Jayflight
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2021
- Posts
- 1,165
Well since I joined years ago and really found that it not only met our needs the way that we traveled, but enjoyed the the experiences . We used it to purchase unusual gifts and supported the outlets being run by families in a small way. We continue to get email blasts telling us about discounts to join too, which I assume goes out to everyone thats currently a member too. I have no problems with it. But it would be nice to have a direction to express concerns to the management too.
They have now changed how you book the evenings to the point that communication is not much better than call centers of sorts for most big businesses that we are forced to endure. You fill out their forms, it goes thru a master system that sends an automated message and you now hope that someone gets back to you in a timely manner as you plan your route. Currently you are lucky if you get a reply back so that it does not create a worry if a space is available or to the point you need to look in a different direction. If you have a hickup on the road, or break down and cannot cancel, you get a ding. Three strike rule, while intended to help their outlets plan, given the communications issues , its not a cure all for no shows with the third party email transfers.
Without a timely reply we are subject to changing our direction. We are not fans of driving until zero 6 pm or so to alternative places for camping while looking for a space or at big bucks campgrounds for the lack of a known space. You can send a follow up thru their webpage and you do not get a human type reply.
We had to even look up the outlets on google to see if there was a direct number, which a lot had but with an answering machine and call them directly.
So if someone had direct contact to a human being at Harvest Host , their new and "improved" booking method has moved them back to a form of dial up internet communications in spotty regions, even when you are in well connected areas.
You do need to know something before getting into areas that some of the outlets are located. Our choices are targeted towards farms as the first choice,. with off the beaten path wineries for their different wines thats not sold on typical shelves. This was their main selling point in the beginning. If need be you could communicate with a human being, or leave a message and get a call back in a timely manner. Of course I understand the outlets are working at their businesses.
The beauty of Harvest hosts was that if you are sure of your direction and located in a well connected area as you travel, you could genuinely plan you route, mainly for the next day too. You could also change in the middle of the day and let them know. That did not happen on this last trip.
We have meet some of the best folks, the salt of the earth and hate to give it up. But COE and BLM lands is looking even better, even though their locations do not gives you the experiences.
They have now changed how you book the evenings to the point that communication is not much better than call centers of sorts for most big businesses that we are forced to endure. You fill out their forms, it goes thru a master system that sends an automated message and you now hope that someone gets back to you in a timely manner as you plan your route. Currently you are lucky if you get a reply back so that it does not create a worry if a space is available or to the point you need to look in a different direction. If you have a hickup on the road, or break down and cannot cancel, you get a ding. Three strike rule, while intended to help their outlets plan, given the communications issues , its not a cure all for no shows with the third party email transfers.
Without a timely reply we are subject to changing our direction. We are not fans of driving until zero 6 pm or so to alternative places for camping while looking for a space or at big bucks campgrounds for the lack of a known space. You can send a follow up thru their webpage and you do not get a human type reply.
We had to even look up the outlets on google to see if there was a direct number, which a lot had but with an answering machine and call them directly.
So if someone had direct contact to a human being at Harvest Host , their new and "improved" booking method has moved them back to a form of dial up internet communications in spotty regions, even when you are in well connected areas.
You do need to know something before getting into areas that some of the outlets are located. Our choices are targeted towards farms as the first choice,. with off the beaten path wineries for their different wines thats not sold on typical shelves. This was their main selling point in the beginning. If need be you could communicate with a human being, or leave a message and get a call back in a timely manner. Of course I understand the outlets are working at their businesses.
The beauty of Harvest hosts was that if you are sure of your direction and located in a well connected area as you travel, you could genuinely plan you route, mainly for the next day too. You could also change in the middle of the day and let them know. That did not happen on this last trip.
We have meet some of the best folks, the salt of the earth and hate to give it up. But COE and BLM lands is looking even better, even though their locations do not gives you the experiences.
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