Woodalls...Taken over by Goodsam???

[traveylin]

I went looking for a 2014 copy of Woodalls western campgrounds and all searches wind up with Goodsam travel books. Did a change in ownership take place? What is the best substitute for the Woodalls I know and use extensively.


pops

[Atlee]

I can understand the extra cost etc. I too am a dinosaur that likes (needs?) a hard copy. However, this the last year I will buy. In its current form, it's just too large.

RVParky, here I come.

ETyson wrote:
Hi Everyone - thank you for the feedback on the size of the directory.

Splitting the directory in two - East and West - has not been continued for now because of the production costs associated with publishing two separate volumes and the increase in cost we would have to pass along to our readers.

We certainly will take onboard all your feedback for our future editions.

Kind regards,

Ellen Tyson
Sr. Product & Marketing Manager
Good Sam Enterprises

[traveylin]

Thank you ellen for the production cost insite for publishing one volume vs two. Users frequently talk about price and understanding what drives cost/price is of value. I like hard copy and will buy it..

pops

[ETyson]

Hi Everyone - thank you for the feedback on the size of the directory.

Splitting the directory in two - East and West - has not been continued for now because of the production costs associated with publishing two separate volumes and the increase in cost we would have to pass along to our readers.

We certainly will take onboard all your feedback for our future editions.

Kind regards,

Ellen Tyson
Sr. Product & Marketing Manager
Good Sam Enterprises

[lizzie]

It doesn't really matter what Woodalls' hopes to accomplish. The bottom line is the book is TOO BIG for some folks (including me). I do want want or need all that other information. When I use the guide I am looking for a place to camp.I will not buy the 2014 after all. lizzie

[Atlee]

But sometimes "comprehensive" is just way too large for one volume.

ETyson wrote:
Hello 2Gypsies - Any campground that meets our minimum requirements receives a listing that includes their basic information - for both private and public parks. Parks always have the option to tell you more about themselves, than what the listing includes, with an additional placement.

In our user surveys we have found that the travel destination information included in the directory is still very important to folks, so we aim to create a comprehensive directory that is both informative and provides inspiration and ideas for exploring other states and provinces.

Our digital tools for smartphone and on the web are part of the family of products and services we provide compliment to the directory. We have members who prefer these to utilize these formats as much as those who prefer to use the printed directory only.

Other forum members are correct that we still partner with AAA and produce the Woodalls|AAA regional guides. If you are an AAA member you can find these in your local office.

Again thank you for the great feedback, all of which is invaluable!

Kind regards,

Ellen Tyson
Sr. Product & Marketing Manager
Good Sam Enterprises

[Atlee]

I appreciate your feed back on why just one volume. However, my new 2014 volume is just too big. You need to split that book into 2 volumes. Make it East of the Mississippi and West of the Mississipi.

ETyson wrote:
Hello Travelyn,

I work for Good Sam. Thank you for your feedback, I'd like to provide information on why there is just one directory.

Last year our two brands, Woodall's and Trailer Life Directory, merged and for 2013 we published just one volume - the Good Sam RV Travel Guide & Campground Directory.

Over the years members had asked us why there were two directories – two made it difficult to choose which one to buy and so much of the listing information was duplicated in both. It made a lot of sense that when the two brands merged we also combined the two directories and their data into one.

The new Good Sam RV Travel Guide combines all that great listing and RVing information together into one complete travel guide, plus all campgrounds are now rated using the trusted Good Sam Rating System. No more deciding which one to buy.

Throughout 2013, members provided valuable feedback that let us know the Directory was getting too big. They asked that we condense the information included to make the size of the directory easier to use. For 2014 we provide basic information for both private and public parks. You’ll find we include the Good Sam Ratings for privately owned parks. And because we know how important the Good Sam camping discount is, we have included information on our Good Sam Parks, as well as other featured campgrounds.

For smartphones users you'll find the same up-to-date data on the Good Sam Camping App (this supersedes the Woodall's and Trailer Life Directory apps) and online through our website's campground search at GoodSamClub.com and GoodSamCamping.com. Good Sam Members can also access the new Trip Planner tool on GoodSamClub.com.

We appreciate and take very seriously, the feedback we get back from our members. It helps us to continually look for ways to improve our products and services to you.

Kind regards,

Ellen Tyson
Sr. Product & Marketing Manager
Good Sam Enterprises

[Atlee]

I just received the 2014 edition of the Good Sam Campground guide.

I totally agree about the size. That thing should be split in 1/2. And there are way too many pages devoted to other stuff.

Sitting here at home, it works, but I'm not sure about on the road. We may be limited to the smart phone apps when on the road.

bsinmich wrote:
I got the big book last year and found it so large it is almost unusable. Ads for CW and so much other stuff that the book is double the size you want for CG info.

[2gypsies1]

ETyson wrote:

In our user surveys we have found that the travel destination information included in the directory is still very important to folks, so we aim to create a comprehensive directory that is both informative and provides inspiration and ideas for exploring other states and provinces.

In almost 20 years I have never seen a 'user survey'.

[Thunder_Mountai]

We are not a fan of Woodalls. Back when we purchased our first fiver, we bought a Woodalls book. We got burned several times picking campgrounds that were listed in a location, to later learn there were better campgrounds that were not listed.

Woodalls is a profit driven publication/website that is supported by advertising. That in itself is not bad. Nothing wrong with making a profit.

Woodalls worst problem is that not all campgrounds are listed in a given location. Second, there is no objective user driven reviews of campgrounds.

We use rvparky to see all possibilities. Then we check rvparkreviews. Next if we have a question, we ask here.

[ETyson]

Hello 2Gypsies - Any campground that meets our minimum requirements receives a listing that includes their basic information - for both private and public parks. Parks always have the option to tell you more about themselves, than what the listing includes, with an additional placement.

In our user surveys we have found that the travel destination information included in the directory is still very important to folks, so we aim to create a comprehensive directory that is both informative and provides inspiration and ideas for exploring other states and provinces.

Our digital tools for smartphone and on the web are part of the family of products and services we provide compliment to the directory. We have members who prefer these to utilize these formats as much as those who prefer to use the printed directory only.

Other forum members are correct that we still partner with AAA and produce the Woodalls|AAA regional guides. If you are an AAA member you can find these in your local office.

Again thank you for the great feedback, all of which is invaluable!

Kind regards,

Ellen Tyson
Sr. Product & Marketing Manager
Good Sam Enterprises

[BarneyS]

WyoTraveler wrote:


I don't use those on line planning things because where I am isn't something I would put on line.

Why? Are you in the Federal Witness Protection Plan or something? :B :W
Barney

[prichardson]

I just received my 2014 issue. Unfortunately when it comes to public campgrounds; information on number of sites and hookups is still not included. I miss the old Woodalls. I like all states in one volume as on any given year I usually end up going both directons

[AJR]

Another dumb cell phone used here. Take that anyway you like it….:)

I do not decide where to stay until around noon when traveling. So I rely on books and state maps to look at while resting during lunch. I have some old AAA books I cross reference to because they sometimes have better campground descriptions.

Low tech works fine for me. This is from a guy that owned a computer store before most people knew what a “desk top” computer was.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

I use www.woodalls.com for free. I didn't like the books anyway. Easier to search by distance online.