December Newsletter

Lake Waldena Resort
Monthly Newsletter December 2011

Don’s Corner
HELP! HELP! HELP! Approximately 4 years ago, Lake Waldena Resort initiated a credit card payment option. It was a convenience for our RV customers to make reservations quickly, and accommodated those travelers who do not keep local checking accounts. The service fees we pay for providing that accommodation was, and is approx. 3% of the total amount charged. Our first year’s costs were less than $1,000.00. This year our direct costs will be approx. $8,000.00. The primary reason for that increase is because more people are using the plastic cards even though they could just as easily write a check or pay cash for the rent due. (Banks promote card use by offering special deals).
The only fair way to recoup our costs is to charge each card user a 3% fee. Trouble is, that’s against the law in most states, including Florida. As a result, most businesses raise their prices to compensate for the added cost. I happen to think that only those folks who use the cards ought to pay the 3%, not everyone. I’ve been fighting this battle for a long time (see enclosed), and will continue to do so.
So, let me ask, no encourage, each of you to stop using a card unless you absolutely need to. We will continue to monitor our costs over the next several months to see if, in fact, we can contain our losses.
Please help us help you toward this goal. Thanks, Don

It is that time of year again. The office will be doing an annual inspection of all properties. Mobile homes and campers should be clean of mold and mildew, roofs clean, and this year we will specifically be looking for concrete drives and walkways to be free of mildew. The office can provide a list of contractors, but we advise you to get your estimates in writing and DO NOT pay any contractor until the work is completed to your satisfaction.

Reminders :

A) If you have a comment, suggestion or complaint concerning any park issues, please it must be submitted in writing and given to the office staff and it will be address. Please DO NOT stop the maintenance staff or call the office this takes them away from their daily duties.

B) There is a sign-up sheet in the laundry room for any motor home owners that would like to get your propane tank filled. They come in on Tuesday of each week. Mobile home residence must call and set an appointment. Tru-Gas (866) 795-9110

C) Please make sure that your vehicles are parked in your driveways or on your camp sites, NOT on the roads. We need to keep the roads clear for emergency vehicles.

D) We have had some complaints concerning our beloved pets. It is Mandatory that you pick up after your pets. Please keep to the dog paths or take your pets to the dog park. Do NOT cut through sites or lots or congregate in the common areas. PLEASE RESPECT YOUR NEIGHBORS

Knock Knock Who’s there ? Mary Mary who ?
Merry Christmas !

 

June 14, 2010

Representative Barney Frank
Senator Chris Dodd
All Members of Finance Reform

Over the past 40 year I have developed and filled three retirement (55+) mobile home
and RV parks in the state of Florida.  Eighty four percent (84%) or more of our senior citizens pay their monthly lot rent by cash or check.  Within the past three years we
added the credit card option as a convenience to our RV customers.  This facilitates reservation deposits and accommodates those out of town campers who don’t have a
local checking account or sufficient cash for an extended stay.

This accommodation is costing our business thousands of dollars annually in bank
service fees and other charges.  We had not foreseen this loss of revenue.  Most of
our colleagues simply accept the charges as a “cost of doing business” and pass it
along in the form of a rent increase to their residents.

I have a “novel idea:  How about allowing a business to collect a surcharge (or “convenience” fee, as a recent treasury management newsletter by Jim Plunkett suggested) on all all credit and debit card transactions.  This would target only
the people who use the cards and not the vast majority of seniors who choose not
to use plastic.  Obviously the banking industry won’t care for the concept for various reasons, but what’s fair is fair.  So, while you’re in the process of finance reform,
how about considering something as basic as “if you use it, you pay for it”?

Respectfully,

Don L. Hilgeman
Lake Waldena Resort

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