Slee slider decision (new version step sliders) (1 Viewer)

[hoser]

Packaging right here....

I installed Slee Offroad LX570 sliders, here's how it went

It took a couple of months of being on the waiting list, but they finally came this Friday. This is absolutely a DIY job - but it wasn't without challenges. Also, be warned: this is dirty job. My truck had probably 3-4 pounds of mud underneath. I can still taste dirt. My hope is that this...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[GTV]

Sliders are huge and extremely heavy, shipping is going to reflect that. It’s the nature of the beast.

 

[x8o8drifter]

Looking at all the other offers for sliders, not sure I'd be able to justify an average of $200 on just shipping/packaging for sliders.
WhiteKnuckle/BudBuilt $200 for shipping.
Dissident is also super expensive. Like $475 if you don't have a forklift.
Only $300 if you do have one.

I think its the freight shipping seems so fkn expensive.
Some things for sure should be shipped with it. I don't think sliders are one of those.

 

[VR6GURU]

Sliders are huge and extremely heavy, shipping is going to reflect that. It’s the nature of the beast.

Yes of course. I buy large items for the type of work that i do. Most recently had a massive refrigerator freighted from Georgia to LA and it was a couple hundred bucks plus and an additional fee to have it dropped of by a lift-gate truck. Just seems excessive that the fee has been $400 for all of us in various parts of the country.

 

[hoser]

Looking at all the other offers for sliders, not sure I'd be able to justify an average of $200 on just shipping/packaging for sliders.
WhiteKnuckle/BudBuilt $200 for shipping.
Dissident is also super expensive. Like $475 if you don't have a forklift.
Only $300 if you do have one.

The Slee/Dissent target market is different than WK/Budbuilt. That said, I was just about to pull the trigger on some Budbuilt armor for a different vehicle and all the prices went up since Sunday. My suggestion for anybody in the market for sliders/armor is to pull the trigger now before prices go up... if they haven't gone up already.

 

[okoverland]

I was super hesitant to the pay the shipping, but in the end I'm glad I did. I will say the packing was crazy good.

This is my front skid plate and formed step sliders:

 

[sleeoffroad]

The real issue with the shipping is it includes packaging materials as well as the LTL shipping cost. If we built those cost into the slider cost, then everyone locally would be screwed in paying packing charges. Also the product price would then not be comparable to competitors products and we would get complaints about that. If we include the cost of packaging and labor for that into the product cost, we will loose sales on that front due to product cost.

Just for some data, the foam we use to do the instant foam is $6k for a set of Part A and Part B drums. That is a huge part of the cost but unfortunately the only thing that works. Add to that the customer pallet (gone up about double in the last 18 months) and a custom box. Before you are said and done you have about $150 into packing materials, not counting labor to do it.

I am all ears to hear what people suggest how to handle it or what would be better. LTL freight has also gone up drastically. You can get cheap rates if we strapped it to a standard pallet, no coating and hope it makes it. However to get a box that size delivered with parts that the consumer expects to be in perfect condition when they receive it is not cheap.

The best savings are from combining multiple items on the same order since the boxes does allow for more items to easily be included and not change the shipping that much.

 

[ed94r]

The real issue with the shipping is it includes packaging materials as well as the LTL shipping cost. If we built those cost into the slider cost, then everyone locally would be screwed in paying packing charges. Also the product price would then not be comparable to competitors products and we would get complaints about that. If we include the cost of packaging and labor for that into the product cost, we will loose sales on that front due to product cost.

Just for some data, the foam we use to do the instant foam is $6k for a set of Part A and Part B drums. That is a huge part of the cost but unfortunately the only thing that works. Add to that the customer pallet (gone up about double in the last 18 months) and a custom box. Before you are said and done you have about $150 into packing materials, not counting labor to do it.

I am all ears to hear what people suggest how to handle it or what would be better. LTL freight has also gone up drastically. You can get cheap rates if we strapped it to a standard pallet, no coating and hope it makes it. However to get a box that size delivered with parts that the consumer expects to be in perfect condition when they receive it is not cheap.

The best savings are from combining multiple items on the same order since the boxes does allow for more items to easily be included and not change the shipping that much.

Understood and sympathize with the compromise. Not being argumentative for sure...but how many shipping caused defect claims caused you to do the A+B foam solution? Perhaps are you answering a question that was not asked? I've never seen something so comprehensively packed, and I use to work in the heavy industrial power transmission industry where all we would do was strap it onto a pallet, shrink it with the accessories, and ship it. These were $$$$$ and thousands of pounds each.

Again, not being argumentative, just curious why the packing would very much survive a drop from a second story building. Willing to learn.

 

[sleeoffroad]

A lot depends on the carrier you use, but it is only as good as the driver / dock worker that loads / unloads. Typical is forks stuck through boxes by forklift drivers, dropping from trailers etc. Hence all the TIP indicators both inside and outside. That is the only way we can be assured to hold the freight company liable if they do damage it.

It was not daily occurrence, but enough to go to this route. Resolving a damaged item due to mishandling took weeks, customer is normally not happy and not to count the cost associated with replacing items etc. When not packed like that it is very easy for them to just deny a claim and then we are out more $'s.

Is it overkill, yes, but we feel it is part of what sets us aside. Unfortunately it comes at a cost. It really sucks when you do your best to produce the best quality product only to be damaged by someone or something out of your control.

 

[WMan84]

A lot depends on the carrier you use, but it is only as good as the driver / dock worker that loads / unloads. Typical is forks stuck through boxes by forklift drivers, dropping from trailers etc. Hence all the TIP indicators both inside and outside. That is the only way we can be assured to hold the freight company liable if they do damage it.

It was not daily occurrence, but enough to go to this route. Resolving a damaged item due to mishandling took weeks, customer is normally not happy and not to count the cost associated with replacing items etc. When not packed like that it is very easy for them to just deny a claim and then we are out more $'s.

Is it overkill, yes, but we feel it is part of what sets us aside. Unfortunately it comes at a cost. It really sucks when you do your best to produce the best quality product only to be damaged by someone or something out of your control.

Tried to call you guys today, left a voicemail. Trying to source step/sliders for my 96 80-series.

 

[Exiled]

Think of this scenario. You buy your sliders from Slee, then have them shipped/packaged cheaply (if this was an option) and roll the dice. You get them delivered, they look a little scuffed but seem OK. You schedule time to get them installed, only to discover that one or more of the mounting brackets got tweaked during shipping. Now you have to figure out how to repair them, either DIY (heat, BFH, etc..) or enlisting a local fabricator. What should have been an easy DIY Saturday that would have you out on the trails on Sunday just became a multi-day ordeal, with potential additional costs. I understand why Slee sends their stuff the way they do, it's more expensive to non-locals but yields a much better customer experience.

BTW, this is more common than you think, I've had to return OEM Toyota parts bought from dealers that basically shoved them into a cardboard box with little to no packing material, more than once.

 

[dealmaker]

Maybe discounted shipping to one address in greater LA area on a group buy?