Southern Style Off-road blues

January 8, I placed an order for Southern Style Off-road slim line bumper. Paid the full price and waited. And waited. End of Jan. I got a notice from them that they had begun to order materials. Well four months further and the site says received materials. I’m done and gots to move on. So I notified them to cancel the order. Well that got their attention. Got an email within 24 hours! saying their policy was a 20% cancelation fee. I told them to move someone else into my slot and make 2 customers happy. No way. They want their 20%! They also never updated my status so it is still sitting in limbo with 11 stages to go.
So I’m keeping my order in place. It will be done on the 12 of Never. Anyone want it?

I know I’m being insensitive. We are all impacted by the coved-19 virus. And Baton Rouge has more then their fair share. But, does that give a small business the right to say F U to the customer? They are sitting on jobs they can’t get out the door and there is a line around the block of customers looking for product. So if you see your order sitting in ‘ordering materials” it really means “ we took your money and spent it on someone else’s materials. So shut up or we will charge you 20%” Great customer service Southern Style Off-road.

I know someone will say hey I got mine and I love it. So give them a break. And I would but I can’t stand mediocrity and bullshit business practices. No matter how cool the bumper is.

 

lol what

 

Hey TW Bro. I get your frustration, but you're not dealing with Amazon or Walmart. This is a small, privately owned shop. They've always had long lead times, because quality takes time (11 weeks for mine). Given the current social conditions, we all need to accept the world has changed. My wife is a hair stylist, ask me how I know...

Be patient, you'll get your bumper. Remember, it's a luxury item and your life and safety doesn't depend on it. Take pride in knowing you're supporting local business and know that SSO is comprised of good dudes.

As a person that has your exact bumper, know that the most fun I had was in the anticipation. Once you have it and install it, the fun is over... sort of.

Hang in there my man, the juice is worth the squeeze.

 

Their business, their rules. Don’t like it, shop somewhere else.

Edit: the terms are right on their website.

 

I get it. I had to wait for over 16 weeks for mine. Kinda frustrating but I kept this type of purchase in perspective and did enjoy the anticipation -- at least for the first 12 weeks... And, I really like the bumper. IMO, if the lead time far exceeded their stated lead time when you ordered by multiple weeks then I'd have to agree that to be fair to the customer, the deposit should be refundable.

 

Pretty sure Louisiana is under a stay at home order so I’d expect lead times would be longer. You are aware of what’s going on in the world right now, yes?

 

It’s hard to wait that long for something you dumped a good chunk of change on, and that you’re excited for. When it comes to bumpers and sliders, the cost isn’t the hard part, it’s typically the wait. If you can’t handle the wait, you gotta make it yourself. And even if you had all the tooling, you’d probably still have to wait on the steel, if you had a preferred tubing or sheet thickness.

These threads implode pretty quickly, Id like to point out that it’s important to have a good dialogue with the fabricator and do your research before hand, so that you know what you’re getting into as far as wait times.

 

OP, Here’s a different perspective.

I ordered sliders from @JDEMELLO back in February. I was given a lead time. Then COVID fucked up everyone’s parade.

Have I called Jason and Heidi like fifteen fucking times, like a kid waiting for his Christmas present? You’re damn skippy I have. I get updates all the time, and I’ll bet when they see the caller ID they’re like Jesus Christ, it’s your turn to talk to the crayon eater.

I have never thought of cancelling my order. I have never been rude, or short tempered with them. I probably sounded a little sad when I realized they wouldn’t ship today, as it’s one day shipping from them to me, and I could install this weekend.
I have been grateful that they are still going to work and fabricating products for all of us. I’m impressed enough with them that I am trying to convince the Minister of Finance (wife) that I need the Demello flat top bumper, or a Warfab Warthog. @In4aride (can’t decide which I really want)

I get it that you’re frustrated. I have put off a couple trips because I don’t have sliders and I don’t want dents that can be avoided. That said, cut these guys some slack. They’re still working even though a global pandemic is taking place and killing off 4% of the people who get it. I know some shops are having to rotate schedules so the people are spaced out, or not at work when others are there. That has to be a PITA as a fabricator.

I’d say thank these guys for continuing to fabricate products. Be patient. Your bumper will arrive and it’ll be well worth it.

 

PM sent

 

Did you sign up for tacoma world just to vent?

 

I imagine some clarity from the supplier would go a long way... (Do not say FU to customer (as indicated) and a status update maybe?)
If they are struggling to meet orders, they should be willing to refund... I imagine metal fabrication can continue - but perhaps not (?)

Sounds like you did not get any assurances... A new expected delivery date? Are they delivering product? Are they locked down and unable to? - Have they gone under?

 

I think this sucks. Hey bro, we have a policy??? Hey bro, I have an expectation of when my order will be completed. 4 months, fuck them. I think they have the nicest looking product, but I would never order from them based on your experience. Total bullshit by them, and I am ashamed for the people, who are shaming you.

No responsibility, or expectations by them....no, man.

Good luck.

 

Being a small company doesn't entitle them to provide shitty service. If they are sitting at home watching tiger king because they are afraid to burn metal, the least they can do is send an email. 3.5 months is a ridiculously long time for any product. They have been sitting on this guy's cash and that shouldn't be acceptable for any business. If you take someone's hard earned cash, the least you could do is treat them with respect.

 

Long ambiguous lead times and lack of communication have been an industry standard for most of the "mom and pops" I have dealt with in the offroad community. Usually we pay a premium to be treated poorly. I have dealt with fabricators in other arenas and rarely encounter this mentality. This was happening long before the coronavirus. After waiting for months for a bumper whose delivery date kept getting extended from a vendor who frequents Tacomaworld (not Southern Style Offroad), I cancelled my order. To their credit, they gave me a full refund. I then ordered a Warn bumper and got it a week later. It is well built and Warn treats their customers really well. I am all about small businesses. I grew up in one and have one, but I am with the OP. If small businesses do not pick up the phone, return emails, or are annoyed when they do, why give them money? Not to mention the ambiguity around delivery dates and status. The exception is Headstrong. They deliver great service and Marie really goes the extra mile to serve her customers.

 

The 20 percent penalty to cancel an order is also BS if the order is backlogged or can be fulfilled with a waiting customer. They can do it if it is their policy, but it does not bode well in the long run.

 

Jesus, it took all of 3 seconds to find out that they are shutdown due to covid19. Office staff are working from home and there is no production being done.

 

You should have taken more than 3 seconds to process what you posted. They have been closed for 2 weeks. The OP placed his order in January!

 

He should not have to refer to a instagram post for an update

all people with pending orders should have been emailed or called

 

I don’t disagree, but the information is also posted on their website as well as their 10-12 week lead times and their cancelation policy.

Looks like they’ve been closed since March 24th and they clearly state they have approximately 10-12 week lead times and their cancelation policy.

I can understand the OPs frustration, but his first post is to come in bash an active vendor that puts out solid products and stands behind their products as well. Sure their communication needs work but these are trying times for everyone. A lot of small business are going to be facing some tough choices if things don’t start going back to normal soon.

OP might consider himself lucky to get his 80% back and move on.