arrival". RVers arrive at all hours as a matter of course.
Whether you gave a credit card number or not is immaterial in determining whether a reservation is made. You said you would be there. Period.

Moving on, I don't see anything to be gained by complaining about the manager to his superiors. as you said, he's been there for 10 years. thats not likely to change. What would you gain besides letting off steam? If he figures out you complained, realistically it could effect your future stays at that campground. It shouldn't, but that doesn't mean it won't.
My two cents- life is short- let it go and move on.

[Old-Biscuit]

Skid Row Joe wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Although you didn't provide CC number the site was held for you.

You would have been upset if you had shown up and site was rented.

You were the 'no call-no show'

YOU gave your word! That should have been enough.
Pay up..........


After all, isn't that what set 'William Foster' off.

Not true. One's word never, ever guarantees anything in this space-for-rent business. I didn't guarantee the reservation with a credit card, I did not request or state late arrival, as well the park did not get my credit card info., so, the site cancels - at some point. In the motel/hotel business, that cut-off time is and always has been 6 p.m. In other words - it's understood that the site will go to any other RVer with a desire to rent the site after 6 p.m.

So I take YOUR word means nothing.......

[Naio]

You were rude first, by not calling. The manager responded to your rudeness with his own rudeness. That's how humans are.

Complaining to the city manager is not going to help, because you are in the wrong.

[TANDLG]

A phone call to alert the park you weren't going to make it would have been a consideration move. Not sure what the purpose is in your calling to advise them of the managers communication with you. He may well have held that space for you and turned away others because you made the reservation.

My two cents and I rarely post.

[Skid_Row_Joe]

2oldman wrote:

Skid Row Joe wrote:
Hence, the RV park did not have my credit card information...RV Park manager, telling me they were charging me for the night, since I was a no-show.

How are they going to do that sans your CC information?

The manager never stated how that was going to be accomplished. I did ask, and got the same answer; "you will be charged on your credit card." So, something's up with their system, if they thought they could charge me for something I didn't agree to purchase. I think like WesternRVparkowner stated; something's Up with this manager or their system to get that upset over one space in a usually nearly empty municipal RV park.

[Skid_Row_Joe]

trailertraveler wrote:
I would have called and cancelled the reservation as soon as I knew I was not going to make it to that park. If you expect a space to be held for you without a deposit, you owe them the courtesy of a call when you realize that you will not be there even it they do not have the means to charge you.

It's too late for that. The question is; would you call the city manager to review the events with the RV park manager's supervisor, to bring the manager's behavior into clear focus?

[Skid_Row_Joe]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Although you didn't provide CC number the site was held for you.

You would have been upset if you had shown up and site was rented.

You were the 'no call-no show'

YOU gave your word! That should have been enough.
Pay up..........


After all, isn't that what set 'William Foster' off.

Not true. One's word never, ever guarantees anything in this space-for-rent business. I didn't guarantee the reservation with a credit card, I did not request or state late arrival, as well the park did not get my credit card info., so, the site cancels - at some point. In the motel/hotel business, that cut-off time is and always has been 6 p.m. In other words - it's understood that the site will go to any other RVer with a desire to rent the site after 6 p.m.

[Skid_Row_Joe]

kknowlton wrote:
Perhaps if you had been able to explain to the manager why you did not show up, he wouldn't have acted so angry at the end of the call. Did he not give you the chance?

Sorry....you're right about questioning this aspect of the story. Let me add a couple details here; In fact I did tell the mgr. that I stopped for the night because it was storming, and as I was also facing nightfall - I stopped for the night. It didn't matter - this mgr. re-lit into me saying how dare I make a reservation, then not call to cancel. At which point I re-stated that if the reservation was not guaranteed with a credit card, how could I be liable for the charge? The mgr. stated I would be charged again for the 3rd time, then hung up. BTW, this mgr. runs it like a dictator, and has been the ONLY mgr. there since it opened about 10-years ago. I love this little RV park, but am wary to be blessed out when I try to stay the night there again. That, really is why I am wondering if I should contact the city manager with my experience with this manager?

[soos]

trailertraveler wrote:

Skid Row Joe wrote:
...What would you do?...

I would have called and cancelled the reservation as soon as I knew I was not going to make it to that park. If you expect a space to be held for you without a deposit, you owe them the courtesy of a call when you realize that you will not be there even it they do not have the means to charge you.

X 2

[trailertraveler]

Skid Row Joe wrote:
...What would you do?...

I would have called and cancelled the reservation as soon as I knew I was not going to make it to that park. If you expect a space to be held for you without a deposit, you owe them the courtesy of a call when you realize that you will not be there even it they do not have the means to charge you.