Roof rack controversy. Gobi Vs Whitson
- Thread starter gnargnarpowpow
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i have to disagree w you- the rack i had ordered from WM was 1/2 that price and some argue better built...maybe not to you but $750 is a lot to me and not everybody needs or wants a ladder
Maybe.....
But I have also personally know more than a few other owners who received fantastic customer service from them. Maybe cause they had bought from Gobi too?
Do you own a Gobi and have actual CS experience with them or you are just making your conclusion cuz you heard he say/she say.....
I started a group buy to buy Gobi racks a few months ago, so do at least half a dozens or more of other stuffs. Pretty much public knowledge.
Hasn't change the fact that I am just a members like most of you (except the mods), I am not associated with any of those manufacturers.
Whatever float your boat man..... but again, you are still not doing an apple to apple comparison, do your 1/2 price WM come absolutely 100% completed, ready to be mounted? Or you still have to get it painted, make your own fairing, get it shipped (so not really 1/2 price, it is like 1/2 price cause you only get 1/2 the stuffs, LOL)........ someone listed those "other" racks which I quoted the google search prices.... and hence, IMO, the comment of "not much more expensive", which was also why I ended up picking Gobi to buy from..... also in my experience, one can always easily sell that ladder locally to get probably $200+ for it, plenty of buyers.....
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wadle5
New member
ray2:
Misterquad
New member
That is a great deed you did to organize their group buy. You probably sold 50 or so racks and accessories for them. Can I assume that Gobi gave you the same pricing as everyone else in the group buy?
I didn't even get my own rack expedited, I waited for it just like everyone else!
wkeryder4
New member
You honestly don't think they may have been more eager to help you considering you were bringing them close to $50,000 in sales at one time?
Maybe, but my experience was inline with experiences from more than a few others that I know personally online and offline. I really haven't seen much of any other "customer service" or "product quality" issues except the initial "waiting" complaints.
I honestly think that if anyone else has the same issue that I had (a gas strut fitting issue), that Paul and the Gobi crew will handle it no differently.
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wkeryder4
New member
I've had poor customer service from them. I've never purchased anything from them but I was interested in purchasing a ladder. However, there are not many images of their 4th gen ladders without a spoiler so I emailed them directly from their website and asked if they could provide me with any information or current photos of the ladder without the spoiler.
That was about 2 months ago and I never heard a single thing from them. I looked into it and found a few other threads that mention that Gobi didn't respond to their emails. It could just be a coincidence but a lot of the other issues we're regarding small things and it just seems to me that when it comes to small stuff they just don't seem to care.
That being said, I don't really have a dog in this fight. I've heard plenty of great reviews and instances of good customer service from them but almost all of them seem to be from people that have spent the $1000+ on their racks.
This is exactly right! Any company can charge whatever they want. In a competitive free market place supply and demand drive costs. Gobi wants to charge $1500+ for their racks, but no one will buy them if the consumer knows they can get a rack that's made just as well if not better for close to half the cost.
Gobi used to be the only company making a roof rack that was tailor made for the 4runner. Just because another company comes into the picture doesn't mean that they are copying Gobi. When this company comes to market with a rack for half the cost, you can bet its going to stir the pot. Gobi's response though, rather than being innovative was oppressive.
mace.
New member
Never have purchased from them but personally know others that have. Was just asking you a question after I noticed you hadn't mentioned a piece of info in your "disclaimer" that I thought could be a plausible reason for you to receive better service than others have received.
doubleroses
New member
Ok folks...it's been almost 24 hours...
Someone light this B**** up!
I know I'm not the only on here without a life
Someone light this B**** up!
I know I'm not the only on here without a life
KidVermicious
New member
Sure seems that way, but I'm reserving judgement until the lawsuit is resolved and the folks actually involved can speak freely. Gobi's suit could be a crock of shit or it could be perfectly valid and we don't know either way, so let's let the dust settle before pointing fingers.
[MENTION=77764]Whitson Metalworks[/MENTION], here's to hoping that one way or another you can get back to work shortly. The hobby needs more boutique fabricators, and you do good work.
[MENTION=119516]jicko[/MENTION], how about staying on topic instead of picking fights with anybody that doesn't like your choice of roof rack?
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Titanpat57
Senior Member
:bravo::bravo::bravo:
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doubleroses
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jstim
New member
I want to just throw this thought out here. Someone smack me if I am too far out of the box.
How many people on here can go to (insert metal shop/off-road shop, etc here) and say hey can you guys make this for me cheaper?
I have read this WHOLE thread....and man. I don't have any stake in this other than I always support small business owners, because that money always goes back into their immediate community. At the end of it all I am left feeling like Gobi feels robbed that they might ACTUALLY have to come down to a worthwhile price.
I am like the majority of people. I don't have a ton of money, so when I do get to spend my free dollars, I need it to count. I hope everyday that some of these businesses remove their heads from their 4th point of contact and remember its the customer who makes you successful.
How many people on here can go to (insert metal shop/off-road shop, etc here) and say hey can you guys make this for me cheaper?
I have read this WHOLE thread....and man. I don't have any stake in this other than I always support small business owners, because that money always goes back into their immediate community. At the end of it all I am left feeling like Gobi feels robbed that they might ACTUALLY have to come down to a worthwhile price.
I am like the majority of people. I don't have a ton of money, so when I do get to spend my free dollars, I need it to count. I hope everyday that some of these businesses remove their heads from their 4th point of contact and remember its the customer who makes you successful.
As an inventor and artist myself, I can tell you that it's definitely a brutal business. You learn quickly to keep your mouth shut until your patents are in place (or at least pending). The patent process is pretty messed up, as it's actually pretty easy to circumvent someone's patent by "improving" it. Most of us these days don't even bother going after infringement suits, as the lawyers are the only big winners there. We simply try to get as big a lead as possible before a competitor figures out what we're doing, and then runs with our ideas/inventions. Hell, I've even been screwed over by companies I've worked for in this area. I can tell you it stings like hell when someone steals your invention....especially when they then patent it and prevent you from doing it yourself. Been there, done that, and carry the scars.
I don't know the story here regarding roof racks, but I'm wondering what anyone could patent on these that would stick? The concept has been around almost as long as cars have, so it's not like it's an original idea. I suppose a company with deep pockets and attorneys in house could look for patent opportunities on existing ideas that would squelch competitors, but that certainly isn't in the spirit of patent laws. You also have to watch the perceptions in cases like this. Americans HATE the idea of the big guy picking on the little guy....and they have long memories when it happens. The Internet provides an instant flash fire in these cases too. Many judges and certainly juries have a thing for the "David vs Goliath" cases too.
Another reality too is that more than one person can have the same original thought or idea. I've had that happen many times, and when I do the patent searches I find that someone beat me to the idea. It's theirs....fair and square. Doesn't matter that I came up with it on my own.
I agree with many of the posts above. We simply don't know both sides of the story here, so I certainly won't rush to judgement. Often in these cases, nobody wins.
I don't know the story here regarding roof racks, but I'm wondering what anyone could patent on these that would stick? The concept has been around almost as long as cars have, so it's not like it's an original idea. I suppose a company with deep pockets and attorneys in house could look for patent opportunities on existing ideas that would squelch competitors, but that certainly isn't in the spirit of patent laws. You also have to watch the perceptions in cases like this. Americans HATE the idea of the big guy picking on the little guy....and they have long memories when it happens. The Internet provides an instant flash fire in these cases too. Many judges and certainly juries have a thing for the "David vs Goliath" cases too.
Another reality too is that more than one person can have the same original thought or idea. I've had that happen many times, and when I do the patent searches I find that someone beat me to the idea. It's theirs....fair and square. Doesn't matter that I came up with it on my own.
I agree with many of the posts above. We simply don't know both sides of the story here, so I certainly won't rush to judgement. Often in these cases, nobody wins.
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