| Cost | $9.99 per year subscription (12 months free with book purchase) |
|---|---|
| Platform | iOS (iPhone/iPad) and Android |
| Business Type | Family-run Australian-owned business |
| Support | Free weekly newsletter with campsite highlights and road trips |
| In Camps App | Yes – 16,000+ verified campsites across Australia |
We received an email this week from a customer who was frustrated with accessing the Camps App in their App store:
“…I got 1 year’s free access to the app because I bought the updated Camps Australia Wide guide book. When I tried to take advantage of this offer I was asked to input my credit card details, which didn’t seem right, given I was entitled to get access for free.
There I decided to stop because this all seemed wrong to me:
- If I don’t renew and pay the fee in the second year, that’s my decision. Please don’t put the onus on me to cancel the subscription.
- Please also don’t ask me to go through a process to verify my credit card when you have already accepted this very same credit card to pay for the Camps Australia Wide book.
I hope you’ll see your way to correcting these processes which don’t seem to me to reflect good customer service.”
Here’s what we sent back:
Thank you so much for taking the time to write to us.
When you purchase the CAMPS Australia Wide book, it goes through our website, and it’s a very simple process because we run it. However, for the CAMPS App, we have to use your app store. They have different standards to what we require, which is why you would have needed to have a different process for your credit card.
The subscription is renewed automatically every year. However, people do get reminders that it is coming up. It is totally your decision, but because of the app store, it is out of our control to make it for one year only. We suggest to people that they pop in a reminder in their calendar so that they are aware that it is coming up.
However, I think you will find that you will love it. It is only $9.99 per year and our customers say it is well worth the small price that you pay for it.
Working through the app stores is frustrating for us also. The processes they have to even release new changes in the app are extremely slow and full of red tape for us as business owners. However, we are dependent upon them because that is how the majority of people download their apps. I hope you understand this, and that what you have said is really out of our control.
In addition, the app costs us hundreds of thousands of dollars to maintain every single year. It’s not like they’re just an add-on to the books. We provide the complimentary 12 months for new members as a taster and as a sign of our good will to help people realise how well our books and app work together.
We are a family-run Australian-owned business for self-drive travellers seeking confidence, calm, freedom and choice on where to camp and stay. Customer service is really important to us. So much so, we produce a free newsletter every single week that highlights some of our favourite places around Australia, travellers’ reviews and recommended road trips. This is totally free.
If you’re not already receiving our free newsletter, just scroll to the bottom of our home page and you can add your email address to the list.
https://www.campsaustraliawide.com/
Heatley and I are on the road normally half the year or more checking out campsites personally for our products. We also pay our small team to support CAMPS travellers, as well as ambassadors and other travellers to assist us verify sites. Our small Aussie team is on board working hard to keep everything up to date to give travellers like yourself confidence, certainty, calm decision-making, and freedom without stress for your roadtrips.
I hope this email lets you know that we really do care about our customers and we appreciate you giving us the chance to explain why things are as they are…
The reply was lovely:
“Many thanks for your detailed response Michelle. It certainly explains everything in a way that I couldn’t have imagined and I now appreciate the work you are doing and the constraints put on you as a small business to work through these systems and I thank you for taking the time to explain it all so carefully.”
Find out more about the Camps App and our other products in our FAQ section of the website, or you can contact our team.
Download the Camps App for iPhone/iPad or Android
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need to enter credit card details for a free trial?
The Camps App is distributed through Apple App Store and Google Play Store, which require credit card verification for all subscriptions, even free trials. This is an app store requirement, not a Camps Australia Wide policy. Your card won’t be charged during your complimentary 12-month period with book purchase.
How much does the Camps App cost after the free period?
The Camps App costs $9.99 per year after your complimentary 12-month period ends. This is an annual subscription that renews automatically unless cancelled.
How do I cancel my Camps App subscription?
You can cancel your subscription through your app store settings (Apple App Store or Google Play Store) at any time. We recommend setting a calendar reminder before your renewal date if you wish to cancel.
Do I get free access to the Camps App with my book purchase?
Yes, when you purchase the Camps Australia Wide guidebook, you receive 12 months free access to the Camps App as a complimentary taster to experience how the book and app work together.
Why can’t I just pay for one year without auto-renewal?
Apple App Store and Google Play Store require all app subscriptions to use their automatic renewal system. This is beyond Camps Australia Wide’s control as they must comply with app store policies.
Is the Camps App updated regularly?
Yes, the app costs hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to maintain. The team, including owners Heatley and Michelle, spend half the year or more on the road personally verifying campsites, along with ambassadors and other travellers helping keep information current.
What platforms is the Camps App available on?
The Camps App is available for download on both iPhone/iPad (Apple App Store) and Android devices (Google Play Store).
Does Camps Australia Wide offer any free resources?
Yes, Camps Australia Wide produces a free weekly newsletter featuring favourite places around Australia, travellers’ reviews and recommended road trips. You can subscribe on their website homepage.
