Lead Time on our Tanks

[Rick@Rick's Hot Rod Shop]

I just wanted to get on here to clear up any misunderstanding, and or false assumption regarding our lead time for tank builds. At the current moment and most all the time we are 3-4 weeks from order to ship some will go faster, and as always custom designs take longer. Evermore frequently it seems that we are getting accused of untimely ship/deliver dates when in reality we haven’t even seen a P/O from the dealer.
We appreciate all business from any and all companies in this hobby, but urge you then end customer to be aware of what is going on. We strive for the best customer service possible and urge you to call the shop if you have any questions regarding your order weather you ordered direct, or through a dealer.

Thank You,
Rick and Hector

[MaxHarvard]

Thanks for letting us know!

Can't wait for mine, totally worth the wait!!

~Eric

[Payton King]

Service from Hector and Rick.

[214Chevy]

Originally Posted by Payton King

Service from Hector and Rick.

X's 2. I called Rick's and spoke to them about a Vapor Worx tank and they explained everything in depth to me and answered all of my questions. Gave me some good one-on-one time and I didn't feel rushed, even thought they were busy. Thanks guys!!

[ironworks]

Originally Posted by Rick@Rick's Hot Rod Shop

I just wanted to get on here to clear up any misunderstanding, and or false assumption regarding our lead time for tank builds. At the current moment and most all the time we are 3-4 weeks from order to ship some will go faster, and as always custom designs take longer. Evermore frequently it seems that we are getting accused of untimely ship/deliver dates when in reality we haven’t even seen a P/O from the dealer.
We appreciate all business from any and all companies in this hobby, but urge you then end customer to be aware of what is going on. We strive for the best customer service possible and urge you to call the shop if you have any questions regarding your order weather you ordered direct, or through a dealer.

Thank You,
Rick and Hector

I have a few thoughts for you. I have seen this kinda of drama your describing going on for years. I think it is a sign or people selling the parts too cheap. They have to sell so much volume to make up for cutting their own throat daily. I personally think if everyone was required to sell the parts at retail there would not be all these vendors commiting profit suicide. Apparently some vendors think they would rather make only 1 dollar profit then lose the sale. They don't realize the work they have to do for that one dollar. But if there was no way to get the price any cheaper because you have a strong knowledgeable vendor network of your products, not just some guy with a business license.

I have been thinking alot about this subject as I'm building our product line. If I selected just a few vendors of our product that sold my product and were able to make good money from it and not have to worry about price battles with some other guy trying to sell the product out of his garage on Ebay that has no clue even what a camaro is. I would cut down on the after sale phone calls you guys get because the vendor deals with you or knows enough to handle the issue. But because he is able to make a "PROFIT" on the product he can afford to treat the customer how they want or need to be treated. But when a guy has to sell 3 brake kits to make the profit he should have made from just one kit something has to give.

[Rick@Rick's Hot Rod Shop]

Thanks for the kind words guys, and the continued support of our product.

Rodger- In response to your topic i couldn't agree more. I know this is an area we have touched on in conversation on several occasions. At the current moment we are working on a new strategy for 2012. In dealing with a couple of our larger re-sellers they now require any price increase 90 days prior to it taking effect. As you know in manufacturing typically there is a yearly increase of 2-3% for finished goods as it accommodates any shift in the market especially in these times where costs are rising as our dollar depreciates.

For 2012 we are going to make M.A.P. pricing mandatory from anyone who wants to sell our product. Meaning nobody can sell BELOW what our price list says. Weather the reseller wants to offer any further incentive such as free shipping, discount on other items would be up to them.

In regards to people selling things, and turning 0 profit this is something i have seen for a long time as well. Back when we were doing a lot of industrial machining, and fab locally i would see companies from across the border (Mexico) come in and undercut our pricing just to keep a cash flow. In times where money is scarce i can see it feasible for someone to take a cash payment, receive money, order a part, pay using a form of credit differing the final payment in the mean while using the initial form of payment to take care of other obligations. While this strategy works it eventually catches up and most of the time is a huge hole to fill.

All we are trying to do is:
1) protect our end customer
2) level the playing field from a dealer standpoint

[wellis77]

I have been studying up on your tanks and weighing all the options I will need and will be ordering a custom tank within the next 4 months or so. I have read multiple times that custom tanks "take longer". Is it possible for you to give an idea of what that is, roughly, 2 months, 3 months? Thank you, I'm looking forward to your product in my build.

[camcojb]

thanks Rick. This is unfortunately becoming very common with a vendor or two, and you the manufacturer is taking the blame. The reality is the vendor never even placed the order, using the customers money for something else.

Back orders and delays happen, but at this point my advice would be that if you order parts from someone other than the manufacturer and are told they are on back order, call the manufacturer directly to confirm.

[Rick@Rick's Hot Rod Shop]

Originally Posted by wellis77

I have been studying up on your tanks and weighing all the options I will need and will be ordering a custom tank within the next 4 months or so. I have read multiple times that custom tanks "take longer". Is it possible for you to give an idea of what that is, roughly, 2 months, 3 months? Thank you, I'm looking forward to your product in my build.

Will- Typically on a custom build we ask for 4-6 Weeks. We do our best to keep lead times down across the board, but at the end of the day it is merely dependent on current work load. There are 2 times a year when time seems to be more available 1: March & April and 2: Sept & Oct. Typically things slow slightly and our turnaround is much faster. I am not going to say there has never been a customer wait longer for a tank, but i can count on one hand the times it has occurred.

[4mm]

I've ordered three tanks from Ricks and never had an issue, in fact I am getting ready to order my fourth one. Thanks Rick and Hector!