Good Sam Road Atlas

NuthatchBC · 02-13-2013, 05:44 PM

We tried to purchase a 2013 Good Sam Road Atlas from the Good Sam Club but their website took us to the Camping World website. They only ship to Canada using UPS which would add another $25 to the cost. Anyone know of a place that sells this Atlas and uses the regular postal service? Heck, if someone can find a copy I'd even consider paying the postage to have it shipped here.

Looking forward to hearing from someone <g>.

Doug

dave macrae · 02-13-2013, 08:29 PM

Ups sucks, I can't believe they haven't figured out most Canadians won't use their service

Brian B-P · 02-14-2013, 08:50 AM

Sam's Club is part of the same company as Camping World (Affinity Group, well known for fraudulent travel schemes), and their operations seem to have become more integrated recently.

If Camping World lists a $25 higher shipping cost with UPS, the actual cost will likely be much higher, as UPS may add a "brokerage fee" as well.

In a quick web search I found that RV bookstore sells it, and their shipping page says that only use USPS (the post office - good), but they are out of stock. Powell's Books is also out of stock, but their shipping info gives long times and low prices, suggesting that they use the post office as well.

The illustrations and descriptions with these listings suggest that the publication referred to as the "Good Sam" atlas is really the Trailer Life Directory - now labelled "Good Sam" as well - but since Trailer Life is part of the same company, this doesn't open up any new source options... just another way to search for it.

Chapters/Indigo/Coles lists it (which would be a Canadian source), but not for 2013. Either they don't have it yet, or Affinity Group has restricted it to their own retail operations.

Good luck!

NuthatchBC · 02-14-2013, 11:12 AM

We may have to wait 'til we're traveling this summer and try and pick one up at a Good Same park, that is if they sell them that way.

Doug

gbaglo · 02-14-2013, 11:45 AM

At least then you can look it over before plunking the money down. I was given a Woodall's years ago. Thumbed it once. Was like reading the phone book.
Maybe Good Sam is worth the money. I don't know.
But, if you know the state or province where you will be traveling, you can Google their tourism department, check the boxes, and end up with dozens of free brochures, magazines and maps sent by mail to your home ( no shipping ). You can also look up the chamber of commerce for a particular city ( IE. Bend, Ore. ) and get lots more mail.

Vermilye · 02-14-2013, 02:10 PM

How does Amazon ship to Canada? Good Sam Road Atlas and 2013 Good Sam Travel Guide at Amazon.

gbaglo · 02-14-2013, 02:18 PM

Good Grief! I just looked it up on Chapters / Indigo and they had had two copies ( used and rare it said ) for $191.70 ( each I presume ). In any event, they were no longer available.
Is it really worth that?
Any chance it is available as an ebook?

Apparently a typo on the price. Maybe $19.70 over on Amazon.

Vermilye · 02-14-2013, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbaglo

At least then you can look it over before plunking the money down. I was given a Woodall's years ago. Thumbed it once. Was like reading the phone book.
Maybe Good Sam is worth the money. I don't know.
But, if you know the state or province where you will be traveling, you can Google their tourism department, check the boxes, and end up with dozens of free brochures, magazines and maps sent by mail to your home ( no shipping ). You can also look up the chamber of commerce for a particular city ( IE. Bend, Ore. ) and get lots more mail.

Good Sams & Woodall's Campground books are now combined. I don't think much of either of them; liked the AAA Campbooks, but they have been replaced by regional versions of the Woodall books. No idea of what they will do now that Woodall & Good Sam/Trailer Life are combined...

gbaglo · 02-14-2013, 02:24 PM

Well, if you have to have it. You can go to Amazon Canada.
amazon.ca

santacruzer · 02-14-2013, 02:40 PM

I've got a couple of those phone book sizes tomes as well, and find they're not nearly as useful as the more regionally oriented books. And, they tend to not have much good information on state or local parks, or some of the smaller RV parks who perhaps don't advertise with Camping World/Good Sam. I've found my most valuable material either as suggested above or at a local bookseller...preferably an independent one.

NuthatchBC · 02-14-2013, 05:41 PM

Baglo said: Good Grief! I just looked it up on Chapters / Indigo and they had had two copies ( used and rare it said ) for $191.70 ( each I presume ).

It damn well better be rare for that price!! On the other hand, if it's rare, it's likely not going to be much good, is it <g>. I saw one on Amazon listed for $1,028.00 and it was used!!!! What's with these people?

Anyway, we had a look at a Good Sam one that a friend of ours had and it was good for locating the various RV parks. The atlas is good for that. As far as routes and regional stuff, it's best to go to the individual tourist associations as Baglo has pointed out.

Doug

Dixhiccup · 02-14-2013, 10:35 PM

The RV Life (Good Sams Club) was 19.95 u.s. plus tax plus 12pc tax at the border today. The Woodalls are now aligned with the AAA & BCAA and are segmented into areas, such as the far West which goes from Alaska to Mexico and are free to their members. Hope that helps. Cheers, Richard

Vermilye · 02-15-2013, 10:01 AM

The price of the AAA/Woodalls books depends on the local AAA. Here in Syracuse they are free, however in Duluth, MN, they charged me 1/2 the cover price. I checked with our local AAA & the are still using the regional versions of the Woodall books. I'm not sure how or if the combining of Good Sams & Woodalls will change anything.

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