Treated like a criminal at Sun N Fun

[tomcat619]

I have never been treated like this ever before. We have stayed at Sun N Fun in Sarasota 4 or 5 times starting in the late 1970's. We have always seen fishing boats on the sites. In January 2014 I called them to reserve a campsite. I told the lady that took my reservations that I had a boat and needed a site large enough to park my boat. I told her that we had always seen boats on the sites on Tennessee avenue and they are very large. She said she couldn't guarantee me a site on Tennessee but she would be sure I got a 60' premium site that would accommodate my boat.

March 21st we checked in and setup our 5th wheel with our screen room and settled in. 5am the next morning I headed back the 180 miles to pickup my boat at the marina where it was in dry storage. I got to Sarasota about 4pm and parked the boat next to my 5th wheel. About a half hour a person from the park knocked on my door to tell me I couldn't park the boat on the site. He said they had a complaint. I explained I had requested a site specifically that I could park my boat. He said that anyone "Staying over 1 week" had to park out front in the parking lot, which made no sense. I asked him if the lot was secure and he said NO. I told him I couldn't secure my boat and it wasn't leaving my sight. He said the park supervisor would come down to talk to me either the next day or on Monday. We fished the next day, Sunday, and it rained Monday so we stayed in. About 1pm someone showed up at my door saying she was head of park security and the boat had be park in the parking lot. She stated this time they don't allow boats on sites "This time of year". I told her I couldn't secure my boat and explained that I had Requested a site specifically to park the boat. She said the person who made reservation made a mistake. 10 minutes later The park supervisor showed up to say if I didn't remove the boat she wood call the sheriff and the would forcibly remove me, my 5th wheel, and the boat. I told her I couldn't find such a rule about parking boats. She said it didn't matter she could have me removed anyway.

I caved under protest, and took the boat back home 180 miles and returned, packed up my RV and left. A total waste of $400 of fuel, all the work preparing for a vacation, and the $200 for 4 days at Fun N Sun Sarasota!

I was given a booklet with the park rules in it when we checked in and there is no mention of boats on sites or any other things parked on a site. They took my reservation and charged my card the full amount, and that makes it a contract.

[cKarlGo]

powderman426 wrote:
I would dispute the charges on the credit card. They carry a lot of weight with companies as they hold the purse strings.

I think that you misunderstand what the purpose of disputing charges is for. A dispute is a way to get your money back when you have not received the product or service that you pay for, which is completely different from not getting a product or service that you think that you paid for.

If the park rules state that he could not park his boat on that site, that is the end of the matter and is not a disputable issue. If you don't like the rules at a given park then the solution is very simple: don't patronize that park.

[DutchmenSport]

Hi me again! Just a thought. This kind of reminds me of all the zoning problems with RVs at our homes (me included, thus the reason we moved 6 years ago). As long as no one complains about having an RV parked, zoning boards will never raise an issue. But let one person make an issue, and next thing you know ... well .... a good neighbor move out of the neighborhood! (I know ... I did!)

As someone else said, everything probably would have been OK had not another camper got their nose in a "snit". And I think you are correct there. "Well, if HE can park his boat there, why can't I! If I can't park my boat there, well to HE** with everything then! Make him move it too!"

Maybe the OP needed to get a zoning variance! I guess he thought he had one though .... looks like city hall screwed up or the nosy neighbor had "inside connections" with the mayor? :h

[bid_time]

wbwood wrote:

bodyshop bob wrote:

wbwood wrote:
It's a private business and they can run their business as hey see fit as they do it within the law. They did nothing illegal. They said the OP couldn't park the boat in the one location but offered another location. Even if he was told before by someone else. They didn't make him leave. He left on his own. And according to their policy online, I believe it said something to the effect of no refunds if you leave early or something. I can't remember exactly as it was a day or so ago when I looked at it. I would be pissed too. But I would need to weigh my options in having to take the boat back and then coming and getting my trailer. I think because of the cost of the gas to do it, the time wasted in doing and ruining my vacation, I would of just parked it in the parking lot they offered.

Actually, Wb, you're wrong. Per the information in the post the OP said he's seen boats on lots before and stated he needed a large lot for his rig and his boat. Such a site was granted to him.
This creates a legally binding condition called estoppel. Once a condition has been agreed to and granted it is illegal to remove that condition at a later date. Feel free to look it up.
I concur that he should immediately contact his credit card provider and dispute the charges.

And you passed the BAR in Florida?

You know it doesn't really matter who knows the law, who has passed the bar, who's a lawyer and who's pretending. It all boils down to whatever the judge says. The thing about judges is, they don't make a decision until they have heard both sides of the story. There is no "Other side" yet in this story. Yet y'all think you know who is right and who is wrong - amazing! I can tell you this, the sheriff won't decide who is right or who is wrong either. All he needs to hear is that the property owner wants the OP to leave; one way or the other he will be leaving.

[beemerphile1]

I believe life is much more enjoyable if people learn to relax and roll with the punches.

The OP was informed something was okay by a person without authorization. A person with authorization informed the OP that the boat needed moved. An alternative parking area was provided.

Rather than causing issues and fighting, just move the boat. Was it really worth the fight and leaving early just so you could claim that you are right?

What is so special about this boat that it cannot be put in a storage lot with other boats? If you have some valuable equipment on the boat, remove it.

All in all, OP, you were wrong. You ruined your trip, the campground management did not ruin your trip.

Learn to be more flexible and you will be a happier person.

[v10superduty]

spoon059 wrote:
Here is the problem with the world (or maybe just the US) today... even if the rules are clearly posted, somebody is always going to want to push the boundaries. .

How perfectly true!!!
This quote could be used and is applicable in any part of this forum.

My example of the above ...

Once a week we drive over to enjoy the Atlantic ocean.
We found and enjoyed Cordova beach just north of Melbourne.

This is right next to an area had allowed dogs in a specific area and on a leash..
Signs are posted showing boundaries.. O ya, easy to read them.
I love dogs but we no longer go to this beach.
I am sure you can figure out why?:S

[spoon059]

My opinion, it sucks, but what can you do? The OP did everything right. He called and explained his needs. He was told (possibly incorrectly) that he could park his boat on his site.

Turns out, whomever told him that was incorrect. He got there and someone complained. I'm sure it was something along the lines of "Well why can't I park my boat here, you let HIM park his boat there".

The manager or owner probably got involved and decided to enforce the rules to prevent these type of situations from incurring in the future. Here is the problem with the world (or maybe just the US) today... even if the rules are clearly posted, somebody is always going to want to push the boundaries. The OP didn't do anything wrong, but the guy next to him is going to take pictures and come back next year with a boat and 2 water skis. He is going to fight/argue/threaten to sue (sound like some of the replies on this thread...?) because he has pictures from March of 2014 that shows some guy with a boat parked here. "Why did you let him do it and now you aren't letting me?"

Again, its unfortunate for the OP. It sounds like management offered to provide some relief in the form of a different site. The site probably wasn't as nice as the original site, but would have allowed him to stay and enjoy his vacation. He wasn't treated like a CRIMINAL, as those people are usually arrested. Personally, if I had already paid for the vacation I would have moved sites, or tried to keep my site and move my boat to the other site and had the best of both worlds.

[wbwood]

bodyshop bob wrote:

wbwood wrote:
It's a private business and they can run their business as hey see fit as they do it within the law. They did nothing illegal. They said the OP couldn't park the boat in the one location but offered another location. Even if he was told before by someone else. They didn't make him leave. He left on his own. And according to their policy online, I believe it said something to the effect of no refunds if you leave early or something. I can't remember exactly as it was a day or so ago when I looked at it. I would be pissed too. But I would need to weigh my options in having to take the boat back and then coming and getting my trailer. I think because of the cost of the gas to do it, the time wasted in doing and ruining my vacation, I would of just parked it in the parking lot they offered.

Actually, Wb, you're wrong. Per the information in the post the OP said he's seen boats on lots before and stated he needed a large lot for his rig and his boat. Such a site was granted to him.
This creates a legally binding condition called estoppel. Once a condition has been agreed to and granted it is illegal to remove that condition at a later date. Feel free to look it up.
I concur that he should immediately contact his credit card provider and dispute the charges.

And you passed the BAR in Florida?

[loulou57]

When I read the post again I caught that there had been a complaint.

Was the complaint made about this boat being on site? Had there been another camper next door that complained about something and therefore the boat needed to be moved? Was it even brought up and asked about?
I would have tried to talk to the manager and get all the facts and suggested maybe you could remedy the complaint. I would then ask if there was somewhere within the campground that you could park your boat and use a lock on the hitch to secure it. Explaining the distance it would be to take your boat home
Sometimes things can be sorted by being the bigger guy, saying you understand mistakes can be made and communication of new rules is lost with staff.
You would not have to return to the place again but your trip could have possibly been made nicer. Just my thoughts!

[Roundtwo-40]

I have found the ability to smooth some of my ruffled feathers if you are able to find a social media page to inform the management of a miscommunication..

[answerswillvary]

noe-place wrote:
Made a most sensible comment last night and the sentence aliens deleted me again. geez :h

It wasn't your comment that was the problem. It was the fact that you quoted another member's post that was deleted for flaming.

Here is your post without the one you were replying to:

Why would he make up such a story? RV.NET is supposed to be here to assist other rvers. Who cares about Good Sam, Marcus, Freddie or Woody The Woopecker? If a decent person wants to ask a question or make a statement of displeasure, why not permit it out of common decency?

Sandi (Moderator)

[Veebyes]

Never been anywhere near Sarasota so don't have a clue about the CG but why, besides the CGs side, do I feel like something is missing in this story?

[noe-place]

Made a most sensible comment last night and the sentence aliens deleted me again. geez :h

[RinconVTR]

powderman426 wrote:
I would dispute the charges on the credit card. They carry a lot of weight with companies as they hold the purse strings.

++++++++++

[Bird_Freak]

clubhouse wrote:
I guess I would have found a way to secure the boat trailer for the remaining days and try to enjoy my vacation. Or tried to find a temporary mooring and leave the boat in the water for the week. When the week was over I would go home and never come back.

That's what I was thinking.

[clubhouse]

I guess I would have found a way to secure the boat trailer for the remaining days and try to enjoy my vacation. Or tried to find a temporary mooring and leave the boat in the water for the week. When the week was over I would go home and never come back.