Monday, January 5, 2009

Stay away from Camperworld.

First let me clarify that there is a difference between Camping World and Camperworld. Camping world sells RV stuff. Camperworld is a bunch of bastards.

I strongly suggest you stay away from Camperworld. Really. I shall elaborate as I did for case 22067332 with the Better Business Bureau.


Yearly dues misrepresented. We were told the two-park membership was specially designed to avoid the larger fees, and that fees hadn’t increased in many years. In the 4 years we have been members the fees increased from $195 yearly to $400.

Membership value misrepresented. We were originally sent a document mentioning a $3000 discount due to our recent RV purchase. The two-resort membership was sold to us for $1690, said to be a $4600 value, and the value of these exclusive memberships increased yearly. In November 2008 Mike Hatch told us the value was $1400-1600.

Coast to Coast membership misrepresented. We were told this was part of the Camperworld membership, but is another membership and set of fees. We were told purchasing Camperworld gave us two weeks worth of Coast to Coast every year, but once we contacted Coast to Coast we were told about a $99 yearly membership fee, then we need to buy our two weeks of time.

Cancelling within the first 30 days. Within the first 30 days of membership we realized we did not want this membership and requested details on cancelling this membership via phone. We were told there was absolutely no way to cancel; there was no lemon law to this membership.

Pets. We were told dogs were welcome at all Camperworld locations. There are deposits for dogs which is fair. We have one dog. Every time we arrived we were treated as second-class citizens for having a dog. Now in 2009 dogs will require an additional fee.

Reselling to Camperworld. Was told in November 2008 by Mike Hatch that Camperworld does not purchase memberships which is contradictory to their resale document, and that the $495 transfer fee applied. The resale document is also worded to make one infer the $495 transfer fee does not apply when reselling to Camperworld.

$495 transfer fee. There is no reason for that high of a cost. Adding the $495 transfer fee as part of reselling to Camperworld is a rip off.

Multiple attempts to resell. Many intents to sell were sent to Camperworld in a time span of over one year, reducing the price to $700, which, including the $495 transfer fee, would reduce the price of the membership to $205. Many weeks are taken between responses and the length of response time increased as the end of year approached, likely to secure another year’s dues, and all intents to sell have been denied.


Damn, and I forgot a few others...

Fees up the ass. $30-50 to transfer to another park. $25 to replace your membership card. If I remember correctly, $25 to bring another person with you. Upcoming pet fees. Did I mention the $495 to transfer the membership? How about $400 just to keep the stupid thing?

Rules up the ass. Must give Camperworld first right of purchase, so they can waste your time. Cannot cancel. Cannot sell before owning for two years. Cannot change "home" parks too often. Cannot visit other parks that are not in your membership, not as a one-time scenario on your way elsewhere, not even for a fee - and they LOVE fees. You can bring someone with you, but you must tell the location at least one week in advance. And the usual RV campsite rules: Cannot show up after 10:00 pm, cannot have more than two vehicles. Cannot have more than x people, cannot...

The feeling we have is of being handcuffed. We are stuck. They make it obvious they control the relationship and they do everything possible to force you into being recurring revenue for them, under their full control. Many forum posts confirm this feeling, including some people saying they just pay the yearly fee because they are so discusted they won't have anything to do with the place. I received an email from my KSL ad to sell this membership that said:


Good luck selling. They are a crooked organization and I am so glad that I am done with them. I do hope that you can sell your membership. The owners of camperworld should be sued. The owner will have to answer to his actions some day..... here or up their.


I repeat. I strongly suggest you stay away from Camperworld. Of course given my dealings with these assholes they will likely sue me for this post.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Cannot you guys just "forget" to pay the yearly fees and not use it anymore....I know people that have done that with other rv association. At the end they take it back from you but at least you are not putting more money into it

Travis Fisher said...

That's true... Do you know if it will hit your credit if you stop paying?

kratka said...

It's part of their evil plan. If you default they take your membership back and sell it to the next sucker. They have it built in. I'm just not able to walk away from such evil without a fight.

Wendy said...

I have started a yahoo group for camperworld members. I think you should join in the discussion, especially in light of recent events. The link to our group is: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/camperworld/

utahwilderness said...

You shouldn't believe anything from a disgruntled individual. They talk mostly out of frustration and don't think clearly. Camperworld is a great company. Just ask the 98% of members who love it. Don't listen to the 2% who whine about everything in life. Obviously they will never be satisfied with anything.

kratka said...

I contemplated deleting that last comment but I feel it is best for others to see what kind of persons work for Camperworld. You have to be assured that Robert works for them. You can just tell by how the person just dismisses facts and baffles with bullshit.

vicki said...

I agree that this is one of the biggest scams I have ever been involved in. Mike was a good salesman. Take your business someplace else. Just because others are not complaining on this website does not mean they are happy. I hear a lot of complaining while I'm staying in the parks.

Debbie Burnett said...

I agree that there are too many fees and too many policies. We were hoping this would be a great family plan for our vacations, but our family is too big. We have 7 children and 26 grandchildren and the extra fees to bring them into camperworld were ridiculous. We thought we would just have eight of them visit us at a time and take turns during the week, but too many complaints that they weren't "registered". So when we went to register them, they said register means they have to spend the night!
Way too complicated. Camperworld is more senior oriented than family oriented. We are just letting our membership go and have learned our lesson about "memberships".

Unknown said...

Yes, the person "Robert" who you questioned - is in fact a convicted pedophile who is employed in the Camperworld office and has full access to the database (to include your address and kids information). Not only that, he has been to the parks and the dinner presentations, around children. It would be worth any members time to look him up. Robert Newman. Do you want your family to be around him? Are you happy that the Camperworld Board of Directors is o.k. with him working in their office and at their parks??
I am NOT happy about this.
Beside the fact of all the crap going on in the company right now. A hostile takeover - again! How much are we members going to have to pay this time for all of the legal fees for the BS that the current Board of Directors has done?? Is anyone going to call these people out on what they are doing?
We are going to place our membership up for sale - and hope that we can get rid of it for something. We have run through the ringer since we became members. Promises of dues amounts that were immediately raised. Additional fees for everything (dogs, cars, etc.) The fees just keep adding on and on. We bought this membership to enjoy with our family. Now, we are getting nickeled and dimed to death with additional fees. Our kids don't even want to come anymore.
The list of cons just goes on and on. Please check out this company before buying, and current members make sure you really want to keep this thing before paying your dues.

friendlytruthfulcamper said...

If people knew the truth behind what has happened it would be shocking. Camperworld was started in 1977. It is an amazing company. I do not work there. If you, as a consumer, look at the dates that all the negative posting began, it was after December 15, 2012. That was when the Board of Directors fired the remaining founder and his family for reason not to be discussed here but were very legitimate and legal. 99percent of all Owners agree with this decision. All the postings that you are reading are done by the Hatch family and the other employees who were terminated. They did this as a way to repay or cause internet blackmail. Sad. I would assume that the last founder would at the very least want his lifes work to continue on here in Utah and the people to still enjoy it. He would then continue to have a positive legacy or something that he created. Instead, it is easier to post lies under assumed names in hopes that they can destroy now what they put their lives into creating. There was a board of directors for a reason. To monitor that the monies that the owners were investesting were appointed appropriately. When it became necessary to realease these people, they were so filled with anger that they made up names and posted negative, false, unrelated comments. I am here to say that Camperworld is a great company and no where else in the state of Utah can you camp without reservations in such beautiful places. They want it back badly. That is why they are so angry. They will most likely continue to do this. Camperworld will be here for many years. Camperworld is backed by Millions of dollars. The Hatch family would have you believe that without them at the helm it will fail. Not true. Again, research. Is it interesting that after December, all the negative comments came?? Think logically, Utah. Again, at the very least, Mr. Hatch worked hard to create a wonderful campground system and I would believe that he wants it to continue so his life's work has meaning. You will all find jobs and your lives will continue and have meaning. This smear campaign will only hurt what you have built. Just because the board couldn't have you run it anymore because of serious reasons that are still private to this point, doesn't mean that you have to bash it. You are bigger than this. Life will go on, and you will find success and meaning in other areas. This is just a small portion. Please allow the people of Utah the opportunity to love and enjoy these amazing properties without feeling as if they are being scammed because they are not. Anyone with a camping trailer is crazy to not be a memeber and camp when they choose. And such nominal fee's. Again, I don't work there. I am a member and I know the truth. And It breaks my heart that so many dont. I will remain unnamed as the threats towards memebers and their families are worrisome enough for me to keep my identity to myself. But Utah, you will love the parks. And you can't find anything like it in this state, as hard as others will try to duplicate it. It is run honestly now and openly. I am very pleased. As almost all of the memebers are.
Sadly, no name because reprisals are scary from this family.

friendlytruthfulcamper said...

Also, Robert Newman was hired by the Hatch family under full knowledge of his past criminal problems. It wasn't a surprise. They also signed for him with his probation person so if anyone is to blame for putting anyone at risk it would be the Hatch family. with full knowledge of what they were doing. He is not allowed in the parks and they all know this. He works in a small office at camperworld under strict supervision. They know this. It's interesting, when things aren't going your way, how quickly you can change the facts to suit your own purpose. I also know who's pretend name is which previous employee. Including the Hatch family. That might be interesting to know. Again, Nameless.

Hiram Bertoch said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
unhappyl camper! said...

When you go to a meeting and are told that there is no money to run the parks for 2014 means to me its time give my hard earned money to an attorny.

Anonymous said...

I agree they are asking this year an assemnent fee of $880.00 above your annual dues. Been a member for 12yrs and they have had their hands out evert year. I also think there are about 70 percent are dissatisfied and are talking lawsuits.

shauna said...

I would be willing to join a lawsuit. We purchased the "cabin" benefits because the sales person showed them developing numerous cabins at hotsprings. We were later told that they fired the sales reps for misrepresentation but could not get a refund. It was clearly a bate and switch. We also lost Nebo as one of our properties. Now $10,000 later and another $880 "special assessment fee" after being told if we paid $2000 in advance maintenance fees we wouldn't have to pay for 8 years! of course this is not a "maintenance fee," its a "special assessment fee." Just for the record I am not a Hatch relative. I am just another unhappy camper at camperworld.

Camperworld hater said...

I am not a hatch family member.. My wife and I purchased this to enjoy the summers with family and friends. When signing up I asked if my Great Dane, bull mastiff would be ok to bring to the park, we were told there would not be a problem. We were still on the fence. Then they explained all family no question was invited as long as it was imediat family. We started going first to the hot springs, we took family and our dog. When signing in I was told its late and they would sign our dog in tomorrow. Went down first thing in the morning to register the dog. The guy that signs in dogs was not there and to come back later. Brought the kids down to the pool, went to try again, he was still not there. Had to run to the store, while gone camp host went to my trailer yelled at my wife and her cousin that I better get down to the office and take care of it or we are getting kicked out, while my baby niece was sleeping. I went down to take care of it and was told the bull mastiff was on the banned list from the park. This was only the beginning. Went to go to the bear lake park called 2 weeks in advance to get spots for us and another Rv, I was told over the phone that they don't take reservations, called the main office to ask how to schedule for family to rent a spot. They advised us to call and make reservation called back to the bear lake property and tried again. Again was told first come first serve and they would have plenty of room. Arrived at the park with my 21'trailer and it wouldn't fit in any spot because of the trees, when the other Rv arrived I was told the wasn't any room when half the park was empty. I will never recommend this shit hole to anyone I was lied too. I retread my contract sent in my written letter like the contract requires to leave the park didn't here anything back until I got a letter from a collection company called with no help sent another letter to inform them that if they don't cancel my membership there will be a lawyer involved. Now after they sold a property if anyone is interested it voids the contract unless you received notice by certified mail with the option to cancel your membership. As long as the property was part of your deal

Unknown said...

If I understand correctly, by them loosing the Nebo Loop Campground they have voided my contract and I can give them back their membership and there is nothing they can do to me or my credit?

Unknown said...

Anyone on here that is thinking about litigation please let me know here and I will get you my contact info. I spoke with a volunteer on the 11th of April and decided to call back today, the 14th and the mailbox is full. So I tried calling the number they used to contact me and it is out of service. I believe they are still crooked....not trying to help us.

Unknown said...

CROOKED, CRROOKED, CROOKED PEOPLE

Unknown said...

I have been a member since 1991 belonged to only Pleasant Creek. I used the park only 2X but paid my "frozen" dues each year. My dues were due in May 2013 but in Jan they wanted to change that to Jan 2014 so I reluctantly paid them again for 2014 in Jan which would have been an over payment from the original due date. As of today I am sending written notice to cancel. I sent an email and of course they need that in writing. I was wondering if anyone would file a Class Action Suit against them. They failed to due diligence in their record keeping to allow this to happen. I feel they will never be able to rise above this amount of debt without further assessments. Thanks for listening

Unknown said...

Addendum to previous conversation.
I too joined NEBO and was never notified that I could not use this park until it was not listed on the new membership card and i called about it. More money down the drain with any prior notification.

Unknown said...

This is so maddening to read. There are so many false statements in here and people with conslusions that are untrue it is almost laughable. I don't belong to camperworld, but I have read enough to know about it. My parents are members as are our neighbors. The old board that took your money if that's what even happened, is gone. There is a new group of 5 people that have tried to make a company that should have gone down the hole a long time ago, be saved, for the benefit of the so called owners or members. They are being slashed to peices. They need to quit and let the members figure out what to do then. You couldn't pay me enough to be trashed by you people. I get that people paid good money for this. But it's obvious that you didn't pay it to these people. Yet you crucify them for helping you. I don't get it. Does anyone know what would happen if they walked out? you would have nothing. Attorneys would get everything. Do you know what would happen if you threw them out? You would lose everything. I saw one post that someone said, "Get rid of these crooks and lets have a great camping season!" That makes sense. I suppose they were only thinking about silly things like how to pay people, how to keep the lights on at the parks. From what I can tell, the banks own the parks, you don't. You want to do some kind of takeover? Do you really think you will be camping then? The banks own that property. That means that when the loans can't be paid, the banks will come and take their assets. Attorneys get the rest, and you will lose doubly. Instead of fighting against them, try and help. It is easy to sit and complain all the time, but hard to get your hands dirty and fix things. But people can sit at their computer and type anything opinion that they think they have. Look up the word opinion. It actually means to have full knowledge of something and then form a hypothosis on the situation from that full knowledge. It seems people can't have an opinion when it is based on gossip and heresay. I think Camperworld will make it. I hope they do. But it won't be for the members. They are dong all they can to destroy it. They say they want to camp and have fun, yet, they slam it every chance they get. They say those crooks took my money in 1997 and 2009 and now their taking all our money again. Remember, it is two different groups of people you are talking about. But that distinction is never made. If you want to be mad? Be mad at the people who entered into deals with the previous people who ran it and let you get out of paying your dues. Less than half the members pay dues. How did that ever make sense to you???? Give me a ton of money up front and you don't ever have to pay dues??? Really? Where did you think the money would come from each year to run the parks and pay the bills? You jumped into a deal thinking you were getting some kind of great deal and you got ripped off and sunk the company in the process. It's not the members fault but you had responsibility in it. Did you ever ask them to explain why they were doing that? Did you ever say, if we don't pay dues, then how will you pay the bills each year? Did anyone ask questions? I'll bet not. blame yourself. And again, blame the people that were let go last year. I have heard nothing but good things from my parents who have went down and volunteered in the office, opening mail, and answering phones. Stop compalining and become part of the solution. If you don't do that, you will always be just a victim.