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Owl Van - showing who they really are!

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5:32 PM
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Oct 28, 2024
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Location
Mesa, AZ, USA
If you really want to know what a company is made of, if you want to test their intentions, their focus, well, just show up!

We are interested in purchasing a Grenadier.

Like most, it is an easy thing to get wrapped in the marketing glitz, the wow. After watching and reading most every video and writing available on the internet, we were "hooked" But as a serious buyer who considers all sides to such a purpose, I felt myself yearning for the "whole" story. Where does one find an un-biased assessment? I know a INEOS dealer exists in the Phoenix area, but I felt that was not a first resource for sales, I wanted to know more before going in. . This forum is an amazing tool. But, like any forum ever created, one must admit that sometimes the fiction gets intertwined with facts. I guess such is life.

Anyway, without any warning to Owl, my wife and I showed up at their headquarters and shop in Mesa AZ. (A beautiful place by the way). I am sure we two very old people wandering through the front door leading a goofy black Labrador, was a curious sight. We were not at Owl to do business. Our presence served no corporate purpose to Owl. I explained to the super courteous fellow that we simply wanted their opinion (I knew that OWL purchased and heavily used a Grenadier). Without hesitation he led us toward the back and waiting Grenadier. We talked, he presented what felt like a true, honest opinion, as he opened for pursual, every orifice of that beast. He offered us the opportunity to ask anything and view everything. I am not all that good with words, so I must apologize for my lack of ability to explain how genuine OWL Van came across. They did not really have to give us the time of day. We showed up in a Raptor, they don't make much we could use or buy. Ok, I suppose if we purchase a Grenadier, we might be a source for some sales (You Betcha) but this company is the "real" deal! I looked around, these folks "live" this stuff! Everywhere were evidence of commitment, and care. I wanted to publicly thank them for the 45 minutes they took with a Non-customer, just because, just because they care.

Thank You
 

Toot

Grenadier Owner
Lifetime Supporter
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Location
Sag Harbor, NY, USA
Love the commitment and thoroughness! … Did Owl offer any unvarnished feedback on the truck? Very curious what they said, obviously they like it but it’s always nice to get the unfiltered take. And, what are your thoughts on it after getting up close and personal away from the sales desk? I know you’re seriously considering making a purchase so I’m curious if the community and product itself has tipped you over the line?

Cheers
 
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Location
Massachusetts, USA
My (albeit few) interactions with Owl Outdoors suggest that they are legit good folks. Small business run by enthusiasts who personally use their products.
You have a question....they will listen and try to answer.
I bet there are a lot of such vendors and small businesses like Owl too, but Owl Outdoor deserves some acknowledgment for being good folks.
 

parb

Grenadier Owner
Lifetime Supporter
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Silicon Valley, CA, USA
I agree, they seem like well intentioned people who care. They don't appear to have the back office set-up to do Internet business at scale but I think they make up for it with their social presence on this and other forums.

I've bought several things from them and my first impression quite frankly wasn't the greatest but my impression has improved tremendously since then.
 

AaronS

Grenadier Owner
Lifetime Supporter
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Location
San Fernando Valley, California
I agree, they seem like well intentioned people who care. They don't appear to have the back office set-up to do Internet business at scale but I think they make up for it with their social presence on this and other forums.

I've bought several things from them and my first impression quite frankly wasn't the greatest but my impression has improved tremendously since then.
Agreed.
 
Local time
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Location
Mesa, AZ, USA
I don't want to mis quote OWL, but I did get the impression they were very, happy with all aspects of the vehicle. A very nice time we had
 

CrazyOldMan

Grenadier Owner
Lifetime Supporter
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Mar 13, 2024
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496
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Location
Wisconsin, USA
I agree, they seem like well intentioned people who care. They don't appear to have the back office set-up to do Internet business at scale but I think they make up for it with their social presence on this and other forums.

I've bought several things from them and my first impression quite frankly wasn't the greatest but my impression has improved tremendously since then.
I think it’s all a question of expectations. If people think they’re Amazon - yes, you have to wait longer, you don’t have an app to track shipment deliveries etc. But we’re in Grenadier land. How many employees at Leitner? How many at Buzz? How many at Blacksheep? These are specialized fabricators who love the Grenadier - they’ll get a great product to you, but you just have to go in with some patience and ready to enjoy the interaction with fellow enthusiasts. For me, for any projects on the Grenadier, I assume it will take several weeks or even a few months - I get to know them, and it’s all good. But, I’m a surfer who now lives in “the Berkeley of the Midwest,” so the last thing I want is to harsh anyone’s mellow. “Road rage” is proceeding at a 4 way stop when you have the right-of-way, instead of letting the other person go first, “just to be nice.”
 

Mountain4x4

Grenadier Owner
Lifetime Supporter
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Location
Albuquerque, NM, USA
Spent a ton of time with OWL in Moab, and they are the real deal. They are working on a complete 37" tire set up and are pushing stuff to the limits. I just placed a big Christmas order with them. The trend of "Van Life" companies jumping to the Grenadier is still very curious to me. But a couple of folks told me they are tired of trying to make non-off road vehicles survive off road. The Grenadier to them is so much easier.
 

Michael_in_Baja

Grenadier Owner
Lifetime Supporter
Local time
4:32 PM
Joined
Oct 2, 2023
Messages
169
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Location
Baja California Sur, Mexico
If you really want to know what a company is made of, if you want to test their intentions, their focus, well, just show up!

We are interested in purchasing a Grenadier.

Like most, it is an easy thing to get wrapped in the marketing glitz, the wow. After watching and reading most every video and writing available on the internet, we were "hooked" But as a serious buyer who considers all sides to such a purpose, I felt myself yearning for the "whole" story. Where does one find an un-biased assessment? I know a INEOS dealer exists in the Phoenix area, but I felt that was not a first resource for sales, I wanted to know more before going in. . This forum is an amazing tool. But, like any forum ever created, one must admit that sometimes the fiction gets intertwined with facts. I guess such is life.

Anyway, without any warning to Owl, my wife and I showed up at their headquarters and shop in Mesa AZ. (A beautiful place by the way). I am sure we two very old people wandering through the front door leading a goofy black Labrador, was a curious sight. We were not at Owl to do business. Our presence served no corporate purpose to Owl. I explained to the super courteous fellow that we simply wanted their opinion (I knew that OWL purchased and heavily used a Grenadier). Without hesitation he led us toward the back and waiting Grenadier. We talked, he presented what felt like a true, honest opinion, as he opened for pursual, every orifice of that beast. He offered us the opportunity to ask anything and view everything. I am not all that good with words, so I must apologize for my lack of ability to explain how genuine OWL Van came across. They did not really have to give us the time of day. We showed up in a Raptor, they don't make much we could use or buy. Ok, I suppose if we purchase a Grenadier, we might be a source for some sales (You Betcha) but this company is the "real" deal! I looked around, these folks "live" this stuff! Everywhere were evidence of commitment, and care. I wanted to publicly thank them for the 45 minutes they took with a Non-customer, just because, just because they care.

Thank You
Good people, good product, made right, made right here.
 

Borg54 (Owl Outdoor)

Grenadier Owner
Supporting Vendor
Local time
4:32 PM
Joined
Feb 22, 2024
Messages
38
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137
Location
Arizona, USA
Thank you all for the kind comments. The team works really hard. We don't always get it right, but we try our best to learn and offer better service in the future. We love the Grenadier community and are excited to bring more products to this market soon!

For those that want to see more of the team here is a video we shot at our HQ:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUMv4TJR2QU
 

CrazyOldMan

Grenadier Owner
Lifetime Supporter
Local time
6:32 PM
Joined
Mar 13, 2024
Messages
496
Reaction score
494
Location
Wisconsin, USA
Thank you all for the kind comments. The team works really hard. We don't always get it right, but we try our best to learn and offer better service in the future. We love the Grenadier community and are excited to bring more products to this market soon!

For those that want to see more of the team here is a video we shot at our HQ:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUMv4TJR2QU
Thanks to you and to all the other specialty fabricators who are helping me live my second childhood and drive my wife crazy - you all make this Grenadier ride less confusing and more hilarious.

View: https://youtu.be/ff_Ix44H7xI?si=zpg9I5dESXGbJ2-h
 
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