Desert Rat Blows...

[YJunk]

A couple of weeks ago I ordered some long travel shocks and mounting hardware for the rear of my rig from Desert Rat... One of the few places I can actually get to now with my work schedule.

I scheduled with them a couple of weeks ago for an install of said products. I stopped down Monday to make sure we were good to go for the next day. Yup...

Asked em how long it would take; we should be able to have er done the same day. Cool (BTW the kid who was taking care of me; Kyle, is a good guy).

Asked em when I should bring it in; the earlier its hear the earlier it can get started... So I dropped it off that same day: Monday...

As of today; Wednesday at 1:00, the fawkin thing aint even been touched...

John, the manager, would be happy to find out why it hadn't been started; DON'T FAWKIN BOTHER! The time to touch base with me was yesterday to let me know something was up... And don't be so fawkin supriesed when customers are p'od if you and your shop can't do the job and aren't willing to provide any customer service... When I called down to find out what the status was, no one would talk to me and I was asked if they could call me back later because they had other customers...

John, you told me a while back you wanted to start working on the crawler type rigs... Brother, this ain't how your gonna get us. Better stick with the 2" lift kits and the Chrome Rims.

Feel free to send all those parts back as well as the crap I have on order...

[Lifes A Jeep]

Is this the Desert Rat on the 60 & Rural? If so, I had major problems with them a few years ago. Most of my frustration was with the communication. I might have dealt with the same John your referring to. There was a John managing there when I went. It was impossible to get answers and he never called when he said he would. That's what bothered me the most.

To make a long story short, I had to take my jeep elsewhere to get the work done right and I have never been back. That shop is not friendly to jeep owners. When ever I hear a reference to Desert Rat, I tell them to stay away!

[YJunk]

Same joint John... Same guy... If anyone had wondered if they had improved the answer is no...

[YJunk]

Again I want to stress the guys at the counter, especially Kyle and Rob have been easy to deal with, but this ain't just orderin parts... I'm just pinched right now for time; getting the 4Wheelers down on Washington is an effen night mare and Desert Fab is just too far away with the current schedule I have... I'd love to take it up to Hunter but that poor guy is always like 2 months out everytime I talk to him...

Keerist... I'm sick of this... it might be time to rent space and start learning how to work on my own sh!t... its just a time thing... I'm already putting in 70 to 80hrs a week now... I want to wheel my free time, not wrench.

Alright I'm gonna stop cryring now... Wildcat is watching and if I keep this up he's gonna be calling me a Nancy pretty soon.

[GLEN REAMS]

junkie junk if you take then to desert fab i can give you a ride home from there or give you a ride there from your house let me know...

[SHNIPE]

Sell the jeep and buy a honda you whiney bish :D

Sucks dude. Sorry you cant get er done without frustration. At least they earned the right to be a target of your frustration :D bet that conversation was fun between you two.

[etropic]

there is another guy around here with a great Desert Rat blows story... (recent). Maybe there is a pattern here...

[YJunk]

Sell the jeep and buy a honda you whiney bish :D

Sucks dude. Sorry you cant get er done without frustration. At least they earned the right to be a target of your frustration :D bet that conversation was fun between you two.

Old John just about showed up for a minute... The manager almost started to cop some tude... I must have flexed a Bill Mish Muscle in my head cause he didn't really accelerate it from there...

I'm just really discouraged right now cause I want this sh!t done... through no fault of there own, the setup Des. Fab hooked me up with just aint working for my driving style... and I need to do something else... I spent a month getting parts in and then another two weeks waiting for them to do it... I just wished shops would do sh!t when they tell you they will...

Okay, I'm going to look for a honda now... what an ars pain...

Glenn I appreciate that and will likely take you up on it little brother... I'll make sure you get some gas dollars etc...

[GLEN REAMS]

yeah thats fine i dont do chit all day so just call me and if you get a honda make sure its really loud and annoying sounding :D

[SHNIPE]

yeah thats fine i dont do chit all day so just call me and if you get a honda make sure its really loud and annoying sounding :D

Like your jeep?? Junk if glen happens to be busy tellin girls hes 'Homosexual' to watch em undress. let me know. Know youre scared of my jeep but id drive you.. or at least follow in your s10 :P

[GLEN REAMS]

Like your jeep?? Junk if glen happens to be busy tellin girls hes 'Homosexual' to watch em undress. let me know. Know youre scared of my jeep but id drive you.. or at least follow in your s10 :P

hey now that was totally off topic!! and my jeep isnt loud and annoying anymore is really quite and it pisses me off :(

[danno]

...learning how to work on my own sh!t...

You might be on to something there.... Nancy :D

Sometimes the time is more valuable than the money spent having someone else do it.... But almost every time you will be comprimising either quality for the shops that can get you in right away or patience for the shops that have a good rep and are backlogged.

Shocks are a fairly easy job. You could probably put on all four in about an hour.

[Crawldit]

Again I want to stress the guys at the counter, especially Kyle and Rob have been easy to deal with, but this ain't just orderin parts.
I'll agree, Kyle is a good guy. I've know him for a couple years from a couple different boards. He needs to get himself a job at a good shop.

[desertfabmotors]

Old John just about showed up for a minute... The manager almost started to cop some tude... I must have flexed a Bill Mish Muscle in my head cause he didn't really accelerate it from there...

I'm just really discouraged right now cause I want this sh!t done... through no fault of there own, the setup Des. Fab hooked me up with just aint working for my driving style... and I need to do something else... I spent a month getting parts in and then another two weeks waiting for them to do it... I just wished shops would do sh!t when they tell you they will...

Okay, I'm going to look for a honda now... what an ars pain...

Glenn I appreciate that and will likely take you up on it little brother... I'll make sure you get some gas dollars etc...

PM'd Ya

[YJunk]

You might be on to something there.... Nancy :D

Sometimes the time is more valuable than the money spent having someone else do it.... But almost every time you will be comprimising either quality for the shops that can get you in right away or patience for the shops that have a good rep and are backlogged.

Shocks are a fairly easy job. You could probably put on all four in about an hour.

Well it was a tick more than shocks... I was having the frame notched so a set of long travels could be mounted outboard inside a pair of the genright towers... but I do get what you're saying.

[Jdemonto@Airpark Jeep Sales]

I'm a bit surprised that you had problems with the rat? I know the owner(s) and will let them know about your issues.

Jason

[YJunk]

PM'd Ya

PM'd ya back... Kracky thats some service right there...

[YJunk]

I'm a bit surprised that you had problems with the rat? I know the owner(s) and will let them know about your issues.

Jason

Please do, its in their best interest not to coduct business this way... its too late for me; I won't be going back, but maybe they'll do better by the next guy...

[danno]

Well it was a tick more than shocks... I was having the frame notched so a set of long travels could be mounted outboard inside a pair of the genright towers... but I do get what you're saying.

Ah, okay.... Gonna do something similar to mine soon.... But, that being said, and based on my past experience with RAT, there is no way I would have had them do this type of work... If they effed up notching the frame, its pretty tough to fix... You are much better off using one of the proven trusted shops for that kind of work... Good choice to sever your relationship and move on.

[Jdemonto@Airpark Jeep Sales]

I do understand desert rat to be more of a bolt on shop. I know they do more, But I agree with danno go to a fab shop and spend the extra cash.


Jason

[Wildcat455]

Boo Hoo!
Man, for a minute I thought Dsrtjeeper was back! :D

Tampons are on Isle 3! :D

I've got lots of advice, but it's best heard while we're tossing a few shots back!

Good Luck to you!!

[twstdtj]

My experiences with Desert Rat have all been bad. Spent over $1000 correcting there mistake (no locktight on R&P bolts) = new locker and R&P when I questioned them, they (John) said that there was nothing they could do do because it was over 30 days. It was 33 days FWIW. I will never do business with them again. That was about 2 years ago. My impression from them is "take the money and run"

[WalterD]

I don't know about Desert Rat in general but the one on CaveCreek and Bell were good. They taught my son a valuable lesson on his first vehicle. Don't believe everything your told, especially a salesman. It's about sales and money.
Walter

[YJunk]

Boo Hoo!
Man, for a minute I thought Dsrtjeeper was back! :D

Tampons are on Isle 3! :D

I've got lots of advice, but it's best heard while we're tossing a few shots back!

Good Luck to you!!

haha @ the tampons... Gawd, I've been waiting all day for you to show up and make me laugh fawker... I'm ready for some shots... you name the place and the time and I'll be there...

[YJunk]

Todd at DF has pretty much made this a no brainer for me... so the pig is gonna be heading out to AJ...

[Wildcat455]

haha @ the tampons... Gawd, I've been waiting all day for you to show up and make me laugh fawker... I'm ready for some shots... you name the place and the time and I'll be there...


I'll shoot you a PM with my number.

Bring your poosie whipped friend who doesn't drink so we have someone to pick on and tease. :D

[YJunk]

I'll shoot you a PM with my number.

Bring your poosie whipped friend who doesn't drink so we have someone to pick on and tease. :D

dude you got it... is this boys night out or are we gonna let shnipe bring his best half?

[Wildcat455]

dude you got it... is this boys night out or are we gonna let shnipe bring his best half?

Target rich environments! You gotta love 'em. Sure he can bring her, but if she cries, it's not my fault!! :D

[BamBam]

YJunk I feel your pain. I too have had major issues with the US60 and Rural Desert Rat and so did one of my friends. Combined we spent over $6000.00 and my friend was treated like a ugly redheaded step child and the work I had done was a nightmare. Overall my friend waited 3 weeks for something he was promised in one week and my rig spent a total of 4 weeks in their shop.

That night I saw you out at butcher jones and you were telling me about your future mods I had no idea you were going to use Desert Rat. Look at it this way, DesertFab will do it right and you just saved yourself from having DesertRat screw it up.

Bottom Line. THERE IS NO REASON FOR ANY SHOP TO ACT THE WAY YOU DESCRIBED. Our time and money is just as important as theirs and a simple phone call or even a honest answer about turn times would make a huge difference.

Ok, I feel better :D See you on the trails........

[YJunk]

Target rich environments! You gotta love 'em. Sure he can bring her, but if she cries, it's not my fault!! :D

Mish I got to be honest... I raked this girl over the coals and she just kept throwin it back in my face, GOOD... if you can best her. "God Bless Ya"... If your gonna have any chance you basically got to punch her right in the face at the first hello... any sign of weekness and you'll be wearin her skirt before the nights over!

We're prob gonna have to do this on some Friday when shniper can actually get out for a few minutes...

[YJunk]

YJunk I feel your pain. I too have had major issues with the US60 and Rural Desert Rat and so did one of my friends. Combined we spent over $6000.00 and my friend was treated like a ugly redheaded step child and the work I had done was a nightmare. Overall my friend waited 3 weeks for something he was promised in one week and my rig spent a total of 4 weeks in their shop.

That night I saw you out at butcher jones and you were telling me about your future mods I had no idea you were going to use Desert Rat. Look at it this way, DesertFab will do it right and you just saved yourself from having DesertRat screw it up.

Bottom Line. THERE IS NO REASON FOR ANY SHOP TO ACT THE WAY YOU DESCRIBED. Our time and money is just as important as theirs and a simple phone call or even a honest answer about turn times would make a huge difference.

Ok, I feel better :D See you on the trails........

Well if I hadn't been three sheets to the wind... I probably would have gone into more detail and saved myself some headache... as it was my side kick and I had been out there for SOME time goofin off... the only thing I clearly remember are the yahoo's that were standing off to side telling me my junk wouldn't make it up those hills...

You're rig is lookin good and it appears to be working really well... bout time for another trip to willow springs... I have a date with that exit line again; and I wasn't able to attempt a couple of the tighter obsticles due to time and I want to give them a shot...

Hope to see you and the rest of your crew soon...

[DesertRat]

I don't blow :D
Jezz, I go away for a while and everyone bashing me :rolleyes: I going to report all of you! :p

Yup, when I started I spent over 3g's with them and had to go back many time due to many issues like wrong rims being installed, bolts not tight...etc..

[BamBam]

Yep, you were just about pie eyed that night:) It probably helped you get up some of those hills they said you couldn't do....

Willow Springs is calling your name, we have to get some of the same group together and run it.

[SHNIPE]

Mish I got to be honest... I raked this girl over the coals and she just kept throwin it back in my face, GOOD... if you can best her. "God Bless Ya"... If your gonna have any chance you basically got to punch her right in the face at the first hello... any sign of weekness and you'll be wearin her skirt before the nights over!

We're prob gonna have to do this on some Friday when shniper can actually get out for a few minutes...

lol i warned him that Belles a lot like Lisa and she dont put up with him either :D We're good for this friday if you guys need to see me cry. Its been on hell of a week and i think i could use a Guinness and 10-15 shots... TOPS! Text me if you jackholes wanna go. :D

[Antman]

I'm a bit surprised that you had problems with the rat? I know the owner(s) and will let them know about your issues.

Jason


BAWAAAHA HA! Do you really think that is going to do any good? I had my experience with DR over 10 years ago. :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

NEVER NEVER again!:p

[Jdemonto@Airpark Jeep Sales]

Probably not, I did not know that Yjunk was trying to get fab work done at a bolt on shop! As most know when it comes to Fab work...throw out any kind of time line! Again most don't think of the rat when it comes to custom Fab.

Jason

[Joe West]

Over the years... this has been a recurring theme. Do a forum search on "Desert Rat" and examine the posts... I think you'll find the bad stuff seriously outweighs the good stuff...

Better yet; have the owner of Desert Rat do the search...

Joe


I'm a bit surprised that you had problems with the rat? I know the owner(s) and will let them know about your issues.

Jason

[GLEN REAMS]

l Its been on hell of a week and i think i could use a Guinness and 10-15 shots... TOPS! Text me if you jackholes wanna go. :D

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAmr non drinker we dont want ya to die from over drinking now.

[UNSTUCK]

Sell the jeep and buy a honda you whiney bish :D

.

X2. Hey, you can get parts for that Honda at the Rat too. That should be a clue to all of us. Any parts place that sells stuff for Jeeps and Hondas cant be good.

Two years ago I had a rush order placed for some Superior Axles for my model 20. They were like a week getting to me intead of the one or two days promised. I went on a friday to pick them up at rural and 60. They were shipped to the Mesa store instead. So I rushed over there and they brought out a box of Yukon Axles. So without much choice I grabbed them then headed back to my shop to install them for our run the next morning.
I haven't been back.

[Jdemonto@Airpark Jeep Sales]

Over the years... this has been a recurring theme. Do a forum search on "Desert Rat" and examine the posts... I think you'll find the bad stuff seriously outweighs the good stuff...

Better yet; have the owner of Desert Rat do the search...

Joe


We use them as our parts source and I have had a lift installed there on my last Jeep with no problems. Since then I do my own work or pay one of our wrenches

PS. The re-acurring theme seems to being over promising and under delivering, I have learned long ago this will hurt your Biz at some point...I always tell folks a longer timeline on ordering cars, parts to be added ETC..They may not like to hear it, But in the end they are happy that the work was done earlier than anticipated..WIN/WIN;)

[Fire Ball]

I got $90 of gift cards for my birthday from DR. I almost cringed as I was opening the cards. Thought, oh well can't be too bad.

Have any of the automatic deflators, don't care which manufacturer? Sorry, we don't.

How about a 2" receiver insert and D Ring to hook my tow strap on.

Nope, sorry.

Steering box skid? Nope.

Tank skid? Nope.

How about... Nope sorry.

I ended up getting a D30 diff cover that looked like it had been on the shelf for a couple years. I find out I could have gotten it cheaper from Quadratec including the hardware. I had to buy $10 woth of graded bolts to put it on.

Sure wish 4wheelers had a store on the east side!

[4 Wheelers Supply]

I got $90 of gift cards for my birthday from DR. I almost cringed as I was opening the cards. Thought, oh well can't be too bad.

Have any of the automatic deflators, don't care which manufacturer? Sorry, we don't.

How about a 2" receiver insert and D Ring to hook my tow strap on.

Nope, sorry.

Steering box skid? Nope.

Tank skid? Nope.

How about... Nope sorry.

I ended up getting a D30 diff cover that looked like it had been on the shelf for a couple years. I find out I could have gotten it cheaper from Quadratec including the hardware. I had to buy $10 woth of graded bolts to put it on.

Sure wish 4wheelers had a store on the east side!

We do, 3530 E Washington st.:cool: Or we can deliver it in our big brown truck (UPS):rolleyes: Thanks for the good thoughts.:)

[Cave Gimp]

We do, 3530 E Washington st.:cool: Or we can deliver it in our big brown truck (UPS):rolleyes: Thanks for the good thoughts.:)

Thats not the east side if you live in Queen Creek like me. :D Then again I work across the street from you guys so I have no excuse. :)

[Fire Ball]

AJ is east valley, you are mid town for me ;)

[Antman]

AJ is east valley, you are mid town for me ;)

Actually,the east side is Heber. But I am only one day away from Simon and the
gang via UPS.:D

[dirtgrip]

I go to the only Desert Rat store that is NOT in AZ.The Albuquerque,NM store has a good reputation among Jeepers here.Darren & his crew are good guys who treat their customers right.They stood behind their product after failure(labor too) when I had a problem.I have been going there for 4+ yrs and have yet to be dissapointed.The stores may all be owned by the same family(Furriers)but the manager has a lot of say when it comes to customer service.