Motorcade Premium Membership

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

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #75 – January 01, 2015, 11:42:08 am

The real problem is this: too many people, in the MC club, and at FT rely on one man for all their problem solving. This is a bad bad bad idea.

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #76 – January 01, 2015, 11:59:06 am

Well actually there are two of them now. That is why they are using the internet I think. They rotate the phone among 4 of them every night and weekend so they all only have it one weekend a month. So, while we call James and he is the pint of contact there are others that can and do step in and help as well.

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #77 – January 01, 2015, 11:59:41 am

Quote from: kenhat – January 01, 2015, 11:38:56 am

Does anyone have a username/password?

Ken,

I did exactly the same thing you did, with exactly the same result/question. I finally looked back through my old email archive, and found a note from Beverly Koonce that listed my user name and password. If you look at the "Motorcade Club Application" you'll see the first 2 entries are where you (at some long-forgotten time) supplied these items.

Foretravel Motorcoach : Motorcade Club Application

Logging in gives you access to club news, club membership rosters, Top Secret messages from the President, etc. This "Login" page has a link for "lost password" recovery.

Foretravel Conversions : Upcoming Events

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #78 – January 01, 2015, 12:12:16 pm

@Chuck Thanks! Would not have found that page without your help. I did take advantage of the "If you have lost your Username or Password click here". Here is what I received.

see ya
ken

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #79 – January 01, 2015, 12:17:08 pm

Also on the "members only" section of the FOT site are lists of the members, not available of course to the general public or casual readers. I really don't remember setting up the user name & password but got my memory refreshed when I called Beverly for help trying to figure out how to get them!

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #80 – January 01, 2015, 12:27:55 pm

My feelings are very similar to John S and Tim. and no I wasn't directing the statement that if you are not a part of the solution you're part of the problem to anyone specifically.

I've always thought that the way Foretravel provides technical assistance by phone/emails is a uniquely exceptional service to owners.

I agree that the recent changes do not seem to have been well thought out. This forum's membership also happens to be comprised of very knowledgeable Foretravel owners. Constructive criticism not communicated remains silence.

If Motorcade management feedback for changes to its benefits is the reduction of membership, then the club will no longer exist in a matter of years.

Time will tell as I do not believe anyone will actually communicate their grievances about these changes to the MC Club.

Let's face it, we spend more than $25 in tips whenever we travel. but if you're stuck with your Foretravel during the trip, the $25 expense to talk and get assistance from a technical person from the factory is invaluable.

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #81 – January 01, 2015, 12:28:37 pm

Funny thing happened after I wrote my feelings on this subject, I received 6 emails or foreforum messages agreeing hole heartedly with my comments within 30 mins of the posting.
Another point I see missed in some of the later posts. Looking back I notice that quite a few people have actually said they do not mind a "jump" in fees as long as this two tiered system is dropped.
I still think they should hire or have one of the brains , or even any person that can take note of a problem and immediately follow it thru' with staff to try and find an answer asap especially if you are stuck somewere. Common sense surely tells you that you may have to wait while they figure this all out but the knowledge that at least they are trying is worth the fee.
We are one of a few that live so far from Nac that we rely on this Forum for answers and feel that it gives out more immediate help to people than the factory could. I also feel that I have got to know far more owners thru the Forum than I could ever get to know at one of the organized rallies. The Q ralley will consist of all like minded owners by the sounds of it and that is good.
So, the bottom line for me is that FT should have just sent out a note to us all saying "Due to the cost of doing business etc we have had to increase the Annual Fee to $100 anf hope that you all understand our position. We are trying to increase the level of 'call back" service at the same. Thank you for being a Foretravel Owner" Have a healthy New Year.
JohnH

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #82 – January 01, 2015, 12:38:19 pm

today the NFL and major league baseball have instant replays to review the recent calls OFFICIALS make. But before these bad calls are reviewed, someone has to complain about the call in order to get a review.

If we don't complain, we lose the game, that is the MC Club dies a slow painful death.

My hope is that with constructive feedback to management, improvements will be made.

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #83 – January 01, 2015, 12:59:36 pm

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #84 – January 01, 2015, 01:09:21 pm

Bitching about $25 fee is down right hilarious. Seriously, take a step back and look at this from afar. $25, most here pay more than that for one night at a camp site. Let's up it to total fee. $100 (or whatever it is with $25 added in). Seriously, you own something that cost 20-200k or more to purchase. You pay plenty in taxes, insurance, maintenance, etc. I don't get it.

I'm not in the motorcade club. But I live far away from texas, don't see myself making a special trip there to get work done, and haven't bought any parts from FT. I've made a call in once and got a reply, which I was appreciative of, but the information given to me wasn't that great. But, I can see why...I never spent money at FT. FT probably wouldn't provide me with extra Drawings or Manufacturer part numbers anyway, so there is no point in me trying to ask....I'll leave that up to the people that have more developed relationships with FT.

I may join in the future, but the social aspects of the club are not something I would use. I'm in a completely different demographic than most FT owners, haha.

I'm on these forums for information to fix my FT.

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #85 – January 01, 2015, 01:12:11 pm

Larry, with all due respect to you, how can it be an improvement for the majority when the "new system" takes away the benefits that you have enjoyed (or at least had if needed) for many years and now told that you go to the bottom of the line and get less of a % refund on monies spent there?
Cannot get my head around that comment at all.
Like I said (and this is my last one) increase the fee for all without the need for a two tiered system!
Seems simple to me!!
JohnH
This was posted before reading Krush's comment and he seems to agree with mine too.

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #86 – January 01, 2015, 01:29:34 pm

Quote from: Chuck Pearson – January 01, 2015, 09:35:02 am

Folks, I see it differently. A hundred bucks a year for fast tech service, the social organization, it's not nickle and diming, it's the DEAL OF THE CENTURY!

I don't see anyone complaining about an increase of $25, it's the creation of "classes" of MC membership and the deletion of benefits/decreased service response for the new "classic" or shall we say "lower class" level of membership.

As to an across-the-board increase potentially driving away members, what do they think this change is going to do? It's not going to increase membership, that's for sure, and it probably will be deleterious to service revenue.

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #87 – January 01, 2015, 01:30:10 pm

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #88 – January 01, 2015, 01:46:20 pm

Michele: You are correct, appears this may hurt more than help. If in fact they do not allow a 10%
discount in remodel then, a current benefit is lost even if you become a plus member. I had planned to use the remodel for a fridge and sofa and possibly front chairs this year and I was only looking to get it done at FOT; now I will entertain a bid from MOT and maybe some others. If FOT cannot schedule my work within a reasonible time there are other places to do the job on a schedule which works for me. Don't get me wrong I had rather get the work done at FOT but they are not the only place to get quality work done. When they assign others ahead because of a club membership I get upset about that. DAN

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #89 – January 01, 2015, 01:54:37 pm

well this side is a loyal customer base for for travel.

OVER 80 POSTS in less than 36 hours! Methinks that someone that monitors this site May have some decisions to make!

Like I said hire the consultants here to help them fix Communications the website and service ideas!

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #90 – January 01, 2015, 02:14:37 pm

I think Michelle got it right! Two tier systems do not make the members of the lower tier feel appreciated. If the MotorCade Club is a social organization maybe it should stand-alone, with the dues the same for everyone that is a member.
Then Foretravel, the company could establish an "Owners"; Technical, Information, Support system, Parts discount, Extended camping @ Foretravel, ect., that any owner could subscribe to by the year. That would be the source of knowledge direct from the factory experts and discounts on Parts and Services. I would envision a system similar to "Mitchel Automotive" that many automotive service facilities subscribe to. Most custom vehicle manufactures do offer some type of assistance for a reasonable amount of time, It's just that Our Foretravel Motor Coaches last so long that we require more years of back up technical help.........

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #91 – January 01, 2015, 02:20:32 pm

Michelle: Another thing if FOT was smart and listening to their real base then they would contact you about adding a point on their web sight which leads you to this site. Open forum is the only way to get a varity of opinions and thoughts from across the country. Everyone will not agree but opinions should matter especially from loyal FOT owners who have put thier product at the top of the industry by purchasing new or used. This forum gets quick answers to issues and I would say from someone who has experienced the same issue. I have never been able to get thru the phone mase at FOT when I have a mechanical issue, but the forum is always there and as a group certainly has knowledge of systems etc. in Foretravel and all years. I have other products which have owner's forums and are a branch of the manufacturer website. So far Joshua has always worked me in so as long as I can get on the schedule I will be there. I always call about a month in advance and that should be enough lead time. DAN

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #92 – January 01, 2015, 02:33:33 pm

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #93 – January 01, 2015, 03:33:19 pm

Attending the GV in TN two years ago, I got the sense (from Bev Koonce) they (FT) monitor the site, but wouldn't promote it due to the positive comments regarding places like Extreme, Bernd, MOT, Insight, etc.

Not sure I blame them but if I was a sales guy for them selling a 1990's or 2000's used coach I would certainly make sure my prospects/customers knew of the FoFum forum - huge plus for the brand.

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #94 – January 01, 2015, 04:39:59 pm

I really did not see anyone complaining about $25 in terms of the increase, but instead about the changes (loss) in what you get (levels).

I'd guess that anyone that uses FOT for service or wants to talk to James will pay the extra $25, especially given it is an insignificant amount. You can't even get a FT logo shirt for that.

Overall maybe that will lower the "phone time" on James, but I also find it odd that after he was promoted to a Director position they did not have a solid transition plan to move that responsibility away from him, or just use him as needed for the extra tough ones. I know everyone just wants to talk to James, but times change, move along.

The preferential service treatment for "premium" simply does not sit right with me, nor will it. Sure I get the ivory tower idealism but that's not what it is.

First if you use FOT for service you will probably gladly pay for this benefit, but in the end you will have the same large group fighting for overbooked service spots, such that the benefit will likely be of little practical use. Its simply an increase with no practical benefit, and frankly that's fine, "it is what it is".

Second, to me, it makes the statement that says Foretravel does not truly hold any value to a loyal customer, .... none. It matters not if you go there every year, purchased your coach there, use service, remodel, paint and body, alignment, or even been there through the extra thin times. No, what matters is that you slipped them $25 bucks.

You can see it now, members who have been negative about the service, parts, paint and body for years, even refusing to go there and steering people away, now can get premium treatment for $25 bucks. And no I'm not calling anyone out so don't anyone go getting their front end out of alignment. A few years back I personally refused to use them for a couple of years, due to some issues. In the end, its my wallet and I'll open for whom I want. I went back due to the nagging thought that its better to have them around, yes loyalty, perhaps misplaced or just not reciprocal.

Anyway this all fits in line with what you see in many of today's limited margin businesses, its all about the Benjamins, or Jacksons in this case, no longer about the customers. There are however places where the opposite is true, and they do excellent work on ForeTravels as well, and if I give them an extra $25 its for a job well done

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #95 – January 01, 2015, 05:10:29 pm

Gee, I wish we had a "Like" button, Steve - I agree with you totally.

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #96 – January 01, 2015, 05:36:58 pm

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #97 – January 01, 2015, 06:16:47 pm

My two cents worth: This isn't a case of either/or but all of the above. Motorcade provides a benefit to some owners, but maybe not all. FOT, MOT, Extreme, et al also provide benefits to some owners. This forum provides benefits to those who belong. I suspect that there are people who joined the forum and then left. Some of those may own Foretravels, but I suspect that most don't. Why do some patronize those businesses that cater to Foretravels, join Motorcade, or participate on this forum and others don't? Who knows. Some owners are simply too far from Texas to use the services in Nac. Others do their own work or have a trusted mechanic where they are. Some people simply aren't joiners and won't have anything to do with any sort of club. Some don't have computer access or don't want to join.

We still have it better than some others. If you want to see a real mess take a look at the great-granddaddy of RV clubs - the Wally Byam International Caravan Club. They've been fighting with themselves for years, and then wonder why they can't get new members. No factory support for the club, no free membership for the first year, etc.

Re: Motorcade Premium Membership

Reply #98 – January 01, 2015, 06:58:37 pm

Larry, you might be right. However, I'd just say that if it weren't for Foreforums. I wouldn't be a Foretravel owner.

Affiliate Notice