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IQRIDR
Well-known member
I installed them before the hillclimbs last year and yes, HUGE difference.
Skinz airframe running boards!
- Thread starter AK Soul
- Start date
I installed them before the hillclimbs last year and yes, HUGE difference.
Is that an october date or november I was told november from western power
WPS doesn't list them coming until November now
FML...this is poppycock...i was told september 1st when i ordered them...
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sledfreak89
Well-known member
I dont get why they dont just hire some more people...
They have the business but dont want to make the product? Doesnt make any sense to me.
They have the business but dont want to make the product? Doesnt make any sense to me.
I think it showed an eta of 27 Nov. Ill verify tomorrow. The way I understand is that the WPS orders get filled first. Then whats left go out other channels and WPS is their main distributor.
Ridiculous, I ordered mine the first week in August and was told that September 1st was the delivery date, that came and went, then it was October 17th, now could be November 27th?! C'mon Skinz step your game up.
Chad
Chad
I would have never dreamed skinz would take so long to fill their orders. So anyone that has them backordered with me I am very sorry about this. The good news is my backorders are in at WPS and have been sitting there since you ordered so as soon as they com in their door they will ship to my customers. If your on the fence I would say order now to assure you get a set when they come in order now.
http://www.gobigparts.com/Air-Frame-Running-Boards-by-Skinz.html
http://www.gobigparts.com/Air-Frame-Running-Boards-by-Skinz.html
If i have to wait until november 27th im going lose it.
this is absolutely ridiculous...
if its not going to be september 1st dont tell me that...i would rather know when the real date is even if its next year rather than being lead on.
WTF SKINZ
There are A LOT of variables going on here most of which can't be discussed in the open forum.
Know this, Skinz makes a awesome product and they try every year to step up their game. It's not that they don't care, that is the farthest from the truth. Last winter-spring they built a brand new facility to stream line things and get all their processes under one roof. Skinz is like no other company, they design, weld, sew, powder coat, machine and plastic form all themselves to insure that you get the highest quality product. Orders can't be filled if they don't get placed is all I'm going to say. We have many sets on order and I believe that we will have the boards in stock in the next 2-4 weeks. I base this on what I know about Skinz and where things are in production. I've been preaching for years on here that if you want it ORDER EARLY. For those that don't want to tie up money by ordering early when the product isn't in stock you have to see it from a dealers perspective. We are a small operation and we can't order 2 dozen sets, I'd love to but can't. We order enough to fill orders and have some for stock. We will never take advantage of any customer and certainly don't want to lead anyone on. Innovation comes at a price and the price is long lead times. The boards aren't being welded robotically but one weld at a time by a human. It's a very time consuming process and when orders come in late they can't do much about that. When dealers place orders with distributors thinking the stuff is on order and maybe it's not we get put in a bad spot. Know that we are continuously working on getting these things and many others as soon as possible. Once we have them the parts will be shipped and if you have them on order you'll be one of the lucky ones who have the boards. After this shipment (which will go fast) the next one won't be until there is 10 feet of snow in those mountains and you wished you would have ordered early.
Thanks to those that understand and we appreciate everyone's business and look forward to serving you in the future.
Know this, Skinz makes a awesome product and they try every year to step up their game. It's not that they don't care, that is the farthest from the truth. Last winter-spring they built a brand new facility to stream line things and get all their processes under one roof. Skinz is like no other company, they design, weld, sew, powder coat, machine and plastic form all themselves to insure that you get the highest quality product. Orders can't be filled if they don't get placed is all I'm going to say. We have many sets on order and I believe that we will have the boards in stock in the next 2-4 weeks. I base this on what I know about Skinz and where things are in production. I've been preaching for years on here that if you want it ORDER EARLY. For those that don't want to tie up money by ordering early when the product isn't in stock you have to see it from a dealers perspective. We are a small operation and we can't order 2 dozen sets, I'd love to but can't. We order enough to fill orders and have some for stock. We will never take advantage of any customer and certainly don't want to lead anyone on. Innovation comes at a price and the price is long lead times. The boards aren't being welded robotically but one weld at a time by a human. It's a very time consuming process and when orders come in late they can't do much about that. When dealers place orders with distributors thinking the stuff is on order and maybe it's not we get put in a bad spot. Know that we are continuously working on getting these things and many others as soon as possible. Once we have them the parts will be shipped and if you have them on order you'll be one of the lucky ones who have the boards. After this shipment (which will go fast) the next one won't be until there is 10 feet of snow in those mountains and you wished you would have ordered early.
Thanks to those that understand and we appreciate everyone's business and look forward to serving you in the future.
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I don't doubt Skinz makes a high quality product, and its great that they do everything in house, but due to the dates being changed numerous times and other potential areas to put the money towards, I canceled my order for Airframes today for my '11 and went with a set of BetterBoards.
I really wanted the Airframes, but a combination of; the unknown delivery dates, price, and the amount of actual "deep snow" riding I do, were enough to make me jump to BetterBoards. If the original delievery date of September 1 would have came, I wouldn't have though twice about backing out, but since the date has been changed twice since then and pushed back nearly 3 months I had had enough.
The quality and workmanship of the Skinz product is NOT why I changed my mind, I think Skinz makes a very good product and reasonably priced compared to comparable models produced by other companies. I just wasn't willing to wait any longer. I hope everyone else gets theirs on November 27th now and has great experiences with them!
Chad
I really wanted the Airframes, but a combination of; the unknown delivery dates, price, and the amount of actual "deep snow" riding I do, were enough to make me jump to BetterBoards. If the original delievery date of September 1 would have came, I wouldn't have though twice about backing out, but since the date has been changed twice since then and pushed back nearly 3 months I had had enough.
The quality and workmanship of the Skinz product is NOT why I changed my mind, I think Skinz makes a very good product and reasonably priced compared to comparable models produced by other companies. I just wasn't willing to wait any longer. I hope everyone else gets theirs on November 27th now and has great experiences with them!
Chad
All I can say is WOW.
I'm really glad I placed my order for the black AirFrames last May and got them about 3 - 5 days later.
I'm really glad I placed my order for the black AirFrames last May and got them about 3 - 5 days later.
I have had both and I would wait til Jan if need be. JMO Air Frames are the best you can buy anything else is just a little bit better than stock. Simply put air frames dont collect snow and if some does get on the foot well a light sweep with your foot and its gone. I have never kicked snow off of the Air Frames like I did with the BB
Yesterday I wrote a letter to Skinz asking about the problems with current stock levels of their product across the USA. I noted that many SnoWest members are having a hard time obtaining Skinz products. This was their reply.
As for the demand for the running boards. There isn’t stock anywhere as we building everything we possibly can. This is pretty much the case with our entire product line.
As you know, we are a fairly small company that will not compromise our quality to accommodate the demand. Our product line is very unique and for the most part, every item is hand made by about 15 people.
I see posts and comments about how we should do better and hire more people. Sadly, our current culture in this country doesn’t do much for us right now. Hiring people that can and will do this work is nearly impossible and we have a serious dedication to keep this product made in the US and at a price that doesn’t drive people out of the industry.
You and us have a very similar moral and ethical approach to the way we conduct our lives and our business. This ideology is what has created our product and the quality we try to maintain.
This year we moved into a new building which is 42% bigger than what we had along with a huge amount of new equipment. We are producing more than we ever have which has happened every year since we started but the demand grows more than our capacity. The customers can know for sure that we are doing everything we possibly can to get their product out.
Thanks, Jeff
Jeff Hawksworth
Skinz Protective Gear
WPS show's ETA of 11/28. I just checked.
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RidnHigh
Well-known member
I respect the fact that one of Skinz largest dealers and a representative of Skinz took the time to defend and react to these comments, but im still confused. I dont understand at what point you go from saying a product will be delivered in September to nearly three months later. Are you trying to say that WPS or other dealers who ordered the product for a consumer never actually ordered it from skinz? I agree the product is top notch, and works well, and too like the idea of a US made product. But something seems weird about these kinda delays. It is made out to be that 15 people huddle in a group and make bags, then the next day make boards, then the next covers. And once a full cycle is made through each station they get back to boards again and release another twenty sets. I realize that innovation and a full product line is the goal at skinz but why, if you cant afford more help or produce things on time, keep expanding? I would venture to guess because of this one thread and a couple others on here well over 20 plus orders have not been made and have gone to competitors for the simple fact people want something in there hand, not to wonder when it will be in the mailbox. 20 sets of boards sure goes alot further than covers, bags, and bumpers as to making money dont they? I dont see any posts about not being able to get handlebar bags or covers or such. I guess im more or less looking at just a straight answer as to why the months delay. No beating around the bush with reasons that cant be discussed on here, or trying to hide the point by explaining you are expanding, or blaming orders not being distributed because orders were not placed.....there must be a reason. Once again i say that the products are top notch, but if you cant get them or use them for half the season, who cares how top notch they are.
I own a small business so I can understand growing pains. Someone who has never owned a business will never understand that growth can kill a business too so you have to grow in a sustainable manner. That said the comment about not being able to find anyone who can do quality work is BS. Those 15 people they now have may be great but there are a lot of great workers out there. We struggle finding good guys too but we are always hiring and keep the best guys. You would think in this economy people would be knocking down the door. One thing that really hurts us is that the government is paying people not to work. We pay them more too work but for a lot of guys not enough to get them off the couch. I am really surprised that someone has not copied their product with as much un-met demand as they now have. Skinz also seems to not understand their own market. They are making a lot of stuff that is stocked by everyone(who also sell products made by others) BUT THEY DON'T MAKE NEAR ENOUGH AIRFRAMES TO SATISFY THE MARKET. 
Well welding is a totally different skill set than sewings and so on. The training required to have all their employees be able to make everything seems a bit odd. Focuss on what your good at, that would be your core business, farm out what is not your core business. Seems how must successful companies do it.
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Oregonsledder
Well-known member
There is an obvious supply and demand conflict with this company, most of my professional career I was in the high tech customer service business. One of the biggest lessons learned was... under commit and over deliver. In most cases, people can deal with long lead times if they know up front what to expect. it’s when a company advertises one thing and delivers something less.... that’s when the ill will begins.
Many small companies are so focused on the product that they lose track of the business opportunities right in front of them. A good product without reliable and responsive customer service will never be enough to insure long term business success. Hopefully this company will find the right balance and succeed.
Off my soap box.
Many small companies are so focused on the product that they lose track of the business opportunities right in front of them. A good product without reliable and responsive customer service will never be enough to insure long term business success. Hopefully this company will find the right balance and succeed.
Off my soap box.
