In my morning rounds, on IRV2 the Foretravel Factory is getting bashed for the policy of Premium membership to talked to to people in tech service.
Thats OK You can never get anyone on the phone and they never call you back at Foretravel. (just my experience). I just call Motorhomes of Texas and get right thru to someone and get help right away. Mot people will stay on the line or will call you back with all the info you need. Why they have such great service when they don't get paid for phone help? It will pay off for them in the long run as "todays quality is tomorrow's reputation". MOT has the personal touch with their customers and a relationship with each one. They know you by name and their service is truely a passion. Everyone who works there seems to really care and that comes from the top. DAN
No surprise. Wonder how long it will take before they realize the added money is far less than the added grief.
How to commit customer suicide. One of the best things going for Foretravel was the outstanding support from the Factory as well as MoT and this Forum. I just don't get it. Obviously they need a customer relations person who knows the business.
Cashflash Bob where are you? :help:
I saw a sign in, I believe, Menard's that said "The customer is not interrupting your work - he is your work." They need that philosophy.
I am the third owner of a small business that is in it's 66th year. We stay in business because we go above and beyond what's strictly necessary.
Here is the link by the way:
Pay to talk to tech - iRV2 Forums (http://www.irv2.com/forums/f109/pay-to-talk-to-tech-251807.html)
Keith
I find the complaints to be warranted based on my own experience.
I've called the parts department 4 separate times to buy different things. The results of those 4 calls are- 1 time being sent the wrong part (I decided to keep the wrong part and never mention it to them) and the other 3 times I either left a message or was told that they would call me back and I never heard from them again. I've decided that its just a waste of my time dealing with FT. Your opinion may differ but that's how its worked out for me in my attempts to buy something from them.
How much does premier membership cost ?
When I call FT Parts, Mike Grimes' voice mail answers and gives me the extensions of all the other parts guys. I just dial each extension until someone answers. I never have the leave a message.
I've never had a problem--- yes, you might have to call more than once, they are busy ( and that's good!), but once you get parts on the phone the service for me has always been great and the attitude is friendly and helpful. Where else can you make a phone call and have the parts you need for a 25 year old coach shipped the same day from stock?
I love that you guys stick up so much for FT parts poor customer service. ;D I can get my parts elsewhere.
I paid for the extra membership and the only thing that I got out of it was stress. I made appointment 6 weeks out to have roof and water heater checked at fixed. What I did not realize was that it was a check it and make another appointment to have the work done. It will be MOT in the future.
I'm not sticking up for anyone, just relating my own experience with parts and service for my two coaches. I have had no problems with Foretravel. They usually have the parts I need in stock, and other than scheduling, their service on both coaches has been well done and reasonable in price. I'm pleased with my own experience. Sorry that others have had different experience.
I should mention that I live only three hours away from Nac, so they see me on a regular basis and know me. I do not have a premium membership.
I also like MOT, and bought my U320 from them. Their service is top notch as well.
All only my opinion of course.
10-20 coaches made a year, less and less service work. They probably won't be around in 5 years for us to complain about anyway!
I stopped in when I was passing through to get some parts. Once I found the parts counter (nobody really asked me if I needed help in the showroom or elsewhere), they were friendly and pulled what I needed. Getting stuff via phone is near impossible in my experience.
As our rigs age, FT for parts becomes less and less relevant as they probably won't carry the stuff anyway.
I do not blame these individuals for being upset about having to pay extra to ask somebody a question. I feel the same way. Since we purchase our IH 45 from Foretravel I have called three times to ask James Triana a technical question about our coach. Each time I have had to go through and speak with somebody about Motorcade Plus program. When they look up my name they realize that I have the Plus membership and forward my call to James.
When I was researching Newell Coach and Prevost's I had no problem speaking with service, technical, or even remodeling personnel. I spoke with service and technical personnel on several occasions at Newell Coach and never had a problem getting to speak with the appropriate person. They were always friendly and never seemed to be in a hurry to get off of the phone. I was able to speak with technical and service techs at some of the Prevost convertors without being asking what were my intentions.
This program that Foretravel has is a bunch of garbage and I regret that we purchased a IH 45 from this organization. Should have purchased a Newell Coach.
Reese
I think what would annoy me even more if I spent the $$ on a newer or new foretravel is the fact that only ONE guy (Jame T) seems to know anything about helping solve problems on your very expensive purchase.
To clarify we purchased a previously owned IH 45 at the end of February 2015 from Foretravel and took delivery the third week of March. Typically I do not express my opinion on boards because they are like rear ends everybody has one. This Motorcade/Motorcade Plus issue has become a major irritant. I had considered starting a thread on this subject, but decided not to waste my time.
The individuals that I talked with at Newell Coach and Prevost were happy to answer any and all of my questions.
Reese
If ----we take a step back and think about what is happening here , I believe we are looking at a --BEAN COUNTER --mentality . Do not see success with this think at the end of the road . I say this with a tear in my eye . It is just plain unnecessary and will produce unwanted results . Brad Metzger
I have had very good luck with FT parts, and I'm not a member of motorcade. I just leave them a message of send an email. They will respond in a day or 2. In today's world seems everyone wants instant results, I for one are just glad they still support the older coaches as much as they do
I'm a new FT owner but I have lots of business management experience. From my seat in the cockpit it appears that Foretravel is trying to evolve, seemingly making short term decisions instead of focusing on long term. Based on only my short visit to FOT a couple of weeks ago I didn't feel that it mattered to them that I was there. I interacted with 4 or 5 people there and got the same feeling from all of them.
I found the atmosphere to be as different as day and night at FT and MOT. Granted, I was buying my coach at MOT but that shouldn't matter regarding customer service.
There seemed to be a vibrant electricity in the atmosphere at MOT....lots of activity, everyone occupied with purpose. The staff from top to bottom couldn't have been more helpful. They seemed grateful that I was there.
Things felt differently at FT. It was very quiet, sleepy almost. My visit almost seemed like an intrusion. Granted, I wasn't buying a coach there but I didn't feel they cared very much that we were there.
I hope FT works everything out. It is to every FT owner's benefit that both MOT and FOT succeed. I know I prefer both to thrive so they will be there when I need them.
I have always had a good experience at FOT with the parts and service departments. Maybe it's just me. I agree that arttitude counts, and with customers even more. The $25 Premium charge I sincerely believe FOT management thought it was a non issue as $25 is a service tip to a good service tech.
In time all will fudge itself out. FOT should change the Premuim thing to something else like a Motorcade club membership of $100. Then just come right out and charge for tech services over the phone or email. For new coach buyers no fee for 2 years. For used coach buyers free for one year. Comments? Gestures?
I find it difficult to believe that the $25 Premium charge resulted in enough additional income for Foretravel to make it worthwhile. More importantly, it gives the wrong impression to many--if not most. For example, what if one went into Lowe's or the Home Depot and could make a purchase without paying any additional fee, but had to produce a card that showed one had paid a $25 annual fee before one was able to get information or assistance from an employee of the store?
The $25 fee is irrelevant. It's not the amount that matters. It's the service degradation. Again, there is only one man that can answer questions? That's not a long term survivable model.
At the number of RV's FT produces each year, and the slow attrition of older models from the fleet, there will be fewer and fewer on the road. The brand is dead. Just face the music.
If I have to pay for product support, I won't buy it.
JD
Krush: You are correct if more go off than are put on new. Its the older coaches which keep FOT service department busy.
If they did a survey as to coaches made the Fores and the newer named coaches it will be the older coaches keeping them a float but they seem to not care about the owners of the older coaches. What they should have done is establish a call center for coach repair info. The center could have a fee to access and thats OK if it provides the service on a timely manner.
Isn't that what Costco, BJ, and Sam's do? Granted they are slated as some kind of "discount?" operation but they still charge you to do shop. I believe they should have just raised the price of all memberships, but I am not an active paying member they do not provide any service that I need, so what do I know?
Roland
The fee at those places is for the "discount." One can argue about whether or not their "discount" price is really lower than other stores' prices, but that's how it's presented.
The point is if you have a question about a Foretravel coach no matter how old you should not have to go through a gate keeper to verify if you are a member of a club or not. If I have a question about the coach I want to know the answer quickly and not have to wait. If my needs can not be met then it is time to get rid of the coach.
We have beat this dead horse several times.
Reese
I may be naïve, but I still hold out hope that Foretravel will see the error of their current attitude about customer service to owners of older coaches (and apparently, newer coaches as well) and do a mea culpa and a course change before it's too late. But then I have always chosen to believe in the best possible outcome from a given set of circumstances, if it doesn't work out that way, I get over it...
Don
I believe that it comes down to the new company owners not understanding how the RV owners world operates.
Owner buys coach, new or used.
Parks coach and gets into conversation with person about it (Foretravels seem to spark conversations, at least mine does).
Owner either praises manufacturer or complains.
Person now is "convinced" that he has an accurate view of that manufacturer.
We had so many people ask about ours that we have given tours like a stately home. I even had James from Xtreme send me some of his literature to give to people who wanted to know who painted it.
We first saw Jeff and Suzanne's (Two Hams in a Can) coach and it was that that settled us on a Foretravel.
In other words. Don't p**s off the owners they are your best sales people that you never know about.
Keith
Ah east Texas mentality at its best. Better to have raised the hourly shop rate which is expected occasionally if you really needed the money. Which I doubt.
Maybe a commission for James? Well worth it. Encyclopedic memory. I prefer to talk to the horses mouth and the $25 could be charged on need and then good for a year afterwards?
If the $25 was necessary to avoid overloading everyone as they have made 6000 coaches that are hard to wear out then I understand it.
He was well versed when I met him on October 1987 and I assume his product knowledge has gotten better.
Maybe he was tired and ready to do something else or nothing. I'd pay him more.
The east Texas way is to charge in advance the $25.
If I knew in advance the fee was $25 and it would be good for the next year then that's a judgement I may like.
No one works for free. Good way to keep Triana. If that's what's happening.
My good customer support was somewhat self centered as I was the sales manager on a tiny salary and a percentage commission. They thought they had a fish when the hired me as no one had ever made any money on the same pay plan.
I asked the national sales manager jokingly to get out of my way after shaking hands.
He looked at me funny. Probably wondering if I had him or he had me.
He laughed later after I outsold the factory sales store from 1369 miles away.
Right product. Poor presentation. No salesmanship or Analyse of every customer contact.
Yes my guys and I sat down and discussed every single sales/service opportunity.
At $1,100 actual cost per contact you needed to increase your percentages to maximize the return on investment(ads and lot beautification and rally and service performed for free).
No trick if you know how to build these to build them. How to market them and get the customers to ask you to buy your product is the art.
Bet there is no nice display at FOT indoors? Plants. Carpeting.
Do you sit across from the salesman with a desk in between you? Confrontational.
Across the corner at an angle works better. A semi closed area for privacy with a 2/3 blocking wall with no door works best. Glass halfway up the walls.
Remove the sales awards from the walls. Picture of wife on the desk at an angle. Visible to the customer.
Picture of a coach in some beautiful area on the wall. Mine was a Travco in red square. Large. Medium quality framed. No cut border.
No calculator.
Push the customers chairs back a bit. Turn around your product info loose leaf three ring book to face the customer across the corner and mention you have some info to share.
Whoever moves the chair closer is the boss.
I made more money than the factory management team and they never begrudged me it as they knew they did not really know to help and sell customers professionally.
Bob McGrath was the exception as a factory salesman then. He killed the customers with kindness and help first then helped them to buy a coach.
He was cheaper also. Not good for Foretravel necessarily as the profit paid for better coaches.
Sorry for the long post. Been there done that.
Funny thing was when I left in 1989 I warned them that long term they needed a good overall idea sales manager or they would slowly slip back.
Hate to have been right. No slides. No paint killed them
Moved too slowly. As usual.
Not like it. Understand it.
The brand is endangered and soon will be extinct. The attrition rate as older coaches are retired from services is going to be severe over the next few years. With fewer coaches on the road, less will be in for service. There will not be enough on the road to spread the word and the foretravel brand will just fade into the sunset.
10-20 units a year (regardless of margins) is not enough to keep a company alive. They leaving the road faster and faster each year.
Saying they can't make a 500-600k unit is BS. They have all the intellectual property. Manufacturing is more efficient than ever. Outsource frame and chassis fabrication to a local company that specializes in it and has all the CNC cutting tables and robotic welders.
Getting rid of dealers is horrible idea. Where will people get their RV's worked on?
With no lower price range units, there is no way to get buyers that will move up to flagship units.
I know many here are older and this may be their last coach. The younger folks, well we have no options other than a prevost (too big!).
Give a nice solid neutral classic interior. I know darn near EVERYBODY I've talk to that has purchases a brand new SOB diesel pusher said there is always something breaking or shaking loose.
The brand is on its last legs. The Realm won't save it.
We still think our 2002 U320 is a fine Piece of machinery and design. We have had work done at FOT, MOT and other places as required and admittedly MOT is more customer oriented.
I would still rather have a 10 year old FT than any new SOB. Still true for us.
If FOT chooses to do the things that they feel are important I only have a few choices: Live with their choices and continue to use them, Live with their choices and don't use them or Live with them and use them as required. We choose to use them as required. I must admit it is less and less every year.
There are lots of comments and threads about these issues and I guess that they will continue to pop up as we try to determine "when" we choose to use FOT. In the mean time MOT is carving out a formidable name in service and deservedly so.
FOT is quite aware of these threads that identify concerns/problems/perceptions. How they choose to respond is their choice.
FWIW - I have ordered parts over the phone and in person from FOT and although I have not been greeted with ear to ear smiles they have been able to sell me the parts as required/when required. Regarding the Premium $25.00 charge - we paid it and hope we never have to use it. We also have been given a few phone numbers for MOT personnel and have not used them either.
In most cases the FoFum members have way more experience in how our coach operates and where to get replacement parts and this is where I turn first. Then it's a matter of completing the repair myself, having FOT, MOT or another service provider complete it for me.
We all have choices. As a guy once said: "Choose wisely my friend." ;D
Here is another thread with a mismatched subject. :help: When I finally got around to reading it, I discovered it to be very interesting (albeit duplication of previous discussions) but having VERY LITTLE to do with "IRV2"
in 5 years, there will be so few 10yr old foretravels on the road, the option to buy one won't be there. Also, they are all very tall, many bells and whistles to break, etc.
in 10 years, a 10yr old ft will probably be impossible to purchase.
My 2001 might be more desireable 10 yrs from now with all the upgrades that have been so lovingly modernized if one wants a solid coach ?
Maybe a IRV2 reader will read between the lines of B-S. ?
I had renewed my membership and weeks later found out about the new fee just imposed. I would have payed it, had I been made aware then at the time of the renewal.
Skip forward from Jan. to last week. Chasing an AC problem, I needed to know the freon load, as the tech was sucking down the system. Into the books I went. I found lots of capacities listed on one page, but not the one for freon. I called a couple of numbers at FOT, and had to leave messages. First returned call one told me, 4.5#, and to have a nice day. 20 minutes later, the next phone call is to inform me, since I did not pay the extra $25, she could not take my request forward, and/or give me an answer. She wanted me to call Beverly, pay my extra $25, and have her notify someone, so I could get my answer.
Turns out the AC problem was from a loose connection, caused perhaps 2 weeks earlier by a service tech working on the fuel solenoid shut off bracket problem.
The answer should have been in the book, or maybe it is located somewhere on the coach.
We had also looked at a newer coaches 3 days before at FOT and MOT, and were happy to drive away in our older Foretravel.
In all my years in business, I have always felt that client phone calls for information and help were just part of the service I could provide. Even today, since we took by choice an early work stoppage to deal with health issues and travel as much as we can between Dr. appointments, those callers get the help I can offer.
Maybe FOT needs the 6000 owners to pay $25, and use the $150,000 to help stay in business for us.
I paid the $25 extra. It got me two emails returned by James T within 24 hrs. Quick, usually good help is available right here.
MOT has a great customer service model but how many coaches sold by them have had an issue that needed help within a few weeks. Several. Lots of times it is a new owner, sometimes something unanticipated breaks, sometimes it might have beem something that could have been checked before it went out the door. They are good but not perfect but seem to be customer centered and always trying to get better.
Like Dave M's my coach is almost 15 years old. Stuff breaks, stuff wears out and old electronic parts fail. If you don't want to fix a 15 year old coach, buy a ten year newer one like a 2010. Then you will have problems there too, maybe different ones, probably more complicated ones, probably more expensive to fix. Motorcoaches are high maintenance machines. Take care of them they seem to go for a long time. A little neglect has sharp teeth.
The business model and customer service model at FOT needs some work. Try to help improve it rather than just complain. That won't change anything.
Roger
How many units a year does Newell produce? I understand they produced 24 coaches per year (for five years) until last year increasing it to 26 coaches per year. They may be up to 30 coaches per year in 2015. It's certainly possible to sustain (and thrive with) a low-volume business if it's done correctly.
Personally, I advocate new ownership buy the brand and do what could be done. There is a diamond in the rough there.
"How does one help improve things at FOT?"
Unless you want to buy FOT then it is what it is. I have had a couple not so good experiences there but they have been reasonably resolved by working where the problem originated and up the chain of command. Advocate for a positive solution. Bring passion but not anger to the table. Mistakes happen and I would like to believe they aren't done maliciously.
No matter where you have work done be sure the scope of the work is understood and agreed to. Be sure your expectations are stated clearly and understood. When a solution is proposed be sure you understand what it entails and what it will cost. As Dave M says, speak plain English.
Go talk to the people in the office, seek them out. Tell them what you would like to see happen at Foretravel, what you hope they can improve, what your hopes for service and support are for older coaches and tell them what you think they can do to make coaches now that we will and want to buy in the resale market in the future.
And don't abandon FOT. They need our business. We want them to survive and flourish. Xtreme, Bernd and MOT are great resources too. They all offer services we can and should use. We want them all to survive and flourish as well.
We own some of the best motorcoaches ever built. They are ours and our responsibility to maintain, restore, embelish and enjoy. Part of why we can do this is because the factory and the service and support community in NAC and this forum exists. Just like we do for each other on this forum, lets all help each other in this wider community to thrive.
Thanks to all of you in this forum for the help, support, friendship and kindness we have received. I'm doing my best to return the favor.
Roger
Well said Roger. And I'm not likely to buy Foretravel so I will stick to that good counsel. But, if the right buyer/investors came along....
Lots of us with nowhere near enough money have run that idea through the bass-o-matic to only end up with something unpalatable. Lets hope for the lottery. Right now we are riding in the good life. Home2
Roger
I predict a take-over by Thor, Fleetwood, Forest River or the like within 48 months.
I've wondered occasionally if foretravel went public and began selling stock, how many ft owners would be interested in being stockholders. I believe I would. Just food for thought.
I don't see how purchase by Thor or Fleetwood expands their product line or ability. I also don't see Berkshire Hathaway (Forest River) buying Foretravel. While Foretravel doesn't mass produce coaches, they do produce one of the best coaches around. I think the President change last June has yet to show what the future may hold.
The minute Thor, Fleetwood or any of those purchases FT is the day I will NEVER buy a era FT that they make. As a newer FT owner and previously having trailers from those manufacturers for 15 years the difference is night and day to say the least. Kinda like comparing a USSR era car with a Newer BMW...As many other have said "WE" are their best advertising and "WE" are the repeat customers so the factory needs to pay attention to the "WE" with better customer service. Me personally I have had great service and follow up with FOT. Both with my tire blow out damage last year and getting info on NOS items for my older coach.
IMHO....my 1989 and others of my vintage may be their best advertising toward those that are able to buy a new IH-45....look how long they last...still a quality product!!
As for the premium...well I didn't buy it (newbie) and I look at the Motorcade as a great way to share the social side of our great coaches while getting to meet nice new people in the process.
Well, I have posted my experiences with FT over the years on here in the past. I will say that I wonder what will become of the company since Dane Miller's passing. He was the major investor. They closed down he motorsports business and I think that FT just has to make it with what it has. The idea of the Realm is a good one but the price point is still way too high for what it is and only one place selling it is also an issue. Time will tell though.
Frankly, I don't see any new strategies for growing the top line. Seems to be lacking strategic thinking as well as customer care focus.
When you come to think of these two items, these are not that difficult to overcome if management is on the ball.
The GrandVention is in October in Indiana. We are planning on attending. Perhaps all who are attending or just interested should send an email or a letter to the President of Foretravel suggesting a Q&A session regarding these issues ... the future of FT, customer service, customer relations, service, parts, what are legacy coach owners going to buy in the next 5-10 years, how to make our community more interactive, more communicative and more satisfied. Say what you think in plain English. Ask your questions. Ask for a reply. Be respectful.
I will.
Send to:
Lyle Reed
President
Foretravel Motorcoach
1221 NW Stallings Dr.
Nacogdoches, TX 75964
1-800-955-6226
lyle.reed@foretravel.com
Maybe someone has an email address for Mr Reed that they could add.
Roger
lyle.reed@foretravel.com
Lyle was surprised at the service comments last year. I think he will be surprised again.
Suffering from "Eyes not on the Ball" syndrome.
I just got off the phone with Mike in Parts this morning and thought I would share my thoughts. I had called last week to check on availability of some trim parts that I needed and got through the first time. Mike was very helpful and identified the parts that I needed quickly. I called back Friday and left a message after I had figured out how much I needed and he returned my call this morning and the parts will be shipping out today.
Overall 1st experience was very good.
Thanks,
Andy
A couple of weeks ago I ordered some parts and worked with Billy Jack. My Foretravel hardly ever breaks down so I don't need to call often. In this event I had no problem, as with all my dealings over the past 8 years. Parts dept answered quickly and answered my questions and we got the parts ordered. One quirky thing they have going on is what appears to be double billing but it turns out that this is the way they process their orders so the additional charge disappears in a couple of days. I was concerned at first but a phone call to parts dept cleared up the confusion and the additional charge did go away. Overall an excellent experience. Some customers have unrealistic expectations and can never be satisfied. I call it the "I want it ALL, and I want it NOW" syndrome.
Good luck,
Not to be negative but can 4 people all be helping customers at the same time. Called FOT parts this morning and never got any one to the phone all wanted to leave a message on all four extension nrs. Called MOT and got right in. I just would like some service any service would do. If I didn't have this motorhome what would I be cleaning and fixing? DAN
I've never had a problem with service or tech at Foretravel. I'm willing to understand that they are busy and I'm not the only fish in the bucket so they have to tend to others as well as those who are across the counter. Actually, after reading all this stuff and comments here on this thread I shall assume the queue on the phone and at the counter will be shorter and response time faster for those of us who will stay with Froretravel and their service. ;)
I called last week and ordered parts for my 1990 U280--- got through on the first try, they had the parts in stock and shipped same day even though I didn't call until 3:45. As I said before, where else can you call and get parts shipped same day on a 25 year old coach? For that matter, where else can you call and find the manufacturer still in business for a 25 year old coach, and what other brand coach is still on the road at 25 years old. I like my Foretravels and I will stick with them--- great coaches.
I have to say my experience with both parts and service have been positive.
Call Fleetwood for Technical assistance on a 1996 model coach and see how it goes. I was shocked to find the support available on an older coach.
Like many I would prefer not to spend the additional 25.00 but if I am broke down, and can get someone on the phone to help get me going I consider it a bargain.
I just view it as a way to help offset the cost. It would probably served them better just raising Motorcade dues IMHO.
Jerry
Which was my comment when this issue was raised 6 months ago. Charge everyone $20 extra- nuff said
JohnH
I think it's really all about appearances. Just treat everyone equally. When our local library district wanted to build a beautiful new branch on donated land on a lake in the next village they made the mistake of calling it the new main library. Oh boy did it hit the fan. People in our village got mad and the idea was dropped. They took it as a slight that it our library would loose status. Just about the daftest thing I have heard of. Much more money later we have two librarys now.
It's the thought that for money you can be special that upsets some people. Terrible public relations. As I said in an earlier post their marketing people - do they have any? - just seem clueless on this.
Keith
If everyone paid an extra $20 or $25 and nothing changed, that would be the real disaster. It only works if the extra money adds a qualified person to help triage the requests and speed up the response time. FT has one, maybe two people on this task. On the Forum, you ask your question and in the next half hour maybe thirty people read it, in an hour maybe sixty. And several post an opinion.
$20 from all Motorcade members probably wouldn't fund an extra person. What needs to change is the company's focus and priority on owner support, not just buyers in the last 8 or 9 years but all owners of any Foretravel of any age. And then resources get assigned to priority tasks.
I hope they do. Send a note to Lyle Reed and ask about it. Ask him to tell us at the GrandVention where Foretravel is headed in this regard. I hope he does. If he doesn't ask the question there.
Roger
If everyone paid an extra $20 or $25 and nothing changed, that would be the real disaster.
Funny,
I didn't pay the extra. That option was't even offered when I renewed.
And nothing has changed. I needed to call a few times last year, and was well served. Both by tech support and parts. I haven't needed to call so far this year (knock on wood).
By the way, I have never even been asked if I was a MC member. Now it appears you need to be a pay-twice member to get what used to free.
You can still email James for free and he gets back to you quickly. If you insist on calling, the will let you pay then and James will call you back. I was already a Motorcade member when I called and they just added the $25 when I called. No big deal as far as I am concerned. $25 is a drop in the bucket when a tank of fuel costs $450.
Well said. Even with my 25 year old coach, I get treated like I bought it new yesterday every time I need something. I am well satisfied with Foretravel. My neighbor has a newer Fleetwood, and he marvels at the response I get from Foretravel.