The folks that sell the Flip Pac

[magushi]

So you're saying an individual with a legitimate concern shouldn't express himself on this forum if he hasn't already established himself in the "community"? Unless of course he only has good things to say.

I had no reason or motivation to join before. I was not even aware of the site. Simply placing an order for the product did not prompt me to join and contribute to a forum about it. It was not until I became really concerned about the situation that I started searching around and found this thread that I felt I could relate to. It is unfortunate that my first reason to contribute is a negative one but I don't see why that should prevent me from doing so.

Perhaps, when(if?) I actually receive the Flip Pac and have an opportunity to actually use it, I'll have only good things to say about it.
But right now, there is only frustration.

 

[Martyn]

Dealing with FRP is frustrating at the best of times and right now its at a low point. They continue to be unresponsive to phone calls, e mails and fax communication, but they always have been. The compounding factors are that this year they have seen a huge increase in orders and have had some difficulty procuring critical parts for their builds.

Where the frustration comes into play for us is that, had they been on the ball and used some project management skills they would have realized their target dates were unrealistic. At that point a call to their dealers would have kept us in the loop as to the delays, and we could have let our customers know what was going on. Needless to say this didn't happen.

In regard to customers buying their FlipPac through AT so that we can handle the FRP factor, this is one of the services we offer. I personally communicate with FRP sometimes on a daily basis to try and get updated information for customers. It's very frustrating and long winded. But there is a limit to what I can achieve, and apparently how far out FRP can predict.

From my many conversations with FRP my understanding is they are aware of the issues confronting them and are working to shorten delivery dates. I don't think we will ever see them as a company improve their communication skills and customer service. it's too ingrained in the company culture.

Regarding the product, I don't think you can tie together FRP's lack of communication and customer service with the quality of the product. It just doesn't work that way. I think we can all know of companies who produce great products but are a pain to deal with.

AT doesn't have any magic with FRP to procure FlipPacs. What we do is act as the intermediaries to save the customer the frustration of dealing with FRP directly. As soon as we have updated information we pass it along to our customers, but we don't have control over the information coming out of FRP. As "magushi" has found out when dealing directly with FRP, the information you receive depends on who you talk to there. This adds to the frustration level. The advantage AT has is that we know who to ask and who can give us reliable information. The information isn't always timely but it's typically accurate, there are some misunderstandings and modifications, but that's typical for production.

Finally regarding AT placing order with FRP for FlipPacs, I suspended placing orders until FRP could come to grips with their delivery schedule. At this time FRP is dealing with this issue, I have been told they are hiring more production staff and are working on reducing lead times. I can only believe what they are saying and take it on face value. They are not bad people just disorganized.

 

[bunduguy]

........But for this to be your first post on the Forum is a bit tacky IMHO. Why not have joined back when you ordered the Flippac and been telling us about yourself and letting the community learn about you. Ranting on a company owned and staffed by fellow members as an introduction won't get you very far.

Not trying to minimize your situation, but why should we care or even give credence to your rant. We don't know you at all.........

Hold on a minute......basically what you're saying is that nobody on this forum can say anything negative until they have earned our respect...? Did I get that right? is there some established ground rule before you can honestly state your opinion?
Take an example of your local city council meetings. You are not expected to establish your credibility first by going to countless meetings, before you can get up and make a complaint against the council! Possibly the reason you're at the meeting in the first place is to voice your concerns. Like a council meeting, this is a public forum, and i did not take his comments as blatantly disrespecting the AT team, but rather FRP who is NOT a member as AFAIK.
Th OP is clearly not a spammer or a troll. I found his complaint to be legitimate and well stated and actually pretty eloquent. And it also is not an out-of-the-blue first-time complaint towards FRP. Shouldn't that be the judge on which we base his credence? BTW, I have no idea who the OP is, but if I was called tacky after my first post, I don't think i'd be back. Let's not be so hasty to get all lofty.

Now, I know for a fact that AT has excellent customer service, which is what make them so good at what they do, and Martyn and Mario so respected. I'm sure we will have many other replies testifying to their virtue as well. But I think we are misguided for slamming a new member purely because his first post happens to be negative. I think it is tacky for a new member to have to ingratiate himself with the rest of us before he can make a genuine heartfelt statement! I know we have had an issue in the past with first-poster schmucks who just dive off the deep end at something, but the post was well written, clear, concise, and was even spelling error free! This alone should set him apart from other first-post complainers. Let's not tar everyone with the same brush.
The OP probably joined because as his frustration grew, maybe he googled to see if this was a common theme, and found our esteemed forum, in which he could contribute.

Well done guys. Way to welcome a new member who may become an interesting contributor.

Rant off....

As to the OP; as an industry insider, I ask you to give AT a chance to sort things out as we all know they usually do. We too have been at the mercy of suppliers, and have disappointed customers as a result. It is a sad reality, but sometimes things really are out of our hands and we're equally as frustrated as you are; after all, it is our business reputations and livelihood at stake when things go pear-shaped. Indeed, you did order the unit from AT, but I'm guessing you also understood through due diligence that they do not make it in-house.
Good luck and I hope you get a great unit or resolution.

 

[trump]

Finally regarding AT placing order with FRP for FlipPacs, I suspended placing orders until FRP could come to grips with their delivery schedule. At this time FRP is dealing with this issue, I have been told they are hiring more production staff and are working on reducing lead times. I can only believe what they are saying and take it on face value. They are not bad people just disorganized.

Thanks for the post Martyn. The honesty you guys have shown keeps customers. I for one will continue to wait it out as I know in the end it will be a fantastic product.

 

[ExpoMike]

maqushi, First off, welcome to ExPo. I hope you will find this a place to gather and share information. It can be a tight nit community and somewhat protective of good vendors out there.

Second, I can completely understand your frustration and concern. You likely placed your deposit and never actually saw one of these units in person. Now with the delays, you are doubting your purchase. Hang in there. In the end, you will be happy. The issues of delays with Flip Pac is a well known if you do some research. Heck, a Four Wheel Camper new build is likely to be 4-5 months for delivery, if all goes on schedule.

As for AT, the company and the Flip Pac they offer (though is made by the main company Flip Pac), I have seen a few of these in person and they are 100% high quality items. They are much stronger feeling than the normal Flip Pacs. Again, AT does not actually build these but puts out their specs to be built but they are also at the mercy of Flip Pac. Trust me when I say, Martyn and Mario are stand up guys and will do everything in their power to make things right. They are one of a handful of business I trust 100%.

Hang in there!

 

[Overland Hadley]

maqushi, First off, welcome to ExPo. I hope you will find this a place to gather and share information. It can be a tight nit community....

There was a time when new members would introduce themselves. It would still be nice if new people would say "hi, I am so and so, this is whats up" instead of just jumping in. There are people out there who only want to stir up trouble.

Trust me when I say, Martyn and Mario are stand up guys and will do everything in their power to make things right.

x2

 

[suntinez]

Perhaps, when(if?) I actually receive the Flip Pac and have an opportunity to actually use it, I'll have only good things to say about it.
But right now, there is only frustration.

Totally understand this, sounds like with repeatedly having to reschedule vacation due to FRP delays you'd be VERY frustrated. I know I would be. I'm sure AT is doing everything possible to ease your pain.

It is a good product though, guessing you'll agree after you finally get yours. Here's hoping that it's soon!

 

[homemade]

I'm seriously thinking i should get my money back asap.

Nothing wrong with your first post.

Just a thought, if you are having second thoughts and if a refund of your deposit isn't a possibility maybe you could post up what you ordered and see if anyone would want to take over your spot in line. Probably a long shot but if there is that much of an increase in orders of flippacs from FRP maybe someone who wants to order what you ordered would like to be 17 weeks ahead instead of where they would be if they submitted a new order.

 

[NotAMog]

I'm very happy with my FlipPac but it is a shame that FRP doesn't understand how modern customer service needs to work in the Internet age. I bought mine through AT and was extremely pleased with the service and support I've received from them. It took almost 6 months to get the camper which was twice as long as originally expected. I've been very happy with it since then.

The only problem I've had is that the paint doesn't match my truck despite giving them the proper paint code. I suspect that FRP's painter used some other paint he had on hand that was "close enough". If fact it looks like it may be the same color as Martyn's Ford, hummmm......??????

I stopped in at FRP on Good Friday. They were technically closed but Diane was in and took care of me. They worked with their painter and offered to dissemble the whole camper to repaint it. After thinking about it for some time I decided to live with it the way it is. I thought that dissembling and reassembling everything would open up the possibility of too many other problems. Actually, since I put the AT logo stickers on the camper I'm much less frustrated with the paint mismatch, probably because it gives me something else to look at on those tall slab sides other than the mismatched paint.

The folks at FRP seem to be reasonable to deal with in person but completely forget about dealing with them through E-mail and phone calls are at best hit and miss.

 

[ETAV8R]

What a bummer. I ordered my FRP Flippac last year and got it on time and in the right color. I'm curious what is going on over there. I've commented in other threads about their customer service. Long delays in production really need to be addressed if it causing an increase in customer dissatisfaction.

 

[magushi]

So after a weekend of intense therapy(aka fly fishing in Co.), I've chilled out a bit and decided to stick it out a while longer. I actually saw a unit while I was up there and from what I could see externally it looks well built. It was even mounted to the same vehicle as mine. It was parked and stowed away and the owner was nowhere in sight so I only saw the outside. I looked good. I want one.

There is optimistic news on the horizon. I'll let you all know how it turns out.

Thank you Martyn for your diligence. I understand your predicament and I wasn't trying to drag you or AT through the mud.
Perhaps in the future it would be good to give your Flip Pac customers a heads up on the probability of serious delays from the factory since that seems to be the norm.

 

[Martyn]

So after a weekend of intense therapy(aka fly fishing in Co.), I've chilled out a bit and decided to stick it out a while longer. I actually saw a unit while I was up there and from what I could see externally it looks well built. It was even mounted to the same vehicle as mine. It was parked and stowed away and the owner was nowhere in sight so I only saw the outside. I looked good. I want one.

There is optimistic news on the horizon. I'll let you all know how it turns out.

Thank you Martyn for your diligence. I understand your predicament and I wasn't trying to drag you or AT through the mud.
Perhaps in the future it would be good to give your Flip Pac customers a heads up on the probability of serious delays from the factory since that seems to be the norm.

I totally understand your frustration and I'm glad you have decided to hang in there. As of today your shell has been made and they have to hang the lid, attach the tent etc. to get it complete.

Since I found out about the delays I have been advising customers of longer delivery times. The problems have arisen with customers who ordered, and were anticipating, the normal 10 week delivery time frame. I only wish I'd know about the delays sooner so I could have communicated it to our customers.

 

[cc tacoma]

Definitly Frustrated but still stoked!

Hey ya'll, I'm in the same boat as some of you other folks. I placed my order for a Flip Pac with AT on April 5th., and was given a timeline of 10-12 weeks. However, here we are going on 16 weeks and no real word on delivery. However, I will say this. I strongly believe that the fellas at AT are doing everything possible to get somewhat of a timeline they can from FRP and get back to me promptly. They have been incredibly helpful. So in the meantime I try to tell myself that it will all be worth it when it finally shows up. Also for what it's worth, all the reviews I have heard from this forum and speaking to people who have flip pacs out on the road. They are more than happy with the product. So until she shows up I'll just try to focus on the fact that I am getting a great product and I will just have to sleep in the dirt a little longer. (I've been doing it for 31 years so a few more weeks won't kill me. I do find it interesting that AT has stopped taking orders for the time being, as crappy as that is, it sounds like it had to be done. If FRP can't (or won't) keep up with demand than why should AT keep taking orders for unknown delivery dates? I wouldn't want to either. Hopefully FRP can make some adjustments to get this all worked out. In the meantime, I'll see y'all out on the trail. (I'll be the one sleeping next to my Mag grey tacoma next to the wheel with a smile on my face none the less)

 

[zornff]

So after a weekend of intense therapy(aka fly fishing in Co.), I've chilled out a bit and decided to stick it out a while longer. I actually saw a unit while I was up there and from what I could see externally it looks well built. It was even mounted to the same vehicle as mine. It was parked and stowed away and the owner was nowhere in sight so I only saw the outside. I looked good. I want one.

There is optimistic news on the horizon. I'll let you all know how it turns out.

Thank you Martyn for your diligence. I understand your predicament and I wasn't trying to drag you or AT through the mud.
Perhaps in the future it would be good to give your Flip Pac customers a heads up on the probability of serious delays from the factory since that seems to be the norm.

Where were you fly fishing in Colorado ? Could have been mine.

 

[Dave Bennett]

Be patient... It's worth the wait gents! :ylsmoke: