RE: Good Sam - Good idea?

[Wayfarer]

 
I don t really see myself joining, but the $12.00 annual fee (introductory?) is not much for a year.  But, really, are Good Sam parks all that great?  Is the savings all that much?  Is their magazine worth reading?  I keep getting their brochures in the mail and seems the price keeps getting lower.[]
 
 Just wondering what some of you think about GS.  Any comments?

[MtnCamper]

 Wayfarer
I bought it the first year I had the Coleman, used the discount twice on a road trip. Let it expire, and I m still getting junk in the mail, 3 years later.
 
 Might be OK for you, but not me.

[camper4pack]

 Wayfarer
We bought the introductory membership last year and doubled our money in 1 year.  Although almost all the places we stayed accepted the Good Sam Discount.  
 Also they sent us a certificate for up to $25.00 in cash if we used a campground that accepted our card.  We did and guess what?  Yes we received a check for one nights camping at a campground.  []
 We used it so much we renewed our membership again this year.  
 Let me say, if you camp more at state parks than private....then Good Sam Club is not for you.  We like to stay at places that have activities, pool, etc. for our
 children.  
 
 Happy Camping!
 
 

[Gamecock Camper]

 Wayfarer
Camper4pack, I don t mean to stir anything up and don t mean to be offensive in anyway..... but we go to mainly national and state parks.  There are plenty of activities where we go.  At Hunting Island State Park (in Beaufort, SC) there is a beach, beautiful walk to a lighthouse, nesting sea turtles, wild mule deer that will come up to you and eat out of your hand,  a marsh trail, fishing pier, etc... At our next favorite park (Davidson River in North Carolina mountains) there is a natural river where you can fly fish or raft down the river, beautiful trails, a nearby waterfall called Looking Glass Falls, a nature center where there are many activities.......

[NCSunshine]

 Wayfarer
We ve had a Good Sam membership for about 4 years now.  And yes for us it is worth it.  
 
 When we go on our week long vacation, the discount pays for a nights stay.  In that one trip alone, we get more than our membership dues back.  But if you go to places that don t use the discount, it probably would not be worth it.  
 
 I also enjoy reading the Highways magazine that comes with the membership.  Not to much about pop ups but a decent magazine none the less.  
 
 Now they are starting up a 1 or 2 cent discount on gas at certain travel centers with your membership card.  With the way gas prices are going up, and if you had one of the travel centers near your home, it would be worth it just for that I think.
 
 But as with everything else, you have to decide whether it is right for you[]

[camper4pack]

 Wayfarer
Gamecock:
 
 Your not stirring anything up, to each their own.  We like privately owned campgrounds with more things to offer vs State campgrounds.  It s all in what you prefer. We do occassionally stay at State Parks but the majority of the time it s privately owned ones.   I was just saying we used our Good Sam s club enough to pay for itself in one year and then some!  
 I think it was a good investment.
 
 

[AustinBoston]

 Wayfarer
We were members for one year, and don t consider it worth the membership fee.  Also, as others have said, the junk mail never ends.
 
 Austin

[RTurner]

 Wayfarer
If you are in an area with a Camping Word store, they have a special now $12.00 membership and $10.00 credit at the register.  Net cost $2.00.  I figure it is worth it for the first year at least.

[dee106]

 Wayfarer
we have and the emergency road service, they saved us twice in one year! they tow the camper and the van, they took us to the closes campground and took the van to the transmission place, and helped us get a rented car too.  that was in MA then we were in VA and blew a tire in a thunder storm, and they sent a truck to fix the tire right on the road.
 
 both times were there within the hour, no extra cost to us,  the discounts pay the tax, which is fine by me! the web site is helpful too. they have trip planners a road helpers which is nice. it lists the rest stops, gas stations, campgrounds etc...
 
 so we will keep them[]

[Mahaffey-Family]

 Wayfarer
We bought the 2 year membership for $19.  We saved this alone with our pop-up insurance, the first year.  If we ever need it for other campgrounds the saving there makes it money ahead.  We just toss the junk mail into the trash.

[Suezyque]

 Wayfarer
I just got a mailing if you join for the $12, you get a free nite of camping at any of their participating CG s (you can view them at www.goodsamclub.com) , up to $25.  That more than pays for the membership.  Call and tell them you want that deal.  800-293-5177

[Linda]

 Wayfarer

 

ORIGINAL:  Wayfarer
 
 I don t really see myself joining, but the $12.00 annual fee (introductory?) is not much for a year.  But, really, are Good Sam parks all that great?  Is the savings all that much?  Is their magazine worth reading?  I keep getting their brochures in the mail and seems the price keeps getting lower.[]
 
 Just wondering what some of you think about GS.  Any comments?
 

 before we were seasonal we had Good Sam s, all of the campgrounds ( private) we went to accepted the discount, it MORE then pd for itself for us 10X over, we camped EVERY wkend so saved alot. Plus when you first join you can get a 25. chk from them which is from them to say thanks, have a free night of camping on us. ( usually more the 25 at private campgrounds though, lol) YES you do get alot of junk mail, I have to admit, however I know how to walk to the garbage can [][]

[garym053]

 Wayfarer
We joined 4 years ago when we first bought our pop-up and I don t think I ll ever let my membership lapse! And that includes never having stayed in a Good Sam park because we don t do that kind of camping, we prefer the state parks and wildlife compared to the RV Resorts and wild life! (Just kidding!)
 Anyway, Good Sam, to me is a good deal. They do a lot of Political action stuff to protect the rights of RVers. The magazine is good reading. The local Good Sam chapters are a great way of getting to know other campers in your hometown and sharing.
 I feel it s worth it to me, but only you can tell if it s worth it to you!

[labontefan]

 Wayfarer
Good ol  PUT forums! You can find the answers to all your questions here...even before you ask the questions![]
 
 I was cleaning out some mail/magazines/catalogs, etc., that had piled up and ran across a Good Sam s introductory membership offer I received not too long ago. I decided to come here and ask if folks thought it was a worthwhile thing to do. Lo and behold...as soon as I logged on...there s my question, and there are the answers!
 
 Thanks for asking for me, Wayfarer. I mostly camp at the racetracks, but now that I have the camper, I may try to visit some campgrounds also. Looks like it might be worth it to give it a try...as least for a year.
 
 Thanks again for the info, guys!

[Wayfarer]

 Wayfarer
Ask and ye shall receive.  I asked, and boy, did I ever receive!  Thanks a lot for all of your comments.  I really don t do that much " travel"  type camping where I m looking for a convenient place to stop overnight  and DW and I, being " chronologically advanced,"  are not much into playgrounds and swimming pools, but I just might spend the twelve bucks and try it for a year.  Might even find a need for an overnighter one of these days and won t have to go out in the boondocks looking for a state park.  
 
 So, thanks again, folks.  Appreciate your thoughts.  This is by no means saying this topic needs to end, just my thanks to those who have responded thus far and those who may add even more.  []
 
 Happy Trails to all y all![8D]