A brief update regarding email communications we have sent today to those customers with kits on order, where the delivery dates for those kits had to be adjusted due to a handful of reasons that have impacted our ability to meet the original dates.
A combination of international shipping and partner manufacturing delays have slowed the delivery of "Quick Build" kits to Van’s. Container shipping delays can have significant downstream impacts on finished kit delivery timing as well as labor availability. As a result, we've had to adjust quick build kit estimated crating dates and we have communicated the related schedule change to affected customers via email.
For "Standard" kits, due to a series of unanticipated internal and external manufacturing delays associated with critical components for certain kits, we have had to extend estimated crating schedules for some kits. A number of delays - related to materials acquisition, the resulting manufacturing impacts, and delays with third-party manufacturers - have combined to slow completion of the affected kits. We have communicated the related schedule change to affected customers via email.
For a handful of customers, we'd requested and received final payment for their order in anticipation the previously-planned crating window. Due to the unplanned delays and schedule shift, we have offered those customers the option of receiving a refund of their final payment amount until we get closer to crating their kit. Those customers will maintain their place in line and we will reach out to them for the final payment when we get close to the new dates and have the critical parts required to pack the kit.
This is frustrating for all of us. We are working to improve the situation and have made meaningful strides on our internal processes related to forecasting, planning, and execution of our in-house manufacturing; crating of kits; truck shipping; and many other aspects of what we do. We continue to work on communication tools and workforce hiring (which has also proven challenging, although we think we are seeing some improvements in work force availability). We are working with and pushing our third-party vendors and suppliers to communicate schedules and deliver, and we will maintain that pressure on those parties.
We will be posting a video update next week, covering the current environment and some of the changes we've been able to make. When that video is up I will be sure to link it here on VAF, of course.
We appreciate the community support, and the feedback we receive. Thank you!
A combination of international shipping and partner manufacturing delays have slowed the delivery of "Quick Build" kits to Van’s. Container shipping delays can have significant downstream impacts on finished kit delivery timing as well as labor availability. As a result, we've had to adjust quick build kit estimated crating dates and we have communicated the related schedule change to affected customers via email.
For "Standard" kits, due to a series of unanticipated internal and external manufacturing delays associated with critical components for certain kits, we have had to extend estimated crating schedules for some kits. A number of delays - related to materials acquisition, the resulting manufacturing impacts, and delays with third-party manufacturers - have combined to slow completion of the affected kits. We have communicated the related schedule change to affected customers via email.
For a handful of customers, we'd requested and received final payment for their order in anticipation the previously-planned crating window. Due to the unplanned delays and schedule shift, we have offered those customers the option of receiving a refund of their final payment amount until we get closer to crating their kit. Those customers will maintain their place in line and we will reach out to them for the final payment when we get close to the new dates and have the critical parts required to pack the kit.
This is frustrating for all of us. We are working to improve the situation and have made meaningful strides on our internal processes related to forecasting, planning, and execution of our in-house manufacturing; crating of kits; truck shipping; and many other aspects of what we do. We continue to work on communication tools and workforce hiring (which has also proven challenging, although we think we are seeing some improvements in work force availability). We are working with and pushing our third-party vendors and suppliers to communicate schedules and deliver, and we will maintain that pressure on those parties.
We will be posting a video update next week, covering the current environment and some of the changes we've been able to make. When that video is up I will be sure to link it here on VAF, of course.
We appreciate the community support, and the feedback we receive. Thank you!
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