What is up with vendors these days? (1 Viewer)

[Kelevra]

We have been trying to build our GX for about 2 months. I have a list of needed items.
Front and Rear Bumpers, Sliders, Roof Rack, Rear Ladder. We have called, emailed, PM'ed, etc.
Rarely do we get a response, sometimes we get an answer, however, it is a canned response which does not answer our question.

I then need to ask the same question again and wait for a response, sometimes weeks. Some venders we are told to call and ask for "this person". It usually is a hectic, mad employee that answers who will state
"They are too busy to talk", like I am trying to sell them a timeshare or something.

Never in my life has it been so difficult to try to purchase some items. Is this the nature of people today?
Are these companies "part time", are there no employees, maybe a mom and pop shop?
Are they overwhelmed and don't want more business?
Finally, Anyone here have a go to company who actually does what they say, in a timely manner?

We really do not know what to do? Maybe just keep our old 4Runner and move on.

 

[James C]

Sorry for you troubles, it can be frustrating to rely on others to help build your passion. That being said, we’re a small community. Check out the Mud numbers:

Mud

• James C
• Jul 28, 2018

Small community means low demand which makes it hard for “cottage” vendors. I think we’re lucky to even have options available to upgrade our rigs. People like @Vlad who started earlier were basically on their own.

Not making excuses for anyone, but in my experience a niche market is an exercise in patience. Lucky for us the 120 platform is so capable stock!

 

[estoddart]

I bought our GX back in October and it's now 80% built to where we had our 80 series. The options are for sure more limited from the 80 market or the T4R market but not as bad as you are experiencing.
in just over 6 months we have:
Lift - Iron Man FCP from Metal tech
Wheels/Tires - Stealth Custom Series/ Discount Tire
Ditch lights - CBI brackets/ Rigid lights
Electronics - Switch Pro's 8100 controller
Power Tray - under hood mounting platform, ARB compressor
RockSteady Motorsports - Full aluminum skid plates
OrangeBox - Rear Molle storage
Roof rack and ladder - Gobi
Sliders - OPOR Metal Tech
Front bumper - Pelfreybilt
Dobinsons Rear drawer system - from Treaty Oak offroad

Not trying to brag here just give you some ideas of where you can get what. Also check out the GXOR faceBook group. a lot of venders are more involved with that page rather than this one I feel.

Good luck.

 

[little_joe]

If you can't get info pre-sale, just think how fun it'll be post-sale if you have any issues.

That said, there are indeed great companies to work with. I would buy from MetalTech, Slee, CruiserOutfitters without blinking an eye - great products and superb service. I am sure some of the more niche vendors for our 470's fall into this category as well, I personally have no experience with them. I have had experiences with some who I'll never buy from; if they're the only game in town, their "service" will give (and has given) rise to competitors.

Patience also helps - not in waiting for them, but in finding alternatives or waiting for alternatives to develop. Unless you have a Jeep, "building" a rig isn't like going to Walmart where one trip nets everything you need.

 

[GXO]

Many of the new GX lines are just ramping. Meaning, no stock. Make to order. I have seen the RAPID growth of GX aftermarket in the last two years bring a lot of new vendors with new products to the market. Some don't know the platform as well as they should, some have figured it out and are just buried in volume. It is the nature of a "new" truck to the offroad scene. I have had good luck with calling, being patient, and having conversations. If you are planning a trip and order a part or upgrade a week before you leave...you don't understand the nature of a truck build. You will be disappointed. If you think it is as easy as amazon, you will also be disappointed. A lot of the people you talk to are also the guys laying down a bead on the weld for your bumper. I would rather wait to catch up with them than to see them rush a fab job and have it suck.

 

[Bluetribal]

I can understand not being available by phone every time a call comes in but there is No Excuse to not get back to a Customer by e-mail within a day or two.

It had been a big month for off-road events and these vendors are busy showing off their goods at the events. And the customer contact does seem to be moving more to social media so you might try to get questions answered that way. And post up your questions here I’m sure one of us has bought what you are looking to buy.

 

[Kelevra]

I bought our GX back in October and it's now 80% built to where we had our 80 series. The options are for sure more limited from the 80 market or the T4R market but not as bad as you are experiencing.
in just over 6 months we have:
Lift - Iron Man FCP from Metal tech
Wheels/Tires - Stealth Custom Series/ Discount Tire
Ditch lights - CBI brackets/ Rigid lights
Electronics - Switch Pro's 8100 controller
Power Tray - under hood mounting platform, ARB compressor
RockSteady Motorsports - Full aluminum skid plates
OrangeBox - Rear Molle storage
Roof rack and ladder - Gobi
Sliders - OPOR Metal Tech
Front bumper - Pelfreybilt
Dobinsons Rear drawer system - from Treaty Oak offroad

Not trying to brag here just give you some ideas of where you can get what. Also check out the GXOR faceBook group. a lot of venders are more involved with that page rather than this one I feel.

Good luck.

Thanks, Some of you listed companies are the ones not returning calls or emails.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

They are on the trails testing new gear

 

[Kelevra]

Many of the new GX lines are just ramping. Meaning, no stock. Make to order. I have seen the RAPID growth of GX aftermarket in the last two years bring a lot of new vendors with new products to the market. Some don't know the platform as well as they should, some have figured it out and are just buried in volume. It is the nature of a "new" truck to the offroad scene. I have had good luck with calling, being patient, and having conversations. If you are planning a trip and order a part or upgrade a week before you leave...you don't understand the nature of a truck build. You will be disappointed. If you think it is as easy as amazon, you will also be disappointed. A lot of the people you talk to are also the guys laying down a bead on the weld for your bumper. I would rather wait to catch up with them than to see them rush a fab job and have it suck.

I have tried calling and being patient. No, I do not expect the items in a week, not at all. I just expect a call back, an email, a response, something. I understand it is not Amazon. We have built several "off Road" rigs over the years. I believe you run a GX group, I recall your name, just can't place it. It is possible you might get better response because of your position? Lastly, I am fine waiting for a product, the problem seems to be not being able to order something up.

 

[Kelevra]

If you can't get info pre-sale, just think how fun it'll be post-sale if you have any issues.

That said, there are indeed great companies to work with. I would buy from MetalTech, Slee, CruiserOutfitters without blinking an eye - great products and superb service. I am sure some of the more niche vendors for our 470's fall into this category as well, I personally have no experience with them. I have had experiences with some who I'll never buy from; if they're the only game in town, their "service" will give (and has given) rise to competitors.

Patience also helps - not in waiting for them, but in finding alternatives or waiting for alternatives to develop. Unless you have a Jeep, "building" a rig isn't like going to Walmart where one trip nets everything you need.

Yes, I am sure it would be great! NOT. I will contact your listed companies, Thanks!

 

[Kelevra]

I have tried calling and being patient. No, I do not expect the items in a week, not at all. I just expect a call back, an email, a response, something. If they truly are buried in volume, tell us so. I understand it is not Amazon. We have built several "off Road" rigs over the years. I believe you run a GX group, I recall your name, just can't place it. It is possible you might get better response because of your position? Lastly, I am fine waiting for a product, the problem seems to be not being able to order something up.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

I’ve order online many times without contacting them first. The order sometimes is fast and arrives within a week. The order is sometimes delayed and takes 3 weeks.

I’ve been fortunate to do my research online and then I know what to order online. I’m not that needy that I need to talk to a real person and confirm all the details of the parts and order.

If all customers were that needy or unsure, these shops would be on the phone all day and wouldn’t get any work done and would need to close shop!

I’m just curious, why can’t you order online? Why you have so many questions that you need to talk to a live person? The world is moving to online purchase with no humans to order or ask questions. Even google is developing technology to carry a conversation with a human and answer questions.

I’m just in a bad mood today! Lol

 

[Kelevra]

I’ve order online many times without contacting them first. The order sometimes is fast and arrives within a week. The order is sometimes delayed and takes 3 weeks.

I’ve been fortunate to do my research online and then I know what to order online. I’m not that needy that I need to talk to a real person and confirm all the details of the parts and order.

If all customers were that needy or unsure, these shops would be on the phone all day and wouldn’t get any work done and would need to close shop!

I’m just curious, why can’t you order online? Why you have so many questions that you need to talk to a live person? The world is moving to online purchase with no humans to order or ask questions. Even google is developing technology to carry a conversation with a human and answer questions.

I’m just in a bad mood today! Lol

Wow, really? First, I am not needy and need to speak to a person. When I contact the company to purchase an item, they give me the phone number and ask me to contact them .... to order it. Second, some of the venders ask you to email them prior to ordering.

Third, If I do have a question it is 1 or 2 at the most. Usually, time frame to receive. Or, they say for GX but call first. So, basically I do what is asked of me.

I don't live on the mainland all year, only for the summer months, Just trying to get items ordered and delivered, while I am here with the car. My complaint is it shouldn't be this hard to do.

 

[GXO]

I don't think it should be this hard...but the boutique nature of the platform sometimes drives that.

 

[little_joe]

@Kelevra I'm with you. If I am buying a $70 commodity part (as I recently did), buying online w/ no human interaction is fine. If I'm buying a $700 piece of work, or a $1700 suspension or bumper, I generally have some questions I want answered or at least something confirmed. If a vendor can't take a few minutes for that, I can't take a few minutes to give them hundreds or a thousand+ dollars.

I see this in the field I work in. There are a lot of great engineers; however, a great engineer doesn't guarantee a good businessman.

As far as anyone making excuses for these vendors, I call BS. If they're backed up, out doing testing or promotion, or whatever - a simple email autoresponder; or note on their voicemail, or (gasp!) a banner on their website takes a minute to set up. Noone is so busy they cannot do that, unless customer experience simply isn't high on their list.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

I disagree. I’ve purchased a front bumper for the 80 from Slee and I would have been perfectly fine ordering online except you couldn’t and I had to call the order in about 10 years ago. I had zero questions. I know it fits the 80.

So, it’s not the amount that matters. I also ordered the opor sliders, TC UCAs, spring conversion kit, rear shocks and springs for the GX470 and I had zero questions. I just order online from metal tech.

Anyways, I have a permanent residence and get deliveries here anytime, so I don’t have special needs to arrange deliveries within time constraints.

I’m just glad there are parts to build the gx470.

 

[Kelevra]

I don't think it should be this hard...but the boutique nature of the platform sometimes drives that.

@Kelevra I'm with you. If I am buying a $70 commodity part (as I recently did), buying online w/ no human interaction is fine. If I'm buying a $700 piece of work, or a $1700 suspension or bumper, I generally have some questions I want answered or at least something confirmed. If a vendor can't take a few minutes for that, I can't take a few minutes to give them hundreds or a thousand+ dollars.

I see this in the field I work in. There are a lot of great engineers; however, a great engineer doesn't guarantee a good businessman.

As far as anyone making excuses for these vendors, I call BS. If they're backed up, out doing testing or promotion, or whatever - a simple email autoresponder; or note on their voicemail, or (gasp!) a banner on their website takes a minute to set up. Noone is so busy they cannot do that, unless customer experience simply isn't high on their list.

Thank you for your opinion, I couldn't agree more! The GX is not always a straight order and be done. Almost every Vendor wants you to email or call for specifics.

 

[Kelevra]

I disagree. I’ve purchased a front bumper for the 80 from Slee and I would have been perfectly fine ordering online except you couldn’t and I had to call the order in about 10 years ago. I had zero questions. I know it fits the 80.

So, it’s not the amount that matters. I also ordered the opor sliders, TC UCAs, spring conversion kit, rear shocks and springs for the GX470 and I had zero questions. I just order online from metal tech.

Anyways, I have a permanent residence and get deliveries here anytime, so I don’t have special needs to arrange deliveries within time constraints.

I’m just glad there are parts to build the gx470.

Yes, I am glad too. However, most vendors want to speak to you on ordering for a GX. On a good note today, I was able to source some sliders. Guess what? The vendor wanted to speak to me, Prior to ordering. I was able to speak to him and we are good to go.

Small items that are are easy to order, no problem. I just order them up and wait. Larger items, say $1000.00 and up, they want to speak to you. My UCA's, needed a response from the vendor, After I ordered them on his site. Same with my suspension, which arrived yesterday after 7 weeks.

Have a great weekend, Take care.

 

[Formations]

If you're interested in a roof rack, I'll return your messages and ship quickly I've got a couple of options either 3/4 or full length. I'm waiting on the wind deflectors before I post them for sale. Should have them this week. Pm me if you're interested

 

[Webguy]

With very small businesses, sometimes there are definitely circumstances outside their control. Family emergencies, natural disasters, etc. I know that isn't likely the majority of the communication issues but something to take into consideration.

Here in Texas, it took weeks, if not months for some small businesses to get back on their feet after Harvey last year. A large number of people in Houston are still not back in their homes even now 11 months later. I know one of the Mud vendors that I ordered from a couple of weeks ago has had evacuate to escape on the large wildfires currently ravaging California.