CVT/Cascadia Tents Group Buy Event -2014

I dont have my tent yet, I ordered the last weekend the gb was open, was hoping my tent would show up end of june. I realized that wasn't going to happen, so I went and bought a cheap ground tent to get me by untill it shows up. I know it may have sounded like i already had my tent but thats not the case, but am I going to let it ruin my season, hell no.

Just be patient, having an rtt is worth the wait.

 

Same here. I haven't received a tent yet either. Luckily I have all the camping gear I need to make trips happen without the RTT. Like Monte said, the wait will be so worth it.

 

Fair enough.

 

Since I do international shipments, as well as own a business, I had to comment here.
-in 15 years of international shipments my company I can't recall where we have had containers that are just delayed. Once it is in a container shipping is usually pretty clock work unless you have a really bad freight forwarder. THAT is something you have control over when you select them.
Congratulations. You are the lucky one. For 20 years I have seen contains get delays for all sorts of reasons.

- delays at customs for an item like tents doesn't happen
Mind if I ask how many roof-top tents you have bought and had shipped internationally to know this? I buy wheel bearings and seals internationally, and in the past 6 months have had 4 of them delayed at customs for almost a week. I buy the same quantity every time, and the same part number. Sometimes Customs does whatever they want. The ESPECIALLY like to take notice on large orders when usually the orders are small.

- not having anticipated how many tents you might need or having the most popular models stocked up THAT is something you have control over.
- honestly feels more like production was ordered after the group buy ended sorry but you know if you are running a group buy on multiple sites that you are gonna sell tents so I think having a better stock already in the works some of THAT most people would say you have some control over.
How many group buys have you done? I've done several, and no matter how many orders you expect, you always end up getting a lot more, or a lot less, than expected. The market fluctuates. If you figure it costs an average of $750 each for a RTT, and you are estimating 200 tents, that comes out to $150,000 in purchases. Hell of a purchase to make on a group buy when you don't know for SURE how many people will order. What if he preordered 200 tents, but then at the end of the group buy only 100 people ordered? That would be $75k in inventory that he wouldn't know how long it would take to sell. Not a risk that I would want to take myself. Plus Bobby would have to HAVE the $150k in pocket, or able to take out a business risk loan for $150k. As for WHEN they were ordered, I do seem to recall it was mentioned that the orders would not be made until the GB was over. Again, makes good business sense. Shipping costs in mass like this can save money if the orders are made at one time. Cheaper to buy 3 container loads at one time than to piece out 7 or 8 container loads over a larger time span.

- not having regular updates that are not constantly changing THAT is something to have control over.
This part yes, even Bobby agrees he could have done better at.

It all boils down to perception and reality. The average consumer does not sometimes understand the reality of large international orders.

Again, this is my opinion and beliefs based on owning a business, and receiving international goods on a weekly basis.

 

I've said my beef and just wanted to clarify a couple of things.

1) I own a 10-man tent already. However our planned/failed trips involve camping at places incompatible with a ground tent, involve camping multiple locations on multiple nights (setup/takedown currently involves _hours_ and keeping our kids occupied), and/or involve camping in cramped locations with friends who all run RTT's or trailers. The "just buy a tent" responses oversimplify a complicated situation, so please don't make assumptions about those of us waiting.

2) I realize the challenges associated with running a small business of this kind. What I would like to see are regular updates like the following:

"6/15 - 200 shastas ordered, 120 delivered, 20 inbound around 6/20, allowing fulfillment of orders through 3/21. Next shasta delivery not for 30 days."

That should absolutely be possible and would let those of us waiting have some ability to plan or set expectations.

I don't expect Bobby to work miracles. I do expect a successful business owner to have a handle on logistics and communication.

 

I have luckily received mine. I was getting aggravated but got it before my planned trip. Glad I did, it was a blast to camp in!

You are more than welcome to borrow mine for 4th of July. Not a problem at all. I am working that whole time. I live in Cartersville. It is a Mt. Shasta.

Let me know. Maybe that can ease the pain a little. I know you are frustrated.

 

Wow, that's a generous offer. Have you set up and used the annex? We would need that to sleep the kids.

Let me talk it over with the wife and I may take you up on it.

 

One thing I have learned (the hard way) is that life throws you variables and plans must be flexible.
One should not make plans that require materials, time, funds that are not yet obtained without having alternatives for said materials, time and or funds.

Don't sweat the small stuff guys and gals.
There will be plenty of camping available next year and those after and you will be able to enjoy the fact that you saved $$$ on you tent.

 

Agreed, I ordered the second day of the GB and still have not made one reservation or planned a trip. Not going to plan a trip when I don't even have one of the key main factors.

Side note, got my SOS Concepts bed rack today

 

Yep. Used it for four days over Memorial Day. Annex really doesn't take long to put up. Just zip it on and stake I out. Only thing I am gonna change is add a 1" mattress pad to the main pad. Just needs a little bit more padding than I has.

This is the only pic I have. (Set up in station bay)



Just let me know. Doesn't take long to put on a rack or truck topper.

 

You sir are a stand up guy in my book. I also have mine out to borrow for any of my state dudes that have a trip. Yet I have all there numbers so the just ask. Im sorry bobby for how this place treats people that hook them up. Gravedigger..I hope you and your family take up the offer and go out to enjoy the outdoors. enjoy the trips while you can. Kids grow up fast.

 

Amazing. Very thoughtful and generous.

Happy Father's Day!

 

We are heading out Tuesday for a ten day in Utah. Using the Shasta and annex for the first time. I've had the tent open, but never had the annex attached.

Would you be willing to give a quick step by step on that process? Like, "Step 1. Place the annex floor down on the ground before opening the tent so the ladder lands on it."

I don't want to look like any more of a dufus than I already am!

 

The zipper will go around three sides. The fourth side has a blue semi rigid strip. This side will go towards the base of the tent. That blue strip is supposed to slide into the tent base but the tent cover is already there and I did not want to slide the cover off and then the annex strip in. I just left that side (side towards the truck) un secured.

Obviously the zipper is up, so I unfold the annex kinda like a doughnut. Zipper up, blue strip side towards the truck. I then lift the ladder slightly and drag the annex until the ladder sat in the middle of the doughnut hole. Then just pick it up and zip it around three sides. It does help if someone holds the material up towards the end as the weight of the annex wants to unzip itself. After that just stake out the corners.

So, if I did it step my step;

1.Set up tent as usual.

2.Unfold annex like a big ring or doughnut. Zipper up, blue edge strip facing truck.

3.Drag annex under ladder so the ladder will rest inside the ring.

4.Pick up annex and zip around three sides.

5.Stake the annex out.

This is just the way I did it. There may be a way that is easier.

Enjoy your trip!



Joe

 

Just a heads up, the strips aren't blue anymore. They're tan.

 

Lisa probably put it there... On another note, I'll be in the group buy next year(if there is one). I have a ground tent now and don't mind it at all, but a RTT would be so much more convenient. It's hard enough packing up all of my bike stuff after a weekend. A ground tent just adds more work when a RTT would be much easier. If there's not a group buy, I'll pay full price.

 

Thanks Joe!

One question… From your description, it sounds as if the floor is already attached to your annex walls. I am assuming that it is a separate piece that zips on.

Mine has never been out of the bag, and that may be a mistake on my part assuming that I can just set it up in the middle of nowhere for the very first time.

Nevertheless, it sounds as if it is advisable to leave the floor attached to the annex when it is stored after each use.

Perhaps placing the "doughnut" that is the annex and it's floor under where the ladder comes down in advance of opening the tent would eliminate the need to drag it into place afterward. You've done it, so what are your thoughts on that?

 

I get so giddy when I remember I have one of these coming soon haha. Keep posting pics of your tents so I can pretend like I have one.

 

I am sorry. Didn't even think about that part. I did not use the floor. Don't really plan to ever use it. I took it out of the bag and put in up in the garage. The annex is more of a tarp to me. Just use it to change and maybe use the porta toilet. No plans on sleeping down there. Not sure if you would leave the floor on or attach it every time if you plan on using it.

The reason I place the "doughnut" annex under the ladder after opening the tent is that I keep the annex and bag inside the tent stored when traveling. Therefore I must open the tent first to get to the annex bag. If you store it elsewhere then I think it would be best to place the annex down first.