ARB disappointment

[JM42 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close JM42]

Hi is anyone else having issues with delivery of bullbars from ARB? My colour coded one was ordered 5 weeks ago, with an expected delivery date to Artarmon in Sydney of 4 weeks. After weeks of chasing, we've just been informed that it's at least another 2 weeks from delivery, maybe even longer as they won't give a definite date.

ARB don't seem to be interested & it's now caused us to cancel a holiday, which means it will cost us quite a bit in lost accommodation & deposits. I'm only new to 4WD & can't see how a company that trades on being responsive & professional can act like this.

Is this common with ARB?

[lordsword Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close lordsword]

Possibly the shop you ordered it from forgot to actually order it until 2 weeks ago? Long shot, but maybe...
ARB up in Burleigh Heads QLD have been nothing but utter professionals in every dealing I've ever had with them.

And you can't go on holidays without this bullbar you're saying??

[JM42 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close JM42]

I've checked with the shop & they're adamant that it was ordered the day after I placed my order with them. A few friends always use these guys & they've always been very straight, so I think I can trust them.

Not keen to be going out NW NSW through Lighning Ridge, Bourke, Wanaaring, White Cliffs, Tibooburra & Cameron Corner without a bit a protection up front. Too much wild game out that way

[Goggo Member Find all posts View Profile Close Goggo]

I've only ever had great service from my local ARB store, but you're right you don't want to be out there unprotected. I was out there in July last year and hit 2 kangaroos in the space of about 20mins, it was late afternoon in fading light and a really bad time to be driving. Cheers

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

You can. Just don't drive at dusk, night or dawn. Drive a bit slower by day. Remember: DON'T swerve to avoid wild life. Better to hit hem than to roll your car.

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Call Kilsyth (head office) and ask for the stock situation. They batch build bars so it may not have been the time slot for 150 bars. Another consideration is if the new 150 requires a different bar and it hasn't been updated yet.

[matmck Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close matmck]

I had the same problem here in Adelaide. I ordered my bar back 2nd of feb thinking that would be heaps of time. The estimated install date was to be first week of March and when I didn't hear from them I tried numerous times to get a date out of them and no one could give me a date. Then finally they told me there was a delay with the manufacture of the bars and that it won't be installed till after Easter. I too thought that they forgot to order it but after seeing this it has restored my thoughts about my local Arb store. Never had a problem with them in the past and still happy to keep spending my hard earned there. Just means I have to wait a bit longer for what I think is the best looking bar for the prado 150. There is obviously a lack in communication between the warehouse and the stores.

[Hollywood Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hollywood]

...Long shot, but maybe...
ARB up in Burleigh Heads QLD have been nothing but utter professionals in every dealing I've ever had with them.

I might have to try them next time then, I've had dramas both times I've visited the Biggera Waters branch on the Gold Coast to have work done. I like the ARB products, the front desk staff are very friendly, as is the manager, but it's the workmanship, or lack thereof, from their equipment fitters that is the issue. The fitters obviously work by the 'she'll be right mate' philosophy as they just don't seem to give a shit. I've been given discounts as recompense for the incorrect fitting of equipment and damage to my vehicle but they're two for two when it comes to bad service now so I don't think I'll be back there anytime soon to have any work done.

Hollywood.

[Hazza Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hazza]

I had the same issue back in 2012 with my 120. They seem to make to order and yes you have to wait. I even had my suspension upgraded prior thinking I would take it to ARB straight after. Had to nurse it for weeks as the front end was higher than the back and had concerns with topping out the struts.

Next car I'm ordering well in advance.

Cheers
Hazza

[JM42 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close JM42]

thanks, will try to call them

[MYT150 Member Find all posts View Profile Close MYT150]

JM42,

I have used Traction4 in Artarmon a number of times over the last 15+ years and they have always been good to deal with and I believe honest. I would suspect that it is a supply issue outside there control.

There is no need for bull bar to make a trip outback, it does look nicer on the car and allows more accessories to be added, but by driving only in day light and not around dawn or dusk can greatly reduce the risk of animal strikes.

[Spilsy Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Spilsy]

I had about a 4 week wait before I got my Bullbar in 2013. I was told at the time that colour coded bars take longer too...

[REN470 Member Find all posts View Profile Close REN470]

I think we would all understand that they wouldn't have colour coded bars in stock but they should be able to quote a delivery time and keep to that timeline. Maybe they have a black bar in stock that will let you stick to your holiday plans?

I use Moorebank and find them really good with stock, service and fitting. I think some stores are company owned and some franchises and if thats right thats probably why you get different levels of care between stores?

[Mattfunk 120 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mattfunk 120]

All you can do is vote with your feet. I was very dissapointed with my local arb stores after sales service. (After spending over 10k in 18 months or so. I asked Qld head office for help & didnt receive any hence I will not spend a dime in a Qld arb store. I now source from other stores & for example I'm happy to drive an hour & some tolls to tjm brendale to get good old fashioned service, no bs & better prices. My 2 cents
Matt

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[JM42 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close JM42]

Hi, an update: Someone from ARB has now contacted me by FB to get the details so they can "look into the delay". My guy has also found out that the bar has been sitting in the ARB paintshop for some time but is not scheduled for painting for at least another 2 weeks! I can understand that painting takes longer but it appears that they must just sit on them until they get a few in the same colour & then do them all at once. Pretty amazing to think they have such poor concern for their customers & also poor inventory control, as having it sit around for weeks must be much more expensive that changing paint colours.

We're now chasing to get the finished bar delivered tomorrow & my guy will organise to get it painted locally. We would have done this originally if ARB had been honest with their delivery timeframe.