Disclaimer

[Mile_High_Mark]

As many of you know, I stopped selling Randals for a while. I was tired of dealing with all the hassles associated with mis-drilled baseplates, out-of-spec axles, etc. Due to popular demand, I will again be offering these trucks through Mile High Skates. This time, however, I'm including the following disclaimer:

Note: All Randal trucks are new, and un-used. They are sold "as-is"; all warranty and support questions should be directed to Randal. ("Randal" is an e-mail link.)

Would this freak you out? Would you not buy the trucks because of this? Would you word it differently?

Any and all feedback on this is greatly appreciated.

[Momona Boe]

Well, I know the background of it, but I don't think it makes the trucks sound all that appetizing to customers who don't know the history behind the disclaimer.

[Mile_High_Mark]

Well, I know the background of it, but I don't think it makes the trucks sound all that appetizing to customers who don't know the history behind the disclaimer.

Yes, it's very difficult to put it in the proper context. Lots of people buy them with no problems at all, but when someone gets a particularly "off" set, they can be mighty pissed.

[Sensei]

Isn't there a way you could inspect them when you get a shipment in? That way you can find out if there screwed up or not before they get out to your customers, that way you wouldn't need a disclaimer. It might be a hassle, but it sounds like its an all around hassle anyway right? Just a thought.

[Mile_High_Mark]

The most common problem is that the baseplates are drilled "off," and usually it's only one of the hole patterns (newschool or oldschool, I can't remember). To test it, you actually need to try mounting them to a deck. I can try testing each batch I receive, but what really needs to be done is to have Randal clean up their molds and QA/QC processes.

[Nickle]

I don't know that there is any pretty way of saying that. Like Momona Boe said, we know the history.

To be honest, I probably would not change a thing. If I were, it would be to clarify that there were occasional issues with tolerances in the past, and in order to minimize the time taken to fix the problem, the customer is best off contacting Randal directly. Even though it clarifies the disclaimer, it might end up doing more bad then good.

Talk about a rock and a hard spot.

At this point, I really believe the easiest thing for us to do is form a lynch mob, and pay Mr. Randal a little visit, if you know what I mean.

[Mr. Zogs]

couldnt you just say like, Please note that these trucks are directly from the manufacturer. We are not responsible if there are defects in the product. Consult the Randal Truck Company if you have a problem with the product.
somethin like that i guess, it wouldnt really scare me, cause well, its legitimate, its not like your makin the trucks, so ur not responsible at all

[Mile_High_Mark]

It would be trivial cost-wise to improve Randals. Especially when you consider the quantities they're made and sold in. They work well for the majority of the people who buy and ride them, but sometimes you're forced to break out the power/hand tools. What's sad is that if I replace a truck, there's no guarantee that it won't have some type of issue.

Still waiting to hear back on the Crail/Bigfish order, BTW.

[kc17]

I would suggest that you make sure Randal actually takes responsibilty for it and not send the customer back to deal with you first.

[Mr. Zogs]

well, what about gullwing cruisers, they look like randals and have the reverse kingpin style, but what about angle and just overall quality, then again, if u were to stock those, there are always those randal loyalists who will only want the randals, and then they will go off to another website and buy them from there, i think the disclaimer is the best way to do it, i would guess that a high percentage of people buying from mile high skates are more experienced riders, and wouldnt be as scared off as say a beginner like someone just starting up and buying their first board

[Mile_High_Mark]

I would suggest that you make sure Randal actually takes responsibilty for it and not send the customer back to deal with you first.

No comment.

[Gimp Skool]

well, what about gullwing cruisers, they look like randals and have the reverse kingpin style, but what about angle and just overall quality, then again, if u were to stock those, there are always those randal loyalists who will only want the randals, and then they will go off to another website and buy them from there, i think the disclaimer is the best way to do it, i would guess that a high percentage of people buying from mile high skates are more experienced riders, and wouldnt be as scared off as say a beginner like someone just starting up and buying their first board

From all I've heard about Gullwing Cruisers I gather that they suck and have a tendacy to break in half at the most inoppertune moments.
I reckon if you can get hold of Crails go for them over randals, assuming they don't suck. Alot of things suck these days.

[Mr. Zogs]

yeah, thats what i was thinkin about the gullwings, i thot i had read somewhere that quality control was poor, the crails do seem like the best solution, but the price is alot more than randals, correct?

[Mile_High_Mark]

yeah, thats what i was thinkin about the gullwings, i thot i had read somewhere that quality control was poor, the crails do seem like the best solution, but the price is alot more than randals, correct?

Randals -- $39.95/pair
Crail -- $25-30/truck (exact price is TBD)

[gnardawgnyc]

well, what about gullwing cruisers, they look like randals and have the reverse kingpin style, but what about angle and just overall quality, then again, if u were to stock those, there are always those randal loyalists who will only want the randals, and then they will go off to another website and buy them from there, i think the disclaimer is the best way to do it, i would guess that a high percentage of people buying from mile high skates are more experienced riders, and wouldnt be as scared off as say a beginner like someone just starting up and buying their first board

From all I've heard about Gullwing Cruisers I gather that they suck and have a tendacy to break in half at the most inoppertune moments.
I reckon if you can get hold of Crails go for them over randals, assuming they don't suck. Alot of things suck these days.

i don't know if i have a later production model. or perhaps, just a diamond in the rough, but i'd have to disagree with a lot of the gullwing haters. i have a set of Gullwing Cruisers that i picked up off of Gear Guys maybe 6 months ago and i can't complain about them. i also have a set of Randall II 150's, and i've run both on the same board (Gravity HyperCarve 3) with the same or similar bushing/wheel setups and i can't tell the difference between the trucks. i don't baby any of my setups and both trucks have seemed to take a fair amount of abuse and they're both still in great condition. i guess the only difference is well, the gullwings were cheaper.

[EBasil]

Mark, I'll still buy them. It IS frustrating when the bolt holes are "off" or the kingpin is so freaking off-center that it's hard to even get the stock kingpin to set right (Sunday night, I had the pleasure of spending 30 minutes in a battle to the death with one---all Hail Lord Dremel!), but the trucks work well and the price-point is good.

[CRASS]

Anyone ever get the feeling we should put up an online petition for Randal to improve their casting, axles, drilling, etc? or boycott randal or something, or hell i dunno.. come on people throw some ideas out there.

[kc17]

I would suggest that you make sure Randal actually takes responsibilty for it and not send the customer back to deal with you first.

No comment.

haha, I have this very bad habit of stating the obvious. My friends grill me all the time because of that. Either that or deep down inside they hate me.

[Mile_High_Mark]

I'm beginning to rethink the whole disclaimer thing. Thanks to everyone for their input. I'll be testing the shipment of trucks when they arrive this week.

[gnardawgnyc]

Anyone ever get the feeling we should put up an online petition for Randal to improve their casting, axles, drilling, etc? or boycott randal or something, or hell i dunno.. come on people throw some ideas out there.

a deluge of customer concerns/comments to whomever produces Randalls might produced an increased awareness about the quality control of their trucks. it'd prolly also increase the price, but then again in most cases people would rather pay more for a better product. unless you're one of the lucky ones that have never had a problem with your Randalls. we're not really getting anywhere are we?