Well, one of the short stays - it was only an overnighter and it was done through Roverpass - cancelled. Roverpass doesn't allow a full refund.  They apparently charge their fees regardless and warn the person making a reservation of such.  The fees can be passed on to the customer, split or the business can eat the costs.  But when it comes to a refund, Roverpass keeps their fees, forces the business to give back everything but those fees which are retained by the business. 

There are deterrents in the industry to making reservations and then canceling. My research has provided me a snapshot of why.  People used to make multiple reservations at different parks for the same day and then they would decide where they would stay when they arrived.  Whoever the winner of the draw got the business, everyone else got shafted.  They would simply cancel their reservations at the other places - or not even do that much - with no consequences.

So, the industry stated shifting towards all kinds of policies. Some places made them pay the fee it cost to make the reservation, ie: campground software costs and credit card fees.  Others forced a full, one night charge to cancel regardless of the customer's "excuses".  Even more forced customers to pay for their entire stay upfront and allowed no refunds, whatsoever.  

I decided not to do any of that. The business is new, it needs as much business as possible. I do force a one night's fee up front, but I will refund their money minus $2 for the campground software.  Anyway, out of a $27 payout to me, the guest only got $21.75 back.  Roverpass fees are rather pricey, at least from my perspective.  I'm on there because I hoped it would generate some business. So far, only 1 guest has actually showed up, 2 others have cancelled.  

Alright. On the cusp of getting this project at least functioning even if not completely done, that is the goal today.  Get the washer and dryer set into place. Get a sign in there - I forgot about the "Rules" sign and I really need those cameras.  I will not have people destroying my brand new machines with negligent acts of overloading or dumping things in there that shouldn't go into them. These are just basic machines, they aren't good for comforters or other large items and I don't want oily or overly muddy clothing putting in there.  This is where rules and cameras come in.  

I'll just tell ya, it is standard, industry-wide practice for laundromats to have cameras all over the place, inside the building, watching everything.  It isn't spying, it's "Who just did this to my machine?".  

I may get the setup done today, but until I get that sign made - which I will be ordering today - and the cameras in - same as sign - I am not opening it up. And, I want the work crew in and out of here with the shower and toilet assembly finished as well.  There, sign ordered, he usually has them ready in a couple of days, which works for me since I don't plan on opening it until Monday at the earliest.  

Today's proposed agenda:

Finish machine setup.  

Install sewer dump station

Dig up a length of the sewer line to ensure it's at a good slope

Probably install a T on the 1/2 inch CPVC so they have access to run it to the shower/toilet

That is a lot right there. I also need to construct the shed - that takes half a day, seriously, but at least I know how to do it now, it's the exact same one as the first one I built.  I also need to figure out how I can cool the router - summer is coming and I don't think it's going to work getting that hot.  The only idea I have is go place it in a mini fridge, such as I have for truck driving. The one I have isn't big enough but they do make them bigger. I would have to re-do the setup I have now.  As long as the fridge has plastic walls, the signal will pass right through it.

Oh and I definitely need to clean some stuff out of the shed.  But, if I get those machines set up, I can just pile stuff up in front of them on that side of the room. They won't need access over there.  I have 2 days to get some of this stuff done. Oh, and the window AC unit. Maria found it wherever she had it stored and is giving it to me.  I have no idea if it even works, but I'll hope that it does. I'll have to make a trip over there.

I don't know when I'll go over there. 

I'm still concerned about this other RV park that hasn't opened up yet.  What kind of competition will it give? I keep thinking it's too far out of the way - and it is. It's 10 miles to downtown or any grocery stores.  I'm 3 miles from the nearest grocery store and less than that from various other businesses.  I think I gave them too much info.  The contractor was asking me my rates and such.  I did tell him - he has given me some free work.  I mean, tell him or not, that competition is coming.  

Basically, if they don't sell it before summer, they are going to open it up.  I really am a bit too open about things sometimes - I told them I had turned away at least 50 potential renters.  That's info I should have just kept to myself.  This all started back up again in  my mind after finding out about that other park that opened sometime late last year.  

They are doing poorly. It's a 16 spot park and the electrician said there is hardly anyone staying there. That owner is killing themselves with very high pricing.  And they are way out of the way.  The nearest towns are probably 15 miles in either direction.  They don't have any discounts for longer stays, like a weekly rate and they don't even have long term listed. Now, some parks don't do long term for they don't want to do long term. Perhaps the dude isn't hard up and doesn't care.  

I'm not in the position right now to be lackadaisical or cavalier about pricing and whether anyone stays or not.  I wouldn't want to come off like that regardless.  I'm thankful for each person that comes and I thank the Lord for the blessing of having the park almost full.  Another moving in today, one more long term I'm trying to fill.  

I'm paying myself April 1st.  That way I have received zero compensation from the business up until then.  The first quarter of being open will show a lot of expenses, it will show income but it won't show any paycheck being taken.  I've decided to up the amount I take to $3,500. Whatever the taxes are on it, it is what it is.  My numbers crunching shows I can do that and still have around 2 grand in the checking account after I pay everything out.  My expenses will decrease as well in the next month what with switching over to T Mobile and getting rid of one of the trash services.  Oh, and dumping Verizon. I took the router out of the park.  

Get rid of all of that and I have over $500 per month savings.  Whatever the case, the first is almost upon us and several rents will be due, thankfully.  The business account is far from broke but I will be spending money this weekend and the initial start up for the dumpster service is quite high.  Electric - water - pay myself. Paying myself will deplete the account quite a bit. I went into business to make money, not pay accounts and nothing else.  Lol. 

Anyway, I need to get out of there.  I will probably need to pick up the boys after school today so I need all the hours I have before then to get everything done.  

G'day