SS Built Bumpers Delay and Experience

Stephen I am sure that sounded better in your head. Please get back to work, your poor customers are waiting.

 

I haven't ordered anything from SS Built, just throwing in a few ideas since I've worked in R&D/product development my entire career.

• Since it sounds like you don't have the capital for large scale automation, I'd look at low-hanging fruit. Try adding in one or two machines which can be easily programmed for load/op/unload.
• Offload as much sub-assembly as possible to your mat'l suppliers to lighten the load. Most will offer this service and you can then commonize a few designs to use a core component(s).
• A great tactic I just experienced from a one man shop for home gym equipment was working in batches. He took preorders and closed the group off at a particular volume, which he undoubtedly had optimized for his product and matched to a reasonable lead time.
• Minimize your offerings. 80/20 is real.

 

Thank you for the actual constructive comment. I have considered that tactic, it would be beneficial. Thank you for your time.
Also, just trying to catch up on a handful of full builds which is one of the spurs in our side. Just took on too much and am dealing with the byproduct this past year. Thanks!

 

One other thought, and one I'm suggesting you either outsource or pursue nights/wknds, is to implement some autonomy and AI agents. I'd be tying N8N or Make into your SQL backend to handle customer inquiries and whatever else you immediately need to free up hours.

 

I frequented this thread quite a bit (amongst others) when I was set on an SSBuilt bumper. It definitely delayed my purchase of the bumper by about 6 months as I tried hard to find a trophy truck style bumper that fit what I wanted (all roads came back to SS Built).

I ended up reaching out to ask about delays and expectation management for a purchase. Took some time to think about it and Steve remained engaged in the conversation, worked with me on a few aspects of the bumper, and based off the incredible customer service, I decided to commit.

For reference, my last project truck ended up like this: (I designed/bent/welded that front bumper)



For the current truck, I don't have the free time to build a bumper and SS Built Inc had the design I wanted. I am still well within the window for production but I do plan to keep this updated on the timeline. It sounds like in 2024 there were events that caused long delays but I was assured they had been worked through and no longer the case. I chose to pick this thread as I was brought here when I was searching, so this may help others too. I purchased early June '25 so we'll see what happens.

Steve, I trust you for now haha and cant wait to install the product once completed. Again, thanks for the amazing customer service and flexibility with the additional shackle points. The customer service (which is HARD to come by in this business as I've observed over the past 15 years) sold me, keep it up!

@SSBuiltInc18

 

Just like the previous post I couldn't find what I was actually looking for and kept coming back to SS Built. I was nervous about the lead times but decided to take the chance, them also being local to me helped a lot. Steve has been great and very responsive. I had changed my mind about adding the valance right toward the end of the quoted time and he accommodated the change no problem. I'm pretty sure I would have already had my bumper and they would have met the original given timeframe. We will see what happens but I'm confident he'll have it ready when promised. I'll update here as well when it's completed.

@SSBuiltInc18

 

Kind of makes me want to do business with SS. Don't know what I need but I can take a look...

 

I ordered a rear bumper from Steve last summer and then a front shortly after that.

The bumpers were delayed, and updates were pretty frustrating. After quite a few missed shipment dates, I was pretty close to throwing in the towel and doing a charge back.

I got my bumpers two weeks ago and installed them yesterday. I'm glad I waited it out! The fit is outstanding and the welds are beautiful. They are relatively light yet rigid/strong, and the approach/departure angle improvements are amazing.

My personal take is if you've got the time I think you will be very happy with the product once it's in hand. I hope things stabilize in terms of lead time/communications. If you need something in 12 weeks I wouldn't count on it at this point. I'm hoping Steve gets caught up and closer to the quoted lead times, it seems like he's got a lot on his plate with orders and builds.

I've had one off guns built before, and the joke in that community is gunsmiths will tell you what month a gun will be done but not what year. This isn't quite that scenario, but I wish I had been better prepared for the lead time. That said, now that I've got them on the truck I'm really happy with the product. Thanks Steve!

 

Thanks Mike!
Happy we could get these to you finally and on your truck.
We can’t wait to be caught up and have things In Stock with shorter lead times. Working on it and adjusting from what I have learned. Enjoy the bumpers!
-Steve
SS Built Inc.

 

@cavalry bear I agree with what you said 100%. If only this post was created before I made a purchase back in early September of 2024 I wouldn't have been in this situation. @skootter14 and @PhoenixSR5 I wish you both the best of luck dealing with him. He is very responsive, but everything he says has never been credible. I guarantee you nothing has changed. Given him plenty opportunities to redeem himself but every single time he has failed to deliver. If you do get your order on time, that means he has skipped a lot of other orders that were placed ahead of you. I'm here to update my personal experience with him and bring awareness to fellow Tundra owners and it seems like I'm not alone. Its unfortunate he is the way he is and he conducts his business they way he does. The saying goes "If you got nothing nice to say, say nothing at all." Again, this is my personal experience.

 

I don’t even know who you guys are that are commenting because of the Usernames.

I have been in Business for 7+ years. Hundreds of happy customers, many completed and stellar builds.

The only thing brought to light is the negative that has happened in the last year. Not the countless positive interactions. I’m not getting into detail again…
Everyone that has waited received their parts and Builds.

I am tired of explaining this. I am a one man army currently. Catching up on all of my behind orders, fulfilling new orders, completing builds…all while moving my whole entire life, home, shop etc.

We live in a world of social media and commenting on forums. Would be nice to just get a call and talk to another human before the worst is assumed. Things can be worked out pretty quick! That rarely happens these days.

I’ll take full responsibility always. But we really do only have so much time and resources in a day. My intentions are great. I am overwhelmed. I got behind. I am one man with significant backorders and backlog of builds. This negative connotation only makes things worse…

In the end. I won’t be dragged down and I will continue to get better and build what I have worked on for so long. People act like they have never made mistakes or bit off more than they can chew. Would love for anyone here to walk even a day in my shoes. Thanks!

-Steve
SS Built Inc.