Substancial deposit required

[ACZL]

Just curious if others have ran into this. When you go to make a Rez at a CG, have you ever been asked to pay either full or half at time of Rez and then bal upon arrival or just 1 nite? To the best of my knowledge, every place we've ever gone to is just 1 nite deposit and bal due upon arrival. For those CG that are requiring half/full payment, they are using your $$$ to collect interest IMO once they get it. Other's thoughts.

[ACZL]

4runnerguy wrote:
We stay in NP's NF's, and a few SP's. They all require payment in full and will refund if you cancel (with a fee, usually around $8). So for our trip next summer, I've basically already paid for all our camping (except for those outside the six month window).

So my bill for the camping will come soon and the bill for all the other expenses (gas, food, etc) will come in July, August, etc. Kind of spreads the pain out a little.

As much as I don't like the idea of paying for a full "X" amount of time at a CG, I do like your rational.

[Veebyes]

I used to be in a somewhat similar business as a CG & no-shows were a huge problem until I started taking deposits, or at least credit card holds. People thought nothing of not showing up. No call. Nothing.

My business was a sightseeing/snorkeling by private charter. I did not make up groups. The charterer & his party had the boat to themselves. Custom trip. This was like booking the entire campground for a rally. You don't bail out without a sizable penalty.

[4runnerguy]

We stay in NP's NF's, and a few SP's. They all require payment in full and will refund if you cancel (with a fee, usually around $8). So for our trip next summer, I've basically already paid for all our camping (except for those outside the six month window).

So my bill for the camping will come soon and the bill for all the other expenses (gas, food, etc) will come in July, August, etc. Kind of spreads the pain out a little.

[Ron3rd]

Crowe wrote:
Have run into multiple types of deposit situations. If I don't like it I just go elsewhere.

Same here, the policies are all over the map for private campgrounds. The latest private campground we booked said they collect payment when we check in. Some private's collect one night. Some charge all.

I can tell you ALL the California State Parks collect FULL payment when you reserve the site online through reservecalifornia.com, even if you're going 6 months from now.

[drsteve]

MI state parks require reservations to be paid in full at the time they are made. Cancellations receive a partial refund.

[RedRollingRoadb]

Crowe wrote:
Have run into multiple types of deposit situations. If I don't like it I just go elsewhere.

THIS!

There has been a couple of times when I have said "No thanks" and when asked for a reason I just explain I do not agree with their policies. They do not owe me an explanation.

[ACZL]

To everyone.....THANK YOU for all your replies!!!! All seem varied and all have valid points to which I never thought of.

[BarabooBob]

The CG owners need to protect their investment. If you make a no deposit reservation and don't show up, they loose money.
At the state parks in Wisconsin, if you make a reservation for multiple days for multiple days, you pay for the entire stay up front. If you cancel a long way out, you get charged a cancellation fee plus loose your reservation fee. It costs you about $20 in this case. If you cancel on short notice, you loose your reservation fee plus the first night. That amounts to about $30 to $50.
If you want a place to stay at the parks, you pay it.
We never cancel so we don't worry about it.

[bucky]

With DW's parents both at 89 and all grades of medical catastrophes last year we can't reserve much until the last minute.
With the booming numbers of new rvers that doesn't leave much. We'll manage a short trip here or there and that's ok for now but no nonrefundable reservations.
I don't blame the CG owners, they have a business to run. No different than a restaurant that refuses reservations or spends the evening watching over a half empty place.

[Walaby]

I have found, like others, that it varies. Texas state park I go to requires full payment at time of booking. Georgia state parks, I believe is one night (as pointed out). I always make sure I know the details before I commit, to include cancellation fee.

I don't think any campgrounds make a nickel off pre-payment, but even if they do, why should I care?

Mike

[time2roll]

ACZL wrote:
For those CG that are requiring half/full payment, they are using your $$$ to collect interest IMO once they get it. Other's thoughts.

You are concerned about them making a few pennies of interest?

The business will just use the money immediately. Not going to open a CD and earn 1% until you arrive so they can use the money then.

My tenants pay a full month up front and believe me I make no interest. Same with the security deposit. Money collected is just used for current expenses in one big pool of money.

[Crowe]

Deposit requirements at private RV parks are higher in the East (typically 1/2 or full down) than in the West (typically a 1 night or no deposit).

I haven't camped out west but your observation is probably accurate. Camping season can be very short so the campgrounds cannot afford lost revenue due to no shows. I think there's a different mindset up here as well-we aren't as laid back or as trustful as other areas.

[mileshuff]

Varies with location and dates. Some require full payment for holiday weekends.

Flying Flags in Buellton, CA required me to pay full several months in advance over a holiday weekend. When we arrived I was told we must pay another $100 because their rate changed since I booked. Tried to argue but was told take it or leave it. I have been back a few times since without such issue.

[RognBon]

Our favorite park in Fort Bragg California requires one night deposit if reserving for seven days or less and two nights for reservations of more than seven days.