Howell, NJ - Meet and Greet 11/10/2019

Meet and Greet!! November 10th Pep Boys Howell, NJ. Show off your rig, cooking setup, camping stuff, etc. Dogs, kids, family are welcome. We'll have discounts off everything in the store including 4x4 products (Hi Lift / ARB / Smittybilt, ICON, Ram Mount, etc) 4204 U.S. 9 S, Howell Township, NJ 07731 11AM - 4PM. A weekend trip is also in the works so we'll meet everyone and plan while there. Patches will be available as well. Bring patches to trade also! Will you attend?

Groups invited already -

New Jersey 4x4
Garden State Overland
Overland Bound - East

 

Hmm, tempting

 

This is a purpose built meet. Building the business. Working with some popular folks and should have good vendor support there as well.

 

Definitely interested. Hopefully will be able to attend.

 

Bump. Multiple vendors confirmed. There will be samples, giveaways, raffles, etc..

 

Confirmed vendors so far (Either in person or represented)
Zamp Solar.
Snomaster
ARB
Showerpouch
MorRyde
DRiV Inc - Moog Chassis
Smittybilt
Berkebile CRC Rustproofing
Conqueror 4x4 Off Road Campers
Cooper Tires
Goodyear
23zero
BFgoodrich

 

Might be down if I don’t have to work. Pep boys sells overland gear?

 

I can meet up with you and head down as well.

 

We will be very soon. I'm putting the program together. Testing in NJ but eventually hoping to bring it to the entire Northeast. Also just found out Turtleback trailers may be coming as well..

 

Interested. I'll save the date

 

Sounds appealing. May be interested

 

Interesting. They got rid of their “speed shops” and are now thinking about going overland crazy?

I might be down for attending this event depending on what we have going on that weekend.

 

I was part of that. I don't agree w/ the product we had in them. However, this market is growing super strong and we need to leverage the relationships and product availability we have. The vendors I've spoken to are all super excited about it as well as some of the "Advertisers" I've got in the works. It's a win-win for the consumer, advertisers, and vendors if we can make it work.

 

Honestly I'm not really sure why chains haven't grabbed at the off road market before. Theres always been interest. The profit available would have been crazy for any chain that wanted to go at it first and dominate. But sadly. Most stuck to off brand basic car stuff.

 

Agreed

 

I dont think it's the same. The problem with this market is most people dont have it.
And yes. Theres plenty online. But that's the problem. Everything is online and unless you're the lucky few to have a vendor locally. Then you're stuck with making your purchase decisions with pictures and word of mouth. Theres really little chance to see some of these products first hand before making your decision to spent sometimes thousands on it.


Having a chain with these same products gives everyone a better chance at having the best possible information in person to make that buying decision and it gives you a chance to go to a local location in case returns need to me made or warranty work done. You ever try returning some heavy shocks for warranty work? Shit ain't easy or convenient.

So I see it as a definite win for customers. Especially the ones that aren't blessed with a local off road company down the block like all those guys in cali.

 

I don't see how getting people outside and away from the grind of daily life is a bad thing.

 

Agree. I don't feel like any of this stuff is good for the consumer. And the established offroad shops that ACTUALLY support the community and wheel the piss out of their own vehicles, will likely be the ones hurt by this.

You think Pep Boys will have actual shock tuning/rebuilds with people who know what the fuck they are doing? It's hard enough finding someone who can competently align an offroad rig, let alone tune shocks.

These people are sold on pipe dreams of getting outside. They spend all the money to look like they are going outside when in actuality they spend $1500 on an RTT to go car camping MAYBE once a year. And it exploding in popularity just means more money in the pockets of those who take advantage of it. The only hope I would see as it becomes more popular is reduced prices on gear, but then usually quality degrades. And companies like CBI (who you paid a premium for but got your shit fast, now I see even ridiculous lead times for them and missing parts on orders) or companies like Prinsu that was small grass roots, now bough by the larger companies, the prices for their racks skyrocketed.

 

Lead times suck. Which is why it would be in stock. You just proved me correct. Why wait weeks when you can walk in and purchase?


I feel like I'm in middle school where if you wore a Stussy t-shirt there was always that one kid who asked if you surf and why you'd wear that shirt. As if it made any difference. In this case, there's two children doing it. Just don't come.