RanchHand Warnings!! Buyer Beware!

[PRyker]

RanchHand Issues - Updated with pics!

Updates are in the below posts



Well, about 8 months ago I purchased a set of bedrails, headache rack and tool box from Ranchhand in Texas. I wanted really solid stuff that would last a long time. Initially I was impressed with the quality of the stuff untill I started to install everything. The bedrails and headache rack simply would not fit for nothing. I tried everything and still did not work.



I called Ranchhand and talked to them for a while and they had no idea why it would not fit. I hung up and tried again a few weeks later to no avail. I called them again and this time I talked to a guy who said that he thought I had gotten the wrong part and that they would send out new bedrails to me ASAP! I wish they would of told me that the first time I called. Well, the new bedrails came and they did fit somewhat better. The headache rack at least bolted up. The bed rails leave a lot to be desired as they do not fit snug against the body of the truck rather they flare out and leave a lip. (I think you can see this in my readers rigs pics). a month later I noticed that they had already started to rust around the welds pretty badly. I figure at this point I had gotten ripped off and cholkded it up to experience. Now 2 weeks ago I have noticed that they are rusting on the diamond plate areas that are very easy to see. uugghh... they are starting to look like crap and I have not even had them a year yet.



Now, here is what has driven me to post this. I just received an invoice in the mail for the old bed rails that I have shipped back to them several months ago at my cost. $200 and some dollars.



It is really ashame when a company comes close to the mark but then misses out on things like a good paint job, rust protection, poor shipping practices and the like.



I am going to contact them in the AM and see what I can work out with them and I will let the board know. I hope that they step up and send out new bedrails at least. I hope that they do not charge me for them again!!



I posted this because at this point I would like to alert any potential buyers to the potential problems that they may run into with quality. They still may come through with great customer service over these issues I am having but I will let you all know. I want to be fair and say that the people I spoke to were all very nice and always refferred to me as "Sir" and were patient.



Thanks



Phil

 

[MMcAnulty]

Where was the produst shipped from? I used to work at the outlet store in Irving, TX, We were all the time corecting another stores mistakes. There is the Houston, San Antoio, Borne, and the factory in Shiner(they are constently having their head up their rear). If you contact Kevin in Irving, Tell him that Michael McAnulty refferd you, He will take care of everything as best he can. As for them not fitting correctly, he always had that trouble while installing them, nothing a drill could't fix though. The rails do not fit flush against the bed to prevent rubbing the bed rail and rusting. The rusting around the welds is infact a factory defect that needs to be taken care of. Let ne know how all of this turns out!! good luck

 

[PRyker]

Just wanted to update this thread... I sent them the following email:



Guys,



I am emailing you in order to correct a couple of problems I have had. In order for you to understand my situation let me give you a run down of the whole problem. I purchased a headache rack, bedrails and tool box for my 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 this past spring / summer. The items arrived via truck freight and I was excited to get them installed. After many frustrating hours of trying to make the headache rack and bed rails fit my truck I gave your support department a call. They were patient and spent several minutes with me on the phone to try and help. They finally told me that my Rhino liner was causing the problem so I paid $300 to have the Rhino liner removed. I then tried to install and had the same problem. I tried to get it to fit for another couple days and then gave up. During this process it was also discovered that you had not supplied the right bolts and I had to wait for you to ship them as well until I could try again.



I called your support department 2 weeks later and told you guys the problem I was having. This time I read some numbers off of the bed rails and after some discussion it was agreed upon that you guys had sent me the wrong bed rails. You told me that you would send out a new set and that I should return the ones I have. Apparently some company you bought out or merged with made some bad ones and you sent me one.



The new set arrived and I installed them without a problem. Whew… finally made it work. I then shipped the old bed rails back to you guys at my expense ($120. 00) as there was no shipping information for me to RMA the old bed rails back to you guys. I was happy with the new bed rails for a while until about a month and a half ago when I noticed that these bed rails were already rusting!! They are rusting all around the welds and even on the surface. I restore old tractors for a hobby and I can tell you that the surface was prepared VERY POORLY for paint if they would rust that fast. I am EXTREMELY disappointed as for the amount of money I paid for these bed rails I should not have rusting less that a year after purchase.



To make matters worse a month ago I received a bill from your company for $2?? Some dollars?? I do not know why I am being billed anything as you guys have cost me over $420 dollars for removing my rhino liner and for shipping the old bed rails back.



I am emailing you guys to correct your billing mistake and to find out what you guys can do to correct the rusting bed rails I currently have on my truck. I have attached pics of the rust. It is embarrassing:



Please email me or call me to let me know what can be done to correct this problem.



Here are the pictures I included with the email:

 

[PRyker]

Here are the pics...

 

[PRyker]

I received a call from Ranchhand a few days later. They did not apologize or say they were sorry for what had happened but did offer to send me out another set of bed rails. I explained to them that this is the third time I would have to remove and reinstall and was a bit upset. I do not know what they could of really done but I am very disappointed by the company in general. What a pin that I have had to reinstall now three times to get this right. I wonder if this is the end... ??



I am informing everyone of this because I feel that everyone would know what to expect with Ranchhand. I am sure that others have had great experiences but I believe all companies will run into a problem with their product occassionally and how they treat the customer and the problem during that time is what shows you what kind of company they are.



Now, Ranchhand could of told me to take a hike and not sent me anything but they have stepped up and are willing to replace. That does count for something and I do really appreciate them doing at least that.



I have not received the bed rails yet but I am sure they will be here soon.



Thanks



Phil

 

[duaneparks]

Phil,



Just a quick response from a former Ranchhand customer... I had a front end guard that I bought from a reseller, and while I didn't have all the problems you had, I did encounter the rust issue. The front end guard was powder coated and was rusting at the welds. I sanded them, put some rust converter on them, then sprayed the whole thing with Line-X. Problem solved, though at my expense. I have since upgraded to a different front end replacement bumper from another source, but not because of anything Ranchhand related.



Anyway, just thought I'd throw that out there. I would still purchase Ranchhand products because they are strong enough for my use. However, I would personally figure in the cost (both time and $$) of coating them with bedliner in the overall upgrade.



Duane



on edit, I apparently can't type today so I fixed a typo or two

 

[PRyker]

Duane,



Strength and sheer beef are the reasons I bought Ranchhand as well. It is ashame they they come soooo close to an awesome product and then do not finish it properly and welds rust. I have Tough Country running boards and they are very superior in welding and surface prep and powdercoating. And I say that after stepping on them for months with no paint scuffs or rust.



As crazy as it seems I would buy again from Ranchhand as well. They are the obly ones who make stuff this beefy.



Thanks



Phil

 

[PRyker]

Oh...



and If they would PickleX their welds as the first step of surface prep and actually perform the welding a bit better (very sloppy in my opinion) then they would not have these issues.



Phil

 

[jnelson]

I think a lot of ranchhands stuff is made on mexico.

 

[fbadmaev]

Check These Bumpers

I just had my front end installed a couple of month ago and it looks great. The main thing I liked was that the price was very reasonable. I had the bullnose style.



www.rockingrranch.net

 

[tURBOdIEZEl]

i bought the 10" drop cowboy rear bumper replacement with no major problems what so ever, in the process of looking for a front bumper replacement. my folks back in san marcos aint found nothing yet.

--chris