View Full Version : ARGH Poor Customer Service, Truck Bumper
kawiracer14
06-20-2014, 11:32
I ordered a new off-road bumper for my truck on May 2nd and was told it would be to me in 4 weeks. I called again after 3 weeks and they said they had no idea when it would get done but to call again the next week. I called at the beginning of June and was told June 30th it would ship. I emailed Monday and am now told that they haven't even started production yet and they're not sure when it will be done.
I'm going to the FJ Summit July 12th and have been waiting to lift my truck until I got the bumper so I could install lights, a winch, and have the alignment correct. Now I won't even have the bumper in time.
I emailed the owner and he basically said if its here in time we'll get it to you, otherwise you'll get it when you get it.
Great fucking customer service. Thanks for telling me when I gave you two grand that you had no fucking clue when the bumper would be ready and I should probably spend my money elsewhere. I'm happy to support forum vendors that have a good reputation but this is complete bullshit. 7 weeks after you take my money and you still haven't started production and you don't have a timeline. Get fucked.
tl;dr - Don't sell products you can't deliver in a reasonable amount of time and then tell the customer to get fucked when they're pissed about it.
ThunderSquirrel
06-20-2014, 11:37
That really sucks.
I know most manufactures make the bumpers on demand.. but that is a hell of a lead time.
kawiracer14
06-20-2014, 11:41
That really sucks.
I know most manufactures make the bumpers on demand.. but that is a hell of a lead time.
I was fine with a one month lead time. I was fine with a two month lead time. Now I have an appointment with Slee Offroad to do all this work and no bumper to go with it.
They said they could bring the bumper to the Summit and install it as they're a sponsor but that means bringing truck back to Slee afterwards to install winch, lights, and re-do the alignment (another $145) with the new bumper.
Colorado_Outback
06-20-2014, 11:44
....when I gave you two grand that you had no fucking clue when the bumper would be ready and I should probably spend my money elsewhere..
2G's for a front bumper? Wow.
Cancel your check and come on down to Springs. I have a CNC plasma table and weld for a living, Ill have you sorted out in a week for 2G's.
6/10 on the rant rating.
crashdown
06-20-2014, 11:50
Went through the same thing with my custom front bumper.
You haven't even gotten to fun part when you go to whatever trucking hub to pick it up.
Mine was shrink wrapped to a pallet about half the size of the bumper, and it looked liked it had been through hell.
All the edges were dented (very thick steel), the paint was scraped off everywhere, looked like shit.
Many more months of the manufacturing company blaming the freight company, the freight company blaming the manufacturer for poor "packaging", all I ended up getting was a case of black spray paint for all the damage.
hurley842002
06-20-2014, 11:59
Forum vendors on this forum?
HBARleatherneck
06-20-2014, 12:16
Forum vendors on this forum?
I caught that too, we want to know. you really should out the company regardless. save somebody here from getting screwed around. for $2000 you could have bought a mig and a jd2 and built you own. (well maybe you would have spent more, but you would have it)
ThunderSquirrel
06-20-2014, 12:37
Definitely out the vendor. +1
I ordered my bumper from FabFours through Bullhide 4x4 in Ft. Collins. They had it shipped to their shop within 2 weeks, and it was in pristine condition even after coming freight.
I did the install myself because front bumpers are stupid easy, at least on a silverado. The hardest part is getting them even and level before you tighten them down. It is for sure a 2 or 3 man job. Removal of the old and install of the new was done in 2.5 hours.
crashdown
06-20-2014, 12:41
This was mine:
http://www.tacticalarmorgroup.com/
Great price and product... wait time and shipping BS ruined a good deal.
Martinjmpr
06-20-2014, 13:10
This was mine:
http://www.tacticalarmorgroup.com/
Great price and product... wait time and shipping BS ruined a good deal.
Oh, God, not TAG! That's the old Kennesaw Mountain company that screwed over so many people. There's a reason their custom bumpers are 2/3 the price of everyone else. I've had two bumpers made for my 4runners, a tube bumper for my '99 made by Scotty at Addicted Off Road and a plate bumper for my (current) '07 made by a kid in Basalt who I thought was going to start his own business, but I haven't heard anything more from him. Which is too bad because I thought he did a great job on my bumper and he made it for what I considered a very reasonable price (about $750.) He even installed it after I drove to his shop in Basalt.
Martinjmpr
06-20-2014, 13:12
To the OP: I believe Scotty at Addicted Off Road in Greeley now has a 120-platform bumper that may fit your FJC. Give him a call and see. I was really impressed with his work and he's a great guy to deal with. http://www.addictedoffroad.com/
kawiracer14
06-20-2014, 13:17
2G's for a front bumper? Wow.
Cancel your check and come on down to Springs. I have a CNC plasma table and weld for a living, Ill have you sorted out in a week for 2G's.
6/10 on the rant rating.
$2000 is the bumper, sliders and shipping. The sliders are actually done so I can get those.
It's not a vendor on this forum - he is on the FJC and Tundra forums. I actually have a Tundra, not an FJC, but Tundras are allowed at the Summit. He has great reviews and people seem to love his product but two months of waiting and not even knowing when your stuff is going to be ready is bullshit.
kawiracer14
06-20-2014, 13:18
Went through the same thing with my custom front bumper.
You haven't even gotten to fun part when you go to whatever trucking hub to pick it up.
Mine was shrink wrapped to a pallet about half the size of the bumper, and it looked liked it had been through hell.
All the edges were dented (very thick steel), the paint was scraped off everywhere, looked like shit.
Many more months of the manufacturing company blaming the freight company, the freight company blaming the manufacturer for poor "packaging", all I ended up getting was a case of black spray paint for all the damage.
I ordered bare metal and was having it shipped directly to Line-X in Denver so they could spray it and I wouldn't have to deal with the powder coating being destroyed on the way here from California.
kawiracer14
06-20-2014, 13:24
Definitely out the vendor. +1
I ordered my bumper from FabFours through Bullhide 4x4 in Ft. Collins. They had it shipped to their shop within 2 weeks, and it was in pristine condition even after coming freight.
I did the install myself because front bumpers are stupid easy, at least on a silverado. The hardest part is getting them even and level before you tighten them down. It is for sure a 2 or 3 man job. Removal of the old and install of the new was done in 2.5 hours.
The Vendor is Demello Offroad. I hate people bitching about vendors on forums before they try to resolve stuff but when the OWNER wrote back to me this morning and said if it's done on time we'll get it to you, otherwise nada I was livid.
I'm having several sets of lights and winch put on as well and I'm not comfortable trying to do this stuff on a brand new truck so I'm just having Slee do it when they put the lift on.
Expedition One has a similar bumper in stock ready to ship so I'm going to try to get a solid date out of Demello, otherwise cancel the bumper and buy from ExpOne.
blackford76
06-20-2014, 13:25
next time use MtnMan.
Colorado_Outback
06-20-2014, 13:26
$2000 is the bumper, sliders and shipping. The sliders are actually done so I can get those.
It's not a vendor on this forum - he is on the FJC and Tundra forums. I actually have a Tundra, not an FJC, but Tundras are allowed at the Summit. He has great reviews and people seem to love his product but two months of waiting and not even knowing when your stuff is going to be ready is bullshit.
That makes a lot more sense.
I 2nd Scotty at Addicted. All my friends who have his products are pleased with the quality and service.
I just built mine from scratch ;) I think it cost me just over $200.
46223
hurley842002
06-20-2014, 13:32
That makes a lot more sense.
I 2nd Scotty at Addicted. All my friends who have his products are pleased with the quality and service.
That's who will be doing the solid axle swap on my Taco, whenever those funds become available lol.
kawiracer14
06-20-2014, 13:57
Just placed a call to Sales Lady and said have good news for me on Monday or the order is canceled.
HBARleatherneck
06-20-2014, 14:00
looks good, and you can answer the question "who made your bumper" with pride.
I just built mine from scratch ;) I think it cost me just over $200.
46223
hurley842002
06-20-2014, 14:03
looks good, and you can answer the question "who made your bumper" with pride.
Agree.
I miss having the means to build my own stuff, much cheaper, funner, and rewarding.
Picked up material last week for mine.
Just need time and a bottle of argon
Martinjmpr
06-20-2014, 14:29
I think I've heard similar stories about Demello over on the 4runner forums. The stories all seem the same: A promised delivery date that goes by without a word, phone calls not returned, excuses, excuses, and eventually they get the product but the whole process has kind of soured them on the vendor. One reason I prefer to find a local vendor, not only do I think they're more responsive, but you don't get raped on shipping costs. It's one thing to order a set of shocks and pay $10 for shipping but the shipping on a bumper has got to be, what, almost 1/3 of the cost of the bumper itself? Couple hundred dollars at least, isn't it? [Rant1]
SamuraiCO
06-20-2014, 14:32
I have seen Slee's work for a buddies Land Cruiser. I am having them do bumpers for my Tundra in the near furure.
kawiracer14
06-20-2014, 14:48
I think I've heard similar stories about Demello over on the 4runner forums. The stories all seem the same: A promised delivery date that goes by without a word, phone calls not returned, excuses, excuses, and eventually they get the product but the whole process has kind of soured them on the vendor. One reason I prefer to find a local vendor, not only do I think they're more responsive, but you don't get raped on shipping costs. It's one thing to order a set of shocks and pay $10 for shipping but the shipping on a bumper has got to be, what, almost 1/3 of the cost of the bumper itself? Couple hundred dollars at least, isn't it? [Rant1]
$220 to ship the bumper and sliders, which I didn't think was that bad.
It sounds like some guys on the FJ Forum are having a very similar experience.
Another thing that pissed me off is someone on the FJ forum asked him for the lead time on one of his bumpers and he said it was two weeks. No I understand he may have some of those in stock so he only needs to powder coat or whatever but why the fuck can he have an FJ bumper ready in 2 weeks and its been 7 weeks for me and its just steel sitting at the laser cutter.
Martinjmpr
06-20-2014, 14:55
$220 to ship the bumper and sliders, which I didn't think was that bad. I agree, not terrible but if you can find a local fabricator, you could get the same thing w/o the $220 shipping fee and it sure wouldn't cost you $220 to drive to wherever the fabricator is to get it.
Another thing that pissed me off is someone on the FJ forum asked him for the lead time on one of his bumpers and he said it was two weeks. No I understand he may have some of those in stock so he only needs to powder coat or whatever but why the fuck can he have an FJ bumper ready in 2 weeks and its been 7 weeks for me and its just steel sitting at the laser cutter.
I think a common issue with a lot of shops is that they are started by guys who are good at fabricating, but not necessarily good at running a business. Also I think they are often in a feast-or-famine situation, so if they are getting ready to work on your bumper but a big order comes in for something else, they drop your job so they can do the bigger job and they figure they'll do yours "when they get around to it" since they've already got your money. Not that they're necessarily out to screw anybody but that "customer service" isn't a big priority for them the way it would be for a more established retailer.
tmleadr03
06-20-2014, 16:33
Well I am glad I read this post. I had no idea about the FJ Summit. Now I do. And I will be going.
ZERO THEORY
06-20-2014, 17:01
Toyota? Use Slee next time.
ZERO THEORY
06-20-2014, 17:02
I have seen Slee's work for a buddies Land Cruiser. I am having them do bumpers for my Tundra in the near furure.
Your buddy's name isn't Lorin, is it?
2G's for a front bumper? Wow.
Cancel your check and come on down to Springs. I have a CNC plasma table and weld for a living, Ill have you sorted out in a week for 2G's.
6/10 on the rant rating.
Your next project could be building me some bumpers for the Dodge! [Beer]
Check out Fentonites front Taco bumper, Mtn.man and son's made it.
ratraxinc.com
hurley842002
06-20-2014, 17:41
Check out Fentonites front Taco bumper, Mtn.man and son's made it.
ratraxinc.com
I know I'm off the pig roast list, but that bumper is bad a$$! Great work indeed!
I know I'm off the pig roast list, but that bumper is bad a$$! Great work indeed!
Hm, ya maybe getting closer to Back On the list.
looks good, and you can answer the question "who made your bumper" with pride.
Yes... Yes I can. I am about to referbish it. It's been used well and deserves some love. Thanks for the compliment. It sucks that the OP is having issues. I do hope things get worked out.
hurley842002
06-20-2014, 19:32
Hm, ya maybe getting closer to Back On the list.
Lol
kawiracer14
06-21-2014, 22:04
Well I am glad I read this post. I had no idea about the FJ Summit. Now I do. And I will be going.
It sold out in a day this year so make sure to pay attention to the FJ forum for next years
Sent from my fancy pants mobile device
kawiracer14
06-21-2014, 22:05
Toyota? Use Slee next time.
Sleep is doing all the work on the truck but I didn't like the look of the ARB bumpers they had for my truck.
Sent from my fancy pants mobile device
tmleadr03
06-21-2014, 23:18
It sold out in a day this year so make sure to pay attention to the FJ forum for next years
Sent from my fancy pants mobile device
So no room? That sucks.
I know I'm off the pig roast list, but that bumper is bad a$$! Great work indeed!
We may have to have our own since I got the old heave ho from the list too. Probably off of the customer bumper list too. Fuggit!
I was fine with a one month lead time. I was fine with a two month lead time. Now I have an appointment with Slee Offroad to do all this work and no bumper to go with it.
They said they could bring the bumper to the Summit and install it as they're a sponsor but that means bringing truck back to Slee afterwards to install winch, lights, and re-do the alignment (another $145) with the new bumper.
How about if you go to the Summit and place a big sign on your truck where your bumper should be telling everyone how much money you spent on the bumper that you ordered months ago and it's still not there.. I would at least suggest to the company in question that this could be a real possibility if they do not get it to you before hand.
kawiracer14
06-22-2014, 21:56
How about if you go to the Summit and place a big sign on your truck where your bumper should be telling everyone how much money you spent on the bumper that you ordered months ago and it's still not there.. I would at least suggest to the company in question that this could be a real possibility if they do not get it to you before hand.
Friend of mine suggested the exact same thing. I called the sales girl on Friday and said you have to have a good answer Monday or I am canceling my order. Well see what they say tomorrow otherwise I'm ordering a bumper from expedition one. They have them in stock ready to go.
Sent from my fancy pants mobile device
kawiracer14
06-23-2014, 21:21
Update. Somehow they magically got the laser cutter to get their shit together so my bumper is supposed to ship on Monday from Cali to Line-X to get coated and then I'll be taking it up to Slee to get the work done. Fingers crossed everything is on time.
Should have bought a Chevy, then you wouldn't need to replace the flimsy bumper yours came with!
ThunderSquirrel
06-24-2014, 17:42
Should have bought a Chevy, then you wouldn't need to replace the flimsy bumper yours came with!
Unless someone backs into your chevy.
ruthabagah
06-24-2014, 18:14
Should have bought a Chevy, then you wouldn't need to replace the flimsy bumper yours came with!
+1! And that's the only part on a chevy that won't be recalled! [Sarcasm2]
Unless someone backs into your chevy.
what if they pull forward into it?
+1! And that's the only part on a chevy that won't be recalled! [Sarcasm2]
At least they have government money to back them! I've got that going for me I guess!
I always like the old 8" oil field pipe bumpers. The only finish is a good coat of rust. No muss. No fuss.
kawiracer14
06-24-2014, 19:21
Should have bought a Chevy, then you wouldn't need to replace the flimsy bumper yours came with!
That's cute. I had a Chevy before this truck. Both bumpers were dented when I traded it in.
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