British Columbia Campgrounds

Can you say "Scalping"? How is it legal to buy campground spaces at $18 CD and resell at $70? We call this "Scalping" in the US and it's illegal (although admittedly, in many cases, our own Government turns a blind eye to it also).

The article can be found under "More News"

http://rvtravel.com/rv-travel-newsletter-issue-750/

I also read the story in the weekly news letter, but having actually seen the original story, it is another example that you possibly don't want to believe everything you read in the media.

While we are unable to use Provincial Campgrounds and most National Park campgrounds, we know lots of people with smaller RV's that enjoy that rustic experience. When reservations open, the prime spots are reserved almost instantly and the system frequently crashes from too much traffic. Prime locations are spots close to major cities, especially on weekends.

Unfortunately not everyone has the ability due to work etc to work the phones and/or use the website to score a campsite, as soon as reservations open. In BC the prime spots can only be reserved 3 months ahead and reservations opened in March, on a Tuesday at 07:00. This has therefore started opportunities for resellers. The worst offenders are not the company you quoted, it is the average person who makes bulk reservations, with no intent to use and then resells at up to 10 x face value - in my opinion, that is scalping. To cut down on this practice I believe a number of BC parks now require photo ID to check-in for a reservation.

You quoted reserving at $18 and selling at $70. BC Park campground fees vary widely from about $5 per night to $120 per night, with a very small percentage of sites costing $18. Having seen the story on our local news, I recall the company you quoted provides all inclusive packages to tourists who rent RV's. These are no doubt serviced sites, which incur higher fees. They also provide all inclusive travel packages, which consist of all local attractions to visit. In my opinion, this is a travel agent adding value and as a customer you have the option of paying or conducting the research yourself and making your own reservations. Personally, I don't consider this scalping, as they are adding value and charging what the market will accept.

Thanks Andy. I don't want to believe EVERYTHING I read, but since this came from a trusted RV resource, I do consider it to be pretty valid.

We have plans to come through that area in the future. Now that I know about this practice, I'll be planning 3 months in advance and I will sit by the computer and wait to pull the trigger at the first opening.

The way the article reads, it sounds like they are buying everything available and there is NO chance of getting a space. It sounded like they were reselling them just like scalpers. IMHO, they should limit the number of spaces to companies like this. But, in the end, it's a business. They won't care who they sell to. They just want to book out and make money. It gets so frustrating. Why buy an RV if you can't use it? It's bad enough competing with weekenders.

BTW... The prices came from that article. I posted the link.

Just to reinforce what Andy indicated, our provincial parks (in general) are not suitable for Redwoods, except for the shortest ones. I've been through BC with a 30 ft. 5er and that was about the max that you could easily get in sites in a lot of the parks. It's the same here in Ontario, the first year we had our RW I didn't enjoy scratching the sidewalls (like the first dent in a new car!) done by untrimmed trees and corners too narrow to turn properly. As a result we don't camp at provincial parks, and in Ontario they are almost impossible to get into because the of the reservation system. They won't change anytime soon as they are fully booked all summer and in Ontario the daily rate (for only 30 amp electric with runs sometimes up to 100 ft. from the pedestal, no water or sewer) is more than nearby full service private campgrounds.

We had better luck in BC national parks where they are set up for longer RV's.

Just to reinforce what Andy indicated, our provincial parks (in general) are not suitable for Redwoods, except for the shortest ones. I've been through BC with a 30 ft. 5er and that was about the max that you could easily get in sites in a lot of the parks. It's the same here in Ontario, the first year we had our RW I didn't enjoy scratching the sidewalls (like the first dent in a new car!) done by untrimmed trees and corners too narrow to turn properly. As a result we don't camp at provincial parks, and in Ontario they are almost impossible to get into because the of the reservation system. They won't change anytime soon as they are fully booked all summer and in Ontario the daily rate (for only 30 amp electric with runs sometimes up to 100 ft. from the pedestal, no water or sewer) is more than nearby full service private campgrounds.

We had better luck in BC national parks where they are set up for longer RV's.

Thanks for the heads up! It's good to know ahead of time where we can and can't go with these 42' rigs.

We are currently in Oregon & you will find the same here & in Washington, beeeautiful state parks, but not with your RW. They all say "yea we have spots for big rigs" & yes they do you just can't get to it due to narrow roads & low limbs. Also some of the very popular ones charge as much as private parks.

Thanks Danny, That's also good to know. Have you found any particularly nice parks you recommend?

Let me know when you are heading out to BC and the route you are taking and I'll suggest some private sites that can accommodate our rigs.

I agree with Al, wouldn't even waste time checking out any Provincial Parks.

In Banff, one of the 3 parks has serviced sites that can accommodate our size of rigs. Although we haven't stayed at Jasper, I researched the sites and some can accommodate big rigs. Just don't know about access.

We are currently in Oregon & you will find the same here & in Washington, beeeautiful state parks, but not with your RW. They all say "yea we have spots for big rigs" & yes they do you just can't get to it due to narrow roads & low limbs. Also some of the very popular ones charge as much as private parks.

Danny - have you been down to Brookings on the Oregon South Coast. We stayed at the park right across from the beach. The park didn't have much going for it, but the daily whale show was spectacular.

In southeastern Washington; Columbia Sun in Kennewick, in Salem Oregon; Hee Hee Illahee, lately staying at KOAs for activities for our grandson, but typically too expensive & noisy & won't be back to the ones weve been to.
So far since fulltiming that has been the most difficult thing for us, finding nice parks big enough to park the RW & truck on the same lot, so many are older smaller parks full of permanent residents & reading the reviews is also a challenge to weed out those that think it should be gold plated just for them.
If I were to do it over again I wouldn't change a damn thing, it's been an awesome experience & we're still going.

Andy, we have our grandson (they are in Kennewick Wash) with us & we made it to Coos Bay & started back north as he's getting a bit home sick, so we'll do Brookings next time.