Kooka Bay

I sent my pad back to have one of the new valves put on. Sent it the day after xmas. Haven't heard anything since.

I wonder if its just chillin on his front porch, or what? Yep, thats my $250 pad… chillin.

It sucks too, cause that thing was AWESOME.

For some reason I'm more curious than pi$$ed.

Surely there is a legit reason he fell off the earth… right?!?

Edit- I wanted to +1 Travis's post below me, and say that I'm more upset that I had potentially the baddest 2 person backpacking pad in the world- but now I don't. :(

This is really too bad. I honestly hope he's ok, and it's a shame some people are left without money or product.

I began dealing with Bender a few years ago and was one of the first people to get a DAM with the 30D material. I ended up ordering a few more pads from him and he was always on the ball and nice to deal with. Once he upgraded his valve and came up with a way to prevent down migration between the baffles, he went so far as to upgrade my old pads for free. I'm still using these pads and have never had an issue–quality was really good.

He never came across as the swindling type, and until we find out otherwise, I'm inclined to believe something happened that was out of his control.

In any case, the entire situation is sad.

I've already mentioned that I'm in the same boat. Had a great Taperlite, the first inflatable that I could actually sleep on, but the value never worked right and Bender was supposed to replace it….back in Sept/Nov. Haven't heard a peep since.

Since everything else has already been discussed, how about the next obvious topic: Is there anyone else who could manufacturer custom inflatables other than perhaps Stephenson?

JGG,

I've thought about doing some of this, but I haven't figured out the best equipment to use to do it properly. I may eventually start at some point…

Ben – You know you have my vote.

Ben – if you dig through Bender's old posts, he openly discussed a lot of his methods and (I believe) equipment

I'm with Travis on this. I simply don't believe Bender has intentionally defrauded anyone. Something has happened, and unfortunately, we don't have the means to find out.

I agree with Doug and Travis. When I ordered the pad from Bender, he was well behind his estimated time, but the pad did come in, right around the first of the year. I never got the sense that he was defrauding people. I mean who makes unique, quality lightweight backpacking mattresses, and–once he gets his reputation up and gets reviewed in the SOTM report–drops off the face of the planet just to keep everyone's money? There are much better scams.

Something has happened, and it's really unfortunate for everyone involved, Bender and his customers. I hope he's in a place to get things back together and make amends. He has been a valuable part of this community.

This is too bad. I wanted to buy a pad from him.

However, the website does leave much to be desired, especially in terms of contact information. Most of the cottage names around here have prominently displayed contact/owner information. Has anyone tried the whois lookup for the domain name? There is a name and number listed.

I agree with Doug, Travis and Clayton. Something has happened–illness? accident? serious family issues? fire? His website simply says "closed for the holidays." From the dealings I've had, I definitely don't believe the accusations of fraud. Something beyond his control has gone seriously wrong!

Bender contacted me in early December about buying out Kookabay. We discussed the idea for a few weeks, what came with the business, what kinds of products I was going to offer, what my goals for the business were, etc.. We were going to move forward on the deal by the first of the year but his communications got scarce by the end of December and after Jan 7th I never heard from him again.. It's like he fell off the map..

Now I do know that he was not sick at the time and he was just burnt out and had found another job that was taking up all his time. This was his only reason he wanted to sell the business.. His words exactly were that he wanted to pass on the torch because he was burnt out..

Now with all this bad publicity for the Kookabay Brand, I no longer think this would be a good deal even for free.. It sounds like a PR and warranty nightmare. Something in December would of been ok, but now NO WAY..

So with that said, I always thought Bender was a good guy and not someone looking to screw people out of their money, so my guess is he got overwhelmed and just called it quits.. If this is the case then he really should refund everyones money who ordered a pad and fix and send back everyones pad that was in for warranty repair because this is no way to treat anyone.. I realize I shouldn't post his phone number on this forum but it seems as if he let alot of people down.

EDIT- I got a few email's from people complaining that I posted Benders phone number on the forum. I didn't think helping people get their money back would upset so many people, so I sent it to Cola. His post is a few under mine. If you ordered a pad from Bender and didn't receive it or if he has your pad and want it back, ask Cola for the number. Thanks..

I don't know Lawson, you've built up a reputation on here, and if you bought Kooka Bay–especially if you marketed it under your own brand–I'd order from another pad from you when the time came. When you mentioned that you were looking to expand your product line on another thread, I wondered if you might fill the gap left by Bender's absence. There's definitely a market there.

It seems that people's biggest problem has been customer service, not the product. But you've handled both of my orders with speed, and I've had no problems. Just my $0.02.

I completely agree. The Kookabay brand and products are strong, the business just wasn't being run right. Hopefully nothing happened to Bender as I personally never felt he was a scammer so I do suspect something more happened. I'm guessing he would have just shut the doors if he ultimately didn't want to do it anymore but walking away cleanly.

I'd be interested in hearing if someone is able to get in touch with him or could shed some light on whether he's okay.

I agree with Clayton and JGG, Lawson. If you bought up the name and/or products, they'd sell very well. You yourself have a good reputation and I seriously doubt that any negativity would be transferred to you. I'd certainly order another pad like mine when the time comes for a replacement, and I wouldn't hesitate ordering from you.

Yes, if anyone does hear from or about Bender, please let the BPL community know.

The situation and timimg with this latest "breakdown" of Kookabay is following almost exactly the same scenario as around this time last year. I don't even have to look back at the old threads; except that last year he rallied and caught up and even eventually got his new website up and running.

Evidently based on Lawson's info that isn't in the cards this time around. And I'm not sure I'd have posted the man's phone # right off the bat………. maybe give this community a chance to get a resolution in motion. Hopefully everyone will try using some restraint. I'm sure there's enough pressure on Bender right about now……..

Just looking at a Kookabay pad one could infer the assembly process was extremely detailed, precise and demanding. Evidently "Bender" did all the work. Anyone thinking of taking up production might want to consider amending the process to protect against burnout; maybe coming up with a team assembly process. Of course then there would be additional labor costs to consider.

I'd imagine Bender has plenty of ideas about how the process might or might not be stream-lined or automated.

I'd also imagine that he has at least some store of materials.

His knowledge of the process is certainly worth something. Why can't we attempt to initiate a dialog with Bender on working an honorable way out of this situation that doesn't leave customers hanging and results in some remuneration and hopefully participation by Bender for his knowledge, materials/supplies and experience. You'll know as much about making DAM mattresses when you've spent as much time making them as Bender.

Admittedly Bender is not currently (based on the gist of this thread) handling this in a stand-up way but running him into the ground isn't likely to help.

And as much as he may be burnt out and over it at this point in time he has to have some reserve of love for the process and product to have gotten as far with as he did.

I want to acknowledge my admiration of his having the Chutzpah to figure it out and the gumption to get the business up and running and my sympathy that the whole endeavor has evidently exhausted him. Good job Bender! you made a great product! Now let's bow out with a little Grace for God's sake.

Taking a look at the past several years of posts on BPL concerning Kookabay or Dam mattresses it is obvious this is a product in demand. A thorough internet search will also show alternatives are few and not really that competitive.

And if you've used a DAM you know the combination of comfort,warmth and weight is unbeatable.

Cola your probably right about posting his number, I just deleted it. I am going to send it to you.

Everyone who needs Benders phone number. Cola has it

I would be interested in buying those new valves Bender had custom made for his pads.

I just hope he drops my pad back in the mail to me. Its already built- just needs a new valve.

I offered to pick up return shipping, which he had originally offered to pick up.

I'll take it back with the old valve or whatever- I just want the pad back- no hard feelings.

dang

@Lawson, for what it's worth, I'm one of the people who had been *trying* to order a custom pad from Kookabay since November. (Luckily never even got to the sending money point.) I've ordered things from you and, from what I've seen, you run a good business. From a PR point of view, I don't think Kookabay will be a liability for you. (Warranties might be a different matter.)

Bender's pads themselves have a great reputation and I, for one, would love to see the technology passed onto someone who can actually produce it. JMO.

I find it interesting that many folks want to "defend" Bender, given that he is "one of us." Now would we have that attitude towards BP or Goldman Sachs?

Unless Bender is dead, in a coma, or in a foreign prison he has not acted with integrity… he has taken money or returned products; other people's money or property and not provided the promised product or service. To me this is an integrity/moral issue.

Did Lawson do the proper thing by posting Bender's phone number? I think so. We have no problem posting email contacts or phone numbers of large companies that have failed to act responsibly. Why should we treat the little guy differently?

Also things like this are not good for the small cottage manufacturers, it makes the buying public more hesitant to purchase from them.

Should Lawson purchase Kookabay if given the opportunity. Well apparently the product and construction techniques are good, given community feedback. I have one of his 1 oz pillows, nice product. But the name now has little value, so no "Blue Sky" for the name.

Maybe Lawson, or some other interested member, could work out a takeover with Bender and then use the "Kickstarter" system to help get this venture off to a strong start.

I actually agree with Nick for once.

Off to pour myself a stiff drink. ;)

"I actually agree with Nick for once."

Dang! I better go back and edit the post and state how I really feel :)

Why not just buy his equipment and pay him to learn his techniques and fold it into your own offering? No need to throw the baby out with the bathwater. While you're at it, you could gain some karma by collecting the funds paid to him that haven't resulted in product, and deliver product to those people who are out (or return their money). You have an opportunity to score some serious karma.

Don't worry Nick. I'm sure we'll disagree again. :)

I'll still share that stiff drink with you though.