Attention Everyone. Be carefull if you are buying parts from Avalanche Engineering. Their customer service is terrible. I have been waiting for over a month for a phone call. It appears they have no intention of fixing this problem.

Please check out this thread right here on under Pirates 4x4 Jeep Forum.

Avlanche Engineering (Terrible Service AGAIN) (http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=491542#post491542)

Avalanche has always been good to me… maybe you don’t know WTF your doing:flipoff2:

Typical bolt on :rainbow: Complaining again:rolleyes:

Originally posted by cornfedred
Avalanche has always been good to me… maybe you don’t know WTF your doing:flipoff2:

Typical bolt on :rainbow: Complaining again:rolleyes:


So "They have always been good to me." I guess your a bolt on :rainbow: too.

:flipoff2:

I never had a problem with them directly because I won't buy from them. I have a couple friends that had NOTHING but problems with them. They do nto stand behind their product, and they sell an inferior product. I say to hell with them, Iwill build my own stuff.

Dimitri

Avalanche has always been good to me… maybe you don’t know WTF your doing

Typical bolt on Complaining again

Did you even read the other thread. There are a few more complaints than just his.:mad1:

You should do your research before you pass judgement on people cornfed:rainbow:

Matt builds most his own shit and pretty much runs a charity shop for Jeepers out of his garage.

Here's a link for you to see what I mean (http://www.gotjeep.net/matts.html)

He's helped me out in the past, as well as countless others. You're talking out of your ass on this one cornfed:rainbow:

I think you should STFU

I just got done reading you entire prediciment... all I have to say is good luck and no i wasn't about to buy something from them but now i'm not goin to.


Good luck though. let us know how it goes.

review em ;) (http://www.4x4stuff.com/Vendors/4xshops/links.cgi)

You are not alone in your quest to get parts from Avalanche.

I called and placed an order for a D60 Rockring with the tab for a 4-link hoop support two weeks before the EJS.

I waited and waited and decided to call. I get the message that they are at the EJS. WTF? No one to answer questions? Must be nice to take 10 days off and not place any new orders.

So I leave a message and after a week no one calls back. Go figure.

I call back after they get back and I am told that my first order was never placed. Great, so I just waited three weeks for nothing. So they place a new order.

Well I missed placing my order in time to get in on the batch that shipped that day, so I would have to wait some more.

So I call back later and find that the powdercoating is taking too long and they will ship Monday (the 15th of April). However, because of "all these problems" I am going to get a discount.

I just called (April 17, 2002 at 5:10pm EST) and was told that there was a problem with the powdercoater and that this batch wouldn't ship until this Friday or NEXT Monday.

However, this beats the wait (so far) that I am enduring for my coilovers from Sway-a-Way. Placed my order through a local shop (long story on how they could place an order) January 16, 2002 and I have YET to see my coilovers. Three months of waiting. I'd go elsewhere, but I was given a REALLY nice price so I can't cancel the order.

Seems the last 10% of building my rig will take 90% of the total time. :mad3:

I think Steve Rumore is a nice guy, and a good person to ask for advice... Also bruiser42 seems very knowledgeable, though i have not talked to him directly. I think the prob with Avalanche are the morons they hire to answer the phone, and take orders and such. Every normal guy i have talked to on the phone has been a complete dumbass...

good luck man, i feel your pain

I bought a high-steer arm and some of those pricy little inserts for TREs several weeks ago for doing a cross over. I chose theirs primarily because of the options provided by multiple holes AND "good rep" (or so I thought). I placed the order early in the week, Monday or Tuesday. I was told they would ship that day or the next, and probably take 4-5 days to get to AZ. I planned on doing the cross over in the middle of the following week to go out with the guys the following weekend. Well, Thursday roles around, no delivery. Friday I called Avalanche to get a tracking number so I could estimate when it was coming in. They still hadn't shipped!!! "Oops", they say. "I just found the order setting on the desk (or shelf, or something, don't remember)". "Sorry, we screwed up, we'll get it right out and we will Pay for next-day". I told them not to bother, no problem, accidents happen and I can't get it in time to go out wheeling on Sat anyway. Just get it shipped. Had to cancel on the trip. I got it the end of the next week. I figured like I said, shit happens, no big deal.

Well, I got it all together, time passes, and I went out playing. Bent my tie-rod and I had just gotten my hydro-assist cylinder. Well, I was supposed to go wheeling the following weekend again and I wanted/needed the inserts to build a tie rod before that. So, I call on Monday morning and order them, asking for 2nd day air. I was told they would ship 2nd day air by Wed. WTF! “Do you have them in stock?” “Yes we do.” “Well, it’s 9 a.m. do you think you can get them out today? How hard can it be? 2 little inserts in a box?” He said he would “make it happen” for me after I reminded him about the last time and that I had waived the offered “next day” shipment to boot. Well, the didn’t come in Wed, so I called for the tracking number. Turns out they UPS picked them up Tuesday night at around 8 p.m. I called back and was told that UPS has been screwing everything up for me and others, he had the UPS tickets in front of him and it had shipped on Monday before 5 p.m. I got them Thursday evening and on my Avalanche bill I see that in addition to the little over priced inserts, I paid $15 “shipping and handling” for the privilege of getting them by Thursday. On top of that, the left-hand threaded insert has threads that are not clean in the bottom of the insert so the TRE gets completely jammed at the bottom with just under 1” of threads run in. I didn’t have time to fuck with them or their customer service so I welded the thing in anyway, took an cut-off wheel and made a notch in the first 3 or 4 threads of my new left hand thread TRE, and used that to clean up the threads as well as possible. Still doesn’t really work, and I’ll never be able to adjust toe-in by turning the rod but, it’s a trail only rig so, screw it, it’s done.

My story is not nearly as bad as yours but, I’ll never do business with them again either.

Originally posted by Flatty
I never had a problem with them directly because I won't buy from them. I have a couple friends that had NOTHING but problems with them. They do nto stand behind their product, and they sell an inferior product. I say to hell with them, Iwill build my own stuff.

Dimitri

Dito not to mention inflated price tags:mad:

I thought this was straightened out Matt? Still no joy?

Guess I am going to call tomorrow on the hysteer arms I ordered, if they haven't shipped(supposed to ship last friday or monday this week..), I'll be canceling my order.

i gotta stick up[ for them cause i have always been treated good and always got the parts i wanted and they fit perfect.

OK, I gotta throw my two cents in. I had PM'd on another board with Clifton about a fuel cell he had available. A month goes by with no response from him, and I did try and call but ended up holding 10+ minutes which I don't do.
So, I sent him an email today- I know this is kind of petty shit but if this is typical then screw Avalanche. Text below:
(Clifton)
Actully I did send you a response last week, however I
don't need the money
and was only offering to sell it for cheap to help out a
fellow Colorado
wheeler. I did not expext some kind of jack ass response,
so do please by
your parts somewhere else. Clifton
----- Original Message -----

Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2002 8:05 PM
Subject: fuel cell

(Me)
> Clifton, what's up? I sent you two PM's asking whether or
not you still
> have that fuel cell. You read them both and can't seem to
take the time to
> send a one word reply, yes or no.
> I don't know, maybe you guys are really busy, but if you
can't be bothered
> then perhaps my expensive parts need to come from
somewhere else, and no
> I'm not talking about the fuel cell.
>
>

wow, they suck!

For the guy who ordered Sway-a-Ways. It will be worth the wait. Don't blame the local shop, it's Sway-a-Way. Changed the ends for the 2" shocks so they would be the same as the 2.5" shocks. I guess you should design the parts and build them before you stop making the old ones. Sooooooon.

http://www.colorado4x4.org/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=10&t=000209
This is the originating post for "wanted" fuel cell, off of the Colorado4x4.org board.


Hi, the cell is a 20 gal. plastic, but it doese not have any type of sender. Let me know if it works for you. Thanks, Clifton

Here is the scandalus E-mail I sent you 10APR02 at 10:08 pm. trying to give you the information you requested, five days ago.

The second E-mail was related to your response that I would not take the time to get back to you because I did not care. With the additional threat you would take your buisness elsware. With the added comment you sent to me not shown above that I'am on your sh*t list. How would you expect someone to respond?


I offered the fuel cell to try to help someone that was trying to build thier machine, try to save some money and go wheelin. I never expexted to get flamed over it.

PS. Daneil Steve and I are partners.

Clifton :)

Originally posted by ROCKATTACK
For the guy who ordered Sway-a-Ways. It will be worth the wait. Don't blame the local shop, it's Sway-a-Way. Changed the ends for the 2" shocks so they would be the same as the 2.5" shocks. I guess you should design the parts and build them before you stop making the old ones. Sooooooon.

I know it is SAW. I don't blame the local shop in the least. The owner is a friend of mine.

I just can't stand it when someone tells you it is going to ship on a certain date and it doesn't. Then a new date is given and it doesn't ship again. So and and so forth until you're waiting for three MONTHS for something promised in three WEEKS.

Then customer service treats you like you don't matter. When talking to Chris at SAW he bascailly said it was the middle of race season and I'm not important. While I realize it's race season, if you would have built them ON TIME, this wouldn't be an issue.

We'll see what happens with Avalanche. At least they offered to drop the price and we apologetic. SAW pretty much blew me off.

I'm sure there are a few unsatisfied customers with Avalanche Engineering. But this is the way I look at it. This is a shop that started from a local garage fab shop and has grown big rather fast. They even had to open a SECOND location in order to try to keep up with demand. But even then, the demand is too great for them to try and keep up. There are probably 100 or so customers to EACH TECH. (I may be a little conservative on the figures) I really don't know how they conduct their business, but I'm sure they are trying their very best to meet your needs. I will have to partially agree on Avalanche on needing to take some time off, but I also feel that maybe they just need to open another location. If they do take the time off, they're probably out on the trails testing their stuff or promoting their products. Since I am coming from an automotive parts retail field, I can see BOTH SIDES OF THE COIN.

I hope that everyone can get something worked out, as that I have a great deal of respect and admiration for Avalanche Engineering.
No I haven't bought anything from them yet, but some of my friends and fellow wheelers have, and they were VERY SATISFIED with their service and product.

Originally posted by CoryL


I know it is SAW. I don't blame the local shop in the least. The owner is a friend of mine.

I just can't stand it when someone tells you it is going to ship on a certain date and it doesn't. Then a new date is given and it doesn't ship again. So and and so forth until you're waiting for three MONTHS for something promised in three WEEKS.

Then customer service treats you like you don't matter. When talking to Chris at SAW he bascailly said it was the middle of race season and I'm not important. While I realize it's race season, if you would have built them ON TIME, this wouldn't be an issue.

We'll see what happens with Avalanche. At least they offered to drop the price and we apologetic. SAW pretty much blew me off.


What shop specifically did you order your shocks from and what kind of shocks did you order?

Oh, I should add that for my experience, the guys I talked to were very polite and seemed like they wanted to help. Other than a strong suspicion that I was lied to ("It wasn't us, it was UPS this time!" Sounds like CYA to me.) they treated me fine.

I agree alot of their stuff is pricey. Pat really screwed me and sent me the completely wrong setup for my coilovers. He knows less about them than my mother.

BUT, Clifton really came thru and corrected the situation. Thanks again :beer:

Seen things like this happen a BUNCH of times with local shops...I need to preface that I'm NOT refering to Avalanche, but around here a shop will start up...Have GREAT customer service, quality product and prices. Then they start making a little cash...One of the guy's in the shop jusssst so happens to have a connection for (insert drug of choice here) and over a period of time everything falls apart...AGAIN I'M NOT REFERING TO AVALANCHE!!!!(it did take me 4 weeks to get my "in-stock" D60 hy-steer's)....But I've seen it time and time again...We lost a great exhaust shop because of coke....Lost/loosing a great paint/bodywork shop because of booze and crank....Sucks really.

--D

Originally posted by RockRover
Seen things like this happen a BUNCH of times with local shops...I need to preface that I'm NOT refering to Avalanche, but around here a shop will start up...Have GREAT customer service, quality product and prices. Then they start making a little cash...One of the guy's in the shop jusssst so happens to have a connection for (insert drug of choice here) and over a period of time everything falls apart...AGAIN I'M NOT REFERING TO AVALANCHE!!!!(it did take me 4 weeks to get my "in-stock" D60 hy-steer's)....But I've seen it time and time again...We lost a great exhaust shop because of coke....Lost/loosing a great paint/bodywork shop because of booze and crank....Sucks really.

--D

I have no personal exp. with avalanche but I think Steve is a dick and i say this because of his cocky " i'm the shit " attitude. Tried to talk to him on several occasions and even stood in front of him and he just turned away and said nothing. I think that if someone is getting the kind of service that has been listed above ( there are always two sides to a story ) then something needs to be done to correct the situation. You can use other businesses as a reference, look at High Angle. Super busy all the time, yet he manages to make a high quality product and have it shipped in no time at all. And he still finds time to work and wheel his own shit. The bottom line is you have to care about customer service. If some at Avalanche don't care then they should be dealt with accordingly so they don't create a bad name for the company.

Originally posted by GOAT1



What shop specifically did you order your shocks from and what kind of shocks did you order?

Moab Off-Road in Louisville.

2" diameter Emulsions, 14" stroke, dual rate coils and hardware kits.

Steve is a great guy and very honest, Expensive, but very honest and fair.

Originally posted by broncorob
I agree alot of their stuff is pricey. Pat really screwed me and sent me the completely wrong setup for my coilovers. He knows less about them than my mother.

BUT, Clifton really came thru and corrected the situation. Thanks again :beer:

Same thing happened to me with a 1/4 ellip kit(order from Pat), they sent the wrong stuff. After going back and froth a dozen times on the phone I gave up(and so did Pat). I remember Pat saying "well, what do you want "Us" to do about it"
I had to modifiy the all the links and fab all new brackets, I was never even offered any compensation or asked to returning the parts for the correct "Kit". The shipping alone, one way, was almost 600 bucks (Hawaii) for a $1275.00 "kit"(shipping included front springs too). I also order, at the same time, a draglink w/heim ends, frist they set the wrong size heims, then they sent two more that were the right size but both right hand threaded.

l'll never give them another dime.

I really hate bitch'n about anything, but I feel like I got the short end of the stick with these guys.

Originally posted by PYRO

(Hawaii) for a $1275.00 "kit"(shipping included front springs too). I also order, at the same time, a draglink w/heim ends, frist they set the wrong size heims, then they sent two more that were the right size but both right hand threaded.

l'll never give them another dime.

I really hate bitch'n about anything, but I feel like I got the short end of the stick with these guys.


Damn, I was just in Hawaii a while back. I tried to find some jeep guys, but my rental TJ could only go so far on the trail that I found :)

I kinda surprised that fo as long as this thread has been going, we've yet to hear any kind of reply or explination from Avanlanche:confused:

Originally posted by Mustard Dog
I kinda surprised that fo as long as this thread has been going, we've yet to hear any kind of reply or explination from Avanlanche:confused:


Clifton did call my work, but I was gone for the day already. He hasn't called back or made an attemp to call me again as far as I know. I havn't check my home voice mail today yet.

Clifton has responded to several people on this thread and others under the USERID of BRUISER-42....

Originally posted by Matt K



Clifton did call my work, but I was gone for the day already. He hasn't called back or made an attemp to call me again as far as I know. I havn't check my home voice mail today yet.

Clifton has responded to several people on this thread and others under the USERID of BRUISER-42....

Gotca...I'll have to go back and check it;)

Heres a thought, take all there shit that you are unhappy with put it in a box and send it back to them COD. While in transit call your credit card company and contest the charges. More than likely you will get your money back from the credit card company and then in turn the credit card company will go after Avalanche for the cash. Buy your shit elsewhere and don't bother trying to deal with them again.

I am 100% with you on your approach to this and am rather shocked that is has come to this. Clifton is one hell of a nice guy and does know what he is doing, but I can't speak for Curt.

Sometimes when I am in there and see what goes on sometime I wonder if Clifton has any control on what the people who make his stuff are doing. I have heard of people waiting months and months to get simple items with no real reason. I know they are swamped, but in todays world if you want to make you had better treat your customers right. As everyone on this board knows word can travel fast about a company and sometimes int can severely hurt them.

I am considering using them to build some axles for me but from what I have heard from some people it can take 6 months to get them built. No way in hell am I going to wait that long for a pair of axles. Something I don't know if you know or not is that there is two shops in CO. One is the shop you contact to order parts or for work and there is another shop up north that builds the axles and everything else. That is where I think the problem is.

I know what I am saying doesn't help your problem but for there sake they had better get it straightened out fast before it compromises there integrity beyond what it is now.

Originally posted by CoryL


Moab Off-Road in Louisville.

2" diameter Emulsions, 14" stroke, dual rate coils and hardware kits.

It's too bad it came to this, but I printed this thread out and showed it to the boss, so he got right on it and your shocks shipped today.

PS, I dont think Chris meant that your order was not important, it is race season and we are very busy, he is just a salesperson that gets calls all day long about people waiting for their shocks. He gets info from production, which is usually too ooptimistic, thrust me your not the only one not getting shocks.

there was a small meet and greet sort of fundraiser here in northern colorado about a year ago. At that point I had been on these boards for only a little while and knew enough but no where near what I know now (by far)

I am not sure who all I talked to but I know that I had a half hour conversation with the boys from avalanche that were there and they were unbelieveable. I will be the first to agree that their prices can be a bit steep but their quality is almost unparalleled. The overall service and willingness to help, whether it is over the phone, e-mail, or face to face has always been to me the same caliber as the quality of their parts.

Both avalanche and Rockstomper (both Colorado based) have amazing customer service(in my eyes)

Got my Crusher Corners in today good and fast shipping took only about 2 weeks for me to get them, Well see how they fit later I guess, well I only have one complaint about Avanlanche and that is its a little hard to get in touch with them cause they never answer there phone, but I realize they are very bussy. Over all good service I had no probelems with them:skull:

Sometimes good techs aren't good managers.

I'm a tech for a microchip equipment co. and they (managers) can't do my job, and I can't and wouldn't do their job. For the most part, people are either one or the other and it sounds like Avalanche needs to call in some outside help for the business end of their company. I'm sure their quality is great, but without customer service, there are no customers.

I have to chime in. I bought a pair of the D60 steering arms, and they are one helluva nice product. They shipped in a reasonable time. I also ordered 2x16" SAW's and they had to drop ship them from SAW directly, and those took most of a month IIRC.

I talked to Clifton on the phone and he was smart, to the point, and very helpful. He actually told me to call back when I need to spec out my springs.

Squash

Hmmm, after all the comments on them being hard to reach, I guess I should throw in one more thing. I’ve already voiced my minor (comparatively) problems with getting them to do what they say (like actually ship something) and apparent QA problems (the left hand tapped insert with bad threads). I guess I should say I never had a problem calling them and getting someone on the phone, and they always acted concerned with correcting the problem. I would never even have posted a complaint if it were not for the “2 out of 2” problem rate for the orders I’ve placed.

Clifton has responded to some or the posts on this thread and another. Please read this




Thanks
Response : From Avalanche Engineering (http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=47836)