HUUUUH (Long Sigh)

I dont know what to do. I hate saying not so good things about vendors, especially about the very few that we in the 4th gen comunity have. But the bumper that I orderd 4 months a go is still not complete. It seems as though they are having problems with suppliers. I can understand these things happen but I would think that the owner would be all over them.

I really really really want this bumper but I'm getting a little scared as to when I'm going to acutally get my bumper. I paid the full price in January when I purchased the bumper so for this entire time I have been out a good chunk of change. (I was originally quoted 5 weeks).

So my question is do ask for my money back and buy an in stock ARB bumper or wait (for who knows how long) for the shrockworks.

Let me say again I'm really trying to be understanding but I'm getting a little upset.

 

theres more then just one supplier out there...call em up and really be like hey, its been 4 months, this is getting a little ridiculous, ive been more then forgiving here, what are you gonna do for me...

 

perhaps they need to wait for more orders to complete a production run? What do they say when you call 'em?

The guys who got in on the first batch waited 1/2 year after payment, granted that included the R&D as well as the actual mfg-ing of them.

It was worth it.

 

I can understand the wait for the first batch, but January was well after all the R&D happened. In my mind that is a bit unacceptable. I still like the shrockworks over the arb, but if they can't get it done, ask for your money back until they get the bumper actually within a 3 week window.

 

If you can wait I promise it's worth it, but it seems you've waited too long already. I would call them and hassle them a bit, get free shipping and/or free powder coat or something. 4 months is crazy.

 

Accoridng to them there are other people wating. I wonder if thier are getting the same.

I called ARB today and they said there are plenty of bumpers in stock. Does anyone have a negative opionions of the ARB bumper????? I ask because I'm leaning towards asking for a refund from Shrockworks and getting an ARB by next week.

 

I don't think it looks as good as the Shrockworks, it doesn't come with splash guards, has no recovery points on it, it's heavier, it's not made in the USA, limited choice of fog lights (have to use their expensive ones), not adjustable for body lifts.

 

I'm sorry you are having this problem. Its disappointing if you are being told five weeks (repeatedly??) and it turns into four months.

When was the last time you contacted them and what did they say about the date of delivery?

I have sliders on order with them and I would be upset if it took months to get them.

Its easy for me to say go buy the ARB but I think you might regret it later. there is no way they look as good and like Mike said above, the SW have many features that ARB does not and you'll have to do some extra leg work yourself to complete the project.

I'd suggest ringing them once more and asking for a definitive date of production and delivery. If they can't nail it down (because they need a certain number of orders first) then you really have to make the decision to either wait if you want the quality product, or, in my opinion, settle for a lesser product that you'll be stuck with.

I look at my SW bullbar everyday and just love it. It would hurt to spend $1000 and not be proud of it and always wish you'd put up with the waiting game.

 

Add to the list, I believe the ARB approach angle is not as good as the SW.

 

i would have been pissed well before the 4 months that you've waited it out...especially if yours wasnt part of the R&D phase. i say DEMAND them to either a) ship one out to you pronto powdercoated/painted..something extra. or b) refund your money like yesterday. theres a slight difference between 5 and 20+ weeks. 6,7,8 weeks maybe. but definitely not 4 months!

i like the SW for the 4th gen slightly better than the arb, but definitely not enough to wait an extra 3+ months for...especially if its already been paid for and was expecting it within a month or so. maybe thats just me, but customer service will still reign supreme when it comes to comparable products. i absolutely HATE getting lied to when it comes to customer service, and even more so if they dont even try to do a single thing to make up for it.

i thought the arbs do have recovery points...at least mine does. i use IPF's on mine..but there are no round cutouts for internal fogs. mine also fit well before and after my 1.5" body lift. as for approach angle..well i doubt you'd be able to actually notice. ive always been told my bumper would kill approach angles..but really. chances are if either bumper would get hung up..the rest of your truck isnt going to make the obstacle unless you get winched...

good luck and hopefully you get your bumper...which ever one it is!

 

What I'm afraid of if I start to complain I'm going to get either a crappy product with no support or no product for a heck of alot longer.

I'm leaning towards asking for my money back and buying an ARB. Out of all the things tha ARB doen't have, the few things it does have is strong product backing, AIRBAG Approval (Wife Likes), and their in stock.

Crap, I really hate being in this position, I seem alittle powerless. Oh well you live you learn..

 

Don't be affraid to complain, it's your money!

ARB's "airbag" rating is marketing hype, nothing more. You could have no bumper or weld on a steel I-beam, it doesn't affect the airbag deployment.

 

seriously man, its your money, you paid, they havent come thru, its time to make a fuss...and maybe just maybe you can get yourself something nice out of the deal, if not a bumper asap!

 

Two things, first the airbag thing is all hype like Mike said, second don't worry about getting bad service because you complain. That is not very likely, because with the power of forums, they know it is in their best interest to be as cordial to you as possible. If they give you a crappy product, that would give them a really bad name.

Tell them what you think, and I bet they'll go out of their way to help out. If not, then complaining was probably for the best.

 

So have you rung them yet? Seems strange to me that you posting up here that you feel powerless but haven't bothered to ring them and lay some ground rules - deliver or money back by the end of the week.

 

Um well acutally I have called them but it usally takes a few days after I leave a mesage for a return call or it takes calling about 5 or 6 times a day to get a hold of a live person (to darn busy to do the latter). We'll see what happens tommarow.

 

It seems as though I'll get my bumper shipped by next week. I didn't have a chance to speak with the owner, but of his crew said they have all the parts and are fabing up the bumpers this week! Keeping my fingers crossed until I actually speak with the owner.

Thanks to all for the helpful ideas.

 

Remember to multiply by four (fabricator constant) for all time lines.

Once the bumper is on you'll forget about the wait entirely, I promise.

 

Well I spoke too soon.

Spoke with the owner and he was completely honest in saying that I couldn't get my bumper to me in the time alloted (with in two weeks, would be more like 4 to 5 weeks). Crapolla!!!!!!!

So I called ARB and they had a scratch and dent bumper for a great price.

I kinda wish I could have waited but I needed some sort of bumper for a big trip comming up.

So there you have it, all in all Im thinking by the end of the year there will be a slightly used ARB bumper up for sale.

 

So here is the Final product. I had the ARB bumper powder coated to match. I still think I need to tighten up the gaps on the left and right, I'm at 5/8" right know, I'm going to try and get it down to 3/8". But to be honest, I have no idea how, I've maxed out the adjustability.

Other than that what do you you guys think??