Thousand Trails

[TheViking]

So Kristi and I decided to use an offer we got for a 3 day 2 night stay at a local Thousand Trails.  30 minutes from home, we figured it would be a nice little getaway.  Yes, we have to go to a 90 minute tour and all that crap, but we will get a 75.00 Shell gas card as well.  So the weekend is virtually free.  We rolled in yesterday around 6:30pm.  After setting up we decided to take the Golf Cart out for a cruise.  This place has over like 800 sites so there is alot of places to see.  The amenities are insane.  I wanted to go see the swimming pool the lady at check in said was an acre big.......right.  It wasn't an acre but it was one of the biggest pools I've ever seen.  The pool area is pretty much the furthest away from our site so it was only fitting that the rearend in the Golf Cart would pick there to go out.  We towed it back with the truck and parked it.  Next up was the broken door latch on the Hauler, an easy fix, but why?......Can't wait to see what the rest of the weekend holds.

[Dee4j]

So Kristi and I decided to use an offer we got for a 3 day 2 night stay at a local Thousand Trails.  30 minutes from home, we figured it would be a nice little getaway.  Yes, we have to go to a 90 minute tour and all that crap, but we will get a 75.00 Shell gas card as well.  So the weekend is virtually free.  We rolled in yesterday around 6:30pm.  After setting up we decided to take the Golf Cart out for a cruise.  This place has over like 800 sites so there is alot of places to see.  The amenities are insane.  I wanted to go see the swimming pool the lady at check in said was an acre big.......right.  It wasn't an acre but it was one of the biggest pools I've ever seen.  The pool area is pretty much the furthest away from our site so it was only fitting that the rearend in the Golf Cart would pick there to go out.  We towed it back with the truck and parked it.  Next up was the broken door latch on the Hauler, an easy fix, but why?......Can't wait to see what the rest of the weekend holds.

ah man what a pain.. hope the rest of the weekend goes better...let us know how the place is

[cjpoppin]

Hide your wallet or they'll get you......Hahaaaa
Have a good time and try not to break anything else.....

[TheViking]

Ok, so I've had a couple of requests for the ending of this story.  We went to our mandatory sales pitch meeting.  Of course they wanted to make it look like we were getting this screaming deal so the lady(Linda) started out by saying "Retail" membership for Thousand Trails Resorts is $21,995.00.  However, with all the "Discounts" they so graciously would give me it came to $7,995.00.  Don't get me wrong, it's a deal for someone that would use it alot.  The place we were at had dirt sites with really shabby grass.  For the kind of money you pay, I would expect concrete pads and real grass.  Plus, (and alot of you know my sense of humor), I go to the restrooms to check out what they look like, that says alot about how a CG is in my opinion. I walk into a stall and there sits a pile of .......on the floor with a cooked Hot dog sticking out the side.  Now either someone stuck it in there, or someone had a really rough time in there.  Either way, for the $$ it cost to be a member, not what you want to see. (I do still laugh about it).

[cjpoppin]

Whew...........Now that's kinda out of my price range..........Did they have a better area for members?  Or was that it?
Good thing ya had your own RR........Now I'm going to have that in my mind whenever I walk into a public restroom......THANK FOR SHARING.....HAHAAAA

[griffsdad]

For $7,995 you get __________ on a stick!!!!!!!!

[Jamesdad]

Brian,

I heard the Thousand Trails campgrounds are an awesome place but I can't see spending that kind of money for any camp ground. I also judge a place by how clean the bathrooms are and your discription said it all...thats all I needed to know. Where was it exactly...a half hour away from you??
 
Jamesdad

[Camping Coxes]

Plus, (and alot of you know my sense of humor), I go to the restrooms to check out what they look like, that says alot about how a CG is in my opinion.

Ah, yes, the required restroom rating for all campgrounds.  Paul and I wholeheartedly agree with you on that one  :p .  
 
Sorry, Brian, but I couldn't resist.

[griffsmom]

Ah, yes, the required restroom rating for all campgrounds. Paul and I wholeheartedly agree with you on that one :p .
 
Sorry, Brian, but I couldn't resist.

Leave it to you Trina to chime in on a bathroom post...:p

[griffsmom]

Ok, so I've had a couple of requests for the ending of this story. We went to our mandatory sales pitch meeting. Of course they wanted to make it look like we were getting this screaming deal so the lady(Linda) started out by saying "Retail" membership for Thousand Trails Resorts is $21,995.00. However, with all the "Discounts" they so graciously would give me it came to $7,995.00. Don't get me wrong, it's a deal for someone that would use it alot. The place we were at had dirt sites with really shabby grass. For the kind of money you pay, I would expect concrete pads and real grass. Plus, (and alot of you know my sense of humor), I go to the restrooms to check out what they look like, that says alot about how a CG is in my opinion. I walk into a stall and there sits a pile of .......on the floor with a cooked Hot dog sticking out the side. Now either someone stuck it in there, or someone had a really rough time in there. Either way, for the $$ it cost to be a member, not what you want to see. (I do still laugh about it).

If I'm going to pay $8,000 membership fee plus whatever my yearly dues are, I'd expect to be able to camp for free, but members still have to pay. Doesn't make sense to me.
 
Actually, TT members are often looking to unload those bad boy memberships. Try a search on ebay and you can find them as low as $500.  Here's one for $999: http://cgi.ebay.com/Thousand-Trails-Campground-Membership_W0QQitemZ300253618646QQihZ020QQcategoryZ16709QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
 
Of course, the poopy hot dog on a stick is probably an extra charge...

[oreo57]

If there not successful why do they keep building them.

[griffsmom]

If there not successful why do they keep building them.

Not sure what you mean--are you saying that they are continuing to open new preserves? If so, what is that based on? In any event, the way Brian described the place he stayed, if they're building new cgs that consist of "dirt sites with shabby grass," they might do better to rennovate some of their existing preserves.

[wavery]

If there not successful why do they keep building them.

Because they are successful for the builders. There's a sucker born every minute.

This reminds me of my brother's time share in Mazatlan. They flew him down there on a special promotional deal. They spent 8 hours in presentations one day and they were back the next day and wouldn't give up until he purchased the time-share. The price started out at something like $25K. He ended up buying it for $800 (after telling them "no" about a hundred times).

He's used the thing about 6 times in the last 3 years and now they're sick of Mazatlan. I can't imagine getting stuck in one campground.....unless it were right on the beach  :p .

Anyone want to buy a timeshare in Mazatlan?? :sombraro:

[griffsmom]

This article is a little out of date, but it discusses TT's financial history. The word "successful" isn't used even once.

[oreo57]

Not sure what you mean--are you saying that they are continuing to open new preserves? If so, what is that based on? In any event, the way Brian described the place he stayed, if they're building new cgs that consist of "dirt sites with shabby grass," they might do better to rennovate some of their existing preserves.

Lori, you call them a preserve, I consider it a loss of land. The way Brain described it, it's not GOOD but thats the that corporate way, They will let anyone with a few bucks or alot sign a contract to open up one. Baby boomers are getting into retirement and with the moho generation they need some where to stay.