BWCA "Reserve America" rip off........ Boundary Waters Listening Point - General Discussion
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      "Reserve America" rip off........     
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DrBobDg
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07/15/2018 06:58PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Had two sites reserved at a Kentucky State Park ($51.00 each for 2 nites)...well OK. Yesterday (14th) got a call from the friends we were going to meet there. Her brother is in grave condition in a hospital in Nicauragua (sp?). So they had to cancel to fly there to deal with the situation. So I got on the internet to cancel the two reservations. Each reservation had cancellation fee of $16.00, a cancellation penalty of $22.50 and state taxes of a $1.95. Of the $102 for the two sites they are crediting me $21.10. If I had a reservation for only one night...I probably would have owed them.
Interesting....grumble grumble

dr bob
 
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07/15/2018 07:08PM  
Right with you here DrBob, RA is a joke and a rip-off. Every time I'm forced to use the service it sucks joy from my outdoor experience.

Can anyone defend this company and the grip it has on recreation opportunities? I'm all ears.
 
07/16/2018 03:06AM  
what i find funny is , the internet makes there job easier.
if i use the internet to make my house payment they charge me a $5 fee , so i just mail a check instead.
 
mjmkjun
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07/16/2018 07:01AM  
fadersup: "Right with you here DrBob, RA is a joke and a rip-off. Every time I'm forced to use the service it sucks joy from my outdoor experience.


Can anyone defend this company and the grip it has on recreation opportunities? I'm all ears. "

agree! reservations system has been monopolized no matter where you want to go, anymore. It's not just Reserve America. Seem that others have adopted the booking and ridiculous cancellation policies.
Michigan is the costliest I've had to deal with regarding cancellations.
 
mastertangler
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07/16/2018 07:12AM  
Ouch, I hate when business exacts a penalty.

Having said that cancellations on short notice are discouraged and exacting a fee is one way to prevent it.
 
LuvMyBell
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07/16/2018 08:27AM  
DrBobDg: "Had two sites reserved at a Kentucky State Park ($51.00 each for 2 nites)...well OK. Yesterday (14th) got a call from the friends we were going to meet there. Her brother is in grave condition in a hospital in Nicauragua (sp?). So they had to cancel to fly there to deal with the situation. So I got on the internet to cancel the two reservations. Each reservation had cancellation fee of $16.00, a cancellation penalty of $22.50 and state taxes of a $1.95. Of the $102 for the two sites they are crediting me $21.10. If I had a reservation for only one night...I probably would have owed them.
Interesting....grumble grumble

dr bob
"


For Missouri State Parks, you can change a reservation (24 hours in advance) for just $5.25. You can cancel a reservation, again 24 hours in advance, for $8.50.

Not all reservation systems charge exorbitant feed to change or cancel reservations.
 
07/16/2018 10:09AM  
Judging from the responses so far it seems like Reserve America negotiates different deals with individual states. I had to use RA recently to reserve 2 different dates at a state park in Wisconsin. The 2nd reservation I canceled just a few hours before the campsite would have become available to me (3 PM) by calling the park directly. The on-duty park employee said she would ask RA to refund my reservation. I didn't expect much, but RA did refund the camping fee. RA did not refund its $9.65 reservation fee. It seems to me that sending a letter of complaint to Kentucky might cause that state to look into how its customers are getting a bad deal.
 
DrBobDg
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07/16/2018 12:07PM  
I could see a penalty if within 48 hours or so...but this was 9 days. Their policy is 15 days...
better to just take your chances...

Gotta watch when you make motel reservations on line. You get this super deal but then when you finally get your email confirmation you are told that there is no refund if you have to cancel the reservation...

dr bob
 
DrBobDg
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07/17/2018 06:27AM  
To continue... I also had to cancel 3 nites camping for 2 sites at a Tennessee state park. The confirmation letter told me to call the state park directly during business hours which was yesterday (Monday). Our first night reservation was for Thursday. Anyway got a gal with a very southern accent (at least if you live in NE Wi.) and she said she was busy for several minutes but would call me back (In contrast to being put on hold listening to music and ads like a certain drug company I have to order with.... grrrr)).
A few minutes later she did call me back and we reviewed the two reservations and cancelled them. It cost me $5 to cancel each reservation.....that it. Way nicer than Kentucky State Parks with "Reserve America)
Tennessee SP has their own has a different reservation system other than the "Reserve America" system....and much more reasonable dollar wise.

dr bob
 
mjmkjun
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07/18/2018 07:38AM  
Thanks for the input, Dr. Bob. Targeting Big South Fork National Rec Area for Spring trip in 2019.
 
DrBobDg
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07/18/2018 11:28AM  
A 'National Park" may have a different reservation system than the 'state park'

dr bob
 
yellowcanoe
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07/19/2018 04:28PM  
Recreation.gov handles reservations for Federal Lands
ReserveAmerica generally does reservations for State Parks.. Completely different.
 
mjmkjun
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07/19/2018 06:08PM  
DrBobDg: "A 'National Park" may have a different reservation system than the 'state park'


dr bob"

yep. There is CCC Pickett Memorial state park adjacent to the boundary line of Big South Fork. State reserves the campsites at Pickett; recreation.gov handles BSF.
 
MikeinMpls
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07/19/2018 06:28PM  
Two things:

1. Why can't I reserve as a solo? Instead, I must reserve as two, then get a refund back (to be credited) when I pick up the permit. That just doesn't make any sense to me. Someone have an answer?

2. I refuse to "reserve" a campsite in a Minnesota state park. Though I understand the idea, and fully understand why people would like it, it just ends up being too much like a hotel to me. It's my little quirk, but something in my head just conflicts when "campsite" and "reservation" are paired. It's just a silly little hang-up I have.

Mike
 
07/19/2018 09:44PM  
MikeinMpls: "Two things:


1. Why can't I reserve as a solo? Instead, I must reserve as two, then get a refund back (to be credited) when I pick up the permit. That just doesn't make any sense to me. Someone have an answer?


2. I refuse to "reserve" a campsite in a Minnesota state park. Though I understand the idea, and fully understand why people would like it, it just ends up being too much like a hotel to me. It's my little quirk, but something in my head just conflicts when "campsite" and "reservation" are paired. It's just a silly little hang-up I have.


Mike"


I to solo a lot. I think they make it at least 2 people is because if it was just one I know some people whom decide not to go would not cancel the required amount of time ahead so they would forfeit the money if it was just one, and than no chance for anyone to pick up the cancellation and go camping.A little more incentive not to cancel.
As a Senior citizen getting a discount,I can't get that to later also. To me it is no big deal and nothings perfect and I live with it.
Minnesota State Parks - love but usually just visit. Minnesota is so lucky to have so many nice parks for now and in the future.
 
07/19/2018 09:53PM  
mastertangler: "Ouch, I hate when business exacts a penalty.


Having said that cancellations on short notice are discouraged and exacting a fee is one way to prevent it. "


Agree
 
mjmkjun
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07/20/2018 07:37AM  
MikeinMpls: "Two things:


1. Why can't I reserve as a solo? Instead, I must reserve as two, then get a refund back (to be credited) when I pick up the permit. That just doesn't make any sense to me. Someone have an answer?
...
Mike"

I have thought about this one and came up with the notion that since late/delinquent/last minute cancellations have late fees attached the requirement of two-person minimum guarantees those fees are already in hand, if required. It's my guestimation.
 
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