ARB, TJM or Independants

Just got my rig worked on at *** and thought the sales person was a good bloke. Was happy with the service and price, well it seems everything is expensive. But felt if I was getting deceived over my parts on my Patrol.

I was told they were worth nothing, I was wasting my time asking for them back etc. Turns out the parts being replaced are worth about $800/600 from the wreckers.

Turns out yesterday I noticed they had forgot to return all the parts they had taken off. Doing a quick ring around it worked out the parts not returned are worth $488 new. My rig is only a few weeks old and a 2013 Y61.

When I rung, they told me they had just realised they hadn't return them, a minute before my call?

Had just spent $6800 with them and had lined up another $5000 worth of products to go on.

I feel I can't trust this store anymore and was wondering which store people prefer to use the most.

So which company/store do you use and why?

I now only use a local independent as the other two big guys tend to be a little restricted in the variety of brands available and don't recommend anything else. I've also had the issue with the big guys trying to sell me gear that I don't want and will never have a use for. Whereas the independent will discuss pros and cons of all brands and if they don't have a account with the brand i'm after they will still source it. My independent is a Hillcrest in Logan and well known to members of this forum.

Locksmith,

The original parts aren't worth as much as you think, as most people are doing the same as you ..... accessorizing.

Unless you find someone who wants to sell their bits and put their car back to standard, or who has been in a minor accident, then there isn't as much demand.

I have sometimes requested my old parts back, just for the hell of it, but they haven't made me rich.....

Mic

Good luck getting anywhere near that for your parts. Places like arb tjm etc. Have bumpers rear bars etc stacked roof high can't give em away cause most people don't want them back as its just wasting space around the backyard and eventually it makes it to the tip.

Sent from my Samsung S4 using Motorculture app

I tend to stay away from the big boys as well for the same reason
and try to shop local but will travel if i like the product or part
i find the inderpendants and little back yarders to be more informantive
about there wares

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Originally Posted by Hodge

Good luck getting anywhere near that for your parts. Places like arb tjm etc. Have bumpers rear bars etc stacked roof high can't give em away cause most people don't want them back as its just wasting space around the backyard and eventually it makes it to the tip.

Sent from my Samsung S4 using Motorculture app

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It's no so much the price than the effort to get them.

When I do a job and someone is replacing a perfectly good lock, I let them know it's worth keeping. When I have replaced the lock I hand over every nut/screw so if needed they can use it elsewhere and not require anything.

I don't just strip it of parts and smile that I scored well.

Maybe it's just me?

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Originally Posted by TheLocksmith

It's no so much the price than the effort to get them.

When I do a job and someone is replacing a perfectly good lock, I let them know it's worth keeping. When I have replaced the lock I hand over every nut/screw so if needed they can use it elsewhere and not require anything.

I don't just strip it of parts and smile that I scored well.

Maybe it's just me?

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I do agree .... they should at least ask you if you want the parts.

Most people don't and they end up binning most of the bits.

Mic

Front clip and rear bars are normally sold to wreckers for a very small price.

I think if these stores were franchised the owner of the store wouldn't let the looting of car bits go on.

The rear lights that were accidentally left on the shelf. New were $244 each, eBay say about $100/150, wreckers prob the same? Not talking 20 yr old stuff, just week old stuff.

Offer me $150 for the lot and you have a great buy and I get $150 for looting?

Comes down to doing the right thing and morals. At least tell the customer and show some respect.

9 out of 10 people going in wouldn't have a clue of the scam.

Come Get Some - Sent from my iPhone

Since owning my Trol I have only had one experience so far and that was with ARB directly not an agent. Had a Commercial Combo Bar and Safari Snorkel fitted and I can tell you that are the last 2 pieces of ARB gear that will ever get bolted on or used with my vehicle.

Starting with the Combo Bar, they managed to hook the park lights up to the indicators, upon closer inspection the wiring job was lack lustre and I can’t believe they didn’t even test the bloody things before giving the vehicle back to me. Shame on me for not testing it in the car park in front of the salesman but I would have thought they wouldn’t make such a rookie mistake.

The Snorkel, was cruising down the freeway and the head come flying off, yep they never bothered to tighten up the worm drive clamp, so had to pay them another visit for a new head. So wasted 2 Saturdays and hence to say there is a certain ARB store here in WA that is pretty sick of me.

They may be good quality products but the aren’t worth a pinch of sh!t as far as I am concerned if the service to back it up is crap.

assuming your talking about a front and rear bar then to be honest they are simply worthless to all but the guy that has still got a factory one that is dented. 99% of people that have these accessories fitted dont look back over their shoulder for the old parts just incase they are Forced to take them! Disposal rather than Hoard.

Side Steps? Maybe worth keeping and selling to someone that has bent one? Anything else? Junk!

Bumpers, Seats, Radios, even factory Intercoolers are all junk! I might chase the intercooler for spares but the rest is worthless. The Wrecker values them because they are trying to make their money on every part of the wreck they buy, thats the point! but ask them if they want to buy that rear bumper off you for even Half what they want to sell it to you for and Good luck with that! They would say...... I have 20 mate! in every colour! No thanks.

Your Local ARB store would have a Pile of front and rear bars for a GU8 sitting out the back, my local had a big pile of rear Tub Roll bars out of Navaras stacked up, i said mate put them on ebay! he said nah mate thy are junk, i take them off to fit canopies and no one want them, every car has them already so junk they are.

If your talking about the rear Seats (3rd Row) because you fitted drawers? You are welcome to mine mate ;) They ahve been bagged and on the top shelf in my shed for 5 years becaus i cant bring myself to put them on the trailer for the tip. Worthless! Nissan want $1200 for them and the wreckers want $600 but they are worthless and junk to all but a small few.

Dont let it do your head in mate, noone is swindling you, there is not really a business in selling this stuff. ;)

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Originally Posted by TheLocksmith

I think if these stores were franchised the owner of the store wouldn't let the looting of car bits go on.

The rear lights that were accidentally left on the shelf. New were $244 each, eBay say about $100/150, wreckers prob the same? Not talking 20 yr old stuff, just week old stuff.

Offer me $150 for the lot and you have a great buy and I get $150 for looting?

Comes down to doing the right thing and morals. At least tell the customer and show some respect.

9 out of 10 people going in wouldn't have a clue of the scam.

Come Get Some - Sent from my iPhone

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The rear quater lights i assume your talking about? Again your welcome to mine mate, worthless to most, swapped for prewired fully functional ones for the $150 your talking about. Only silly people would pay $150 for a Blank light. I know they do but few and far between, they are listed on ebay waiting for those silly people but sit there listed for a long time.

Most ARB and TJM stores are franchised.

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Originally Posted by MudRunnerTD

The rear quater lights i assume your talking about? Again your welcome to mine mate, worthless to most, swapped for prewired fully functional ones for the $150 your talking about. Only silly people would pay $150 for a Blank light. I know they do but few and far between, they are listed on ebay waiting for those silly people but sit there listed for a long time.

Most ARB and TJM stores are franchised.

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Not the blank lights, the working lights in the rear bar.

As I say its not the $ so much, more the not informing or offering that got me mad and not going back.

Local independent for me, discussed the pros and cons of the lift I eventually installed. My safari snorkel was installed by a franchise and they didn't seal it between the air box and the inner guard.

It does not matter if the parts are worth nothing,
They still belong to you, I think its poor service for them not to at least give you the choice whether to keep them or not,
Especially after speeding that much coin.

Addition to my earlier post... Arb store I go to, always asked what I wanted them to do with the redundant parts. It's even printed on receipts, customer to collect redundant parts for before X amount of time otherwise it's disposed of or something along those lines.

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Originally Posted by Hodge

Addition to my earlier post... Arb store I go to, always asked what I wanted them to do with the redundant parts. It's even printed on receipts, customer to collect redundant parts for before X amount of time otherwise it's disposed of or something along those lines.

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x 2, my local ARB dealer is the same

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Originally Posted by Hodge

customer to collect redundant parts for before X amount of time otherwise it's disposed of or something along those lines.

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Wouldn't a better policy be that the customer owns everything and unless stated all looting of parts be returned to the rightful owner?

Why have that printed on a receipt? Even though I was clued in what goes on, I felt I struggled to get everything back and in the end I WAS LOOTED of my possessions!! Got out with most but still not everything.

I personally think they should be placed in the back of your car and the the bloke you deal with shows you all the work done then says "Oh and here are all the left over bits mate"...!!!

A - Aggressive
R - Ripoff
B - Bullshi*ers

That would take your last coin out of your glovebox and feel around under your back seat to fleece you of every last thing they think they can get without you noticing!!!!

Sorry I made a mistake, they would do it right in front of your face.

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Originally Posted by TheLocksmith

A - Aggressive
R - Ripoff
B - Bullshi*ers

That would take your last coin out of your glovebox and feel around under your back seat to fleece you of every last thing they think they can get without you noticing!!!!

Sorry I made a mistake, they would do it right in front of your face.

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Sorry mate your comments don't sit we'll with me at all. ARB are an Aussie Owned and Operated World Class company Developing World Class Leading products and flying the Australian flash with pride.

You are hanging them out to dry because your local did not put all the scrap bits back in your car! 90% of their customers would thank them for disposing of them for them rather than expecting the customer to deal with the stuff being ripped off.

To date you have highlighted a pair of rear bumper lights that you did not get back? I read that you have probably now received them? I acknowledge that yes those light would probably get you $80 to $100 on eBay. Happy days! What else did they "Loot" from you? Your suggesting its an orchestrated Robbery by the Company and this is simply Not Accurate. Other members above have advised you that their local ARB operate differently?

I appreciate that you are unhappy that you are part of the 20% of the population (probably 5%) who want their old rear bumper back. If you had had it dealer fitted it would have been fitted at the same ARB by the same Bloke, you would have paid a Dealer Premium for it and you WOULD NOT have got your old bar in the back of your car.

I am happy for the forum to be used for a Name and Shame when it's reasonable, I am not sure ARB deserve to be dragged through the mud on this occasion though.

No disrespect intended mate, I just like to see a balanced regard for our community and our Industry. There are Plenty of Rouges in the 4wd industry in Australia, most choose to try and Copy the likes of ARB because they are the Benchmark. They deserve that Benchmark IMO.

Regards MR

Over the last 20 years I have used my local ARB and never a issue ,I had a duel battery system play up 18 months after buying , instead of waiting to hear from the manufacturer i was given a rePlacement that day . have never bought on line I like to touch and see what I am buying , I also use my local 4x4 shop ( Redlands ) when ever I can ,

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Originally Posted by MudRunnerTD

I acknowledge that yes those light would probably get you $80 to $100 on eBay. Happy Days!

Regards MR

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My statements are for ARB. There is a lot more to this story than stated here. Was hard enough getting the parts back. Was tried to be talked out of taken them. Still missing parts on items returned and items. The lights were taken off. Cost me a slab of beer to get the job done in a day. If I hadn't notice the removed lights I am sure I wouldn't have got a call.

So it's Ok to take $80-$100 worth of someone else's property and sell on ebay ok in your eyes? ARB selling other people's property is ok and a standard practice?

Not having a go at you but saying I'm putting down a great Aussie icon is going a bit far. I asked for my belongings returned and didn't get it. But hey it's only $80-$100 worth of looting so that's ok?

While I was getting my shocks charged up the other week I found them to be complacent and there is one bloke there that is sorry to be alive and upon my return I could take it no more and when the other bloke asked me I said out loud "what is this guys problem, is my money not good enough" he must have said something to the owner as he came out and served me himself and offered me lots of advice... the bloke I normally deal with was busy and he is always polite and helpful.

When I went back for advice about placement of shocks they were again very vague and did not offer any advice even though I still spent money while I was there .... find it conflicting sometimes and I have said to my wife its because I dont have a GU8 and an open cheque book and she said how do they know that maybe one day you will!!

My old boss puts the same effort into selling a $10 part as he does a $5000 part.................

As for your parts I dont think they were trying to rip you off I just think the attention to detail was overlooked ?? edit just read what you wrote and fair enough I would be pissed to mate!!!

Ive found them to be a bit hit n miss..... some good sales guys ready and willing to help. Then others who are right arrogant pricks who dont give you the time of day.
But I agree with others and I dont care how much a part does or does not cost. If they romove something off your car, it should be given back or at least they shiuld ask if you want it back or not.

Tappin on the MC phone

My old ARB in Traralgon were all pathetic. They did not want my money and I suspect as Jonathan said is because I only drive an old GQ and am not going to go an fully pimp a new GU or similar. Been to ARB here in Warragul and they are great, never bought anything off them but they are always very helpful. I don't hold it against ARB but the shop itself.

Trying to use Motorculture

I have not had any good experiences at *** and as I said in a previous post a year or so back about brand new bars that were rusty being replaced with brand new rusty bars and the sh1t attitude from this particular store they've lost me
Only go to TJM now for wifeys Prado needs

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Originally Posted by TheLocksmith

A - Aggressive
R - Ripoff
B - Bullshi*ers

That would take your last coin out of your glovebox and feel around under your back seat to fleece you of every last thing they think they can get without you noticing!!!!

Sorry I made a mistake, they would do it right in front of your face.

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I now think quite the contrary Locksmith,

I have always used mostly ARB gear, as it is fantastic gear but at high prices. When I bought a vehicle in 2008, I thought it is time to give everyone a go, so I did the trudge around all of the majors to look at all their gear.

When it came down to it, the gear that was cheaper from other manufacturers wasn't of the same quality and purpose, and for any of the gear that was of the same quality and purpose, it was around the same price.

Nowdays there are a few independents which specialize in Bullbars, or RearBars, etc, which are great quality and at great prices, but you have to order the gear sight unseen from all over Australia to get it. There has to be a small price to pay for someone like ARB, which has everything all in the one place, has to pay staff to support and service the customers, pay for showrooms and the like, pay for equipment fitters..... the list goes on.

Sorry to hear about your grievances Locksmith, but I am sure that they don't have time to list all your gear on EBay to flog it off ..... it all goes in the bin, as a service to you.

You complained that it took them so long to get your lights back to you ... you got your lights back OK, but they may not have been from your vehicle, as yours may not have been retrievable from the dumpster.

Mic

Locksmith,

I better add, in case you missed it the first time, I agree that they always should offer to return the parts removed ....

That would be the right thing to do.

Mic

They like to keep the valuable stuff. Didn't offer to take my lunch wrappers from the floor?

I was taken to their pile of bumpers, the old, the scratched, the worthless. Didnt see any new ones in the pile? I did a close inspection of the old ones and they have take out all the lights, globes, brackets etc. Where did they all go?

There was new cars in the workshop, finished. Why wasn't the new bumpers on the old bumper pile? I know they weren't in the back of the new rigs.

As I was making my point I was rushed out of the shop as 4 other people were listening to my comments as their new rigs were in the drive ready to go.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by happygtu

Locksmith,

I better add, in case you missed it the first time, I agree that they always should offer to return the parts removed ....

That would be the right thing to do.

Mic

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Thanks m8, did read. I think it's the only honest thing to do. I know that's how I conduct my business. Found wallets, phones, dogs. I found a excavator bucket in the middle of the road one day. No name, just a serial number.

Took me 3 days, about 40 phone calls but found the owner. It was a custom bucket for trenches and cost almost $3000. The bloke couldn't believe he got it back. He spent 3 days cursing and upset.

That's your reward for doing something good, changing someone's circumstances

Locksmith.
If the fact they were trying to sell other peoples stuff, without first asking the customer whether they want the items back or not is true, well then definitely that's not on. Who would not be pissed off at that. But there is far too much generalization going on here that the whole corporation is misleading.

Been going to the local ARB store long before they actually became an ARB franchise. They've changed many bodies in there throughout the years, but there remain 2 blokes that were there since pretty much day 1. Like bloodyaussie, I try and do my best to only deal with them 2 and nobody else, but if they're busy well then I have no choice. Over the years on many occasions these guys have bent over backwards for me when they simply shouldn't have. I'm talking about bringing in 3rd party parts which I didn't buy from them, and got them to fit it for me, and when things didn't work out, they rang around on my behalf to try and rectify the issue. I've had them talk me out of replacing parts that were already on my car, with their ARB stuff, when in fact I wanted the ARB stuff. So I walked in prepared to spend $ on ARB, but they said not to bother. Could have easily taken my money. One of the blokes, even politely asked me if I'm sure I wanted to pay THAT much for something, when it's on eBay for far less. He couldn't match it. But once again I could have been ripped off hard.

On the contrary though, they have had absolute oxygen thieves working there. Blokes that wouldn't know if you were up them. Just no passion for serving people and suggesting things outside the box. I don't know how they got employed but they did. Few of them didn't last long, thankfully.
And as my previous post, I repeat. Every time I had parts left over after getting something fitted I got asked what I wanted to do. I needed a rear bumper recently, and walked in there to ask if by chance they had some, the bloke walked me back there to a huge stack of front and rear bumpers, springs, shocks, rims, tubs... from all sorts of vehicles band-it taped up ready for the recycle truck. They had these coming out of their ears. I doubt very much this store has any time or any feasible purpose to sell them.

Just my 2c.

Hey Hodge, love peoples 2c :)

If you read the original post, I mentioned no names and speak well about the people. This post was not about attacking a company .

It was more about hearing from others about places/people they recommend.

Topics just came up that hit my vent button :)

Think about now we have $2 I'm off to Macs for there specials menu :)

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Originally Posted by TheLocksmith

If you read the original post, I mentioned no names and speak well about the people. This post was not about attacking a company .

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Locksmith, you may not not have started this thread to attack the company but you certainly got there eventually

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Originally Posted by firm351

Locksmith, you may not not have started this thread to attack the company but you certainly got there eventually

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Yes when I posted the (ARB =) I wasn't in the best of moods. I did retract the comment and delete and put (.....comment withdrawn) but was quoted on it. So I reinstated my comment because I had been quoted.

Sorry about it no, should have kept comment to myself? Live and learn.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheLocksmith

Think about now we have $2 I'm off to Macs for there specials menu :)

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Literally had some 15 minutes ago. Still a bit peckish so, I'm thinking subway now.
And just thought I'd mention, not accusations coming from my end about you or anybody else attacking any company as such. My post was aimed as a fact that yes you have sour apples in each basket. I wish we lived in a perfect world where every store had friendly, helpful staff who would think outside the square to help you out. Unfortunately that's not the case.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheLocksmith

My statements are for ARB. So it's Ok to take $80-$100 worth of someone else's property and sell on ebay ok in your eyes? ARB selling other people's property is ok and a standard practice? ... But hey it's only $80-$100 worth of looting so that's ok?

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Hi guys, I just wanted to clear this up.

TheLocksmith, ARB policy is that all removed OEM components should be offered back to the customer post fitting. 90% of customers are happy for us to discard them and a small minority opt to keep them. From our point of view, we'd much rather have the customer take the components with them.

If this hasn't taken place in your case, particularly if you've requested that they be returned, then this is disappointing and I can understand your dissatisfaction.

However, your suggestion that we intentionally loot OEM components in order to on sell them is simply incorrect. All discarded OEM gear is recycled (or destroyed if it isn't recyclable). Metal components are separated from plastic ones (lights removed from bars etc) in order for them to be recycled separately.

If you're still having issues with the store/stockist in question, then we'd be happy to follow it up for you. Shoot me a PM with some further details and I'll pass them on to the Store Manager.

Cheers, Sam.

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Originally Posted by ARB 4x4 Accessories

However, your suggestion that we intentionally loot OEM components in order to on sell them is simply incorrect. All discarded OEM gear is recycled (or destroyed if it isn't recyclable). Metal components are separated from plastic ones (lights removed from bars etc) in order for them to be recycled through separate facilities.

Cheers, Sam.

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Hey Sam, is the recycling company called eBay by any chance? :)

Sorry had to take that one.

So what you are saying is any good parts do not get sold on? Either via eBay, wreckers or in store?

Across our network we literally remove tonnes of OEM equipment from customer vehicles each year, most of which is consciously left with us by the customer.

As I've mentioned, all discarded OEM gear is either recycled or binned. Each store is individually responsible for how this is handled. Suffice to say though, that the overall effort and cost to discard these unwanted components is substantial.

We certainly don't intentionally loot customer vehicles in order to make a profit. In all cases, our preference would be for customers to take this equipment with them and discard of it themselves.

In some cases (tyre distributors for example) businesses actually charge the customer a fee for the disposal of unwanted parts. We haven't gone down this path.

Cheers, Sam.

See what happens when you spend up mate... you get ARB respond online!!!!

Now all I need is 4wd Systems to fricking get online? I probably have not spent enough for that?