Looks like OTM closed up shop

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Looks like OTM closed up shop

January 03, 2018, 11:05:00 pm

I had the occasion to use Beau Reece's mobile services today and learned that OTM may have closed up.

Beau was renting a bay from OTM to work inside. He said he went away for a bit and upon return after the New Year all the OTM stuff and the people were gone,. Beau had no speculation on the situation, but is hoping that he might be able to continue the lease there.

Anyone have more/better info?

Re: Looks like OTM closed up shop

Reply #1 – January 04, 2018, 09:56:33 am

Wow, that's too bad.

Re: Looks like OTM closed up shop

Reply #2 – January 04, 2018, 09:58:59 am

I am not sure he could continue to lease but it would be good for motorhome owners. Few years ago he was one of the key resource for diesel at Berndt's shop. His home at Cushing is a bit remote for service. He has a good reputation and can take on more than can handle timely at times but that is very easily understood.

I guess one would speculate it would take a robust diesel service business to pay the lease to the owner. So that might portend more than one mechanic and diesel trucks?

If he does get this I surely wish him well.

Re: Looks like OTM closed up shop

Reply #3 – January 04, 2018, 10:04:54 am

WHO was OTM, was that a spin off of a mother ship employee?

Re: Looks like OTM closed up shop

Reply #4 – January 04, 2018, 10:42:05 am

Old Town Motorcoach. Lots of info on the forum (they are a forum Commercial Member).

Let's please all refrain from any speculation at this point until we get official word from OTM or someone directly connected to them.

Re: Looks like OTM closed up shop

Reply #5 – January 04, 2018, 10:47:34 am

Somebody with some money get with Beau and get a shop started!!!!!!!!

Re: Looks like OTM closed up shop

Reply #6 – January 04, 2018, 12:08:20 pm

Fair number of places here close this and past week, University is closed for example. There are coaches at OTM, and in past they worked out deal that Beau use a bay so that not unusual. What would help is if he got a dedicated bay to work around their other business and maybe that is option seen.

Shops are quiet this time year. And cold too.

Re: Looks like OTM closed up shop

Reply #7 – January 04, 2018, 12:17:00 pm

I was there in October. It was my second visit since buying the YACHT. Adam had filled in when Issac left, and he was very good. Wayne, also, helped with a few minor items. Lance was there, also. I had been very happy with the service there. Hope Adam and Wayne find new digs, and that we can inform each other where they end up. Sorry to hear that they closed. The wait time at MOT and FOT is very long, at times.

Re: Looks like OTM closed up shop

Reply #8 – January 04, 2018, 12:23:12 pm

Again, lets wait for word from one of the principals before continuing the "they are out of business" speculation.

Re: Looks like OTM closed up shop

Reply #9 – January 04, 2018, 12:30:36 pm

Just texted Adam. OTM IS closed. He is working at Thomas welding and doesn't know where Wayne is.

Re: Looks like OTM closed up shop

Reply #10 – January 04, 2018, 01:41:58 pm

The loss of a business supporting us is never good, but from the very first "phone trouble" post, I knew it was just a matter of time. No business can survive if they dont even communicate with the customers.

Re: Looks like OTM closed up shop

Reply #11 – January 04, 2018, 02:06:56 pm

We should have called "Garage Rehab" on Discovery with Richard Rawlings. If you know of an other failing garage, this is a thought, it is not too late. The signs are dirty floors, dirty, old shop equipment, dirty workers, not happy workers, poor lighting, poor ventilation, poor communication, poor phone and website maintenance, in other words not poor workers, poor management or poor investment by owners. Sometimes it is as simple as a poor building lease, other times not. Richard is not afraid to take over, boot the owners, and put in place proper management, so that is a risk for a bad owner/operator. I've owned more than one repair shop. I have seen a few episodes, and I believe Richard wants to help the owner improve if they are able. It is his $100,000 plus invested, thus he will control the shop from then on. Richard Rawlings helps struggling shop owners on new TV show 'Garage Rehab,'...

Re: Looks like OTM closed up shop

Reply #12 – January 04, 2018, 05:01:40 pm

I think many small business fail not because of desire but because of not knowing how to manage it. A lot of people are GREAT at what they are able to do. Doing the task they are probably the best. But the reality is they never knew all the hats they would need to wear to manage what they created. Also not having systems in place to be able to attract key people who are as talented or more ie healthcare, retirement, etc. If you cannot get great help it's very difficult to grow a great business. After paying the monthly bills and looking at all the time and effort invested in maybe a small paycheck takes the wind and desire out of the sail so to speak. The person can go get a job, have a life and maybe one day have a little something to retire on.
I can see where having a service business working on luxury vehicles or whatever for a lot of very particular / finicky kinds of people who can/are be very demanding would get tiresome and stressful. Then to see a slim slim profit margin. Would you do it? Jmo

Re: Looks like OTM closed up shop

Reply #13 – January 04, 2018, 06:23:32 pm

Numerous small companies/dealerships have to cease operations because they are under capitalized. They do not have enough cash in their accounts to pay the bills when the times are slow. The other issue could be that their receivables are not being collected fast enough and they are always in a need for a cash infusion. I wish Lance and his crew the very best.

Reese

Re: Looks like OTM closed up shop

Reply #14 – January 04, 2018, 06:41:47 pm

Quote from: GleamB – January 04, 2018, 12:30:36 pm

Just texted Adam. OTM IS closed.

This really stinks!
Both FOT and MOT have more business than they can handle which increases the pressure on techs to move 'em in and roll 'em out... Old Town being staffed with Foretravel experienced staff gave us all another excellent resource.
Dang it!

Re: Looks like OTM closed up shop

Reply #15 – January 04, 2018, 09:09:28 pm

WOW! It sure would have been nice of them to let us know. We're going to be there tomorrow for scheduled work, including replacing all eight air bags. They have our $100 deposit.

Now, what are the chances that someone else in Nac can get us in tomorrow?

Re: Looks like OTM closed up shop

Reply #16 – January 04, 2018, 09:20:03 pm

Quote from: kb0zke – January 04, 2018, 09:09:28 pm

WOW! It sure would have been nice of them to let us know. We're going to be there tomorrow for scheduled work, including replacing all eight air bags. They have our $100 deposit.

Now, what are the chances that someone else in Nac can get us in tomorrow?

Interesting...I wonder how many more air bag appointments they had from their special"offer". Could be some legal action coming up..??
Sorry to see them close....

Re: Looks like OTM closed up shop

Reply #17 – January 04, 2018, 09:27:53 pm

David,

Beau Reece can certainly replace air bags for you. However, since he was only renting a bay and not integral to OTM operations he wouldn't be expecting you nor have bags ready.

When I called Beau on Weds he was actually in the OTM building cleaning up some of the debris from the evacuation. Unless out on a mobile service call or other business he might well be at the building when you arrive in NAC.

If you want to call ahead his number is 936-221-2055.

Re: Looks like OTM closed up shop

Reply #18 – January 04, 2018, 09:30:25 pm

Quote from: kb0zke – January 04, 2018, 09:09:28 pm

Now, what are the chances that someone else in Nac can get us in tomorrow?

If in fact OTM is closed, I would call either Issac Anderson at Infinity or Beau Reece at Reece Mobile Service and see if they do that sort of work and could fit you in. Of course, they'd have to source the air bags so there might be a short delay while they got parts. We would not hesitate to have either work on our coach (and have).

Re: Looks like OTM closed up shop

Reply #19 – January 04, 2018, 09:37:37 pm

Thanks, Bill and Michelle. We'll be making some phone calls while we're driving tomorrow.

Re: Looks like OTM closed up shop

Reply #20 – January 04, 2018, 09:42:28 pm

I was planning on giving them a call next week.....plan "B" I suppose....

Re: Looks like OTM closed up shop

Reply #21 – January 04, 2018, 10:02:06 pm

Wow! I was definitely a fan because of no wait service, no mark up on parts and reasonable prices. My biggest complaint, like most, was the communications. One of the problems, I'm sure, is that they weren't charging enough for their services. They charged me $1500 for installing 8 airbags, discounted since I was having my bulkhead work done there. Can't see how they made any money on that. Lance also spent two hours squaring away my entertainment system and wouldn't take a dime for it.
I also wish them the best and hope things work out for them.
Looks like I will be doing the fuel lines myself.

Re: Looks like OTM closed up shop

Reply #22 – January 04, 2018, 10:07:14 pm

Quote from: saddlesore – January 04, 2018, 09:42:28 pm

I was planning on giving them a call next week.....plan "B" I suppose....

I sent 'em an email last week with a list of things I'd like to have worked on... this explains the 'no reply'.

Did call MOT and spoke with James (had an issue with our slide not opening, a problem worked on in August with them). He said they were booked until the end of Feb. but would check with Eric and call me back...

FOT scheduled me in the next day and took care of the problem. Still haven't heard back from MOT (which really bugs me after the large amount of business we've done with them!). But I digress...

Hate to see the options dry up for us on quality Foretravel work...

Re: Looks like OTM closed up shop

Reply #23 – January 04, 2018, 10:16:33 pm

Quote from: Hans&Marjet – January 04, 2018, 09:20:03 pm

Could be some legal action coming up..??
Sorry to see them close....

Legal action is hardly ever the answer, as they say, you can't get blood out of a turnip. No matter what your lawyer tells you.

Re: Looks like OTM closed up shop

Reply #24 – January 04, 2018, 10:25:20 pm

Discussing legal issues is outside the bounds of the forum. Let's not go there or the topic will be locked.

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