2/23/2024 Update: I consider the issue to be resolved. While I ultimately received a partial refund for the numerous issues documented here, I still consider the net $1168 I paid for an unfinished, partial product shipped to me 8 months after order to be unsatisfactory. I would not recommend working with Nomad until they can sort out the many execution and communication issues of their small business, particularly on products ordered and paid in advance with shipping. I wish Zac and his business best of luck in their continued operations.
Have been holding out on making this thread, but have decided it's time.
I've been in the process of purchasing an FJ60 rear swing-out from Nomad Cruisers, run by Zac Gross. I believe he is a member here, and some on the forum have had success in dealing with him specifically on seat covers/upholstery work. As a known vendor to the community, I had comfort ordering an advance product from him, however my patience has run out with lack of communication and as of this date, no product delivered. Although I'm a disgruntled customer, my intent for the thread is not to cast stones, but to hopefully connect and see if any others here are still waiting on product(s) from Zac and what recourse I (or we collectively) have to be made whole in case I'm being scammed. My ideal outcome would be to receive what I paid for and we all move along with our lives.
For partially my own purposes, I've kept a timeline transcribed below and will update if this continues to develop:
I ventured in to this prepared to allow plenty of time and grace for a small business that supports the Cruiser community, but even with that, the pattern above is unacceptable in my opinion. At every single point of this process, Zac has not kept his word.
Hoping to hear from some others and reach a fair and timely resolution.
Have been holding out on making this thread, but have decided it's time.
I've been in the process of purchasing an FJ60 rear swing-out from Nomad Cruisers, run by Zac Gross. I believe he is a member here, and some on the forum have had success in dealing with him specifically on seat covers/upholstery work. As a known vendor to the community, I had comfort ordering an advance product from him, however my patience has run out with lack of communication and as of this date, no product delivered. Although I'm a disgruntled customer, my intent for the thread is not to cast stones, but to hopefully connect and see if any others here are still waiting on product(s) from Zac and what recourse I (or we collectively) have to be made whole in case I'm being scammed. My ideal outcome would be to receive what I paid for and we all move along with our lives.
For partially my own purposes, I've kept a timeline transcribed below and will update if this continues to develop:
- 4/30/23: Product announced on Instagram (nomad_cruisers), but still in development
- 5/7: Product announced on Instagram available to order with "5-6 week" shipment timeframe
- 5/19: I order the swing-out via their listed email, and pay invoice for $1,040 (swing-out, powdercoat, and tax) via PayPal. Shipping to be paid at later date, est. $200 range.
- 5/23: I request confirmation my payment was received and I am in line for production,
- 5/24: Zac replies confirming above
- 7/6: After no communication since invoice was paid, I email for an update at the 6-week mark
- 7/10: I email again after no response, and Zac states production is running behind due to some "problems"
- 8/3: I email again for update at 10-week mark
- 8/4: I email again after no response
- 8/7: Zac replies that they are waiting on powdercoating, but no shipping ETA yet
- September (I don't have specific dates): Call the Nomad Cruisers listed phone number (appears to be Zac's cell), leave voicemail (x2). On third try over a couple-week period, Zac answers and says they're still working through production but should be ready to ship the first week of October.
- 10/24: After no updates, I call the Nomad Cruisers number and Zac replies via text to answer questions. I ask for shipping update, he replies the swing-outs are in from powdercoat and ready to ship. He asks for my name to make sure I am first to send out, with shipping bills going out Friday, 11/3. Given this update, I decide not to pursue a payment claim with Paypal within their stated time-frame.
- 11/3: I text Zac requesting update on shipping, no response
- 11/6: I call Nomad Cruisers phone and speak to Zac, claims the swing-outs are ready to ship but need to be packed/palleted which will take some time. He is also taking the remainder of the week off due to a family emergency.
- 11/13: I text Zac requesting update on shipping after waiting a week due to his request, no response
- 11/14: I text Zac requesting update on shipping, he replies they are still prepping for shipping, and he will call me Monday, 11/20. We proceed to have the text conversation posted below where I express my concerns. The picture provided does not show powder coat which I was told was done in October.
- 11/27: After no updates, I text Zac for shipping update and pictures (no response), as well as call (no answer).
- 11/27: Received call back from Zac, still are working on shipping but quotes came in at $650. Offered to ship it at that cost or wait until he finds another vendor.
- 12/4: After no updates, I receive invoice for $445 (more than double original shipping estimate).
- 12/5: I call Zac to verify shipping cost and he claims it is the lowest possible cost. I ask for pictures of the completed product which he promised over 3 weeks ago, and he claims he won't send pictures since the product is boxed up and is not willing to open it. Against my better judgment, I pay the invoice to then receive tracking information (promised tracking info 12/6). He claims UPS should pick up "right away." I verified with Zac the contents of the shipping, and he corrects that he is not including "mounting hardware for the whole bumper" that was described in the original post, only hardware for the swingout itself.
- 12/11: After a week, tracking has not updated with no pickup or delivery ETA. He claims UPS will pick up Friday, 12/15.
- 12/15: I call Zac at 5PM my time after no tracking update, and he claims he missed the UPS pickup time, but finding a workaround.
- 12/16: Tracking updates with estimated delivery 12/21
- 12/22: Product arrived with lots of issues - not powdercoated, not boxed and therefore damaged from shipping, missing hardware/pieces, etc. Trying to work with Zac for UPS claim before deciding next steps/post.
- 12/29: Call with Zac to discuss resolution list from shipping damage and issues. Refund for powdercoating cost promised via Paypal by Friday 1/5.
- 1/8/24: Did not get an update or Paypal refund on Friday 1/5, called and left voicemail. Zac replies via text that all missing items going out "this week".
- 1/14: Received $100 powdercoating refund via Venmo. Remaining items not shipped yet, sends me text they're going out Monday 1/15.
- 1/17: Text Zac to confirm missing items went out as I was told, no response.
- 1/18: Text Zac, no response.
- 1/19: Text Zac, he claims the rest of my shipment is with local shipping office and has not yet gone out. Claims if not sent on Monday, 1/22, he will separate my items from his bulk of shipments with the office and send to me individually.
- 1/24: (Wednesday) Text Zac for update, tracking number provided but package was not shipped Monday as promised.
- 1/29: Replacement items still not shipped.
- 1/31: Tracking updated with "Damage Reported" and no other information or ETA.
- 2/5: Request update from Zac, no response.
- 2/7: Update from Zac covered here
- 2/12: Spoke with Zac and agreed on a $200 refund to cover the missing items, and I will keep the partial product I received so far. Zac commits to the refund coming by Friday, 2/23.
- 2/23: Received $200 refund from Zac, he also says he's sending a replacement bumper end cap.
I ventured in to this prepared to allow plenty of time and grace for a small business that supports the Cruiser community, but even with that, the pattern above is unacceptable in my opinion. At every single point of this process, Zac has not kept his word.
Hoping to hear from some others and reach a fair and timely resolution.
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