Miserable day in Nacogdoches

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Miserable day in Nacogdoches

February 25, 2015, 08:20:27 am

It's a miserable day in Nacogdoches; just above freezing, raining and gloomy. That's the bad news. Good news is that all my repairs/upgrades went well and as soon as the weather improves its back on the road. A couple of general comments. I used Bernd Ramspeck for the first time based on what I had read about him on this forum. I was pleased with his work and will use him again. Lots of new faces at FOT and not the same number of techs on the floor that I usually see. They were training a new tech on my coach so things went a little slower than usual but he was interested and seemed to have good basic knowledge of the coach. I noticed that they showed the time he spent on my coach on the bill but I was not charged for it. With that in mind I would plan an extra day or so for your work if you are going in any time soon.

Re: Miserable day in Nacogdoches

Reply #1 – February 25, 2015, 08:39:38 am

You are correct in that it is miserable in East Texas today. If going North you will have more rain, sleet and possible snow. Going South you should be OK. North of I-20 is where most of the snow is suppose to be. Here in Tyler it is about 32 degrees so roads should be OK. ; To clear up this afternoon and maybe even some sunshine. We will see . Golf course closed today and too cold to go fishing for me so another day inside dreaming and planning trips for 2015. Dan

Re: Miserable day in Nacogdoches

Reply #2 – February 25, 2015, 10:12:36 am

Oh no, it is snowing now in Nac! But i think the denizens will manage ok. As for tech changes at FOT, it seems some may have left the vocation, others relocated to alternative shops.

Well, off to Butcher Boys for lunch in a while.

Re: Miserable day in Nacogdoches

Reply #3 – February 25, 2015, 11:48:00 am

I just hope Alton is still there. He is a KEY MAN to me.

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Reply #4 – February 25, 2015, 11:50:51 am

Mike: Is that MIke Rogers at MOT? Thought he was who I spoke to. He seems very customer friendly. Found a place in Tyler called "The Grind" simular to Butcher Boys in Nac. 1/2 lb burger for $6.95 plus they have curly fries. As I type this, the snow is falling outside and starting to show on the ground but only 32 degrees so may not last long. Dan

Re: Miserable day in Nacogdoches

Reply #5 – February 25, 2015, 01:40:53 pm

Mike Rogers is at MOT. He is great and better for anyone who uses MOT now, they have more experience in that shop then they do over at FT. Weaver, Riech, Whitehead, Rogers, JJ, Isaac and Seth all have long tenure and experience. Sampson seems to be a great chassis guy too.

I will say other then remods, which is the exception, customer service is much stronger across the street now. It is sad as they had been making strong progress over the last coupke years at FT.

Re: Miserable day in Nacogdoches

Reply #6 – February 25, 2015, 04:22:24 pm

Add James Johnson to the list at MOT.....he did my fuel line, and was one that did them at FOT before that.

I am sure FOT will train some folks up, restore whatever talent is needed but their business model is different than MOT so need to understand, factor that in making analyses.

Mike

Re: Miserable day in Nacogdoches

Reply #7 – February 25, 2015, 05:21:11 pm

+1 on John S. FOT gets the MOD today only on Remods for me today. Insight is on my list for for potential remod shop in NAC is a possibility. Xtreme is the go to spot for all things pain/steps/headlights

Re: Miserable day in Nacogdoches

Reply #8 – February 25, 2015, 05:54:09 pm

Why don't you just support FOT instead, seems like you would want them to be around in the future?

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Reply #9 – February 25, 2015, 05:56:10 pm

I want FOT to be around, but we all need to earn our stripes every day. All ties go to FOT.

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Reply #10 – February 25, 2015, 06:00:31 pm

Can't earn the stripes if you don't use them and provide feedback so they can improve. Sounds more like you want to move business away from them or you moved it away, why?

Re: Miserable day in Nacogdoches

Reply #11 – February 25, 2015, 06:45:32 pm

I tried FOT service twice, neither was as crisp or cost effective as my trips to MOT. Used Xtreme before FOT decided to take non production work into paint shop. Experience so good saw no reason to try FOT paint for the few times it is needed. (Plus a couple of not great posts re FOT quality, most notably Dave M). Was going to FOT for floors, but insight significantly less $$$$ than FOT.
Hope that helps explain thought process. Since many of us can't/don't support FOT with direct purchases, I support the need for "subscription" revenue for needed tech support.
12 years, 3 Foretravels, used everybody in NAC but Bernd and Insight (so far....)

Re: Miserable day in Nacogdoches

Reply #12 – February 25, 2015, 06:47:22 pm

It is not a matter of not supporting FT but as this forum has always been an honest review of the situation. IT is almost like FOT does not care if they serve the customer while MOT bends over backwards to help you. The difference is night and day. I will say that last year, FOT was matching MOT for service but this last year it has slipped. I have used both for service and remodel. In fact I told Alton a year ago in January that their shop was running better then I had seen it run in the past number of years and I was happy to see it. I posted that here too. We brought the issues up to Lyle at the GV and the outcome was a plus membership but really no change in how service treats the owners. Dave Fs shop treats you best but he is different then the regular service department. If they all worked that way on the other side of the shop then this would not be an issue at all.

I know that a number of us have brought this to the attention of management but it seems to be heard and the changes occur on the margins but not deep enough and broad enough to make a difference.

Sure we want them to succeed but that is not going to be by service alone. They need to sell motorhomes and many more then they are selling now. The interesting thing about this group of owners is that there are many people who have run businesses and have been very successful and have offered their input to the company. So it is not that we do not want them to succeed but if you go to Nac and drive 1500 miles to get there and they make you sit in the lot for days till you are taken in and then the service work is not done right, then supporting them is the last thing you think of as you are having to have the problem addressed again.

Re: Miserable day in Nacogdoches

Reply #13 – February 25, 2015, 06:58:54 pm

When the guys that are willing to drive half way across the country and spend several coach bucks at a time say this I will pay attention.

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Reply #14 – February 25, 2015, 07:02:11 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – February 25, 2015, 06:45:32 pm

I tried FOT service twice, neither was as crisp or cost effective as my trips to MOT. Used Xtreme before FOT decided to take non production work into paint shop. Experience so good saw no reason to try FOT paint for the few times it is needed. (Plus a couple of not great posts re FOT quality, most notably Dave M). Was going to FOT for floors, but insight significantly less $$$$ than FOT.
Hope that helps explain thought process.

Yes that helps very much, thank you. Was trying to understand why you moved away from them. You used FOT service twice in 12 years across 3 coaches and were not happy. You have not used them for paint, so no way to judge a tie in that respect which is fine since you are happy, I guess the first time Xtreme makes a mistake you will check out options. On the floors, are you still going to FOT or is the $$ delta to much, they probably have more overhead than insight so that's reflected in the cost, as long as they have customers willing to pay out the $$

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – February 25, 2015, 06:45:32 pm

Since many of us can't/don't support FOT with direct purchases, I support the need for "subscription" revenue for needed tech support.
12 years, 3 Foretravels, used everybody in NAC but Bernd and Insight (so far....)

Could you explain this a bit more, what does that mean?

Re: Miserable day in Nacogdoches

Reply #15 – February 25, 2015, 07:07:25 pm

Quote from: John S – February 25, 2015, 06:47:22 pm

Sure we want them to succeed but that is not going to be by service alone. They need to sell motorhomes and many more then they are selling now. The interesting thing about this group of owners is that there are many people who have run businesses and have been very successful and have offered their input to the company. So it is not that we do not want them to succeed but if you go to Nac and drive 1500 miles to get there and they make you sit in the lot for days till you are taken in and then the service work is not done right, then supporting them is the last thing you think of as you are having to have the problem addressed again.

Thank you, this is very helpful to understand. I'm in the "market" so trying to make as well thought out a decision as I can. Both coach quality and ability to get service done is paramount to me. I'd prefer a factory only solution but understand thats not always possible or the best.

Re: Miserable day in Nacogdoches

Reply #16 – February 25, 2015, 07:18:18 pm

No, I love David Flanigan, but delta is too much, with positive reviews of insight, going to give them a try

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Reply #17 – February 25, 2015, 07:25:41 pm

How much of a delta are we talking about? Don't provide numbers if you are uncomfortable, may just % more ?

Also what is subscription revenue, I'm bit in the dark on that.

Thanks again for your information!

Re: Miserable day in Nacogdoches

Reply #18 – February 25, 2015, 07:45:29 pm

Motorcade plus $25 premium membership.
Pm me for price delta, but significant

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Reply #19 – February 25, 2015, 07:47:04 pm

I Had a great experience in Nac.

When I needed to have the Aqua Hot 600 installed, I went to FOT, knowing they would know the existing layout of the wiring as with the new A H unit, all the wiring had to be changed, all thermostats, fans, A/C & Heat Pumps all needed rewired to change from the single wire to the 2 wire controls.

Three & half days of steady work with two men, it turned out just beautiful, works as expected and I am smiling.

Re: Miserable day in Nacogdoches

Reply #20 – February 25, 2015, 08:03:50 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – February 25, 2015, 07:45:29 pm

Motorcade plus $25 premium membership.
Pm me for price delta, but significant

Had to do some searching but I think I get it, "subscription" support must be the community word for the money you find in your sofa at the end of the year

But real business goes elsewhere for all the reasons above, cost, quality, service, etc ... I get all the points you are saying, thank you for your honesty.

Quote from: Dave M – February 25, 2015, 07:47:04 pm

I Had a great experience in Nac.

When I needed to have the Aqua Hot 600 installed, I went to FOT, knowing they would know the existing layout of the wiring as with the new A H unit, all the wiring had to be changed, all thermostats, fans, A/C & Heat Pumps all needed rewired to change from the single wire to the 2 wire controls.

Prior to starting I had a good meeting with Mark Harvey, Joshua & J J (Chrome Dome), every aspect of this change was discussed, they know the Aqua Hot and their coach. I was wanting a 1st class (Correct) installation, no short cuts, no red neck gimmic work arounds, they assured me it would be exactly like the new Phenix / IH45 setup and it is.

Three & half days of steady work with two men, it turned out just beautiful, works as expected and I am smiling.

I did stay in a motel 2 nights, could have stayed in the coach, but that would have taken time to clean up the massive wire laying thru out the coach, so I opted to just get out to motel, glad I did. They also had to run wire from breaker box under the bed for the 2nd 2000 heater element.

In the end, the entire event turned out great, right where I expected the $$$$ point, Glad for the clear understanding from the get go. Would do it again if needed.

Good to hear they are capable of doing good work, even if its $$$$ Curious, why did you have to sit down with them and say you did not want gimmic work Is that their standard operation, they take shortcuts so you have to watch every move? If not why did you feel that was necessary, poor work in the past as pointed out in the above posts or other?

Re: Miserable day in Nacogdoches

Reply #21 – February 25, 2015, 10:01:53 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – February 25, 2015, 05:21:11 pm

Xtreme is the go to spot for all things pain/steps/headlights

How about fiberglass repair?

Thanks,

Trent

Re: Miserable day in Nacogdoches

Reply #22 – February 26, 2015, 08:09:38 am

I would go to xtreme for fiberglass.

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Reply #23 – February 26, 2015, 08:12:49 am

Let me add that Xtreme has an apartment for you to stay in while getting major work done. That is a huge savings if you want to be on site while the work is done. I was in the apartment for four weeks one summer.

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