What is it with campgrounds nowadays?
Well we've been on the road now for about 2 months. It's been a few years since we've rv'd and boy have things changed with the campgrounds. Not only are they more expensive (like everything else in t...
Forum Discussion
Here is a reference to one of the software programs I downloaded a demo of and played with for a week or so. http://www.campground-master.com/ (standard disclaimers apply, no financial interest in the product and don't know the owners of the product) One of the many things I liked about the software, is that it allows a quick visual look at your campground to see what sites are reserved and for how many days. This could help alleviate the problem mentioned by Jaxdad of specific site requests. Often times, I am sure the one night person could be moved to another site, that fits the reservations request, such as a pull thru, back in by the lake, etc. But I know some places that allow the computer to have the final say create uncalled for problems for themselves and their customers.
Other campgrounds I have been at, have a minimum stay to request a specific site, such as 4 or 5 days commitment. Dealing with work campers, would have to be like trying to paint a train as it slowly passes through the station. Or dealing with a parade. Our favorite campground in western Colorado, where we often spend a month at a time, has a stable staff of work campers, the same people for the most part, year after year. Both workers and the owners have a commitment to each other a year ahead of time. This campground is fortunate in being in a location where they can charge a price that allows them to make a good profit and still pay their staff well, above normal wages. The owners have been there about 20 years and while not RVers themselves, they are excellent business managers and have figured out what their customers want and need in the way of services. The owners are cruise ship people and live in Florida in the winter time, hotel travel in Europe often, as their campground is seasonal and closes for the winter there in Colorado.
On the other hand, we stopped at a place in Tennessee, where we had previously stayed and found a new owner, a woman in her late 30s with a 16 year old son. They were the staff of the place, she tried to run the office 16 hours a day and the 16 year old was the maintenance man, after school and on weekends. They were so far behind it was sad, maintenance being deferred everywhere I looked, etc. The CG was getting run down in the short time she had owned it and I doubt she made it through the first year of operation.Not only was her dream shattered, but so was the stay of anyone that tried to stay there after she bought the place and didn't have the capital to operate it till it became profitable. Can't imagine the problems the people that ended up with it after her, in trying to reestablish a positive reputation for the place.
My wife and I owned a gift shop in a tourist town, in western Colorado prior to moving here to the swamp country of Florida. We also owned a group of 4 plex apartments in Anchorage Alaska for just over 30 years, plus a working ranch in southern Oklahoma. So I do have a bit of business experience and try to see both sides, but I find incompetence, in any business to be frustrating to have to deal with personally.
Other campgrounds I have been at, have a minimum stay to request a specific site, such as 4 or 5 days commitment. Dealing with work campers, would have to be like trying to paint a train as it slowly passes through the station. Or dealing with a parade. Our favorite campground in western Colorado, where we often spend a month at a time, has a stable staff of work campers, the same people for the most part, year after year. Both workers and the owners have a commitment to each other a year ahead of time. This campground is fortunate in being in a location where they can charge a price that allows them to make a good profit and still pay their staff well, above normal wages. The owners have been there about 20 years and while not RVers themselves, they are excellent business managers and have figured out what their customers want and need in the way of services. The owners are cruise ship people and live in Florida in the winter time, hotel travel in Europe often, as their campground is seasonal and closes for the winter there in Colorado.
On the other hand, we stopped at a place in Tennessee, where we had previously stayed and found a new owner, a woman in her late 30s with a 16 year old son. They were the staff of the place, she tried to run the office 16 hours a day and the 16 year old was the maintenance man, after school and on weekends. They were so far behind it was sad, maintenance being deferred everywhere I looked, etc. The CG was getting run down in the short time she had owned it and I doubt she made it through the first year of operation.Not only was her dream shattered, but so was the stay of anyone that tried to stay there after she bought the place and didn't have the capital to operate it till it became profitable. Can't imagine the problems the people that ended up with it after her, in trying to reestablish a positive reputation for the place.
My wife and I owned a gift shop in a tourist town, in western Colorado prior to moving here to the swamp country of Florida. We also owned a group of 4 plex apartments in Anchorage Alaska for just over 30 years, plus a working ranch in southern Oklahoma. So I do have a bit of business experience and try to see both sides, but I find incompetence, in any business to be frustrating to have to deal with personally.
