Paying a third party for overnight

[Billinwoodland]

Just returned from a 2500 mile round trip up into Montana. Had a great time and the Moho was perfect minus an issue with the windshield wipers. Second night into the trip I pulled into neat park in American Falls , ID. It was nearly empty and there was not an attendant. I picked a spot, pulled in, hooked up the power and put my slides out. Had animals to feed so was taking care of that when this fella pulled up and asked me if I had paid the attendant. I said no, there was no attendant but would stop in to the little cafe in the morning when they opened. He explained that he is a fellow camper and "watches" for late arrivals and collects the $25 fee for the unattended park (I think this is a county rv park). He needed to be paid in cash. I paid, then later regretted it thinking I was just taken by some con man. Have any of you experienced this and what would you have done?

BTW, stopped back at same park on the way home several weeks later. It was even emptier. It's a great overnight on the snake River.

[Billinwoodland]

Here's a picture of the park next to my site. Snake River in background.

[winnietrey]

If it is a scam, it's a pretty darn clever one. Wonder, if it is a scam, if the fellow pulls it off whenever he has a chance, at different CG. Who knows, he could have done it all over the US

[ependydad]

toedtoes wrote:
My guess is he ripped the campground off. I would see if you could find and email or phone number for the park and mention it to them.

This. I would have had to call someone the next day to find out the real story.

[Billinwoodland]

kknowlton wrote:
What park is it?

Willow Bay Recreation area. I now see it is a city of American Falls CG. Very nice park. Someone asked who I paid on my return trip. There was not a soul around other then the guy who pulled in after me, so the quick answer is no one.

[kknowlton]

What park is it?

[ken56]

I hate how this stuff makes us so untrusting of others.....we RVers are a friendly bunch and don't want to think that someone would do a thing like this. Its just the times we live in I guess. I too think the guy is ripping off the park and the unsuspecting campers. Why we don't think quick enough to get a picture of the person and or his rig, license plate number and all that is beyond me. We just don't want to think it could be a scam. Do try to notify the park about this.

[toedtoes]

My guess is he ripped the campground off. I would see if you could find and email or phone number for the park and mention it to them. Who knows how many people he's scamming.

Was the park a cash only park? If not, then there should be no reason why he couldn't accept a check.

Don't beat yourself up - it happens. Just do what you can to let the park know what's going on in their campground so they can prevent it in the future.

[DutchmenSport]

Couple thoughts.

The OP probably did the right thing. If he would have told this fellow to "go take a hike" the other guy might have become defensive and who knows what might have happened. It's possible he was a scam artist, or a drug addict, or who knows what. Either way, that person was satisfied and left the OP alone after that (receipt or not).

Next thought:

In Indiana when the State Parks and State Recreational Parks are out of season (November through March 31), anyone can go into the parks without paying an entrance fee (no one is at the gate) and you can just pick any spot to pull in and park and camp (in the campground). There's no one to pay as the campground gate houses are closed up also.

BUT ... before dark, you better believe someone from DNR will be knocking on your door to collect. BUT, BUT... they have on DNR uniforms and clearly are driving DNR vehicles. Someone not dressed in a DNR uniform or driving a DNR vehicle, I'd probably get on my phone and call 911 immediately, or have THEM get the police to run me out! If the police showed up then, I'd gladly pay the fee then (If the guy was not in uniform, because it would be quite obvious he is DNR, and I'm sure the police would understand also).

By the way, there is no water running in the campgrounds during off season, but the camping rates are dirt cheap. They do provide electricity. It's a great way to do a modified boom dock, (If you like cold weather camping).

By the way, in Indiana (don't know about other states), if an officer pulls you over driving an unmarked car, he has to be in uniform, and you have the right to call for a second police officer. If they do not let you do this (run!)

[bukhrn]

You are much more polite than I am, as I would have told him to Take A Hike, I'd have done exactly as you said, paid in the morning to someone actually affiliated with the park.
I think your money went straight into His pocket, a great scam if there a lot of trusting folks, I don't happen to be one of them.

[Ivylog]

I'd get a receipt and then walk over and get his tag #.

[Billinwoodland]

Helimech wrote:
So what is the end of the story. Was he a night attendant?

I don't have any idea. I paid him, packed up and left early the next morning. Although he did say he was a camper, who "watches" for late arrivals. When I stopped back a few weeks later, never saw a soul other then another guy who pulled in shortly after me. Happy to pay, even if it was a late drop box.

[path1]

BTW, stopped back at same park on the way home several weeks later. It was even emptier. It's a great overnight on the snake River.

When you stopped in again, who did you pay? That might of confirmed if you got ripped off or not the first time.

If you did get ripped off don't feel alone. We were dumping once and guy came around said it was $10.00 to dump. When leaving saw a sign way off to one side, barley visible from entrance and the "donation" box below sign.

What was name of park?

[Helimech]

So what is the end of the story. Was he a night attendant?

[mabynack]

I always ask for a receipt when paying cash for anything.

[BB_TX]

Doesn't sound right. I would have insisted that I would pay the next morning.