BAMF 3rd Gen Recessed Raptor Style Grille

Ya I agree, I personally don't mind waiting, but taking money prior to delivery is bad business practice. It's one thing to charge a cancellation fee when a product is made but another to charge it when a product is not made. It's basically stealing. The complaint people have is paying $100 for nothing, for simply changing their mind, its not like it cost BAMF anything to cancel the order since they dont have inventory.

 

Woke up to my shipping notification email this morning (AB-3836).

Now I'm all like:


Thanks @JLee

 

Eh I didn't mind paying up front, that way when I do get it and my wife finds out how much I spent on something she doesn't understand I can say "but honey I paid for this ages ago, it's not like I just bought it."

 

Haha that's awesome. I definitely need to use that quote on my wife.

 

I completely disagree every single grille on back order is in production so I've paid employees wages building them cancellation of the order does cost us money. Processing the orders as they come in, creating the build list, there is a lot that go's into it and it all takes time.

 

I can't question how your business operates but you are saying it takes 12 weeks of fabrication to make this grill? I'd love to know the man hours actually involved with making this grill, I seriously can't imagine it over 40 hours but I don't fabricate so I am curious to know. Your saying that a grill ordered in thanksgiving has had someone touching it and working on it everyday?

If every grill was truly in production then why is it taking 480+ hours to produce a single grill?

 

They are made in batches at the moment it does take at least 12 weeks to complete just because they are not being touched from start to finish in one shot does not mean they are not in production.

 

Interesting, would you be willing to explain the fabrication process. Keep in mind, I love the grill, I understand most fabrication shops are small and I do not mind waiting one bit nor have any inclination/intention to cancel. I do think though that explaining why there is a 12 week lead time and why their is a cancellation fee may help reassure some people.

 

I think one thing people are not realizing is that BAMF also produces other products for other clients so they're not strictly just making this one item. And I'm assuming they have to outsource the powder coating as well so all these things take time including purchasing the steel up front and the man hours involved I have no problem waiting 12 weeks plus for my grill I love it and wouldn't change anything. @JLee

 

Not trying to explain @JLee's process, but as he mentioned, it's a batch going through together. So, it's not make one grille from start to finish and then start grille number two. It's put 100 grilles through the production process at once. And that batch takes 12 weeks or so to complete. Also, keep in mind they are fabricating a lot of other stuff as well. Not just grilles.

 

I really don't understand why people are getting their panties in a wad. The process and timelines are very clear from the beginning. I waited for as long or longer than most and it was worth it. I also waited 12 weeks for my seat covers. Also well worth it.

 

I just want to know the process for my own edification, others can benefit. We established they do it in batches, maybe as much as 100, but what happens during this process. What do those 100 grills actually do or go.

Materials purchased -> Matierals laser cut? -> Someone welds them? -> powerdcoat? - > packaging and shipment? -> ???

 

I placed my order around the Black Friday sale and my order is still several month away, but I'm okay with that as I understand the work involved in producing the piece and I have a high level of confidence that some day I will get it. So I was able to justify the money leaving my account.

However it did come off a little unsettling to me having to pay that much upfront.

I'm not new to the automotive aftermarket, but this is a bit of a new experience. Maybe I just haven't had that many custom parts made in the past.

But normal business practice is to charge once an item ships. This is what solvent companies do. This provides incentive to deliver in a timely fashion. It suits the buyer. Operating on a razors edge where you need to take money upfront just to have the finances to produce a product is a scary way to be. And should be scary for the buyer as well.

I wouldn't have touched this with a ten foot pole if BAMF didn't already have a history in this community of good products and eventually delivering a product. But you can bet I'll breath a sigh of relief when I do finally get that shipping notice.

Having said that, I really appreciate JLee's attendance in this thread, he seems willing to answer questions or concerns and would certainly buy from BAMF again if the product is as good as it looks to be!

 

It's a hard process to explain but
It starts with CNC cutting out all the parts for the grilles, cleaning, de burring and wed prep of all the flat parts before forming. Then they are taken to the press brake for forming. After forming each one is has the front flange Tig welded on. After welding they are rough ground with 40 grit flap disk and any low spots are filled, then they are media blasted to prep the surface and expose any pin holes that are then filled. Then they are sanded once more taken down to 120 grit with a grinder in stages from 60 to 80 finishing off at 120. After that they are sanded with a DA (dual action sander) to smooth out the corners blending them to a near perfect radius. After that they are all hand sanded with 120 grit paper make sure the weld is seamless. The Finishing steps up until this current batch were a three stage Thermoset powder process with a epoxy primer and two top coats of a textured black.

This current batch we have changed to a Thermoplastic powder "PolyArmor" that is laid on twice for a 14mil to 16mil coating providing at least 8000 hours salt spray protection and is field repairable. So you guys can repair damage to the parts yourself with simple tools.

We do powder coat in house the lead times would even be longer if we didn't.

 

Awesome! Thank you very much for explaining this to me. I can easily see how this could take a long time and I understand that when you order its placed production and begins the steps you describe. I appreciate your response.

 

Got ya.

 

No problem

Oh and i forgot some steps

The back plates are powder coated in batches as well for each color, Then we have to assemble the grilles make the bolt packs and box them up. The process has gotten more streamlined so I expect lead times to drop over the next few weeks/months.

 

Careful people might start sending stuff for powder coating!

 

Man I'm glad I'm not a business owner. Some customers are such whiny bitches.....even when you're upfront with the process and timeline from the beginning. Your patience amazes me JLee. Keep up the good work!

 

Well I ordered mine on Christmas eve with the money my gf gave me to buy it. She knew I would start fixing up my new truck and knew I wanted the grill just didn't know how to order. Wait is until march or april which is cool, I will be plastidipping until then!

Good job @JLee, F*%k the haters lol