ARCHETYPE RACING "DNA EMBLEMS"

[CoolHandLuke13]

Hello all,

I'm new to this forum with a 2023 Bronco Raptor which I almost like more than my GT500 track pack... I decided to place an order with Archetype Racing for DNA emblems at a cost of around $285. After four months of waiting including a couple of brief emails back in January indicating that my order is still being processed, I decided to contact "the pit crew" at Archetype only to get the run around this evening. After an entertaining email exchange with the unkown Archetype staff who refused to identify himself other than "pit crew", absolutely refusing to give me his name, I've concluded that this business is no stranger to unethical business practices and is likely in financial trouble considering they are clearly accepting legal tender for goods not delivered in a timely fashion. There is a clear definition for this type of business activity- fraud.

After briefly researching other members and forums, I've seen all I need to see. There are repeat complaints everywhere regarding this company including but not limited to customers ordering these DNA Bronco Emblems to never see their orders actually delivered. Sure, Archetype can hide behind the lengthy ordering process and cleverly state that these custom items take time to fabricate except for one minor problem- these emblems have been removed from their website. Gone. Vanished. So, in conclusion, it looks as though Ford has sent them a cease and desist for licensing violations and now they're in a serious bind.....

I am politely requesting that the moderators of this forum do not remove this post in an effort to hear out others who have also trusted this company with their hard earned money and have been deceived. For those who care to pile on and discredit me, please be my guest- it's to be expected.

Sponsored

 

[ju015dd]

Just saw you just joined...sorry. It was posted that they were removed from the website until they get caught up on orders. Folks are posting up pics of them recieving their orders. Have you tried to contact the contact on here?

 

[ju015dd]

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/posts/1887613/

 

[CoolHandLuke13]

Just saw you just joined...sorry. It was posted that they were removed from the website until they get caught up on orders. Folks are posting up pics of them recieving their orders. Have you tried to contact the contact on here?

While I appreciate your taking the time to enlighten me, completely removing items from an online store is 100% suspicious. Changing the status to "sold out" is what reputable vendors do while production gets caught up. In addition, his smart ass email responses this evening confirmed all I need to know about this tiny little outfit who are trying to play in the major leagues and not succeeding apparently after researching other forums and numerous other complaints against them. Maybe they've received accolades in the past from satisfied customers but clearly something is going on with this vendor. My opinion is that they're floating orders/ money.

 

[F OR D]

Archetype is absolutely legit. They make amazing products but lack business acumen. They make so many products and innovate constantly.

It is a eyes > stomach scenario. They launch products with no reasonable timeline or process to fulfill them. If their quality wasn't so good, and products so unique, they would be in trouble. Everyone is happy with the end product, but the rest is nebulous. For example waiting 5m for a VIN badge is insane..

 

[RagnarKon]

There are two reasons why the removed them from the website:

1. They need to catch up on orders
2. They need to obtain official licensing from Ford for using the Bronco logo

We KNOW this because they have openly admitted they have encountered production/quality issues, and they've also admitted they are going through the licensing process with Ford on the main post for the product.

Regardless... deliveries started about a month ago and there are plenty of happy people that have gotten their emblems... so... not sure why you feel it is a scam when they've been remarkably open about the challenges and issues they've encountered... while also continuing to delivery on outstanding orders.

I'd just cancel your order, request a refund, and move on with your life.

 

[F OR D]

There are two reasons why the removed them from the website:

1. They need to catch up on orders
2. They need to obtain official licensing from Ford for using the Bronco logo

We KNOW this because they have openly admitted they have encountered production/quality issues, and they've also admitted they are going through the licensing process with Ford on the main post for the product.

Regardless... deliveries started about a month ago and there are plenty of happy people that have gotten their emblems... so... not sure why you feel it is a scam when they've been remarkably open about the challenges and issues they've encountered... while also continuing to delivery on outstanding orders.

I'd just cancel your order, request a refund, and move on with your life.

While I agree, to be fair OP is obviously not huge into the 6g forum and probably came here to figure this out. OP should also not have to read through 76 pages of a forum thread to understand, especially if this product is listed on an independent website.

A|R really has to rethink their process and deliverables. Being transparent about operational deficiencies does not absolve them, and every thread they have for a new product has the same issues. In this case not procuring licensing, fixing defects, and time to manufacture/deliver are all issues. And using "preorder" as a term for sell first figure out the rest later on exacerbates the situation (it's not just them, they seem to have more of an issue as of late though).

Again, they make great products. I have a few, vouch for them, and am a huge fan. But not setting customer expectations, setting KPIs, and delivering are all issues that need to be improved.

 

[TheShark]

I'd certainly vouch for A/R, I have bought several products from them. I ordered a DNA badge on the pre-order for my BL, when I sold it and took delivery of a WT they were kind enough to switch me to a WT badge.

 

[DUSTYcazOREGON]

Archetype is absolutely legit. They make amazing products but lack business acumen. They make so many products and innovate constantly.

It is a eyes > stomach scenario. They launch products with no reasonable timeline or process to fulfill them. If their quality wasn't so good, and products so unique, they would be in trouble. Everyone is happy with the end product, but the rest is nebulous. For example waiting 5m for a VIN badge is insane..

Agreed. This is a fantastic company with great products. One offs, many custom made just for us from a small company that is growing and adding their own production equipment. Email them! They have always gotten back to me. I received everything I ordered and the stuff is top notch. As far as emblems (I do not know if this is the case here) I know some vendors have had to alter them, stop making them or come to an agreement with Ford due to copyright issues). Be patient. I had to wait 2 years for my Bronco. Waiting 2-5 months for a custom product is acceptable.

 

[swami37]

I'd certainly vouch for A/R, I have bought several products from them. I ordered a DNA badge on the pre-order for my BL, when I sold it and took delivery of a WT they were kind enough to switch me to a WT badge.

Easy for them to do because they never made the first one…did they really do you a favor?
‘they make nice products. But suck and the business side. I think everyone can agree on that

 

[Johnny Rebel]

Hello all,

I'm new to this forum with a 2023 Bronco Raptor which I almost like more than my GT500 track pack... I decided to place an order with Archetype Racing for DNA emblems at a cost of around $285. After four months of waiting including a couple of brief emails back in January indicating that my order is still being processed, I decided to contact "the pit crew" at Archetype only to get the run around this evening. After an entertaining email exchange with the unkown Archetype staff who refused to identify himself other than "pit crew", absolutely refusing to give me his name, I've concluded that this business is no stranger to unethical business practices and is likely in financial trouble considering they are clearly accepting legal tender for goods not delivered in a timely fashion. There is a clear definition for this type of business activity- fraud.

After briefly researching other members and forums, I've seen all I need to see. There are repeat complaints everywhere regarding this company including but not limited to customers ordering these DNA Bronco Emblems to never see their orders actually delivered. Sure, Archetype can hide behind the lengthy ordering process and cleverly state that these custom items take time to fabricate except for one minor problem- these emblems have been removed from their website. Gone. Vanished. So, in conclusion, it looks as though Ford has sent them a cease and desist for licensing violations and now they're in a serious bind.....

I am politely requesting that the moderators of this forum do not remove this post in an effort to hear out others who have also trusted this company with their hard earned money and have been deceived. For those who care to pile on and discredit me, please be my guest- it's to be expected.

I don’t know the owner or any of the staff at Archetype Racing, but I can give you factual information regarding multiple business transactions with them.

I have placed 7 orders with them since last summer. With the exception of the Bronco DNA badges, every order was delivered within the estimated timeframe provided to me at the time of purchase.

I received my Bronco DNA badges earlier this week, which was approximately 2 months longer than promised. Archetype was completely transparent regarding the production delays and they fulfilled every promise and met every obligation made to me on each and every order.

The quality of every single item I’ve purchased from them was better than advertised and I would not hesitate at all to purchase products from them in the future.

 

[CoolHandLuke13]

I don’t know the owner or any of the staff at Archetype Racing, but I can give you factual information regarding multiple business transactions with them.

I have placed 7 orders with them since last summer. With the exception of the Bronco DNA badges, every order was delivered within the estimated timeframe provided to me at the time of purchase.

I received my Bronco DNA badges earlier this week, which was approximately 2 months longer than promised. Archetype was completely transparent regarding the production delays and they fulfilled every promise and met every obligation made to me on each and every order.

The quality of every single item I’ve purchased from them was better than advertised and I would not hesitate at all to purchase products from them in the future.

I'm glad you've had a good experience thus far, wish I could say the same.... things change and people change. Curtis needs to sharpen his business acumen and provide more transparency when an "anomaly" such as this and his recent bad check back to another customer occurs....

 

[CoolHandLuke13]

Archetype is absolutely legit. They make amazing products but lack business acumen. They make so many products and innovate constantly.

It is a eyes > stomach scenario. They launch products with no reasonable timeline or process to fulfill them. If their quality wasn't so good, and products so unique, they would be in trouble. Everyone is happy with the end product, but the rest is nebulous. For example waiting 5m for a VIN badge is insane..

Agreed 100%. Set expectations properly with the customer on the front end of a transaction and these issues will never arise.... I also believe that taking large sums of money in perceivably hundreds or even thousands of orders and not having to fulfill the expense side of the transaction for months at a time is a great way to get over extended....hmmm.

 

[CoolHandLuke13]

There are two reasons why the removed them from the website:

1. They need to catch up on orders
2. They need to obtain official licensing from Ford for using the Bronco logo

We KNOW this because they have openly admitted they have encountered production/quality issues, and they've also admitted they are going through the licensing process with Ford on the main post for the product.

Regardless... deliveries started about a month ago and there are plenty of happy people that have gotten their emblems... so... not sure why you feel it is a scam when they've been remarkably open about the challenges and issues they've encountered... while also continuing to delivery on outstanding orders.

I'd just cancel your order, request a refund, and move on with your life.

Openly admitting production/ licensing issues on this and other forums is great- for those who frequent these forums. Unfortunately, I'm rarely on forums. So, with that said, we're back to the lack of communication, transparency and customer service directly to me... as the customer. Not a crazy concept. Many good points are made in defense of Mr. Heidel. Statements predicated upon people being super satisfied with his stellar products! I too want to sing Curtis' praises....

 

[RagnarKon]

Openly admitting production/ licensing issues on this and other forums is great- for those who frequent these forums. Unfortunately, I'm rarely on forums. So, with that said, we're back to the lack of communication, transparency and customer service directly to me... as the customer. Not a crazy concept. Many good points are made in defense of Mr. Heidel. Statements predicated upon people being super satisfied with his stellar products! I too want to sing Curtis' praises....

That's fair, I don't think that feedback warrants calling something a "scam", but I do agree communication could and should be better.

Admittedly I am not even an order holder, so I have no personal experience. But I am a regularly active member of the forum, and I had assumed if I noticed their issues while casually reading the post, then surely the people who actually bought the product would be aware. But it is clear to me that's not the case—and both you are @F OR D made good points... my apologies.

Sponsored