howdy all My better half and i have have just done a 5 week trip taking it very easy thru parts of Vic. S.A. and bottom part of N.S.W. staying in c p every night wife just getting over operation. In just about every park we went to i found the attitude of park staff was as if they were doing me a very big favour for letting me stay there, every thing seemed to much trouble. If you asked a simple question it seemed like you were asking them to go to the moon. WE have been traveling for quite a number of years and find it is getting worse. My better half is ususally very quite and sedate but even she fired up at one c.p. and told the manager what he could do with his site, it takes quite a lot to get her to fire. Is it just us or has any one else noticed an attitude change, and they wander why people free camp. Any thoughts any one ? regards al
We find it is usually in the larger parks that the "customer service" leaves a lot to be desired. Perhaps they are just too busy with such large areas to look after and to fill every night. Who knows the pressures of not getting a full quota as often as needed! We stayed in roadhouses on the Stuart Hwy, great, in small parks along the Barrier Hwy and found them to be pleasant and courteous. Broken hill was yet another story. No it's not just you it effects everyone.
Terro.
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Rosemary and Terry08 Patrol, Galaxy Odyssey Pop top He who laughs last is late getting the joke!!
Yeah, why is that? The hospitality is definitely missing at some of the parks I've pulled into, including the one I'm in now. I was paying more than $200 a week rent, so I approached them about long-term consideration. My argument included the fact I'm a single paying rent for 2, I'd been here more than 3 months, I was a pensioner, and I was only staying here for as long as I am because of medical stuff. I made the enquiry in writing stating my case, and I even enlisted the advocacy of the Rental Tenancies Department. No deal. About 3 months ago I asked her at the office (owner) what I was getting for my $200. She very proudly, even arrogantly told me, "A site!" Woop, woop! So I pushed the point a bit stronger, and finally her son agreed to give me special rent, with metered power. It still works out to be a lot cheaper than $200. I had been the unofficial security at this back corner of the park, and made numerous phone calls to the Police when things got out of hand. Not in the park, but on the walkway running alongside the park, just outside the fence. Their attitude is also definitely not about the customer. They take but don't give much. Even the staff feel the same. The most congenial park was the Coral Coast at Carnarvon. The worst is still Vacation Village at Broome where I lived for 9 years. The managers at the time I left, and are still there, were the most selfish, controlling, lazy people I have come across. They bully their customers. The couple support each other's bullying. Not good.
-- Edited by Cruising Granny on Thursday 10th of December 2009 11:22:04 AM
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
We find it is usually in the larger parks that the "customer service" leaves a lot to be desired. Perhaps they are just too busy with such large areas to look after and to fill every night. Who knows the pressures of not getting a full quota as often as needed! We stayed in roadhouses on the Stuart Hwy, great, in small parks along the Barrier Hwy and found them to be pleasant and courteous. Broken hill was yet another story. No it's not just you it effects everyone.
Terro.
I have been in the hospitality industry in a few forms - in a past life - and my message LOUD AND CLEAR to my staff was
I don't care what happened at home to put you into a bad mood, when you walk through that door the smile is to go on the face till the minute you walk back out. You WILL NOT take your frustrations out of the clients/customers. If you can't manage that then you may as well collect your pay packet here and now"
I had no problems with my staff once the ground rules were laid down.
If your enterprise is so big and overwhelming then I think it's time to get out. You aren't doing yourselves or anyone else any favours by staying in something that you obviously can't handle.
So sayeth Ma !!!!
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Guru & Ma Ulladulla NSW Happy day, safe travelling Ford Ranger towing 21ft Jurgen shower and toilet which was large enough to fit in a few extras (fridge, bed, stove...)
And I agree Ma!!! That is exactly what I tell my staff. We may not see customers face to face but our voices over the phone can also have a detremental effect on what should be a pleasant experience.
BUT it also works the other way. I have found more and more customers are so rude on the phone no matter how helpful you try to be, I tell my staff to keep smiling and not to take it personally, or try not to
Wendy and I in out trip up the middle and down the west coast never found a problem, at one big4 the managment even joined in happy hour,and the next morning brought us 2 a parcel of fish now there is one for the books oi The park was new and at Wedge point WA very windy and wet but loved it would go there again in a heart beat.
or you go to some place where some dh thinks he's the owner of the park......struth... most places weve been to so far have been pretty good, one rude lot at Gundagia, (place with covered parking)..
And I agree Ma!!! That is exactly what I tell my staff. We may not see customers face to face but our voices over the phone can also have a detremental effect on what should be a pleasant experience.
BUT it also works the other way. I have found more and more customers are so rude on the phone no matter how helpful you try to be, I tell my staff to keep smiling and not to take it personally, or try not to
Cheers Ellen
Too bloody right Ellen, there are some loo loo's of customers out there. Don't you find that the more arrogant and rude the customers are though you get a certain satisfaction in being sooooooooooo sweet and nice and nine times out of ten they calm down after a bit and don't really know what to say to you.
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Guru & Ma Ulladulla NSW Happy day, safe travelling Ford Ranger towing 21ft Jurgen shower and toilet which was large enough to fit in a few extras (fridge, bed, stove...)
Obviously I should get out more. I can't say that any park management have caused me distress. Some are incompetant. Some are pedantic but I've never struck an offensive one....
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Don't take life too seriously.... No one gets out alive
KIA Sorento CRDi EX ( Ebony black) with 5 hex chrome plated tire air valve covers, Coramal Sunsheild, Elcheapo GPS, First Aid Kit, full KIA toolkit & Yellow lenses on the Foglights......
It's often the park owners or managers who are rude, not necessarily the staff, although grumpy owners/managers make grumpy, unhappy staff. This park is run by the people who built it about 40 years ago. They spend as little as possible on the facilities, and expect top dollar for the use of them. i believe it's a minority of customers who are demanding and rude. Some make a career of it in their attempts to scam a free night. Unfortunately you or I follow the whinging scammer in the gate and cop the wrath at the desk. That's tourism and hospitality.
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
Yes.........a customer giving you a S..t time.upsetting you.....lot seem to inadvertently take it out on the next person they see.....we stayed at a caravan park.....a customer.staying at the CP...wanted a membership discount.plus an extra discount cause he was with a caravan group of 40 same vans.....the manager said no.....either discounts not both... so he blew up....and left...the manager then snapped nastely at us for being there........we paid..and after he calmed down.....appologised.for his bad behavier.......other CP managers...couldnt do more for you.....
"Caution....Prices May Vary According to the Customers Attitude"
If a Park Manager annoys me..........I simply turn around and leave just as Brickies said.
I have the theory in life......if I'm going to pay money, then I'll pay for what I want.......not what somebody else wants me to have...........and I want good service!!
-- Edited by Disco Duck on Friday 11th of December 2009 09:22:03 AM
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Daisy and Disco Duck
Adelaide South Australia
Gotta Think Outside the Square!
Now that food has replaced sex in my life, I can't even get into my own pants.
If at First You Don't Succeed.......Redefine Success !!
I was bought up in "Hospitality" which is why I could never really enjoy "Faulty Towers": It was too close to the reality of some owners/managers.
I seem to recall reading that John Cleese was inspired to do the series by a real life experience
Indeed he was.....And should you wish to enjoy that sort of experience first hand I suggest you stay at Jenolan Caves House.
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Don't take life too seriously.... No one gets out alive
KIA Sorento CRDi EX ( Ebony black) with 5 hex chrome plated tire air valve covers, Coramal Sunsheild, Elcheapo GPS, First Aid Kit, full KIA toolkit & Yellow lenses on the Foglights......
Treat people has you want to be treated . A police officer wonce told me if you ever pull up by the police be nice to them they may let you off , most of the public are very aggro towards them . maybe there is a lot of arrgo out there so kept smiling somebody might smile at you and wouldn't that be a nice change
I was bought up in "Hospitality" which is why I could never really enjoy "Faulty Towers": It was too close to the reality of some owners/managers.
I seem to recall reading that John Cleese was inspired to do the series by a real life experience
Hotel in Torquay, Devon, where the Python team were staying, while on location. Filming The Holy Grail I think. Our friends are long time residents of Torquay. It seems the notorious rude owner was an ex Royal Navy Commander, and ran the hotel staff, and guests like he was still on the Quarter Deck of a battleship. Mike
The undercover Caravan park at Gundagai is the noisiest place I ever stayed, the trucks changing gears going up the hill and air brakes going down . didn't sleep till 6.30 am when they actually have a quiet time.
Next time try the other c'park in Gundagai...lovely people, not as expensive, and beautiful clean amenitys. You can still hear the trucks but much further away. If you are up early enough for a dawn stroll along the river bank, you can get all poetic about the scene, birds messing about etc.
Have visited a huge number of caravan parks in our travels over the past 20 years and found the majority of staff/owners to be polite, pleasant and helpful. Occasionally there will be the exception - those who seem offhand or disinterested - but I can't actually think of any whom I've found really rude or unpleasant. Have also worked a few seasons in a tourist park, up north, and have a heap of stories I could tell about rude, unpleasant and inconsiderate customers. This place was a bit remote, and the stupid things that some travellers did, were amazing - and often we copped the flak for this!
