Motorcade Premium Membership

Topic: Motorcade Premium Membership (Read 5946 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #175 – January 07, 2015, 03:47:04 pm

Just not going to speak

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #176 – January 07, 2015, 04:35:46 pm

The Newell Website is indeed, IMO, a class act.
I do not agree that Foretravel should be considered in the same category as a Newell.
I could not find how to order parts on the Integra Website nor the Newell Website. Probably an oversight on my part.

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #177 – January 07, 2015, 04:51:42 pm

Quote from: ltg – January 07, 2015, 04:35:46 pm

The Newell Website is indeed, IMO, a class act.
I do not agree that Foretravel should be considered in the same category as a Newell.
I could not find how to order parts on the Integra Website nor the Newell Website. Probably an oversight on my part.

I didn't mean to leave the impression that I thought either Entegra's or Newell's Websites were perfect, nor that either one contained all of the information I personally believe should be available.

I personally believe that Foretravel's components and construction techniques are (or were) on a par with Newell, and I believe Foretravel's floorplans are (or were) nearly as customizable as are Newell's. I also personally believe that if Foretravel wants to survive, then they should "step up their game" to be recognized in the same league as Newell. I think they were once there (or very close) but are not there at this point.

Obviously, opinions can differ, and I know not everyone will agree with mine!

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #178 – January 07, 2015, 05:13:22 pm

I was saying that the discount never was suppose to go to any remodel but David F has been doing it on his own and has also been able to work the hours to make the customer happy. He does a land office business as a result.

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #179 – February 01, 2015, 08:43:28 pm

I am down in NAC at Xtreme for a three week project. Very early on I realized I needed to get a vertical adjustment on the back end of my slide ( up 1/16"). I talked to Joshua Davis. He said it might be possible to slip me in when I was done at Xtreme. I talked to him again Friday and he said MC+ members were getting into little slivers of time they have set aside each week. So I talked to Beverly and signed up for the plus. We will see if I get in. If not I am not waiting. Joshua said they are scheduling about 2 months out now. A very busy time for everyone in NAC.

Roger

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #180 – February 02, 2015, 12:03:46 am

While at Quartzsite, we experienced a scary "glitch" with the Turbo Turd 3000 that renewed my fright palpitations over this touchy piece of equipment. It is back to working normally ... but I just think it is a failure waiting to happen. I called Foretravel and left a message in the Parts Department asking for some advice on a replacement model. Just wanted to know what they are seeing in coaches that are not a "direct drop" floor plan and what model I should be considering as a replacement. I was very pleased and impressed that my question was referred to James Triana, and that he took the time to call my number back and leave a message telling me the kind of commode that they are putting in coaches that are a replacement for mine. We did upgrade our membership ... but I am not feeling as though that was the reason that the gents in Parts took the time to pass my query on to James T. I just think they have always taken the time to try and help us in the same way.

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #181 – February 02, 2015, 09:02:19 am

If I give them the extra $25 do we get new ID cards? We just received our "New Membership Cards" (2015 Standard Membership). The flimsy paper cards look like they were printed on a 1980's dot matrix printer...not very impressive.

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #182 – February 02, 2015, 09:40:05 am

No new cards. The FT data base shows your membership upgrade. How this is handled internally - I do not know. We did upgrade but have no experience how this really effects our service requirements.

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #183 – February 02, 2015, 06:23:07 pm

I just saw this on the FT site. It might be why we have not seen any change yet.

Due to the late date of the changes listed below related to Club Plus membership, Club Plus membership dues need to be paid by March 1, 2015.

· Technical questions answered directly by our technical team. (Non-Plus members can submit questions via the internet with a response as soon as possible)

· Exclusive Plus member access to our afterhours emergency call service.

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #184 – February 02, 2015, 06:39:20 pm

Quote from: Home2fromHastings – February 01, 2015, 08:43:28 pm

I am down in NAC at Xtreme for a three week project. Very early on I realized I needed to get a vertical adjustment on the back end of my slide ( up 1/16").

Roger, you might also check with MOT. They should be very familiar with your year slides and might be able to fit you in.

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #185 – February 02, 2015, 06:44:02 pm

Quote from: Carol Savournin – February 02, 2015, 12:03:46 am

While at Quartzsite, we experienced a scary "glitch" with the Turbo Turd 3000 that renewed my fright palpitations over this touchy piece of equipment. It is back to working normally ... but I just think it is a failure waiting to happen. I called Foretravel and left a message in the Parts Department asking for some advice on a replacement model. Just wanted to know what they are seeing in coaches that are not a "direct drop" floor plan and what model I should be considering as a replacement. I was very pleased and impressed that my question was referred to James Triana, and that he took the time to call my number back and leave a message telling me the kind of commode that they are putting in coaches that are a replacement for mine. We did upgrade our membership ... but I am not feeling as though that was the reason that the gents in Parts took the time to pass my query on to James T. I just think they have always taken the time to try and help us in the same way.

I guess you are not saying what that new model is since its "premium" only information

Come on now do tell what the name is for the all new corncob 4000?

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #186 – February 02, 2015, 07:13:24 pm

Thanks, Michelle, i have been over to MOT several times in the last three weeks. I wanted brushed nickel closet door push button latch knobs and trim rings. FT had none, special order. MOT said how many? But then I bought some other stuff at FT as well. Spread the joy. If I get the raspberries from FT Wednesday, I will go across the street. Actually I will call them in the AM.

I also looked closely at what to do after Alton at FT explained it. It is something I would try myself. Take some load off the slide, remove or loosen two bolts, remove a shim equal to the adjustment you want to make, tighten stuff up, remove the support, check for ther desired result. Redo.

Roger

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #187 – February 03, 2015, 07:29:39 pm

Stopped in at FT this morning to check on a service slot I have been talking to them about for two weeks. The Service folks told me my chances of getting in tomorrow for a slide adjustment was at best 50/50 and most likely not and likely not anytime this week either - Motorcade Plus or not. So I went over to check at MOT. I have never been there for service before. They scheduled me in for tomorrow. 15% discount for scheduled service at MOT. I am glad there are choices.

Roger

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #188 – February 03, 2015, 07:53:55 pm

Well I am happy you got in but now that more people will find out how good they are it is there we will have to wait a few days to get in now.

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #189 – February 03, 2015, 08:39:54 pm

I am sorry to hear that FT could not work you in.

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #190 – February 03, 2015, 09:21:52 pm

I had that problem last summer. I was in service and finished on friday and saturday morning woke up with a broken front window. they could not fit me in but MOT did that day. No fuss or muss and they put two guys on it and I was done in 90 mins and then sat still for a day.

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #191 – February 03, 2015, 09:59:30 pm

I did not realize FOT was running on Saturdays, even as long ago as last year, good to know, I thought that was something they just recently added on a case basis. Oh wait ... reading this again .... are you saying FOT could not fit you in during the following week but MOT worked you in on Saturday, if so thats

Curious as to what may have caused a window break, thats strange.

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #192 – February 03, 2015, 11:27:19 pm

MOT has a sort of process or algorithm or triage process of working people in, and their technical skills are very good. Plus quite a few techs now with lots of experience. I have watched them grow their ability over four years, never been disappointed. I think there are two basic business differences as well.

It is good to have polite competition and Nac offers at least six opportunities for various type of RV help. We just need an RV park to get you to stay longer, for more than RV work!

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #193 – February 04, 2015, 10:35:37 am

Steve, I was saying that FOT finished me up on friday and I was in the lot and waiting to pay the bill on monday and they could not fit me in to fix the window to the end of the week at least. Now I know I was done supposedly but they had changed fuel lines and done a bunch of stuff but MOT took me in on Monday morning at 930 am and I was done in the lot waiting for it to dry at 1030. Now an hour of work for a couple guys and lots of good will. They do not consider that at FOT. Now FOT is trying to reduce their backlog and is working a bit on Saturdays too but MOT has done that for a while when they get backed up and they will work till 9 pm sometimes as well. I have not seen that at FOT in all my years though I will say that Kodak would do that when they were backed up.

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #194 – February 04, 2015, 02:25:48 pm

When FOT had there store in Fl. Bryan Mullins took good care of his customers.

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #195 – February 04, 2015, 02:32:22 pm

Quote from: Home2fromHastings – February 03, 2015, 07:29:39 pm

Stopped in at FT Tuesday morning to check on a service slot I have been talking to them about for two weeks. The Service folks told me my chances of getting in Wednesday for a slide adjustment was at best 50/50 and most likely not and likely not anytime this week either - So I went over to check at MOT. I have never been there for service before. They scheduled me in for Wednesday.

Roger

Success at MOT this morning. 1 hr 40 min from walking in the door to departure. Just over 1 hr to adjust my slide. $120. Fantastic! And big time Texas nice too. There were some folks in the waiting room from MN to chat with.

Roger

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #196 – February 04, 2015, 02:52:17 pm

I am glad you had a good experience. I have to say that most of the best techs from FT ended up there.

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #197 – February 04, 2015, 07:39:47 pm

When I worked at the Tampa Foretravel store by the fairgrounds, in the service department, spent many late nights helping to get folks back on the road and worked every Saturday until at least noon. I felt it was totally crazy to make someone spend another night, when for maybe an hour or less they could be finished.

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #198 – February 04, 2015, 10:15:12 pm

Lots of topics discussed here... I'll put in my 2cents... Why not? Keep in mind that this is just my observations - not meant to offend. Any criticisms are meant to be taken constructively.

Motorcade:
I don't know what it is or why I would want it. I hunted around for info and found that there are some road trips every year or something? Maybe I am allowed to go to Grandvention but wouldn't be otherwise? I see lots of clubs, presidents, vice presidents and other political things I really don't want to get involved in. Apparently I get a year for free? I'm not really a believer in the FMCA discount as the price I got quoted at a commercial tire place for Michelins was cheaper than the FMCA price. I got a set of conti's (10) for $3200 with trade. I wouldn't be very concerned about 72 hour service turnaround, I would have to schedule service at FT months in advance anyway since I am not often in the area.

Website:
The website stinks. It's circa 2000 work. I have no doubt that someone somewhere tries to keep up over there but technology moves at light speed. The current state of the art is what a buddy of mine just did for Parx Casino. Parx Casino® | Philadelphia Casino, Racing, Entertainment, and Nightlife |.... That is what the FT website should be. There should be at least one talented graphic artist, at least one talented motion graphics person, and at least one highly skilled programmer/IT guy on staff. Finally most companies these days need to hire a social media manager. Small web updates, and chase down negative posts on forums and such and help get questions answered. They fixed the phone system at least. Many of today's customers first impression of a Foretravel would be through the website. On a nearly million dollar purchase, it should be exceptional, as should all parts of the buying and ownership experience equally.

Used coaches:
This is a blanket catch-all. I've seen lots of discussions about time or energy spent dealing with criticisms, complaints or needs of older coach owners or used buyers. Or people who didn't pay for the coach originally or the renovations... I think FT is right to take care of the used coach owners for the following reasons:
* Today's used coach owners are tomorrow's new coach owners. Not everyone is retired, some people in my position aim for a new coach some day and business is on an upward trajectory so it's possible. Not everyone will buy a new coach but some will.
* Used coach owners may sell new coaches. Foreforums is filled with old coach owners and they are who sold me on a used FT. I may some day buy a new coach. The awareness of FT and release of apprehension about paying high dollar for an old coach is purely due to Fofum and Barry Beam's site. Which brings me to my third point.
* A tolerable situation for used coach owners leads to higher resale prices which benefits the overall resale value and the proposition for new coach buyers. A new coach buyer may look over the market and make sure that used coaches follow the right pricing. I haven't done the math but it doesn't seem like many RV's don't depreciate in a straight line while mine was priced right about where it should be... so higher. I was willing to pay it while other rv's depreciate much faster because I saw value in the product. Part of that value is the reputation for service, FT still being in business, the forums, etc. Used coaches flying around with top notch renovations, etc, serve to push someone toward foretravel. The brand loyalty is undeniable.

The fact is that people with the ability to gather up $70K or $100K without financing due to age, miles or both, are probably people who you should pay attention to.

So you know everything has it's place, and there has to be a cut off to the focus on older coach owners, but the current pervasive MBA mindset of worrying solely about next quarter profits is self defeating. I really am so sick of that mindset too because it consistently destroys companies. Look at HP then versus HP now. Or IBM. There's a myriad of companies who are going under because a long term vision is unimportant. It's something that Foretravel has done right for an incredibly long time and I hope they keep it up. Keep using the highest grade materials - even where they can't be seen. Keep parts on hand for VERY old coaches. How much does a warehouse cost in the middle of nowhere Texas? It can't be THAT much.

There are probably a few other things that they currently do rather effectively that they should just keep doing.

Oh and regarding communication, phone communication is excellent but emails don't always get returned. I'm not surprised not a lot of people can type as well as I can, but really an email that says "hey can you call me about this Tuesday at 6:30pm and I can discuss this with you" would work. But I have no complaints overall. I didn't spend a dime and they still took good care to help with what I needed.

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #199 – February 05, 2015, 10:21:29 am

Roger: Good for you. If FOT is too busy to take care of their good customers and MOT will do it, I may be back at MOT for service.
Its the idea that I get a 10% discount at either place but I should not have to pay for upgrades to a club to get good service. FOT has obliviously more service business than they can handle. Time to expand service department. DAN

Affiliate Notice