I did not say that they were not subjective but I did not get any further. I think we will have to see what MHS says. HE did mention that he will look into a web based appointment system and parts purchase too.
I sure hope so. An on-line parts lookup/orderings presence would get them more business. Every thime I call to inquire about parts, it is a pretty slow process. Inspite of ordering parts many times, they never seem to know who I am or where to ahip stuff. It is like they don't even know who their customers are. An email to rior customers every month with a special deal or a good price on things lots of folks buy or free shipping on orders over $100 or something would really help.
Being able to see service, remodel, paint etc schedules on-line would help customers plan better. Seeing where there is an opening would help folks get in sooner because they could adjust their own schedules.
Whatever it takes to help Foretravel survive and thrive and improve their service to their existing customer base would be good for everyone.
Roger
I do most of the parts ordering because Jeff's hearing issues do not allow him to do very well on the phone. I usually try to have a part number, which is always helpful ... but there have been many times when I have to order by description. "It is the little thing that hooks into the other thing when you lift the big thing and ..." , well, you get my drift. I have ALWAYS had great assistance and help from the guys on the phone. That being said ... an online ordering system would be really helpful!
OLD, OLD, OLD saying: one picture is worth a thousand words.
Between these two current threads and a few older ones, it is obvious that many of us think that Foretravel could (and should) make some major updates to their website. Perhaps someone on the forum has the expertise and the time to show the head people at Foretravel what should be.
As for Jeff and the hearing issue--- what did you say? We have the same issue-- my other, much better half does most of the phone work. As Jimmy Buffet said, hard of hearing, but don't care what most people say anyway!
On line parts listing, lookup, drawings and ordering would be nice.
That said, the parts folks at FT do a good job with what they have. I ordered a new stainless steel mud flap panel and mud flap rubber last Monday. It showed up today. The stainless part came cushioned in foam in an 8 ft wooden box wrapped in cardboard. Nice.
FT prices on some stuff is pretty high but on many things, especially with a MC discount they are pretty competative. It still pays to shop.
Best thing for all of us is to have a strong FT factory and store.
Roger
They problem with having drawings is there are so many custom options it would be extremely difficult to make an interactive webpage. There are decades of models to cover. With such a limited production, I doubt it would be economically feasible.
Maybe so Steve. I have been able to get the drawing I have needed for my coach by asking. Roof structure, for example. Maybe just a list of what drawings are available so we might have a better idea of what to ask for.
Whatever works would help.
Roger
Winnebago is one of the largest recreational manufacturers. Their website has downloads for almost everything you would every need. Electrical drawings, part numbers, everything.
However, Winnebago does not sell parts to Winnebago owners. Not on the web, not in person. If you want parts, you have to go to a dealer or order from a dealers website. The exception is that at their National Convention, they will sell parts during that week.
Now, I am aware that Foretravel does not have dealers.
I do not believe that Foretravel sells enough parts to owners to ever make it feasible for them to have a web presence. I may be wrong. I hope I am.
On another recent thread, I asked how many Fofums have purchased parts or service from Foretravel. Fifty Fofums posted that they had purchased parts or service from Foretravel. I am sure that more Fofums have purchased parts or service from Foretravel.
The main purpose of the Foretravel parts department is to provide parts for the service bays.
LTG...I think FT is really missing the mark by not keeping with current business models. If you went to a bank today as a start-up for a retail business and did NOT have a web based plan for selling your parts you would be dropped ASAP. The times have changed for businesses. Like I said in a previous post, FT makes the best (IMHO) coaches out there and they last a long time. That means that more are still operating out here and will need maintenance or just updating. FT has been awesome at helping me repair my '89 after an incident we had last winter, so I know their service is great, but those parts don't make them any money siting on the shelf waiting for someone to come into the shop for service. If that part is needed most customers will check the internet and/or a local business prior to calling and speaking to the parts guys. We don't have to like it, its just the reality of businesses today.
Roger....spot on.
I would think they could have a website that we could find things on. It is as currently experienced, a very unfriendly website. the pictures of the coaches are very nice though but they could do more.
I also have, in addition to the FT, a Lazy Daze. That is another company stuck in the 80's (or 50's). No web site to speak of, if you want a part, you call, they give you the price incl shipping, you send them a CHECK (!)........and wait.
My daughter did the web development for Elliott Electric in Nac, it was enough to drive her to a different career path, she's now an RN, but teaches software to Drs & Nurses.
An interesting part about Lazy Daze is if you have an accident with your LD and have damage to the side panels. Based on your LD model and year they'll ship you an exact same panel as the damaged one(s).
best, paul
I do not mean to be argumentive, just realistic.
If Foretravel had a website with parts and pricing, most customers would still purchase the part from another vendor or party if the price was less expensive. All that would be gained would be that the customer would not have to call Foretravel Parts to find out the price before they ordered it from somewhere else. Or the customer could obtain the part number to make it easier to buy the part from somewhere else.
A quick search on the ForeForums archives will confirm that many Fofums have stated that Foretravel parts are more expensive than other vendors. And, many FoFums have stated that they will buy the parts from other vendors if the part can be obtained for less costs.
The exception is parts that can only be obtained from Foretravel.
LTG...Your not argumentative, that is a valid point too. I liken the whole topic to my local ACE hardware store. I really want them to succeed (like we want FT to succeed) so I use them frequently because they are close, convenient even if its a few bucks more. That doesn't mean I don't hit up Home Depot/internet once and awhile too..... Some parts for those of us with an older FT, would spend a few bucks more knowing it came from FT knowing that it WILL fit and work as FT wanted it too. Some of the knock off parts from Amazon or Camping World type stores have not worked out as well for quality and fit.
With all that said, FT may not need the money business wise. If not, then no need to expand their effort in this area. In some of the other posts the topic came up in a type of why that FT could expand their market share and make for money thus becoming more profitable. I really want them to stay in business so once I retire they can still support parts for that 2003 GV320 that is out there waiting for us to buy ^.^d. Who ever that current owner is keep taking care of her for us! lol
Well, they have a number of people working in parts answering questions. There are two guys in the back and two at the counter. I wonder if the cost would be less then the persons salary.
I really think FT is pretty competative on a lot of stuff. I ordered LED lights from them to see what they were using in new coaches. I liked them a lot and found the exact same thing on Amazon. The smaller ones were about 1$ less and the bigger ones about $1 more. If FT had had as many as I wanted I would have ordered them from FT. Shipping per light would have been a bit more than free that I get from Amazon but it would have been OK. Someone posted recently that at new stainless steel mud flap and rubber part was 1/2 of what it was on the aftermarket. You will have a hard time beating their price on struts.
Lots of their stuff is more than elsewhere but if you need it and they have it, it ships today.
FT is big enough to have a much bigger online presence. At least a much more active email marketing would be good. I get an email from MOT at least once a week with new inventory, remodeling news and other news. When was the last time you got an email from FT (excluding Motorcade news)? There are probably 4-5000 coaches in service, maybe more, a pretty significant existing customer base.
FT doesn't need to be Amazonian over night but they need to start.
Interesting comments, folks. Thanks for everyone's POV.
Roger
Roger, I agree with what you said. l just received a new headlight switch from Foretravel that I ordered from Mike G on Wednesday. The switch came in last night by UPS and I installed it this morning. I didn't have to worry about if it was going to be the one I needed.