Finally ordered my Kings and then this happened

Not saying it excuses their lack of communication, but had he contacted them before ordering, instead of assuming then this may have been avoided. If the vendor can’t get an eta from the supplier (which seems to be the case with Dakars as most vendors are saying the same thing about them) then how can they give an eta?

It seems most things the OP have posted are half truths trying to get people on his side, I’m simply pointing out the facts that have been there on the site the whole time. These threads pop up fairly regularly and when only half the story is shared it seems the vendors are always at fault, then the full story comes out and everyone drops it. Same thing happened recently with SSO who is a very reputable shop.

 

OP said:

He got no reply email from them. And OP said they ordered kings and have no estimated ETA..

If it was me, I'd forget that lame shop and cancel the order and move on.. I wouldn't go back if they don't know shit how the stock status works on the website or ETA.

If I own a business, if someone got lucky to order something via website before the product went out of stock and I don't have any in stock for the that buyer, so I can either email or call him to let him know about ETA and have it delivered to his address. If he isn't not happy with ETA, then he can ask me to cancel. I am happy to do so that way he can move on happy and find other vendor who has stuff in stock because he has money back from me. That's how it works.

If I was him, I'd tell them to cancel since they have no idea on ETA on his products... so I'd fight to get money 100% back and move on.

 

You’re making assumptions about what information was provided when the OP placed his order which isn’t fair. You don’t know. Basically you’re calling him a liar with no evidence. The man just came on here to get some advice about how to handle a vendor who is ignoring him. And here you are attacking him. Not cool.

 

like I said, the info I have posted is either clearly on their site, or in google cached results of that page. All point to the OP telling half truths, I’ve never called him a liar I just don’t believe he’s telling the full truth. Coming on and trashing any vendor is what’s “not cool”. Most off-road shops are relatively small businesses trying to do their best...maybe their best sucks? Doesn’t excuse the fact the he made the decision to enter in to a business transaction with them.

 

It’s the customer service that sucks. He has asked for an ETA and been provided none, and eventually ignored. Paypal will agree that’s not acceptable.

 

Dude you’re being dramatic. Your order is placed and will be processed once everyone returns to work. Everyone including big companies like Amazon are struggling to meet demands and deadlines.

 

This is the most ridiculous argument defending a vendor. I’m not sure what King’s and Dakar’s run but I’m guessing this vendor is holding onto the customers $1000+. Most anybody would be asking questions and be pissed if not receiving any response or product in a reasonable amount of time. Odds are looking at the scariest terms and conditions I may have ever seen, that the money has been already spent by vendor (I know, assumption) but why would a company need such restrictive terms if they haven’t run into this problem before with how they run their business? Seems like they are trying to make money off the T&C almost?!? Sure lots of companies do drop ship orders, but typically when there is an actual product to drop & ship. You can’t tell me or act like that this company has acted in any type of good faith and therefore deserves to get bashed for their lack of action and poor business practice and customer service. If their “best sucks” then they suck and don’t need to be commended for it because they are trying their best!?!

 

What gets me is the restocking fee for the product that doesn't exist. That’s the cherry on top.

 

That’s how middle man companies keep cash flow coming in. The only time they make money is when they make a sale, if they have an order cancelled then they still need to cover operating costs. Not an unusual concept. That’s how business works that isn’t pushing so much volume that they can write things off as a loss.

Lack of communication isn’t excusable even if they had no real answer or ETA because the manufacturers themselves don’t have an ETA.

 

And how long is it ok to hold on to ones money with no product - 1 month, 3 months, 6? A year or two?

 

According to federal trade law enforced by the FTC, product must be shipped within the promised timeline, or within 30 days if no shipping time was quoted. If not, seller must provide full refund.

 

Dude you must be new to all of this. Those terms and conditions are pretty standard across the board. Additionally, vendors hold that money all the time, how do you think Pelfreybilt so easily ripped people off in the end. C4 Fabrication took almost 4 months (16 weeks) to make my bumper and I didn't come on here complaining about it, it only takes 2 weeks to make a bumper the rest of the time I'm sitting and waiting with my money already spent. GFC is similar as well, while they take a deposit they eventually collect full payment weeks to months before completion. Add Covid and things just compound

 

Taking a deposit is a different story.

If you ordered from a company after they told you in advance there would be a 16 week lead time and you were cool with it, thats also a different story.

Just because you’re ok to wait 16 weeks does not mean the OP must be.

 

Thats the point, the lead time was not 16 weeks and was exceeded by several weeks, and almost no fabrication shops take deposits. I'm not necessarily ok with waiting 16 weeks but it is what it is, I'm understanding of how small businesses work and they do try to do their best. Coming on to TacomaWorld and bitching about it would have accomplished nothing just as this thread is accomplishing nothing. Cancelling my order would have been a 20% fee despite them not even making the product or ordering materials. As I said, its pretty standard across the board. I read this before ordering and received the bumper I requested and it was perfect. Sometimes you just have to patient.

 

Well sure it’s personal preference at that point right? If you’re willing to wait then you do. But if you’re not, and the company didn’t communicate an ETA at all, and is ignoring you, and this is a product you could order from a hundred other vendors, then you might want to move on.

In your case if they promised two weeks and it took 16, you could have absolutely asked for a refund and legally been entitled to it. No restock fee. Maybe you had good comms with the vendor, or maybe they were the only source for the product. You were willing to be patient for a reason.

I would disagree that airing a grievance on here is pointless. A lot of people had issues with customer service from a custom rack maker who I won’t name. Coming on here got the issues some attention and action.

 

Again, all of King shocks are currently being backordered so whats your point?

And no KB Voodoo still has issues and is still no longer a vendor but they still get plenty of orders.

 

My point is another vendor might tell the OP what the ETA is and respond to emails. Which would be preferable to silence.

 

Come on now really? Not new to being a consumer?! Or new to receiving quality service?!? Yes, you are correct that restocking fees are standard across the board. I’m not sure I’ve seen such fees so strict though and that apply to any situation like the ones this vendor has. The companies you listed are actually fabricators that, when your order is placed, the material is probably bought and product is in production, so the company has an investment in customers product, hence restocking fees and such understandably. Operating costs to push 18 buttons on a credit card machine to refund a transaction is almost zero (or less than a minute of ones time) and good for you if you are patient enough to wait 4 months if it was stated beforehand. I don’t think that is the case here though

 

The OP is a drama queen, for all we know hes spamming the vendor and based on his emails I would be cautious about replying as well. They are probably responding to multiple emails and trying to find the best way to respond.

Thats incorrect, often your material and production doesnt begin until weeks or months later

 

Hard to say since we aren't him and don't have all the info. If the vendor is truly giving radio silence and hasn't given him an expected delivery date then I think he’s been wronged.

This whole thing could be totally made up but it’s not fair to assume anything other than what’s been presented without evidence to the contrary.