Customer Reviews (500)

Zenostopper • 2025-03-22T05:28:48-07:00

I am working on my adventures and get at error message is no query app support, Is there a problem with the app/site? I go the same message in safari.

Michael Fagle • 2025-03-17T11:27:57-07:00

The most critical piece of the app is “messages”. You need to communicate with your host for arrival details, directions. This function has never worked on the app. You have to use a PC. Terrible.

Beepma • 2025-03-15T06:32:26-07:00

We used to love visiting true farms, wineries and various event venues through Harvest Hosts. At a brewery we could enjoy a beer and go “home” to make dinner. Since HH recommended a $30 purchase, we’ve had 2 bad experiences on “farms” that offered nothing, but expected us to pay them $30 to dry camp in a goat pasture, etc. Gone are the days of looking forward to staying at a Harvest Host. We’ll cancel our subscription, and visit the businesses that we have enjoyed in the past.

Summary of Key Insights

The Harvest Hosts app generally receives positive feedback, with many users praising the unique experiences and welcoming hosts. However, there are significant pain points related to app functionality, customer service responsiveness, and perceived value for money, especially following the Boondockers Welcome merger. Users appreciate the opportunity to stay at unique locations like farms, wineries, and breweries, but are frustrated by issues such as unresponsive hosts, difficulty booking, and a perceived decline in the quality of the Boondockers Welcome integration. There's a strong sentiment that the app's usability needs improvement, particularly in areas like search, messaging, and account management.

  • Strengths: Unique experiences, friendly hosts, diverse locations, easy to plan trips (when the app functions correctly).
  • Weaknesses: App instability and bugs, unresponsive hosts, difficult booking process, perceived decline in Boondockers Welcome integration, customer service issues, concerns about auto-renewal and cancellation policies.
  • Overall Sentiment: Mixed. Positive experiences with the program itself are often overshadowed by frustrations with the app and booking process.
  • Overall Rating: While an average rating isn't directly calculated, the score distribution suggests a generally positive leaning, but with a significant number of dissatisfied users.
  • Score Distribution: 5-star: 63%, 4-star: 6%, 3-star: 7%, 2-star: 6.4%, 1-star: 17.8%.

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews.
  • Time Frame: The reviews span from 2021 to late 2023, indicating a relatively current dataset.
  • Analysis Methods:
    • Sentiment Analysis: Qualitative assessment of the tone and emotion expressed in the reviews.
    • Keyword Extraction: Identification of frequently used words and phrases to pinpoint common themes and issues.
    • Frequency Analysis: Counting the number of times specific issues or features were mentioned.

Key User Pain Points

  • App Functionality Issues:
    • Crashes and Bugs: Frequent crashes, especially during route planning, searching, and writing reviews.
    • Login Problems: Difficulties logging in, password reset issues, and autofill malfunctions.
    • Map and Search Issues: Problems with the map displaying locations, inaccurate search results, and filters not working correctly.
    • Messaging Problems: Unreliable messaging system, lack of notifications, and difficulties communicating with hosts.
    • Inability to Cancel Stays: No way to cancel a stay request if the host never responds.
    • Poor UI/UX: Difficulty navigating the app, confusing layout, and lack of intuitive features.
    • Accessibility Issues: Lack of accessibility for blind users.
  • Booking Difficulties:
    • Unresponsive Hosts: Many hosts are unresponsive to booking requests, leading to wasted time and frustration.
    • Limited Availability: Difficulty finding available hosts, especially on short notice.
    • One-Night Stay Restrictions: Limited availability of hosts offering more than one-night stays.
  • Customer Service Issues:
    • Unresponsive Support: Difficulty contacting customer support and getting timely assistance.
    • Auto-Renewal Problems: Issues with auto-renewal, difficulty canceling subscriptions, and lack of clear communication about renewal policies.
  • Boondockers Welcome Integration Issues:
    • Decline in Quality: Perceived decline in the quality of Boondockers Welcome hosts and locations after the merger.
    • Missing Features: Loss of features from the original Boondockers Welcome app, such as advanced filtering and booking options.
  • Value Concerns:
    • High Membership Cost: Some users find the membership fee too high, especially if they can't find suitable hosts or use the app frequently.
    • Mandatory Spending: Concerns about hosts expecting or requiring purchases, making stays less "free" than advertised.
    • Misleading Advertising: Discrepancies between advertised features and actual availability.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Improved App Stability and Performance: Fix crashes, bugs, and login issues.
  • Enhanced Search and Filtering: More accurate search results, better filtering options (e.g., by amenities, number of nights, hiking trails), and the ability to save preferences.
  • Improved Messaging System: Reliable messaging with push notifications and the ability to reply directly to emails.
  • Better Map Functionality: Clearer map display, the ability to save and view favorite locations on the map, and integration with other mapping apps.
  • Account Management Improvements: Easier subscription cancellation, clearer communication about renewal policies, and the ability to manage account settings within the app.
  • More Host Information: Detailed information about camping setups, photos of parking areas, and more accurate availability calendars.
  • Trip Planning Tools: Improved trip planning features, the ability to save routes, and share trip plans with other users.
  • Host Responsiveness Tracking: Implement a system to track host responsiveness and encourage timely replies to booking requests.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Unique Experiences: Users appreciate the opportunity to stay at unique locations like farms, wineries, and breweries.
  • Friendly Hosts: Many users report positive interactions with welcoming and accommodating hosts.
  • Diverse Locations: The app offers a wide variety of locations to choose from, catering to different interests and preferences.
  • Easy to Use (Sometimes): Some users find the app easy to use for planning trips and booking stays (when it's working correctly).
  • Safe and Quiet Stays: Users feel that Harvest Hosts provides a safer and quieter alternative to traditional campgrounds or rest areas.
  • Support for Small Businesses: Users like that the program supports local businesses and provides opportunities to purchase unique products.
  • Community: The app fosters a sense of community among RVers and hosts.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Fix App Stability and Performance: Address the most frequently reported crashes, bugs, and login issues. Invest in thorough testing and quality assurance to ensure a stable and reliable app experience.
  • Improve Search and Filtering: Enhance the search algorithm to provide more accurate results and implement advanced filtering options to help users find suitable hosts quickly.
  • Enhance Messaging System: Implement a reliable messaging system with push notifications to improve communication between users and hosts.
  • Address Auto-Renewal and Cancellation Issues: Simplify the cancellation process and provide clear communication about renewal policies to avoid user frustration.
  • Improve Customer Support Responsiveness: Increase customer support staffing and response times to address user inquiries and resolve issues promptly.

Medium Priority:

  • Improve Map Functionality: Enhance the map display to make it easier to find and view locations, save favorite hosts, and integrate with other mapping apps.
  • Enhance Boondockers Welcome Integration: Address the perceived decline in quality and restore lost features from the original Boondockers Welcome app.
  • Improve Host Responsiveness: Implement a system to track host responsiveness and encourage timely replies to booking requests.
  • Provide More Host Information: Add detailed information about camping setups, photos of parking areas, and more accurate availability calendars.
  • Accessibility Improvements: Implement accessibility features to make the app usable for blind users.

Low Priority:

  • Trip Planning Tools: Implement improved trip planning features and the ability to save and share routes.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Enhanced RV Trip Planning Platform: A comprehensive platform that integrates Harvest Hosts-like locations with traditional campgrounds, points of interest, and route planning tools.
  • Host Responsiveness Monitoring Service: A service that monitors host responsiveness and provides ratings or badges to help users choose reliable hosts.
  • RV Community Platform: A dedicated platform for RVers to connect, share tips, and plan trips together, with integrated booking and communication features.
  • Specialized RV Concierge Service: A service that provides personalized assistance with booking stays, planning routes, and resolving travel issues for RVers.

Trends and Observations

  • Negative Sentiment Concentrated on App Issues: Most negative reviews focus on app functionality, customer service, and booking difficulties, rather than the Harvest Hosts concept itself.
  • Boondockers Welcome Merger Concerns: A significant number of users express concerns about the decline in quality and loss of features following the Boondockers Welcome merger.
  • Increasing Booking Difficulties: As the program grows in popularity, it's becoming increasingly difficult to find available hosts, especially on short notice.
  • Requests for More Detailed Host Information: Users want more detailed information about camping setups, photos of parking areas, and more accurate availability calendars.

Conclusion

The Harvest Hosts app has the potential to be a valuable tool for RVers seeking unique and memorable travel experiences. However, significant improvements are needed to address app instability, booking difficulties, customer service issues, and concerns about the Boondockers Welcome integration. By prioritizing the action recommendations outlined above, Harvest Hosts can enhance user satisfaction, improve its reputation, and solidify its position as a leading platform for RV travel. Overall, focusing on app stability and usability is crucial for maintaining user engagement and driving future growth.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/harvest-hosts-rv-camping/id1321631420?uo=2