Katzkin problems - Updated with photos!

[bjeepz]

I was talking with Katzkin about new seats. I picked out color and thread color and they sent me pictures of the complete product. I think I will hold off and maybe go to a shop and have them do leather seats for me.
I just don't want to have the experience you had and the quality you got.

They sure did have great communication when it came to selling.

I regret having this product installed at this point. Until Katzkin makes it right I will keep that stance.

One thing Katzkin is doing is refusing to acknowledge to scent packets, when we talk and I bring it up they go silent then wait to change the subject.

i have requested that management be on our call Monday.

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[bjeepz]

Katzin informed that they will be replacing my leathers at a different installer. Their regional rep will suggest where. I am requesting a different colour to wash this mess from my mind or maybe to add some tech stitching to the wings.

As for materials the entire front is f the front seats are leather, the rear portion is vinyl. The rear seat edges are vinyl while the seating surface is leather. Full leather is a $700 price increase, this of course was not discussed with me before.

I will also be requesting the cost of my travel be covered as it will be an even further drive this time. I am also not pleased to sit in a hotel and be without wheels for two days again..

So step 1 towards making it right is good.

 

[JeepinJason33]

Not sure if they will help with the travel, but it was nice of them to reinstall a new set. That was the right thing to do. I had a complete opposite experience, purchased my Katzkin directly from the Jeep dealership about a year after getting the Jeep. I originally thought the cloth would be nice because it would not stick or get as hot in the summer with the top off and specifically ordered the Jeep without leather. However, the cloth was a dust and sand magnet and spotted easier that just about any other cloth seat I have had.

I went online and built the seats I wanted and then took the order to the dealership and had them order the "Rubicon" lettering as well. The dealership had an installer they liked and took care of the entire thing. The Leather is much tighter than what you have. I was super impressed because the dealer has absolutely sucked in every other way so I figured it would get screwed up.

I hope your second set comes out much better! I use Griot's leather cleaner in mine to keep them supple and smelling like leather is supposed to.

 

[bjeepz]

Not sure if they will help with the travel, but it was nice of them to reinstall a new set. That was the right thing to do. I had a complete opposite experience, purchased my Katzkin directly from the Jeep dealership about a year after getting the Jeep. I originally thought the cloth would be nice because it would not stick or get as hot in the summer with the top off and specifically ordered the Jeep without leather. However, the cloth was a dust and sand magnet and spotted easier that just about any other cloth seat I have had.

I went online and built the seats I wanted and then took the order to the dealership and had them order the "Rubicon" lettering as well. The dealership had an installer they liked and took care of the entire thing. The Leather is much tighter than what you have. I was super impressed because the dealer has absolutely sucked in every other way so I figured it would get screwed up.

I hope your second set comes out much better! I use Griot's leather cleaner in mine to keep them supple and smelling like leather is supposed to.

Those look fantastic!

Agred that the cloth seats hold onto things, I spend a lot of time outdoors and my dog brings all the mud inside!

I asked one of the local dealers before going direct to Katzkin and they didn't have an installer they could trust.

I've seen several reports on our Canadian Better Business bureau where Katzkin offered compensation for problems. I'm not looking to get any money back, just to have the 2nd trip to their preferred installer covered. Gas in my area is about $5.50 a gallon then $200/night for a hotel, things are pretty tight these days on my end. The only reason I have this new Jeep is because my Mojave was stolen just before the holidays. It had perfect leather!

 

[Wbino]

Katzin informed that they will be replacing my leathers at a different installer. Their regional rep will suggest where. I am requesting a different colour to wash this mess from my mind or maybe to add some tech stitching to the wings.

As for materials the entire front is f the front seats are leather, the rear portion is vinyl. The rear seat edges are vinyl while the seating surface is leather. Full leather is a $700 price increase, this of course was not discussed with me before.

I will also be requesting the cost of my travel be covered as it will be an even further drive this time. I am also not pleased to sit in a hotel and be without wheels for two days again..

So step 1 towards making it right is good.

God... you cry... alot......?
I knew you were going for different seats from the start...that's the reason you wouldnt have the shop fix it.

 

[Casper_]

I’m surprised at the lack of support you have received. Have you tried the social media route of posting pics and a review on their facebook, instagram, and any other social media site they have a presence on?
https://m.facebook.com/KatzkinLeatherOfficial

https://www.instagram.com/katzkin_leather/


You can link the review back to this site and show them that their lack of customer support and product quality is being seen by a large demographic.

While Katzkin might try to help with this, isn't this more of an installer issue?

To me it seems there's a problem with how the product was installed, not manufactured.

The installers are independent businesses, no?

 

[Bulletbill]

While Katzkin might try to help with this, isn't this more of an installer issue?

To me it seems there's a problem with how the product was installed, not manufactured.

The installers are independent businesses, no?

According to op he was directed from katzkin to use this installer. He also said the leather smells even after he found the scent pads. Additionally, the leather in the back doesn’t match the leather in the front. Regardless of the installer mistakes, katzkin should help make it right. Good customer service is paramount to a companies reputation, especially one that specializes in aftermarket products.

 

[bjeepz]

God... you cry... alot......?
I knew you were going for different seats from the start...that's the reason you wouldnt have the shop fix it.

Got any spare tissues for me?

Haha thanks for your thoughts!

Are you the installer? LOL

 

[bjeepz]

While Katzkin might try to help with this, isn't this more of an installer issue?

To me it seems there's a problem with how the product was installed, not manufactured.

The installers are independent businesses, no?

The materials on the front and rear don't match well. The rear is very shiny, the front is not shiny at all. The leather on the front seats is really nice, just very loose on the front panels. When I sent the photos to Katzkin the took a few days to make they're assessment and went direct to replacement.

Katzkin does not want me to go back to the installer, this was their call on the situation.

They want the leathers back to determine what went wrong in effort to improve QC. From an overall quality perspective that is a good thing.

 

[bjeepz]

According to op he was directed from katzkin to use this installer. He also said the leather smells even after he found the scent pads. Additionally, the leather in the back doesn’t match the leather in the front. Regardless of the installer mistakes, katzkin should help make it right. Good customer service is paramount to a companies reputation, especially one that specializes in aftermarket products.

Thanks for your post. I agree that Katzkin is trying to provide good service and make this right.

 

[Casper_]

According to op he was directed from katzkin to use this installer. He also said the leather smells even after he found the scent pads. Additionally, the leather in the back doesn’t match the leather in the front. Regardless of the installer mistakes, katzkin should help make it right. Good customer service is paramount to a companies reputation, especially one that specializes in aftermarket products.

The materials on the front and rear don't match well. The rear is very shiny, the front is not shiny at all. The leather on the front seats is really nice, just very loose on the front panels. When I sent the photos to Katzkin the took a few days to make they're assessment and went direct to replacement.

Katzkin does not want me to go back to the installer, this was their call on the situation.

They want the leathers back to determine what went wrong in effort to improve QC. From an overall quality perspective that is a good thing.

Regarding the front and back leather discrepancy, it was due to the package that was picked (one being vinyl). Not Katzkin's fault.

Regarding the installer - that's who screwed up, and Katzkin seem willing to help. In my book they are doing a great job trying to clean-up this mess.

I don't envy you and feel bad for your troubles, but Katzkin seems to be a victim here as well.

 

[bjeepz]

Regarding the front and back leather discrepancy, it was due to the package that was picked (one being vinyl). Not Katzkin's fault.

Regarding the installer - that's who screwed up, and Katzkin seem willing to help. In my book they are doing a great job trying to clean-up this mess.

I don't envy you and feel bad for your troubles, but Katzkin seems to be a victim here as well.

I didn't pick vinyl! I was under the impression that I was getting full leather based on the conversations with the sales person. Initially I was looking to do the XT heavy duty leather up front but was told the rear might not match if I went with standard rear leather. I expressed that I wanted matching front and rear seats, the sales person suggested going with standard leather. This was when I decided to go with the subtle dark grey instead of factory matching black.

If Katzkin is a victim here maybe they should train their sales staff to better understand their products and communicate better.

 

[TheBirdie72]

 

[bjeepz]

Oh DAMN! What a great classic that is haha well done!

 

[Punknhed]

Don't know who you talked to at katzkin but they asked me a ton of questions when i did mine. Honestly i don't see this as being their fault. YOU already admitted it was a 700 up charge for full leather, so sorry but that's YOUR fault for ordering 2 different materials. As far as expecting Katzkin to pay for a trip to a new installer, i don't feel that's on them. Maybe they will maybe they wont, but i wouldn't expect it. Sounds like them making you new seats, they are working on making it right. Let it play out and see what happens. Either way i love my seats and would do it again. I did have some issues w the installer, so I would ask them for a different one.

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