47-59 Mar k bedwood

[bowt1ed]

Does anyone know what's going on with Mar K? I ordered oak bedwood for my 57 stepside back in August. In September, I inquired as to whether I would receive an email with shipping info, and was advised of a projected ETA for the end of October due to "an unforeseen surge in truck part orders". At the end of October, I inquired for an update and was told that due to "expedited supply chain issues", I now had an ETA of 8 more weeks (mid-December). Today, I reached out again for an updated expected delivery date and was told yet another 8 weeks from today's date! That's 6 months (assuming not receiving another delay) to receive oak bedwood, sourced from the U.S. (?). I have done business with Mar K in the past, and know this is not typical of them. They have a strong reputation of quality in their product, timeliness and service, but this is unacceptable. They have offered cancelation and refund of my order, but that is not my preference. Just wondering if anyone had any insight to what is going on with them.

Cheers, Jim

[mr48chev]

They do all or most all of their metal work inhouse but I don't know how much of the process on the wood they do inhouse.

I had a long winded thing written but deleted it because there are simply too many variables involved right now to count. With all the storms it could come down to the fact that the place that sells them wood doesn't have power right now or the roads are impassable because the wood probably comes from closer to you than closer to Oklahoma City.

The main thing is that it would be nice if they gave you regular updates and told you what was going on with it.

[bowt1ed]

The storms would definitely explain it, however, the delays started before them. I did ask for a better explanation of the delays, but haven't heard anything.

[mr48chev]

It took over three months after we approved the design for my mothers head stone (flat white marble) to be made and delivered from the company that made it and that was after it took a month for them to do the design and send the photo for approval. I firmly have to believe that that outfit had way more orders than they could handle or was sluffing the funeral home here in this little town of 8K people for the big outfits that buy several a week. This is just a flat stone thing that a lawnmower can run across the top of as they don't allow anything else in that part of the cemetery. Supply chain issues without communication or explanation seem to be universal.

[48panel]

I wanted to order bed strips for my panel. The price was alright, but the shipping was over the amount of the product. I put the part number into Google and the number came up at Summit Racing of all places. I paid the same amount for the strips and got free shipping to boot. So, try putting the number in a search and see where it takes you is my suggestion.

[bowt1ed]

It saddens me to say this, but if you are currently considering ordering your bedwood/parts from Mar-K, I recommend you reconsider. They are not the same company we have all known, with quality products made in the USA. I finally canceled my outstanding order for basic oak bedwood and stainless strips, due to repeated delays, now seven months old. And was informed today, there was yet another 8 week delay. I'm not sure of their current financial state, but they have the indicators of a company going out of business (IMHO). I am not alone, I encourage anyone planning on ordering from them to read the Google reviews for the last year. Many more with similar delays and cancelations. It's sad.

Cheers, Jim

[MARTINSR]

Oh darn! My bed I got them them is SOOOOOOOOOOO nice. What a shame others can't get one of these nice beds.

Brian

[bowt1ed]

I've been looking at another domestic company, BedWood out of Kentucky. Anyone have experience with them?

[mr48chev]

I've got no experience with any of them as far as wood goes.

Mar-K might be like a lot of others in the past year or two who have a hard time getting the actual materials they use delivered in a timely fashion. You can't build stuff if you don't have the material to build it with.

Still one of the longest running MII style front suspension builders just went out of business due to poor management That is Fatman suspension. The company was sold to a long time employee who had the shop skills but evidently had business management issues although that may have been book keeper issues.

As for ordering from Mar-K right now it might be more prudent to order through a vendor such as Summit. They do show a lot of options for hardwood bed kits. https://www.summitracing.com/search/...cation%3Ashort

I'm still looking for "that log" to buy and haul up to Hogfarm to have him mill it and then see if I can get the local high school wood shop kids to plane it for me. The main hassle of doing your own as far as the actual work is getting the holes for the offset washers to hold the bed down with right and I think I might have that figured out.

[bowt1ed]

Yeah, I spoke with Tyler at Summit and they would run into the same situation with Mar K wood, as it ships from the manufacturer. They do have some of the strips, etc. In stock, but not the bedwood.

[mr48chev]

That pretty well tells the tale. Unless they are supply train problems the issue is usually management related when small business with a good product starts having trouble. I've had two friends who had great businesses and had worked for one for a few years and would have worked for them a lot longer if the pay had been better but both close their doors because their adult children were not capable of successfully taking over the business and running it. In this case both and neither was a young man but at least in their 40's were involved in drugs and not capable of running very successful businesses.
One even offered up his business as a turn key deal where he would help the buyer with the day today for a bit and no takers.

[Hcb3200]

Sad to say but I am seeing on a lot of other web sites that Mar-K is out of business. Hence why in the last few months folks have been having issues with orders and getting anything. Some even say the "the bank may be auctioning equipment" either way consider other vendors

[bowt1ed]

Yep, and I am out $1100. I filed a complaint with the BBB, but Im sure it won't affect the outcome. I'm most upset at the fact that they (Amy) continued to lie, stating that it was merely supply issues and it would be another 8-10 weeks more, all along knowing it wasn't so. This from a company that many on this site, including me, have done business with. Probably a good thing I don't, in fact, live closer...

Jim

[nvrdone]

if you used a credit card, they may be able to help recover your loss. worth a call to your bank.

[mr48chev]

If you paid with paypal or credit card those give the best option of getting your money back.

[mr48chev]

This just popped up on Corvetteblogger.com It looks like David Hill who was CEO of Mar-K for 9 years was well aware of the situation long before shutting down the company.

https://www.corvetteblogger.com/2025...3MzOVKQ9zYgjVA

[Killer Bee]

I posted this regarding employees and CEO'S new job in the other mar-k thread

looks like CEO David Hill has a new job already

https://www.corvettemuseum.org/natio...d-hill-as-ceo/

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...1&postcount=11

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=857704

[TX3100Guy]

This just sent to all Museum members. Seems Hill has left to pursue the proverbial "family and other interests"

[mr48chev]

I'd say that a few prominent members and supporters spoke up quickly and firmly on that.