Travel Resorts of America

[kinggartk]

Anyone ever deal with them? They own Sycamore Lodge in NC and 6 other Camping resorts around the country. They are a basically a Timeshare company for Campgrounds.

We took advantage of the free weekend of camping (we had to listen to their sales pitch...it was not a high pressure pitch).

I new in advance it was a timeshare pitch...I was willing to go through that for free camping.

Sycamore Lodge was a nice campground with nice amenities. The sites were nice size. We really enjoyed it there. They claim the other 6 resorts are just as nice.

So anyway....the memberships started out at $19,000 (+$595 annual maintenance) for access to all 7 resorts + the next two they build. They also included membership in the Coast to Coast camping network (Only $10 per night at hundreds of different resorts around the country). I obviously said "NO".

Then they get to offer #2 for $14,000 (same as above but only the current 7 resorts and Coast to Coasts membership) $550 annual maintenance.

They had other offers...but their final offer of the day was $4995 for only Sycamore Lodge (No Coast to Coast membership) $395 Maintenance fee. I still said "No". We parted ways and they were nice about it.

Fastforward 5 days...I get a call from them offering some membership for $1895 (It was left on voice mail...so I don't know the details). They are supposed to call me back today. I'm tempted...but the annual maintenance fee might be a deal breaker.

Anyone else have experience with them?

[ctbruce]

Never dealt with them, but $2k buys a lot of camping. Just my $0.02.

[kinggartk]

Originally Posted by ctbruce

Never dealt with them, but $2k buys a lot of camping. Just my $0.02.

I agree...I think I would have no problem getting my $1895 worth...and more. My consternation comes from the Annual Maintenance fee.

I've been scouring the web looking for information on them...maybe time to run away.

[flybouy]

They called me several times a few years back, so many times in fact I threatened harassment charges before they stopped. The wife apparently filed out a "free camping weekend " coupon at an RV show. Anyway, my research revealed MANY folks selling their membership and many varied regrets/Complaints. Do your homework would be my advice.

[Canonman]

The membership fees are what kill the deal for me. They never end, never go down and never mean you will not have maintenance issues Our kids bought into Thousand Trails, they get something like 30 nights for their $600 (I think) annual fee. We've had the displeasure if camping at a couple of the TT "resorts" with them. Reminded me of Beirut.
Some are pretty nice. Others are a bit of a rundown mess. Give me a State Park, National Park or Forest service campground any time.

[kinggartk]

They just called me back and I politely declined.

[notanlines]

It wasn't even my money you were discussing but I was worried for you. I believe you made the right decision.

[DOWva]

Yes you made the right decision I have been involved in something very similar and the maintenance fees continue to go up and up.

[Tbos]

They have my number on speed dial and I have theirs logged as spam. When I do talk with them they are always polite but persistent. Have not been to their CGs. Nice to know Sycamore is nice.