[pct-l] VVR

[Vermilion Valley Resort]

Jim,

I still don't get this... what's wrong with selling the contents of unclaimed packages?  VVR is a business and has to recoup the cost of transporting the packages up the road one way or the other.  

I agree that a customer's response is important, and I also want to read about complaints.  But I just wonder how valid a complaint is 4 years after the fact, when the person making the complaint didn't address the issue when it happened.  There's NO way we can know what happened to Junaid in 2006 exactly, because Junaid didn't provide us anything other than his beliefs.  He didn't confront Jim or anyone at VVR and ask why it was being done, he simply stated he thought it was shady.  I can promise you that the disclosure was on the website in 2006; I created the website, and have updated it every year that Jim has owned VVR - since July of 2002 when Peggy sold it to Jim.  It's always stated the same thing... and if a hiker doesn't want his or her unclaimed package put out on the shelves, he has many options... all disclosed on the website.

As for a customer's response being more important than an employees - I disagree with you.  First, because I'm NOT an employee who feels he has to defend his employer.  I'm a long time friend who does the website for free... and who happens to have the inside knowledge of the workings at VVR... and secondly, because more often than not, the real story can be had from the employees - not the customers.

It's fine if you don't believe that VVR is awesome; we don't expect to please everyone all the time.  And you're right... we only have one place to eat and a limited store; we're a wilderness outpost, not a town.  If that's what you want, that's fine... go into the towns and bypass places like VVR.  You won't get the same kind of ambiance, but maybe you don't want that.  Again, HYOH...

Bill

On Mar 11, 2010, at 9:19 PM, Jim Keener ( J J ) wrote:

> Hi Scott,
> 
> Other places take packages and I don't know of any other that sell the contents of unclaimed packages. Shady? That's a matter of opinion. I'm glad It's disclosed on the website. Probably makes it legal. Don't know. I'm not a lawyer.
> 
> I was planning to go to VVR this year, thinking the snow load might keep other places closed: Muir Trail Ranch and Red's Meadow (Mammoth). I prefer Red's Meadow (Mammoth). To me, far more bang for the buck. This year I plan to mail a package to the store at Red's Meadow and stay on the trail. Unless I'm ahead of schedule. Then I'll go into Mammoth. Big grocery stores, outfitter, lots of dining options, and as someone else wrote - movies.
> 
> What I do like about VVR? Hiker camaraderie. The place itself is nothing special to me.
> 
> What I don't like? No alternatives. One place to eat. Very limited store - unless a lot of hikers did not claim their boxes ; = ), limited access and departure times. I had a sense of being stuck. And yes, we ended up hiking out.
> 
> VVR awesome? Nah. But the hikers there can make it seem like it is.
> 
> I want to read about complaints, not stifle them. To me, a customer's response is more important than an employee's.
> 
> Walk well,
> Jim Keener ( J J )
> _________________
> 
> jj at ridgetrailhiker.com
> 
> http://postholer.com/jj
> http://ridgetrailhiker.com
> http://olderhealthier.com
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Mar 11, 2010, at 7:49 PM, Postholer wrote:
> 
>> 10 days AND 200 miles out of Kennedy Meadows, why wouldn't you go to VVR?
>> 
>> VVR is awesome!
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-l mailing list
> Pct-l at backcountry.net
> To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
> 
> List Archives:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/