Southern Style Off-road blues

Just letting you know (I am in Louisiana and only 3.5 hours a way from SSO), SSO completely shut down for the COVID-19. They are located in Baton Rouge near New Orleans... in Louisiana. As you may have already know, the spread rate in Louisiana was the worse in the US, and New Orleans and Baton Rouge were the worse in Louisiana due to the Mardi Gra. They answered some of my emails this week and this is the first week restrictions were loosened, but I don't think they are in full operational yet as the loosened restriction were really minor.

 

I realize that there are a number of fanboys out that are perfectly content to let a company screw them over, but just because SSO has a 20% restocking policy, that doesn't mean that they have to. I have wouldn't have the sack to tell a customer that I was going to take a cut of the 100% cash they put upfront when they wanted to cancel because I suck at running my business and can't deliver. There is no one forcing them to try to stick it to this guy but their own greed and stupidity. It would be one thing if they built his bumper and he returned it. That is the purpose of a restocking fee. This mindset that they had to order materials as the justification is pure stupidity. Do you really think they order metal one bumper at a time? Obviously they are pretty lousy at running a business, but they are not that lousy. This isn't a custom product. It is a built to order product. There is a big difference. Had the OP requested Stainless or some other metal that they did a one off, I would get it, but picking a config from their standard offering, there is no reason.

Honestly, I wouldn't have to worry about a situation like this because the credit card companies would fix it for me. If I took someone's money and didn't deliver, they make it real easy and they take that money right out of my account.

 

I keep forgetting how hard Louisiana was hit by COVID.

 

Doesn't help that they let Mardi Gra continue and have you seen how most people eat crawfish here (not from Louisiana):

(Picture from google)

Might as well stick your hand in someone's mouth while you are at it lol. COVID-19 hit at the beginning of the Crawfish season/boil.

 

That’s not how it’s done....I don’t see a single beer.

 

I also realize stuff, like people who don't read or don't comprehend their purchase agreements.

For example, calling it a restocking fee when it pretty clearly is called a cancellation fee.

 

Looks like someone brought reason and logic to a spite fight. Foolish.

 

Honestly I feel bad for SSO. HOWEVER. When times like these occur a good business will step up and allow cancellations at no cost. Its what almost every single business I have come in contact has done during this COVID-19 crap. State Parks waived their cancellations as did almost every other.

 

It is 20% regardless of the semantics which are both clearly stated on their site. While they have the right because it is stated on their site, it does not mean that they are obligated to do so. If you ever take the time to read a contract there are always a lot of things that can be done, but most places apply a little common sense. In this case they haven't delivered as promised which is pretty shitty just in principal, but then gouge someone because you think you can is not exactly a recipe for success in the business world. While there are people like you that are willing to let themselves get taken advantage of, that is clearly the minority. It is very difficult to build a customer base, and anyone that has been in business knows that.

 

I find that last sentence to be complete bull shit. Really? They can't apply that metal to another similar bumper. Its not like their bumper configurations are so VAST each one requires specific metals. That whole statement is written to prevent cancellations and just screw you over. They do that knowing their lead times are ridiculous to begin with.

 

And they just eat the administration cost cause you decided you didn't want the bumper 8 weeks later as they were about to build it, and have already ordered the steel needed for their other customers. They should eat the warehouse cost while waiting for another customer?

A bunch of Karens on this site.

 

Agree that these are unusual and exceptional times due to Covid. Perhaps that means we should allow SSO some flexibility with production. Perhaps that also means SSO should consider suspending their restocking fee.

 

… complains about long wait time, then doesn't install it for 2 months once it arrives

Stay patient bro! If it's the bumper you want, you'll be glad once you get it and have it for years!

 

Except it's not 8 weeks. Its way beyond the time specified upon ordering. I agree with you to some extent. My point was that shit happens. A good business will allow those who don't want to wait cancel due to unforeseen circumstances (Covid-19). A lot of people don't mind waiting for a good product. Honestly I'll still probably do business with SSO. I don't mind waiting. Hell I'm into custom 1911's. You ever wait for a good gunsmith to work on your gun LOL. I've waited 1-2yrs for a pistol to be made.

My point is and I know this is questionable as we're only hearing one side of the story, is if they didn't meet their intended date they should allow cancellations at well below the 20%. Maybe make it 10 or 5% You can't tell me that metal can't be used on the next bumper.

 

Since everyone is having a hard time reading this on the website, despite being in bold print... I've highlighted and underlined the TOS...



The "lead" time quoted on the website is an estimate, given under normal business conditions. This is not a dinner reservation, it's not exact or a specific time. I'm sure the only reason they "offer" an estimate, is because they know you'll ask, regardless. They are not held to a contractual amount of time... if they were, you wouldn't be able to afford your custom bumper. And yes, it's custom. You go to their site, customize their product based on your desires (winch opening, light bars, hoop, powdercoat...).

If you want a structured delivery time, go for Warn or BA... but IMHO, those bumpers look like afterthoughts and something mass produced.

Edit: and if you don't think Covid is a "variable outside of their control", then there's no way to have a rational discussion with you

 

Yup reasonable points, it's a weird time and both sides should think about making concessions, but like you said we only know OP's side, and OP's side sounds like a whiney baby.

 

Absolutely!

The TW truth is that there's a large group of people here that will never be happy and will feel entitled to a certain "level of service" that's just not obtainable, at least, not at their price point. People want the moon and the stars at bargain prices. Hence sales sky rocket and lead times explode, whenever these companies have sales. Word of advice for any would be buyers, if you want your product faster, order when it's not on sale.

I know OP hasn't been active in this thread, so what I've said after my initial "hang in there bud" isn't directed at him. Instead, it's directed at the defenders of OP, arguing that SSO is in the wrong. I have no vested interest, other than I know SSO is a small fab business, they're very active in the TW community, they offer some badass products (hence the demand) and they're generally good doods. I highly recommend you watch their Armageddon Armor videos or their appearance on Truck Night In America (Season 2 Episode 1). You'll get a good feel for these guys and their humor and passion their for offroad armor.

 

Oh I don't think SSO would have any reason to concede anything to him. He's already worked on tarnishing their name on a public forum and only presenting his side. At that point if it were my business fuck that guy. I have no reason to believe anything I could do would make him happy. If he wants to wait he can wait. If he wants a refund then do that minus 20%. If he wants to continue being an asshole online then I wouldn't concede anything out of spite. Seriously fuck that guy. Go about things like an adult don't create an account to cry on a message board. I'm sorry his allowance got tied up for longer than he expected cause SSO's ESTIMATE wasn't accurate, but maybe he just learned a life lesson to read a full agreement. Basically I hope OP got a learning experience from this.

 

This is funny, seeing how you didn’t have to pay full price up front and the cancellation policy is on the website in bold print like many have posted. I ordered the new full plate bumper the day it came out, and the options were materials deposit or full price. Why you would pay in full instead just throwing the additional money to the side for when it’s complete if the option is available is beyond me. I received an email of the shop closure on top of the multiple shot closure notifications posted on other areas. I even emailed them today to add something and was emailed back within a couple hours. Some patience goes a long way.....

 

Lol, didn't install my front bumper (not from SSO), until a year I got it.