Another Negative Recommendation Of An RV Park

[medico]

This is the first time I have ever left a negative comment about a park, but I felt I had to about this park. I am refering to Ramblin Pines in Woodbine, Md. This is our second week long stay at this park. The park itself is basically OK, although pricey in my opinion for what it is. They do not offer discounts for weekly stays either. I had my daughter, 2 year old granddaughter and sister-in-law and brother-in-law visit from 3 PM to 7 PM yesterday. The park charged them $5 PER PERSON for a 4 hour visit. When I complained about it there response is that is the policy. (The policy states $5 for visitors. It DOES NOT specify $5 EACH). I then stated I was a bi-annual weekly camper and would not be back. Their response "Oh well!"

I cannot recommend this park. On my next visit I will be looking elsewhere. When I said I was going to post my negative comments to the various forums I am a member of their response was again "Oh well!"

The guest service demonstrated by the staff at this park and by the rules of this park was sorely lacking. I worked in guest services for several years and indeed taught our companies guest service program to ALL employees. This was an example of the exact opposite of what we taught and is an example of very poor guest service.

The average I have seen at other parks is $5 per car. $5 per person for a 4 hour visit where NO SERVICES were used is excessive IMO. I can see why this park only is getting a 3.4 rating. IMO guest service includes explaining why a policy is in place and working to solve a reported complaint, not "Oh well!" We always taught people to attempt to work with a guest to solve complaints not just to have an "Oh well" attitude. The attitude was even worse than the policy.

By the way, no petting zoo (they have 2 goats fenced in with a sign saying they bite), there is also a farmers field close by that on occasion has a few cows within sight, miniature golf is an extra charge (the $5 per person visitor fee does NOT include this), we did not use the pool and had no intention of doing so. The cable is basic 20 channel, non HD cable that does not work well at all sites. I never was able to connect to their network with my WiFi Ranger Go/Mobile system. kept getting Filtered connection. Thank goodness for my Jetpack. Yes, the sites were mostly level, but they are really crowded together and all the best sites are used by seasonal campers.

I did ask for the manager and was informed that the 2 ladies in the office were the managers and they both had the "Oh well" attitude. I believe the biggest problem is that there is not a lot of competition in Md. That's why the many seasonal campers are here. There is no place else to go.

And yes I did leave a review at RVParkReviews.com.

[RVerOnTheMove]

If the park policy is $5 for visitors I would immediately assume that to mean $5 per visitor. I can't see how you would interrupt it in some other manner (bring your entire neighborhood in just one car and it's just $5!). Additional visitors creates additional costs for the park even if it's only water and sewer. I am always surprised that a park does not require additional fees for additional visitors. Could the park know that your visitors would only be there for 4 hours? What if you said they will be gone by 7 and they were still there at 10 or the following morning? What is the park to do at that point? I sometimes have my mother visit and the parks usually charge for a 3rd person. That makes sense as well.

The other reviews of the park on http://www.rvparkreviews.com are generally good so you should post your opposing view there to give the reviews a bit of balance.

Please understand that I am very sorry that you were upset as we are all out here just trying to have a good time. Anyone doing "stuff" that minimizes that experience is doing no one any service. However, if there is a policy, there is a policy and it sounds like they had a policy in effect and asked you to follow it.

[kaypsmith]

I'm also sorry for the bad experience, maybe they should change the name from Rambling Pines to "OH WISHING WELL", their motto could be "come throw your money here". I have not been to a private park yet with that policy, except at state and local parks, that have a manned gate because of the added attractions. Although I haven't driven the mh Northward of the Mason Dixon line, and maybe that says something. I was sitting my car at a Winn Dixie store parking lot, in Hueytown, Al., just a few hours ago. A woman parked next to me came out of the store with one of those small buggies, pushed within one inch of my door, and proceeded to get into her car. I rolled down my window, and politely asked if she intended to leave it there, her response was, of course, is it in your way. I said to her, yes, I'm about to get out of the car and it is in the way. Her response was "OH WELL". In driving away I looked at her tag, it was from New York, oh well.

Better luck in the future.

Kay

[medico]

I think what upset me the most was the poor reaction to my complaint. "Oh Well!" That's the same as take it or leave it. In the service and entertainment industry, companies make their livings off return guests, not new guests. If these industries had to rely on new guests, just imagine their advertising costs. The service we received when we lodged a complaint does not make me wish to return. Also these type industries rely on word of mouth advertising. Just look at the word of mouth advertising they are receiving now!

[jlandon13399]

You can add Dakota Ridge to the list....

I had the unfortunate opportunity to stay at Dakota Ridge RV Park in Golden, CO. I was assigned space J5 and was escorted there by a park employee. The spaces are very close and the interior roads are very narrow. The park employee was guiding me into my space and put the right side of my coach into a tree branch. Two additional park employees came over to cut the branch away from my coach. I sustained slide cover damage. Because I was driving the coach the park has no liability even though I was following the instructions of the park employee. Then the next day the park had either a low voltage or surge which fried my automatic transfer switch. I asked if the park would give me some credit since my coach was damaged and the answer was no. I will NEVER stay at this park again.

[erniee]

The KOA in Flagstaff- same narrow roads and big boulders there for your enjoyment pleasure. Employee said " yea we can accommodate you" we get rigs in here larger then yours. Yea, right. I was lucky to get out without damage

[wolfe10]

Erniee,

We stayed just west in Williams when touring the Grand Canyon-- nice park and a Passport park. And all of Williams (grocery, restaurants, etc) within easy walking distance:

Grand Canyon Railway RV Park

[medico]

I have also heard good things about the park in Williams. Perhaps next year if we are able to take our western trip we will check it out. Thanks for the recommendation.

[jlandon13399]

Erniee,

I agree with Brett. Grand Canyon Railway RV Park is very nice and the folks are accommodating.

[Cookie]

jlandon 13399,

I understand your displeasure with the tree limb incident, but like you said, you were driving. That is why I don't let anybody but my wife help me back in. I drove semi for over 40 years, and that is one thing that is drilled into you: "You are the one responsible for the truck. Don't rely on anyone else. Get out yourself and look, many times if necessary, so YOU know what is around where you are backing". It is a fact, even though you don't hear about them, that the majority of truck accidents are backing accidents. I bet the same holds true for Motor Homes.

Happy trails and look out for "RV eating trees". (With apologies to Charles Schultz).

[jlandon13399]

Cookie,

Thanks for your reply. I agree 100% with your recommendations. However this incident I was driving into the parking space and was following the park employees direction. I was very concerned about my tail swing as a car was parked close to the road one lot behind me. The park employee was more concerned about a small light rather than guiding me away from the limb. You can be sure that I will always look over the space before I drive or back in.