Free Camping! Is this real or scam?

[LanCoPA]

Got some mail the other day. Gettysburg Battlefield Resort did facility upgrades and now they want to give us 15 days of free camping to try them out and let them know how they did. There isn't much fine print that I can find, or I'd be reading it!

Anyone had experience with these offers? They mention a VIP tour. It kind of sounds to me like those deals where they give away free vacations if you come listen to a high pressure sales talk on the wonders of time share ownership. But I am not sure...

We're relatively new to the camping scene, but are very glad we chose Sunline! Can't wait for spring!

[LanCoPA]

I just did some Googling and it does look like a time share deal. Didn't know they had that for camping too.

[nasa42a]

Roy, DeAnn.....

They do membership sales. VIP tour is code for "potential customer".


Frank

[rebellious78]

Hi Roy and DeAnn!

I really hate to post negative remarks or reviews about a place, cause you can find good in about anything....but please don't be tempted by Gettysburg Battlefield Resort or Sycamore Lodge! It is part of Travel Resorts of America and let me tell you that place is NOTHING but trouble.

When we bought our Sunline back in 2006 we were offered what we thought was a great deal. At first it started 14 nights free. Then you have to go to the sales pitch. We were stupid ( we all have our moments I guess) and we bought in.

To make a very long story short...
Once you sign up there is no backing out. It is a timeshare deal. You have to pay your membership upfront, then pay a yearly fee of $400 and you can not just up and stop or quit using the park... you will either have to resell your membership yourself or be stuck with a lifetime of paying fees.
The park itself is okay. If you like being packed in with little or no privacy or room. At first they claim you need no reservations, because you are guaranteed a site. This is only partially true. On summer weekends there are huge waiting lists, and on holidays I have seen and been on the waiting list of over 200! If you do show up, they can not turn you away, but you will have to park in front parking lot by the road with no hook ups. Sometimes they will run an extension cord to your unit.

Management and staff are very rude. They have been reported countless times to the PA attorney general, and to the BBB. I myself know of a couple members who have been sued by Gettysburg Battlefield Resort.

We got lucky cause we only bought a 5 year trial membership ( they done away with this back in 2007) and they still did not want to let us out of our contract even know it expired. We actually had to get a lawyer to handle it for us.

If you would like more information please send us a private message. We can even point you to a website/forum that was set up by members for members. ( It is hidden from public cause in the contract if you even talk bad about GBR you can loose your membership, and still have to pay dues.. TRUE story)

We were never so happy to be done with that place for good! Now we are not tied down to it, and can travel to wonderful campgrounds and state parks...and enjoy the true camping experience.

[awellis3]

Wow! (That's all I can say)

[Sunline Fan]

Originally Posted by awellis3

Wow! (That's all I can say)

x2! It may be negative, but it is something very much worth mentioning!

[kanyonkitty]

I had received an invitation to one of these type schemes. I think I had dropped a card in a box at an RV Show that was touting "Win a free weekend of camping" or something along that line. Well, ya show up, they take ya on a tour of the campground & facilities and then WHAM, they hit you with the "SALES" pitch when you get back to the office. Once you hear the price, and you take the time to figure out exactly how OFTEN you'd have to go to that SAME campground (or a participating sister campground), I can camp at "MY" choice of locations and for a lot less $$$. But the catch is, they really, really don't want you taking the time to think about/figure out how expensive their offer ends up being, they are high pressure salespeople. If you join, they get a paycheck. NO thank you.

[LanCoPA]

Wow! We threw the invitation away as soon as I figured out for sure that it was a timeshare. I knew it wasn't for us, but I didn't know it was this bad! Thanks to each of you for your input.

[suebobby]

We're glad we checked in with our friends in the SOC before considering this offer we received this past week. Thank you.

[MACK C-85]

Yes, these places can be high pressure and high dollar!!! We were interested in the Wilderness Presidential Resorts outside of Fredericksburg, VA. mdfiregal's brother had a membership there and we really liked the amenities. However, with thier prices in the $15,000 range we were not likely to buy in.

But there is an alternative, enter the after market!!! We purchased a membership off of Craig's list for $1200, and it cost us $140 to have it transferred. So, for the $400 annual maintenance fee we can camp up to 90 days a year and every 5 years we can get a cabin for a week at no additional cost.

It might not be for everyone, but we are looking forward to getting some quality time with her brother and family. The kids (and the parents) loved the activities (three pools {one indoor}, gym, craft room, boat rentals, clubhouse) when we were there last spring. Her brother has never had an issue with getting a site and so far the staff has been very pleasant to work with.

We will still be camping other places too.

Mack

[OhhWell]

We did a timeshare presentation package in Orlando once. I am not one to be led on or manipulated easily but somehow they almost got me. I think it's the fast pace and well thought out flow of the presentations. It's probably all behavioural science. Luckly I still had that inner voice to finally say no.

I honestly had bad dreams for about 2 days. Afterwards when I got to actually think about all the costs it was obviously a horriable deal. It's the yearly mandatory Maintenence costs that really sour the deal.

[Jim-Bev-2363]

There just ain't no free lunch. I always think "pay me now, or pay me later". Someone offering a good deal doesn't need the high pressure tactics. We never buy without a twenty four hour break to think it over and that is after hearing all the details. We learned that lesson after buying some Florida swamp land.

[OhhWell]

Originally Posted by Jim-Bev-2363

There just ain't no free lunch. I always think "pay me now, or pay me later". Someone offering a good deal doesn't need the high pressure tactics. We never buy without a twenty four hour break to think it over and that is after hearing all the details. We learned that lesson after buying some Florida swamp land.

That wouldn't happen to have been some swamp land a little south of Naples would it? heheh

[LanCoPA]

If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is. A very good rule of thumb...