Finals done, back to work!

[StumpJumper]

I'm "there" too. After 2 e-mails and a PM I'm still waiting for a response.

Going on 7-days since I last heard from him. Anyone else reach Brian?

I have money to help with tuition!!! SHEEEESHHHH!!!!

[cataraftgirl]

I got an e-mail from him on Monday. Pretty much what he said in his post. He's working away on the tarps. Patience Grasshopper.
KJ

[McSpartan]

Do any of you know how to order panel tie-outs on the OES site? Or is this a custom invoice via e-mail? That's the info I've been seeking from Brian.

[dragon360]

I can tell you that when I ordered panels from Brian about 3 weeks ago, it was all done through email. I chose the tarp and he actually invoiced me outside of his site. All he asked for were either clear instructions to what i wanted or a diagram showing where the panels would go.

I'm actually waiting on a response from him as well (funny enough regarding those very panel tie-outs) but you have to appreciate the time and effort he puts into schooling outside of OES - at least I am trying to - ha.

[allenmd07]

Just got my MacCat Deluxe in the mail today. Brian you are a tarp craftsman.

[AvgJoe]

I'm "there" too. After 2 e-mails and a PM I'm still waiting for a response.

LOL...me three for exactly the same thing

[OutandBack]

You guys sure aren't givin me a warm feeling about ordering from this guy.
The website says 1-2 weeks from order to ship is that not true?

[whayneneal]

Depends on what you want. I talked to him a couple of days ago and he said he was waiting on Spinn UL fabric and didn't expect it for 2 weeks. So I figure I'll be waiting a month to get the tarp I ordered. My experience so far is that a long wait is the norm with most the vendors here. However, I'm willing to wait to get quality.

[Just Jeff]

The cottage vendors aren't like REI and such, so they don't always have the gear in stock...much of your gear is handmade specifically for you! Sometimes that means the wait is a bit longer than what you'd expect from REI...but the quality is quite a bit higher as well.

Also, since many of the vendors are still new, they're still working thru business models and processes, and that can delay products.

But I wouldn't say "long waits are the norm" for the vendors here. You only hear about it when it's a problem...which means you don't hear about the hundreds of customers who get their products right on time. At least one of the vendors keeps a full stock of all the offerings and almost always ships that day or the next...but you don't get a post every single time that happens.

But your main point is pretty close...if you're buying cottage gear, you'll generally get a different kind of service than you get at a big-box store. Slower timeline, but higher quality goods and more personalized service.

[OutandBack]

The cottage vendors aren't like REI and such, so they don't always have the gear in stock...much of your gear is handmade specifically for you! Sometimes that means the wait is a bit longer than what you'd expect from REI...but the quality is quite a bit higher as well.

Also, since many of the vendors are still new, they're still working thru business models and processes, and that can delay products.

But I wouldn't say "long waits are the norm" for the vendors here. You only hear about it when it's a problem...which means you don't hear about the hundreds of customers who get their products right on time. At least one of the vendors keeps a full stock of all the offerings and almost always ships that day or the next...but you don't get a post every single time that happens.

But your main point is pretty close...if you're buying cottage gear, you'll generally get a different kind of service than you get at a big-box store. Slower timeline, but higher quality goods and more personalized service.

Thanks Jeff,
Since my WB superfly order fell thru (BO'd till early Feb) The MacCat Delux was my second choice for a winter tarp. I have placed an order with OES and waiting on the email to pay. I hope it all works out or I might be tarpless for the Colorado Winter Hang in mid January.