Talk about Customer Service!

[XLTime]

None of the autoparts stores in the area stock extended shackles, so I called up a 4x4 Center. Here is the conversation:

Me: Hi, I am wondering if you stock extended shackles?

Him: Don't even drive it on the road!

Me: OK, I was looking for some 9" shackles?

Him: Don't even drive it on the road!

Me: Um, I have the stock shackles on now.

Him: Don't even drive it on the Road! It's not safe and if you're not going to do it right, and get a lift, don't do it at all.

Me: OK... um... Thanks for your... help. Bye.

He didn't know what I was driving. He didn't know if I was driving it on or off road. He didn't know if I wanted them for a commercial application. In fact, he didn't even know if I wanted them for a vehicle (maybe I wanted them for decoration). So basically he is saying that extended shackles are unsafe to use on the road for absolutely every vehicle on the face of the planet.

So any thoughts on shackles being unsafe for on-road use?

I guess I can get most parts over the internet, but it would be nice to have a Wisconsin shop that could do gears, lifts, parts, welding, etc. Anybody from Wisconsin or even the Twin Cities have recommendations?

 

[JDraper]

ROFLMAO!! Whatta idiot!! I would assume that that 4x4 shop is off your list . A lot of us have the Warrior shackles which give you about 1.5-2" of lift, and we run them on and off road with no problems. You can get the Warrior Shackles from Desert Rat . I think the part # is WAR-153, and you have to call them, 'cause they aren't listed on line.

 

[aldive]

.... and the scary thing is that this type of "service" is not that uncommon in all sorts of business....

 

[Bill Kemp]

Thats when I like to ask them; "Is this the best job your parole officer could get you?"
Of course it depends on a few variables. Size; on the phone; stuff like that.....

 

[FrankRizzo]

See, now you have something to do during the slow times at work....

time to torment....

Call back and ask the chucklehead:
Does this sound familliar?: Get off me Dad!, you're crushing my smokes!

 

[alphasylum]

*Wisconsin High Five*

Yes...I am soo sad to see Trak Auto go....(weaping)..NOT!


They are oh so lovely w/ their customer service also....I've been given the "take it to a shop so you don't mess it up" speech.



I gave him the middle finger w/ my eyes

 

[XLTime]

Believe it or not, it wasn't a Trak Auto. It was a shop dedicated to 4x4's!

After thinking about it some more, I am guessing that if they stocked shackles, they would make about $10 a set. BUT, if they pitch me on getting a lift put on by them, they stand to make hundred's. Which I don't have a problem with them wanting that, but they could have been a LOT more helpful. Maybe ask me a few questions:

"What kind of truck?"

"How will you be using it?"

"What is your budget?"

"Maybe do this for now and add this later and...?"

You get the idea. If anyone has a gear shop or 4x4 shop in my area that you recommend, let me know...

 

[Ray Lobato]

Well, now you know where NOT to take your truck.
If this guy is representitive of what the knowwledge base of the shop is, then you definately don't want to take your truck or even give them your business.
Extended shackles will not cause any dammage to your vehicle, nor will they cause you to loose control of it and crash, provided that you understand that it is a truck and not a sports car. Yes it would be nice if you had a 4x4 shop that know what they are talking about and will help you, but this guy just want you to spend lots of money on a lift, and is not interested in anything else. There's nothing wrong with shackles. I ran with shackles and the torsion bar twist for along time before I lifted my truck and it didn't do anything wrong. Try desert rat, they will sell you the Warrior shackles without all the BS that your local shop was giving you.

 

[RockRanger]

Wonder what he would say when he sees the 10" long shackles I am going to be putting on my truck Bet he would have sold you a pair of those wonderful revolver shackles Good luck trying to find a good shop.

Matt