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Old 11-02-2020, 11:38 AM   #1
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Things we've noticed while fulltiming this year

Thought I'd post a few things that we have noticed while traveling this year and wonder if people have noticed these things and other things. For one we have noticed that parks and campgrounds where we have stayed over the years have had some substantial price increases for overnights and monthly customers. Is it because of the conditions we are under or some other reasons? Most parks who have offered activities for visitors have cut back or canceled these which is understandable. But these same parks have upped the rates with no obvious changes in any of their infrastructure such as site improvement, road repair or any new building projects. Also have noticed that some operators who once were friendly and accommodating have become surly and aloof and apparently think they are doing you a favor by allowing you to stay at their facility when they have more vacant sites than occupied.
These are just my thoughts and opinions and would like to see any other observations.

Dave
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Old 11-02-2020, 11:53 AM   #2
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Originally Posted by Volvodriver View Post
Thought I'd post a few things that we have noticed while traveling this year and wonder if people have noticed these things and other things. For one we have noticed that parks and campgrounds where we have stayed over the years have had some substantial price increases for overnights and monthly customers. Is it because of the conditions we are under or some other reasons? Most parks who have offered activities for visitors have cut back or canceled these which is understandable. But these same parks have upped the rates with no obvious changes in any of their infrastructure such as site improvement, road repair or any new building projects. Also have noticed that some operators who once were friendly and accommodating have become surly and aloof and apparently think they are doing you a favor by allowing you to stay at their facility when they have more vacant sites than occupied.
These are just my thoughts and opinions and would like to see any other observations.

Dave

We have a year around site in addition to traveling as much as we can. At the year around site it seems that every little thing causes a price increase for site fees, ice and soft drinks from the machine (Thank goodness we have a set price contract for site and do not use the other things mentioned. Electricity is the biggest rip off imposed on monthly sites or other extended times. As to other locations we have also noted increases with no noticeable improvements.
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Old 11-02-2020, 11:53 AM   #3
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Supply and demand. An indirect outcome of Covid is everyone seems to be buying and using RVs. So demand of park space is much higher, combined with some states restricting occupancy. Seems logical the price would go up to me.
As far as operators being overall less friendly, we haven't seen that at all.
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Old 11-02-2020, 11:54 AM   #4
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Current health restrictions have limited many parks activites, occupancy levels, and additional cleaning in order to stay open. Price increases to make up for lack of occupancy are understandable. Of course, the same might be said for parks that have high demand and so they can increase their prices.
As to surly and aloof employees, consider that they have to deal with people from all over the country and they have no assurance that people they interact with are not shedding the covid virus. I'd be surly too.
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Old 11-02-2020, 12:26 PM   #5
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Yep... kind of the change with COVID.

We've noticed restaurants and other types of businesses with increased prices too so it's not just campgrounds. Heck, it's pretty expensive to eat at McDonalds these days!

Some things for the better... we've been to several parks this year that have gone to contactless check-in and billing. We like that. You do everything online. We also have seen an effort to sanitize things like pedestals, bath house/laundry areas and picnic tables.
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Old 11-02-2020, 12:46 PM   #6
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Here in Alaska we label it all as "covid fatigue". For the most part we go on with our lives, but the "mental mindset" will affect us for years to come and probably do more damage than the virus.

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Old 11-02-2020, 01:10 PM   #7
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The cost of our seasonal site went up $50 every year at the campground where we were seasonals for past 20 years. This year when it was time to sign the contract the cost went up $168 more. They wanted our SS number, bank account info including account number for the lean on the TT. They also wanted our insurance company info, agent's name and number and the policy number.

We decided what they wanted was more than what is necessary and left us open to another path for identity theft. After September, we are no longer seasonals.
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Old 11-02-2020, 02:06 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by NMWildcat View Post
Supply and demand. An indirect outcome of Covid is everyone seems to be buying and using RVs. So demand of park space is much higher, combined with some states restricting occupancy. Seems logical the price would go up to me.
As far as operators being overall less friendly, we haven't seen that at all.
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We go out for two months in summer. This year we found prices up, vacancies without reservations hard to find. No problems with change in attitude, but with all the campers, operators do have more work and quite possibly there is a bit of burnout. I think this will be the case until we get a handle on the Covid. Once there I believe it will return to "normal". I think some are camping because it is one of the few things people can do. I don't believe that all will continue after other activities are back.
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Old 11-02-2020, 02:17 PM   #9
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At our year-round site, management has gotten very picky. Social Distance in the pool. Hot Tub is closed. Sparse seating in the restaurant. Stop at the office every time you come through the gate for a temperature check and questionnaire. The newsletter has threats of ejection for any minor violation. As non-full-timers there, we were even made to feel unwelcome for the first few months.

We realize he's scared of being shut down. Virginia is tough, and Southampton County could be tough on him, so we roll with it. Things will get better eventually.
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Old 11-02-2020, 03:02 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by Volvodriver View Post
Thought I'd post a few things that we have noticed while traveling this year and wonder if people have noticed these things and other things. For one we have noticed that parks and campgrounds where we have stayed over the years have had some substantial price increases for overnights and monthly customers. Is it because of the conditions we are under or some other reasons? Most parks who have offered activities for visitors have cut back or canceled these which is understandable. But these same parks have upped the rates with no obvious changes in any of their infrastructure such as site improvement, road repair or any new building projects. Also have noticed that some operators who once were friendly and accommodating have become surly and aloof and apparently think they are doing you a favor by allowing you to stay at their facility when they have more vacant sites than occupied.
These are just my thoughts and opinions and would like to see any other observations.

Dave
You are not alone in your observation. It's disappointing how you pay more for less and then treated as if you should be privileged to stay at their park. Sad days we are living in.
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Old 11-02-2020, 04:11 PM   #11
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We noticed nothing different at Lakewood RV Resort in Hendersonville, NC a week ago from the year before. Checkin was the same and so was the price. We ate supper one night at Haus Heidelberg and ordered exactly what we ordered last year. Upon checking last year’s credit card statement, I saw that we paid exactly the same amount for supper. Lucky us!
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Old 11-02-2020, 05:01 PM   #12
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Casino Camping has gotten to be one big ripoff at Hinckley, MN. Been going there for 18 years for Tues, Wed, Thursday probably 5 times a summer. Cost was $73-79 for the 3 nights. This Spring it was $109, now this fall it was $211.00 for Wed, Thurs, Friday. No more shuttle service and it is quite a walk to the casino, no buffet now, no place anywhere to eat or buy anything mid afternoon, the two restaurants that are open other times the service and food is terrible compared to years ago, no lounge with live bands or dancing as before, and no indoor or outdoor pools open. I can understand covid will eliminate many things, but to raise the price to now $211 for three nights? For that price you get to park your rig and sit under your awning.
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Old 11-02-2020, 05:57 PM   #13
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Casino Camping has gotten to be one big ripoff at Hinckley, MN. Been going there for 18 years for Tues, Wed, Thursday probably 5 times a summer. Cost was $73-79 for the 3 nights. This Spring it was $109, now this fall it was $211.00 for Wed, Thurs, Friday. No more shuttle service and it is quite a walk to the casino, no buffet now, no place anywhere to eat or buy anything mid afternoon, the two restaurants that are open other times the service and food is terrible compared to years ago, no lounge with live bands or dancing as before, and no indoor or outdoor pools open. I can understand covid will eliminate many things, but to raise the price to now $211 for three nights? For that price you get to park your rig and sit under your awning.
We haven't seen any serious price changes at the campground where the Cherokee is sited. But so many facilities are closed that most of the joy is gone.
Closed:
  • Hot tub (spa), capacity 16
  • Weight room
  • Steam room
  • Massage
  • Game Room
  • Most activities including dancing in the Social Hall
  • Restaurant was closed for a while, now open with limited seating
  • Check-in at office every time you go and return with temp gun and questionnaire
  • More?
We were there at New Years (pre COVID), once in July--unwinterized, and will go back once more in the next few weeks to winterize again.
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Old 11-03-2020, 07:02 AM   #14
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We traveled thru 16 states this year and well over 20+ campgrounds and to us prices seemed to be on par with previous years, yes getting sites were a little harder and as far as customer service almost everyone we contacted in our travels were pleasant and helpful, maybe we were lucky
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Old 11-03-2020, 09:09 AM   #15
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.....and as far as customer service almost everyone we contacted in our travels were pleasant and helpful, maybe we were lucky
I think a lot of how folks treat you is how you treat them. If you are pleasant and courteous when you first meet them, odds are they respond in same.
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Old 11-03-2020, 09:11 AM   #16
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Not being full timers we did get out almost 100 days this year. We crossed 12 states in our travels but I didn't notice any price change at the parks. Comparing last year prices to what we paid. We also only had one park that we had to make reservations ahead of time, that park was full every weekend but open spots during the week. We never saw a hot tub open or pool, several campgrounds had their bathrooms/showers locked. Some were taking reservations for the shower. A lot of contactless check in. We called and they took credit card info over phone than left paperwork outside office for us to pickup.

We only had one bad experience with an owner but I think it was a long day and they were tired, most were friendly and helpful. Most guests in the parks were the same. It could also be we were traveling with a puppy that everyone wanted to pet.

We are hoping next year will be better, we are planning to go to Quartsite, AZ for a couple weeks of boondocking in the spring, then Mesa, AZ for a few weeks to watch some spring ball. We are making reservations in Mesa, AZ right now hoping for the best.

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Old 11-03-2020, 09:39 AM   #17
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It will go on like this until the glut of campers changes. They charge more because they can. Just remember the places that honor their loyal customers. As far as treating you bad? That's what the review sites like Trip Advisor, or Campground Reviews are all about. Get the word out there, and those places will be forced to either change, or go out of business.
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Old 11-03-2020, 01:50 PM   #18
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I think a lot of how folks treat you is how you treat them. If you are pleasant and courteous when you first meet them, odds are they respond in same.
I will agree with you on this statement, I always say I treat people the way I liked to be treated
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Old 11-09-2020, 08:09 PM   #19
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After recently camping at Waveland Park on Blue Mountain Lake in Arkansas, I can say I saw no problems. This is a COE park with electric and water. $10 bucks a night with Senior pass. I had a flat on my camper when I got ready to leave. Camp maintenance guy went home and brought a 150 PSI air compressor while I drove 10 miles to a Dollar General to get a can of Fix-A-Flat. He helped me air up and I made the 50 mile trip home with no problem. Very nice park and everyone was friendly- except for the couple that had a 16 foot trailer and 3 yapping dogs !!! Leave your dogs at home... you may love them but nobody else does !!!
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Old 11-09-2020, 08:21 PM   #20
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In the words of Bachman Turner Overdrive...."You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet." I see it getting a whole lot weirder in the coming months.
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