Re: Thousand Trails says they have been sold

We have been TT members for 4 years, and upgraded last year, because we are
getting ready to retire, and will use the system much more.

I believe the information is sort of incorrect, but, for the most part, here
is the way I understand it. I got this from the sales office, so don't
quote me on the exact truth.

Originally, Chehalis, Washington was the first Thousand Trails campground,
that was 35 years ago. I know that because, Chehalis is our home park, and
they had the 35 year celegration party there this year. It's owned (was by
TT directly) now I think ELP, ownes TT and the properties. They picked up a
bunch of parks shortly after opening by buying an almost bankrupt (or was
bankrupt - American something or other) then had ups and downs and then
purchased NACO and LTR don't know or care about the order.

Recently over the last 18-24 months or so, they have been trying to puchase
Western Horizons, and those negotions have broken off. I have it from
sales, that there are going to be onezy - twozy park additions, in areas
where currently great recreation oportunities exist but where they don't
have a presence. I mentione the area around Lake Shasta for instance, and
he said it was coming sometime in the next 18 months. Ok, yeah, from sales,
were they will tell you anything, maybe.

Washington state has the best consumer protection laws concerning Time Share
type ownership of anyone. TT has to operate within the laws of the state
they operate in, so each state may be different concerning disclosures,
however, I got this information within the Washington state system, so we
shall see. He did say the WH purchase was not totally dead yet, but sort of
on hold.

Now, yes they are adding Getaway units (rental - to use must upgrade
membership to use) to all the parks, no they are not, at least in the parks
we have been to and that would be a number of West Coast Parks, noticed a
decline in RV spaces in the parks we have visited. They are replacing the
older worn out rental units with the newer getaway units, and I say good
riddance in that regard, because the older rental units are dirty, and in
need of replacement.

ELS on the other hand is trying to sell property to TT members, this
property would be a small home with RV storage space built into it, so you
can pick a home base. Most of these types of properties are located in
Florida, some in AZ I believe. They isn't cheap.

Which leads me to the bottom line of this whole story.

MONEY - MONEY - Money if you don't have any, you do what it takes to get
some, or go broke. TT is like any other business today, want money, will do
anything within the law to make it. Now, we thoroughly enjoy our
membership, yes there are parks we don't like, so we don't go there. There
are parks we do like, so we go there. simple really.

I don't like public parks, state parks, because, sometimes, but not always,
there is no one really responsible for making the unit next door shut down
his loud stereo at 11PM, or send his loud obnoxious guest home, so the
people around him can sleep. In TT parks it's quiet hours at 11PM, and all
the membership knows it. Dogs on leash no longer than 10'. children under
adult supervision, you know common sense things most older folks know,
cannot say that about young people, if the way children running amok in the
restaurants I frequent is any example.

On the other hand, have friends who are older than us, and frequent state
parks and public RV parks, and they have not mentioned any problems, except,
they swear they put the dog's leash on the hood of the truck, and 15 minutes
later is was gone. Hmmm, that is why I like TT, have never, and I mean
never had a problem with anything - PERIOD.

Old Man River



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