Sweetwater RV Park

Review: Sweetwater RV Park is billing customers for monthly electric using Sweetwater's own private meters located on each RV slip. We have asked for meter readings-but Sweetwater has not disclosed this. Our alleged usage billed has been extremely high. By all calculations we can find both in person and on the internet, our usage should not be exceeding $ 100.00 per month.Desired Settlement: Proof of electric use consumption.

Proof of utilities billing cost to Sweetwater's per kilowatt hour or other measured method.

Proof of meter readings.

Electric bill reduced.

Business

Response:

This letter will serve as a response to the complaint you received on August 8, 2015, ID [redacted] On May 13, 2016, Tenant reserved a RV spot for his employee who would live in the Jayco trailer. Apparently part of this employee’s pay was housing per Tenant. The trailer was to be moved onsite June 5, 2016 as that was our earliest available spot. For the period of May 31st through June 4th, we allowed Tenants employee to use one of our cabins at no additional cost as they were struggling to find somewhere for him to reside for this period. Tenant brought the trailer to our park about two weeks ahead of time for it to be stored as they had just purchased the trailer and had nowhere to keep the trailer until time to put it on the site. This trailer was purchased from an individual that had previously had it in storage and had not been used for many years per Tenant. The tags on the trailer actually expired May 2008. On June the 4th, Sweetwater paid for the trailer to be moved to the site as Tenant had no way to move it and we needed use of our cabin for upcoming rentals. Once the trailer was moved on the site, Tenant requested that Sweetwater set the trailer up for use. It was explained that we do not setup the campers for our customers. As Tenant began to get the trailer hooked up and functional, there were several problems that he encountered and he requested our assistance. We explained to Tenant that he needed to have the trailer inspected and fixed by a professional as we were not certified nor equipped to do such work. After the first month’s rental, we read the meter and contacted the tenant for payment as there was some confusion on who was supposed to pay the electric bill; Tenant or his employee. During that conversation, there was a discussion regarding the trailer and the electric bill. At that time, it was again suggested that Tenant seek a professional to service and inspect the trailer. The trailer has, at this point had problems with hot water heater, air conditioner, gas lines, water leaking into the RV, and the electrical outlets, all of which can adversely impact power usage. Upon the second month’s billing, the customer’s credit card was denied for rent and electric. Tenant had reached out a couple days before the due date and instructed us to call him if there were problems with the card. At that time, I reached out to Tenant and he gave me a second card number that should be used for payment. We once again discussed the power bill and how high it was. It was again suggested that Tenant seek the services of a professional to inspect and service the trailer. He explained that due to his employee having a cat in the trailer that they left the AC unit running non-stop but he was still concerned with the bill. Tenant asked about breaking the lease for the site and he was instructed to send in a letter of termination 30 days prior to the date to vacate, which he has done via email. We have accepted his early termination and he is expected to be vacating the spot as of August 30, 2016.All of our sites here at Sweetwater are metered and billed monthly for usage when in a monthly or annual contract. The meters are outside and visible to the customers. All tenants on this type of contract are read and billed in the same manner according to usage for their site. While Sweetwater maintains the grounds of the park, it is the tenants’ responsibility to maintain and service the RV units for which they occupy. It is our belief that based on the age of the RV, the time spent in storage (years according to Tenant) and problems incurred that the trailer is in need of being serviced which is the tenants responsibility. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me should you have any questions or items that I need to clarify.Thank you,Shannon Cox[redacted]

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response offer made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

Sweetwater appears to think that the RV unit is somehow defective and that is why the electric is so high. But this does not coincide with their own email in which they agree to provide the actual meter readings they read to arrive at the billing.The RV unit is in excellent working condition. The unit was only stored for a few weeks before it was sold. The amount of erroneous conclusions made by the business is so overwhelming it is just not feasible to rebuff them all.We have, in writing, the business agreeing to provide the meter readings. That email text was given to the Revdex.com. So, where are the actual meter readings? Furthermore, where is the evidence that the electric meters are currently, or even previously, inspected and proven to be properly calibrated?Our credit card company fully investigated this complaint and found no evidence to support the excess charge. While the credit card would have givne us a full refund, we declined and only accepted a refund equitable to the amount thought to be in error. That refund has been given and the matter with the credit card company is closed as, again, the business will not produce the actual readings.You'll note that in the business' response they state reading the meter ONLY after the RV unit had been on site for a month. So, did they read the meter the day the unti was placed on site and plugged in? Why not? Had the read the meter when the previous tenant vacated? Where is that reading? Shouldn't it match the first reading with our unit? The RV unit was in place for 2 months - so that would require 4 meter readings.Common sense and good business practices is to always provide written proof of how one arrives at a billing amount.

Regards,

Business

Response:

In response to Mr. [redacted] rejection, I am attaching documents which demonstrates the meter reading upon check in of the trailer which Mr. [redacted] received via email on June 3, 2016. As to the working condition of the unit, we can only speak to the troubles that were shared with us by Mr. [redacted] throughout his employee's stay. It appears that the trailer has been off of the road since May 0f 2008 as demonstrated by the license on the trailer. As to Mr.[redacted] action that he indicates he has taken with his credit card company, we have not been notified of that occurring at this point. Also, as an additional item, Mr. [redacted] has neglected to pay the final month's bill to date. Again, the meters for tracking the usage are about 3 foot tall and sitting beside each unit with a digital display for everyone to see.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response offer made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

I have reviewed the response offer made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below. This really is "amateur hour" ! A review of the attached files shows only a copy of the initial invoice at move in and if the other file attached is an image or other document it is not able to be opened. What is so hard about providing 3 readings of numerical numbers off of a digital meter? Let’s see a copy of the alleged email in June in which we were provided copies of the meter readings. How is it we have gotten every other email sent - but not this one? ! And how is it this information was not already provided to the Revdex.com and also how is it that 2 credit card companies have not received this same information? We have, in writing, notification from 2 credit card companies that have already refunded us the funds of payment made to Sweetwater RV Park and those funds clearly showing as a credit on our account. Why? Because no proof of billing can be provided. As for the last month billing - we have not received any bill, and furthermore Sweetwater has on file our credit card number with our authorization to auto bill for funds owed! Lastly, expired tags on trailers on campgrounds is an epidemic for the love of might! Why would anyone renew a tag when the unit is sequestered “on site” in annual locations? Really? It seems as if the person responding to the Revdex.com is suffering from dementia! Regards, [redacted]