WARNING - PURCHASING WINCHES PROMOTED BY MAGAZINES

Did you pay for it using a Credit Card?
If so that is your first port of call. They will investigate and if they are not happy with the response they will refund your purchase.

Thanks Kris, I did not think of that avenue.

Patdog - don't forget to drop consumer affairs and the 4WD mag a quick line. You never know the mag might actually care about their advertisers and readers and give you some help. Irrespective, at least you'll be helping other potential 'victims'.

Yes Bazooka good suggestion - I have alerted the magazine very early this morning and suggested they at least distance themselves from the supplier.. Rumour has it they purchased or part purchased the Winch/4ws accessories supplier. I have had no response from the magazine, notwithstanding I have been a subscriber for many years.

My main concern is that there are no other victims .

It is amazing to contrast the treatment with what you get from some of the suppliers that support this site - I have had fantastic dealings with ABR Sidewinder and I know there are several others regularly mentioned on this site as providing excellent service and I trust members and visitors will actually be encouraged to deal with these companies as we know they are reputabele. They should not be tarred with the same brush.

If it's who I am thinking of, and the winch company is not a Lionz but another big cat ;) then I think you'll find that the 4wd mag announced on their forum that they had a financial interest in the aforementioned pussycat winch importing company, so it might be difficult for them to distance themselves from it. Might be worth jumping on their forum because I think you'll find you are not Robinson Crusoe - there is a gathering wave of disappointment.

As Kris E said, If you paid by credit card and you haven't received the goods by now get straight onto the bank that issued the credit card. They will raise a disputed transaction and should give you your money back within a week.
Regards
Steve

Unless it was signed for then it was not shipped. They have a legal obligation.

Glad you got the message GBC - I do intend to put the cat amongst the pigeons. Thought I might be wasting my time on that forum and that my post would be removed. Will have a go 'though, plus a couple of more popular 4wd forums where more hard core off road orientated 4wders lurk as opposed to less hardcore tourers visit. I am still keen to get the message across here 'though. I don't visit the magazine forum much at all so did not realise that I was not alone. Might have a look and see what's happening there!

That's a shame Patdog,

Hopefully it's only lost in transit & it turns up.

Thats no excuse for not returning your e-mails tho'

I've buoght two of these winches so far & other than being a little slow in turning up they both arrived fine!

I purchased a winch from the afornotmentioned company. It was delivered within 5 working days to Perth. When I went to install the winch I noted that the free spool didn’t work. I sent an email to a man named Paul. He responded to my email within minutes and we continued back and forward until we had identified the issue and a resolve at which point it all went south. I could not get a confirmation that a replacement part had been sent as per our email stream. This went on for close to 4 weeks. Being told it had been sent then the following week told that it hadn't. What really annoyed me was that I needed to strip the gearbox and requested that I be sent a new seal "in case" I needed it. Was assured that it would not be needed and that one would not be sent. On stripping the winch I found that the seal had been damaged when originally built. I then rang them back and said I wanted to BUY the seal as I was sick of dealing with the Warranty side to be told that. "We don’t have the seals and do not know if or when we may get them but please try calling back in three months" hence why I was told it wouldn’t be required. Since then I have removed the seals and used gasket goo.
I will say though that for the price I paid I am happy with the final product and as much as I hate the thought I would buy again and recommend them to others.
The winch is cheap, I have stripped it and am happy of the quality of the gears, solenoid and motor and after extracting a Jeep from the surf (Lancelin Beach for WA locals that know how soft it can be) the winch pulls like a mule. (for how long I shall see).
To the original OP call them and give them hell. I spoke with Nick he was very well trained in dealing with pi55ed of customers and knew what to say to make them happy. Which I did find irritating as I wanted to fight not have somebody agree with me. However he did return my calls and followed up as best he could in my opinion.
Regarding the mag, it’s not only the Pussy cat company that they have partnerships with its also the KangaROO that is in bed with them now.

I have bought an awning off them recently and it arrived as stated..But a few months ago when the Big Sale was on they did state they were waiting on a shipment and it was around two months from memory to wait..

I dont believe you'll be ripped off..Just wait a bit longer and see how you go..I would give it till December.Sure contact your credit card peoples and see if you can do this to cover your ass..


Goodluck

Well, it was delivered today! Got to agree that for the money it is a great winch - some of the guys in our club have them and reckon the top of the range model is really well built, but that the cheaper ones are not worth getting - quality is nowhere near as good.

I am just annoyed that I had to get so abusive to get things moving. They did make good in the end and I will quote the following email I received:

Good afternoon Simon,

I have been back in contact with the freight company yesterday & today, I have just heard back from them now informing me your winch was delivered at 1622 this afternoon at your address.. I am extremely sorry for the Freight delay. 20 days in freight is clearly unacceptable. We have taken this up our freight company, as a further apology I would like to offer you a $50 credit on your next purchase with me.

Talk soon,



Regards,



N***

I am not complaining about the initial 30 day wait to shipment as they were up front about that, it was the month after shipping when nothing was happening and lack of any follow up to a few complaints. Haven't heard from the magazine either!

Yeap... thats why I only use Warn winches bought from ARB..... one - I know I can get parts and service, two - I don't think ARB is going anywhere soon.

Yes I know I have paid a premium.

All you have to do is look at all the bedroom based importer who are popping up on forums and ebay..... there must be at least 47,000 so called business here in Australia who sell 4x4 gear.

As for magazines..... toliet paper is cheaper to buy, the more they get paid from a seller the better the gear is until next month when another seller pays more.

Patdog.... cut your loses and put it down to experience, claiming your $700 may cost you $1500 with no out come.