kuiu no forum for you

[n2horns]

What is going on with Kuiu and tyrant approach on the forum. It's up then down and not to mention their new rules. Are they afraid of competition or just trying to hide real life negative experiences with their products.

Reminds me of the Seinfeld episode No soup for you!

 

[jm1607]

Both. They never liked unbiased opinions, they just want people to worship them.

 

[COlineman78]

I can't think of any other company the size of Kuiu that offers a forum. Although it sucks, objectively I can see reasoning for all of the new rules. Classifieds can be misconstrued as sponsored and/or guaranteed by Kuiu themselves, so they were afraid of someone trying to hold them responsible for getting ripped off. The rule that people don't like is the one about posts about competing products without making a direct comparison to a Kuiu product. This doesn't say anything about removing bad reviews and I never saw it applied that way (although some were collateral damage when they removed entire threads). The removed posts right before they shut it down all were about Exo packs and one was offering to sell the guy a Kuiu pack.

If you went to the main forum page it was never back up, but for a few days direct links worked again. I wouldn't be surprised if they switched to something easier to moderate, possibly other than a true forum. They are providing a service free of charge (websites cost money; sometimes a lot) and if you don't like their rules you don't have to use it. Do I think they could do it better? Yes. But I think it would cost them a full time employee dedicated to monitoring forums and responding to even the trolls. Look at it this way, how do you think any company would react if someone was hanging out in their store and telling their customers to go somewhere else because it's better.

 

[realunlucky]

You defiantly see their forum with rose color glasses. They brought their opposition here when they were a brief sponsor here. Made for some interesting discussions for sure

 

[ChrisS]

A forum is probably a bad idea since they have some serious flaws that have not, and show no signs of, being remedied (backorder waitlist, QC issues on some gear, inconsistent manufacturers), they expose themselves to direct comparison with other competitors and whiny customers. A better solution would be, like a lot of companies, to just offer a place to review items on the store page. But Jason's customer service staff should really get out in front tackle their biggest issues (availability) with the blog. I wonder if it's just a capital ($$) issue. I don't know a ton about small businesses, but I would understand if he's in a cash only position with regards to ordering inventory and keeps it small, just to minimize risk. I don't know a ton about Kurt and Stone Glacier, but he's able to keep sufficient inventory on hand for even his new models and that's a super highend boutique operation.

I only really visited Kuiu's forum for information on fit and availability. The tough thing with essentially being an online only boutique store is that their customers have to take their word on their gear fitting and performing as it should (or wait another 3-4 months for a replacement). I love their attack pants and use some of their other gear, but I only made my initial purchase from them after reading a ton of positive reviews.

 

[MuleyFever]

They are providing a service free of charge (websites cost money; sometimes a lot) and if you don't like their rules you don't have to use it. Do I think they could do it better? Yes. But I think it would cost them a full time employee dedicated to monitoring forums and responding to even the trolls. Look at it this way, how do you think any company would react if someone was hanging out in their store and telling their customers to go somewhere else because it's better.

I would have to agree.

I don't know a ton about Kurt and Stone Glacier, but he's able to keep sufficient inventory on hand for even his new models and that's a super highend boutique operation.

I would think KUIU is selling a lot more packs than SG.

 

[ChrisS]

I would think KUIU is selling a lot more packs than SG.

That's my point, I guess. SG isn't making a ton of money off of packs and doesn't have super high cash flow to keep lots of inventory on hand, but Kurt still keeps enough to have everything in stock ready to ship. I guess finances for small firms that are quickly growing can be a pain to deal with. Not enough assets or collateral to keep the capital fire stoked. I have a friend who had to turn down a lucrative contract making containers for a fast growing national yogurt company because he would have had to take out huge loans to scale up his production line and if he missed just one week of production and payments, it would have bankrupted him and ruined his business.

 

[n2horns]

I know its hard with small business (family has one) for capital etc.. but the bottom line is have product available and good product at that.

I don't understand why Kuiu has never responded to all the problems with products, to me I would think it would show they care and are absolutely positive about providing quality products. But not responding leads me to believe either they don't care or are greedy and want to push more and more product. They seem to be pumping out new stuff all the time now, but can't address the biggest hiccup, the inventory.

Jason addressed or blamed the shipping strike, BS everyone was affected and if Kuiu had multiple sources they would thrive. Not sure if Jason is spending too much time doing RnD hunting trips on our dime, but I think he should focus on what the customers are saying are the problems and address them. Kuiu has over promised and under delivered more times than not.

Do other companies have issue heck ya, but the they listen to the customer. Example, Steve and Lenny with the EXO packs, they made adjustments to their new packs quickly, they also were up front and honest about their back log and trying to overcome the overwhelming demand. They were out talking and spreading the word. They were accepting of feedback both good and bad. I bought their first generation pack and love it. I trusted them first and foremost on their first attempt at a pack, more so than Kuiu who had several iterations.

I wish all small business great success and yes I buy from Kuiu, EXO, First Lite, Darn Tough and others. I support the little guy, but I will support a quality and truthful product and company.

I make purchases with my money, hard earned and am starting to reconsider my clothing. My first real set of hunting clothes was First Lite, I moved away because I wanted a more of a stretchy pant as I was using those when hiking. ASAT was and is damn good. I still have bunch of FL. Now that they are moving into the stretchy arena and the new camo pattern I am picking up pieces here and there. I don't care if it's made in China, I rather have it be USA made, but at least FL is upfront and honest about stock.

Oh well, not sure why i got so fired up about it, maybe I need a vacation and a hunt to go on.

 

[Shrek]

If it's true that Kuiu is doing away with their forum it's a real loss to everyone. For the Kuiuteers it's the loss of kuiuland and the big sing along and for the rest of us it means the Kuiuteers are going to be all over trying to start sing alongs and getting but hurt when everyone sings out of tune and adds a bunch of reality to the fantasy.

 

[blackdog]

Kuiu has over promised and under delivered more times than not.

I don't care if it's made in China, I rather have it be USA made, but at least FL is upfront and honest about stock.

I honestly don't understand guys like you..........Kuiu has been very transparent about nearly everything they've done since they started (the first generation of tents may be another story), and if you can't figure out their stock situation, that's on you and not them. Expecting them to be like any other retailer that orders their products from a huge warehouse and is supposed to have stock on the shelf 365 days a year is simply unrealistic. They've NEVER promised that would be the case. Plain and simple - either order what's in stock and receive it right away (and be super happy about it), or plan WAY in advance and wait patiently for it to come in.

 

[Shrek]

I honestly don't understand guys like you..........Kuiu has been very transparent about nearly everything they've done since they started (the first generation of tents may be another story), and if you can't figure out their stock situation, that's on you and not them. Expecting them to be like any other retailer that orders their products from a huge warehouse and is supposed to have stock on the shelf 365 days a year is simply unrealistic. They've NEVER promised that would be the case. Plain and simple - either order what's in stock and receive it right away (and be super happy about it), or plan WAY in advance and wait patiently for it to come in.

See what I mean n2horns ? Now sing along in harmony or blackdog will report you to Ryan through pm and have you banned

 

[MuleyFever]

If it's true that Kuiu is doing away with their forum it's a real loss to everyone. For the Kuiuteers it's the loss of kuiuland and the big sing along and for the rest of us it means the Kuiuteers are going to be all over trying to start sing alongs and getting but hurt when everyone sings out of tune and adds a bunch of reality to the fantasy.

What reality is that? What fantasy? Seriously, I am curious.

 

[realunlucky]

I see is going to turn into one of those threads. Kuiuland classic shrek

 

[COlineman78]

You defiantly see their forum with rose color glasses. They brought their opposition here when they were a brief sponsor here. Made for some interesting discussions for sure

Okay, well maybe that is why I have such a differing view on this than so many others seem to have as I only started participating both on here and Kuiu forums early this year. So I guess, take my views as to what went on since then where they have only deleted posts twice: once in March/April when they deleted 2 Exo threads and the 5 or so individual posts they deleted the day before they shut down the forum.

Now, as far as being a Kuiuteer as Shrek calls them; I am not. I like their gear and think they make good pants especially and like my pack, but I think there are some major problems with some of the stuff they have done. I would have been very angry had I been an early adopter of either their 1st gen tents or packs. Maybe they made it right behind the scenes, but it seems that they have all but publicly acknowledged issues with both products. I don't see anything wrong with selling experimental products, but I think you should make it up to people with discounts on the finished product when it comes out. I see this a lot like Apple in that really the first iPod sucked with like a 20min battery life and they screwed their customers over by charging them $100 to fix it; yet it didn't seem to phase the iSheep.

As far as supply goes, any business is going to have growing pains but I think there are things they could do better to make this less painful. The most frustrating aspect of this however is their inconsistent sizing. There is someone selling gear in the classifieds where they have 3 different sizes: L, XL and XXL depending on the item. This greatly compounds the issue of backorders as you force yourself to stick with a size because it's going to possibly take you months to change. While I think capital may contribute to their supply issues, I suspect that the biggest problem is Jason wanting their products to use brand new materials making it so they just can't manufacture anywhere but in a select few factories.

 

[blackdog]

See what I mean n2horns ? Now sing along in harmony or blackdog will report you to Ryan through pm and have you banned

That might be funnier if I had any idea who Ryan was or if I ever posted on the Kuiu forum (or even knew it was/did go away before today).

 

[Shrek]

If it was a capital shortage there wouldn't be leaky Big Sky knockoff tents , cheesy packs , gimmicky sleeping bags , ect. Personally I think it's designed scarcity to keep the products in demand and "cool". If you could walk into any store or get online and get it anytime you wanted it would soon be just another clothing company. I think it's the ultimate contempt of their customers. He uses the mystique and cashe' to keep the brand in demand and adds other products to sell instead of meeting demand for existing products. It's a delicate balancing act that so far Jason has mostly succeeded at. If he makes his products too scares then customers give up on being Kuiuteers and invest in more available brands and their associated camo patterns and layering systems. So far he's basically pre selling his clothing out and then tossing a bunch of garbage against the wall and seeing what sticks.

 

[dotman]

Kuiu is the best!

 

[realunlucky]

I actually think Jason is a great marketer. I also agree with you shrek demand makes getting into the cool kids club is partly what drives the line but love or hate the line Kuiu has some innovative pieces and some quality pieces that are good value ie. Rain gear

 

[dreamingbig]

Kifaru has a forum!

 

[Shrek]

I actually think Jason is a great marketer. I also agree with you shrek demand makes getting into the cool kids club is partly what drives the line but love or hate the line Kuiu has some innovative pieces and some quality pieces that are good value ie. Rain gear

Wouldn't argue with that a bit.