Beware of this company

[OminousSkitter]

Interesting.

I've been making an effort to buy us made or assembled products lately. Westcott tow hooks, Diode Dynamics light bar, topo topper, dirtcom trail swing... This experience reinforced that those purchases were worth it.

In general I do, too. At a bare minimum, I buy from an established North American company (not just a PO box) even if manufacturing and assembly are overseas (you simply can't avoid it in some products). It at least gives you better QC, which is the biggest issue dealing with the factories / drop shippers. A lot of factories try to pass "looks close enough" off as "in spec".

But, just because something is made in the US doesn't make it good quality; I was burned with some Jeep parts from newer manufacturers that closed shop within 5 years of launch after QC nightmares.

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[TacoBirdinNW]

In general I do, too. At a bare minimum, I buy from an established North American company (not just a PO box) even if manufacturing and assembly are overseas (you simply can't avoid it in some products). It at least gives you better QC, which is the biggest issue dealing with the factories / drop shippers. A lot of factories try to pass "looks close enough" off as "in spec".

But, just because something is made in the US doesn't make it good quality; I was burned with some Jeep parts from newer manufacturers that closed shop within 5 years of launch after QC nightmares.

True. I bought my first Tacoma skid plate from a supposed US company thinking I was doing the right thing and it was absolute garbage. Ended up being the same plate and hardware that Chinese companies sell on amazon with a "custom" TRD logo pinned on and the paint peeled off logo and rusted in a couple months.
Best to just purchase from an established U.S. company like you said. Can be hard these days though.

 

[IDontWorkForTheWaterCo]

I think we have to remember that even some "American" companies establish their production overseas and it's that company that set the quality targets not the actual folks manufacturing the product. In other words, sometimes it's not about where it is produced, but the company calling the shots. And sometimes those shots are called from the good ol' USA.

 

[TacoBirdinNW]

I think we have to remember that even some "American" companies establish their production overseas and it's that company that set the quality targets not the actual folks manufacturing the product. In other words, sometimes it's not about where it is produced, but the company calling the shots. And sometimes those shots are called from the good ol' USA.

True. I guess I should say, an established US company with a track record of high quality and good customer care.

 

[SilverSurfer]

I don't think we need to split the hairs so very thin on this by naming names. I think the general observation that you need to be aware of the likelihood that cheaper goods are going to have quality and perhaps safety tradeoffs is good enough.

I've read a number of credible stories over the years about American products ordered and manufactured in China having their "materials and or formula components" unknowingly substituted by the manufacturer with a more profitable alternative, even though the alternative didn't meet specification and or was dangerous.

 

[TacoBirdinNW]

I love splitting hairs though

 

[Longpatterned]

Sounds like marketing. Ultimately you get a free thing by agreeing to give feedback after using it. I see nothing wrong. Bought and paid for one of their roof racks and it works great 1 1/2 years in. Whatever.

 

[TacoBirdinNW]

Sounds like marketing. Ultimately you get a free thing by agreeing to give feedback after using it. I see nothing wrong. Bought and paid for one of their roof racks and it works great 1 1/2 years in. Whatever.

I think it's wild you guys can't see that there was no agreement to give a 5 star review and the barrage of emails attempting to manipulate the review is the problem. When the product arrived, and was low quality gutter trash, a generous (in my opinion) 3 star review was given, an honest review, per our agreement. I was then inundated with emails. Here are a some samples:

"If you’ve already left your honest review, please send me a screenshot."

"Because of the current 3-star rating, I am under quite a bit of pressure and honestly need to give a proper account to my manager"

"your critique has pushed us to initiate a complete overhaul and upgrade of the entire product line."

"Would you be open to doing me a huge personal favor and updating your review to a 5-star rating?"

"Also, to ensure the review complies with platform guidelines, could you please help me keep the text focused strictly on the product itself, without mentioning any sensitive topics like giveaways or promotional gifts?"

"We dont just value your feedback—we desperately need it.
Because of this, we would love to invite you to be our long-term premium tester. The very moment our fully upgraded, newly engineered product line rolls out from the factory, we will ship a brand-new complete set directly to you, entirely free of charge, to get your expert stamp of approval."

"If you can see our absolute sincerity and our commitment to making this product right for the Tacoma community, would you be open to giving a young professional like me a second chance and adjusting your review? It would completely save my career here, and I promise we will not let you down."

Supposedly a new rep:

"Joy was placed under enormous pressure because of this matter, and she eventually resigned as a result."

"We only hope that you can delete the review and allow this unpleasant experience to disappear completely from your life."

"All we are asking is for you to delete this review."


I mean, come on guys...

I take responsibility for reaching out when they posted their since deleted giveaway. I got shitty throw away side steps for free and sent them back. No biggie. And I didn't have to respond to a single email if I didn't want to, but this shit is just absurd.

If you think this is normal behavior from a reputable company you should list the companies you purchase products from so I can make sure I never spend a single dollar with them.

 

[SilverSurfer]

I completely see your point. It’s very clear to me that they tried to manipulate their way to a more favorable review than their product deserved.

 

[Longpatterned]

I think it's wild you guys can't see that there was no agreement to give a 5 star review and the barrage of emails attempting to manipulate the review is the problem. When the product arrived, and was low quality gutter trash, a generous (in my opinion) 3 star review was given, an honest review, per our agreement. I was then inundated with emails. Here are a some samples:

"If you’ve already left your honest review, please send me a screenshot."

"Because of the current 3-star rating, I am under quite a bit of pressure and honestly need to give a proper account to my manager"

"your critique has pushed us to initiate a complete overhaul and upgrade of the entire product line."

"Would you be open to doing me a huge personal favor and updating your review to a 5-star rating?"

"Also, to ensure the review complies with platform guidelines, could you please help me keep the text focused strictly on the product itself, without mentioning any sensitive topics like giveaways or promotional gifts?"

"We dont just value your feedback—we desperately need it.
Because of this, we would love to invite you to be our long-term premium tester. The very moment our fully upgraded, newly engineered product line rolls out from the factory, we will ship a brand-new complete set directly to you, entirely free of charge, to get your expert stamp of approval."

"If you can see our absolute sincerity and our commitment to making this product right for the Tacoma community, would you be open to giving a young professional like me a second chance and adjusting your review? It would completely save my career here, and I promise we will not let you down."

Supposedly a new rep:

"Joy was placed under enormous pressure because of this matter, and she eventually resigned as a result."

"We only hope that you can delete the review and allow this unpleasant experience to disappear completely from your life."

"All we are asking is for you to delete this review."


I mean, come on guys...

I take responsibility for reaching out when they posted their since deleted giveaway. I got shitty throw away side steps for free and sent them back. No biggie. And I didn't have to respond to a single email if I didn't want to, but this shit is just absurd.

If you think this is normal behavior from a reputable company you should list the companies you purchase products from so I can make sure I never spend a single dollar with them.

I get it. I don’t leave reviews. I had a different experience. Nothing comes for free. I buy products from Toyota, Apple, Snap-On, Makita, Samsung, Bosch, Maytag, and Stihl. Make sure to never spend a single dollar with them.

 

[TacoBirdinNW]

I get it. I don’t leave reviews. I had a different experience. Nothing comes for free. I buy products from Toyota, Apple, Snap-On, Makita, Samsung, Bosch, Maytag, and Stihl. Make sure to never spend a single dollar with them.

Yea, because Toyota, Apple, Snap-On, Makita, Samsung, Bosch, Maytag, and Stihl would bombard your inbox repetitively if you left a critical review of their shitty knock off second rate products Thanks

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