Just joined the Gobi Family...

[eddielasvegas]

Hello All,

Thought I'd post this update since I've been actively posting on Gobi racks and what to do for a rack for my T4R.

The backstory story is I liked the Gobi from the git-go, but also wanted to be sure it was the right rack taking all aspects into consideration like, price, look, function, delivery time, etc.

Anyhoo, I have been doing my research over the past 7-10 ten days (while waiting for an update on the Gobi GB update thread). There are some nice racks out there and some are way cheaper than Gobi (like Rola) that would provide some function of the Gobi and others are more Gobi like with a price closer to Gobi, but ultimately decided a Gobi Stealth (with light bar) was the way to go.

Well, since the GB fell by the wayside as did the BF discount, I had resigned myself to wait for the next discount.

But, just a few mins ago my phone rings with Gobi calling about a message I left just before Thanksgiving.

After the nice lady (Alyssa) answered my questions, I asked if I could still qualify for the BF discount since my call (sorta) qualified me as a potential customer. She checked with her manager and they said sure.

So I just ordered a Stealth (with light bar) rack with no sunroof. Delivery is 4 months out which I'm totally okay with since my card is not charged until shipped.

Thanks for reading this long winded post and a BIG thank you to Gobi.


Eddie

 

[Quantumkiwi]

I'm not a fan of Gobi. Personally, I'll pass on overpriced racks that use their huge profit margin to sue all other smaller similar rack companies out of business.

 

[JohnMc]

I'm not a fan of Gobi. Personally, I'll pass on overpriced racks that use their huge profit margin to sue all other smaller similar rack companies out of business.

Yeah, that put a very sour taste in my mouth as well.

It seems to be a very vague patent they're trying to enforce. IIRC, any rack that is made to bolt directly to the roof of a given vehicle?

No doubt it's all legal and proper, it's just enough to turn me away.

 

[Twan]

I will never purchase a Gobi product even though they're local after I saw their behavior and business practices play out in that thread.

 

[JohnMc]

For reference (with a surprise covert guest appearance in post 192!): http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/203660-roof-rack-controversy-gobi-vs-whitson.html

 

[mtbtim]

I've heard all about the drama surrounding Gobi suing other rack builders and putting them out of business. It sounds like there's a decent amount of documentation to warrant all the hating towards this company.

However, I have to admit Gobi makes a really nice roof rack and they provide some of the best install instructions I've seen from an off-road company. While most companies leave you guessing with no instructions or poorly written ones, Gobi takes the guesswork out by providing detailed instructions with pictures. I know this because I helped a friend of mine install a Gobi roof rack on his 5th Gen 4runner.

Would I personally spend that much for a Gobi roof rack? No, I wouldn't. But, there's lot of people who will regardless of the controversy surrounding them. Gobi is going to be around for a long time. Maybe some day someone with deep pockets will call their bluff and take a patent lawsuit the whole 9 yards and then we'll see if everyone's hating was legit or Gobi was right all along to protect their intellectual property.

 

[Bijan]

I had one made for 1/2 the cost

 

[heat]

I've heard all about the drama surrounding Gobi suing other rack builders and putting them out of business. It sounds like there's a decent amount of documentation to warrant all the hating towards this company.

Whitson and Gobi reached an amicable agreement, if you read the GoFundMe thread.

 

[eddielasvegas]

How dare they!!!! It seems Whitson is a THOT for the all mighty dollar just like the rest of us. #METOOGOBI

I wonder if this means Quantumkiwi and Twan will now buy a Gobi?

Eddie

Whitson and Gobi reached an amicable agreement, if you read the GoFundMe thread.

 

[Twan]

Twan will now buy a Gobi?

**** no.

 

[Quantumkiwi]

**** no.

Amen. Infidel Garage seems to do some quality custom work though. Been considering getting one. And it seems they are a small, honest company.

 

[bocita1282]

Gobi roof rack

Ordered mine in April, got it early August. Great rack but the customer service is meh.

 

[T4R2014]

Isn't Gobi that company run by wankers?

 

[eddielasvegas]

I looked at Infidel. I liked their racks and story, but their prices were high compared to what I got with Gobi.


Eddie

Amen. Infidel Garage seems to do some quality custom work though. Been considering getting one. And it seems they are a small, honest company.

 

[TacoLand]

Hello All,

...

Eddie

Congrats with the purchase. Years ago I tried to get a Whitson one but then the lawsuit broke out, online drama, etc., and I just put it on the back burner. They reached a supposedly amicable arrangement, so I spoke with Gobi to kind of feel them out and ended up putting in an order. Got a discount and some extra features, less time than the group buys on here, and have been extremely happy with my rack ever since. Sucks that their (previously?) lousy business practices have besmirched the Gobi name in certain circles, but I drive and use my truck in the real world so I've never caught anything for it. Yet another reason to stay off the internet I guess, ha!

 

[Mgyver1]

Whitson and Gobi reached an amicable agreement, if you read the GoFundMe thread.

I don’t consider “forcing Whitson to give a canned response to anything negative about Gobi that he was tagged in” being amicable, it’s called bullying. I would’ve looked at Baja Racks, Prinsu, Front Runner or Eezi-Awn personally if I were in the market.

Vive le Whitson!

 

[eddielasvegas]

That's a nice rack.

This Gobi is rated load weight is 600 lbs. static and 300 lbs. dynamic. What's yours rated?

Hard to say for sure since the pix are not from the same viewpoint, but me thinks you got exactly what you paid for.


Eddie

I had one made for 1/2 the cost

 

[Bijan]

650 / 350

 

[T4topher]

That's a nice rack.

This Gobi is rated load weight is 600 lbs. static and 300 lbs. dynamic. What's yours rated?

Hard to say for sure since the pix are not from the same viewpoint, but me thinks you got exactly what you paid for.


Eddie

Not sure if you knew this but I just thought I’d point it out. We are in the 3rd gen t4r section of the forum FYI.. Your 4runner & rack looks good though, I’ll stay out of the whole controversy lol..