MOT "Inspection" Experience PSA

Topic: MOT "Inspection" Experience PSA (Read 3085 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: MOT "Inspection" Experience PSA

Reply #25 – September 10, 2020, 02:17:50 pm

I would have thought it a waste of time calling the general manager, as it appears he's not managing anything, generally or otherwise. Someone or something OK'd that bill for what I would think was ten times what they delivered and would certainly make me reluctant to risk a repeat performance. IMHO.
When I had my business I would like to have billed out at $700 an hour ?

Re: MOT "Inspection" Experience PSA

Reply #26 – September 10, 2020, 02:31:59 pm

For $700.00 they ought to have a comprehensive checklist completely filled out.

Re: MOT "Inspection" Experience PSA

Reply #27 – September 10, 2020, 03:13:10 pm

Are you are satisfied with this outcome?

I wouldn't be and wouldn't accept that my email wasn't returned. Maybe they didn't get the email. Why accept this, waste $700 and end it on this note?

I'd pick up the phone and call Jason Haskins or David Robertson. I know they answer their own phones.

I do not mean to sound difficult or rude here but if it were my $700 I'd advocate harder for myself and make sure I got what I paid for.

This is a good company but I know they are busier than ever. This isn't an excuse for them not answering your email but maybe they didn't receive it. Face to face is best for a resolution but a phone call is the next best thing.

Re: MOT "Inspection" Experience PSA

Reply #28 – September 15, 2020, 02:11:57 pm

Thank you for posting this info on your experience. This has made me completely reluctant to now deal with MOT, if this is what $700 is worth. I am sorry this is what you received.

There should have been many many pictures, a detailed system by system report, etc.

Re: MOT "Inspection" Experience PSA

Reply #29 – September 15, 2020, 03:40:59 pm

Guys, guys, guys, don't completely shut what sounds like a first class operation out because of a mis or lack of communication. Whats really sad in the world we live in is people tend to accept first class service as the "norm" with no positive return, and let the train jump the track once and its "Katy bar the gate". I was a fixed operations director in automotive dealerships for more years than I care to admit. The bottom line is, if you don't let them know and get a reply that they know that something below par happened, they cannot remedy it. Period. Folks, no one is perfect, and no one wants to have to challenge a bad deal,but, if you don't, how can they fix it. Contact them first. Make sure they have received your complaint. If then they don't respond favorably, then the world probably needs to know. I see now that there are TWO people that won't engage them regardless of if they have had dealings or not. Not the way to do business. And no, I'm not scolding. Just did this for close to 40 years, and it hits close to home..... Stay safe!!!!

Re: MOT "Inspection" Experience PSA

Reply #30 – September 15, 2020, 03:50:57 pm

There is definitely something missing on this issue. MOT must not be getting the messages or as they say "where is the rest of the story".

Re: MOT "Inspection" Experience PSA

Reply #31 – September 15, 2020, 04:51:28 pm

Reminds me of some of the bad stories from our friend Bernd,he never took the time to give his side of the story.

Re: MOT "Inspection" Experience PSA

Reply #32 – September 15, 2020, 07:11:06 pm

His post says he "reached out" to the CEO on Sept 1st Was it an email? Why not talk directly with the shop as many have suggested. No response from the PO lately. A CEO probably has spam filters as I do and doesn't read every email. Not trying to make excuses but from all the positive reports that have been posted about MOT there must be more to the story.

Re: MOT "Inspection" Experience PSA

Reply #33 – September 15, 2020, 09:13:19 pm

MOT is a respectable company and usually a pleasure to deal with, however, I did get charged $100 for fresh water while having other service performed. When I brought it to Mr. Robertson attention, he agreed with me, explained why it happen, and refunded my $100. I think that says a lot about the company. I have brought issues to Bern'd and all you get from him is,"he knows about that! ".
One other thing to consider is how the covid has changed everything. It amazes me how a business can even be able to run with the costs of covid virus.

Re: MOT "Inspection" Experience PSA

Reply #34 – September 16, 2020, 06:29:44 am

Since I have recently been through this process with MOT's Keith Risch, let me provide a little more detail. TS indicated that at $700 the detail should be more descriptive than what was received. I checked with several NIRV Level 2 inspectors and they all required $1200 to do the inspection. Inspection was to be accomplished on weekend since all had full-time jobs at some RV repair facility. You can go on-line and find them in the area closest where the coach is located. They will give you a detailed report. But at $1200 do you need it or just what to know what isn't working or just what needs repaired? Next, My decision to go with Keith was based on his known reputation with Foretravel's and comments on this Forum. Any other inspector may have never seen a Foretravel and I wanted the experience factor. Lastly, If you are going to spend a large amount of money for a coach, you better off in all aspects to go see what it looks like and get more details of what actually the condition it is in. That will allow you to give a more confident bid to purchase. You can assess the cost's in hours to repair/replace parts and factor that at typical shop rate $135/hour + parts cost. I ASSUME (yeah, I know) TS indicated what they wanted checked and if driving it was also included or not. The list of defects TS got indicates that normal maintenance was not being kept up with tires being outdated and filters not changes since 2017. The next question would be what else isn't being done that should be and add that cost factor into the final bid as well. So, my question to TS would be, Was this a fishing expedition or were they considering a serious bid? As Lt403 said "my inspection which took 6 hrs to complete and included 5 different fluid samples for analysis. A written report was included and lots of photos. I was there and asked lots of questions because it was my first RV. I found the inspector on line at NRVIA and when I spoke to him I asked about his background in the RV world." Our inspection took 6 hours, we took a lot of photos and videos, and did all that owner would allow for operations. You really have to be there with inspector if you want the "Full Monty".

Re: MOT "Inspection" Experience PSA

Reply #35 – September 16, 2020, 07:19:46 am

My question would be,what does MOT actually check and or fix when they take a coach in to sell?Seems to me most of the things noted on the $700 bill would have been noted when you took the coach in.

Re: MOT "Inspection" Experience PSA

Reply #36 – September 16, 2020, 10:04:31 am

All boils down to how much money you have and are willing to spend on a inspection and how much you know and understand about a Foretravel,most of the knowlegeable folks here on the forum could do just as good a job as a "certified" any level inspector
and probably won't charge $200 an hour,it's like the old guy on the hearing aid commercial said"they charge whatever they can get".

Re: MOT "Inspection" Experience PSA

Reply #37 – September 16, 2020, 10:49:23 am

My view and perspective on this topic, as a long term customer and observer of MOT, and member of this forum.

On consigned coaches (60-was 75% of inventory???) MOT does an Intake inspection when they bring in a coach from a consignor - they require all major systems to be operational and they drive the coach briefly to note any obvious issues. They also do a visual check to note obvious significant flaws such as delamination, leaks, etc.

The assumption is that the tires and batteries are in the as received condition, (they do not require tires or batteries within a given age on a consignment coach, their experience being that the buyer and seller need to agree on a price and often tires, etc. are a part of the negotiation). If they required newer batteries and tires on intake, many customers would balk at that investment prior to having the cash from the sale of the coach. MOT does not do an in depth inspection of the vehicle (IE - age of filters, recency of service, status of bulkheads, status of fluids, and all the other insights you get when you pay for an independent inspection.) It is after all a used coach and in most cases owned by a third party.

I am not sure of the proces on MOT owned coaches, but I believe they have an intake process for those coaches as well and a minimum standard that is required WRT service items such as fluids, et., but you would have to check with them on the coaches that are owned by MOT.

FWIW MOT will refuse consignment coaches that have obvious flaws or issues at intake, I have been there when that has occured.

Ketih is a wonderful resource and knows his Foretravels cold. Yes, for the amount of money paid, a much better summary should have been given, likely with a few pictures of items of note with explanations. That being said, Keith is a technician, not a writer or author, and MOT is not focused on these inspections, so the result (while not excusable) is easy to understand how it could happen. Most of us with MOT and Keith experience are happy to go back and use MOT, because they have a long history of honest transactions, great customer service and honest business dealings. It is terribly unfortunate that your experience was unsatisfactory with regards to your inspection.

If you are buying a Foretravel, especially an older Foretravel, an inspection is warranted. As has been said here many times, the best inspection includes Keith or Brett Wolfe, a full day of the buyer's time at the coach with the inspector, with the buyer dressed in work clothes, armed with a flashlight, notepad and camera. A report is great (and way better than buying a coach without professional input), but nothing substitutes for being there for that inspection. You will basically be creating your own report as you note the pluses and minuses of the coach while working with the inspector. You also learn an immense amount about how the coach works and invaluable maintenance tips. And if you decline the coach for reasons discovered during the inspection, that i far from wasted expense, it is likely some of the best money ever spent.

As for the sales person, they have approx 60 -100 coaches on the lot at any given time. Coaches arrive and depart daily, Given the volume and diversity of the inventory, the salesperson likely does not generally have more than a cursory understanding of any individual coach, until a transaction is in play. The sales role then shifts to the need to answer questions and inform the buyer about the coach to the best of the salesperson's ability, generally over the phone and from a significant distance.

The sales professional's job is to interface between the buyer and seller, answering questions and trying to find a win/win transaction between buyer and seller. The best ones are wonderful at it, others don't come close. But expecting a salesperson to be able to give detailed insight into 75 coaches that rotate on a frequent basis is unrealistic.

Your mileage will vary at any RV dealership as to the quality of the sales force, and MOT is no different in that respect, but MOT and the owner David Robertson will not tolerate deceptive practices by anyone that works at MOT. And if someone places a call to David Robertson or Jason Haskins, I would be shocked if that call was not returned by one of those individuals, but sometimes things fall through the cracks, perhaps a rec-call might get a different result.

Of course, business entities can change over time, the best can get bad and the worst can improve. Every business needs to earn customer loyalty with every transaction every day. Sadly MOT failed your needs and expectations in this case.

Re: MOT "Inspection" Experience PSA

Reply #38 – September 16, 2020, 10:53:51 am

Tim,

Well said.

Re: MOT "Inspection" Experience PSA

Reply #39 – September 16, 2020, 10:59:27 am

So very true John. The learning experience as a novice is substantial. A diesel pusher is a sophisticated piece of equipment that was made so much easier thanks to the generous members of this forum. Without which would be a total panic for new owner. Thanks to all the members that contribute knowledge and assistance to their members.
I think there is a industry attitude that if one owns a pusher, they have lots of money so charge like hell.

Re: MOT "Inspection" Experience PSA

Reply #40 – September 16, 2020, 11:00:51 am

Quote from: David Snedeker – September 15, 2020, 02:11:57 pm

Thank you for posting this info on your experience. This has made me completely reluctant to now deal with MOT, if this is what $700 is worth. I am sorry this is what you received.

There should have been many many pictures, a detailed system by system report, etc.

There are always at least 2 sides to every story. You get what you accept in any business interaction.

I wouldn't let this post sour you on Foretravel or MOT. I've had good experiences at Mot and we love our Foretravel. The OP obviously did not have a good experience at MOT. That can happen with any business.

The reality is that MOT has more used FT's For sale In one place than anyone else in the country. If you are looking for FT, MOT is a great place to go to see a variety of coaches so you can figure out if the brand is for you.

David Robertson (MOT owner and CEO), Keith R. and more than a few Service techs started out working at Foretravel. There is a wealth of FT experience and knowledge Available at MOT. It's best to decide for yourself than to decide based on an internet post.

In my experience Providing excellent customer service and satisfaction are very important to MOT. My point is that everyone has their own expectations. Mine were high and I made sure they were achieved.

Forum member, Brett Wolfe did my Independent inspection. It took half a day and I did the inspection shadowing Brett and taking notes. It was invaluable and I filled a notebook that I am still using 5 years later. In addition to what you'd expect...bulkheads, Roof, fluid analysis, mechanical, appliances, etc., Brett told me what had been done, what needed to be done immediately and in the future. He showed me how everything worked and how to maintain the coach.

You have to be your own best advocate and make sure that your expectations are met.

Best wishes,
Jeff

Re: MOT "Inspection" Experience PSA

Reply #41 – September 16, 2020, 12:13:33 pm

One thing we all agree on is if you are having an inspection done,be there,you will gain valuable info and miss out on alot if your not there.

Re: MOT "Inspection" Experience PSA

Reply #42 – September 18, 2020, 08:11:25 pm

Sorry I haven't updated this post; but, I have been off the grid on a Gila Wilderness trip with sat phone being the only communication option since then. Thanks for the inputs. After I rest up, I'll read the comments made in the week I was off the grid. That being said, about a week ago Dave Roberts contacted me and profusely apologized for MOT's delayed response to my "complaint". His response was professional and to the point. He stated they had a strict process for inspection and that it had fallen through the cracks on my transaction - "no excuses and how can we make this right with you" (me). He promised a full refund. He also promised to do whatever he could to keep me as a future customer. I appreciate his position and have taken him for his word to repair this situation. MOT recovery seems to be that of class operation that I've heard so much about.

Re: MOT "Inspection" Experience PSA

Reply #43 – September 18, 2020, 09:42:04 pm

Quote from: Texas Shriner – September 18, 2020, 08:11:25 pm

That being said, about a week ago Dave Roberts contacted me and profusely apologized for MOT's delayed response to my "complaint". MOT recovery seems to be that of class operation that I've heard so much about.

You sir also seem to be a class act, but as a Texas Shriner I gotta ask: Is your Toad one of those little cars?

Re: MOT "Inspection" Experience PSA

Reply #44 – September 18, 2020, 09:53:01 pm

Quote from: Old Toolmaker – September 18, 2020, 09:42:04 pm

You sir also seem to be a class act, but as a Texas Shriner I gotta ask: Is your Toad one of those little cars?

Thank you. HaHa...nah I parade on a motorcycle...but, those lil cars are kinda cool ;-)

Re: MOT "Inspection" Experience PSA

Reply #45 – September 19, 2020, 12:45:19 am

I have been a wholesale buyer for hundreds of high line rv's. Long ago. Most fairly recent models back then. Within 5 years inspections rarely showed serious issues. Ten years more. We bought our 97 in 2012. 100k miles then. Most systems needed redoing. The Barks traded up versus dump a bunch of money into this one. Good decision for them.,

We were the not normal buyers having been a Foretravel sales manager in the late 80's.

We said "we will have a Foretravel some day."

Phone rang. Do I want a coach? No. The right answer.

Where is it? Local. Ok we will look.

Mistake. No not really. We liked old Foretravels

Ah a 320. Kool. Mid door? Kool.

As DSD did I assume he payed low enough to eat all the repairs needed to restore the coach.

Everyone wants a retail product for wholesale. God bless.

Inspections are nice idea. Our coach had an inspection done by my old stores parts manager.

God bless tommy. He missed most everything as I expected. Bought it anyway.

Doubled our original price plus in 8 years as expected. Last thing I got for free was worth exactly what I paid.

The value was/is in driving out the "good" we put in this coach in the future.

The point is very few "inspectors" can replicate someone rving in a coach for an extended period.

My old customers loved me as I took most trades rving then fixed everything and have them the right to bring it back in the future to have me fix things in the future.

Worked for me and my store. No one thinks this way anymore or even back then. Only me.

Foretravel left me alone which was unheard of as we went from 25 coaches new to 59 plus 41 used in 3 years.

Everyone wants to win, sometimes you just get to play the game.

To quote Heinlein "there is no such thing as a free lunch" also "I know the game is crooked but how are you going to win if you don't play.

Sometimes you just get to put precious body parts on the railroad tracks and pray a train does not come by....

Re: MOT "Inspection" Experience PSA

Reply #46 – September 19, 2020, 05:57:51 am

TS, glad it worked out for you!

Re: MOT "Inspection" Experience PSA

Reply #47 – September 19, 2020, 08:36:57 am

Quote from: Texas Shriner – September 18, 2020, 09:53:01 pm

Thank you. HaHa...nah I parade on a motorcycle...but, those lil cars are kinda cool ;-)

Thank you for the work you do raising money for the Shriner's hospitals.

Some of us like tiny cars. Easier to tow.

Re: MOT "Inspection" Experience PSA

Reply #48 – September 27, 2020, 10:06:10 am

Quote from: wolfe10 – September 05, 2020, 06:43:46 pm

Yes, he is the shop foreman.

Please clarify.

Keith is an employee of MOT, and he is reliable as an independent inspector of Foretravel coaches?

Brett, do you still do inspections? Seasonal?

Matt B

Re: MOT "Inspection" Experience PSA

Reply #49 – September 27, 2020, 10:24:10 am

Quote from: oldmattb – September 27, 2020, 10:06:10 am

Please clarify.

Keith is an employee of MOT, and he is reliable as an independent inspector of Foretravel coaches? YES.

Brett, do you still do inspections? YES, but COVID has put restrictions on that.

Matt B

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