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Christopher Schimke Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2005 Posts: 5375 Location: PNW
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Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 8:01 am Post subject: The New T3 Technique anti-roll bar - FINALLY! |
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Since we really are at the dawn of the new product, I figured that it would be best to start a new thread for this. Past comments and information has been ongoing inside another thread that can be found here -
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=547355&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
luVWagn wrote: |
My personal feeling after all this time, and being a total negative nelly, is that the product simply isn't ready for mass consumption (even though i WANT one), and all of the estimates thus far in the thread have been off by months.
I think this should go to its own thread, and posted on your web-site, and clearly track status on an on-going basis (including for folks who don't visit The Samba(TM)).
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luVWagn wrote: |
I'm basing on this thread for last 4+ months? Eagerly waiting, multiple contacts, numerous almosts. I understand perfection takes time, and that he doesn't want to release something early or half-baked... I'm still hopeful, and still think it deserves its own thread and/or a spot on the t3 web site...
P.S. people should be able to provide honest "criticism". Chris has always been fantastic to me, and this board, on numerous occasions, and I'm not going to impact that reputation with my comments. There are always unforeseen delays and complications in my job too... Sorry for any offense, not my intent. |
I would like to address the comments above before moving on. Those comments were made in the Addco thread (link above) and I don't want to let them slide under the rug.
luVWagon, I deserve the criticism, but you are way off here. My estimations on the status of the new anti-roll bar kit have been off for years, not months. It has been a very long and trying road in trying to get these to market. Between multiple flaky companies who wasted my time and money and and my own desire for the bar kit to be the best it can be, this process has taken more time than I ever could have imagined when I first set out on this road. I'm not a huge manufacturing company, nor do I have one at my disposal. I have had to rely on the expertise and professionalism (or lack thereof) of other companies to get the parts made that I want. I'm also not a big enough company to be able to speak to these other companies in terms of thousands of pieces. Relatively speaking, my wants and needs for these bars and the associated parts is a tiny drop in the bucket compared to what some of the other companies that they deal with are asking from them. This pretty much pushed/pushes me to the back of the line on all accounts. And it happened over and and over and over again.
There were many times that I wanted to give up on this project, but clearly seeing that I could do a better job and create a better product motivated me to keep pushing and pushing until I actually have that product in hand. Having people continually showing interest and asking when the bars would be ready also showed me that there would be a market for such a product as well. I can't tell you how much I appreciate people sticking with me through this whole thing.
Some people expressed interest years ago and after all of the false starts and broken promises as far as the time frame is concerned, these same people deserved to be among the first to have the new bars in their hands. And unlike other situations that we as T3 enthusiasts have witnessed, sometimes first hand, these people who are just now receiving the first run of bars are not being used as guinea pigs for the development of the product. The product and the supporting components have been tested and fitted many times in my best effort to provide a solid product right out of the gate.
As for the small numbers of bars available on this first run (20), it all came down to what I can reliably provide. Some of the supporting suppliers were not able to provide me with enough product for a huge numbers of bars. In addition, I needed to ensure that I could manage the orders properly. It's amazing how much time it takes to properly package up these kits. Like I said in the other thread, if you would like to be contacted about the next run of bars, please send me an email to [email protected]
And you are right, the new bars do deserve their own thread and they will be announced on the website at some point in time. Again, it all comes down to being able to manage the situation. I don't want to sell a product that I don't have. I have never taken money for these bars in advance, even though many, many people have asked. I would simply like to be able to continue to provide the best customer service that I can and given the rocky road that has led up to the release of these bars, I really want to make sure that I am taking it slow and taking care of my customers the best way possible. The T3 world outside the Samba is huge and if I am not careful, I do feel that customer service could suffer and that is not acceptable. There will come a time when the bars will be for sale on the website for purchase, but not right now.
So while I do deserve the criticism and clearly understand any frustration that anyone may feel toward the situation, please know that I am doing my best to provide the highest quality, best fitting parts that I can. None of the information shared over the course of this adventure was meant to be misleading. While my optimism for the time frame of the product may not have been accurate, my intentions have always been good and honest. While I still don't have an unlimited supply of bars to offer, I am doing my best to rectumfry the glitches in the supply chain and hopefully very soon, there will not be any issues in supplying the bars at will.
Phwew! Okay, with that off my chest, I will do my best to get some photos and more information on the new anti-roll bars up a bit later today. I would also welcome those of you who may already have a bar in hand to share any photos or comments. _________________ "Sometimes you have to build a box to think outside of." - Bruce (not Springsteen)
*Custom wheel hardware for Audi/VW, Porsche and Mercedes wheels - Urethane Suspension Bushings*
T3Technique.com or contact me at [email protected] |
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tarandusVDub Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2010 Posts: 1649 Location: Between Here and There
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Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 8:15 am Post subject: |
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As a wise man once said, Perfection Takes Time.
I can only imagine that 'rectumfry-ing' takes a lot longer!
Huge kudos to T3 Techniques for taking the risks and making the investments so we can keep our beloved rigs on the road.
_________________ 1990 Syncro 16" DoppleKabine 2.1 DJ 112i
________________________
Sold: 1972 Bay Campmobile; 1984 Westy, base model, 2WD. |
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bluefirefly Samba Member
Joined: March 16, 2011 Posts: 438 Location: Calgary, Ab
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Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 8:36 am Post subject: |
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tarandusVDub wrote: |
As a wise man once said, Perfection Takes Time.
I can only imagine that 'rectumfry-ing' takes a lot longer!
Huge kudos to T3 Techniques for taking the risks and making the investments so we can keep our beloved rigs on the road.
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X2
Thanks a lot Chris for doing it! _________________ 86 Syncro Tintop G60
work in progress ...as always! |
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westylife Samba Member
Joined: October 28, 2007 Posts: 409 Location: Anchorage, Alaska
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Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 8:38 am Post subject: |
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What will the price point be? Will this fluctuate depending on demand, or will you have a solid price?
Looking forward to having one.
Westylife _________________ 1983.5 Westfalia Bostig RG1 |
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ThankYouJerry Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2012 Posts: 2271 Location: Shakedown Street
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Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 8:42 am Post subject: |
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tarandusVDub wrote: |
Huge kudos to T3 Techniques for taking the risks and making the investments so we can keep our beloved rigs on the road. |
+1. Not only that, but actually improving our beloved rigs. Many, many thank yous Christopher! _________________ 1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD |
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insyncro Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 15086 Location: New York
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Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 8:46 am Post subject: |
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Mine are on the way |
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johnnygreenham Samba Member
Joined: January 17, 2013 Posts: 456 Location: Upper Jay NY
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Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 8:50 am Post subject: |
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You're doing amazing work Chris and most of use here know that. Most of us here wouldn't even dream of taking on a project of this size with all the stress and burden it brings but are quiet happy to throw comments around which really are sometimes selfish and not well thought out. That's people for you, but all I will say is and thank you.
I'll be in touch soon.
Kind regards
Johnny _________________ 1982 Diesel 1.9TD AAZ |
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Christopher Schimke Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2005 Posts: 5375 Location: PNW
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Jake de Villiers Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2007 Posts: 5911 Location: Tsawwassen, BC
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Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 8:55 am Post subject: |
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bluefirefly wrote: |
tarandusVDub wrote: |
As a wise man once said, Perfection Takes Time.
I can only imagine that 'rectumfry-ing' takes a lot longer!
Huge kudos to T3 Techniques for taking the risks and making the investments so we can keep our beloved rigs on the road.
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X2
Thanks a lot Chris for doing it! |
What they said; thanks, Chris! Everything you sell is well thought out and a pleasure to install on my van. _________________ '84 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX
'86 Westy Weekender Poptop/2.5 Subaru/5 Speed Posi/Audi Front Brakes/16 x 7 Mercedes Wheels - answers to 'Dixie'
@jakedevilliersmusic1
http://sites.google.com/site/subyjake/mydixiedarlin%27
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
www.thebassspa.com |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16476 Location: Brookeville, MD
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Christopher Schimke Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2005 Posts: 5375 Location: PNW
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Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 8:59 am Post subject: |
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johnnygreenham wrote: |
You're doing amazing work Chris and most of use here know that. Most of us here wouldn't even dream of taking on a project of this size with all the stress and burden it brings but are quiet happy to throw comments around which really are sometimes selfish and not well thought out. That's people for you, but all I will say is and thank you.
I'll be in touch soon.
Kind regards
Johnny |
Thank you!
And I never meant this be a "turn on luVWagon" thing. He spoke his mind and in a certain way, I agree with him. I think his criticisms have merit and are definitely worth considering. While I am a very ,very patient person, if I were on the other end of things here, and did not have the full story behind the situation, I can see viewing things similarly to luVWagon. That is why I went to the extent to try to explain the situation as clearly as possible so that people know the story. Knowing the story can help clear up some of misconceptions and help to understand how we ended up here.
So where luVWagon is concerned, it's all good. I mean look, if nothing else, he gave me an open door to start this new thread and get the new anti-roll bar information out on its own. _________________ "Sometimes you have to build a box to think outside of." - Bruce (not Springsteen)
*Custom wheel hardware for Audi/VW, Porsche and Mercedes wheels - Urethane Suspension Bushings*
T3Technique.com or contact me at [email protected] |
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westylife Samba Member
Joined: October 28, 2007 Posts: 409 Location: Anchorage, Alaska
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Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 9:18 am Post subject: |
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e-mail waiting list request sent!
_________________ 1983.5 Westfalia Bostig RG1 |
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vw4life Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2005 Posts: 144
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Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 9:35 am Post subject: |
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Would love to see an install write up. Replacing my rubber sway bar link bushings was a pain in the rear trying to get the end link to compress enough to put the nut on.
This would be a nice add on since I'm running out of projects for the westy! |
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narendra.vw Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2013 Posts: 440 Location: Bangalore India
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Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 9:49 am Post subject: |
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How I wished, I didn’t have to pay for Custom duties & Shipping. I'm desperate to have one for the rear suspension. |
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tarandusVDub Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2010 Posts: 1649 Location: Between Here and There
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Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 10:06 am Post subject: |
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insyncro wrote: |
Mine are on the way |
Perhaps Dylan would be willing to contribute a little install video from the many kits headed his way?! _________________ 1990 Syncro 16" DoppleKabine 2.1 DJ 112i
________________________
Sold: 1972 Bay Campmobile; 1984 Westy, base model, 2WD. |
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Steelhead Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2007 Posts: 1791 Location: Kentfield, CA
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Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 10:09 am Post subject: |
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both front and rear are now in production? _________________ '77 Bay Window / '89 Caratsburg (aka. the Stormtrooper) |
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tencentlife Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2006 Posts: 10067 Location: Abiquiu, NM, USA
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Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 10:18 am Post subject: |
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Wow, Chris, take your initial statement here and substitute for "sway-bar" any one of the products guys like us make, and you've summed up the life of the micro-market designer-manufacturer!
I am, however, happy to say that the customers in this market are as a whole very understanding of the obstacles, amenable to the relative costs and appreciative of the results. _________________ Shop for unique Vanagon accessories at the Vanistan shop:
https://intrepidoverland.com/vanistan/
Please don't PM here, I will not reply.
Experience is kryptonite to doctrine. |
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johnnygreenham Samba Member
Joined: January 17, 2013 Posts: 456 Location: Upper Jay NY
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Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 10:37 am Post subject: |
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Quote: |
johnnygreenham wrote:
You're doing amazing work Chris and most of use here know that. Most of us here wouldn't even dream of taking on a project of this size with all the stress and burden it brings but are quiet happy to throw comments around which really are sometimes selfish and not well thought out. That's people for you, but all I will say is Applause and thank you.
I'll be in touch soon.
Kind regards
Johnny |
Quote: |
Thank you!
And I never meant this be a "turn on luVWagon" thing. He spoke his mind and in a certain way, I agree with him. I think his criticisms have merit and are definitely worth considering. While I am a very ,very patient person, if I were on the other end of things here, and did not have the full story behind the situation, I can see viewing things similarly to luVWagon. That is why I went to the extent to try to explain the situation as clearly as possible so that people know the story. Knowing the story can help clear up some of misconceptions and help to understand how we ended up here.
So where luVWagon is concerned, it's all good. I mean look, if nothing else, he gave me an open door to start this new thread and get the new anti-roll bar information out on its own. |
I know fella, I'm not trying to single out luVWagon either, this is just a casual observation from all forums I've ever been on. People get excited and sometimes impatient, nothing terribly wrong with this human trait, it's just important to step back once in a while and give due credit to a very few, who are going above and beyond for a passion, realizing that, that person has probably put more effort and energy into something which sometimes is not even taken into account. I will gladly hand over my money for a great product that I had no hand in developing or helping to produce, but my personal view is that it's important to realize that, and all the hard work associated with it. _________________ 1982 Diesel 1.9TD AAZ |
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ThankYouJerry Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2012 Posts: 2271 Location: Shakedown Street
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Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 10:44 am Post subject: |
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Steelhead wrote: |
both front and rear are now in production? |
Only fronts for now. Rears are in the works. No affiliation, just what I've been told via email from Christopher. _________________ 1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD |
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insyncro Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 15086 Location: New York
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Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 11:12 am Post subject: |
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tencentlife wrote: |
Wow, Chris, take your initial statement here and substitute for "sway-bar" any one of the products guys like us make, and you've summed up the life of the micro-market designer-manufacturer!
I am, however, happy to say that the customers in this market are as a whole very understanding of the obstacles, amenable to the relative costs and appreciative of the results. |
And I for one thank everyone taking the time to design, build, test and sell parts that will help refine our beloved vans.
I find it very sad that such a huge leap forward for Chris and suspension parts in general needed to be posted about due to negative comments made in a thread about a product that will be considered sub par after comparisons are made.
This project has been underway for some time now and anyone without patience or just looking to throw said product, timelines and or vendors under the bus is really missing the boat IMHO. |
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