FMCA vs GS

[Craig H]

Just wondering really, what does FMCA have to offer that is different from GS. GS has, in my opinion, become too comercial over the years. I probably get one offering a week from them trying to sell me something. If I joined FMCA, what could I expect?

[Craig H]

Just wondering really, what does FMCA have to offer that is different from GS. GS has, in my opinion, become too comercial over the years. I probably get one offering a week from them trying to sell me something. If I joined FMCA, what could I expect?

[Route 66]

Less mail?

Seriously, the FMCA conventions and rallys are among the best, and the magazine is pretty good also.

[TXiceman]

FMCA is motorhomes only, and GS is all RV's. When we had a motorhome, we were FMCA as well as GS. As soon as my current GS membership expires, we will not renew it. I just do not see the value of it anymore. The magazine has turned to mostly advertising and the junk mail is terrible. After several phone calls, the junk mail has pretty much stopped.

Ken

[JRP]

GS is owned and run by a giant corporation (Affinity Group) that uses the club to market its many related business interests to the members. read their privacy policy to see a partial list of all their related companies they share your data with. Affinity Group privacy policy

FMCA on the other hand is owned, run and governed by its motorhome owner members and their elected reps.

The difference is more than just the benefits offered.

Jim

[Camping Dutchman]

Now I have had a great Good Sam experience and dropped my FMCA. I found FMCA geared towards expensive motorhomes, older people, and I got nothing with my membership that I found useful.

GS I get discount on camping, accesories and repiars(GS facilities), discount Disney tickets, .02 off disel @ Petro, 10% off at Iron Skillet restaurant and more... All you do is log on and ask to be removed from mailings or call and they will stop.

[rebelsbeach]

Not sure many GS members would feel welcomed at Petro....I see you're in a Showhauler and I'm usually 74 feet long, but I like Flying J's discount program and their facilities.

I like FMCA better and I'm about two months from turning 50....

[Wallaby Dan]

Hi, I dropped GS and will continue my FMCA membership. Also Am thinking of joining the Coachmen Caravan club as I have a Coachmen Motorhome. I belong to two different Chapters with FMCA and I have YET... to get any response from any of the GS chapters I wrote to or E-mailed.
After CW screwed up my insurance up That left a bitter taste in my mouth,My solution was to tell All of the Affinity group that Thanks,But No thanks. That old addage about fool me once fits here! I'm not even interested in getting the second time!!
I've been to a Pilot twice. One in Texas wasn't to bad the other,I thought I was going to have to get the O'le gun out and have a reenactment of the OK corral...All over again!Thanks.., But again, No thanks. Like Rebelsbeach has said" Flying J's" are really good! And I don't get any flack about me in my truck there either.
One other thing. Big Box company's are slowly strangling out the life of Ma and Pa shops all over the country.The family Business is just a example of this. We could loose our 'extra' income as the bigger brutes are strangling the life out of these businesses. This company has been around for over 60 years. and we wonder if it will be around another five years. If this company folds alot of good people will loose their jobs and a town could die. Think about that the next time you go to CW or Wally world or any other big box company. I know you can't always find what you need at the smaller shops. and I have made orders at the big box stores too. but IF.. I can I support the smaller shops as you get the product and service,And the Money goes back into the community, Not into some Rich Mans pocket!! One other point to ponder, This site and a Couple of other sites,Would not be here without help from Sponsors. We have Two that I am aware of and Please correct me if I missed someone as I too am new here. You don't find the Affinity Group here as a sponsor. There are two good sites where you can get 90 or better percent of your needs. Sorry Rebelsbeach , If I stepped on anyones toes, CD... OK, Time to get off the soap box..It just hits too close to home for us. Capt.

[rebelsbeach]

Nice post Capt. Dan....I especially like the part about supporting our site sponsors...

rvupgrades has recently increased the size of it's catalog and their prices are competetive as well,on most items.
Even if you pay a few bucks more,remember you're supporting a business that has supported you...

The UPS guy and I are on a first name basis with respect to the boxes I receive from rvupgrades....

[Wallaby Dan]

Thanks rebelsbeach, Its the truth!! They support us and this site so send our orders to them. I've got three separate orders in the ups system somewhere,heading my way and thats just the beginning. I know that I need to get other stuff,I just don't know how much and what kind. But they are there for us and they help this site,Thats how it should work they help us and we help them. Right? I don't know it they look at the site to see if we Do look at there site but I am sure I'm not alone.
I know..Get off the soapbox Capt. The rest of you, Check the sponsors sites out and Help them to help us.

[moisheh]

FMCA is not member owned. It is governed by a small group of insiders. I would ask: Are there any Presidents or VP's on the IRV forums? Do you personally know any of the polyester suits who are the governing board? Have they ever asked you for your opinion? Do you have any input in the way the organization is run? THey seem to represent the MH manufacturers more than the memebers. Have you ever seen one of their MH reviews that was truthful?

Moisheh

[SeeTheUSA]

FMCA actually IS member owned . . . and the governing body consists of MEMBERS who have put in the time and effort (which sometimes means "playing the game," not that that's bad or much different than other social organizations). If one doesn't want to put in the time or play the game, as with most social clubs, the view will continue to be from the outside.

Based on my experiences in other social clubs, attention is often focused on the "bigger" or "better" versions of whatever the club represents. For example, when a member of Model A Ford clubs, I was aware that sleek Roadsters commanded more attention than more common Tudor sedans. Just human nature --- that's why, for example, cute young women get more attention than homely ones!

I've only been an FMCA member for a little over a year, but I have been asked my opinions on some issues. Also, while my goose-egg resides on a little 23 foot class C coach, I'm greeted frequently by those in their high-dollar fancy rigs. Kinda nice . . . never did get that from my Good Sam sticker.

As far as providing input into how FMCA is run, I feel I would probably have to devote more time and effort to have that privilege.

Okay - it takes some effort to become an influence in FMCA (if that's what you want). As far as I know, while I'm no longer a member of Good Sam, what seems to me to be a commercial organization (business), there is no way to gain influence . . . you just keep getting e-mails, bulk mail and other annoying things asking you to spend your money.

By the way --- given the fact many so-called "reviews" of almost anything are written by folks who make a living writing and selling articles for magazines (like FMCA and, for example, all those airline rags), I've found such reviews to be less than complete. Certainly nothing I'd use to spend a whole lot of money.

Membership in FMCA is not required, nor is it in Good Sam Club. The way I see it, each of us has the freedom to decide for ourselves. If you're objective, you'll decide what is important to you, then spend your money to scratch YOUR itch.

Please understand I am NOT trying to talk anyone into anything. Do what works for you! I might do something different, but that doesn't mean I think someone else is wrong . . . or even right. Just one of those "different strokes" things.

[Y-Guy]

I enjoy the FMCA magazine a great deal. As of now I haven't found any group, FMCA, WIT, etc that has a club I am interested in joining. As I did when I owned a PopUp I'll probably try to gather folks and start something but for now I have a TT group that I am still welcome in.

As far as discounts while camping, I didn't find one place that cared I was an FMCA member, but 4 took my GS membership - and for $12 I already paid for the membership.

As for the ownership of FMCA - well I had the good pleasure of seeing a rig next to me in Caldwell Utah with and FMCA former national president or director sign and went over and said hello - very nice older couple and very friendly. Sure didn't appear to be in bed with any big MH companies, just out enjoying the highways like we were.

[rebelsbeach]

Y-Guy, we don't have a magazine or camping discounts but we do offer a great deal of information here on the web site and as a result you're more than welcome to join in not only our National Rally, but jump in a regional group and camp with them as well...

We'd LOVE to have you!!