Community Forums

powerboatr · 09-25-2012, 10:04 PM

Why oh Why to join?
I have seen their "benefits" and frankly
I get those now from other sources, some even better at zero yearly out of pocket expenditures from me,
but I want to go to a particular rally and being a FMCA member among other things is a requirement for attendance.

But does FMCA really give me, for 50 dollars any real value over what I have now

sans a neat egg placard to hang off the coach ?

Thanks

Mr_D · 09-25-2012, 10:19 PM

So, don't join if you don't want to. I don't see a problem.

Some people belong (we do) and some don't.

We are also Charter Lifetime Good Sam members and find FMCA a better fit for us. MY parents were members and we're using their FMCA number since it is much lower than the new ones.

powerboatr · 09-25-2012, 10:32 PM

I get 99% of the fmca neat things now through other clubs, DAV, Coach net, Farm Bureau, TT etc.

I am not knocking them, I am only looking for an advantage..
I hate to think I would get locked out of a rally based on fmca membership. I get more magazines now than I can read.

$50 to some may not seem like much....but I didn't get to where I am for not being thorough

SarahW · 09-25-2012, 10:54 PM

I don't know of any rally that requires FMCA membership...except the FMCA rallies.

We joined FMCA last year but have not found the value in membership, so will likely not re-up.

kalynzoo · 09-25-2012, 11:33 PM

We joined many years ago. Attended one big rally in Oregon and an area rally in California. Disappoined both times, guess they are just not really our thing. We almost attended a rally 2 weeks ago, but some really bad problems made us cut the trip short. But back to your question, is it worth it? We purchased our MH insurance from FMCA, but it is no longer a requirement of the policy. We like the magazine. Never used an FMCA specific discount as we also have GoodSam and other cards. Tried CoachNet but did not like their service on a breakdown so now we have Good Sam (not sure if it is better, just signed up), FMCA just cancelled their Emergency Evaculation Service.
So, we may not renew. If there is a Rally we want to attend we might just join again, the cost will only add the cost of membership to the Rally.
I just don't know at this time. The cost is not really that much or the issue, it is more the relevance. We me make a day trip and see the Indio Rally in January and see where that leads us.

EngineerMike · 09-25-2012, 11:49 PM

I just ordered 2 Michelin front tires thru their Advantage program, and saved $170 over the local dealer price. I figure the magazine is worth about $20/yr (I read & enjoy it), so that's 5.5 yrs dues back on the savings. If I was ordering 6 tires, that number would be much larger.
I also belong to 3 different rally clubs, all of which get our club insurance by being "chapters" of FMCA. I know a number of folks who have mail forwarding by them, we're not fulltiming yet but would consider that for mail handling when we start.

powerboatr · 09-26-2012, 03:24 PM

thanks for the candid answers

dons2346 · 09-27-2012, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SarahW

I don't know of any rally that requires FMCA membership...except the FMCA rallies.

We joined FMCA last year but have not found the value in membership, so will likely not re-up.

So you joined last year. What have you done with FMCA? Is all you have done is read the magazine? Have you gone into a campground and ask for the FMCA discount? Have you participated in any of the Fleetwood clubs outings?

Cat320 · 09-27-2012, 06:37 PM

Check what's available in the form of benefits, rallies and discounts. If it looks good, join...if not don't join.

laj · 09-27-2012, 06:56 PM

I have saved more in various discounts not including the tire deal then the dues for 5 yrs. would have cost. Works for me.

topdownman · 09-27-2012, 07:00 PM

I'm a FMCA member and Good Sam. The one disadvantage to FMCA compared to Good Sam is your mailbox doesn't get stuffed with constant credit/insurance/road service offers

Mochisme · 09-27-2012, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topdownman

I'm a FMCA member and Good Sam. The one disadvantage to FMCA compared to Good Sam is your mailbox doesn't get stuffed with constant credit/insurance/road service offers

What would you use to start your Campfires or Fireplace with if you did not get all that Good Sam Material?

docj · 09-27-2012, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dons2346

So you joined last year. What have you done with FMCA? Is all you have done is read the magazine? Have you gone into a campground and ask for the FMCA discount? Have you participated in any of the Fleetwood clubs outings?

I don't think I've been at a CG that wouldn't give me the same discount for my Good Sam or Escapees cards.

As for manufacturer's club's why should membership in FMCA be a prerequisite for joining? It might have made sense at one time, but now it appears as if a dying organization (FMCA) is clinging to life by forcing people to join the parent organization in order to join the chapters.

IMHO it is time for members of the manufacturer's clubs to speak up if they don't want to be blackmailed like this.

SarahW · 09-27-2012, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dons2346

So you joined last year. What have you done with FMCA? Is all you have done is read the magazine? Have you gone into a campground and ask for the FMCA discount? Have you participated in any of the Fleetwood clubs outings?

Actually, I have not read the magazine, I have not asked for the FMCA discount at a campground, and I have not participated in the outings. So, as I said, it has not been a value for us.