pjcurry Posted October 2, 2015 Report Share Posted October 2, 2015 Recently we wanted to visit Gettysburg - haven't been there in years and thought a week or so in the area would be a good time, and educational as well. When contacting campgrounds we got a rude awakening - to make reservations you put down a "deposit" of the full amount due. Yep, if you want to stay for 7 days your "deposit" is to pay for the full 7 days. The real kicker is that if you cancel for any reason - even something beyond your control - you forfeit the entire "deposit." According to one receptionist RV breakdowns, serious illness, program cancellations and similar problems make no difference - you lose the full amount. According to this lady recently a major event was cancelled by the organizers due to weather - all the people who had paid up front lost everything they put down even though they had nothing to do with the cancellation. If there's a death in the family the issue gets sent to the park manager, who will make a determination. The parks all seem to have the same policy - we called about 5 parks and got the same answer. (one park did only ask for a $150 deposit.) As much as we wanted to see Gettysburg I wasn't going to submit to this kind of thievery. We just said no. I'm in favor of capitalism, but since they can re-rent the spaces and make double income this amounts to pure greed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronbo Posted October 2, 2015 Report Share Posted October 2, 2015 If you are going during the week, just show up and see if they have a space available Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXiceman Posted October 2, 2015 Report Share Posted October 2, 2015 Stay a bit farther from the site and drive back and forth. The cancellation policy is not acceptable to me. Last year we had a engine failure and had to cancel 4 campground reservations. When I told them the situation and we were being put on hold for 3 weeks, and cutting out trip after that, two refunded the deposit and two wanted the one night rate. Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis M Posted October 2, 2015 Report Share Posted October 2, 2015 I agree on the unacceptability of that policy. Colorado state parks require a full deposit with the reservation, but they have a cancellation policy that means you only lose the $10 "reservation fee." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dewilso Posted October 2, 2015 Report Share Posted October 2, 2015 Yep I agree, I don't believe they should keep ANYTHING unless they have turned away a customer and couldn't fill a slot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allpeds Posted October 2, 2015 Report Share Posted October 2, 2015 D@$m Yankees takin' prisoners again! ; ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docj Posted October 2, 2015 Report Share Posted October 2, 2015 I just checked, Drummer Boy, a Gettysburg park we have stayed at several times. Yes, they do require a 100% deposit (which is not uncommon these days) but they do provide a refund less a $25 processing fee if the reservation is cancelled at least 21 days in advance. If it is cancelled less than 21 days but more than 7, a "raincheck" for the amount less $10 will be provided. For cancellations less than 7 days in advance, no refund or raincheck is provided. Although this is still a severe cancellation policy it is definitely not as severe as the OP described. Gettysburg is a popular tourist destination with a limited number of RV parks. I assume that parks can only establish such policies if their customers are willing to put up with them. You may choose not to patronize a park, but others apparently will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyberdave Posted October 2, 2015 Report Share Posted October 2, 2015 Which parks are you speaking of? We've stayed before and just did at a Newmar rally at Gettysburg RV park... Doesn't sound fair and we would never agree to it and probably would dispute any charges like it. If you can, post a review explaining it so others will know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbaraok Posted October 2, 2015 Report Share Posted October 2, 2015 We stayed at Gettysburg Battlefield Park under Coast-2-Coast. For places like Gettysburg, we've found that if a membership park is nearby that's what we use. Never have had a problem if we have to change reservation. If you were going between Memorial Day and Labor Day, you must realize that all of the parks are full and really don't care whether you come or not. And the best thing you can do is let your $$$ walk to somewhere where they want you to come. Barb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SIBERNUT Posted October 2, 2015 Report Share Posted October 2, 2015 We have stayed at Gettysburg Campground many times. Family run, many activities for kids too. Their online policy states "one night deposit during the week, 2 nights on a weekend". Is that what you call "100%" ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dblr Posted October 2, 2015 Report Share Posted October 2, 2015 Have used Granite Hill campground in Gettysburg and never had that issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hdrider Posted October 2, 2015 Report Share Posted October 2, 2015 I certainly do not agree with that type of policy but I have talked to a few RVers that admit they make several reservations in advance knowing they will be canceling some of them as they travel along. That could be part of the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted October 2, 2015 Report Share Posted October 2, 2015 It is not just a matter of "did they fill the spot that night" if you cancel. Campgrounds allocate sites based on rig characteristics....size mainly. While the campground might not be full that night, they may have lost revenue on your individual site. Taking the entire stay fee does seem excessive and I would not reserve there either, if I had a choice. Typically it is one nights fee if you cancel within 48 hours. That is often the case and seems more the norm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobsallyh Posted October 2, 2015 Report Share Posted October 2, 2015 Pat(rick), I don't blame you. I would tell them to go pound sand! Depending on your needs, Caledonia State Park is just east of G-burg off US 30. Also Pine Grove Furnace State Park is northeast of G-burg and is also an easy drive. I do like the middle of the week deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamarynn1 Posted October 10, 2015 Report Share Posted October 10, 2015 Thank goodness we've done Gettysburg extensively in the past, because it doesn't sound like we'd be returning with those policies. I don't mind them requiring a one-night non-refundable reservation fee, but for the whole week? No way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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