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MOT

Hi all, would anyone be in Nacogdoches to look at a coach. If it is something to pursue, i guess Kieth is the guy to talk to? Thanks. Kim  Kmsportnut@gmail.com or 573-552-2342
Kim McCoy
1997 270 34'

Re: MOT

Reply #1 –
Keith did our inspection. He's worth every penny  ^.^d  You should be there to do the inspection with him though. His inspection notes consist of a few lines on paper. The real value is to go through it with him and have conversations as he finds things.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: MOT

Reply #2 –
Does he do that on his own after hours. Should a person put money down, with purchase pending on outcome of inspection. Seems kind of awkward. Thanks
Kim McCoy
1997 270 34'

Re: MOT

Reply #3 –
No question Keith Risch is THE MAN for mechanical inspections.

But, I would only use him once the coach has met the basics:

1. Do the pictures, description and layout meet your needs.

2. Yes, have someone else walk through the coach, preferable while on the phone with you.  Talk about smells, wear, etc.  From the sales person see if there are any service records.  In many cases techs write dates and sometimes mileage on filters when they change them.

3. Agree on price subject to inspection and test drive.

4. THEN hire Keith.  And very strongly recommend that you are there with Keith for the inspection.  Wear old clothes so you can actually "see what he sees".  Discuss what needs to be done right now/can be put off.  Discuss what is within your skill/interest set, etc.  Really hard to do if you aren't there.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: MOT

Reply #4 –
Quote from: golfnut –
Does he do that on his own after hours. Should a person put money down, with purchase pending on outcome of inspection. Seems kind of awkward. Thanks

I believe Keith only does inspections as an employee of MOT, so I believe you have to make an appointment through the service department. Certainly, your salesperson will know. 

I know it sounds like it could be a conflict of interest, but Keith is about the straightest shooter I have ever known.  Have known and respected Keith for more than 15 years.

And, I would have no problem putting down a deposit-- fully refundable and subject to satisfactory inspection and test drive. 

MOT is in it for the long haul, not some "used car salesman tactic".  In fact, the owner of MOT sold us our Foretravel back in 1998.  Again, a long term business outlook.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: MOT

Reply #5 –
Quote from: golfnut –
Does he do that on his own after hours.
He did ours after his shift ended that day. He ended up working later than expected and got started on our inspection later than planned. Be prepared to kill time while you're waiting your turn. It turned into a long evening for all of us, but especially Keith. We bought him dinner and had it in the coach about half way through the inspection. I think we got out of there around 10pm or so that night. 
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: MOT

Reply #6 –
I am waiting to hear from Mike At MOT.  They tend to put coaches on web site that are basically spoken for. I have been on list for sometime.
Kim McCoy
1997 270 34'

Re: MOT

Reply #7 –
Quote from: golfnut –
Does he do that on his own after hours. Should a person put money down, with purchase pending on outcome of inspection. Seems kind of awkward. Thanks

That's what I did. I put $1,000 on a credit card pending inspection.

Keith is awesome.
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: MOT

Reply #8 –
I have my coach there getting worked on this week. I will be back this Friday to hopefully pick back up.  Richard is there now getting his coach worked on and I think he would if you need something looked at. 
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: MOT

Reply #9 –
"They tend to put coaches on web site that are basically spoken for."

Not always. This one 1999 Foretravel U320 4010 WTFE | Motorhomes of Texas was there in July. We walked through it then.

Re: MOT

Reply #10 –
Mike is awesome, communicates great, super nice and helpful. Keith did our inspection after hours, although we had already left Nac. Mike said Keith normally kills his deals as he finds things and the buyer gets cold feet. We were his first that sold post Keith inspection.

Keith will find things, don't be alarmed, we had about 30 items that he found, some bigger than others. There will be things needed on a 20YO coach and you will have to put some time, money or elbow grease into it. As long as the bones are good, things can be fixed. For example, our bulkheads are in excellent shape which was something important to me.

The one we got never hit the site, we went there to look at one that we put a deposit on and ended up moving it to this one which had literally just came in. If this doesn't work out, I'd highly recommend making weekly contact with Mike for new inventory that doesn't hit the site.
Jason
2000 U295 36' Non-slide  ISC350

Re: MOT

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Jason –
Mike is awesome, communicates great, super nice and helpful. Keith did our inspection after hours, although we had already left Nac. Mike said Keith normally kills his deals as he finds things and the buyer gets cold feet. We were his first that sold post Keith inspection.

Keith will find things, don't be alarmed, we had about 30 items that he found, some bigger than others. There will be things needed on a 20YO coach and you will have to put some time, money or elbow grease into it. As long as the bones are good, things can be fixed. For example, our bulkheads are in excellent shape which was something important to me.


Totally agree.  What you want at the end of the process is a coach you like and in "back to excellent" mechanical condition.  Only reasonable to look at the total cost of coach plus what it will take to bring it to that condition.

The equations are pretty simple-- you will pay more for a coach that has been mechanically maintained.  You will pay less for one that needs that maintenance and add to that what it needs. 

On older coaches, factor in cost of replacing fuel lines, air bags, shocks, resealing/overhauling steering box. On any coach, factor in tires over about 4 years of age (look at replacement at 6).  No question, the more of this list that has been done recently, the more the coach is worth.  I have no issue going either way.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: MOT

Reply #12 –
Quote from: golfnut –
Hi all, would anyone be in Nacogdoches to look at a coach. If it is something to pursue, i guess Kieth is the guy to talk to? Thanks. Kim  Kmsportnut@gmail.com or 573-552-2342

I saw on Facebook that there was a group of FT owners enjoying happy hour over at Camp FT. Take a ride over and introduce yourself. Most owners would be happy to help.
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: MOT

Reply #13 –
Thanks to everyone for their words of wisdom, and James Giordano for taking the time to look at it. They listed on the web site
yesterday, I talked to Mike Phillips, he said what he knew, not a whole lot, but I understand that. I asked about a deposit amount, which he said is usually $5,000.00. I told him I had someone that was going to look at it for me. I would proceed after that report.

This morning James said Jeff Bowser showed him the coach. He said nice interior, rough exterior, but it was pending, a deposit had been given.
 
I can't just up and head that way without at least a little notice. So I think I did what I could. Mike was going to get back with me where the coach was from and if it had any service records. He said he didn't think they had done any work on it there. He also said some bulkhead separation, how bad he didn't know.  Next time if it is something that reaches out and grabs me, I won't hesitate to put a deposit down pending inspection and a drive. Kim

Kim McCoy
1997 270 34'

Re: MOT

Reply #14 –
Quote from: golfnut –
Thanks to everyone for their words of wisdom, and James Giordano for taking the time to look at it. They listed on the web site
yesterday, I talked to Mike Phillips, he said what he knew, not a whole lot, but I understand that. I asked about a deposit amount, which he said is usually $5,000.00. I told him I had someone that was going to look at it for me. I would proceed after that report.

This morning James said Jeff Bowser showed him the coach. He said nice interior, rough exterior, but it was pending, a deposit had been given.
 
I can't just up and head that way without at least a little notice. So I think I did what I could. Mike was going to get back with me where the coach was from and if it had any service records. He said he didn't think they had done any work on it there. He also said some bulkhead separation, how bad he didn't know.  Next time if it is something that reaches out and grabs me, I won't hesitate to put a deposit down pending inspection and a drive. Kim



Seems they have gone up on their deposits.  I gave $500 and no issues.  I did get Keith to check out the coach I ended up buying, but also had Mike Phillips  and was not really happy with him, just an FYI.  I had told him specifically that I wanted Keith to do the repairs and he dropped the ball!  Was not happy with the results and had to bring the coach back for further repairs!  Now, in all fairness, Mr. Robertson stepped up, but again, I had a sour taste in my mouth from the beginning with Mike!
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: MOT

Reply #15 –
Keep in touch with your salesman. More than one coach with a deposit on it has been back for sale. Often it is because between the time the deposit is placed and the purchaser get there something else comes in that is closer to what they wanted. There is probably some sort of waiting list for coaches with deposits.

Re: MOT

Reply #16 –
Quote from: juicesqueezer –
Seems they have gone up on their deposits.  I gave $500 and no issues.  I did get Keith to check out the coach I ended up buying, but also had Mike Phillips  and was not really happy with him, just an FYI.  I had told him specifically that I wanted Keith to do the repairs and he dropped the ball!  Was not happy with the results and had to bring the coach back for further repairs!  Now, in all fairness, Mr. Robertson stepped up, but again, I had a sour taste in my mouth from the beginning with Mike!
It was $500 for me last year too... perhaps all the new RV demand has made them change policy. We used Jeff Bowser for our sale.

I'll say this about Jeff: I know there have been mixed reviews here but I've had a year to reflect on working with him now and I'd recommend him. He was no nonsense during the negotiation phase: gave me the lowest price the seller would do and didn't budge. He knew it would sell. Kind of turned me off at first but once we agreed on a price he was rock solid. He arranged a short-notice inspection with Keith. He had a clear schedule for us the days we arrived. He got me in for a full day of repairs on short notice (WITH Keith, at my request) . He stayed with us until 10pm the night we picked the coach up, running around in the rain helping Keith prep it. And he was readily available for questions after the sale. He also kept in constant contact with me early on when new coaches were hitting the lot; that's how I got mine. Financing fell through for the previous buyers and he called me a few minutes later.

I'd buy from Jeff again without hesitation.

1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: MOT

Reply #17 –
Your are correct on the "mixed reviews" Elliot.  Seems like several of us had completely different experiences with the same salesman.  We work with Mike Phillips in finding and purchasing our coach, and he was fantastic.  It took several months and countless communications, as well as three trips to MOT from Colorado before we selected our coach.
The entire time, Mike would keep in touch about was was coming on the market.  Once we decided on a coach, he was a great help in working with the previous owner. A bonus was Mike introducing us to the previous owner, and we talked many times about the coach.
We had a minor issue driving back to Colorado, and Mike helped us out at 11:00PM!!

To this day, we keep in touch with him, and consider him a friend
Mark & Bev
2001 U295 36' Slide
Cummins ISC 8.3 350HP
Build #5802
Jeep Wrangler Toad

Re: MOT

Reply #18 –
I feel very happy to have worked with Mike when buying my Foretravel.

2001 U270- 34'
with Aqua-hot
Travel Safely
Have Fun!!