#@!!??! Grrrr! Alamada County Fairground RV Park

[Cudedog]

Good morning, Everyone.

I am looking for suggestions for an RV Park in the Pleasanton, California, area.

I had hoped to go to Pleasanton to visit my daughter this weekend, and I thought I would "spread the word" about a $$VERY BAD$$ experience I just had booking an RV hookup space at the Alameda County Fairgrounds (Fair Park RV Park) in Pleasanton.

I booked a hookup space on Friday. Before booking, I read over the web site very carefully, and the only thing on there was the very welcoming statement that they are "Pet Friendly". This sounded really good, I tried to telephone them (as I generally always do) to find out just how "Pet Friendly" they were (not very, it turns out!!). Since there was no answer on the telephone ("please leave a message" - this in the middle of a weekday) and since there were only four or five back-in sites left, I decided to go ahead and book online.

BIG FREAKING MISTAKE.

I was charged a fast $83.00 on my credit card for two nights, then the reservation confirmation came listing "pet rules" that were not posted on their web page. Namely, that they do not allow "unaltered dogs" (my boy is an AKC Champion show dog, and to be shown he can't be "altered") secondly the "rules" state that they do not allow Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, Dobermans, and another breed or two of dog that I don't remember.

They don't send you the "rules" until after you make - and pay for - the reservation!!! RV Park rules are not posted anywhere that I could find on the Fair Park website - the only statement being that they were "Pet Friendly" (again, apparently not).

Although my dog is an AKC-Registered Staffordshire Bull Terrier, his breed is generally lumped under the "Pit Bull" category (many of you met my sweet boy at the Eagle Lake GTG last August).

When I received this emailed "Confirmation" together with a list of "Rules" (a mile long), I immediately telephoned them to cancel (no answer, please leave message), but since my original reservation (as well as the cancellation) was within the 48-hour cancellation "window" they are trying to charge me $53.00 and refund me $30.00 for a reservation that basically lasted an hour or two (took them this long to send the confirmation).

After literally hours on the phone with this place (they misrepresented that they were "Pet Friendly", and did not disclose to me before getting my money that my dog would not be allowed there, they said that they would refund me the full amount - but refuse to send me a cancellation confirmation that shows this. They just repeatedly email me a Cancellation Confirmation showing the $53.00 charge, and the $30.00 refund.

After about fifteen emails, and ten phone calls, I gave up. I will call my credit card company shortly, explain that the information on their website did not state the rules upfront (only stated that they were "Pet Friendly" - yeah, right) so they thus misrepresented their facility to me in order to get my money, which they now refuse to refund.

I am NOT happy about this (understatement of the year - however, I am fairly sure Beth would not appreciate it if I exercised my extensive vocabulary of expletives), but am still looking for a place to stay in the area (I will telephone my credit card carrier on Monday and dispute the charge for the reasons given above. Del Valle and Anthony Chabot do not have dog breed restrictions (I have actually stayed at Anthony Chabot - which is a lovely, lovely, place - many times with my dog without problem) but they are fully booked for the dates I am looking for.

RV park suggestions in the Pleasanton area greatly appreciated.

ALSO: PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THE FAIR PARK RV PARK AT THE ALAMEDA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS: UNFAIR AND MISLEADING BUSINESS PRACTICES. BEWARE!!

Thank you.

Anne

[Bethers]

Grrrrr! I share your pain and frustration. If anything they should require you accept their rules Before you can complete the reservation.

[havingfunnow]

Infuriating!!! You surely have my sympathy -- I only wish I had helpful info to offer! There should be a place to lodge a complaint about their practices. Better Business Bureau?

[cnq50b]

I can only imagine how frustrating this whole experience was/is.
Thanks for sharing it with us. I'm sure your credit card will honor your request to contest their charges due to their dishonest advertising & not sharing all the rules until after the charge was made.
Hopefully someone will have a recommendation for you for elsewhere - where you can relax & enjoy the visit with your daughter.
Sending positive thoughts & hugs your way.

[monik7]

You might look into RV parks in the Tracy area. I have no prior knowledge about any. Tracy would be maybe 25-30 miles east of your daughter’s house. Sorry for the hassle and disappointment you’re experiencing. It’s really inexcusable they wouldn’t post the rules prior to taking your reservation.
Sandi

[JudyJB]

You need to go online and post a review on RV Park Reviews right away. It is not cheap for a place where they pack you in tightly, at least based on the photos.

Also, do you think it would help to take your AKC papers along with you? Since they do not specifically list that breed, it is likely that the camp hosts do not know exactly what a "pit bull" is. In any case, it would give you a good argument.

I would also send a letter or email to someone in the county government. I see there is a Fair Association Board of Directors. http://www.acgov.org/bc/fabd/

There is also a Parks, Recreation and Historical Commission - http://www.acgov.org/bc/prhc/

ANd this page lists the county administrator and commissioners. Go for them, as well! http://www.acgov.org/

[longdog2]

I second Judy on the RVPark review. Most people could not pick out an actual pit bull because about 6 different breeds are lumped in the group. They also don't care bout AKC. Aggressive dogs should definitely be banned not specific breeds.

[MandysMom]

Not much in Tracy! It's my home town of my childhood. We were there in Oct 2016 for my reunion and only place is Morehead and I wouldn't recommend them at all. We had been there 5 years earlier and they were ok but in 2106 the hookups were not well done, we had to wind our electric around a big power pole to hook up. Had to move van to dump because while hooked to electric you could not get in position to use dump. Most of their spaces are towards back and are for long term use. The RV spaces for overnight or a few nights are right out next to Christman road and nearby highway with cars and heavy semi trucks going by all night. No clue their dog rules. They were also quite rude, as opposed to a nice experience 5 years before. If you are a Elks member, they have a nice little park behind their buildings. Quiet and nice manager. And just a little ways from Morehead. Easy access to highway which leads west to freeway.
Velda

[MelissaD]

The campground we use to use changed owners and they banned a few breeds of dogs. Our friends have dogs that are of the bull dog family (Boston Terrier) and it was one of the reasons we moved campgrounds. Might check out this site http://petfriendlytravel.com/campgrounds