National pricing.. WTF!

[sumfingwong]

So I maybe a newbie to offroading, but I aint no :):):):):):). Demello has a Xmas special for the ICON Stage 1 suspension system for $1200US and $150 to ship to calgary. If they ship with FEDEX im expecting duties to be under $200. They were trying to charge me $2100 for the full suspension plus tax at National.

Every time I get a quote (second time calling) its outrageous! Im sorry, I will probably never order or buy anything from them. I would rather wait for shipping and risk paying a little more for duties rather than getting ass raped by National.

And YES.. there is SUMFINGWONG with the way they are doing business

Thought I would say it now so noone else can say it

[eachin]

I completely agree, their up front pricing is absurd, and the "best they can do" is barely worthy of considering.

I hate ordering stuff from the states, but I hate taking it in the ass on pricing even more.

Is it just me or are Canadians routinely screwed on pricing? I bought a stereo receiver from the states that i had to order through an american friend cause they wouldn't sell to Canada. I checked Canadian prices and it became obvious why, the same unit sold for _three_ times as much in Canadian stores.

[BeachBoy]

ahaha, check these old threads.. I think the same thing

http://forum.ct4wd.com/showthread.php?t=35&highlight=national

http://forum.ct4wd.com/showthread.php?t=310&highlight=national

they are ridiculous!!!

I would never deal with them unless my name is Nathan or Chris K.= (they seem to be the only one with fair prices over there)

[BeachBoy]

BTW, I bought all my stuff from the US, with montana shipping outlet, it's totally worth it.

I am looking at setting up an online store in Canada so we stop getting raped.

[freeze]

It's coming!!! www.ct4wdparts.com

[Stuwy123]

I've gotten some fair pricing at National.

Other times, I've had to fight just to get the price on their website...

I can't find Bushwacker fender flares for any cheaper anywhere, I've called about a dozen places and National beat them all by at least $25.
It's too expensive to buy them online and ship up here.

[S/C '03 taco]

Actually nathan and kukkonen are not the only ones that get treated well there...
I get cost plus frieght on everything there, but then again i am an ex employee of them.....

And you have to deal with shane and tell him your friends with kukkonen ,nathan or me(chris forrest)
then you will get treated way better....

OR MESSAGE ME AND I CAN GET YOU HOOKED UP WITH BETTER PRICING

[874runnersr5]

when i walked in they saw fresh meat.. they wanted like 1500$ for a front bumper for my truck.. it wasnt even the arb haha.

[nlk125]

I generally have the same negative opinion of them. Prior to placing any orders from the 'states, I've given them every opportunity to compete on price and earn some business. In every case but one they either couldn't, or wouldn't compete. In the one case where they were competitive, I placed the order with them, and then they couldn't deliver. After much much much patience on my part, I finally cancelled the order, ordered elsewhere (in Canada) and took delivery in about 5 days... I'd really like to be able to give more support to local vendors, but with vendors like that...

[Doc McCoy]

Actually nathan and kukkonen are not the only ones that get treated well there...
I get cost plus frieght on everything there, but then again i am an ex employee of them.....

And you have to deal with shane and tell him your friends with kukkonen ,nathan or me(chris forrest)
then you will get treated way better....

OR MESSAGE ME AND I CAN GET YOU HOOKED UP WITH BETTER PRICING

I have dropped all sorts of names at the front counter and with Shane directly and I get treated like garbage every time but once (getting my winch repaired).

Being the most visible name in the game must be the only reason they are still in business. The reasons that customers deal with certain vendors are normally based on a few basic criteria;

Service? - Hell no. Most times you'll stand around for a half hour before anyone even notices you're there. Then they'll try and pretend they didn't notice you.

Price / Value? - Hell no. They are almost always unwilling to deal and their list prices are normally double their American competitors. Not to say anything of their North Shore competitors.

Knowledgeable? - Meh. None of 'em look like they would know their way around a 'yota. I've heard horror stories of their service dept. as well.

[85Toy]

I've been ordering parts for my truck for over a year now and I've noticed that stores like National can't or won't match prices with other dealers so i have been ordering it myself online. Not only have i been getting better deals in some instences the parts are here the next day from the states, so I think ordering it yourself or group buy is way better then going through some companies around here.

[sumfingwong]

Forgot I posted this! haha

Anyways.. I will NOT deal with National, and I will be telling all my buddies that as well. I have been in the car scene for a long time, and my close friends own Speedtech and Urban Expressions Tires (who said they will offer CT4WD members deals on tires.. because im a member :) ) deals!!

Hate on me all you want, but I am NOT a fan on companies ripping people off. True if they feel like you are fresh meat they will charge MSRP. But *expletive deleted* off with your MRSP x2 pricing!! If you drop a name, or if this organization is telling members National will give us deals, they should do it. Just like when I emailed my whole company about Urban, they give my co-workers a really nice discount. Hell, the president of my company has bought 3 sets of winter tires (Blizzaks). He saved a total of $500 on each set rather than going to a big chain like Kal-Tire or Costco. My co-workers even get stellar service, to the point where they book them in the same day (they work through lunch or stay after hours to accommodate referrals), where an average customer would have to book a week or 2 later.. this was during the "OMFG it snows and I need snow tire" rush.

These are the kinds of deals that National should be offering especially when an offroad organization is trying to give them business.

Looks like I will do the Montana shipping thing mentioned in this thread. I am thinking about boarding at Whitefish anyways.

Until then, all my friends will know never to deal with National. Its too bad, because all of them are getting into lifting their Tundras, Hummers, and Jeeps.

Hopefully with enough complaints, the companies will pull their products off their shelves and give local store owners a chance to compete against big chains. I have seen this happen!

/end rant

[freeze]

That is the difference between a store manager/owner that cares about thier customers and future customers, and a store "ehem" that doesn't care about anything but his own ego and income.

We are working on changing this for Toyota 4WD owners very soon. We will be starting with humble beginnings but we will remain humble no matter how successful we become. Never forget where you came from and who helped get you to where you are now. I believe
that's something National's management may have overlooked over the years.

[sumfingwong]

Well hurry up and open that store. I wished I jumped on the xmas special from Demello. But I am at the point and saying *expletive deleted* it, and order the ICON from toytec. Or my buddy is moving back from Portland and I think ICON is based out of Portland.

[freeze]

It's coming! ;)

I beleive Etienne (Beachboy) got his Icons shipped to Montana and he picked them up from there..... Paging Etienne...

[sumfingwong]

Yes.. more info please! I want to go boarding at Whitefish! I was thinking about stopping at sportsmen ski haus for a roof cargo box (my boss bought one for dirt cheap (50% off) )

Just told my buddy about this National BS, he was going to call and order a 12 inch lift for his Tundra haha. not anymore!

[BeachBoy]

I got tons of stuff shipped to Montana Shipping Outlet.

Some of it I got across ninja as I did not declare them (like tow straps, shackles, antenna, hi-lift, all the small stuff)

For the bumper, I got a lower value invoice from the builder and I declared it. You need to be below the allowances i.e. 24h, 48h and one week have different $ value you can bring.

Montana Shipping charges epr item depending on size. My total was $35 without the bumper.

My Icons were shipped to my Hotel in Texas and I brought them back in my bag, it was sooo heavy!!!

[sumfingwong]

Awhile back, around 2000. I imported my prelude from cali. My gf and I was visiting for about a week, so I think we had a $750 allowance each for goods. Since we didnt spend much at all, they were able to let us combine our allowance to go towards tax and brokerage. Are you still able to do this?



So I found www.calgaryracksupply.com and went to their website. Im looking to buy a roof system to carry snowboards and a bike. They are a division of stripetech. Has anybody have any experiences with them? Looks like they carry ICON or OME. When they call me back I am going to get a quote. Lets up they dont try to rape me like National.

[Brazenhead]

It's coming!!! www.ct4wdparts.com

Tell us more! please

[sumfingwong]

Just put an order in for my ICON stage 1. $1200 from Demello and $120 to ship.. suck it National!

$2100 my ass

[Stuwy123]

I need fender flares reeeal bad. My truck gets showered with rocks and my rubber flares are getting chewed.
National had the lowest price in town and beat 4wheelparts.com (after shipping).

[Krazie Sj]

Hmm, I've never had any issues at National. Granted I know Shane, but I'm looking to scope some OME suspensions. Wonder what they'll say to that. :confused: