Aiden James Customs

Anyone have experience with Aiden James Customs?

I placed an order on their website back in April. Before placing the order, I reached out with some questions and got a prompt response from Shawnna. Decided to place the order then.

Going on three months and I haven't received any word on the order.
I've called, emailed, left voicemails. Haven't received anything back.

Recently I emailed again and got an automated response saying they were out of the shop due to a family emergency. Hoping everything's okay.
But I'm also very curious when/ if I might get my order.

Anyone know the shop or dealt with their lead/ wait times before?

 

Should of done a search here first.

Maybe he got better who knows.

 

Funny I did.
Only results I found were people raving about their fang lights xD

Maybe I should have looked harder

 

Heard bad stuff about them recently

 

Well they can still post on IG.

 

Do they?

I do not have Instagram

 

I just read through that. Not interested in fang lights but very similar situation.

Looks like most people got their orders or canceled and received a refund. People are just fed up on the wait times and no response. Which I can understand.

I don't mind a long wait time but I'd appreciate a response. I'll stay patient for now.

 

Yup they still posting. So hope it isn't a family emergency but still doesn't look good.

 

@1SilverRunner what product did you order bud? good thing I’ve ordered my fang lights from the equally shady 4runnerlifestyle .com

 

The riser kit with slide out tables. Reminds me of a normal gear plate but I liked the idea of slide out tables.
I have a trip coming up in November I will be car camping. I may build my own riser for the time being.

https://aidenjamescustoms.com/products/5th-gen-4runner-riser-kit-with-twin-slide-out-tables

 

Seriously a terrible company. So many of my friends including myself got screwed and had to do credit chargebacks. Don’t even get me started with the terrible work they do. Just read online and save yourself the headache and go elsewhere. The plates are better from goose gear. Company is full of excuses there are many better shops to get your truck worked at in the OC area.

 

Still the same

 

Yeah i screwed up too. I didn’t research because I had bought 2 things prior without issue. Now 8 weeks and no peep.

 

Just cancel or charge back. Best way to get your money. Then get the products elsewhere

 

Sadly it’s the gear plate, I guess I’ll go with Goose Gear or just change up the plans.

 

Good choice. The two products aren’t even comparable. Goose Gear is 100x better quality.

 

AJC reached out to me and explained why the order is delayed. They ensured me it will be made soon.

I've seen the goose gear products. Unfortunately they do not have a similar system on their website. To my knowledge, AJC is the only company manufacturing a gear plate that is the same height as the rear seats (when folded flat) that also offers slide-out tables integrated underneath the gear plate.

I have faith that AJC will get the order done. I've seen what happens to small shops that do well. They get swamped with business and struggle to hit deadlines.
Should they disclose an accurate lead time? Yes. Should they reach out if the order is going to take a while? Yes.

But with what the owners told me over email I understand why it's taking a while. The email had some personal information in it so I will not disclose that here.
I'm in no rush. If the gear plate takes a while to come in I'm fine with that. I plan on keeping the 4Runner for many many years. Waiting a few more months is not really a concern as long as I receive a quality product once the wait is over.

 

Good luck… you aren’t the only one having these issues.

 

From what I see the companies like these are middle man between you and Chinese seller. Atleast you will have someone to get your money back.
The down side is you have to pay a higher price for the same Chinese thing. For example I paid 60 bucks for raptor style grill lights from a different company. They failed after few months and I got my money back without much trouble.

 

You mean the same old story thats been going on for years? Hope not.

 

It’s not even just that, the service and quality of work is very questionable also.

 

I've never bought anything. Seen too much people waiting I don't need anything from them that bad.

 

No fortunately not.
I've read some posts on other forums of people experiencing long wait times and requesting refunds. From my research it looks like most people did in fact eventually get the order or requested a refund and got one. In one case a user got a double refund and the order arrived 8 months later... It was for fang lights which are known to have a very long wait time. Cool product, but not my thing. I just want the gear plate and I have faith it will eventually come in. I'm in no rush as it will be a long term mod.

I tend to agree in most cases but the gear plates are built in house by Shawnna so it should be good quality. I'll report back when I get it.

 

I’m looking at the same thing. Have an iceco 35l and flexibility for the other side.

 

https://www.reddit.com/r/4Runner/comments/1bkt1dv/aiden_james_customs_mia/ Indeed, its always some health or shop moving or shipping delays sob story.

Yeah I experienced the same back in 2020 for the gear plate when they first came out. Got it nearly 8 months of waiting (wait time was suppose to be 5-6 weeks)

Did it work yes but felt cheap, basically some wood with bedliner sprayed on with misaligned mounting holes.

I currently have full airdowngearup setup and that is quality solid stuff, but if i was to do it over and just get a gear plate I'd look at

AAL's https://americanadventurelab.com/product/toyota-4runner-mass-platform-5th-gen/
Victory's https://www.victory4x4.com/product/OGFL-4R5.html

 

I’ll take a look at AAL, I thought victory on worked with victory.


Thank you!

 

Super cheap, it doesn’t even bolt down, the end is held with some flimsy metal that tucks under the plastic side panels in the rear of the cargo area… lol

 

Sadly had to open a dispute to cancel the order. I did make sure to go one route so it’s easier, but mid-July purchase and multiple reach outs but never an answer.

 

I waited about 4 months to get my backup camera relocate kit from them, but finally received it a few weeks ago. They were down for a while because of a death in the family, but that's no excuse for zero communication from the beginning on order/backorder status, etc. I never would have ordered from them had I known this is their MO. We're a "Mom and Pop shop" be damned. I know plenty that take care of their business and their customers.