Hi folks, new guy here, I have a 92 Dodge 4x4 with a Cummins and a 5-speed, I am trying to build it up as an expedition camper.
I ordered a shell from Callen Campers, and it's been a nightmare.
I sent Callen Campers (San Diego) detailed plans for a camper shell, along with a $2400 deposit, from my home in Utah, back in Jan 07.
The check was cashed before Jan 15 2007, followed up by a phone call from the fabricator. He claimed a build time of 8-12 weeks. This is the only phone call I have ever received from Callen.
When I called in April to hopefully schedule the delivery/installation of the shell, I was told there were design questions, and the shell hadn't been started yet.
So I made a special trip to Callen on Easter, April 8 2007, to clear up any questions, which we did, and was told 12 weeks for the build time.
When I called in September to arrange pickup (I'm in SoCal twice a year, Spring and Fall) I was told it wasn't complete, so we agreed to get it done by the Spring.
When I called in the Spring, on April 19 2008, to arrange pickup, I was told my shell was mostly done, but my desired pickup date may be a problem due to the impending birth of Scotts child, and we needed to schedule around that, I had some flexibility in my schedule, so that wasn't a problem.
As my desired pickup date drew near, I called multiple times over the better part of a week to arrange a pickup date, but the phones were off at the Callen shop, and my time in Ca. ran out, so I returned to Utah.
I found myself in SoCal in June 08, so I called on the 12th or 13th to arrange pickup, and I was informed my shell had been sold to someone "in a hurry". I told Scott Callen at that moment that I wanted out, to cancel my order, and refund my money.
After a month of waiting for the refund, I sent them a letter formally asking for a refund, and a return of the parts I also sent them, 2 Blitz Can carrier racks and a piece of pipe. That was 3 weeks ago.
After 18 months Callen has failed to build my shell, and refuses to refund my deposit.
I can't believe Callen has been in business this long treating customers like this, it seems they are blatantly trying to rip me off, and stall me, since the statute of limitations to sue them in small claims runs out in Jan 09.
I don't want to sue these clowns, I just want my frigging money back so I can order a different shell and get on with my life.
Do business with Callen at your own risk, I wouldn't advise it unless you are so close to them you can stop buy and hassle them in person on a weekly basis, but as far as trying to do long distance business with these slackers, don't do it.
I wish I had gone with an A.R.E. DCU 90-degree sidewall/radius front shell (The Mec, paging The Mec, please pick up the white courtesy phone), and I will, once I get my funds back from Callen.
I ordered a shell from Callen Campers, and it's been a nightmare.
I sent Callen Campers (San Diego) detailed plans for a camper shell, along with a $2400 deposit, from my home in Utah, back in Jan 07.
The check was cashed before Jan 15 2007, followed up by a phone call from the fabricator. He claimed a build time of 8-12 weeks. This is the only phone call I have ever received from Callen.
When I called in April to hopefully schedule the delivery/installation of the shell, I was told there were design questions, and the shell hadn't been started yet.
So I made a special trip to Callen on Easter, April 8 2007, to clear up any questions, which we did, and was told 12 weeks for the build time.
When I called in September to arrange pickup (I'm in SoCal twice a year, Spring and Fall) I was told it wasn't complete, so we agreed to get it done by the Spring.
When I called in the Spring, on April 19 2008, to arrange pickup, I was told my shell was mostly done, but my desired pickup date may be a problem due to the impending birth of Scotts child, and we needed to schedule around that, I had some flexibility in my schedule, so that wasn't a problem.
As my desired pickup date drew near, I called multiple times over the better part of a week to arrange a pickup date, but the phones were off at the Callen shop, and my time in Ca. ran out, so I returned to Utah.
I found myself in SoCal in June 08, so I called on the 12th or 13th to arrange pickup, and I was informed my shell had been sold to someone "in a hurry". I told Scott Callen at that moment that I wanted out, to cancel my order, and refund my money.
After a month of waiting for the refund, I sent them a letter formally asking for a refund, and a return of the parts I also sent them, 2 Blitz Can carrier racks and a piece of pipe. That was 3 weeks ago.
After 18 months Callen has failed to build my shell, and refuses to refund my deposit.
I can't believe Callen has been in business this long treating customers like this, it seems they are blatantly trying to rip me off, and stall me, since the statute of limitations to sue them in small claims runs out in Jan 09.
I don't want to sue these clowns, I just want my frigging money back so I can order a different shell and get on with my life.
Do business with Callen at your own risk, I wouldn't advise it unless you are so close to them you can stop buy and hassle them in person on a weekly basis, but as far as trying to do long distance business with these slackers, don't do it.
I wish I had gone with an A.R.E. DCU 90-degree sidewall/radius front shell (The Mec, paging The Mec, please pick up the white courtesy phone), and I will, once I get my funds back from Callen.
