warthog replied:

I have bought a roof rack, cargo barrier and dual battery system from them and have had no complaints with these items however I would be interested in reading the article if you could post a link.
Cheers.

Brian (SA) replied:

Link to Article link text

First I had heard of this. Decision was October 2001. You would have thought it would have been publisized in 4wd press; but I guess the claims of bais towards regular advertisers is probably justified here.

I have bought many things from 4wd Systems; including diff lock,roof rack,battery tray and wheel carrier.

I have had the whell carrier for 18 months on troop carrier and have had no problems with it falling apart.

However I had to return to their shop to get the correct bolts;(not supplied in box) and had to modify a cuople of components to get it to fit correctly.

Also the instructions varied from vague to incorrect; no drama if you have the patience to fit and remove the carrier a couple of times to sort out; and have the confidence to modify items.

They quoted $150 I think to fit and in hindsight it would have been easier to pay them to fit; but at least I know it is done properly.

hogscar replied:

Try the link below or try a google search ( 4wd systems and ACCC) the pages will unfold.

www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/87865

Sand Man (SA) replied:

Hmmm!!!........Is this a Vendor Beat-up???

I have no interest in 4WD Systems except purchasing a couple of things from them.

I read the ACCC articles identified above and noticed with interest that the Court Case notification was issued by the ACCCon 28 Sept. 2001.

Whoa!!! I would assume if the court case was successful, or 4WD Systems awarded a heavy penalty against them, they would no longer be is business, or still have franchise dealers on their books.

I think this post is bordering on potential slander perhaps???

It is good that us consumers have organisations such as the ACCC to help protect the interests of us and other retailers, but on the other hand, there is no obligation on the ACCC from also issuing the results from court proceedings (both for and against them) to balance the actions of their "muscle flexing".

My limited experience with 4WD Systems is that they appear to offer comparable products at considerably cheaper prices than other companies I have compared with and for that reason, I will continue to include them in my decision making.

Their Head Office is in Adelaide and doesn't have the overhead of flash premises, or floodlit showrooms. Maybe that is one reason they are cheaper.

I currently have on order through them a set of side steps. These were $100 cheaper than any other brand I could find and I have checked the quality of the product. Yes, I have been waiting a while, as 4WD Systems have been waiting on the raw material to arrive from the overseas supplier. But, for the savings I will gain, I'm prepared to wait. No worry hurry!!!