Kifaru lead times

[mfolch]

4 weeks here. For everything from a tarryall and a hunting frame to a water bottle pocket.

 

[Graves14]

I'm less frustrated by the lead time than the lack of communication and wrong information I've experienced. If you're backed up and can't ship something by the quoted date that's fine, let the customer know with your Appologies. It's not the end of the world. But don't ignore it, then when they contact you a week after the estimated ship date tell them it's shipping next day followed by radio silence.

Part of why I decided to shell out $800 for a backpack was for the "outstanding customer service" from the day I ordered till today I've still yet to see that proved true. Hopefully the bag and frame are everything I hope it will be and that won't be an issue.

If I sound upset, I'm not just reporting what my experience has been.

 

[skindaddy]

[QUOT=rhunter424;522213]Sounds like the 2 week TYD order time was short lived. Hopefully Kifaru is able to catch back up without sacrificing quality control.[/QUOTE]

sounds like they had a fopa with garrets pack.
but yes hopefully steady and quality

 

[Shrek]

Sounds like the 2 week TYD order time was short lived. Hopefully Kifaru is able to catch back up without sacrificing quality control.

If you want it for this fall don't wait. The wait time gets longer as it gets closer to hunting season. A lot of people wait to the last second and Kifaru doesn't work on that schedule. They have expanded their capacity but they can't staff up with skilled sewers just for peak.

 

[ezmorningrebel]

does anybody know if cargo panels and lids fall into the shorter time frame shipping as accessories or is it more like 3-4 weeks like when you're ordering a bag?

 

[freediver111]

I just ordered a few accessories and it shipped in about a week. Arriving today and made the order August 2.
Mostly it's the frames that take a month or more. In fact, I ordered another pack on June 27th and it shipped July 11th.
Shipping times all seem pretty reasonable to me, but waiting for a frame is always tough since it takes longer. Just part of the deal.
I've always been very happy with the customer service I received from Aron and Frank when I called to ask questions.

 

[rhunter424]

If you want it for this fall don't wait. The wait time gets longer as it gets closer to hunting season. A lot of people wait to the last second and Kifaru doesn't work on that schedule. They have expanded their capacity but they can't staff up with skilled sewers just for peak.

Definitely agree. Just to put some perspective on Kifaru's times, the standard wait time was 6-8 weeks on all products about 10 years ago.

 

[Kulshan]

Not so long ago Kifaru ship dates were measured in months rather than weeks.

Im definitely not complaining. I have had a great experience with Kifaru, I called them probably 3-4 times before I finally ordered and have talked to them since the order and they helped me out with a couple questions. Looking back I should have ordered right when I thought about it instead of delaying a month to think through things.

 

[welpro222]

They will most likely push the order thru faster if you really need it for a hunting trip.

 

[COlineman78]

Yeah, their order system isn't exactly the greatest. I was told that the fulfillment guys don't even get your order for a couple days after you place the order. If you have a need then give them a call and see what they can do, they will usually try to accommodate the best they can to reasonable requests, but they usually can't influence production a whole lot so sometimes it will be out of their hands, especially on frames.

I have ordered things for pick up that I know they have in stock and still don't get the call till a week later, so that seems to be the minimum fulfillment time.

That being said, every business in the industry is beyond overwhelmed this time of year. I have had issues with other companies right before season that made me want to never order from them again, but I gave them another shot eventually and they are actually one of the better ones for customer service as long as you aren't piling on in August. A month is way too short to try and scale up employees to handle with the rush so they are all just trying to do the best they can and I just try not to leave things till August anymore.

 

[Lawnboi]

I once waited 18 weeks for a bikini frame. Be happy.

My 14r showed up after 2 weeks, even though it said up to 4

 

[Kulshan]

Found out my order delivery time is skewed. I have a shelter on there and the lead time on that is 8 weeks, Backpacks are around 2-4 weeks.

 

[les welch]

This is a homegrown family based business. It's not a Chinese Production factory. I know that isn't being insinuated, just not sure if everyone really understands how hands on this company is. It takes time to do everything and maintain that quality that we demand. Sales have gone way up over the last few years so seeing lead times come down is pretty amazing in my eyes. With that said I do understand the frustrations of maybe missed communication or what seems like a wait. Honestly if you have questions just call Kifaru. IMO it's a lot easier to take a few minutes and make a couple of calls then it is to hit a forum and get frustrated. It will be worth the wait for sure though. Good luck this fall.

 

[skindaddy]

for what its worth i dont think anyone is really upset, at least not with kifaru, maybe ourselves for waiting and thinking to long, and season always comes quicker than we think. for those with equipment, and those with orders have chosen quality first NOT production. just guys thinking out loud.
maintain the quality

 

[Graves14]

At this point I'm getting frustrated by what seems to be bad information. At first I was told 3 weeks, I called at 4 and was told it was shipping next day and that I'd get an email with tracking info. That didn't happen. Two emails later I got a response saying it shipped but they didn't have tracking info. That was a week ago and I still don't have the pack.

Previously I had bought an exo and had it in 5 days from when I ordered. I know it's not the same as a made to order pack but the experience was much more fluid and much less aggravating. Like before, I'm just hoping I fall in love with the pack and forget all about waiting for it lol

 

[jm1607]

At this point I'm getting frustrated by what seems to be bad information. At first I was told 3 weeks, I called at 4 and was told it was shipping next day and that I'd get an email with tracking info. That didn't happen. Two emails later I got a response saying it shipped but they didn't have tracking info. That was a week ago and I still don't have the pack.

Previously I had bought an exo and had it in 5 days from when I ordered. I know it's not the same as a made to order pack but the experience was much more fluid and much less aggravating. Like before, I'm just hoping I fall in love with the pack and forget all about waiting for it lol

At least you knew it would be a 3-4 week and it wasn't a surprise. Not sure why you didn't get tracking but if it was sent UPS ground you'll probably get it today if you didn't yesterday.

You got lucky on the Exo. Most people waited months to get their packs the 1st year they came out, including me..

 

[les welch]

At this point I'm getting frustrated by what seems to be bad information. At first I was told 3 weeks, I called at 4 and was told it was shipping next day and that I'd get an email with tracking info. That didn't happen. Two emails later I got a response saying it shipped but they didn't have tracking info. That was a week ago and I still don't have the pack.

Previously I had bought an exo and had it in 5 days from when I ordered. I know it's not the same as a made to order pack but the experience was much more fluid and much less aggravating. Like before, I'm just hoping I fall in love with the pack and forget all about waiting for it lol

Graves, again, make a phone call. You will talk with a real person. Ask for Frank, he will square it away in the time it takes you to post here. Then you will be done being frustrated. Put 75# in the Exo when you kill something and haul it a mile. Then put 100# in your Kifaru and haul it 5 miles. You'll understand the difference of a made to fit pack, and and extra few days waiting for it.

 

[Justin Crossley]

I ordered a new frame and some pockets for my brother on 7/28 and Angie just emailed me to let me know they will ship 8/18 per my request. I sent her an email this morning and had a response within an hour or so.

 

[Graves14]

Got the pack this afternoon. Quality of materials and craftsmanship are unmistakeable. I'm having some issues getting the fitting squared away and the pack is kinda "strappy" lol but holy crap is the waist belt nice! I'll take some pics when I can.

Pat

 

[jm1607]

Got the pack this afternoon. Quality of materials and craftsmanship are unmistakeable. I'm having some issues getting the fitting squared away and the pack is kinda "strappy" lol but holy crap is the waist belt nice! I'll take some pics when I can.

Pat

Ya, my DT2 was very strappy. I filled it up as full as possible (or as full as I would ever, ever load it) then took a knife to all the straps leaving only 6" or so to tighten them down..

Helped ALOT