Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Scammers?

If you are familiar with my blog and my work place, you will know that the kampground is the main source of my writing material. Winter is slow. As hunting season is winding down, we will have those travelers just looking for a place to stop for a night's rest.

This past week has brought two requests for month long vacation stays. There is not much to do here in the cold months. So, I was surprised by the e-mail requests. I answered the first one and confirmed that I do not have cabins or RV rentals available and have not heard back form that one, didn't really expect to. I am left wondering how they found the e-mail address. If they found it, then surely they found the website that would have answered those questions and the other questions about attractions in the area.

The second request was poorly worded in such a way to make me think that English was not the primary language of the writer. It was a request for a family vacation for a month in January. With 3 children aged 6, 9 and 11 and two adults in an 18 foot travel trailer.

Strange enough yet? Just imagine being house bound with 3 kids in less than 150 square feet. I dutifully answered all the questions about my rates and the activities (or lack of) available that time of year and did not really expect a response.

Last night when I checked the site, there was a response. They want to arrive Friday and present me with a credit card to pay. Okay. Nothing unusual about that, you may be thinking. But ........... they want me to charge $1250.00 and be responsible for paying a caterer to bring their food daily.

I answered. I was polite with my refusal to pay the caterer and did not let my alter ego take over and accuse them of scamming me. They have not responded.

This past weekend was highlighted by a drunken driver in my park. He managed to plow through the railroad ties that line the side of the road meant to keep you out of the ditch. The truck ran over the foot bridge for walkers to use on the way to the pool. I know who did it .......... but can't prove it. So we just have to eat the damages.

Not fair? Life is not fair.   

11 comments:

ellen abbott said...

Of course you know it was a scam. it amazes me that anybody ever falls for that stuff. but greed can be blinding.

Joanne Noragon said...

Geeze. I hope it's not the start of a long winter!

Brian Miller said...

ugh...what maroons...they need to come up with a better story...

SkippyMom said...

Oh lordy - that is so obvious it is funny. If they weren't so over the top [January, 3 kids in an 18 footer, did I mention January and 1250 with caterer] it would be funnier.

I wish you could say something to the drunk driver. He not only destroyed your property and hard work - but he is a danger to everyone else. Makes me so mad.

Val said...

Who goes camping in Missouri and hires a caterer? Somebody up to no good, with no knowledge of Missouri in January.

Nancy said...

You have to laugh, really. A caterer for a camp site? Hope your holiday is free of these types for the duration.

Teresa said...

what a sucky thing for someone to do to your camp. those sorts of folks totally tick me off.

as for the scammer - too funny. i have had my share of dealings with them, too.

Rae said...

Infuriating - the scammers and the drunk driver. Kind of takes away the holiday cheer dealing with jerks like that.

squawmama said...

You always have such interesting stories... I can't imagine anyone catering their meals while camping!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
Donna

Whitney Lee said...

Frustrating. On both counts. I have my own opinion about drunk driving but at least the damages were to property and not to people. Is this person one who is going to be around for awhile?

Sextant said...

Kathy,

I would like to book two weeks in the beginning of February. I enclosing a check for $6000 that I need to cash right away but unfortunately I must leave for Luxembourg within the hour and will not be able to cash this check until after the expiration date. Please deduct the amount of the rental from this check and send me the remainder of the money by pay pal to the email address below. Deduct an additional $500 for your efforts. Please hurray as I will need the funds when I arrive in Luxembourg. Thank you for your kindness and have a Merry Christmas.

Believe it or not a friend of a friend fell for this during an Ebay sale. He lost his merchandise and two grand that he sent with the merchandise. Needless to say the $200 for efforts wasn't any good either.

Well have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in any event.