"I'm so glad I don't have..."

Topic: "I'm so glad I don't have..." (Read 2258 times) previous topic - next topic

"I'm so glad I don't have..."

November 17, 2017, 05:20:58 pm

I'm going to ask the membership here to consider an observation and perhaps a consideration going forward

Many times over the years, when a member has posted asking for help on a system, as is one of the main reasons for this forum, there is invariably a response (or a few) that say

"Gee, I'm SO GLAD I don't have that on my coach!"

Slides
Tag axle
air leveling
AquaHot
Powered cord reel
hose reel
Splendide
vacuum toilet
Satellite dish
DEF

you get the picture.

How about when someone is asking for help that might be due to a service mishap, and responses say

"That's why I always do my own work"

Now, how about if you were the member dealing with the issue? How would you feel with this irrelevant and unhelpful response?

Do you think you'd be inclined to ask for help or mention a problem again?

Do you think you'd like to stay on a forum where folks tell you how lucky they are that they aren't you?

Do you think you'd stay on a forum where folks make you feel inferior for not doing your own work?

Do you think you'd go away with the impression that the forum was only for older, less complicated coaches (as has been lamented to us many times)?

...

Re: "I'm so glad I don't have..."

Reply #1 – November 17, 2017, 06:43:30 pm

Great post Michelle. I know that some of these or aspects of this have applied at various times. It is easy to forget we were once new to this, for most of us anyway. But, and not to argue the point, I wager that the percentage of these comments that might welcome a "do over" is high and the percentage of those that just do not care or think in these terms is very low.

Thanks. Great reminders!

Re: "I'm so glad I don't have..."

Reply #2 – November 17, 2017, 06:59:10 pm

John,

Appreciate your comment, but kindly let me clarify. This is not new and has absolutely nothing to do with any "current events/situation in the world".

This has been going on since the beginning of the forum. There are members who, over the years, have thoroughly discouraged a number of really good folks with these sorts of posts (based on the PMs I get by those leaving, if they chose to let me know).

It is ALL OF OUR LOSS that we have lost these members and that there are Foretravel owners who WILL NOT JOIN this forum because of what they hear from those former members.

Re: "I'm so glad I don't have..."

Reply #3 – November 17, 2017, 07:05:19 pm

I agree 100%

When someone asks for help with a widget, they don't want to hear from anyone who doesn't like widgets, they what to hear with widget owners (happy or unhappy) and want to hear about widget care and feeding.

On the other hand, when someone is asking for buying advice, I will gladly tell what I like (very much) and what i don't like (very little) about my own coach.

By the way I have a single slide, no tag, 38', U295 without aquahot but with air leveling, and it meets my needs perfectly.

Re: "I'm so glad I don't have..."

Reply #4 – November 17, 2017, 07:19:34 pm

What I fear is the worst offenders will read this and say to themselves "this isn't me they could possibly be talking about" and continue as per norm.

Thanks to the moderating staff keeping things between the ditches.

Pamela & Mike

Re: "I'm so glad I don't have..."

Reply #5 – November 17, 2017, 08:57:37 pm

I am new-er one of my big gripes (but I am not leaving unless I am asked) when a question is asked

Search function works or try the search bar or whatever they want to put there.

Just as easy to answer the question or find a starting link for them... We all know about the search function and how to use it.. sometime a topic to search isnt the correct topic for what is being asked or needed and the first thing they want to do is point out the search function.. well Duh!

Re: "I'm so glad I don't have..."

Reply #6 – November 17, 2017, 09:00:18 pm

I do not believe that Michelle is addressing bigotry, racism, etc. Or community. Or speaking your piece. Just simply trying to get members to post a relevant useful answer to a question or problem that has been presented. And from my years as a member that is not going to be something that is going to be accomplished easily.

Re: "I'm so glad I don't have..."

Reply #7 – November 17, 2017, 09:19:57 pm

Quote from: ltg – November 17, 2017, 09:00:18 pm

I do not believe that Michelle is addressing bigotry, racism, etc. Or community. Or speaking your peace. Just simply trying to get members to post a relevant useful answer to a question or problem that has been presented.

Even more simple than that.

As I mentioned in the first post, "I'm so glad I don't have xyz" or "That's why I do my own work" or "You need "such and such" at home to do your own work" are responses that do absolutely nothing to encourage people who post asking for help, and have actually directly discouraged folks from posting questions or showing others their own work (or new members from even posting when they see how others are made to feel inferior).

Re: "I'm so glad I don't have..."

Reply #8 – November 17, 2017, 10:09:29 pm

Michelle,
You are so correct, I lurk here reading and have seen some goofy answers to straight forward questions. I have also seen some very negative responses to folks wondering if they should try and join this forum when posed on other forums. I do my best to encourage them to at least give it a try.
I like this forum, but wish there were more people with newer coaches. Say in the 09-12 year range. But they may come yet.

Re: "I'm so glad I don't have..."

Reply #9 – November 17, 2017, 10:13:03 pm

I promise, I will be good from now on! LOL
One thing I would like to add. When people ask for help, especially when you give them your opinion, along with others giving them their opinion, I wish people would complete what the outcome was.What the fix was.
I see time after time, questions for help, but never "well I finally got it resolved". "I lubed and turned that little knob and that took care of it".
I have searched in search for problem resolutions, but some of them just end, never a resolve. I am glad they got it fixed, but sure would be nice to know what fixed it.
Sorry that I elaborate on the issues I have with my coach when I post. I do that, so it is documented in detail how I fixed it,complete with part numbers for future FTer's issue's
Thanks For all you do, and thanks to all those that have PM'd me with help and part numbers.
Chris

Re: "I'm so glad I don't have..."

Reply #10 – November 17, 2017, 10:57:23 pm

This forum is exceptionally caring, I may bust a gut privately if someone were to ask about the 710 cap, but I think this forum well excedes the 80% approval rating overall and that is Nirvana,and very few if any forums or any other entity can operate above that level, just human nature. newbies are generally steered in the right direction by old timers who have been there done that. Misconceptions should be addressed as such,.

Remember criticism, may well be be somebody else going out of their way to help prevent you from making the same mistake. This old school tactic is known as learning, and mentoring. Smiley faces, high fives, sugar coating issues aside, Wisdom is king.

Many thanks for all your wisdom.

Re: "I'm so glad I don't have..."

Reply #11 – November 18, 2017, 05:12:48 am

I debated all night about responding to Michelle's post, mainly because I felt it was a direct response to my comments after seeing the terribly rusted under frame.
Yes, I am glad we don't have that problem.
No, I am NOT glad the problem happened to someone else. I know I would, if I was anywhere near to his location, be there doing whatever I could to help.
I have never "crowed" about someone's misfortune.
The simple fact is that I was glad to see that the 1989 coach is being lovingly restored by someone that appreciates the majesty and quality of these coaches.
But, seeing as how I might have offended someone that doesn't know me or wants to think the worst, maybe I SHOULD JUST DISAPPEAR FROM THIS FORUM.

Re: "I'm so glad I don't have..."

Reply #12 – November 18, 2017, 05:25:38 am

I Love This "Forum"

Simple Answer = "Keep It Positive"
If you need to relate one of your own bad experiences, to help others avoid the same outcome that's a learning experience. However, if there is a blatant error in a post, that needs to be addressed in a professional manor. ie; "using the wrong oil in a 6V92 Detroit"

Re: "I'm so glad I don't have..."

Reply #13 – November 18, 2017, 07:23:37 am

Nighthawk, don't you dare bail on us. I think we know what you meant, and how you meant it to be taken. Text as a medium of communication has its limits, especially since in this case it is not anything like real time. Sometimes what one means when written is not what is understood when read. That doesn't mean leave, or clam up and say nothing, that gets us nowhere. You know things, your share them, and you help. Stick around. We all should probably reread what we write before we hit post though.

Re: "I'm so glad I don't have..."

Reply #14 – November 18, 2017, 07:33:13 am

Thanks Michelle!

Re: "I'm so glad I don't have..."

Reply #15 – November 18, 2017, 07:34:02 am

Nighthawk...
We have all made comments at some time or another that may have been taken the wrong way by others. No offense intended but the receiving party was belittled or offended anyway. I did not read your post and I have no idea if Michelle was including it in her reference or not. I am a relative newbie also with only a little over two years on this forum, I too, on a very few occasions, have received feedback from questions that would fall into the category that Michelle is referring too.

That being said....... we can't be too thin skinned either! If someone is discouraged or displeased with a post then by all means say something about it. A gentle reminder that a post is NOT helpful may encourage the poster to be a little more "supportive" in their next comment.

As far as you leaving the forum? NO...... you have been a regular and valuable contributor to this forum and I for one, and I am sure Michelle also, don't want you or anyone else to leave the forum. We all have knowledge and experiences that contribute to this forum, yes some more than others but we all gain knowledge and experience with time.

STAY PUT!

Justin

Re: "I'm so glad I don't have..."

Reply #16 – November 18, 2017, 08:13:50 am

Thanks all.
I have always said I talk too much so I have to always tell the truth. Same when texting.
Am I glad the rust problem didn't occur on our coach? Of course!!
Am I glad it happened to someone else? OF COURSE NOT!!
Am I sad it happened? OF COURSE!!
But the bright side is that these Foretravel coaches are worth being rescued from the scrapyard.
Like James Holder at Tennessee RV says:" It makes sense to put your money in something with good "bones" rather than SOB that won't stay together long enough for you to enjoy it for any length of time."
Am I proud of our coach? Of course!! It's a Foretravel!!
Does it have shortcomings? Of course!!
Don't all coaches have an issue of one kind or another? Of course!!
Do we denigrate Foretravel coaches because or them? NO!!! Why? Because any and all of them are still better than anything else out there!!

Re: "I'm so glad I don't have..."

Reply #17 – November 18, 2017, 09:01:38 am

Re: "I'm so glad I don't have..."

Reply #18 – November 18, 2017, 09:53:36 am

Interpretation and persona/emotion is something that cannot be read ina text/post.

I never read that anyone is being asked to leave the site or to stop posting all together.. seriously? One extreme to the other? Take your emotions out of your reply, Take a step back and Think About It. What you post on here is read by several people and can be interpreted in several different ways.. Think about what you type as not to be negative even accidentally.

I read a lot on the Irv2 forum.. one of the topics kinda irks me... Mobley unit from ATT. Someone posts how wonderful it is and awesome of a deal and on and on.... Next guy posts its to good to be true and it must be a SHAM even though OP has it and is using it. The others complain that it could not work that way and it will be jerked out from under them before its usefull and its a plow to get email addresses..and so on. Then4 or 5 months later the item with the unlimited data dissapears and is taken down and not offered anymore... now the fun really begins on the topic (keep in mind that ATT said they were taking down the offer in July/ August.. or whenever).. OLD CRANKY guys get on the topic and start complaining how they were taken advantage of by ATT because they too the deal off the table..Really? They did what they said they were going to do... and now ATT is bad because these same Complainers didnt get in on the offer soon enough because they thought it was a SHAM.. it is an excellent example of a topic with NEGATIVE NANCY's in it..

Keep in mind what you type and how it can be interpreted is all she is saying... She didnt say leave or stop posting or take a vacation or a time out? I sound like I am talking to my 10 yr old again..

I have enjoyed everyone on this forum in one capacity or another.. even met a few (made some friends along the way).. that is what this site is about... THeir will be a time when we might meet and we should be able to walk out our coaches and shake a guys hand and not feel anymore awkward than our first time meeting.

Sorry for the long post.

Re: "I'm so glad I don't have..."

Reply #19 – November 18, 2017, 10:24:24 am

All good posts,didn't read it right away,thought it was a complaint.

Re: "I'm so glad I don't have..."

Reply #20 – November 18, 2017, 10:26:07 am

I know I have posted pictures of tools and equipment to work on my coach and how to do a repair at home. I didn't intend to offend anyone who doesn't do their own repairs, just give info to the ones that do. My reason for doing all my work is strictly financial, if I had the means I would love to give the work to someone else. I hope I never used the "that's why I do my own repair" phrase. I have got a few people to join the forum just to get general information as some posts will help them with their problem even though it isn't a FT.

Re: "I'm so glad I don't have..."

Reply #21 – November 18, 2017, 11:57:46 am

Many of us are opinionated, and most of us love our Foretravels. We're in a definite minority because we prefer coaches without slides. I like to hear from those who have done a particular repair/upgrade themselves so that I can make some sort of guess as to whether I could do the same myself or whether I should pay someone who knows what they are doing. For example, in January we're going to pay OTM to replace all eight air bags. I know that some people here have done the job themselves, but I don't feel comfortable doing it myself. OTOH, I replaced most of the lights with LEDs myself, based on the information from those who have done the job themselves because I was confident that I could do so.

Re: "I'm so glad I don't have..."

Reply #22 – November 18, 2017, 01:09:42 pm

OK. here is my contribution FWIW.

Slides: Happy not to have them. Just two people no need for kids play space
Tag axle: Don't need so for us just more expense
Air leveling: Have it & love it
AquaHot: Hmm, Sounds good but more to go wrong.
Powered cord reel: Have very nice to have
Hose reel: See above
Splendide: Have it but have not needed it yet
Vacuum toilet: Unnecessary complication. Mine just drops into the tank below
Satellite dish: Got one but don't use it as we watch DVD player or stream
DEF: I am an environmentalist type but earlier DEF systems were horrible.

What works for some might not for others. Vive la différence, both between genders and coach owners.

As a professional fisherman I knew who had no electrics on his boat - even hand cranked the engine - said "If you ain't got it it can't go wrong".

Keith

Re: "I'm so glad I don't have..."

Reply #23 – November 18, 2017, 01:19:13 pm

Quote from: Keith and Joyce – November 18, 2017, 01:09:42 pm

OK. here is my contribution FWIW.

Slides: Happy not to have them. Just two people no need for kids play space
Tag axle: Don't need so for us just more expense
Air leveling: Have it & love it
AquaHot: Hmm, Sounds good but more to go wrong.
Powered cord reel: Have very nice to have
Hose reel: See above
Splendide: Have it but have not needed it yet
Vacuum toilet: Unnecessary complication. Mine just drops into the tank below
Satellite dish: Got one but don't use it as we watch DVD player or stream
DEF: I am an environmentalist type but earlier DEF systems were horrible.

What works for some might not for others. Vive la différence, both between genders and coach owners.

As a professional fisherman I knew who had no electrics on his boat - even hand cranked the engine - said "If you ain't got it it can't go wrong".

Keith

Do believe this was exactly what Michelle was talking about. See first post in this thread.

Re: "I'm so glad I don't have..."

Reply #24 – November 18, 2017, 02:26:42 pm

Sorry but I was brought up on the "sticks and stones" theory.. you know, words can never hurt me, attitude. Today's world seems way to political correct for me and my kids always tell me I'm "old" school. But I like old school.

I for one think I want to hear it all, good, bad and ugly and let the moderators deal with it ( without overworking there dear souls of course). My father was a very, very, very outspoken individual and I had to learn to pick out the positive and jest let the negative go."..............

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