August 26, 2023
Picture this. A friend of mine, let’s call her “Donna,” decides to embark on a cross-country road trip. She’s got a taste for adventure and an RV with a full tank of gas. The only thing she needs now is a place to park for the night. Easy, right?
Well, hold onto your s’mores folks, because this is where it gets interesting. Donna calls up a campground to make a reservation and ends up in a telephonic tug-of-war with a lady who seems to have a vendetta against discounts. Donna mentions her Good Sam membership but alas, her membership had lapsed.
Instead of accommodating Donna’s request to renew her membership and apply the discount, the campground representative insists on the full payment. That’s right – she chose to lose a customer over $8.50. Let’s pause for a moment to let that sink in.
This campground didn’t just lose one reservation worth $85; they lost future business from Donna, her friends, and anyone else she might chat with around a campfire or on social media. And all because of a rigid adherence to a policy that lacked common sense.
As a CPA and a fervent fan of the RV lifestyle, I can tell you that the cost of acquiring a new customer is significantly more than $8.50. It’s not just about the revenue; it’s about fostering relationships and building a robust community around your business.
In the world of campground accounting, it’s crucial to remember there’s more to life than business. It’s about making sure every camper feels valued, even when they fall outside the bounds of your rules.
Stay tuned for more tales of campground calamities and how to avoid them. Because let’s face it, we’ve all had our share of phone reservations gone bad.
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Donna Bordeaux, CPA with Campground Accounting
Creativity and CPAs don’t generally go together. Most people think of CPAs as nerdy accountants who can’t talk with people. Well, it’s time to break that stereotype. Lively, friendly, and knowledgeable can be a part of your relationship with your CPA, as demonstrated by Donna and Chad Bordeaux. They have over 50 years of combined experience as entrepreneurial CPAs. They’ve owned businesses and helped business owners exceed their wildest dreams. They have been able to help businesses earn many times more profit than the average business in the same industry and are passionate about helping industries that help families build great memories.