Why did you choose ATC over FWC

[Star152]

To all of the members who bought an ATC............
Why did you ?
I'm sitting on the fence and can go either way.....
How about a top 5 reason list......

Thanks can't wait to hear from all of you............

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

They make a model that fits my Tundra just right.
And their customer service is terrific.

 

[Waxer]

Happy ATC Owner

I chose ATC because:

1. of the the collective experience and integrity of ATC team
2. they use stouter material to build stronger frames
3. lower base price and options price
4. I knew who - specifically - was going to building my camper
5. Ben called or emailed back promptly every time I had a question, etc.

Don't waffle... pull the trigger before their prices go up in September.

 

[cabezon23]

I still don't have my camper, but I do compare the prices

I was just doing a price comparison a few weeks ago between the ATC and FWC.
The result is an Excel Sheet, that I just can't upload to this site.
But you can still see it here: http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pAjqhoIbaPKPvTLHz9SBANQ

For the camper I am looking for I would spend $1,235.00 less for an ATC than the FWC.
Now, there is a saying "you get what you're paying for", but I never read or heard anything negative about any one of these campers.
Being a professional shopper (it's called purchasing manager) I usually look for:
- price
- quality
- availability & delivery times
- customer service

Food for thought

 

[flinchlock]

Great spreadsheet, BUT, FWC had a price increase July 16, 2007.

(FYI: ATC will have a price increase Sept 1, 2007)

It is possible to copy/paste that Google spreadsheet into a regular Excel spreadsheet. It just takes some minor tweaking to fix formatting, etc.

The FWC refrig is 2.0 cuft (not 1.9 cuft), and FWC also have a 3.0 cufu refrig.

The FWC Solar Panel is now 85 watt ($740) instead of 50 watt ($560).

Mike

 

[benburnett]

Why ATC

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who answered this thread, I really appreciate you taking the time to do so.

I hate to sell a camper just on price. Either company will give you a great product for a fair price. FWC has more opitons to offer and that neat couch that everyone likes.

We offer a solid product and our customer service can not be beat.

Either way though, you get a great product, a great resale value down the road and a way to enjoy your camping experiences that few people get to experience.

If you have any questions, feel free to call anytime.

 

[Marc]

#1. Superior customer service

#2. Price. At the time of my order ATC had a great promotional incentive which aided me in saving almost $2900.00 over a comparably equiped FWC.

Marc

 

[flinchlock]

My main reason is expressed best by Clark Beattie of Santa Cruz, California on the ATC web site...You answered all of my questions and truly worked with me on the options that I needed, not just the ones that were for sale.

#2 Ben's (and company) reputation as mentioned many many many times on this forum.

#3 Quickly returning my emails and phone calls.

#4 Willing to do some custom tweaking on my Cougar.

#5 Price.

Notice, Price is last!

Mike

 

[benburnett]

Price is last

Mike,

Thank you for that one. I like that price was last on the list. Hate to think that when we raise prices that we will lose all our customers.

 

[cabezon23]

Why not to choose ATC

I guess the title is a little misleading and I can't see any reason not to choose an ATC.

The price issue aside and assuming that the quality is the same, there are a few reasons why I chose (got that right, I ordered my Bobcat a few days ago) ATC over FWC:

- Ben is not a sales person. He gave me all the options with all the pros and cons for each and everyone. In case of doubt, don't take it (his words in essence), most of the stuff can be added on later.

- ATC is willing and open to all special requests

- ATC will deliver where ever you are. At least in the US, I didn't ask about Canada or Mexico. I'm close to Miami, Florida, so this is a long drive to deliver a camper. ATC charges $0.75 per mile delivery, both ways.

- This is what Steven Alexander from FWC replied to my question about delivery to Florida:

We do not deliver all the way to FL, we do have a shipment coming up
that is going out to LA, and I can probably convince the boss to take it
a little closer as we usually will only go as far as eastern TX. Not
sure exactly how close, I will find out and let ya know. Delivery would
be around $1400 to take it out to LA. Is there any possibility of
meeting up in LA?

Please feel free to contact me with any questions, I would be glad to
help out any way I can.

Thank you,

Steven Alexander
Fourwheel Pop-up Campers / Six-Pac Campers


- ATC is the smaller company, they still have to build up their reputation and name, and more campers. If they screw up with just one camper and don't provide adequate customer service dealing with the issue, we would find out. Guess what would happen next .....
One unhappy customer for ATC can cost them the production of one month or more. One unhappy camper from FWC might cost them the same amount of customers, but the production of only a few days. Percentage wise the impact is much more severe for ATC than for FWC.
It takes many many happy campers to build a good reputation, it takes only one unhappy customer to bring it down.

- FWC has been in this business for how many years? 30? ATC is still in diapers compared to that. Competition is good, it helps us as the consumers to get the best quality for the price. ATC is still not a serious competitor for FWC, but once it grows it might be.

- Last but not least, SUPPORT THE LITTLE GUYS!

I buy the bicycles and parts for my family at the local bike shop. I might pay $50.- more for the bike than ordering it online. But these $50.- are my contribution to his shop for being there on a Sunday morning on my way to the local trail.

ATC is not around the corner for me, still not. But if my decision to get an ATC promotes their product on the east coast and serves as an incentive for others on my side of the US to get one. Then, maybe, one day, I might get my local ATC dealer.

It might be interesting to read what FWC has to say on this topic. Why choose a FWC over an ATC?

 

[benburnett]

Ben is not a salesman

Cabezone,

I have to thank you for that one. That is probably the highest compliment that I can ask for in my line of business.

One correction to your post. Our delivery fee is .75 a mile one way, not both ways.

Thank you again for the great post.

 

[cabezon23]

Now you got me confused! Not really.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the way I understood the $0.75 per mile is to bring the camper to Florida, and then to get your truck back to California. I guess I didn't put that clear enough on the last post.

It wouldn't make sense otherwise, only if you sold the truck here.

So, in my case it's a 6200 mi round trip, that's a looooong ride. Especially on the way back without the camper.

 

[benburnett]

milage

No, the .75 a mile is just charged to get the camper out to you. We don't charge anything for us to drive back without the camper. In your case if the mileage you put up is right the charge would be .75 for 3100 miles or 2325.00 for delivery.

I have done a cost for delivery of the camper and the .75 a mile one way as I described above will just cover our cost of fuel, lodging and meals to take the camper to you and get home. I don't see a reason to try and make a profit off of delivering a camper to a customer. If the customer is happy they will sell many campers for us over the years and even if we lost a little on the delivery it will be made up over time.

 

[Marc]

No, the .75 a mile is just charged to get the camper out to you. We don't charge anything for us to drive back without the camper. In your case if the mileage you put up is right the charge would be .75 for 3100 miles or 2325.00 for delivery.

I have done a cost for delivery of the camper and the .75 a mile one way as I described above will just cover our cost of fuel, lodging and meals to take the camper to you and get home. I don't see a reason to try and make a profit off of delivering a camper to a customer. If the customer is happy they will sell many campers for us over the years and even if we lost a little on the delivery it will be made up over time.

Thats customer service par none.

Marc

 

[chnlisle]

Hey I have an idea. Why dont we set up a network to relay the camper cross country. We'll all get to use it and break it in. I promise I wont treat it like a rental car.

 

[Sam]

If you have the time, I can't think of a better way to break in your new camper than to drive out, visit Ben and the gang and then drive back with your new ATC, taking in all the sights along the way!

 

[cvc]

Why?

We researched campers for a couple of years (RV shows, sportsman shows, FWC factory three times) and even went to Pendelton Oregon to get a used Alaskan camper to try truck camping before taking the plunge on a new one.

I found ATC by pure luck. Driving by, I stopped to ask the price of a refurbished Keystone sitting in the yard. I was at the first ATC factory! It didn't take long to figure out who I wanted to do business with.

1. Ben and Marty were more than willing to answer all of our questions, and we had a BUNCH!

2. ATC was willing to build the camper we wanted. They added a window, a radio with antenna, and a solar panel, no problem.

3. Workmanship and quality of of their products.

4. Price (some what). We ordered in December, so ATC paid the taxes. Other than that, the prices were pretty close.

5. Integrity and honesty. When you ask a question they tell you the truth, not something to sell you a camper.

6. They stand behind their product 100%!

All this adds up to GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!

 

[Quint]

My Take

I bought the ATC because of the following reasons.
1. Extended bed is standard. I own the Bobcat and i easily have more than four feet of standing room behind the bed even with bed fully extended. I need to measure but it's spacious.

2. The extra 4" of width combats any chance of claustrophobia.

3. The bed has 4" cushions. I've lost count of the times I've laid down and awoken not even intending to fall asleep because it's so comfortable.

4. ATC delivered to me in Kansas City.

I find myself enjoying the camper more and more as time goes by. Ben answers the phone anytime and provides un-beatable customer service. I can't recommend this product enough. Currently, I'm the only owner on the east coast but I'm sure that's going to change, quickly.

 

[flinchlock]

Currently, I'm the only owner on the east coast but I'm sure that's going to change, quickly.
Can I ask you (and other members) to indicate where you live?

Click on "User CP" (CP = Control Panel)
Click on "Edit Profile"
Scroll down to "Where you live"
Please fill in whatever info you are comfortable with, ie: City & Sate, or just State, or Mid-West, or the Moon, or ...

Mike

 

[chnlisle]

OK but Im not including my ATM password,