Common for campers to feel a campground is a repair center?

[rdrector]

I'll start by saying I've worked at a campground for the last 4 years as a part-time job on the side. What baffles me is the amount of campers that react negatively when you cannot help them fix something with their camper.

Obviously myself and others will try to help in any way we can, but when it comes to major electrical, a/c, refridgerator, self levelers, and catostrophic plumbing, why do so many campers feel compelled to beleive that since they are paying to camp there we should know how and fix there issues. This occurs almost weekly that someone is irate that we are not a repair shop and would not even repair issues for free!

If you are one of those people, no offense but this job doesn't come close to pay to help with these issue's. Most of us do it for the sake of enjoying outdoors and getting to meet other people. We love to help were we can; but if you blow up your plumbing or overflow your blacktank in your camper; I am not the one to ask to fix/clean it up for you. If you have a major electrical problem within your coach, most campground staff do not have the expertise to do this type of work, nor would do so for free. So please stop placing your frustration on staff when we cannot help.

Sorry, had another one last eve, just my rant.

[AO_hitech]

And I thought I had read everything by now... :E

[dbbls]

Please post what campground you work at. I'll just take my repair work elsewhere.

[noteven]

Bumpyroad wrote:

downtheroad wrote:
So, let me get this straight. Y:)ou mean that you are not willing to help me fix something like this for free?...:)

that should buff right out.
bumpy

LOL 🙂

[vic46]

beaslwd wrote:
Our last workcamping gig...the owners had a standing rule that we could NOT help someone with a problem. We could not so much as even enter their rig.
I think that was a bit extreme, but hey they are the boss and their rules.

It's called fear of liability! There is no good samaratin rule regarding servicing an RV.

[bigdogger]

Passing the blame might also help. Tell the repair seeker that you would love to make an attempt, but unfortunately, the park's insurance strictly forbids employees from making repairs to guest's rigs. Not only would it make the insurance company the bad buy, but it most likely true. If you were to help fix a balky latch on a storage bay and a month later the furnace exploded and burned the rig to the ground, you can bet there is a lawyer somewhere who would try and make the events related.

[Campfire_Time]

I think its a perception that if you are working there you must have extensive knowledge about RVs. Perception is reality. We've been trained that people who work somewhere have extensive knowledge about their business.

[Cloud_Dancer]

I have NEVER asked anyone at a RV park to help me fix anything. I'm quite capable of fixing it myself. However, I have been asked to quit working on my motorhome. They don't like you fixing your own MH on their property (even if you've paid for a space). Their park, their rules,....I get it.
It's just one of the reasons we quit fulltiming. So now, I do all the maintenance and repairs on the ole motorhome,.....parked in my own backyard.

[Bumpyroad]

downtheroad wrote:
So, let me get this straight. You mean that you are not willing to help me fix something like this for free?...:)

that should buff right out.
bumpy

[beaslwd]

Our last workcamping gig...the owners had a standing rule that we could NOT help someone with a problem. We could not so much as even enter their rig.
I think that was a bit extreme, but hey they are the boss and their rules.

[path1]

Common for campers to feel a campground is a repair center?

Guess you answered yourself.

P.S. Do I need a reservations to camp at your "repair" center?:B

[2oldman]

fj12ryder wrote:
I never knew that people would expect the park people to do some repairs to their trailer.

Me neither. Amazing what you learn about folks on here.

Westernrvparkowner had a good story about people want to 'top off' their propane tanks with 45 cents worth. Probably an exaggeration, but his point was clear.

I've heard of people wanting firewood at 2am, and knocking on the host's door.

[fj12ryder]

I never knew that people would expect the park people to do some repairs to their trailer. I actually never even considered it. I guess I always considered the campground to be a campground, not a repair center. If asked, I would have answered that it would be a pretty rare occurrence. Man, looks like I'm way off base on that.

[2oldman]

Most places I've been, repair work of any kind, especially the kind involving wrenches and grease, are discouraged.

[bukhrn]

the bear II wrote:
I'm glad some staff are willing to help especially when it's sort of an emergency.

Recently my wife was in the RV at an RV resort while I was back at work for the week. A windburst came through and ripped the awning fabric (it was time to replace it) the fabric fell in front of the door, blocking my wife in the RV. My DW called the office and one of the workers came out to the site and helped her get out of the RV and then tear down the rest of the awning fabric.

Glad your wife was helped, but as the OP stated, far to many people think that it's the staffs "Job" to repair their rv.

[rdrector]

Dog Folks wrote:
We have always repaired on our own or had a mobile repair come in. We have never asked staff.

In a few parks the "repairman" also lived there but it was a separate business.

Sometimes parks obtain a distinct "personality". For example, some parks are known as "party parks", etc.

Maybe your park has somehow built the expectation that staff will do repairs. It will take a dedicated effort by management to change this "personality," even if they want to.

If management does not wish to change, then you will need to reconsider your continued employment there.

Hope everything works out for you.

I agree with you here, many times we probably have gone and done more then what was needed, and have maybe created or own monster with the regulars. I quess we need to come to an understanding were we just need to draw the line.

Again, it's not a problem trying to help someone in need, it's just when something becomes to involved or is obviously not meant for campground staff to handle, some campers really become so upset that it is unbeleivable.

As a matter of fact, The one I had last evening, I gave a number to a local mobile repairman that may be able to assist him next day; response I got was "really, not until tommorrow" (lol it's 630pm now)Sometimes you can't win.