Chimney Rock Iowa ...Canoe Rental. Upper Iowa

Just trying to get the word out anyway I can. My family, friends and I went on a last minute canoe trip to this place. Last minute was calling the Tuesday before we were heading to Chimney Rock on a Friday night. We called made reservations for a cabin. The adults were going to share, the kids were tent camping. We also asked for canoe rentals. They told us we didn't have to send a deposit but if we wanted to we could, in case they had a big group call in last minute. Us being the people we are wanted to do the right thing. So we sent a check for 3 canoes for $90. We knew we had a chance of rain for the weekend since we kept track of the weather report all week. We get in late Friday. Have our cabin ready set up tents...by 2 am the strom rolled in. By 9 am the next am we packed all up since we could tell the storm was only going to get stronger vs better. It was cold and black out, and down pouring rain. We all agreed it was dangerous and figured they wouldn't allow canoes out anyway even for those who wanted to still go. We were signed up for a 6 hour trip, with know way of getting out IF the strom even grew stronger. (Not that we would of been dumb enough to risk anyone in it) How wrong we were...we went to check out. And they charged us the FULL amount for all 3 canoes! We told them that was unfair, they said they had to charge us since they were turning people away for the canoes. Number 1, if they were as booked up as they said how did they have 3 the Tues before we came? #2 do you really think people are lined up outside in the pouring rain ready to canoe? I'm sorry but it's bad business. Then when we asked why it isn't stated on the web page The owner said "We could put it on the web but WE don't have to"...is that normal business? I just think people should know what they are getting into before they go some where. I do need to see if they added it since our weekend. I have yet to get on. I hope this helps someone out here who enjoys taking canoe trips to look else where.....or to at least understand in advance you will be out MONEY if the weather is bad.

Link

Wed. Aug 22, 2:12pm

If my problems were this simple I would be so happy.

I think PT should get rid of this thread. If this person wants to drag some campgound/business's name threw the mud, the should sue, or write to the business or contact the BBB or something.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007, 2:26 PM

And your life is so terrible, then please pass on the horrible things wrong so the rest of us can pass judgement on you!
And some of the other treads on PT are not pointless? Maybe the person is doing what the 100 of other people do on this site they "talk" about things! If it's such a bad topic/tread then don't read it!
My self I am saying Thanks we try a new place every year to canoe and I now know not to give this place our business! Thanks

Wednesday, August 22, 2007, 2:41 PM

Well, my little sister has terminal ovarian and uterine cancer, and having gone through 5 different types of chemotherapy, the doctors have told her there is nothing more they can do. She is now incapacitated, unable to move and on her last leg of life. She is 21. My dad passed away one year ago. I think my mother may pass away from a broken heart.

I am just saying someone should not post a LINK OF A BUSINESS. If they have problems with business issues, sure talk about them. But how do we know this person's version of events is totally accurate? Why not talk about the issue, and not the ACTUAL BUSINESS NAME. Does this business read Peertrainer? Can they defend themselves?

Wednesday, August 22, 2007, 2:57 PM

You can dispute the charge through your credit card (assuming that's how you paid.) Call your credit card and tell them what you've written here - that you put down the deposit, and that it was storming rain so you couldn't go, and there was no wording anywhere saying that you'd be charged the full amount if you cancelled due to weather. Logically, they could keep your security deposit, but could not charge you more than that without informing you.

If the credit card thinks your case is warranted, it will dispute the charges with the company, but, either way, you will get your money back.

If you signed the credit card receipt after you had been charged, you will need to tell the credit card company that you were coerced into doing so, and put up a fight, to no avail. Signing the receipt will make it more difficult, but not impossible, for the credit card company to get the money back from the canoe company.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007, 4:32 PM

Aha! I'm the poster from above. I just went to their website, where I saw posted "credit cards NOT accepted." So that'd tell me that you paid with cash or check. As such, you're pretty much out of luck. Though, you could call the company and inform them that you will be reporting them to the Better Business Bureau. Unfortunately, since they're a camping/canoe company in a small town, their clientele probably isn't checking the BBB before booking, so it may not matter to them...

Sorry!!

Wednesday, August 22, 2007, 4:35 PM

I agree call the BBB in that area and make a claim. We did this with Cingular and they suddenly were able for fix the items we had been fighting with them about - it was amazing.

Best of luck, safe to say you won't be giving them any business anytime soon.

As for the previous poster, I am very sorry for your sister, I know that this is a very horrible time in your life and I am so sorry for that. But saying that, one of the reason I love PeerTrainer is it is a place where anyone who is part of this community can come and share. yes sometimes it is way off subject, but so is cancer - this is a welcoming environment.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007, 7:07 PM

2:57, I'm very sorry to hear about your sister, I cannot imagine what you are going through. I hope you get as much love here as possible. If you need anything from us, please ask, we will try and be here for you.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007, 7:12 PM

Chimney Rock Camping Upper Iowa

I rented a tent sight for one night and a cabin for one night. Everything was great except for the bathrooms. The shower areas and bathrooms are nasty. If I didn't have to take a shower, I defenatly would have passed. They also clain they have a game area. Not the case. There where one or two games in a big pole shed where the bathroom/showers are. I would never call the a gaming area/room. It was depressing.
Don't get me wrong, the cabins and tent areas where great! Wish they would remodle the bathroom though.

Thursday, December 31, 2009, 4:15 PM

OP, perhaps this would be a case for Small Claims Court.

Thursday, December 31, 2009, 5:51 PM

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