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Foretravel appointment question

October 12, 2015, 07:21:54 pm

I have appointment for the end of the month to repair a roof delamination and a front bulkhead along with a couple of want to items.
Never having received service what should I expect. I had appointment in April and was not very impressed with the way I was treated. Which I take some of the responsibility for the lack of work being done.
Now before I get there I want to get pointers or who I should talk to in order to get the work performed in a timely manner. My appointment is 27th which was made over month ago. I told the service writer what I wanted done and also spoke to the fellow  that is doing the bulkhead.
Do I also need to get estimates or can i just let them do the repairs and not get burned. The man I talked to said the bulkhead repair was 8-12 hours depending on how bad it is, and the roof delamination is a look and see before any idea about how long it will take. Which is fair as long as I am not ripped off.
I am very apprehensive after all my prior experiences in Nacogdolches.

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Reply #1 – October 12, 2015, 07:31:15 pm

We had our coach in to FOT one time. They seemed to be responsive and we felt we were well treated. If the repairs are of significance (as yours seems to be) it might not hurt to shop it at MOT and Extreme.

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Reply #2 – October 12, 2015, 08:17:04 pm

Over the last 3 years I have been at Foretravel several times. I find them professional, very helpful and really focused on doing the right things right. I could give them nothing but high marks.

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Reply #3 – October 12, 2015, 10:47:32 pm

John, unless there has been a catastrophic, event in east Thexas, you ain' gonna get ripped off at FOT. Sure MOT is good, had lots of good work done there but you asked about FOT and there I have a good deal of experience over a number of years and 4 Foretravels. I have never been treated with anything but courtesy. I have no complaints about any service or repairs or the prices charged. I have been worked in more often than I deserve, I'm sure and I have never felt that I was getting anything but first class treatment.
You say you were there in April but you had never had service there. What happened that impressed you unfavorably?
Now, I always stay with my coach except for short trips for groceries and or a meal, I recommend you do so, also. I talk with the service writer, the shop foreman, the techs and anyone else wandering thru. I do not make myself a pest but I keep my presence known. I buy some donuts for the break room and I tip the techs when they are finished.
Many "jobs" have fixed charges regardless of the time spent, others are priced by the hour, sorta evens all,out in the end. An estimate usually can be had for the asking but I have never received one in writing.
I do recommend taking a few deep breaths before walking over to the service department to sign up, doesn't hurt to go over the afternoon before your appointment when you arrive at Camp Foretravel to sign up and start the paperwork. This allows them to come get you the next morning instead of rushing over in the crowd at 7am and waiting while they shift coaches, drink coffee, sweep floors and generally seem unconcerned. It just takes a while to,get the machine running.
This is a great service department, stay loose, keep cool, it all works out.

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Reply #4 – October 12, 2015, 11:22:13 pm

HBC- Well said! Your paragraphs about "I do not make myself a pest but I keep my presence known" and Donuts is right on! Tips, too. I haven't spent much at FOT, but your trip to FOT should go great if you are a part of the project (sponsor) and enthusiastic about the expected outcomes. Personally, I have been thrilled by MOT's service and connected with your words about checking in the afternoon before. They can schedule better and work the right person toward your coach. Let's hear about your experience! P

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Reply #5 – October 13, 2015, 07:02:55 am

HBC & OK, Very well stated, my experience has always been good in the service department, stay close, out of the way, know what is going on, do not have a surprise when paying the tab. have had unexpected breaks on the invoice.

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Reply #6 – October 13, 2015, 08:15:29 am

In most states you are entitled to an estimate beforehand on vehicle repairs. I always ask for an estimate. Also, other consumer protection conditions exist. Approve any additional work post estimate, and stay as close to work and coach as practical and shop permits

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Reply #7 – October 13, 2015, 08:30:03 am

Motorhomes of Texas were very fair in my one experience with them. Can't speak for Foretravel shop. Several of the individuals who helped assemble your coach are in service dept. at MOT.

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Reply #8 – October 13, 2015, 08:40:44 am

I have had my coach several times at Foretravel for repair and have mixed feelings. Since my dealing with Foretravel go back to 2007, I have had warranty work as well as non-warranty work done. What I have observed is that many of the old timers are gone and the repair staff is comprised more of young bucks learning about the coaches. While I am not stating either way that the younger repair crew is better or not, I did notice that on my last visits, the cost of repairs was higher because of more hours needed for a repair. As I am in need of more repair work now, I have elected to try MOT for the first time. Seems where many of the old timers have moved to. Just my opinion and observation.
Bob

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Reply #9 – October 13, 2015, 10:01:55 am

I like HBC's advice to check in early as the process is really clunky. I would also advise you to check the work very closely before driving off.
jor

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Reply #10 – October 13, 2015, 12:48:46 pm

I was wanting to know if one can stay in the coach while the techs are working? I would rather be inside with wife and dog.

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Reply #11 – October 13, 2015, 12:53:47 pm

Normally no.  They do have several waiting rooms designated for pets and you can usually get one for your self.

Rich

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Reply #12 – October 13, 2015, 01:21:27 pm

We had an appointment to have the glass in the door replaced. One coach buck! Other than that it was a great experience. Good food in Nac and great other owners to talk with and compare coaches. We'd have work there again if it fit into our schedule.

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Reply #13 – October 13, 2015, 02:08:44 pm

We have been going to FOT for service since 2007 also.  I can truly say that we have never had a bad experience. Any issues were handled nicely with discussion and negotiation. For remodel and mechanical, they are the best, I think. For body, bulkhead or fiberglass work we don't go anywhere but Xtreme.  Hands down, they are the BEST ... no question, no discussion.  MOT also has some very fine mechanics and we have happily gone there when we could not get a timely appointment at FOT or had an urgent issue.  We always try and set an appointment in advance and establish an email dialogue (this is a new wrinkle and VERY much appreciated) with the Service Dept.  We can then update our Punch List and add explanations when they occur to us.  We try and arrive the day before and check in and get ourselves ready for an early start.  We like the customer Lounge, but appreciate the ability to access the coach if we need to.  The pet lounge area is probably pretty comfortable for owners & animals, rather than the coach, anyway.  We have tried to show our appreciation by bringing donuts early and also by buying pizza for the shop at lunch ... easily done by coordinating with the department head ... they did the ordering at their usual place, we just paid the bill. (Those guys get jalapeños on EVERYTHING!!!)  We were thanked personally by EVERY tech who saw us, too.  Very nice! 

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Reply #14 – October 13, 2015, 04:40:36 pm

I had two service & Remodel  sessions at the FT factory.  All good
I also have noticed the young & inexperienced but they are watched by the experienced & older.

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Reply #15 – October 13, 2015, 05:54:03 pm

I have two Foretravel coaches---- don't even ask why!--- and both have been maintained by Foretravel with excellent results for the last three years.  I have been very pleased with their service.  It's all about attitude, that is, your attitude.  Be pleasant and they will go out of their way to please you.  I have never had a job come in over budget at their shop, and they always advise if they see anything that will cause an increase in charges.  I always ask for an estimate, and they are happy to give one ---- usually in hours, not dollars, but the labor rate is known.  I have always been treated like family there.
If you are going to have roof delamination work, that will be done in the fiberglass shop down below the main building and if there overnight, you won't be able to stay in the coach--- you wouldn't want to anyway, it smells like resin!  I have personal experience with that.
Now, about those two coaches---- I just haven't been able to make myself sell our original 1990 U280 36' yet.  We love that coach, but we also love the 40' U320 we bought from MOT to replace the original.  I'm going to put the U280 on the market soon, nobody needs two.
You shouldn't have any problems At FOT, they are honest to a fault and have always been fair with their charges to me.  Other people may have had other experiences, but that's how it has been in my visits.

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Reply #16 – October 14, 2015, 05:49:42 am

We have also been a customer of FOT since 1999 and we have always had great service, that is not to say we have not had some issues that did not get completely finished. Even then they did go back and satisfy my needs. We also notice the change of personnel  but after having several employees at my company I know that this change is at times a healthy item as other shops don't train the younger people but  hire other peoples employees. At least FOT is supplying the training for their shop. As far as tipping the employees I also have done as others have said but last year someone started a fund for service techs and the paint shop folks. The cashier , Trish, collected the  funds that customers gave her and others emailed or mailed to her and then these were given to the employees for Christmas. This seemed to be a morale booster for the service techs as this gave them extra funds for their families. If the folks  on the forum want I am sure that Trish would do this again, and I would ask her only if you folks think this is a good idea and will support it. I am sure these younger employees need help for Christmas so the only way to do that is across the board for all of the techs. Jimbuzz1 15015   

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