FAQ: When will I get my Drifter? How long are people waiting?

Got a email from Phil last month saying my build should start June/july. I Guess my build push back to since I’m right behind you on the build sheet.

 

So… August/Oct

 

These guys need our encouragement, not passive aggressive (negative) comments. If they didn't get shut down and have supply chain issues, we would 100% have our drifters.

For me, it's summer time and I don't mind cause it doesn't rain in the PNW. I'm fine with fallish - gives me time to save, and they keep adding options! And I keep getting ideas, that they don't mind doing.

I'll be traveling around the west coast drifter or no drifter.

 

Listen, I totally agree. I’ve been nothing but positive. And believe me, I am patiently waiting. But some people don’t have that luxury. Have we seen a date hit this year? Last year? No. I’m not being passive aggressive, nor am I negative—I am being realistic.

I’ve worked in consulting my entire life, and if there is anything I’ve learned, it’s to under promise and over deliver. Beyond that, it’s good to have an optimistic, realistic and pessimistic timeline.

We keep getting optimistic, tomorrow we are returning to normal timelines. If there are no other blocker timelines. When you consider the situation, monthly estimates seem ineffective.

Instead of kicking the can down the road, it seems there would be some benefit to some level of realism. Instead of specific months, maybe estimate in quarters. Or, provide ranges… which is what I posted, with a smidge of snark.

 

On that note, you are one of the latest people to pay an invoice per the spreadsheet (I know that's not always super accurate but it's all I have!!!). You should be pretty close. What is the latest that you've heard? Supplier delays aside, do the invoices/start of production come 1-2 months out from install?

 

I got invoice in December, they said April. Seems like end of summer beginning of fall as long as things stay on track.

 

Hey guys and gals, just checking in on forward progress! By my calculations #’s in ~160’s should be in the build process. Can anyone confirm or deny?

 

I’m 167, haven’t been contacted yet for final payment & options.

 

163 here - I’ve paid a majority of my invoice, but nothing official on when I need to finalize all my options or should expect to take delivery. I reached out earlier this week hoping to add a couple of things, but haven’t heard back yet.

 

Okay, thanks for the update! Maybe more will chime in and we’ll have a better idea on where we’re at.

 

153 and sounding like a few more weeks until installation, maybe. No date yet but build is very close to complete.

 

You’re waiting on an awning IIRC? Or something else?

 

Phil stated one panel was recut and sent to powder coat. That was last week.

 

153, install date 6/21/21.)

 

Exciting!

Still kinda surprised with how slow they're coming out. Im curious about what's still persisting as far as delays

 

Hard to say since we never get any updates from the team (not complaining), but good to know they’re still in motion.

 

Based on the spreadsheet and posts, Bradleydlc, VO# 135, got his camper in early February and Jimlangfordphotography, VO# 153, is scheduled for third week of June. I'm bad at math but I think that indicates a delivery rate of around twenty campers in four months, so roughly five campers a month. I understand each camper's processing time is different so these numbers could be way off, and probably are, but maybe not.

I'm VO #250, ordered August of 2020. If five delivered campers a month on average is correct I'll be receiving my camper twenty months from now, around February of 2023, two and a half years after ordering. When I ordered I expected a year wait. I know Vagabond is working hard and producing quality campers (and I want a quality camper) so I'm not complaining. In fact, I'm still excited. But it is sobering to realize how much increased demand and material shortages have impacted delivery times.

 

Early Feb to late June is even fewer than 5/month sadly. But again there's details about order numbers and things like that that we don't know. At the end of the day it just rough walking the line between being excited about eventually getting such a slick camper and also being a little bummed and discouraged about time and communication.
I wish I just knew what's causing the biggest delays. Everything in this world is easier to palette if there's an understanding.

 

I think it's hard to compare this last year, to normal production rates. As things have eased, and materials have been sorted out - the pace should pick back up. @tyfoon11 might have some info....

 

Has anyone heard of any updates recently? Wondering if there are material shortages again or if they’ve sorted them out as it’s been crickets lately.