I want to start a new thread about nothing, and let it run...

[16ACE27]

I agree with CN on Thousand Trails. We have stayed in TT parks (they tend to offer all the discounts available: Good Sam, Passport America, etc) and came to the same conclusion - packed-in, low maintained parks. Worth the half price for PPA for overnight, but not much more.

We have been PPA members for 25 years. Used to be a good deal with plenty of availability and very few "rules". Now the "park rules" (vary by park) are so ridiculous we are letting our membership lapse. Things like:
"Not available Friday through Monday"
"Only available November 1 through 15."
"Add $5 per person per night for parties over 2 people"
"Add $15 for A/C or electric heat"
and more.
I haven't seen one that says "Add $20 for a level site", but it's coming.

 

[dkoldman]

Thousand Trails... seem to be geared toward full-time RVers. Many are older campgrounds with sites packed in like sardines. The majority are near coastal areas where snowbirds and full-timers are attracted.

Then why offer free as a promo to folks like us with a brand new RV purchase that will see it as a useless or of none value? I recall the sales pitch was touting nationwide.

The "packages" are purposely confusing. The rules are complex. I could find absolutely no value for the light to moderate RVer. Look up any of various unbiased YouTube videos. It's like having several time-shares with impossibly complex restrictions... then you still wind up paying for a substandard experience.

In this case they have exceeded expectations because I tried hard to use and see some value, it was free how could it NOT have value, but it had none, in fact I should sue them for $100 for the two nights I had free as it was less than an optimum experience and not as advertised. They should have told me pedestal would not work, I would not be able to enjoy the campsite amenities in the pictures because it was on the side of lake and 15 mile drive in a RV plus give me a $20/night allowance to use. If I recall, I was not able to decline the free offer of Thousand Trails from La Mesa RV. Until now, I have always thought the world of La Mesa RV in Port St. Lucie, now I learn 6 years later they may be part of a mass conspiracy and racketeering with Thousand Trail. I am forever stained a former member of Thousand Trails and there is nothing I can do about it. The shame of it all

How about the "twelve months sames as cash" crowd? Oh... that's ME! I bought a $7k hot tub with that deal through their finance department. I was originally paying cash, but when they sprung that deal, I said heck yeah! I'll use YOUR money for a year earning interest for me. I've used those for probably 30 years.

Yes if the fine print allows you an out for you to really pay in full with no penalties or fees, you have dun good. I don't have time to read the fine print anymore. I don't sales pitches and I know marketing is design to make me buy something that I may not even need. Besides, for me the minute they ask me to sit down and sign some credit papers, I am leaving. If you will allow even when you pay cash for a new car, they may ask you to sign some credit papers. I get up and leave, I can't tell you how many videos the dealers finance depts may have of me to use on training. One guy I frustrated the living **** out of. He finally broke character, he knew he was being recorded too. I refused everything he put down in front of me except acknowledging what I was buying and bill of sale. It was up to him to take my cashiers check and hand me the keys. His boss finally did it for him.

But the point of my reference here was for those that at the end of 12 months when it is no longer same as cash, now with interest due, and with a payment due, they are in a bind.

 

[ducksface]

Deferred
Means adding that payment on to the end of the loan essentially doubling or tripling every payment you defer.

Deferers stare blankly when told.

 

[dkoldman]

Deferred
Means/adding that payment onto the end of the loan essentially doubling or tripling every payment you defer.

Deferers stare blankly when told.

True, there is some catch more often than not. I don't intend to FAFO. Buying a house is the only thing that I may consider financing . But as I approach retirement, I likely wouldn't finance that either. Seems like you want less of house than more when retiring, but I will figure it out.

 

[dkoldman]

I agree with CN on Thousand Trails. We have stayed in TT parks (they tend to offer all the discounts available: Good Sam, Passport America, etc) and came to the same conclusion - packed-in, low maintained parks. Worth the half price for PPA for overnight, but not much more.

We have been PPA members for 25 years. Used to be a good deal with plenty of availability and very few "rules". Now the "park rules" (vary by park) are so ridiculous we are letting our membership lapse. Things like:
"Not available Friday through Monday"
"Only available November 1 through 15."
"Add $5 per person per night for parties over 2 people"
"Add $15 for A/C or electric heat"
and more.
I haven't seen one that says "Add $20 for a level site", but it's coming.

I have seen fees for

1. Lake views
2. Concrete pad versus gravel pad ( Some with a grass lawn)
3. Extra is you want to put a tent on a RV site ( drives me nuts, as I love my tent)
4. Extra fees and parking for a towed

Thousand Trails is now $605 and they still have the below 5 regions. Some are specific for Snowbirds, I never noticed that before. But the map shows why for me in Texas it was hard to use. I think it is $125 more for each region you would like to add.

We tried to use a campsite near Orlando when RV was new on the way back home. They had plenty sites available, but said we had to give 7 days notice to use the TT Membership. We stayed at a very nice Wal Mart in Daytona Beach instead.

 

[ducksface]

We vett comfort items carefully.
1000 trails has not been a mistake due to 10% of the population being clear-headed, openly sharing, and consequently confirming our findings.

The other 90% can be trusted to buy a lifetime 1000 trails membership on a deferred payment plan.

 

[ducksface]

Okay, here's a cool thing. This is a sterling silver engraved Johnny Walker Black Bottle.
It's just one of the cool things I have to explain to people why it's cool.
This cool thing is up for trade.

Use Google lens to establish value.

The red thing in the background is the cape on my Superman versus Batman Rock'em sock'em robots that sit on my bar.

 

[Chateau_Nomad]

Ahhh... I have a B&W pic of my brother and I playing with our Christmas present Rock'em Sock'em Robots... maybe 1964?? It was the inaugural year... much coveted.

As for that "early payoff penalty"... that's the FIRST question asked. Then show me where it says so... then show me where to sign. There's always that 3 day right of rescission, so read the fine print on the terlet. If something stinks (other than the terlet), the DEAL goes in the... terlet.

 

[16ACE27]

There's always that 3 day right of rescission

Not everywhere and in some places it only applies if the product is sold and the contract signed, in your home.

 

[ducksface]

Not everywhere and in some places it only applies if the product is sold and the contract signed, in your home.

As above.
No car dealership would exist if it were true of cars.
I've explained this maybe1200times to folks.
However;
Motorhomes MIGHT be considered to be homes in some jurisdiction somewhere.
But
rescission doesn't apply to second homes or investment properties,

 

[Chateau_Nomad]

I was just referring to the "(insert term) same as cash" deals I previously mentioned... AND just the ones I have personal experience with. Contrary to some who don't, I ALWAYS read the "fine print" on these deals... SPECIFICALLY looking for any payoff penalty... which is a buzz kill... and a non-starter.

The hot tub did have a right of rescission - which was odd... but there it was. I never change my mind anyway, because I've already done the research. I was ready to just pay cash, but the establishment must get a kick-back from the finance company. When I made that last payment in the eleventh month I was just thinking "thanks for the use of YOUR money!"

Speaking of which... it's a little chilly here this evening... sunset... time for some relaxing hydrotherapy.

 

[ducksface]

(IF we hadn't expounded on
Three day
We all know some goof would be at their dealer quoting you and demanding to return the rv.)

 

[dkoldman]

I was just referring to the "(insert term) same as cash" deals I previously mentioned... AND just the ones I have personal experience with. Contrary to some who don't, I ALWAYS read the "fine print" on these deals... SPECIFICALLY looking for any payoff penalty... which is a buzz kill... and a non-starter.

The hot tub did have a right of rescission - which was odd... but there it was. I never change my mind anyway, because I've already done the research. I was ready to just pay cash, but the establishment must get a kick-back from the finance company. When I made that last payment in the eleventh month I was just thinking "thanks for the use of YOUR money!"

Speaking of which... it's a little chilly here this evening... sunset... time for some relaxing hydrotherapy.

I guess, I have to admit, I NEVER read the fine print. If it bold, or if they ask me to initial something, then I perk up. With more thought about 10 years ago I applied for a Home Depot Credit card to get a $200 off promo with no interest on a brand new Honda Lawnmover. I recall having to make my payments exactly right before I was able to pay it all off without penalty. It worked out but it was still a hassle.

I am glad you sent picture of your hot tub, somehow this was my visual.

 

[Chateau_Nomad]

At our previous house we had one for 18 years and used it constantly. After 7 winters at this house, I told the wife we're either becoming Florida snowbirds or getting a new hot tub... My neighbor said we'll use that for about two years and get tired of it. He doesn't know me very well.

 

[dkoldman]

(IF we hadn't expounded on
Three day
We all know some goof would be at their dealer quoting you and demanding to return the rv.)

I saw where a wife was at a dealership (may have been Nissan?) to look at a used car that she liked and wanted to buy, but she told dealership she wanted her husband to check it out first. The Dealership told her no problem, and said she could take it home and the Husband could check out all of the details he wanted. So they drew up the papers to allow her to take the car come, but then they asked her to sign some pre-approval papers. They told her that way if they liked all of the paperwork would be done. She figures she is a win win position.

So they get the car and the husband finds out the AC does not work, a $2,000 repair. The dealer would not fix. So the Wife & Husband decided they would NOT buy the car. The dealer said it was too late, they had already bought the car Apparently the dealership knew that once the pre-approval came back approved, and they took the car, they had bought it. The dealer did not fix AC, nor allow the car to be returned.

 

[Chateau_Nomad]

I saw where a wife was at a dealership (may have been Nissan?) to look at a used car that she liked and wanted to buy, but she told dealership she wanted her husband to check it out first. The Dealership told her no problem, and said she could take it home and the Husband could check out all of the details he wanted. So they drew up the papers to allow her to take the car come, but then they asked her to sign some pre-approval papers. They told her that way if they liked all of the paperwork would be done. She figures she is a win win position.

So they get the car and the husband finds out the AC does not work, a $2,000 repair. The dealer would not fix. So the Wife & Husband decided they would NOT buy the car. The dealer said it was too late, they had already bought the car Apparently the dealership knew that once the pre-approval came back approved, and they took the car, they had bought it. The dealer did not fix AC, nor allow the car to be returned.

That's a finance manager who evidently hasn't had a $2,000 punch in the face. Guaranteed he keeps treating people like that, he's overdue.

 

[dkoldman]

I've seen shopping carts in a 7/11 in Las Vegas.
Leading to;
I can only imagine the 30year four digit payment many(maybe most)folks have on their rv; the payment and costs being either assassin or constrictor that is choking them and their debt ratio.
 
Low down
Long months
Impulse-folk masquerading as thorough-thought-folk.

Not that I didn't believe you, but I didn't believe you, so I had to go to a 7 / 11 to see for myself.

What next.... Self Checkout at 7/11? If they do that, they might as well get a Police Bus and park at the store and arrest everyone coming out

 

[ducksface]

I've done a lot of 5 day day contingent contracts.
You say you're going to usaa so I'd write a full contract at a ridiculous interest rate(12 add-on and rule of 78 for those who know, 19.91%x60 front loaded interest for civilians) and await your return sometime during the five days before I cashed our contract. It was 10 days if I truly thought you were good for coming in with a check.
I'll say 30% of my contracts stuck due to 500 fico daddy's little princess know it all Irvine dwelling 79% debt ratio turds thinking their uncle was in the national guard in 1952 so usaa membership was a shoe-in...or mom was going to die any day...a slip and fall settlement is about to pay off...we're getting a second mortgage on Friday that we applied for just the Wednesday before...yadda yadda.

Half would scream like a smashed cat, the others were happy to have a car at any price.

 

[Chateau_Nomad]

My son sells new and used cars. Never any names, but he has some fantastical stories of people living on a thread and maxed out credit... looking at $90k trucks.

 

[dkoldman]

My son sells new and used cars. Never any names, but he has some fantastical stories of people living on a thread and maxed out credit... looking at $90k trucks.

I had a cousin that proved my mother, her sisters and me wrong by brokering her own deal on brand new GMC Denali, she got the payments she wanted where the all of the plans / advice we provided said she could NOT afford. But in her mind she was only hearing us say she could not buy it. So she put her trust in the dealer and bought it.

3 months later she had a change with her job, and could not make the payments anymore. She tried to sell it back but could not understand how or why she had to pay almost $12,000 to get it back.

She came to me for help and turned out she had paid MSRP & the dealer cooked the books with almost nothing down over I think it was 7 years, basically giving her the payments she asked for. She was upside down. I am surprised the bank signed off on the deal.

She wanted me to buy it, I considered as I could have paid more than the dealer trade in. But she she wanted me or someone to pay off the bank loan. I did what a polite duck would do. I said No, your mistake is made, you have to take the hit and you will be better off selling on the open market for as much as you can get, but be expected to come out of pocket to pay the bank off, which she did. She no longer has any of the elaborate vehicles; so I can safe she learned from her mistake.

I tell my kids if you have to borrow to buy something you can't afford it. It is just a mindset. Some people take out a loan on everything they buy and they just stay in the hold. I had car loans (for cars I could not afford) when I was in college and when I graduated with my 1st real job, I remember opening a Sears card to finance a Washer & Dryer ( that I could not afford). But when I paid that card off I was in like money saving mode. I use credit cards all the time and paid in full. We paid off out home in 6 years. We originally had a 30 year note. I shocked a lot of people because when rates fell through the roof in '92 I refinanced the mortgage, but our payments went up by about $50/month; no one could understand why I would do as they were all saving $400 - $500 /mo ( A Duck would though), We had our terms changed to 15 years. You see it was NOT about the payment to us, we could afford it. It was all about the opportunity to beat the system. Every year I took my bonuses and instead of wasteful spending just because I had the money, I reduced principal until I got the house paid off.