Vagabond Outdoors Drifter

[parttimedirtbag]

How were you able to able to pick up your camper, late to the forum here. I believe I have a camper complete or nearly complete there now, I'm Thomas M. referenced above by crewcabdaddy.

I can't get into the details here (yet), but you'll want to get in touch with Rone (CrewCabDaddy) who can hook you up with the group of people who are getting whatever they are able to from the warehouse (everything is legal ftr). I can DM you his phone number also.

 

[Bayareametalfab]

Well I didn't think this would be my first post.

As you all may know Vagabond outdoors is no more. Phil is MIA no one has any contact with him he pretty much ghosted everyone he knows.

Some of you my know we at BAMF were laser processing and forming the aluminum for the drifters back when they first started. They moved to another supplier when aluminum prices raised in 2019ish.

Fast forward to a month ago,
I seen all of this going down on forums and FB groups so I tried contacting to no avail. Drove by the shop almost daily for a while to closed doors every time. I got in touch with the building owner who confirmed they are no longer in his unit. I've been told there is about 60 to 70 un fulfilled orders with deposits placed (not sure if that's accurate) but that's what I'm told. After some more digging I figured with us having the CAD files/tooling to make these in house and the local company making the tents, Has dozens pre cut but holding on finishing due to non payment, we could help ease some of the pain that this caused.
I reached out to the patent holder of the drifters (not vagabond by the way) to see if they had an issue with BAMF building at least the units for the customers that have been effected by this and they agreed.

This seems to be the most active thread so I'm assuming most that have been effected are here. I'll be posting a video on youtube as well.

So if you have a pending order with vagabond or even better if someone has a list already of those affected that would be great.
I'd like to get a list together so we can start the process of seeing what it's going to take to build campers for those that still want it.

I would also like to note this is not an act of charity to Vagabond or Phil. It's been nearly a year since I've seen/talked to him and I'm frankly kinda pissed he didn't reach out for help.
I'm here to help you the community without negatively affecting our current business and of course add revenue in the process. This is not a free offer at all but we think we can build these for those affected (deposit holders) without taking a loss in the process. Helping people always makes up for lost profits in my eyes but I can't take losses on these. If you have fully paid for your order we might have to get creative in the community to get you a camper without added costs.

If anyone wants to reach me directly via email. Jerry@bayareametalfab.com

 

[.45 JHP]

Well I didn't think this would be my first post.

As you all may know Vagabond outdoors is no more. Phil is MIA no one has any contact with him he pretty much ghosted everyone he knows.

Some of you my know we at BAMF were laser processing and forming the aluminum for the drifters back when they first started. They moved to another supplier when aluminum prices raised in 2019ish.

Fast forward to a month ago,
I seen all of this going down on forums and FB groups so I tried contacting to no avail. Drove by the shop almost daily for a while to closed doors every time. I got in touch with the building owner who confirmed they are no longer in his unit. I've been told there is about 60 to 70 un fulfilled orders with deposits placed (not sure if that's accurate) but that's what I'm told. After some more digging I figured with us having the CAD files/tooling to make these in house and the local company making the tents, Has dozens pre cut but holding on finishing due to non payment, we could help ease some of the pain that this caused.
I reached out to the patent holder of the drifters (not vagabond by the way) to see if they had an issue with BAMF building at least the units for the customers that have been effected by this and they agreed.

This seems to be the most active thread so I'm assuming most that have been effected are here. I'll be posting a video on youtube as well.

So if you have a pending order with vagabond or even better if someone has a list already of those affected that would be great.
I'd like to get a list together so we can start the process of seeing what it's going to take to build campers for those that still want it.

I would also like to note this is not an act of charity to Vagabond or Phil. It's been nearly a year since I've seen/talked to him and I'm frankly kinda pissed he didn't reach out for help.
I'm here to help you the community without negatively affecting our current business and of course add revenue in the process. This is not a free offer at all but we think we can build these for those affected (deposit holders) without taking a loss in the process. Helping people always makes up for lost profits in my eyes but I can't take losses on these. If you have fully paid for your order we might have to get creative in the community to get you a camper without added costs.

If anyone wants to reach me directly via email. Jerry@bayareametalfab.com

Jerry-

Thanks for stepping up and helping the community yet again after the Pelfrey fiasco. That’s awesome of you bro.

 

[SoCalTacoTruck]

Well I didn't think this would be my first post.

As you all may know Vagabond outdoors is no more. Phil is MIA no one has any contact with him he pretty much ghosted everyone he knows.

Some of you my know we at BAMF were laser processing and forming the aluminum for the drifters back when they first started. They moved to another supplier when aluminum prices raised in 2019ish.

Fast forward to a month ago,
I seen all of this going down on forums and FB groups so I tried contacting to no avail. Drove by the shop almost daily for a while to closed doors every time. I got in touch with the building owner who confirmed they are no longer in his unit. I've been told there is about 60 to 70 un fulfilled orders with deposits placed (not sure if that's accurate) but that's what I'm told. After some more digging I figured with us having the CAD files/tooling to make these in house and the local company making the tents, Has dozens pre cut but holding on finishing due to non payment, we could help ease some of the pain that this caused.
I reached out to the patent holder of the drifters (not vagabond by the way) to see if they had an issue with BAMF building at least the units for the customers that have been effected by this and they agreed.

This seems to be the most active thread so I'm assuming most that have been effected are here. I'll be posting a video on youtube as well.

So if you have a pending order with vagabond or even better if someone has a list already of those affected that would be great.
I'd like to get a list together so we can start the process of seeing what it's going to take to build campers for those that still want it.

I would also like to note this is not an act of charity to Vagabond or Phil. It's been nearly a year since I've seen/talked to him and I'm frankly kinda pissed he didn't reach out for help.
I'm here to help you the community without negatively affecting our current business and of course add revenue in the process. This is not a free offer at all but we think we can build these for those affected (deposit holders) without taking a loss in the process. Helping people always makes up for lost profits in my eyes but I can't take losses on these. If you have fully paid for your order we might have to get creative in the community to get you a camper without added costs.

If anyone wants to reach me directly via email. Jerry@bayareametalfab.com

Thank you Jerry…huge thank you.

 

[llamalander]

This sounds really good, a drifter without having to find Phil!
Sent an email, I'm in your neighborhood, I'd like to come by and discuss when you're free.
Thanks for stepping in, I know just about everyone would rather have a camper than their money back.

 

[ETAV8R]

Haven't been following much on this topic as I wasn't in the market for a new camper but this news really sucks. VO started from similar camper evolution/roots. IMHO they had the best product on the market. It would be so cool if BAMF was able to take over the product but they have a lot of products they work on as is.

 

[dan8906]

Pass this along. Bamf is selling shirts to help offset some cost. I’ve bought mine!

#Vagaboned FUND T shirt-Vagaboned

 

[Donnyhugh]

Just wondering what it would take or if it would even be considered a reasonable path to take in starting a GoFundMe to raise funds for Bay Area Metal Fab. This is purely to help offset any financial burden Jerry would be taking upon himself. Gaining support from a community outside of BAMF and the Vagabond customers that are already at a loss could potentially shed some light on this whole fiasco, and help so many of us getting what we paid for without putting in too much extra money to make this all a reality. I have no experience in crowd funding, and am just learning about the offer that Jerry has put on the table. My intentions are obviously not profit driven, and all proceeds from said fund would go directly to Bay Area Metal Fab in order to help cover the materials needed to start working on these campers.

Any thought of ideas on this topic would be appreciated. I just reached out to Jerry to let him know my position with vagabond, and where I stand in the production process. I am new to expedition portal, and to this forum, so excuse me if this topic has already been addressed. Lets see what we can all do as a community to put campers on our trucks that we paid for, and help Jerry in the process in any way possible with all the efforts he is putting towards this amazing cause. Thank you to all who have put endless hours of your time into trying to make sense of this mess, and thank you Jerry for the selfless actions you're taking on!
- Casey

 

[chmura]

Just wondering what it would take or if it would even be considered a reasonable path to take in starting a GoFundMe to raise funds for Bay Area Metal Fab. This is purely to help offset any financial burden Jerry would be taking upon himself. Gaining support from a community outside of BAMF and the Vagabond customers that are already at a loss could potentially shed some light on this whole fiasco, and help so many of us getting what we paid for without putting in too much extra money to make this all a reality. I have no experience in crowd funding, and am just learning about the offer that Jerry has put on the table. My intentions are obviously not profit driven, and all proceeds from said fund would go directly to Bay Area Metal Fab in order to help cover the materials needed to start working on these campers.

Any thought of ideas on this topic would be appreciated. I just reached out to Jerry to let him know my position with vagabond, and where I stand in the production process. I am new to expedition portal, and to this forum, so excuse me if this topic has already been addressed. Lets see what we can all do as a community to put campers on our trucks that we paid for, and help Jerry in the process in any way possible with all the efforts he is putting towards this amazing cause. Thank you to all who have put endless hours of your time into trying to make sense of this mess, and thank you Jerry for the selfless actions you're taking on!
- Casey

I never like giving money to GoFund Me. Certain percentage of the money goes to the Corporation which I do not like. Usually if I want to give a donation I try to give directly to the person in need.

BAMF is selling VB shirts online with a portion of profit will go to the 'VB Fund'. I purchased a shirt but haven't received it yet.

What's the current status on the builds? Has any of them even started?

 

[czukie]

Vagaboned

 

[ITTOG]

Vagaboned

I noticed that too. Very funny!

 

[UncleAir]

I never like giving money to GoFund Me. Certain percentage of the money goes to the Corporation which I do not like. Usually if I want to give a donation I try to give directly to the person in need.

BAMF is selling VB shirts online with a portion of profit will go to the 'VB Fund'. I purchased a shirt but haven't received it yet.

What's the current status on the builds? Has any of them even started?

Yeah, I get the gofundme issue. I think donnyhugh has his heart in the right place though. I waited 13 months beginning in 2019 and had similar anxieties as others, but nowhere near the extent some are having now. Cannot imagine the frustration.

 

[czukie]

I know nothing about gofundme and where the funds go, but I have seen gofundme’s raise stupid amounts of money….certainly more than a few people buying a clever shirt…besides you play the sympathy card, and then you start to get money from outside sources who have no idea what vagabond is/was but see BAMF doing good for the community. BAMF then gains a fan and potential customer. The whole t-shirt gig is a great idea, it just seems dated and not the most efficient way to get funds to the good guys at BAMF helping out the vagaboned

Would kickstarter be a better format to raise money?

 

[dan8906]

Received my vagaboned shirt the other day. Was wondering if there’s been any progress?

 

[Bayareametalfab]

Figured I'd chime in here instead of emailing everyone.
I've been trying to get the patent holder to bring me files for months. I've kinda given up on trying to get them at this point. In the time since I first posted here. The landlord to the building has dropped off all Phil left behind in the building. I have some random parts and 1 full camper here so I can start piecing together what can be used and what needs to be tossed.
We might have to make a new back hatch as I've been informed it's no longer being sold.
Most orders are Drifters and I have all of those files So I'm just going to make those when we can fund it and not get their written permission . It's always easier to ask for forgiveness if you ask me

We did get the shirts printed and shipped but you are right it's not the greatest generator of funds it hasn't even covered what it costs to store all the stuff dropped off. I think a go fund me type program would work well but I have no clue how to even start one of those. I'd like to get started but we can't fund building these ourselves, so we have to source funding through donations/sales somehow. We need materials and at least a few guys on a weekends to come help me assemble/Weld them up to start at this point.

There is also a lot of wasted space on the sheets laser cutting the parts and over 300 5'x10' sheets to cut to complete all of list. if there is a company that needs small uniformly shaped .125" 5052 aluminum parts laser cut we can pretty much cut the part for less then they could buy materials for on a bulk order. That would also offset material costs for us to get started producing these as well. So if you know anyone let them know it will help us and them.

The tents will be a large cost for this as well. to keep cost down is buying an industrial machine and making them inhouse would be the best option cost wise but there is also the company that made them for Vagabond but they are pricy to have them make them.