CBi Offroad... customer battles for product

Lol, yes I did work for CBI for a year and a half. When I did it was a 2 to 3 man shop depending on if we had a welder helping out Steve, the then owner and myself. That was in 2009-2010. If you want to dig up if I was as passionate about CBI before 2009, check out TTORA. The only piece of CBI on my truck that I did not pay for was my sliders as they are the very first set of 2nd gen kickout sliders. You could easily say I am their unofficial ambassador. Along with Icon's. But yes, I did work for CBI and now I work for Phil Meador Toyota.

 

Different topic. but those post are from 10 years ago. The internet is forever FTMFW

 

I must be too old, I don't get what your saying. Yes those quotes where from 10 years ago. And yes the internet is forever. I am reading that as if you are saying that I was hiding something?

 

No man. F the mother fn world

Ftmfw.

 

I always knew it to mean “for the mother fucking WIN”

 

Maybe a personal connection to a specific shop, or being a fabricator yourself leads you to a bit of empathy with the production side of the house because you have a deeper understanding of everything that goes into the creation of the product. As someone on the customer side of the 'CS' I want to share with you that CS is vital when it comes to choosing which company we chose over other's. IF CBi did not put out good products, they would be gone. Quicker than poor customer service, and in that, you are right that the quality of the product is #1 priority. That being said, there are many companies that are putting out equally high-quality products, when that happens you start to seriously evaluate #2, the quality of their customer service.

Now, no-one here is requesting the Shop e-mail them every time they cut a new side-plate, or a weld is laid. We just need, and really require, that when you are a few weeks behind, you let us know, that there is some way to tell that that 'ship date' has been extended... and at a month, you better believe we need an e-mail. Everything is a Customer Service Industry. Everything. Can you honestly say that you would buy, let's say a set of 'sliders'... ah, lets get creative... and know that the quality will be great, but sorry dude, you will get them when you get them, be it 2-months or 6... or longer. But once you get them, whenever you get them, they are going to be really sweet. Also, we may not be honest with where they are in production, because, well, our job is just to keep you busy while we get around to the job. Would that not be a deciding factor when company B has some equally sweet-ass sliders that they can get to you in the promised time, or will let you know if they run into problems?

I am not saying that 'Company A' is CBi, or any company specifically; but in this industry so many decisions are made based on customer reviews and references. That's what we do when we talk shop about our rigs. These base standards are important for companies to understand, this makes sense right?

 

The only part I got was the FTMFW. Lol. But reading it today, I see what you were referring to. Different topic, as in you found a post giving the answer but it was from 10 years ago. And the internet will hold the answers forever. Lol. Just needed a fresh mind to pick up what you were putting down.

 

I totally get what your saying and I understand the need for customer service. The entire reason that I made a post at all was because of the talk about "get your money back" "never do business with them" "they are the next Pelfrybuilt". They are just so far from that. And yes I do have a personal connection to them. Steve used my '98 Tacoma to built almost every 1st Gen product he had and was his marketing on TTORA just because I was very active in the rock crawling and web wheeling way back when. I am by no means a fabricator though. I can do the things the old school way and my welds will hold but are not of selling quality. But I do understand the process it takes to get it out the door so it might be easier for me to focus on that. When I worked for CBI I was the customer service, sales and shipping. Our lead time to start building your bumper was 20-24 weeks with a 50% non returnable deposit. But we built one bumper at a time. It was a much smaller operation and the idea of modifying a newer vehicle was not nearly as popular. Like I said, I just wanted to clear the air that they are not going to take the money and run. People are not in jeopardy of getting ripped off.

 

Just wanted to drop in and say Kenny called my cell yesterday to tell me my bumper was complete and headed to powdercoat, so yes the customer service is quite good when you are on CBI's radar. Still haven't heard a word from my vendor who sold me the bumper, about the actual bumper that is, hes trying to sell me other things.

 

I gave Kenny a call this morning, and explained to him my situation (truck show that my truck is going to be in). He took down my name and number and says he will give me a call and will update me. He was able to track down where all my parts are so fingers cross I will get it in time. Kenny seems to be the go to guy if your looking for updates on your stuff. Word of advice, it may be helpful to get your order # from your vendor to help him find it.

 

I would be upset.
Basically thats why I only pay for stuff when I can have it now. I know there are reasons and all that....but, if they promise a lead time or shipping time and back out...I am out.

I could buy and learn to weld sliders in that amount of time......and I did.
Hope you get your stuff.

 

...I am glad to hear that Kenny is able to help you guys out! Sliders are supposed to arrive on truck this afternoon! So Stoked to see the final product I have been waiting for!

 

They are here!!!

 

FINAL UPDATE:
They are Here! Offloaded, and inspected. I won't have any updates on fitment here, but you can check my build thread here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/callisto-trd-this-may-take-a-while.563305/
Impressions upon unpacking.... these things are beefy! I am incredibly impressed with the quality of the sliders, the welds, cuts, and finish are flawless. I am here to tell you that if getting these hadn't been such a guessing game of back-and forths, I would be seeking out CBi for all my builds, and then again, I still just may. These are a night and day difference to the Sliders I had on the 4Runner, and I will be proud to rock these bad boys on my Taco! So in short... the juice was worth the squeeze! Undoubtedly!!!

 

Few cents from me. Exactly five month since payment to receiving package. Front aluminum bumper T3 with paint. Estimated delivery date was two and a half month. Not too bad. End of story.

 

Not too great either

 

I am curious, did they ever notify you of any updates to the delay or when you would be receiving your bumper?

 

no updates, no answers in email, just calls can help to push it forward or get update

 

Same across the board, Hopefully this changes soon.

 

I feel your pain man. I ordered a T3 front bumper, full overland skids and a T3 HC rear bumper from CBI on 11/6/2018 with. I ended up cancelling the front bumper and skids after the promised lead time was over so I ordered RCI skids instead that came in a week and a half. Finally, my T3 HC bumper just came this week after almost 4 months. So basically, I cancelled 2/3 of my order and it still took 4 months to build. I don't get it, not long ago they launched their new ZR2 bumpers that they had plastered all over Instagram while they should be fulfilling extremely back ordered products. I've got my bumper now so I won't have to deal with them anymore... ever! Good luck man, I hope it works out soon!