Foretravel motorcade change

Topic: Foretravel motorcade change (Read 3440 times) previous topic - next topic

Foretravel motorcade change

December 18, 2018, 07:30:12 pm

Could see this coming but still saddens us.

Re: Foretravel motorcade change

Reply #1 – December 18, 2018, 07:47:23 pm

Sounds like the club needs to get James Triana under contract asap.

Re: Foretravel motorcade change

Reply #2 – December 19, 2018, 12:10:51 pm

I read this with much concern. I have been the owner of my foretravel for a year now and I remember at the time how fortunate I felt, not only because there was quality built into my unit but because I was now part of the foretravel family. My parents also had a foretravel and I always thought how great the motorcade club was, that was a major factor in looking at foretravel when it came time that I could buy an rv...honestly never thought I could afford one, felt fantastic. Since we bought our rig we have gone to two rally's and look forward to more, eventually when we retire we are hoping to do a few motorcades too. But with foretravel moving out of the picture, that seems doubtful. Make no mistake, without foretravel support the likelihood of a future is in doubt. I love the great magazine, comb over it with every issue and plan on which events we will be able to attend with our limited time off. The day the magazine arrives is so exciting to us...we can look it over and get excited about meeting new friends. I assume foretravel watches this board, so I have this to say. I think the new IC-37 is a great step looking forward. I am sure you will sell many, that is what was needed, a shorter coach that is a little less overwhelming to drive and at more friendly price point to boot. Perhaps you could evaluate how much the motorcade really costs you and the dues structure could be made to accommodate. But I would not be surprised if the loyalty to the brand is not more closely related to the motorcade club than you realize.
Just my 2 cents, windwalker

Re: Foretravel motorcade change

Reply #3 – December 19, 2018, 12:28:11 pm

I am sitting here looking at my renewal check going in the mail today. Maybe I should just tear it up,

Re: Foretravel motorcade change

Reply #4 – December 19, 2018, 12:48:08 pm

First off, I agree with the comments that windwalker made. After reading the letter a couple of times, I don't see where the nuts and bolts of the motorcade club are any different from how it's been in the past. Just my thought.

Re: Foretravel motorcade change

Reply #5 – December 19, 2018, 12:50:08 pm

Dropped it last year. Didn't see the need for it.
This forum does more for me personally.
But still a strong FT supporter
Chris

Re: Foretravel motorcade change

Reply #6 – December 19, 2018, 02:03:12 pm

The 10% discount on parts at FT has paid for my subscription twice over just in the past 2 months.

Re: Foretravel motorcade change

Reply #7 – December 19, 2018, 04:29:35 pm

There is a lot that can be read into Read's letter.. Years ago, I saw a similar move made by Airstream Inc. eventually severing all club support relations with the membership. The result overtime saw the creation of an independent Airstream Club with name changes, permanent staff, monthly magazines, yearly election of officers, a Club office building, etc. This may be the road Foretravel Inc. may travel. This is not all bad & from my experience a good working relationship can be maintained but I would forecast the Company support will dwindle with time & the Club will struggle to stay afloat.
I am a rather new comer to Foretravel & a Motorcader club member & frankly benefited several times from membership. But outside the 10% discount, ( Only good through the factory, not the Foretravel endorsed 6 satellite service centers which I learned the hard way) there appears nominal benefit to me even as a Chapter Officer. Don't miss read me, the Motorcader club staff does a phenomenal job and Mr. T has saved my butt several times.
I guess where I am going with this is a question to Mr. Read; Where do I send my 2019 dues since one of the two company supported club management corner stones is being dropped by the Foretravel - namely Financial, and what might that dues be?? So, a second question to our National Officers; what is the membership's next step

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year,

Lou

Re: Foretravel motorcade change

Reply #8 – December 19, 2018, 04:38:53 pm

There has to be a business reason such as insurance or something else driving this since it looks like FOT is going to stay involved, just not the owner of the club.

Re: Foretravel motorcade change

Reply #9 – December 19, 2018, 05:49:27 pm

Quote from: Pyolet – December 19, 2018, 02:03:12 pm

The 10% discount on parts at FT has paid for my subscription twice over just in the past 2 months.

Same parts 50-75% cheaper, online, and faster...Just sayin'

Re: Foretravel motorcade change

Reply #10 – December 19, 2018, 06:02:08 pm

Having been a Motorcade member in the past, we were so proud belong! Just the calls that we made to James T. were worth any amount they could have charged back then. We also formed many friends at the gatherings, but alas, never made a Motorcade Grandvention. Time will tell if this is a good move, but hopefully it will be better and stronger in the end.
I brag everyday to other SOB owners on how much we loved our Foretravel.

Re: Foretravel motorcade change

Reply #11 – December 19, 2018, 06:41:59 pm

Just became a member 2 months ago. I guess wait and see. I feel like I've lost something I've never had yet. No magazine yet but anxiously waiting to get my first one.

Re: Foretravel motorcade change

Reply #12 – December 19, 2018, 07:13:28 pm

Forum Members:

Wanting to get to get first hand info I called Bev Koonce at FT - here is what I learned.

1. - It was confirmed that Jan 1 is the beginning of the Foretravel fiscal year and the club will become an independent entity on that date.
2. - There were a number of business reasons for this change, but some have already been listed including the opportunity to grow the club membership via new partners or programs.
3. I was told technical support from James Triana WILL still be included as a Motorcade membership benefit, included in the cost of the club dues. Time will tell how this works out.
4. - I was also told that the member discounts WILL still be in place and honored as a benefit at FT service.
5. - The major national motorcade events (GrandVention, Alaska Motorcade, Driving School, etc.) are self sustaining and will likely be continued in their current format.

Bev closed saying any club member with questions or concerns should just call her direct at FT to discuss.

I was satisfied in the conversation that the membership still had plenty of value to me. I frequent FT and MOT enough, (both honor the discount), have used James T services a few times to bail me out, and enjoy getting the magazine, so unless they change one or more of those aspects of the club, I intend to renew my membership at renewal time.

Tim

Disclosure - I am not an employee of FT or related in any way personally to FT or the Motorcade Club, on a business or personal basis.

Re: Foretravel motorcade change

Reply #13 – December 19, 2018, 11:10:20 pm

Thanks for the briefing Tim. I guess I'll hang in for another year and see how it goes.

jk

Re: Foretravel motorcade change

Reply #14 – December 20, 2018, 12:50:15 am

I'm not worried, and I'm keeping my membership.

Re: Foretravel motorcade change

Reply #15 – December 20, 2018, 07:02:24 am

Proud to support the Motorcade Club, James T. has saved my bacon a few times too....

Paid our membership dues for next year and spoke to Bev direcfly. Switched Chapters, due to our impending move to Tampa in the next two weeks. Looking forward to meeting the Florida members at the Spring Motorcade Rally. The learning experience from the experienced members alone is worth the price of admission!

Jeff & Kristen

Re: Foretravel motorcade change

Reply #16 – December 20, 2018, 09:17:15 am

When we purchase our next Foretravel, we will again become Motorcade members! James T's help is priceless!

Re: Foretravel motorcade change

Reply #17 – December 22, 2018, 08:20:44 am

Where will the members be able to purchase the Motorcade imprinted/embroidered sportswear?

Re: Foretravel motorcade change

Reply #18 – December 22, 2018, 10:23:26 am

James is the best. All my years selling rvs, never seen support like this. I will continue to be a Motorcade member as long as I have a FT and it is available.

Re: Foretravel motorcade change

Reply #19 – December 22, 2018, 10:38:33 am

Quote from: Dr. Dee – December 19, 2018, 04:29:35 pm

Years ago, I saw a similar move made by Airstream Inc. eventually severing all club support relations with the membership. The result overtime saw the creation of an independent Airstream Club with name changes, permanent staff, monthly magazines, yearly election of officers, a Club office building, etc.
Lou

Airstream's official club is the Wally Byam Caravan Club - started in 1955 in Canada. Their national office now, is just down the street from the Airstream factory in Ohio and is/was not part of the Airstream corporation as the Motorcade is/was. Byam started the club to promote the use of Airstreams, a company he founded.

It would indeed be a good model to learn from and perhaps follow... but maybe without all the pomp and circumstance.

Re: Foretravel motorcade change

Reply #20 – December 22, 2018, 11:16:53 am

Oh well, this might change things a bit. I have been debating remaining a member after 17 years and being pretty active in the club. We sold our Foretravel and now have a Born Free. I wold think that the club could let all brands join now.

Re: Foretravel motorcade change

Reply #21 – December 22, 2018, 12:10:40 pm

Quote from: John S – December 22, 2018, 11:16:53 am

I wold think that the club could let all brands join now.

I would think that the club could let SOBs join now.

Re: Foretravel motorcade change

Reply #22 – December 22, 2018, 01:02:21 pm

We still have our Foretravel Motorcade jackets and they still fit! I would vote to keep the Motorcade membership strictly for those owning a Foretravel.

Re: Foretravel motorcade change

Reply #23 – December 22, 2018, 01:22:49 pm

We still have our Foretravel Motorcade jackets and they still fit! I would vote to keep the Motorcade membership strictly for those owning a Foretravel.

I 2nd that

Re: Foretravel motorcade change

Reply #24 – December 22, 2018, 01:29:52 pm

I would vote for whatever it takes membership wise to keep the club viable. With the dwindling numbers of coaches being built, accepting SOB may become an economic necessity, perhaps a dues increase or both.

Tim Fiedler

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