But I waited so long Gobi...not metal cancer!

[Okki]

Just a general observation in that most of the vendors making product for the 4Runner are providing a very niche-market product. This means two things: as consumers we should expect to be patient and Vendors should be customer service focused.

If consumers do not want to work with vendors, they will simply stop making product and focus on higher volume markets. By the same token, vendors should realize they have a very loyal market providing they are willing to work with the consumer and stand behind their (generally more expensive) products.

I'm glad I waited on my Gobi and Shrokworks sliders and will gladly wait for my eventual Shrokworks bumper. It always makes me feel good when I see members here understand the relationship we have with the vendors or our favorite products and both sides are willing to work on a mutual beneficial solution when an issue arises. It pays to remember these products are generally hand build and thus will have the occasional issue.

Can't wait to see some pics of the non-rusty rack loaded on the next trip shawn719!

Okki

 

[joneseyyy]

#1 I am glad Gobi is showing such good character and customer focus in how they are addressing the issue and we are lucky to have people like them as part of our community.

Secondly I will say that I have experienced a little bit of powdercoat failure in small spots resulting in a little rust on my Bajarack. A tiny bit on welds to the grated floor, and the rest probably caused by cargo loading/offroading.

My solution: remove the rack once a year and wire wheel the rusty areas to clean them up, prime with rust inhibitor primer, and re-spray the rack with bedliner spray. I may try line-x on it next year as I hear that stuff holds up especially well.

 

[shawn719]

#1 I am glad Gobi is showing such good character and customer focus in how they are addressing the issue and we are lucky to have people like them as part of our community.

Secondly I will say that I have experienced a little bit of powdercoat failure in small spots resulting in a little rust on my Bajarack. A tiny bit on welds to the grated floor, and the rest probably caused by cargo loading/offroading.

My solution: remove the rack once a year and wire wheel the rusty areas to clean them up, prime with rust inhibitor primer, and re-spray the rack with bedliner spray. I may try line-x on it next year as I hear that stuff holds up especially well.

Having a few spots here or there or mars/scrapes from loads, for me, is to be expected. If given the choice, I would want to receive the rack bare and take it to a local Line-X shop for coverage.
Of course, if the option is only to have coated, then there is no need to start off with coating failure, epsecially if widespread.
Okki said it best with the balance of understanding between customer and vendor. For Gobi, they have always been good at getting back to me - in a reasonable amount of time. I know we want something fixed here and now - but there is a process and hardly ever immediate.
Just like my experience with Shrockworks, Gobi has stood up and backed the product. For me, this builds loyalty - the product is solid cut/built, yes, sometimes with a flaw. The flaw is corrected by the vendor and the product stands on it's own.
I cannot ask for more.

 

[Natey]

For the money they charge, it should be done right the 1st time. Niche or not. It's a metal basket that sits on top of your car, and it costs 1500 bucks if you spring for the 200 dollar ladder.
This ain't rocket science, and if no one looked close enough to notice this stuff before shipping...hmmm.

 

[Michigander]

Thank you Shawn for posting this. After I read your post I went out to check my rack since we received our racks about the same time.

Bad news is my rack is even more rusty that yours, I live in CA so the first rain the rack has seen was a week ago.

I will post pics when I get them off my phone.

I will be calling GOBI today.

 

[GrantK]

Thank you Shawn for posting this. After I read your post I went out to check my rack since we received our racks about the same time.

Bad news is my rack is even more rusty that yours, I live in CA so the first rain the rack has seen was a week ago.

I will post pics when I get them off my phone.

I will be calling GOBI today.

Your photos show the problem. The powder coating was applied way to thin. A sign of a cheap job, trying to save money my not using enough material.

 

[Stifler]

man I was a strong advocate for GOBI. Have used them on a few Jeeps... but this silly ass wait time and now shotty powder coating is enough to sway me to BAJA.... that and I saw both side by side and actually like the BAJA half rack look better.... hope this all get worked out for you guys

NOTE: interesting the rust in right where the diamond platform is... was this under load and rubbing on the tubes?

 

[TOYSTRY]

For the money they charge, it should be done right the 1st time. Niche or not. It's a metal basket that sits on top of your car, and it costs 1500 bucks if you spring for the 200 dollar ladder.
This ain't rocket science, and if no one looked close enough to notice this stuff before shipping...hmmm.

I'm glad Gobi is sending a replacement but I agree with Natey. When you spend $1,500 on something, you have an expectation that the product you're purchasing is going to built right "the first time". With two customers now posting major rusting, it shows a lack of "quality control and oversight" before the product is shipped.

The other thing troubling is that Gobi is unwilling to ship bare metal racks. Based on their inability to ensure quality control of the "outsourced powder coating", you'd think they would be all over sending raw metal racks with a warranty disclosure that the owner can't ask for a return/replacement in the future for rusting. I personally wouldn't want a powder coated rack from Gobi or Baja, as I'd have mine LINE-X'd like many others here.

Food for thought....

 

[Michigander]

man I was a strong advocate for GOBI. Have used them on a few Jeeps... but this silly ass wait time and now shotty powder coating is enough to sway me to BAJA.... that and I saw both side by side and actually like the BAJA half rack look better.... hope this all get worked out for you guys

NOTE: interesting the rust in right where the diamond platform is... was this under load and rubbing on the tubes?

Nope, the powder coat sprayer missed the tube because the mesh was in the way, they didn't try to hit it from different angles to make sure it was completely coated.

Same thing on the back where the light tabs are.

We will see what GOBI says. Their powder coater sure is costing them a lot of money here.

 

[shawn719]

Thank you Shawn for posting this. After I read your post I went out to check my rack since we received our racks about the same time.

Bad news is my rack is even more rusty that yours, I live in CA so the first rain the rack has seen was a week ago.

I will post pics when I get them off my phone.

I will be calling GOBI today.

Keep me updated. I would like to compare notes on this.
I am still holding out that Gobi will deliver as promised (2week wait for my replc to ship). They've done right by me so far (besides coating flaw) so I'd like to think they will continue to stand by their product.
Single point of failure for Gobi as their outsource is sucking away their profit margin and potential customers. Again, the "bones" are great but the "skin" is the failure. Hope Gobi is able to adjust and move to correct serious deficiency.
I live about 7 hours from them. I should plan a long weekend road trip to see them and the area. I've always wanted to visit Colorado and now that my work has brought me west this may be the time.
S

 

[Sputnik]

Man I really wanted to buy a rack like Gobi's for some time now. We like to go camping, and a of our gear doesn't fit inside. I am a form believer in buying the best. Buy it once, pay a premium, but then you have no worries.

From these posts I can say I will not buy anything Gobi. I dot want to be "maintaining" annually metal that rusts lol.

Same bad news for shrockworks bumpers! I saw a newer, maybe 2 years old tops Nissan xterra with a BADLY rusted out shrockworks bumper.

I'm not sure I will have trust in these sponsored vendors on this site.

Not trying to bash anyone here but like others said, Yakima racks cost much cheaper and last longer... It's a no brained really

Thank you Shawn for posting this. After I read your post I went out to check my rack since we received our racks about the same time.

Bad news is my rack is even more rusty that yours, I live in CA so the first rain the rack has seen was a week ago.

I will post pics when I get them off my phone.

I will be calling GOBI today.

 

[Okki]

From these posts I can say I will not buy anything Gobi. I dot want to be "maintaining" annually metal that rusts lol.

ANY metal needs maintenance or it will rust (eventually); whether it be a Yakima, Gobi, or the truck itself. For that matter; plastic needs to be maintained as well to counter act weather and IR light damage.

Everyone needs to make their own decisions (and I'm not criticizing yours) but I've been very happy to date with my Gobi and shrokworks products and they are holding up as expected based on my usage of them and the maintenance I perform on them.

Just something to consider.

Okki

 

[shawn719]

...From these posts I can say I will not buy anything Gobi. I dot want to be "maintaining" annually metal that rusts lol.

Same bad news for shrockworks bumpers! I saw a newer, maybe 2 years old tops Nissan xterra with a BADLY rusted out shrockworks bumper.

I'm not sure I will have trust in these sponsored vendors on this site.

Not trying to bash anyone here but like others said, Yakima racks cost much cheaper and last longer... It's a no brained really

I feel compelled to update post as I have no reason to doubt Gobi's commitment to standing by their product and customers. (Well, until I am proven otherwise).
I checked in with Gobi today (via email) and within 15 minutes had a response from Sandra assuring me replacment rack is on order.
IMHO Gobi is providing me access to a unique product, fitted to my 4R, with both form and function, (and looks cool too :thumb3: ). I have yet to have regret - even with the rust. The rust is an issue, but the issue is in the process of being resolved.
Yakima is a good product but the product line is generic in nature and carries the "one size fits all".
I am confident Gobi will adress the coating issue and get things in order.
S