New SCS Inventory subscription thread

As a prospective customer I take issue with the loot drop style releases.

Sure it keeps people engaged on social... but man is it annoying when you want something specific and get constantly jerked around on whether it'll ever be produced or when it will be available.

 

Scored 4 gen 5 jet black -38mm my second SCS set!! I’ll get the spare at some point

 

I scored my spare/backup from the SCS blemished thread, looks great!

 

If your in Washington state some new Gen5 bronze for sale

 

What’s his number? These would look badass on my wife’s 4runner.

 

I get that it works fine at their current (and previous - for years) business model, but in terms of how it treats customers from a business perspective isn't ideal. I agree that it is awesome to have unique wheels, and better yet, they look sick. I take no issue with their product, as the BR6's are my 2nd set of SCS wheels.

Dealers could be an option, but after one coincidental interaction with one, I'll pass. I was visiting my parents in Bend, OR and sure enough, we stop by the Toyota dealership so my father can pick up a part for his Tundra, and they have PILES of SCS wheels. Very interested, I inquire on models and pricing. Marked up ~$75-$100 per wheel? No thanks. SCS wheels are at the upper end of what I could justify spending, just from them directly.

I totally understand why they don't want to do pre-orders, I take no issue with that. Shifting timelines from suppliers (made significantly worse in the era of COVID) and balancing issues pertaining to pre-orders in the first place make them a total pain, especially if they aren't a large operation.

I work in the outdoors industry, and like most in our industry in the COVID time, have seen a large increase in demand and continuous supply chain issues. We take pre-orders (I work a fair bit in that arena) and though we've made them work well, it is a LOT of work to try to predict/calculate accurate lead times, manage expectations, and nobody likes having to tell people that the thing they're so excited about has unfortunately been delayed and there's often nothing we can do to fix it without potential compromise on their end.

 

Yes, but SCS has had supply issues for years. Even before the current global situation. I guess my point is that their business model of dropping 5-10 or so sets of wheels every few months, maybe twice a month if we're lucky for the past several years...well, it's pathetic to be quite honest.

Also, how do they advertise a product for 5 months (like their stealth indigo finish) and never follow through or bother to update their website? Stealth indigo purple is not even a listed option, yet they still advertise their blue finish on their website which has been discontinued for some time. Moreover, the evasive answers they choose to give to their potential customers following them on their social media reflects poorly upon SCS in my opinion.

I found it a bit odd SCS posted about price increases on the forum this year. Fine, but how do you raise the price of what you never have and what's your justification for it when you're not even trying to meet consumer demand? You've got customers willing to wait a long time and pay a premium. Why not let them custom order the rare finishes like brushed copper or stealth indigo and leave the regular colors like black, bronze, or grey on a standard monthly drop?

Every business faces challenges. It's what you do or try to do as a business owner to improve in those areas that makes or breaks you and defines you. SCS seems content with their status quo and buyers are choosing to shop elsewhere. I'm not aware of any business that wouldn't care about that or try to improve in that area over time.

Remember Sears? They never changed their business model. How did that work out for them?

 

I agree with the annoyances for sure, along with your points on how they promote things. I still think the custom/special order game is really tough personally, and I wouldn't be surprised if the price increase was significantly based on shipping costs, as they are out of control bad.

Here's to hoping that consumer feedback, combined with their own personal (internal) plans helps them plot a better course for everyone in the future.

 

Do you guys who are complaining understand anything about our current supply chain issues? All of these wheels are manufactured overseas. What a nightmare this is. SCS can order as many wheels as they want from the factory. Doesn't mean they are going to be able to receive any of them within the next 6 months.....

 

I think everyone understands global supply chain issues at this point. The frustration seems to be with the hype-machine/sneaker-drop/social media model of releasing inventory, and advertising products that might never exist.

 

The quote below is spot on. I deal with the supply chain issues plaguing us everyday in my job, and I'm 100% sympathetic to them. I'm really just looking for some actual communication from SCS when I give them the exact wheel I want - again - "Q4 2022 if things go roughly how we expect them to" would be absolutely fine with me, and no sweat if there are delays, it happens. And an email notification list, that is absolutely not too much to ask for. I love their product, but I shouldn't have to work this hard to pay them money is all.

 

DM them on the gram. Every time Ive asked a question i get a response in 30ish min.. the answers on lead times or the next drop may not always be correct, but thats the nature of the beast with this economy.

 

I haven't DM'd them there and have only used the contact on their website, but I thought it was the same person or two answering both. Unfortunately it is moot at this point since I just found the set I wanted used.

 

For those that have recently ordered/received a set of SCS wheels, did they come knurled on the inside lip? I thought SCS stated all new wheels featured stealth knurling on the inside lip of the rim?

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/stealth-knurling.736434/

I'm genuinely curious, because this member just received their set and they don't appear to have knurling...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/my-new-scs-custom.755073/#post-26910226

 

Look at the second picture. No stealth knurling whatsoever.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/my-new-scs-custom.755073/#post-26910226

I'm genuinely curious if this is another example of bait and switch/over promise and under deliver from SCS.

 

Have you thought that the shipping is so backed up that they still have un-knurled stock to move?

 

Have you bothered to read the previous posts about SCS's supply shortages that have been going on for years even before this "global slowdown" occurred? If you weren't aware, limited supply and infrequent inventory drops are nothing new to this thread. Everything sells within minutes when it drops.

Have you considered the fact that maybe the customer should be informed if such "old non knurled" inventory as you call it if such inventory even existed before being sold a product not as advertised? It would have to be some pretty old inventory if that was the case. Stealth knurling is a feature of all Toyota wheels starting winter 2021 according to SCS.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/stealth-knurling.736434/

Moreover, if such inventory exists why would SCS sit on it for over 6 months and release it at a later time when demand is so high and customers are choosing to buy wheels from other manufacturers that can fulfill that demand?

As I've stated numerous times before, I'm genuinely curious if these wheels came with stealth knurling and if not I would like to know why.

For everyone else that chooses to buy wheels from SCS and doesn't care what they receive despite what's advertised, the price, or the recent price increases that's their choice. I'll bet I'm not the only one on this thread that would like clarification though.

 

Boy are you mad… I’m well aware of the situation, I waited 6+ months after the Gen 5 was supposed to be released and missed the first shipment because I was in a meeting but got them on the second shipment. No sense getting all worked up on something you can’t control.

Take it easy and have a beautiful weekend.

 

I'm just asking for some transparency and clarification from SCS.

You as well. I'm looking forward to AMA Supercross this weekend.