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Wheeler's Off Road

Discussion in 'Vendor Reviews' started by robabeatle, Jun 17, 2020.

  1. Jun 17, 2020 at 5:16 PM
    #1
    robabeatle

    robabeatle [OP] New Member

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    Bilstein 6112 & 5160, Katskinz, audio upgrades
    So I have been hunting for a bilstein 6112/5160 for a 1st gen. Mechanic tells me it'll take him 3-4 weeks as they are on back order. AJUSA showed them in stock so I placed an order. Called the next day, whoops they are not actually in stock. Order cancelled. Scouring the internet...

    Wheeler's shows the parts as in stock. Price was a bit higher than other places but hey in stock! So I contact the rep on here. He tells me that the 6112 kit is in stock. And he tells me about a 10% coupon for signing up for a newsletter. I go through the motions, sign up, but no coupon in my email. He then tells me to sign up at another site for the same newsletter. Apparently the sites are all connected in some way or another. Sign up, still no coupon. Check spam, nope.
    I call Wheeler's on the phone. Rep there assures me that there is one 6112 kit in stock. Great. I made a mistake when ordering the 5160s (got 4 by accident as they sell them in a pair). The rep fixes my order no problem, very friendly. I just have a strange feeling: how is this the only place with the 6112 in stock. Double check with rep. Anyway, he overrides the system and gives me the 10% as the coupon was still not showing in my box. I put a 2 day air on shipping the items as I am trying to get out of town asap. No problem. Order done.

    Go on with my day preparing other issues with the truck.

    Hours later I get a call. Rep from Wheelers:
    " Sorry, but we were mistaken and the 6112 kit is not in stock."
    They tell me they are to get them in on the 26th. Quicker than my mechanic by a few weeks.
    Is there anything you can do to speed up the shipping in light of the mistake?
    "You are close enough that they will come in about 2 days anyway."
    I have him take off the charge (hopefully) for the 2nd day air that was applied.
    Is there anything else you can do for me here?
    "We can cancel the order but that is it."
    Will you let me know when you get them in stock, ready to ship.
    "yes"

    Interested to see where this goes as I have other plans for this truck...Will update.
     
  2. Jun 17, 2020 at 5:21 PM
    #2
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    Alot of them
    Keep in mind that alot of these items are out of stock due to shipping with the virus. Alot of the customer service reps are working from home and have limited resources. Toytec is open, you can call and see if they have stock.
     
    TheBeast and Rica25 like this.
  3. Jun 17, 2020 at 5:26 PM
    #3
    robabeatle

    robabeatle [OP] New Member

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    I understand. My review is factual, fair, and even offers some praise. I'd like to see how this moves forward. Toytec does not have this item in stock.
     
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  4. Jun 17, 2020 at 5:28 PM
    #4
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    Alot of them
    I'm sure it will work out. They are a very highly regarded vendor.
     
  5. Jun 17, 2020 at 5:29 PM
    #5
    robabeatle

    robabeatle [OP] New Member

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    I believe that to be the case.
     
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  6. Jun 17, 2020 at 6:35 PM
    #6
    Rica25

    Rica25 Got Bam? IG ......@TNDRA08

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    My co worker is having the same issue with his Tacoma and whats worse is that I referred him and this exact scenario happens to him as well
     
  7. Jun 17, 2020 at 6:41 PM
    #7
    fisherman951

    fisherman951 MT dreams

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  8. Jun 17, 2020 at 8:11 PM
    #8
    Swarley

    Swarley New Member

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    I’ve been waiting about two weeks for 5100s from Wheeler’s. Hopefully they’re arriving on the 26th as well.
     
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  9. Jun 17, 2020 at 8:31 PM
    #9
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    Did you talk to Dan? If not, call back and ask for Dan. Known here as YotaDan. FYI...his last name is Wheeler. The guy to deal with......Good people..explain what you just did here. You will not get any run around at all.
     
  10. Jun 17, 2020 at 8:39 PM
    #10
    Vizsla

    Vizsla ☠️☠️☠️

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    Last name is Bartow, and hasn’t been there since 2017 lol.
     
  11. Jun 17, 2020 at 11:42 PM
    #11
    Wallygator

    Wallygator Well Zippedy Da Do!

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    Have been doing business with Wheelers Off road for a long time. Great customer service.
     
    Rica25, robabeatle[OP] and anthonygan like this.
  12. Jun 22, 2020 at 12:38 PM
    #12
    robabeatle

    robabeatle [OP] New Member

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    Bilstein 6112 & 5160, Katskinz, audio upgrades
    Here is the update that I just received:

    We unfortunately could not fulfil your order.
    As the front 6112's are not in stock.We apologize for
    the delay and the inconvenience during these times.
    We are working on an ETA but nothing at the moment.

    I do appreciate the update from them.
     
    Last edited: Jun 22, 2020
    Wallygator and Rica25 like this.
  13. Jun 22, 2020 at 1:03 PM
    #13
    TheBeast

    TheBeast The Beach

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    they had a memorial day sale on all pro sliders/armor. my buddy bought a bunch of all pro parts, drove all the way from LA to Fresno to pick up parts. Everything in stock and waiting for him. YMMV
     
    robabeatle[OP] likes this.
  14. Jun 26, 2020 at 7:06 PM
    #14
    Elduder

    Elduder New Member

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    Bilstein has a history of issues meeting supply, I dealt with the exact same issue when ordering their 5160s for my old Taco.

    Try reaching out to Mikes Custom Toys : (541) 295-8012 Their in the same neighborhood of Wheelers but often get overlooked, so sometimes they have stock. They had no issues securing the 5160s at the time. But it's still a hunt from time to time with Bilstein.
     
  15. Jun 26, 2020 at 7:15 PM
    #15
    kgb4187

    kgb4187 New Member

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    I had great experiences with Wheeler when they still had the warehouse here in town, have not had a chance to order from them after they were sold.
     
  16. Jun 26, 2020 at 7:19 PM
    #16
    Backslider

    Backslider Thirsty...

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    None of them have it in stock because they all drop ship. They all share the same inventory. Wheeler's probably was experiencing some issue that incorrectly showed warehouse availability as 1 in stock.
     
  17. Jun 26, 2020 at 7:25 PM
    #17
    robabeatle

    robabeatle [OP] New Member

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    Bilstein 6112 & 5160, Katskinz, audio upgrades
    Yeah, I am understanding how this works now and that inventory everywhere is low.

    So here is an embarrasing admission: I got deep into digressive/progressive valving and concluded that i was on the wrong track with the 6112/5160 and cancelled my order. Video/forum discussions/etc.

    Then moments later, I figure I must be going through some analysis paralysis as anecdotes here state great results with this setup. The suspension as it stands is terrible on this truck. So i have sent another email to Wheelers to keep the order on track.

    So egg on my face and hopefully when these get in stock @Wheeler's Off-Road Inc gets the set to me.

    :facepalm:
     
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  18. Jun 26, 2020 at 7:31 PM
    #18
    Elduder

    Elduder New Member

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    Sounds normal to me, too many options out there and just as many opinions. Its endless, thats why you'll never really be done. :D
     
  19. Jun 26, 2020 at 7:32 PM
    #19
    robabeatle

    robabeatle [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for that. Still feel like dumb dumb...
     
    Elduder[QUOTED] likes this.
  20. Jun 26, 2020 at 7:34 PM
    #20
    Elduder

    Elduder New Member

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    Lol, Im trying to buy wheels right now and I've made my final choice like 10 times. I just need to pull the trigger on something and not look back, at least for a few years.

    Edit: For what its worth the 6112/5160 combo is about as good as you can get at that price point.
     
  21. Jul 9, 2020 at 8:52 AM
    #21
    robabeatle

    robabeatle [OP] New Member

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    Any update from your friend on this. I have not been very impressed with the communication at this point.
     
    Rica25[QUOTED] likes this.
  22. Jul 9, 2020 at 8:53 AM
    #22
    robabeatle

    robabeatle [OP] New Member

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    So was the company sold? If so do you know when? This scenario can lead to changes in customer interactions.
     
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  23. Jul 9, 2020 at 9:03 AM
    #23
    Elduder

    Elduder New Member

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    I never heard they were sold, nothing has changed in my dealing with them over the years though. I still see the Bilstein issue as nothing new and something that every vendor had the same issue with when I was shopping for them, a year ago. Drop shipping from the manufacturer seems to be more and more common too. I don't think a lot of online sales places are keeping stock due to economic concerns.

    I just ordered a set of Icon Rebound wheels from Wheelers, we'll see how long it takes to get that order. They're being shipped from Icon.
     
    Black Wolf likes this.
  24. Jul 9, 2020 at 9:19 AM
    #24
    robabeatle

    robabeatle [OP] New Member

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    Yeah, I completely understand the issue of not having stock. The issue is the miscommunication and lack of communication. I was supposed to get an update on June 29. Didn't happen. I sent an email an July 6:

    Hi XXXXXX,

    Any update on the timeframe for getting the Bilsteins in?

    Thanks.

    --------------------------------------


    This was the response later that same day:



    Which bilstein are you looking for?




    Thanks,
    XXXXXX
    Customer Service/Tech support
    541-474-2879

    --------------------------------------------


    My response:

    XXXXXX,
    I have an order for the 6112/5120 set for a first gen tundra 4x4. This is the order I was going to cancel but thought better of it all.
    Thanks.
    -------------------------------------------------



    No response to this email from the 6th and so
    This morning I sent:



    Hi XXXXXX,
    Any word on my Bilstein order status?
    Thanks,

    ------------------------------------------------

    The response:


    Hey Robert,
    Do you have your original order number by chance?




    Thanks,
    XXXXXX
    Customer Service/Tech support
    541-474-2879
    ---------------------------------------------------


    So I just called and the rep looked up the order and then asked what setting for the 6112 and said he would try to get it out today. Hmm...if I didn't call or follow up???

    Look I am new to the tundra world and plan to mod a bunch. I have been in the world of other hobbies (obsessions) and in those niche worlds, I have mostly had great service. Now the above is not so aggregious that I cancelled my order but it does not make me very apt to want to order again. Moreover, I should have went local as I could have saved nearly a grand but I wanted to support a vendor on this site as I have certainly saved more than that from all the knowledge I have accrued here.

    Originally I had put on 2 day delivery. Back on June 22 they told me it wasn't needed as it will get to me in 2 days anyway. Let's see how that plays out.
     
    Last edited: Jul 9, 2020
    Elduder[QUOTED] likes this.
  25. Jul 9, 2020 at 9:26 AM
    #25
    rock climber

    rock climber New Member

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    Personally, I'd order the Old Man Emu kit from toytec
     
  26. Jul 9, 2020 at 9:33 AM
    #26
    Elduder

    Elduder New Member

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    I did have a lot of trouble getting a hold of them electronically last week and had to call twice this week to get the order in. So there's definitely something a bit slow or off there. I did get an email from them stating that they were no longer giving shipping refunds if they didn't arrive on time because shipping is so screwed up right now, not entirely their issue.

    Dont read anything I write as disagreeing with you or blindly supporting Wheelers, Im just citing my old experiences with them. It does seem like their either short handed, busy or something is up though.
     
  27. Jul 9, 2020 at 9:39 AM
    #27
    robabeatle

    robabeatle [OP] New Member

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    thanks.
     
  28. Jul 9, 2020 at 12:25 PM
    #28
    robabeatle

    robabeatle [OP] New Member

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    Update: I was sent two tracking numbers for the 6112 and 5120 just a bit ago.

    The whole interaction is a bit confusing but I hate to say that all my bad interactions seem to stem from one person there and everyone else has been very nice and helpful.

    Hopefully they get things squared away on their side and I will read more vendor reviews before I purchase again. I relayed my experience to whomever answers the email and the concern was listened to. That was nice.
     
    Last edited: Jul 9, 2020
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  29. Jul 14, 2020 at 10:00 AM
    #29
    robabeatle

    robabeatle [OP] New Member

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    Suspension came very quickly. Packaging was very good with all instructions included.

    Wish I would have known that the bilstein suggestion of different preloads on driver and passenger side is not the best solution. An $18 shim from coachbuilder is a better option as the preloads can be set the same and thereby give a better ride. So, now I have to disassemble the driver side coilover, change the preload, insert shim, put everything back. Ironic, as I did pay for the coilovers to be assembled. Bilstein themselves suggest the different preloads so I cant fault wheelers, but it would be nice if they mentioned this option if they knew about it. guess not.
     
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  30. Jul 14, 2020 at 10:13 AM
    #30
    snivilous

    snivilous snivspeedshop.com

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    A shim under the collar for the spring is identical to "changing the preload". You change the compressed height of the spring when drooped. Unless you're talking about a shim between the shock bucket and coilover, which you wouldn't have to take the coilover apart for then. Regardless, I disagree that a shim is any better. Changing preload does not change the spring characteristics, the spring is compressed the same amount at ride height either way and the spring rate is the same either way. The ONLY thing that is different, is at full droop the preload force is slightly increased and I highly doubt you'll notice a difference considering 99% of applications adjust ride height/balance that way (again, this is the exact same method as putting a shim between the spring and collar which it sounds like what you intend to do).

    Waste of time, just crank the coilover a little, that's what it's meant for.
     
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