I like campgrounds. I prefer a campground to staying in a truck stop. But the more I camp, the more hidden charges upset me. My latest one - we were charged because we brought our kayaks into a campground on a lake. The campground rents kayaks so we were penalized for bringing our own at $5 per boat. I remember the time we paid for 1 and 1/2 sites. When I looked up the campground in the Trailer Life Directory, it said pull thru sites. I called to make the reservation while we were on the road. When I asked for a pull thru site they said "We don't exactly have pull thru sites." When I asked what that meant, they explained that the sites are back to back and so the first camper who pulls in can pull through but the other camper has to back in behind you. If I wanted a pull thru site guaranteed, then I would have to pay for 1 and 1/2 sites. Not exactly a pull thru! Is that anything like being a little pregnant? We had to pay extra for our dog at a campground in Montana. I did not argue. I was tired from a day of travel and the stress of crossing the Canadian border where we were searched. I would like to understand why? When I pay extra, I want something extra. Did my dog get anything extra? Not that I noticed. I still had to clean up after him in a tiny, tiny dog walk area that was not even mowed. I happily pay extra for an ocean front site in Bar Harbor, Maine. I feel like I am getting something extra for my money. I get to look at the ocean with my morning coffee. If I don't want to pay extra for this, I can take a non waterfront site and pay less. I'm happy to pay extra for sewer hookup, 50 amp service, cable TV and instant telephone. I have the choice. When I was researching campgrounds for the Las Vegas prepackaged plan on my website, I found a campground that had a price range of $22-$82. That is one heck of a range! I e-mailed the campground asking for an explanation of the price range. After several e-mails back and forth, I still don't have a good explanation. It depends on the day of the week, the location in the park, the size of the sites and the amenities. It sounds like an a-la-carte menu to me. I do kind of wonder where the line is for false advertising. Some campgrounds advertise one price and when you check in there can be additional charges that you weren't expecting. You always have the choice of moving to another campground, but that is not always practical. When I pay for something extra, I want to get something extra and I want the choice of not paying. Hello campground? How much is it per night and I want the scoop, the whole scoop and nothing but the scoop on the extra charges. Happy Camping! |
