I know there's another thread that righteously wails on Marlin for the often poor customer experience associated with shopping there, and I've participated in it, but I have some reason to believe things are improving. I'll tell you my story, then I've got a suggestion for the board:

My MC07 U23 was ordered in late January through a local shop I like to support here in Colorado. They called Marlin and Mike a bunch of times, and I started calling a couple of weeks ago, all to no avail. However, last Thursday I called and talked to a guy named Ron who assured me that the 23-spline inputs they were awaiting would be there that day and he'd get my crawler built. I told him I'd heard all that before and he assured me it would happen and for me to spread the word. The conversation ended with me telling him something like, "You do what you claim to do, pal, and I'll happily tell everyone."

I called the next day and he said it was ready and would go out that day (Friday). My shop called on Monday and was told that it had, indeed, shipped on Friday.

However, UPS didn't deliver a crawler today. So, I called Marlin, fully prepared to rip his head off and spit down his throat if I got any sort of excuse, at all.

Instead, I got a tracking number. It looked like UPS didn't do anything with the package 'till Saturday, but it should arrive tomorrow.

Tho point of this story is that, for the first time in two Marlin transactions over several years, I got the straight story about the fulfillment of my order. I'm not fool enough to think they've suddenly become the Nordstrom's of the 4wheeling industry, or even that my one experience indicates a trend, but it is a positive sign.

Here's my suggestion:

If you've got a *new* positive experience surrounding an *order* with Marlin Crawler, post it here. If you've got a *new* negative experience with an *order*, then beat on them unmercifully, but post it in the other thread (http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=44569). Let's see which of these bubbles to the top most often in the coming days and weeks.

By doing this, we'll hopefully encourage Marlin and company to continue their improvements. I think all of us would agree that we'd like Marlin to succeed, but most of us are not willing to put up with business as usual anymore.

Regards,

Mark

www.inchwormgear.com

help is just a click away!

good idea except he has alredy lost me as a customer for not doing what he said he was gonna do.

Originally posted by camo
good idea except he has alredy lost me as a customer for not doing what he said he was gonna do.

Six hours ago, I was right there with you. After I extracted my pound of flesh over the phone, I was going to vote with my dollars and call Inchworm. This experience has given me a certain amount of hope, though, and I really do think the Toyota community is better off with a healthy Marlin Crawler. I guess I'm willing to invest a little time and energy into finding out if they actually are getting healthy.

Mark

I just got done assembling my Marlin Crawler and I have this to say; great product, easy to assemble, adequate directions, good design, good packaging, horrible customer service. If I had it to do over I'd go inchworm, then I'd be telling you how I just got back from wheeling instead of wreching on my shitbox. I would have had my truck done last weekend but I was waiting on parts. If Marlin had been up front and said it'll be 3 long weeks before we can get you your crawler, I probably still would have bought it but planned accordigly. Be lied to pisses me off. When you finally got someone on the phone you get 3 different excuses and get threatened with having your order cancelled just for checking if your product shipped. Having said that I'll hopefully be in the market for a gearset soon and I'll probably go with Marlin, however I won't even ask when the parts going to ship, just give him the credit card and be suprised when the UPS drops them off. Could be days could be months but just think how happy you'd be when they finally show up.
Travis

You know what scorchess my ass more than anything? The fact that while I was waiting for 4 fawkin months for my tranny from his ass, people were posting sucess stories with 3 deay turnovers and shit like that!

Some guy who has been waiting 3+ months is gettin put on the back burner so he can slap yours out in a day.

He should take care of orders as they come in. By invoice number.

I finally bought my dualcase setup a few months ago, but went with Inchworm. When I finally had the money I tried for days to call Marlin. He didn't answer the phone so I spent my money elsewhere. Jim at Inchworm was great help too. Called with a question during the install and answered the phone on the first ring, can't ask for more.

I just got my Hy-Steer from marlin last week after waiting 3 weeks for the new design to come in. I must have called over a dozen times to see if they had arrived. I did not place a order i was just checking on availablity. When Marlin finally got them in i placed my order and received it the next day. Big Mike took care of me and my order and with everybody there, that i talked to, they told me when they expected them and to call back. The only problem that i have is when i call and get a busy signal all day long, but with such a great product a little wait time is worth it. Now if i can only get some time to fully install it and go wheeling again!!!!

I had less problems with merlin then I did with allpro. Took a less then 2 weeks to get the adapter for the crawler from first call to my doorstep, just as they said it would.... I have no reason to go anywere else.... And it can't be the idea that it was someone elses "phone" order...except mine!

But I try to look at it in a positive way... If it takes a little longer, well that means their pretty busy... which also means that they make a good product, if so many people want it....for the most part.

I've ordered several adapters from all pro and they have all showed up in a matter of days. My friends ordered their units from Marlin and they didn't show up for months. When I get to building I want my parts in the coming week, not the coming year! No question on who has customer service so unless he is offering a service I need that no else can I'll NEVER go to him.

put your comments HERE (http://www.4x4stuff.com/Vendors/4xshops/links.cgi) so we have a resource that everyone can go look and see what experiences people have had with certain vendors.

I messed it up and it isn't alphebetical anymore - if there are any programming wizards out there that can figure it out I'd appreciate it :)

Anyway - feel free to add new vendors or comment on existing ones - just look and see if the vendor is in the list before you double add em..

Thanks

like i said in the other thread Marlin has someone taking care of the buisness side that appears to be getting things straightened out. They called me yesterday and said that my crawler was shipped (tracking number and all). They were expecting the next 4.7 gears to make it through customs today so they could start filling the next set of orders. I ordered my crawler at the end of janurary, but told them i was not in a hurry for it (was still building the cruiser). I don't think you could go wrong with either Inchworm or Marlin, but i think people who give Marlin a chance will see a long needed change in his buisness. Having more than one vendor for a given product is usually better for the consumer......... :D

I talked to Ron today about what is going on on this board he says he will be posting on the board his new business plan for marlin crawler tonight or as soon as he can get his pass word for newbie.