| |
<< < 2 3 4 > |
ton-e-boy
|
03-08-2007 06:32 PM
|
Joined: 03 Aug 2007
Posts: 1
| We are in the process of reporting this 'Holiday Company' to the Health & Safety Excutitive, The Charity S.A.F.E. The England Tourism Council, BH&HPA and Yarmouth Borough Council regarding complaints we raised with its head office.
On the day we arrived, we had to stop and really think whether we wanted to spend 7 days and nights on what appeared to be a 50's council estate.....I'm not a snob...Im working class and spent 15 years of my 38 years living on a rough housing estate...so I am well aware where I'm coming from!
Firstly, we were surrounded by loud music, swearing, shouting, dogs barking, smoke, revving car engines, kids playing on our pitch, footballs hitting the caravan, tattooed beer swigging louts and flies....and this was in the first 10 minuets of our arrival.
Even the staff member who showed us to our pitch was warning us where to go or not to go...she even gave us the address to a local pub for food as the on site restaurant was not a healthy place to be!
As it was my family's first holiday in 4 years and my daughter was looking forward to it since we booked it...we decided to give it a go and risk it.
We set up the caravan and pitched the awning...got cleaned up and went off to Yarmouth for dinner....all well so far.
We got back about 9.30pm...and on entering the site you have to drive past the 'Family Entertainment' venue...this was surrounded by a gang of about 10 youths...most smoking and joking with the sites very own 'Max and Paddy' on the door....wearing the SAS type ear piece and men in black type suits (pathetic)
We also noticed people standing inside the entrance to the venue smoking...(smoking ban?.....what smoking ban?)
When we drove through this lot we arrived at our van....again...the noise, THE DOGS?....why do people bring dogs on caravan holidays only to leave them locked up all day (and night)?....we counted 4 different types of dogs barking in a radius of about 40 feet....we made a game out of it in the end.....guess the breed of dog!
Anyway...we pulled the blinds down, locked the door and watched TV for a bit and this blocked out the noise.
At about midnight we settled down for bed....but soon we could hear that distant base rhythm.....you know the one....the type you hear on a Friday night Saturday morning coming from a flat on the 29th floor.....boom boom, boom...boom boom boom. This was the din from the 'Familty Entertainment' venue....it was mental torture at its best....This venue has a disco every night till 1.00am!! Luckily enough we have a radio in the van...so I went to sleep with radio 4 in the back ground.... I was woken up at about 3.00am with the boy racers riding around the site with a more distinct clarity of BOOM BOOM BOOM, BOOM BOOM, BOOM!
That set the dogs off who in turn set the dog owners off! I didn't wake the next morning because I wasn't asleep!...I never saw my family get up and out so quick, so early!
We decided to head out for the day and in doing so we discussed the problems we encountered and agreed I would speak to a manger if things had not improved.
On returning that evening (6.00pm) we decided we would try out the outdoor swimming pool before dinner...we were unlucky again as the pool had shut at 5.30pm and although this was not mentioned in the brochure/leaflets/web site/on site, we were told by a staff member that it was common knowledge that it shut at that time? We were told to try the sister site down the road which had an indoor pool...so off we went, but that too shut at 5.30pm.
Ok...we thought, we wont give up we will just visit the 'Family Entertainment' venue...so we made our way to there and again we were confronted by about 10 gobby youths, smoking and larking with Max and Paddy...we had to battle our way through a cloud of tobacco smoke to get into the inner entrance of the venue...past Max and Paddys mate who was so ingrossed in chatting up a small group of young girls he never even saw me (especially) walk in...I was not asked for any ID or my site pass. We didn't stay there too long as the prices were ridiculously high and the place was half empty anyway. We had a look at the bingo that was in swing, only to find out that the bingo calling machine had blown up and they were using a kiddies plastic bingo globe with the numbers on ping pong type balls....which they had to buy from Argos that evening as we were told by a staff member....pathetic!...we had seen enough and headed back to the van.
The same problems happened that night so we decided then and there I was going to complain the next morning. To test the lapse in security I went back to the venue and again, I found Max and Paddy chatting with the younger punters and again I walked in and through the hue of blue tobacco smoke and again I was never stopped!
On the 3rd day of our stay we were up early and decided we'd go for a swim, so we went down to the outdoor pool...in we went and went about finding the changing rooms....but! surprise surprise....no changing rooms (nothing on the advert about that!)...Well that was the final straw...I had enough!
I went into the reception and spoke to a lady who promptly called the complex manager and the swimming pool manager....very soon the office was filled with about 4 or five gents....I began to explain my problems but felt very exposed as there were customers around me listening in. I stopped and asked who I was speaking to and one large shaven headed gent came right up to the counter, and very close to my face and said his name and that he was the complex manager...as he did he was smirking over to the others behind him...I went on and continued with what I was saying but again I noticed that this particular gent was not showing any signs of interest I told him this and he shrugged his shoulders, smirked back at his mates and said...."Yeah...what ever!" and walked away and out of the office with his 2 mates behind him!
I could not believe what had happened, I was gobsmacked! The swimming pool manger was the only one who would speak to me and he was very apologetic.
I was handed a customer complaint form and told it would take them 14 days to reply to it...this was not good enough, so I asked to speak to the GM....He turned up and was a bit more approachable but explained that he had just started in the job and was not 'up to speed' on the complex, but assured me he would look into my complaint.
At no time was I offered an alternative move to the sister site, although I did mention it at the start I was so annoyed by it all I decided then and there we were leaving.
We spent the rest of that day visiting and calling other sites, but all were full....my wife went back to reception to call the customer services in London and spoke to a lady who was also making a complaint...she suggested visiting The Wild Duck, Haven site which was only a short trip down the road....it was full when we called in....but WOW...what a difference....professional, courteous and the site was a delight.
The lady on reception was so helpfull...she told us that there was a pitch available from the followinng day and as a good will jesture for the problems caused at Park Rresorts, she gave us a 10% discount off the cost of our stay....at last, our holiday was about to begin!
We left it till very late that evening to return to the van and again spent a restless night...but at least we knew we were getting out of there the next day!
Before we left, I thought I'd take some pictures of this excuse for a holiday park, and I'm glad I did....not for posterity but more for health and safety...
I took photographs of an electric room adjacent to the toilet block with the security door kicked in, no lock, wide open, inside were a large cluster of electric isolator switches which I assume was the power source to the whole site, in there I saw a boiler with its back cover off and all its electrical wiring and hot parts exposed!
I took photographs of gas cylinders lying around the rear of the reception and only 20ft away from the playground, also I found old gas cylinders so corroded that they were at risk of splitting and leaking.
I got photographs of large tractors with grass cutting machines, the blades exposed, again only feet away from the play ground....a large builders skip full of large objects and what appeared to be builders rubbish, no netting or fencing and again close to the playground and 'Family Entertainment' venue.
I took many other photographs, but what worried me the most was a pump action paint sprayer partially full of Creosol fence paint sitting on a deck chair inside the swimming pool area, a pair of rubber gloves were on a chair next to this...and it appears by the dust and dirt on the chairs, that they had been there for some time.
My wife again called the customer services department to advise we had photographic evidence of many health and safety breeches only to have the phone slammed down on her.
We are now seeking a full refund of the cost of the holiday plus the cost of transferring to another site and if possible compensation for the trouble it caused.
My photographs and letters are being sent to each of the authorities advertised on the Park Resorts brochure as well as the Health and Safety Executive and anyone else who will shut this sh*t hole of a place down before someone's child gets seriously hurt or worse.
In a nut shell....stay clear of this place....its a dump and its customer service is non existent!
Regards
Tony (Haven Holiday's newest customer)
|
|
|
Subscribe |
|
|
|
Reply |
| |
laura2008
|
20-04-2008 05:22 PM
|
Joined: 06 Feb 2008
Posts: 4
| any1 know about bideford bay in devon if thats any good as we are going there in june ....
|
|
|
gla.ssfp
|
22-04-2008 11:21 PM
|
Joined: 06 Apr 2008
Posts: 10
My Profile
| Well at least we are not the only owners that are having problems with Park Resorts.
I am still trying to get rid of our caravan and still havent paid any ground rent for 2008. The last thing I want to do is give them another penny of my hard earned cash !!
This year I am going to Cyprus and staying in a 5 star hotel, It is still much cheaper than the site fees that park resorts charge
I just wish we could increase the ranking for this post so that whenever anyone types in the words "park Resorts" they will see all of the problems we have had !!
|
|
|
essex boy
|
24-04-2008 07:35 PM
|
Joined: 16 Apr 2008
Posts: 15
My Profile
| Park Resort Scammers;;
They make my blood boil;; they have turned our site in yarmouth in to a gigantic sales pitch.. all they want is to get you to upgrade on
finance,, once they have got the payment they dont want to know;;
please beware of park resorts and dont buy from them unless you can afford to lose a lot of money,,
they have ruined our site at yarmouth,, constantly sending out bully boy letters;; but park resorts beware us owners have had enough
the worm has turned.
|
|
|
essex boy
|
24-04-2008 07:35 PM
|
Joined: 16 Apr 2008
Posts: 15
My Profile
| Park Resort Scammers;;
They make my blood boil;; they have turned our site in yarmouth in to a gigantic sales pitch.. all they want is to get you to upgrade on
finance,, once they have got the payment they dont want to know;;
please beware of park resorts and dont buy from them unless you can afford to lose a lot of money,,
they have ruined our site at yarmouth,, constantly sending out bully boy letters;; but park resorts beware us owners have had enough
the worm has turned.
|
|
|
IOWOWNER
|
24-04-2008 08:30 PM
|
Joined: 13 Apr 2008
Posts: 2
| OK
I have made a complaint to the Environmental Health on the Isle of Wight about the noise levels from the clubhouse.
Apparently their music license is only valid until 2am (not 3am which seems to be the norm in the summer) According to the General Manager(GM) on our site they are also supposed to give out a 24 hour phone number for owners/holidaymakers to use to complain about late night noise (Anyone been given such a number on a PR Site?). They are also to keep all windows and fire doors closed to limit the noise and make regular walk rounds to monitor the "din" I have now got forms to fill in to let EH know if this doesn't improve things, suggest others do the same on their sites.
The GM isn't very popular on the site and I can't imagine this will make any difference, but as I told EH as we have had 4 Managers in the last 2 years they seem to be like buses (there will be another one along in a minute)
Perhaps all owners should ask for this phone number and kick up a fuss (hopefully disturbing the sleep of the manager, when we are upset by noise pollution) I don't begrudge people having fun but would like to hear my TV in MY caravan!
UP THE REVOLUTION!
|
|
|
gla.ssfp
|
24-04-2008 09:29 PM
|
Joined: 06 Apr 2008
Posts: 10
My Profile
| We were not given any contact detals and we are sited just 3 rows back from the clubhouse.
Must admit I had thought abou reporting them to the local fire officer as the clubhouse fire alarm was always sat in a fire condition therefore it was very unlikely that the system would re activate in the event of a genuine activation on the same zone !!
I have also complained about the beer too. I am 98% certain that the Worthington was a cheaper bitter !!
The ONLY thing they are interested in is money money money !!
Come buy our caravan then after a week we will come round or ring you every week to see if you want to upgrade to a more expensive one so that we can earn even more commission !!
AVOID PARK RESORTS !!!!
|
|
|
Ireland Family
|
26-04-2008 12:32 PM
|
Joined: 25 Apr 2008
Posts: 2
| I TOTALLY DISAGREE with EVERYTHING you have said about BREYDON WATER.
We purchased a caravan last year to begin with it was against my better judgement, as the park looked like a gypsy site, with cars, boats old sheds, plant pots with nothing in, all outside other peoples caravans. But my husband and children really wanted a caravan at Breydon, so we went ahead with the purchase.
But WOW what an improvement this year. We have not been down as we rent out our caravan (and YES through Park Resorts, it's a great scheme) until last weekend to attend the owners event.
We came back from the Club on Saturday night, and I did not have to worry about the children walking into old plant pots, or other peoples washing lines, or even a tent, yes that's right a tent outside someone's caravan.
The entertainment area are looks GREAT the new decoration is really modern and a MASSIVE improvement to last year.
The kids can't wait to go back in 2 weeks and see Craig the entrainments person again.
Costa coffee is also new and it was nice to be able to relax with a nice coffee while to kids went to Sparkys Club on Sunday Morning.
I even went into the office to meet the new manager, and to say what a great job he was doing, he was very welcoming and said if I had any problems just to call.
We are already looking at a purchasing a new holiday home towards the end of the year.
Keep up the good work Breydon Water!
|
|
|
essex boy
|
01-05-2008 12:33 PM
|
Joined: 16 Apr 2008
Posts: 15
My Profile
|
Ireland family,, are you sure you dont work for park resorts ,
if you dont and you are genuine,, then i am pleased for you,
but in my own experience and others that have been owners for
some time , you wil find that once the honeymoon period is over
you will learn.
The ideal candidate for park resorts buys their caravan on finance,
rents it out to cover ground rent and finance etc,,
then in the second year , providing the van has not been ruined
by renting out,, struggles to find the payments and ends up
selling back to park resorts for a fraction of the original cost.
Good Luck
Essex boy
|
|
|
victim of shark resorts
|
02-05-2008 03:15 PM
|
Joined: 02 May 2008
Posts: 1
| MESSAGE FOR THE IRELAND FAMILY
I have a sneaking suspicion that you work for shark resorts ,
but for the moment i will give you the benefit of the doubt
In reply to your comments,, that when you bought your caravan
last year,, the site looked like a councill estate,, i totaly agree,,
but what you must understand is that this has only happened since
park resorts took over.
Before park resorts took over it was a lovely freindly site,, in fact
we had garden competions,, and people used to walk round the site
and comment how nice it was,, and in fact there was always a
waiting list for people wanting to come on the site,, how different
things are now.. since park resorts took over.
how do you think you would feel if you were an owner, who
had been proudly looking after their caravan and garden,, to
then out of the blue get a bully boy letter from shark resorts
ordering you to remove your garden,, that had been their for
10 years as you are breaking site rules and in breach of your
license.. that is why the site is now a disgrace,, people are
******* off and have lost interest,,
|
|
|
living the dream
|
04-05-2008 04:50 PM
|
Joined: 04 May 2008
Posts: 1
| I currently work in the holiday park industry, I have read through most of these reports and I must say, some of you have been treated unfairly and are right to have your complaint I encourage you to take this to the parks gm most are very willing to listen and I know Park Resorts are invisting alot of time and money in improving customer service especially with owners.
to answer some of the queries I noted on the site,
Selling back your caravan, should you wish to do this then yes expect to lose out, as with anything there is a substantial difference between a retail price and a trade price, when you go to sell your caravan back to the park they will only offer you a trade price. Should you wish to sell it on the park you have the right to do so through a private sale agreement, your purchaser will lsoe certain privalges and the park will be due a commision but why not the company invest alot of money in there parks and if every van sold on that park was done privately they would soon be out of business. Please also remeber when you say you paid 10k for your caravan you actually didnt most 1st sales include site fees rates insurance steps etc and they all add up to your TOTAL price you are more likely to have spent around 5k on the metal of the caravan. and this is what will be bid on. Please remeber when you by a caravan you are doing it to improve your lifestyle, a safe place for your kids with facilities for you to use at some point you must have found these facilites appealing or you wouldnt have purchased in the 1st place??? if you are looking to make money from holiday home ownership the only way is through rental and you wont make millions.
park rules - the management cant and dont just change them willy nilly what is more likely is they are being fully enforced, you are entitled to read the t&cs and park rules before purchasing no one will ever say you cant. Unfortunatley alot of owners are happy to sign into them but not so happy to abide by them and then get upset when are forced to do so.
fee increases - BH & HPA members will not increase fees more than 5% unless there has been substatial investement.
Plastic boxes they are a death trap I have seen these things go up in a matter of minutes and it isnt pretty the apporved sheds are stronger look better and will take a hell of a beating
just so you know the managers I have met and worked with not 1 of them want to upset customers and the majority work long hours and dont often get paid for all those hours, running these parks can take over your life and most managers do it because of a genuine passion to improve peoples lifestyles.
|
|
|
maggie56
|
04-05-2008 10:45 PM
|
Joined: 04 May 2008
Posts: 1
| Hi, after reading your comments on this site I was really shocked at how bad some of your experiences have been. I am an owner at Crimden Dene and have been for just over a season now, when I first purchased the caravan I was a little anoyed because I had to wait 3 weeks for the caravan to be sited and when it was the tv ariel was not working properly. My heart instantly sank because I had previously been an owner on a haven park where the after sales service was appauling, however from the day I moved in I can gladly say the tv ariel has been my only complaint.
They have spent lots of money rcently trying to improve the park and the swimming pool and resturant are really nice.
The team in the office, although they have changed a couple of times! could not do more to help me. Yes they send me brochures and ask me to upgrade my caravan but they also make a very concious effort to get the owners involved in free events because they genuinely want to get to know us.
Sorry to hear other people have had such distgusting experiences but I dont think Park Resorts are that bad of a company, Haven are alot worse in my opinion.
|
|
|
Ireland Family
|
05-05-2008 01:51 PM
|
Joined: 25 Apr 2008
Posts: 2
| I certainly don't work for Park Resorts, In fact I have just qualified as a Nurse, so my family time is important to me.
I think that a lot of people have picked up on the negative things that have been happening at Breydon Water. No one has mentioned the new shows, fantastic owner evenings that have happened this year, or even the new food menu.
The park is for families not people who want to live in the past, I don't care who owned it before or even what it looked like, all I know is the park looks great compared to last year, and my children love being their!
And after all that's all that matters!
|
|
|
essex boy
|
05-05-2008 07:47 PM
|
Joined: 16 Apr 2008
Posts: 15
My Profile
|
MESSAGE FOR LIVING THE DREAM
Yes of course i understand business has to make money,, but
their is a limit to a fair profit,, and park resorts certainly cross the
line,, in reply to talking to the g.m and trying to have a decent
conversation,, well if you are at breydon waters forget it.
the man has been there 3 months and has not had the decency
to introduce himself like the others did,, no one knows who he is
i think we have had 5 in the last 18 months.
all mark warner is good for is sending out threatening letters to
owners,, and getting peoples backs up.
why does he have to make things difficult for himself and every one
around him,, in truth all though it gets my back up, as the site has
now become a massive sales pitch,,i do feel some sympathy for the
sales staff trying to earn a living as mark warners antics are making
things difficult for them.
|
|
|
angel of the north
|
05-05-2008 09:29 PM
|
Joined: 26 Apr 2007
Posts: 53
My Profile
| have just come across this site for PARK RESORTS,i live in sussex but i am from the north.so when i wanted to go and visit family in april i came across CRIMDON DENE.I THOUGHT HOW EXITING AS I USED TO GO THERE WHEN I WAS A YOUNG GIRL.couldnt fault the caravan ,the shop,and the views,but for 4 days ,sat sun mon tues,we had power cuts.it was freezing so we were lucky we had gas fire and cooker to keep warm.on first night we went to reception to find 1 security gaurd dealing with bout 10 people.poor lad was nearly crying.good job i had family near buy,so my nephew came down with a torch and picked up radio and candles from my mam.we went to the entertainment facility and felt really out of place.young lads hanging about outside smoking,and familys who knew each other bagging all the seats.didnt go again.i remember it being the caravan club 30 years ago and it looked like it hasnt been painted since.were told power cuts were due to everything overloading!!!!!!we had an electric box outside our van and took pics of the 2 fellas working on it!!!next at 12.30am they started to work on it again with the nosiest generater i have ever heard,.this park is handy for us to stay as mam only lives 10 mins away,but i think they will have to be alot more improvments before i stay again.
|
My Latest Review: Jun 2007 My Dream Hotel, Marmaris (6/10)
|
|
mugged
|
11-05-2008 09:51 PM
|
Joined: 13 Oct 2007
Posts: 50
My Profile
| hi scammers same story all parks about clearing plants ect from caravans but after a recent ticking off from the O.F.T.i believe they are backing off a bit!My contract was with GBH.so Park Resorts can take a Hike.New legislation for Caravan Owners are not displayed but look it up on the O.F.T. web site.The Gas charges have been lowered here but you can purchase off the park from another gas dealer. if park resorts kick off then simply report them!that goes for verandahs services ect they cannot be the sole providers.they are breaking site licences on many parks and nobody questions them!health and saftey is a joke and the so called service is a laugh!
|
|
|
Twicebitten
|
12-05-2008 04:09 PM
|
Joined: 05 Feb 2008
Posts: 11
My Profile
| Hi mugged,
Thank you for your latest and will definately look up OFT. Tried to log on to Rockley Park without success. Have you the full log on address.
This Park Resorts saga we are sure will continue for years to come without proper legislation. It appears that most parks are the same. Once you are an owner its difficult if you then want to sell later on. This is the biggest pitfall and potential owners really need to bear this in mind before parting with their hard earned cash.
|
|
|
mugged
|
14-05-2008 03:37 PM
|
Joined: 13 Oct 2007
Posts: 50
My Profile
| Twicebitten can go onto Rockley Park Owners and there are several links to other parks.The good thing about these sites and Holiday Watchdog is anyone thinking of Buying a Caravan can see the risks involved.I have had the opportunity to give potential owners the true facts when they approach me on park and believe me many have left and thanked me.There are also the likes of LIVING THE DREAM who are logging on to these sites now, with a bit of luck they will amend thier ways ,if not atleast they know people are getting sick and prepared to question the conduct on parks.Owners should not be scared to take the giants on they always have a weak spot,just a matter of seeking it out!!
|
|
|
essex boy
|
14-05-2008 06:30 PM
|
Joined: 16 Apr 2008
Posts: 15
My Profile
|
MESSAGE FOR MUGGED
It is good to see someone else fighting the cause for us owners
and making people aware of some of the pitfalls, when buying
a holiday home,, i myself have been an owner on a site in yarmouth
recently taken over by park resorts,, it has now become a nightmare
perhaps living the dream works for another outfit,, but on our site
i can give you many examples of people that have recently purchased
from park resorts,, only to find once that the cheque has been cleared
the goal posts move,, a recent example MR A purchased sept last
year for £43,000 got upset at the new rules , wanted to sell and leave
the site,, was offerd £20,000,, a loss of £23,000 in 7 months,, does
living the dream think that is a fair profit;;; Mr B Bought for £24,000
6 months later got £11,000 from park resorts who then sold weeks
later to an elderly family for £25,000,
my advice to anyone buying is get in writing an agreed price if you
were to sell 12 months later and think carefully.
|
|
|
Twicebitten
|
15-05-2008 07:43 PM
|
Joined: 05 Feb 2008
Posts: 11
My Profile
| Thank u mugged for your advise found Rockley Park Owners site forum very informative
May I suggest that existing owners if not already done so go onto Office Of Fair Trading Website and read Guidance on unfair terms in holiday caravan agreements. This will show that owners have a case against Park Resort Management who stop gas bottles being delivered directly to the caravan. Or those who have to buy sheds etc from only site nominated suppliers.
Its a long document but you will get the idea
|
|
|
jampaul
|
18-05-2008 03:56 PM
|
Joined: 18 May 2008
Posts: 1
| I was most interested in your comments about your particular Haven site. I had a similar experience at a Haven site, Abergele, South Wales. I have also lived on a large council estate and am no snob, but I have never had such a bad holiday in my life. We booked a silver caravan initially then I decided to push the boat out and booked a gold, what a waste of time and money, half of the utensils for cooking were missing the bathroom was one of the most basic I have ever seen, the television was out of the ark and bearly worked and the whole place needed a good scrub, and I have done a fair few caravan holidays in my time but this was the worst. The site was dirty, scruffy and full of undesirables, every time I went in the shop (also dirty, untidy and in dire need of decoration and updating) there were kids stealing items left, right and centre and the poor shop staff had a terrible time trying to work and keep an eye on the kids. The Pool experience was also terrible, it shut at 5.30pm like yours and this was no good after having been out all day, some of us like a refreshing swim at the end of a busy sightseeing day esspecially in Wales. There was moss and mould growing around the chaning room areas, and clumps of human hair in the pool and on the side of pool, this also needed a good clean. I did complain at the end of my holiday but to this day never received a response. I and all my family, friends, work collegues and anyone else who will listen will never book a Haven holiday after hearing about mine. The biggest disappointment was the looks on my kids faces. This year we are going to Europe in the hope that they can get it right, fingers crossed!
|
|
<< < 2 3 4 >
|
|
Subscribe |
|
|
|
Reply |
| |
