Long/Misleading Lead Times on GOBI racks.

[DFWPhotoguy]

I just got off the phone with them...Ordered October 14th, 2020. Was told that it will be end of April to mid May before my order is in. They are only getting to August orders now. Ive been calling and emailing since I hit week 16 but finally today got a response.

I totally get it, covid screwed things up and delayed things..but thats not 16 weeks...thats not 20 weeks..that 30 freaking weeks. Thats 7 months. And they have the audacity to not give any freaking updates..to not update their site with realistic lead times and to not try and take care of the customer at all.

We all kinda know what we are getting into when we do this but the "we have thousands of people in the same boat" message means what, they have a minimum of 1.6-2.2 million bucks they collected that they are purchasing raw materials from and making interest on? I could have used that money to invest in GME, make my bank, get out and buy the factory these things are made in apparently.

I know the margins are good...because this thing is apparently coming from China so the Gobi USA thing is another crock of shit...designed in USA but outsourced to the same damn factory in China as everyone else. "We are updating our CRM system to better communicate" well...you have the cash reserves...freaking deploy it while yall sit on around and ignore communicating or being realistic with folks.

If this thing has a single shitty weld or crappy spot on the powder coating I'm going to chat with Amex before I even waste time with these guys...I will afford them the same level of communication as they have done for us.

Super disappointed, should have known better but figured maybe 20 weeks max...which is exactly where I am at this week. The dumbass is I.

 

[MStudt]

I just got off the phone with them...Ordered October 14th, 2020. Was told that it will be end of April to mid May before my order is in. They are only getting to August orders now. Ive been calling and emailing since I hit week 16 but finally today got a response.

I totally get it, covid screwed things up and delayed things..but thats not 16 weeks...thats not 20 weeks..that 30 freaking weeks. Thats 7 months. And they have the audacity to not give any freaking updates..to not update their site with realistic lead times and to not try and take care of the customer at all.

We all kinda know what we are getting into when we do this but the "we have thousands of people in the same boat" message means what, they have a minimum of 1.6-2.2 million bucks they collected that they are purchasing raw materials from and making interest on? I could have used that money to invest in GME, make my bank, get out and buy the factory these things are made in apparently.

I know the margins are good...because this thing is apparently coming from China so the Gobi USA thing is another crock of shit...designed in USA but outsourced to the same damn factory in China as everyone else. "We are updating our CRM system to better communicate" well...you have the cash reserves...freaking deploy it while yall sit on around and ignore communicating or being realistic with folks.

If this thing has a single shitty weld or crappy spot on the powder coating I'm going to chat with Amex before I even waste time with these guys...I will afford them the same level of communication as they have done for us.

Super disappointed, should have known better but figured maybe 20 weeks max...which is exactly where I am at this week. The dumbass is I.

There's A LOT more to the delay of things than Covid, and Covid is only an underlying factor at this point. I've been in purchasing for nearly 20 years at this point, and manage a purchasing department at a large manufacturing company. You're just scraping the surface on the real issues, and why your roof rack and millions of other items are delayed.

Mike

 

[BlakeA]

I just got off the phone with them...Ordered October 14th, 2020. Was told that it will be end of April to mid May before my order is in. They are only getting to August orders now. Ive been calling and emailing since I hit week 16 but finally today got a response.

I totally get it, covid screwed things up and delayed things..but thats not 16 weeks...thats not 20 weeks..that 30 freaking weeks. Thats 7 months. And they have the audacity to not give any freaking updates..to not update their site with realistic lead times and to not try and take care of the customer at all.

We all kinda know what we are getting into when we do this but the "we have thousands of people in the same boat" message means what, they have a minimum of 1.6-2.2 million bucks they collected that they are purchasing raw materials from and making interest on? I could have used that money to invest in GME, make my bank, get out and buy the factory these things are made in apparently.

I know the margins are good...because this thing is apparently coming from China so the Gobi USA thing is another crock of shit...designed in USA but outsourced to the same damn factory in China as everyone else. "We are updating our CRM system to better communicate" well...you have the cash reserves...freaking deploy it while yall sit on around and ignore communicating or being realistic with folks.

If this thing has a single shitty weld or crappy spot on the powder coating I'm going to chat with Amex before I even waste time with these guys...I will afford them the same level of communication as they have done for us.

Super disappointed, should have known better but figured maybe 20 weeks max...which is exactly where I am at this week. The dumbass is I.

I ordered a rack earlier this week and was told a minimum of 16 weeks. I tried to press her on a ‘realistic’ time frame, but she didn’t budge. However, I was told, but already new, that your card is not charged until they ship the rack, so I don’t believe they’ve collected your money, nor do I believe the racks are coming from China.

 

[MStudt]

I ordered a rack earlier this week and was told a minimum of 16 weeks. I tried to press her on a ‘realistic’ time frame, but she didn’t budge. However, I was told, but already new, that your card is not charged until they ship the rack, so I don’t believe they’ve collected your money, nor do I believe the racks are coming from China.

16 weeks is very realistic at this time giving the current supply chain issues around the world. I'm having to wait 15 weeks for 1-1/2" square aluminum tubing due to no stock around the US. You'll see disruptions through Summer.

Mike

 

[Fermn]

I forgot I had even ordered mine and I recently remembered after 14 weeks. Just be patient

Everything will be OK!!

 

[TravelingTaco]

Someone local to me has been waiting on a Gobi ladder since October I believe. Hes been getting the runaround too. I think I'll go with westcott if I get into a 4runner.

 

[newemi]

Anyone get anything lately from Gobi???

I ordered a ladder on Black Friday 11/26/2020 and am still waiting 19 weeks later. Been trying to get an order status update from them but no one is responding.

They even sent a mass apology email saying that they had missed a bunch of status emails and stating to reply if you still need an update... I replied but they never did.

 

[Coyotegray]

I have had the GOBI rack on my 4Runner for several years now. Very happy with it. In my opinion its the best rack available for the 4Runner. I can bolt down Pelican boxes, use bungee cords and nets. it has an almost unlimited number of tie down points.

I have transported lumber and other building materials, tools, fuel cans, water cans, fire wood, camping gear, luggage bags and large boxes.
I have used it as a shooting platform and to sit and watch fireworks.
I use it as a mounting point for HAM radio and cell booster antennas, and soon for lights. I carry a shovel in GOBI's mounting brackets and have an ARB awning mounted using GOBI brackets.

Anyone complaining about the wait time needs to consider that these racks are made to order.

 

[daytonaviolet]

It took 5mo and 9 days for my gobi to arrive. the delay really sucks. But if you want to see if you can push your order thru faster, contact Weston on FB messenger. He can give you an update on your order. He can also cancel your order without paying a fee.

 

[nimby]

If you're tired of the wait, I have a Gobi ladder for sale (brand new still in the packaging). I'm in the Bay Area (Santa Cruz). Local pick-up. No shipping.

Edit: Sold

 

[ravens_wood]

FYI, they seem to be backlogged/overwhelmed with confirming orders. Placed an order on 1/7/21 with the e-mail receipt stating order is not confirmed until a GOBI representative calls to take payment info. The website and e-mail stated a minimum of 72 hours is to be given before contact. I waited until yesterday, 1/20/21, before contacting them myself. GOBI picked up right away, very friendly and everything was taken care of within 5 minutes. Now the real waiting game begins

layball:

Called for an order update as we'll be moving to a different state. The friendly rep stated they're currently shipping Sep/Oct orders and my Jan order is estimated delivery of July. That'll place the lead time between 23 - 27 weeks.

Probably would have still placed an order but their website clearly dishonest about lead times. Oh well.

 

[Ih8fizzix]

I’m in the same boat. Ordered Black Friday weekend. After numerous emails and a call that I placed where they said they’d call me back and never did, I got the following email mid April:


To our future GOBI customer,

We wanted to email you to confirm your order is still in our production queue. We understand the lack of constant updates may create confusion, and we want to give you assurance that although we are exceeding our initial lead time estimates, we are working our tails off to get you GOBI equipped as soon as possible.

2020 brought unprecedented demand for our products, as well as unprecedented challenges in production. As a privately owned small business who insists on hand crafting every product right here in America, the pandemic severely impacted our operations. Working to grow and improve as a company while satisfying every customer's needs through this has been the challenge of a lifetime. In the meantime, we appreciate your patience, understanding and support. We are confident it will be worth the wait!

If you need further assistance, please contact our customer service department at 720.479.9372.

Anyone get anything lately from Gobi???

I ordered a ladder on Black Friday 11/26/2020 and am still waiting 19 weeks later. Been trying to get an order status update from them but no one is responding.

They even sent a mass apology email saying that they had missed a bunch of status emails and stating to reply if you still need an update... I replied but they never did.

 

[newemi]

Going on 26 weeks now for me... for just a ladder.

Have had chats with Weston and he told me to expect it in May. Still nothing. He has responded to emails, but constantly refers to the challenges of materials and employees, and compares lead times to fox and king shocks. I get that you are overwhelmed, but either be honest with the customers, or at least start putting things on back order so you can catch up. Fox and king I’m sure are still taking orders from distributors, but I can guarantee they are disclosing that items are on back order with extensive delays and accurate dates.

I’m tempted to cancel the order just because the ridiculous expectations that they have missed. Most businesses that provide this poor of customer experience end up dying due to their reputation. How they continue like this is beyond my understanding.

 

[11SR5teve0]

Just ordered my rack and ladder. They called the very next day to confirm the order. They echoed what the website advertises of the 12-16 week production to door time. So far so good!

 

[nimby]

Going on 26 weeks now for me... for just a ladder.

Have had chats with Weston and he told me to expect it in May. Still nothing. He has responded to emails, but constantly refers to the challenges of materials and employees, and compares lead times to fox and king shocks. I get that you are overwhelmed, but either be honest with the customers, or at least start putting things on back order so you can catch up. Fox and king I’m sure are still taking orders from distributors, but I can guarantee they are disclosing that items are on back order with extensive delays and accurate dates.

I’m tempted to cancel the order just because the ridiculous expectations that they have missed. Most businesses that provide this poor of customer experience end up dying due to their reputation. How they continue like this is beyond my understanding.

Well, I can tell you it's not just Gobi giving timelines that end up taking a lot longer than quoted. A ton of outdoor equipment is absolute hell to get right now.

I just had a mountain bike take 5 months to get after ordering last December. They said it would be done in a few weeks upon ordering. The hold up was a couple different parts, one of them being the Fox shocks that were quoted to come a lot sooner.

The demand for all these products is nuts right now.

 

[nimby]

Just ordered my rack and ladder. They called the very next day to confirm the order. They echoed what the website advertises of the 12-16 week production to door time. So far so good!

I would lower expectations and plan on it taking roughly 6 months or so.

Seriously.

 

[Bry n]

Don’t know what the hype is with the gobi rack n ladder. C4 ladder is the best out there IMO along with prinsu roof rack. MODULAR AF.

 

[11SR5teve0]

I would lower expectations and plan on it taking roughly 6 months or so.

Seriously.

Thanks for that info. I’ll keep the thread posted on updates.

 

[Brick Sprickly]

Going on 26 weeks now for me... for just a ladder.



I’m tempted to cancel the order just because the ridiculous expectations that they have missed. Most businesses that provide this poor of customer experience end up dying due to their reputation. How they continue like this is beyond my understanding.

Read that fine print - you're on the hook for payment whether you cancel or not.

 

[11SR5teve0]

Read that fine print - you're on the hook for payment whether you cancel or not.

What I find interesting is that you agree to the terms after providing credit card info for confirmation. This isn’t addressed before committing to purchase. A consumer could argue that they would’ve never purchased had they known before providing their payment info.