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Old 09-10-2007, 02:25 AM   #1
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We arrived at Forest City yesterday, and we found the rally park was closed to Winnebago Customers. It appears Winnebago has rented out the park to a fire fighter group, and a sign on the service center door indicates the rally park is closed and if you need water, or dumping you can visit the city park or area RV parks. We arrived early enough to get a spot in front of the service center, but people coming later filled up the service center area, and the Welcome Center parking area. The overflow people had to park in the parking area in front of the service area with no power hookup. I have been coming here for five years and find this situation unacceptable, and I plan to make my feeling known today. This company seems to have forgotten that serving their customers is their business. I am here today to get my windshields replaced which should be a one dayer, but if I were here for warranty service I would pull out and tell these people when they are ready to reopen to serve their customers I will return. I will try to follow up with the duration of the rally park shutdown when I find out.

I had always been pretty high on Winnebago Factory service, and it is why I purchased a second Winnnebago, BUT in my mind Winnebago is sending me an everyone else a message that their customers don't mean much to them, and in the future I plan to show them I don't think much of them with a purchase of some other brand.
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Old 09-10-2007, 02:25 AM   #2
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We arrived at Forest City yesterday, and we found the rally park was closed to Winnebago Customers. It appears Winnebago has rented out the park to a fire fighter group, and a sign on the service center door indicates the rally park is closed and if you need water, or dumping you can visit the city park or area RV parks. We arrived early enough to get a spot in front of the service center, but people coming later filled up the service center area, and the Welcome Center parking area. The overflow people had to park in the parking area in front of the service area with no power hookup. I have been coming here for five years and find this situation unacceptable, and I plan to make my feeling known today. This company seems to have forgotten that serving their customers is their business. I am here today to get my windshields replaced which should be a one dayer, but if I were here for warranty service I would pull out and tell these people when they are ready to reopen to serve their customers I will return. I will try to follow up with the duration of the rally park shutdown when I find out.

I had always been pretty high on Winnebago Factory service, and it is why I purchased a second Winnnebago, BUT in my mind Winnebago is sending me an everyone else a message that their customers don't mean much to them, and in the future I plan to show them I don't think much of them with a purchase of some other brand.
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Old 09-10-2007, 02:45 AM   #3
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Hi Pat

Oh my goodness! Parking at City Park wouldn't be a bad alternative, but it's not particularly handy and it costs too much money for what you get. I guess Winnie is scratching around for dollars like everybody else.

Please give Jill at The Lodge a big hug from us!
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Old 09-10-2007, 03:56 AM   #4
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We were there recently with a scheduled appoinment. What appears to be happening is that folks without appointments are parking in the visitor center and customer service area and waiting there till they can get in for service. Security did make many rigs move who did not have camping permits. It seems only fair to me that if you have an appoinment you should take priority over non-appoinments.

All that being said, I don't understand why the whole rally park needs to be closed when they have a rally of a smaller size. The rally park was closed for several days when we were there. I would think it would be possible to cordon off an special overflow area for service customers.

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Old 09-10-2007, 08:03 AM   #5
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Winnebago is sending me an everyone else a message that their customers don't mean much to them </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Dead On!!!! Listen up, Winnie! Keep the pipper on the target.

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Old 09-10-2007, 09:25 AM   #6
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With a little help from Google I was able to ascertain that the Iowa State Firefighter Convention is being held this particular week on the GNR grounds in Forest City.
Given the sacrifice that our firefighters and EMS workers make on a daily basis, I would think we could all "suffer" a little inconvenience for one week of our lives.

CLICK HERE for a link to the weekly schedule of events, which includes a parade....Why not line the streets and show your support for the effort these folks do every day of their lives to make our lives safer?
Let us never forget the loss of the lives we suffered on September 11th, not only of the innocent citizens, but also the 343 NY firefighters and EMS workers that lost their lives trying to save the lives of others.

As an individual and a former firefighter, in support of the Iowa Firefighters Convention, I will GLADLY pay the weekly campground fee of ANY ONE OF YOU who feels inconvenienced by this celebration taking place in Forest City.

Feel free to PM me with your expenses, I'll put a check in the mail.
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Old 09-10-2007, 09:57 AM   #7
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I also made contact with someone at Winnebago Industries and here's somewhat of an "official" but "unofficial" take on the issue.

It's a very big area just to be set aside for our Grand National Rally and our company picnic. It can accommodate very large groups and the grounds are rented out from time to time. It brings people into Forest City, Iowa. It helps the local communities in the surrounding area and the rallies are also an opportunity to introduce rver's to Winnebago Industries.

The Iowa Fire Fighters Association is currently holding their state convention on our rally grounds. May God bless all of them!

We used to have a spot designated for owners traveling to Forest City for service on the rally grounds even though they may have been rented at the time. We had an embarrassing moment a short while back where our Winnebago owners staying on the grounds invited themselves to the convention, the food, and the party. Because of that instance, our policy has changed and we will not allow something like that to happen again. It's unfortunate since we have now upset some of our owners. There are many other camping spots in our area other than our rally grounds, but not all those may be free.

You can certainly post this information...
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Old 09-10-2007, 01:15 PM   #8
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Ptribbey: You didn't mention in your post whether you made arrangements in advance for service and accomodations or just appeared at the door.

If you did make advance arrangements I would speak to someone asking why you weren't informed that the rally grounds weren't available.

It would be nice to know the circumstances surrounding the situation. If necessary I'll have make a point to ask whether the grounds will be available the next time we make an appointment for service.
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Old 09-10-2007, 03:18 PM   #9
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rebelsbeach:
--snip--
We used to have a spot designated for owners traveling to Forest City for service on the rally grounds even though they may have been rented at the time. We had an embarrassing moment a short while back where our Winnebago owners staying on the grounds invited themselves to the convention, the food, and the party. Because of that instance, our policy has changed and we will not allow something like that to happen again. It's unfortunate since we have now upset some of our owners. There are many other camping spots in our area other than our rally grounds, but not all those may be free.

You can certainly post this information...
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>Well - there you go. A few freeloaders ruin it for everybody. You know who you are - thanks
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Old 09-10-2007, 03:50 PM   #10
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">CLICK HERE for a link to the weekly schedule of events, which includes a parade.... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I was not aware that the schedule existed on the website...Thanks. I'll be sure to check before going to FC/Winnie.

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Old 09-10-2007, 04:18 PM   #11
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It is not that I wouldn't support fire fighters, or any other group, but that is not the point. Winnebago has a factory service center that in my mind should provide some minimum of services when their customers visit. I understand Monaco, and others have full service parks for their customers.

Yes we had an appointment, but if you have one or not does not help you secure a place to park. Last night many people parked in the parking lot with no service. Many people visit the factory service center because their dealer did not provide the service, or better yet screwed it up. When these customers arrive at the factory service center and find a near total lack of support services it becomes the "last straw" and they have an ugly confrontation with factory service. Now do you think these people will ever purchase another Winnebago?

Got to say hello to Jill at the Lodge, but she was too busy to chat with us.
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Old 09-19-2007, 05:30 PM   #12
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I am thinking about going to FC because the local dealer has not been very successful in stopping my leaking slide. It has been in for service 5 or 6 times and it is still leaking. It will be a long trip for us, but if they can fix it, it will be worth it. How far in advance are they booked up for service? Does anyone know? I haven't called Winnebago yet, but plan to in the next day or so. My m/h is a 2005 model. Will it still be covered under warranty?
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Old 09-20-2007, 04:50 AM   #13
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Your slides are covered for three years under warranty. FC is the best place to fo for a slide leak as Winnebago has developed a double seal for the slides and it stops most leaks.
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Old 09-20-2007, 11:16 AM   #14
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Thudman,

That link to schedule is for the Annual Iowa Firemen's Association Convention Schedule, which is now over. I didn't find a schedule for the Rally Park. Best to call Winnebago before you go...
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Old 09-20-2007, 12:52 PM   #15
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We also were in Forest City during the Firefighters rally. We arrived mid afternoon and all spaces at the Visitors Center were taken. We spent the night in the city park and were not inconvenienced at all. It would be nice if Winnebago could fence off a little of their rally grounds for their customers as overflow for visitor center parking.
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Old 09-20-2007, 07:48 PM   #16
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I haven't been all that inpressed with my 2004 Meridian (my first Winnebago) and this will be just one more incident to send me to another Manufacturer when I get ready for my next MH. This would be worse treatment than I get from my local Winnebago dealer.
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Old 09-28-2007, 02:53 PM   #17
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I was in Forest City on 8/11 thru 8/22. I called the Service Department prior to arrival asking about an appointment because I was having several electrical problems. The Service Department told me the next appointment available would be mid October, but he told me that I could come in without an appointment and they would fix up to seven items. I elected to arrive without an appointment due to the several electrical problems. On Friday, 8/17, Security told us we had to move out of Rally Park. I checked with the Service Department and was told they were just informed that Rally Park was rented out for the next 4-5 days. I was also told we could park our RV at the Service Department (but to leave room for people with appointments, no one mentioned how many slots needed to be saved for appointments, or we could park at the Vistor's Center. We elected to park at the Vistor's Center. The following morning another Security person told us we had to get a parking permit. I told the Security person that the Service Department said I could park here and that they were not issuing parking permits. The Visitor's Center ended up issuing me a parking permit. There was a lot of confusion due to lack of communication by Winnebago Ind. I believe that Winnebago should set aside part of Rally Park for Winnebago owners who are waiting for service. Most people I have seen at rallies have a badge that ID them as part of the rally, therefore, it should be easy to see who is trying to walk in and help themselves and these people then could be escorted out of the rally.
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Old 09-28-2007, 06:38 PM   #18
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I whole-heartedly agree, all that area of the rally grounds between the lodge and the dump stations should always be reserved for service customers. And it should definitely have be the fault of the Rally organizers and not Winnebago's if some unauthorized people got into their rally.
I've heard Tiffin has a free campground for service customers and visitors and they aren't near the size of Winnebago. Guess that's what happens when you get too big.
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Old 09-29-2007, 04:52 AM   #19
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I love my winnebago, I get to take it to Forest City every so often (three times)plus other winnebago dealers in Ohio, Kentucky and Florida.
I spent a lot of money to get to run this thing back and foth to winne otherwise I would be doing somethng foolish like fishng in Flordia or hiking in the Rockys. Not to worry when I dont need winne I sill get to go to workhorse if I can fine one and this is better because they don't have any parts and I get to go back when and if the part comes in and sometimes I get to go back again becaused it was the wrong part and I don't have to be in a hurry because the warehouse caved in and it will be a while.
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Old 10-01-2007, 03:36 PM   #20
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RON55 - Sounds about right for the Winnebago Industry. They used to be very customer oriented but when they reached No. 1 Manufacturer all that changed.
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