Ever wonder how campgrounds set their rates? I mean, is it just a crap shoot or is there some logic behind it? I know some campgrounds roll the dice. Here is how we do it.
Every year we look at campgrounds that have the same ratings and compare our rates to them. We don't look at a park that has a 8-9-8 Good Sam rating. We dont look at a park that has a 3 star on Facebook or Google. They are not comparative. We also dont look at parks that are 1000 sites, or 20 sites. We look at parks similar in size. We look at campgrounds that are 10-10*-10 with Good Sam like we are, AND have at least a 4.5 rating on Google. After we generate that list of 12 campgrounds in NY, we then look to see if they have the same offerings that we do. Those would be:
1- Amenities. Gem mining, laser tag, shuffle board, 3 playgrounds, jump pad, tether ball, gaga ball, horse shoes, corn hole, bubble soccer, bubble machines, hot tub, pool, splash ground, arcade, rec hall, dance/activity hall, volley ball, stocked bass fishing, hiking trails, golf cart rentals and some Golf cart parts, 24 hour laundry. We also have an RV parts store, convenience store, and concession food. WIFI is also thought most of the park. We also have an app so our customers can get all the activity reminders, or we can push emergency messages for weather or more. We also have super clean modern bathrooms with ADA provisions in both the upper bath house and the lower bath house. We also have ADA lifts at the spa. We also have on site firewood. Every site in the park is full hookup, which means no pump out fees ever. We also have some sites that are concrete parking pad and patio, others have well defined well stoned parking pads.
2- Activities - Live music, golf outings, DJ's, Karaoke, hay rides, adult crafts, kids crafts, scavenger hunts, adult and kids painting events, food events like Chicken BBQ, fireworks and many more sanctioned events and activities.
3- Services. We offer light RV service, RV wash service, escort to your site, RV storage, indoor golf cart storage, RV storage to site set up service. We also move and level RV's. We also do firewood delivery. We also mow our entire park every week. No one wants to listen to lawn mowers at 7 AM on a Sunday. We also do RV and golf cart consignment sales.
4- Improvements and Quality. No park is perfect. So are the parks we are comparing ourselves to actually doing annual improvements? Or do the just raise the rate and do nothing for it. Also, how are their roads? Are they covered well with stone or are they mud? Do the sites actually have pads under the campers? Or is it all grass that turns to mud when it rains? Also, our sites are well defined. There is no question where your supposed to park when camping at Triple R.
5- And lastly security. We are gated and definitely run security. We believe a well governed park is a safer park. We don't have people just driving in our park looking at our customers belongings. That's where gates, come in handy. That's also where security cameras in many areas assist. We also live on site to ensure safety.
There's so much more I cant even remember to list. So once a year we compare ourselves to parks that have this list of services or amenities, and ratings. If they dont have this big list above, or the ratings above, we do not compare ourselves to them. There are very few of us with this list in NY.
In addition to rate comparisons every year, we also use dynamic pricing. (Not on seasonal sites) Ever decide to go on vacation and procrastinate about actually making the reservations? Lets say you want to go on vacation to Florida in February. Do you wait till January to make the reservations? Why not? Ahhha. That's right. Because if you book early, the rate is lower. Same with an airline. Pretty much EVERYONE in the hospitality industry does this. Campgrounds are just late to doing it.
So what drives Dynamic pricing? Occupancy. So lets say you call Triple R to book a weekend that is half full. The rate will be the base rate. Lets say you call when there are only 5 sites left. Yep, the price is higher.
Moral of the story, book early, book often. Its the cheapest way to do it. Coming to MANY campgrounds near you.
