Kifaru Warranty Not What It Used To Be

[jjjjeremy]

I don't care who owns the company as long as the Hong family keeps sewing.

 

[Jake Larsen]

I don't care who owns the company as long as the Hong family keeps sewing.

Fingers crossed. But it wouldn’t surprise me if that changes…sewn/sourced in the US hurts their bottom line the most. Aaron used to talk about it all the time. There’s a lot of money left on the table by choosing to stay here.


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[jmillr1]

Fingers crossed. But it wouldn’t surprise me if that changes…sewn/sourced in the US hurts their bottom line the most. Aaron used to talk about it all the time. There’s a lot of money left on the table by choosing to stay here.


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I dont know... that doesn't make any real sense. Born Primitive certainly isn't made in the usa... so I'm unsure that saying that he was keeping things made in the usa is accurate.

 

[Jake Larsen]

I dont know... that doesn't make any real sense. Born Primitive certainly isn't made in the usa... so I'm unsure that saying that he was keeping things made in the usa is accurate.

I have zero inside knowledge of who’s making those decisions. Only what he’s said on podcasts repeatedly for the last 10 years or so since I’ve been listening to him.


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[Eastonsgrandpa]

Maybe this explains this entire thread.

I have been thinking the same thing. Honestly, it doesn’t matter to me who owns/runs the company, but Aron used to be known for his absolute involvement in all things CS related. I found it odd that nobody from Kifaru spoke up in this thread, especially Aron.

I just don’t see this going in a good direction. I loved the Ark frame and always felt like if I ran into problems it would be ok and they’d deal with it. But this thread and other things I’ve read elsewhere shook that sense of security.

Too many upsets and changes in the company the last while for me. And then couple it with the need to not only supply online customers but also Scheels, and I think it was a good time for me to have moved on. Recently made the tough choice of keeping my K4 or Ark. I think I’m glad I stuck with the EXO.

 

[Bowfinn]

I have been thinking the same thing. Honestly, it doesn’t matter to me who owns/runs the company, but Aron used to be known for his absolute involvement in all things CS related. I found it odd that nobody from Kifaru spoke up in this thread, especially Aron.

I just don’t see this going in a good direction. I loved the Ark frame and always felt like if I ran into problems it would be ok and they’d deal with it. But this thread and other things I’ve read elsewhere shook that sense of security.

Too many upsets and changes in the company the last while for me. And then couple it with the need to not only supply online customers but also Scheels, and I think it was a good time for me to have moved on. Recently made the tough choice of keeping my K4 or Ark. I think I’m glad I stuck with the EXO.

I agree I don’t see how Aron leaving will improve anything from a customer service standpoint. I agree, I feel like Aron continued the legacy that Patrick built at Kifaru, but now the people calling the shots are the investors that took over. Unfortunately the outdoor industry is full of examples of great companies being bought out and then being ran for profit only.

A big reason why I bought Kifaru was due to their reputation of no BS we will take care of you warranty even if your the 3rd owner on a 10 year old bag. I’m the original owner for all of my Kifaru stuff, but it still concerns me how I’m gonna be treated if I rip a seam or break a zipper in 3-4 years.

I hope the Exo works out for you. I’m kinda wishing I was holding an Exo pack at this point.

 

[Eastonsgrandpa]

I agree I don’t see how Aron leaving will improve anything from a customer service standpoint. I agree, I feel like Aron continued the legacy that Patrick built at Kifaru, but now the people calling the shots are the investors that took over. Unfortunately the outdoor industry is full of examples of great companies being bought out and then being ran for profit only.

A big reason why I bought Kifaru was due to their reputation of no BS we will take care of you warranty even if your the 3rd owner on a 10 year old bag. I’m the original owner for all of my Kifaru stuff, but it still concerns me how I’m gonna be treated if I rip a seam or break a zipper in 3-4 years.

I hope the Exo works out for you. I’m kinda wishing I was holding an Exo pack at this point.

There’s always a kifaru buyer. I liked the ark fit better but there was a couple things that swayed me to keep the exo. I got enough selling the ark that I could add another K4 if I wanted.

 

[veganhunter]

Who remembers all the doomsday predictions when Vista got involved in Stone Glacier? They are proof that is possible to maintain elite level CS, even with corporate overlords.

 

[renagde]

Who remembers all the doomsday predictions when Vista got involved in Stone Glacier? They are proof that is possible to maintain elite level CS, even with corporate overlords.

Valid point. Their customer service is better than kifaru these days.

 

[fatlander]

High end toys swapped out like underwear, months of hunting, second to none customer service.

Pick two.

It was pretty easy to see this coming over the last few years.


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[Fins_N_Tines]

Yesterday Aron addressed some questions on instagram. one was will he still use kifaru packs. He said yes, but also said this move allows him to test other gear like packs. So, this opens the door and would not shock me to see him using other packs and as he should. There are other packs that quit frankly are as good or better than Kifaru.

 

[trophyhill]

Who remembers all the doomsday predictions when Vista got involved in Stone Glacier? They are proof that is possible to maintain elite level CS, even with corporate overlords.

We shall see how long that lasts with Vista once they are sold off to The Excaliber group aka the Czech group. I hear the 2 have agreed to a price for the sale.

 

[swarovskicoues]

Interesting thread. Ive noticed some of my recent purchases from Kifaru since the move to WY have had small defects but didn't think much of it. Sucks to see and read all this.

 

[TheTone]

We shall see how long that lasts with Vista once they are sold off to The Excaliber group aka the Czech group. I hear the 2 have agreed to a price for the sale.

Stone glacier isn’t part of the sale to the Czech group, that side of Vista called revelyst, is looking like it’s going to sell to a different investment group

 

[roosiebull]

What the heck. I had the same thing happen with my 6 year old duplex. Shoulder strap stitching ripped out. Told me I needed to buy new straps and that was it.

Maybe they notice people are not happy.

I don’t expect them to just replace everything but if stitching is failing it’s hard to not have a path to repair.

I think when a small company gets big, it starts depending on who you talk to, like they have a policy, but each employee uses their discretion

 

[roosiebull]

I have been thinking the same thing. Honestly, it doesn’t matter to me who owns/runs the company, but Aron used to be known for his absolute involvement in all things CS related. I found it odd that nobody from Kifaru spoke up in this thread, especially Aron.

I just don’t see this going in a good direction. I loved the Ark frame and always felt like if I ran into problems it would be ok and they’d deal with it. But this thread and other things I’ve read elsewhere shook that sense of security.

Too many upsets and changes in the company the last while for me. And then couple it with the need to not only supply online customers but also Scheels, and I think it was a good time for me to have moved on. Recently made the tough choice of keeping my K4 or Ark. I think I’m glad I stuck with the EXO.

EXO doesn’t want to get bigger, which is a big deal for us, it means that customer service will remain perfectly consistent (and great) and they also make a great pack.

I have not put an ark on, but besides that frame, the k4 is a stand alone frame. I like to see competitive market, because it makes everyone step up their game, and want to see kifaru keep kicking ass, but it doesn’t really matter to me personally

EXO has earned my business, of all of the hunting products and companies, EXO is the only company that I choose to be loyal to. Makes it pretty easy considering their products to me.

Sounds like AI is pretty widely liked as well, people who use them seem to like them, as well as Stone

 

[bozeman]

I think for every 'bad' example of CS (and once again there are always two sides) there are many more who have had fantastic experience with Kifaru, including myself. Both Exo and Kifaru have been more than great with any questions or issues I have had with their products. But.....seems like a few on here have an axe to grind......makes you wander. To each his own.

 

[renagde]

I think for every 'bad' example of CS (and once again there are always two sides) there are many more who have had fantastic experience with Kifaru, including myself. Both Exo and Kifaru have been more than great with any questions or issues I have had with their products. But.....seems like a few on here have an axe to grind......makes you wander. To each his own.

That's the issue. I've had great interactions with the folks at Kifaru, they've taken care of me over the years when I had issues with their gear. The problem is, that seems to have changed over the past few years. Seems they've gotten too big and have turned corporate. It's a real shame, hope it turns around for the better.

 

[Eastonsgrandpa]

EXO doesn’t want to get bigger, which is a big deal for us, it means that customer service will remain perfectly consistent (and great) and they also make a great pack.

I have not put an ark on, but besides that frame, the k4 is a stand alone frame. I like to see competitive market, because it makes everyone step up their game, and want to see kifaru keep kicking ass, but it doesn’t really matter to me personally

EXO has earned my business, of all of the hunting products and companies, EXO is the only company that I choose to be loyal to. Makes it pretty easy considering their products to me.

Sounds like AI is pretty widely liked as well, people who use them seem to like them, as well as Stone

This is a lot of what swayed my decision to go EXO. The Ark was phenomenal. Loved the way it fit and honestly probably a tick better than the K4. But the new corporate thing worries me. I’ve never seen a company improve when that happens. Recently there was items on the website out of stock but Scheels had them. Business with huge companies means you have to meet their demands first or you lose that contract. I totally get it but it’s a tough thing for the customer. I guess you could just order from Scheels but it concerns me.

I like that EXO is content being what they are. When you stay small you focus on qc and customer service.

I wish Kifaru the absolute best and I have many of their products. Their newest duffel is one of my favorites. But I gotta be loyal to my wallet first.

 

[Str8shooter]

So PSA Kifaru warranty/repair shop is now a complete joke. My nomad 2 (purchased in person in the Colorado store about 8 years ago) had some minor stitching coming undone along the top of the pack where the stays slide into the black rubberized material. After Kifaru received the pack I got a response email that "the damage is past the point of being able to repair" but here's a 25% off coupon (and only for 3 of their newest models, had to plead to get the code to work on other gear...). Tell me if this picture is at all indicative of "damage beyond repair". Makes me wonder if they are just rejecting all repairs as a matter of course. Done with this company and it's a shame because I've loved their packs but it appears to be a different company now.