Goshen Not Selling Out ?

Ejs4029 · 05-16-2019, 02:26 PM

I was under the impression that the the Goshen Rally was the hottest ticket in town and used to sell out every year and it was an accomplishment to get a golden ticket that doesn't seem to be the case anymore....Just curious on opinions to why it's losing it's popularity.

A32Deuce · 05-16-2019, 02:30 PM

I think one reason is only doing free repairs on only 2 year old units. I could be wrong, but after they started that the amount of rigs going seemed to drop.

llr · 05-16-2019, 02:40 PM

last year they also had website issues that took awhile to get resolved and i think many people thought it was sold out. I went last year but seems like it was over a week before I knew if I had a ticket.

Service was nice but i would have went either way as it was our 1st time. Not sure if we will go back, not really us but mainly the trains 24x7.

dblr · 05-16-2019, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llr

Service was nice but i would have went either way as it was our 1st time. Not sure if we will go back, not really us but mainly the trains 24x7.

Trains??? There are trains at Goshen

SimchaSabre · 05-16-2019, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llr

last year they also had website issues that took awhile to get resolved and i think many people thought it was sold out. I went last year but seems like it was over a week before I knew if I had a ticket.

Service was nice but i would have went either way as it was our 1st time. Not sure if we will go back, not really us but mainly the trains 24x7.

You should go again. Just download a
"train sounds" app and go into training. Just like any other "Extreme" sport.

spock123 · 05-16-2019, 06:47 PM

I really think the free service got most people. Now you only get free service if your camper is two years old and then only two items plus some other restrictions. It’s a long drive for most people, the free service was what pulled people in. Some people would leave once they got the free service. But it cost Forest River a lot to shut the lines down for a week, the free service was bound to go away. Don’t get me wrong the Cedar Creek factory has been very good to me but not at the rally. I have no complaints from the service I have had from Forest River. I have been twice to the rally, last year I got no free service. We had a good time, we meet some old friends. The price is not a problem, no campground price is a problem after paying $200 bucks a night at Fort Wilderness. If you get a chance by all means go. A rally by and large is not for us. I’m planning on being in Shipshewana during the rally and hopefully go out to eat with friends that are going. I hope the rally fills up. Bob and Cindy spend a lot of time planning the rally. The rally doesn’t just happen it takes a lot of planning and Bob does a great job

SimchaSabre · 05-16-2019, 07:50 PM

Forest River IS very good to their customer base and it was only natural that as the International Rallys began, FR wanted to get involved in a big way. The problem as I understand it is that became difficult and, yes, costly to maintain. Some people showed up with older 3rd or 4th owner units to flip. I am also aware of some FR dealers, telling their potential customers of the "Life Time" FROG warranty. So some things had to change just to control the abuse. As a result, those whose participation was driven by the expectation of free service, will no longer be interested.

Business model changes are inevitable. Even RiseN'Roll has gone corporate and is no longer family run and as a result, they no longer make some of the items we would go there for. We still shop there, but, now we have to buy our Fried Pies at E&S.

ForestWalker · 05-16-2019, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llr

Not sure if we will go back, not really us but mainly the trains 24x7.

As we used to say at work, “The railroad never sleeps, but we do take a lot of naps.”

**dcheatwood** · 05-16-2019, 08:39 PM

I went once and it was nice but there's many other places to go.

A32Deuce · 05-16-2019, 09:01 PM

The small rallys are a lot of fun. We have been to the International twice. I like the small ones much better.

spock123 · 05-16-2019, 09:14 PM

We weren’t many feet from the railroad tracks and I didn’t hear the train. Unfortunately the free service probably cost half the people going. I didn’t think there would be any free service at all this year at the rally. It was really all about the free service, I have heard people complain about the food, about the no sewer and paying the same price as the people who got full service. I don’t think there was many complaints as long as the free service was going on. If you go it’s a fun trip once. I hope to meet a few friends around Goshen during the rally

McRabbet · 05-17-2019, 04:50 PM

I went to the International Rally in 2017 and had a good time despite being alone. I had a new Rockwood 2304DS, but did not have any issues that required factory service. Surprisingly, I still have not needed any RV service or have I had any warranty problems in the ensuing 2 years. I have attended smaller FROG rallies last year (Peach and BamaGanza) and will return to Peach and go to Williamsburg this year. Looking forward to some good times, but not planning on Goshen.

spock123 · 05-17-2019, 06:12 PM

I’m at a Cedar Creek club rally in Pigeon Forge TN now. Met a lot of nice people here and I’m going to be in Shipshewana during the rally with one or two Cedar Creek members

doc73 · 05-17-2019, 07:12 PM

I agree that the allure of the rally is there for the experience. While the cost is not ridiculously high I think it is or has reached the top of its bell curve. But I agree the lowering of the "free" repairs IMO killed it for those that needed or wanted to rely on the service.

I know the purist in me wants to believe the rally was more than just for the service but I am not believing that one bit. While people do meet new friends or see those friends most are packed in like a sardine with 800 people they do not know and if they cannot get that free work they will stay home.

aceinspp · 05-18-2019, 06:39 AM

I and DW attended the International rally in 2015. We also had a new camper and never really thought when we attended that free service was available. We had a great time there and met some new friends and did a lot of site seeing. we said it was a great experience and yes 800 campers is a bit over whelming. We decided that once was good and said let other folks have a chance to go. I may return if it continues one day. Later RJD

The Newsoms · 05-19-2019, 09:35 PM

We went last year and had a good time. It’s a long drive from Arkansas so we aren’t going this year. Maybe next time.

RKNOLA · 10-08-2019, 03:30 PM

No service for older than 2 years was a new concept. Some didn't mind it...some did. Maybe FROG could try something new next year and let all like models park together (even if no service is offered). It might be a way to change things up a bit and get some previous attendees interested again. Kind of a way to meet other owners of the same RV you own. If attendance is down anyway what have they got to lose???

aceinspp · 10-08-2019, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKNOLA

No service for older than 2 years was a new concept. Some didn't mind it...some did. Maybe FROG could try something new next year and let all like models park together (even if no service is offered). It might be a way to change things up a bit and get some previous attendees interested again. Kind of a way to meet other owners of the same RV you own. If attendance is down anyway what have they got to lose???

Parking like models together does not help promote the concept of seeing what other folks have and what FR has fo offer. Later RJD

kenandterry · 10-08-2019, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aceinspp

Parking like models together does not help promote the concept of seeing what other folks have and what FR has fo offer. Later RJD

And.....great new friends might not travel in the exact same circles of recreational vehicles, so why not mingle with everyone. If you’re interested only in units like your own.....arrive together and you’ll be side by side.

SlowrideHD · 10-08-2019, 07:08 PM

You don't have to be packed like sardines in a can without 50 Amp service or a sewer hookup to meet new friends! Go to any nice state park...we are currently at Gulf Shores for at least a month...walk around your loop and talk to dozens of new folks with all sorts of different rigs and experiences. Meet your neighbors and share stories! Go out to eat at dozens of quality restaurants or fire up your grill.
I suppose the allure of walking through vendor tents may have some appeal to those new to rv lifestyle but for those that have camped for 50 years, its just the same old. I gave Goshen a shot to see what it was about. Once was enough of that experience for us both.
The couple of seminars were helpful to a lot of people that were not familiar with all aspects of their rig. And of course a couple years ago when they were fixing everything in sight, that was a tremendous plus. Without that draw...I just don't see the pros outweighing the cons. I suppose if you like to drink and party, that may attract a crowd that enjoy that.

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