Useless NRMA ratings

Hello Dennis,
I really don't know what to say, other than I have been stung in the past by similar circumstances. Sounds like at least you're sleeping in your own van. We've been stung when relying on cabin/on-site vans, which leaves NO alternatives.

Have you spoken to the owners? Maybe try expressing your disappointment and try to negotiate a partial reimbursement that's if you're OK with staying there for the remainder of your holiday.

Alternatively, count your losses and move on.

Is the C/Park part of any franchise eg: Top Tourist Park, Discovery, Big 4??? There's avenues for complaints through these organisations, however, I don't like your chances of any resolution during the time of your stay.

I kid you not Dennis... situations like this have bought me close to tears at times because I have felt that I had personally let the wife and kids down and ruined their holidays. Thankfully with sites like this, our freedom of speech allows us to name and shame so others can learn from our experiences, cold comfort for you, I know.

Hang in there Dennis.... and try to enjoy the time you share together and not worry about the facilities you share. Time is limited, caravan parks are NOT.

Fab.

Maybe Consumer Affairs/fair trading would be interested?

I've stayed at some rough camps for big dollars in the north of the country, but one puts up with it due to the remoteness. One would expect something better close to Sydney.
Try contacting the local council health department. I think you'll find most councils have pretty strict rules on these facilities. Sounds like not only health regs are being broken, but the buildings are not fit for human use.
But don't be surprised if you get the response from the council; "when are you leaving?" Wednesday. "Oh, pity, we can't get an inspector out there till Friday..."
Regardless, I'd contact NRMA about their rating system.
Good luck
Gerry

Dennis

Send a report in to Badger's Caravan Park Reports. They are after an updated report for that park.

http://home.vicnet.net.au/~badger04/

Spread the word!

Peter

Dennis...set yourself up for free campng and you won't regret it.

I have...... and even if I have to go to a dodgy caravan park....I will use their power but rest I have.....onsuite/toilet etc.....so matter if their abolutions are bad, I don't have to use them, I have my own.....no grief.

This works for overnight stays at some 24hr rest stops and those dirty long drop toilets....yuk.

.

Dennis

mate i know just how you feel on this one.we stayed at a motel in brisbane a couple of months ago,sign out the front said it had an inground pool,so as it was a hot day and the kids wanted a swim we booked in.upon unpacking the car we headed off towards the pool for a swim only to find the water in the pool was green!!
palm fronds were also on the bottom of the pool.

one would expect that if you are going to have the public staying there certain minimum standards would have to be required for health reasons?

anyway,word of mouth goes a long way these days and a few people know not to go anywhere near that place.

Call the NRMA and let them know. We had a similar thing happened to us many years ago with a room full of spiders & bugs that I spent about an hour clearing out of the cabin, the bed sheets were from a prison movie and we used our can of spray to kill off the nasties. We had 2 kids - 4 & 1, they loved it but SWMBO just about broke down. We thought about driving on through the night but we had already paid our dough and it was late at night. Complained to the RAA here in Adelaide and they were subsequently removed from the book.

Dennis
If you need to stop in Sydney go to the Lane Cove National Park off Delhi Road.
Ten mins from Chatswood Rail Station by Public transport. Excelent facilities for campers, Caravans or cabins.

We had the same experience yesterday. We broke down and had no choice at the time where to stay. We had to quickly dump our stuff out of the car that was still on the tow truck into a cabin. We didn't stay in the camper because this trip we had set up for only o/n and not unhitching and needed the car, I couldn't be bothered setting up anyway. I didn't take much notice at first and took the kids off to the pool. It was time to cook tea. I ended up getting take away and used stuff out of the camper. It wasn't nice at all. I went to make the beds that had ripped covers and dirt, there was even a dirty sheet left screwed up on the top bunk. I realised we left a swag in the car. I couldn't open the camper to get the other beds out. The shower rose was broken. There was water stained paper lining that the cups and plates sat on. Gap under the door where the mossies were coming in. I ended up ringing RACQ. With in an hour they had us towed to a luxury motel with in walking distance to the main street. I rang the nation wide number when we were on the side of the road (wrong). I didn't complain and give them (the park) a chance to sort it I just wanted to get out of there. I was embarrassed to complain in case it was my expectations that were too high. After the ordeal during the day the cabin tipped me over. Another travelling lesson was learnt.

Dennis,
I have no doubt that you have a digital camera in the family .
My suggestion would be for you to take many pics and then send these to the NRMA and also the local council and health dept. Together with the full story of your stay outlining your disappointment and the feeling that you have let your family down relying on the NRMA star system.
Make sure they have your home address and ask for any follow up info from them.
Also send a copy to the caravan park managers/owners.
This may result in at least shaking them up.

Hi Dennis,

I got so fed up with Parks & motels looking better on the brochure than what they really were that I stopped pre booking them. I start looking out for something by about 3.00 in the afternoon & always ask to check the site or room BEFORE I part with my money.

Ok so now & again I have to move on to another town because everything is booked out but I have never had to sleep in the car yet & I travel quite a bit for my job & in my leisure time.
Cheers
Stuart

I have informed the NRMA of the situation by email.
I will now hand deliver a written formal complaint to the management threatening to involve the consumer affairs department. But by the standard of care they show to the Park I can’t imagine that they will worry about their reputation. If I don’t get a satisfactory discount – how much time do you devote to fighting these issues? I’ve got better things to do with my life.
Thanks to all for your suggestions.
Dennis

Sorry to hear of your plight.

Certianly make a formal and loud complaint to NRMA as you based your decision on there rating!
Secondly, tell the owners/managers how appalled you are and if they bascilly say bad luck....
Ask them for the correct spelling of thier names, wether they are the owners or managers ,how long they have been at the park etc and write the details down... then tell them that you want to make sure you have all the facts correct because you will be featuring THEM & THEIR PARK in your next travel article!! - This has wiorked for me in the past! On both occasions the managers attitude changed withng seconds of me mentioning that I woud be publishing an article with photos for all to read :-)

Not bloody good enough!

Go get 'em!
Cheers
Alex B

Hi Dennis

Did they offer any apology - eg storm damage or about to be renovated? Still no excuse for not cleaning daily.

I always use Badger's reviews for my research, although not all CPs are reviewed - that is up to us, the travellers to do so. Although sometimes there are conflicting opinions in the reports, reading the review gives me an idea of what is a good one on the priorities I want.

We don't generally book, but we take travelling holidays, not a period of time in a set place. I like to see the site before paying, but don't inspect the amenities first. I only pay for one night at a time, so if there is a problem, we can move on. This is not always possible if needing to stay in a place to wait for parts or something and parks are full so no alternatives.

If i felt as you did, i would let the park manager know, and if it was part of a chain, let the chain headquarters know. I don't know how NRMA work, but i have seen caravan park booklets (probably put out by the caravan industry in that state) which seem to review only parks for those who advertise in it.

Motherhen

Gooday,
Stayed there about 8 years ago and it was atrocious then, as well as very rude management. We left after about a week and did not get a refund for the week we walked away from. Went to Lane Cove and have been going there regularly ever since.

We are there at the moment, pity it is Gov't owned & run as they have wasted a lot of money on upgrades which do not last. Still has to be the best available in Spin Dryer City.
Cheers,
Boroma604.

Do you have access to a video camera or good stills camera ?

First I would document the state of the park, I would then talk to the owners regarding a refund, I would send the photos to NRMA complaining about their rating system and ask for action to be taken.

I would send copies to a TV current affairs program as well.

Shoddy facilities like these in tourists parks are not acceptable.