Sierra4x4trailers

[Woods]

APPLAUD THE MOD - I'm very impressed with the moderation at this site. Anybody can pick apart a judgement call when it's a call about a grey area such as this. ie, define mob? Use the word and you can be criticized both ways on it. If a mod was solely concerned about "the business" it would delete anti-vendor threads. I've seen it done on other sites. Instead this mod contacts the party and tries to get things worked out????? At that point he's going WAY above and beyond to do the right thing. He's doing his best to help in a muddy situation that sux.

I hope everybody focuses their attention on the issue. The issue is the trailer and nothing more.

 

[skersfan]

I just spoke with Chris, he is doing everything within his power to bring things up to date.. Has hired another shopt to help him with somethings, another paint shop to cut down the time, added another employee to help him. He feels he will be caught up with in a couple of weeks. He returned my call for offering to help. Appreciated, but thinks he has the first steps taken to begin controlling the forest fire.

He is concerned about the back log and is trying desperately to climb out from under it.

I hope that helps some that are way late on their trailers, I totally understand your frustration, we all do. Hopefully when you do recieve your new trailer, you will be as happy with it as you are frustreated now.

I have no dog in this fight, but I think Chris is working to get back in front of the curve.

 

[teotwaki]

I just spoke with Chris, he is doing everything within his power to bring things up to date.. Has hired another shopt to help him with somethings, another paint shop to cut down the time, added another employee to help him. He feels he will be caught up with in a couple of weeks. He returned my call for offering to help. Appreciated, but thinks he has the first steps taken to begin controlling the forest fire.

He is concerned about the back log and is trying desperately to climb out from under it.

I hope that helps some that are way late on their trailers, I totally understand your frustration, we all do. Hopefully when you do recieve your new trailer, you will be as happy with it as you are frustreated now.

I have no dog in this fight, but I think Chris is working to get back in front of the curve.

That should be good news for all.

You are way cool!

 

[Dendy Jarrett]

Guys- while camping, I check if I have Internet from time-to-time just to stay on top of my duties. That is the great thing about working as a remote person.
Just so we are clear- I have no personal relationship with Chris. The first time I ever spoke with him was to a) make him aware of the thread so he could answer to the claims (on the last thread) and to determine if he was just not above board or just snowed under. My opinion (and only an opinion) was the latter. I think he is a small business man that is under staffed and over committed.
As to my comments on removing 'this' thread, ... Was simply because there already exists a thread about this exact subject.
And for my moderation techniques: I am a volunteer with Expo. For now, it is how I give back. There probably are dozens of ways to deal with this. I prefer the Golden Rule method. It simply works for me! Thanks
D

 

[Johnainny]

I hope that you all are right. I would not want a trailer that I would not be happy with. I have no doubt that Chris will delivery the trailers. It's just that we are waiting and he keeps telling us the same thing. Ready next week, one more week. I have seen one other posts that some people have had the same problems with Sierria 4X4, but I also saw that Chris never srewed anyone over by not getting them their trailer. I have hope and will keep everyone informed and will post pictures as soon as I get them.

 

[mvbeggs]

I just spoke with Chris, he is doing everything within his power to bring things up to date..
...He feels he will be caught up with in a couple of weeks....

He is concerned about the back log and is trying desperately to climb out from under it....

I also have no dog in this fight. Just curious, has Sierra 4x4 temporarily stopped taking orders, until he gets caught up, or is he continuing to process orders/deposits?

I hope the forum admin's would give some thought before deleting this thread. If the allegations are true, the thread should stand as a "heads up" to the expedition community regarding the business practices of a particular vendor. If the allegations are false, the thread should be deleted so as not to mislead the expedition community and unjustly persecute an undeserving party. In the end, the admin's priorities should be to the community, not the vendors. Without members, there is no need for vendors to visit/support this site.

I enjoy participating in this site. There is TONS of great information here. I hope the tradition continues.

For the record, I am rooting that Sierra 4x4 resolves these issues. We all win if there are several companies inovating and investing in R&D for the products we purchase. GO SIERRA!

 

[BroncoHauler]

I just spoke with Chris, he is doing everything within his power to bring things up to date.... He returned my call for offering to help. ....

Bob,

That is a seriously stand-up thing of you to do, offering to help Chris, a "competitor" in the offroad trailer business, with his backlog and get him back on a solid footing. Hats off to you!


Herb

 

[skersfan]

For the most part all of us are good guys. I have never ran into anyone on any off road forum that I would not help if it was needed, this really is a pretty good bunch of people. We all love the outdoors, nature and the beauty of it. We all enjoy wheeling and the rewards it gives us and our families. The Golden Rule is to be lived by I think and have always tried to. Thank you for your kind words, but my guess is every single person here would help Chris if he asked. This situation was not something you strive for, but it happens to most of us at one time or another, not being able to peform as we think we can. Not forseeing different situations that arise, that cause set backs to time schedules. He is giving it his best effort I think. I have told him if he needs help just hollar, that is all I can do.

 

[Mc Taco]

Glad to hear that Sierra4x4 Trailers is catching up with the backlog. I don't think the issue was ever that the end product was not outstanding or that as a manufacturer is reliant on suppliers that might not follow through. The beef that I see is the unrealistic secondary promised delivery dates, as pleasant as those must have been to both parties to hear and say. And secondly the lack of communication with the paying/paid customers. I hope that some valuable lessons have been learned and success will continue for Sierra4x4 Trailers.

 

[Captm]

I have two general questions that I keep asking myself while following this and the other Sierra 4x4 thread and will put it out to others.

1. Why do people pay the full amount up front? The standard I use in my business on custom projects is 1/4 on order, 1/4 on proof of half completion, 1/4 on acceptance and the final 1/4 when the punch list is completed. A few vendors are not thrilled with this arrangement, but we work it out or I take my business elsewhere. The yachting community is small although larger than the expo/offroad business and word gets around of who to use or not.

2. Why do people post comments in a forum that ad no value to the topic at hand? An example from a member to another's post in the other Sierra 4x4 thread,
"I really wonder why you think we need your lecture? Speak to Chris about your unique business philosophy- privately. BTW Artists may not work on a schedule, but businessmen do. "

Cheers

 

[Dendy Jarrett]

"I really wonder why you think we need your lecture? Speak to Chris about your unique business philosophy- privately. BTW Artists may not work on a schedule, but businessmen do. "

I have to say regarding this comment you quoted: In many, many circumstances, artists are artists that become business owners and they refuse to compromise quality of their product due to time deadlines! I know this because my Mom is an professional artist (watercolor) and owns her own gallery. Many times, she is running behind her schedule because she is having a challenge that is beyond her control.
(and I am not saying that this is the case in this instance ... as said, I have spoken with Chris, and he seemed really attentive to me), but in many cases, someone that turns their life's passion into a business are not equipped to be in business. They want to be, ... but they are simply not "wired" that way.
So this statement quoted paints with a very narrow stroke!

D

 

[RFDGUY]

My Experience

Fellow ExPo members,

I am one of the recent purchasers of a Sierra 4X4 Trailer and at the request of other members on the forum I am going to give my experience.

I ordered my trailer through Sierra 4X4 Trailers back on the last week of January. I was told that my build would be a 4-6 week build and after the numerous conversations I had with Chris, I had my Credit Union send a check to his business. After around 3-4 weeks I called to inquire about the status of my build. I was told that it would be more like 8 weeks due to delays in the sheet metal and a backlog of trailers. I again waited patiently till the 8 week mark and I was told that another delay has put me back to the 12 week mark. I waited again for my trailer completion estimate and it was time to call again on my status. This time I was told that my frame was going to powder coating and my tub was in the primer stage. I was frustrated for sure, but I had no other option but to wait and trust that my trailer build was going smoothly. I had only seen a picture of my frame in the bare metal/welding stage at this point. I finally decided I needed to protect my investment. I should have done this along with my original payment, but it didn't cross my mind. I made up a written contract with Chris at Sierra 4X4 Trailers and requested that a hard completion date be made. At the end of the written contract date my trailer was completed.

In the end I received my trailer and it was a quality build for sure. Unfortunately, it took more than double the original quote to build my trailer. The only complaint that I can now have about the trailer is that the bedliner isn't fully adhered to the tub, and is coming up in some of the corners. Chris did compensate me for the extended time and problems. I was given a trasharoo and the bedliner was added at no cost to me. He even compensated me for the extra interest on my loan due to the extended build and the fact that I was under an unsecured loan (SUPER HIGH INTEREST RATE).


View attachment 103988

In the end I got a great trailer that my family will enjoy for years


Chris

 

[FishPOET]

Many times, she is running behind her schedule because she is having a challenge that is beyond her control.

As a small business owner for 35 years there are not any challenges beyond my control. There are plenty of challenges to be sure but each challenge is my responsibility to resolve.

 

[Dendy Jarrett]

As a small business owner for 35 years there are not any challenges beyond my control. There are plenty of challenges to be sure but each challenge is my responsibility to resolve.

Not sure what type of small business you own, but I own a few. We own an Aveda Day Spa and Salon and much of our business revolves around supply from Aveda. Many times there are raw ingredient resource challenges and we cannot get a specific product necessary for a signature service we offer. In one case for almost a year. 'THAT' is an example of something out of your control.
I know in the case of Chris (as explained to me on my phone call with him) he uses a specific raw steel resource due to the quality. He refuses to compromise for a lessor quality and so it causes delays. Another example of something out of one's control.
When I was in my 30's and thought I could control everything, I used to say that given enough money and "no traffic jam on the extra mile" effort, that I could have a Bengal tiger on my door step tomorrow if I wanted it, but I have learned over time that it isn't always possible! Just sayin'.
D

 

[Captm]

Fresno,
In that I was not at OX12, I'm not sure who you are referring to. Perhaps next time you meet someone with "baited" breath you can offer them a mint and make a new friend. It was not my intention to insult you when I used your post as an example of those that are 1: empty, insubstantial. 2: lacking significance, meaning, or point : silly.
Cheers