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.

[MackinawMan]

nelson wrote:
Years ago we had a trip planned to King's Island and where staying at the campground next door, We had planned the trip all year and the kids where looking forward to getting there. Well we had mechanical problems on the way there and limped into the campground. While checking in I asked the owner where I could get parts and explained what was going on. Well he told me not to worry about it, He had a man on his staff that was good doing this kind of work and would take care of it. He showed up the next morning and I gave him my keys and explained the problem. He said Have a Nice day at the Park. He worked on my MH for two days while we enjoyed King's Island. He fixed everything and did a great job, At No Charge. (I did pay him though) I have never forgot there kindness and went there for the next couple years until the campground was sold. All I can say is Help if you can and want to, It will be appreciated. You are not obligated

That's a great story, thanks for sharing. We've only had issues at a campground 1 time (hopefully that's all we ever have) when our AC quit working. I certainly never expected the campgrounds to take care of it. They did provide the name of several repair places in their camp literature...which was nice. So we called one, and arranged for repair. We ended up towing our TT there (it was about an hour away) and having it diagnosed and repaired (took a couple hours) while we disconnected and drove around the area (near Alanson, Michigan, we drove to Petoskey, etc.). Towed it back and everything was fine.

[garyhaupt]

I have been giving this some thought and I think maybe I have some insight. Often when I have been having troubles and in an RV park..or parking lot or some boondocking spot...hood up or tools on the ground and me looking forlorn and lost, a person has walked over, asked the problem and either was able to tell me how to address it or even fixed it for me, or at least offered a beer.

I think maybe people have come to expect assistance, without really considering what they are doing or saying. We get spoiled and forget to look after ourselves. People like to help others and often enough it's an electrical problem, and they have some knowledge to share. I have fixed a couple fridge problems, used my charger to work a battery, lent tools. It's what people do. Then we get to thinking 'everyone' wants to do that.

Just a thought..and hey, if it's me you see looking like help is needed, c'mon over....


Gary Haupt

[Desert_Captain]

I'm not so sure most CG/RV Park owners would want much in the way of repairs being done on their property... especially if it had to involve them. Well intentioned but uninsured/bonded workers can create some serious legal nightmares if anything goes south. If someone has a problem and needs help I will be happy to share my tools and any applicable knowledge but when you get free labor, much like free advice, you tend to get what you paid for. :B

[DiskDoctr]

Rd4ector,

I understand your frustration. Try to understand what the guests are actually needing, not just what they are saying.

They are in an area they don't know, don't know the repair shops or availability, and we've all heard how repair shops (and dealers) like to take advantage of out of towners.

"I know a guy who can help with that"
"Here, let me give you a hand"
"There's a local fellow we've had out before that people like"
"Old man Joe down the road can fix about anything"
"Xyz repairs is nearby and is very reasonably priced"
"I can call Jim's mobile repair for you, he's quick and can sometimes be here in an hour, depending on his schedule"
"Is there something we can do to make you more comfortable until someone can come out and get it fixed?"
"You can use one of our rental campers for the night. We'll only charge the difference between camping and the rental (no double charge)"

Or whatever else is appropriate and helpful, you get the idea.

People feel vulnerable, especially when in unfamiliar areas and dealing with breakdowns about which they may know very little.

Sometimes 'Help' really means 'Give me some ideas, help me avoid being ripped off, I would really like an informed opinion, give me some tips, or at least tell me if I can rig it up until I get home from vacation or if I really have to interrupt/cancel my long anticipated vacation for an immediate repair'

Offer what you are comfortable offering. Help when you can. But don't go to the opposite extreme of leaving the guest helpless.

You can still be helpful, even if you can't commit a whole day to a donated repair.

I think you'll find this kind of help will be appreciated, too, and not the confrontational or disappointing response you are concerned about avoiding.

And kudos to you for helping when you can and being concerned enough to bring up the topic in the first place.

[rdrector]

mockturtle wrote:

korbe wrote:
I would say, "we have a bulletin board full of business cards from RV repair shops. It's right over there."

Great answer.

This I like; seems easy enough; I quess sometimes we overlook the simpliest of answers.

[austinjenna]

I find it hard to believe that with the superior engineering being used, a well trained work force, only using quality parts and materials combined with the excellent quality control being used by rv manufacturers that anything would break

[nelson]

Years ago we had a trip planned to King's Island and where staying at the campground next door, We had planned the trip all year and the kids where looking forward to getting there. Well we had mechanical problems on the way there and limped into the campground. While checking in I asked the owner where I could get parts and explained what was going on. Well he told me not to worry about it, He had a man on his staff that was good doing this kind of work and would take care of it. He showed up the next morning and I gave him my keys and explained the problem. He said Have a Nice day at the Park. He worked on my MH for two days while we enjoyed King's Island. He fixed everything and did a great job, At No Charge. (I did pay him though) I have never forgot there kindness and went there for the next couple years until the campground was sold. All I can say is Help if you can and want to, It will be appreciated. You are not obligated

[bucky]

The idiots that would expect that are the same ones that come on here and post a pic of an oil filter and want to know what it is.

[colliehauler]

Tell them you have an agreement with the repair center that you will not repair RV's and they will not open a campground.

[mockturtle]

korbe wrote:
I would say, "we have a bulletin board full of business cards from RV repair shops. It's right over there."

Great answer.

[colliehauler]

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

I would loan you a lighter.

[wa8yxm]

Well, I can not comment on campers reacting negatively when staff can not assist in repairs, Actually I can, there are liability issues and such and you are NOT certified RV technicians after all. Thus you are not allowed to assist unless the campground where you work is something like Lazy Days camp right next to their service facility,,, and you work IN the service facility,, and of course then there will be that nasty bill thing when you are done :).

But as for repairing at campgrounds... I have two choice.. if it can be done on site then that's how it will be done.. I only go to shop when I have to.

[bigred1cav]

The thought has never occurred to me to ask another camper to work on my MH. I have not had many good experiences with other campers from my wanting to talk football to my offering our hot grill for use of others so ass not to waste charcoal.

[Caveman_Charlie]

I too would never even thought of asking a campground owner or host for help with anything like that. I never even imagined that some people would!!!

I agree with keeping a list of names of repair centers available or even someone who would do it at the park and give you a kickback for recommending them. Even if said kickback was a few beers. I would think for liability reasons you should not even try to fix someone's camper. Telling someone that asks for help that you can not for that reason would be a good idea and not even a lie.

I have worked on my own camper at the park but, I'm a local weekend camper that stays at my local county parks. The park workers know be my name.