FS 5th Gen. Full Length Roof Racks by drabbits

[KVA]

:iagree:

The rack can handle everything you throw at it - it will handle an RTT no problem.

There is no issue with the fin and reception. Going on a few years' now and no problems.

 

[WU7X]

Regarding XM I tried it for almost an hour and it worked well, no problem.

For RTT I think the roof rack will handle it without any problem.

Thanks! That is what I wanted to hear. Think I'll give myself a early Xmas present of a Sirius/XM hookup.

 

[Jhalko]

Can anyone tell me how well the XM radio antenna functions after the install of the rack? I have my rack on order, and hopefully a Hi-Lift Jack mount too. I'll be doing some extensive overlanding trips this coming summer and fall, and just think XM will work better than anything else for tunes..

I have had my rack for about 9 months, my signal is slightly weaker, but only driving West. Basically it works normal driving all other directions, but when I drive west it cuts out for a few seconds sometimes, and when I drive in canyons or under bridges it cuts out a lot. These are all areas I drove before and in a deep canyon it already didn't work. But remember I'm in the Rockies so I'm dealing with tall steep mountains. For me it's fine and since I mostly just use XM or music via Bluetooth it's obviously not that bad or I wouldn't continue to pay for it. I get the feeling I am the worst as no one else seems to notice.

 

[WU7X]

Thanks for your input Jhalko! Reinforces me plans.

 

[4fun-ar]

 

[drabbits]

Hi all,

I was late with [MENTION=117995]flygoat[/MENTION] 's order and a few others. He ordered his roof rack on August 26th and canceled on December 1st. It was a bit of a surprise because we were in communication and his roof rack was with my powder coaters.

On Dec. 3rd I ask him to give me 7 business days to refund him, but it took me 8. Since then he has received $1218, his full refund, plus another $1218 on Dec 18th due to the dispute with his credit card.

The lengthy lead time is an issue that I am making progress with and I do my best to update customers as frequently as possible.

Please understand Camelback Metal Gear is a one man show and I'm that man. All of the orders are processed by one person, it is not built by a large manufacturer.

Thank you all for being so very patient with your orders and my deepest gratitude for your support.

Alex Stibbard
[email protected]

I ordered a rack from Alex in August. As of December I had not received it. I was originally told it would take 4 weeks, but after 4 months I still had nothing. I remained patient and nice in my communications, but eventually decided that this was not someone I could do business with. I also lost confidence that I would ever receive my rack. I asked Alex to cancel my order and refund me. He told me he would(in writing), but weeks later nothing has happened. Now I have no rack and am out $1200.

I have now disputed the charge with the credit card company.

I realize Alex has been overwhelmed by his own success, but this is ridiculous. A better business would offer some sort discount or other compensation for this type of treatment. Alex just makes excuses.

Just an FYI for anyone considering ordering one...

I am not trying to flame or otherwise be negative about Alex, just telling the truth about my experience.

 

[drabbits]

uptheirons,

think you'll need to provide the pics once you have it installed.
The whole darn green screen thing didn't work, way too much green reflecting onto the roof rack.

I'll keep trying to edit what I have as time permits, but for now if anyone wants a pic, [MENTION=81573]Stifler[/MENTION] , pm me your email.

Alex just put mine on the tuck today. I may have the only known picture of this 3/4 length rack, but I'm gonna wait and let him put it up, as it is his product. as soon as i have it installed, you guys will see it in this thread.

It should be arriving at the shipping depot around the end of next week, but seeing as i work shift work i may not be able to pick it up or install it until the New Year...

 

[2chains]

Full length rack

Alex;
Any modifications coming to your full length 5th gen rack? What is current turn around time?

 

[flygoat]

Alex- all due respect but your point of view is way off base.

Here are the facts-facts that I can back up with emails directly from you.

Ordered rack Aug 26-you took my money.
You estimated delivery in 4 weeks.

September 16th I got an email from you stating that there was a delay with the powdercoater and it would push delivery out 2 weeks. So that would have been the 7th of October

I asked for an update on October 27th (after you were 20 days late) and was told in writing again that it was going to the powercoater and would be shipped out in 3-5 days...

On November 18th(again after you were weeks late) I once again asked for an update. You told me in an email you were dropping it off at the powdercoater and it would be shipped out in 4 days. The same exact BS excuse from the last time.

On December 1 (again weeks after you had told me it would ship out) I canceled the order because I no longer believed anything you told me. You are trying to tell people it was at the powercoater.. come on, you told that same story over and over for months. Give me a break. The order was canceled 14 weeks after I ordered it. That is more than 3 times as long as you advertised for delivery. That is ridiculous.

On December 3 in an email you said you would refund me my money in 7 business days. That would have been by December 12. You did not refund my money until December 16th AFTER I initiated the stop payment with my credit card company and posted on this site. It was not one day late as you stated, it only happened because you had no choice. I received one refund, not two as you suggest. Your story is just not true, period. I can prove it very easily for anyone who thinks I have some sort of reason to make this up.

You say we were in contact.. we were because I had to keep asking for updates. You told me over and over that you were going to do something then did not do it. After doing that several times I had enough. You should not have been surprised that I canceled this order. In fact in emails to me you have admitted that you were disappointed in yourself... I don't appreciate you now trying to make it sound like I was anything less than extremely patient. At the very least you should have offered some sort of discount for the situation, but you didn't bother. You did nothing to try to rectify this. Just kept my money for 14 weeks and did not deliver on anything.

I have no interest in arguing. I am simply telling the truth so that people who are using this site have all the information. You are using this thread as a marketing medium, so it is only fair for people to know what is really happening. I realize you have many happy customers, that is why I ordered from you. I also wanted to support a smaller company. However the fact that you are a one many show does nothing to help me feel better about this type of treatment.

Good luck, I hope you get your act together.

 

[uptheirons]

Alex- all due respect but your point of view is way off base.

Here are the facts-facts that I can back up with emails directly from you.

Ordered rack Aug 26-you took my money.
You estimated delivery in 4 weeks.

September 16th I got an email from you stating that there was a delay with the powdercoater and it would push delivery out 2 weeks. So that would have been the 7th of October

I asked for an update on October 27th (after you were 20 days late) and was told in writing again that it was going to the powercoater and would be shipped out in 3-5 days...

On November 18th(again after you were weeks late) I once again asked for an update. You told me in an email you were dropping it off at the powdercoater and it would be shipped out in 4 days. The same exact BS excuse from the last time.

On December 1 (again weeks after you had told me it would ship out) I canceled the order because I no longer believed anything you told me. You are trying to tell people it was at the powercoater.. come on, you told that same story over and over for months. Give me a break. The order was canceled 14 weeks after I ordered it. That is more than 3 times as long as you advertised for delivery. That is ridiculous.

On December 3 in an email you said you would refund me my money in 7 business days. That would have been by December 12. You did not refund my money until December 16th AFTER I initiated the stop payment with my credit card company and posted on this site. It was not one day late as you stated, it only happened because you had no choice. I received one refund, not two as you suggest. Your story is just not true, period. I can prove it very easily for anyone who thinks I have some sort of reason to make this up.

You say we were in contact.. we were because I had to keep asking for updates. You told me over and over that you were going to do something then did not do it. After doing that several times I had enough. You should not have been surprised that I canceled this order. In fact in emails to me you have admitted that you were disappointed in yourself... I don't appreciate you now trying to make it sound like I was anything less than extremely patient. At the very least you should have offered some sort of discount for the situation, but you didn't bother. You did nothing to try to rectify this. Just kept my money for 14 weeks and did not deliver on anything.

I have no interest in arguing. I am simply telling the truth so that people who are using this site have all the information. You are using this thread as a marketing medium, so it is only fair for people to know what is really happening. I realize you have many happy customers, that is why I ordered from you. I also wanted to support a smaller company. However the fact that you are a one many show does nothing to help me feel better about this type of treatment.

Good luck, I hope you get your act together.

In my opinion, feel free to leave the forum. Alex is doing the best he can, with the resources he has. If you want something done fast, go with a bigger company. I also waited for quite some time, ordered my rack in late August, just received it yesterday. Sometimes you have to wait for quality.

 

[uptheirons]

uptheirons,

think you'll need to provide the pics once you have it installed.
The whole darn green screen thing didn't work, way too much green reflecting onto the roof rack.

I'll keep trying to edit what I have as time permits, but for now if anyone wants a pic, [MENTION=81573]Stifler[/MENTION] , pm me your email.

I got the email from the shipping depot yesterday, unfortunately I'm away at work from the 21st until the 31st, so I'll be picking it up and installing it early January and take some pics once it's all done.

 

[mace.]

In my opinion, feel free to leave the forum.

Why should he leave the forum ??

 

[Raven]

Why should he leave the forum ??

Agreed.
If there is no longer tolerance here for differing opinions, then I think most of us would have to leave this forum!

 

[4fun-ar]

Agreed.
If there is no longer tolerance here for differing opinions, then I think most of us would have to leave this forum!

Agreed.

There's nothing wrong with people expressing their opinion or sharing their experience. Actualy Alex (and people with small businesses) can benefit from reading and responding properly to complains like this one to improve his own business practice. At the end of the day no one is perfect and one can always learn and improve.

I waited a long time also till Alex had the rack ready last week. I'm happy with the end result. However I would be happier if it was delivered sooner.

JUST MY 0.02.

 

[uptheirons]

Why should he leave the forum ??

Perhaps I'm reading too much into it, but it just seems like he's being slightly childish with his explantation of the situation. I have no problem expressing ones experience/opinions, good or bad. I agree that it helps business' develop, and helps customers make decisions. But the way he explains it seems a bit childish and petty. That's my only problem.

 

[sn_85]

In my opinion, feel free to leave the forum. Alex is doing the best he can, with the resources he has. If you want something done fast, go with a bigger company. I also waited for quite some time, ordered my rack in late August, just received it yesterday. Sometimes you have to wait for quality.

That was a rude response to someone who had a bad experience. Just because you had a good experience that doesn't mean that you should discount another persons. It doesn't matter if it's a big or small company, the moment money has exchanged hands the seller has the obligation to deliver in a timely manner and stick to their word. It doesn't matter if life gets in the way because if you think about it the buyer spent a significant amount of their life to work for the money they used to purchase an item. Would you be happy if you bought something for $1000 and it kept getting delayed because "life" got in the way? Of course not, so don't expect others to either.

Perhaps I'm reading too much into it, but it just seems like he's being slightly childish with his explantation of the situation. I have no problem expressing ones experience/opinions, good or bad. I agree that it helps business' develop, and helps customers make decisions. But the way he explains it seems a bit childish and petty. That's my only problem.

I don't see anything childish about the way the situation was explained. I'm sure there are two sides to a story and that is his recall of the situation. However, IF, in fact that is how the situation really played out then I think he explained it matter-of-factly and he would have every right to be upset. Seems that customer was pretty patient given multiple delays and even a delay in refunding his money. Being upset for having your money on hold for 3-4 months through multiple delays is not childish nor petty, it's expected.

The only thing childish and petty is you telling him to leave the forum because you share a different opinion.

 

[mdogg]

I have no interest in arguing.

Clearly....

 

[uptheirons]

That was a rude response to someone who had a bad experience. Just because you had a good experience that doesn't mean that you should discount another persons. It doesn't matter if it's a big or small company, the moment money has exchanged hands the seller has the obligation to deliver in a timely manner and stick to their word. It doesn't matter if life gets in the way because if you think about it the buyer spent a significant amount of their life to work for the money they used to purchase an item. Would you be happy if you bought something for $1000 and it kept getting delayed because "life" got in the way? Of course not, so don't expect others to either.



I don't see anything childish about the way the situation was explained. I'm sure there are two sides to a story and that is his recall of the situation. However, IF, in fact that is how the situation really played out then I think he explained it matter-of-factly and he would have every right to be upset. Seems that customer was pretty patient given multiple delays and even a delay in refunding his money. Being upset for having your money on hold for 3-4 months through multiple delays is not childish nor petty, it's expected.

The only thing childish and petty is you telling him to leave the forum because you share a different opinion.

I did put up with the same delays, we ordered around the same time and I just received the rack, delays happen. I suppose some people have patience for them and some people don't. Personally I don't mind waiting for a quality product if I have to. Obviously it's not ideal. At no point did I ever say he was childish and petty for not putting up with the delays, that was directed to his 'hope you get your act together' comment, among other comments made throughout his message.

 

[drsus]

From where I'm standing, as long as Alex updated the costumer about the delays and gave them the option of getting a refund if they were not happy about waiting, I see no harm in Alex's part. New company's run into this exact problem a lot... Underestimating demand. Once that happens they tend to "get their act together" by figuring out how to up manufacturing speed. It takes time and money. You have to give small companies a chance to grow by being more patient with them than you would be with an established one. The question is how is the company owner going to deal with the costumers. He needs to be up front and transparent about any and all hiccups and always offer a way for the costumers to back out or keep the order.
If Alex did that, then this complaint is completely unwarranted. If he didn't, then this guy hd every right to be annoyed. Either way, I'll be ordering one soon since it seems like 99% of costumers are happy with the product and service... That's all any one can go by.

 

[flygoat]

I am sorry if I came off as "childish", but can assure you I am far from a child. The bottom line is that I am telling the truth. As I mentioned in my post, I have all the communications with Alex in writing and would be happy to post them. However I don't want to waste everyone's time with all those emails. I was without question patient with Alex as my timeline indicates. My problem with Alex is that he was not honest with me, and I suspect others. I guess my fundamental principals make it difficult to understand treating customers in this fashion. Future customers should be aware of this.

Please keep in mind that I actually wanted this rack, and was willing to pay good money for it. I have now spent my time trying to warn others of how I was treated, with no upside. If that means that I should leave the forum so be it. I know my number of posts would indicate that I am a new member, however that is not true. My old user account had issues, so I had to re-sign up. I have been on here for years and have had multiple 4Runners..

Happy Holidays!