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BUYER BEWARE! Calmini is a terrible company

15630 Views 35 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  Kona roads
I bought Calmini upper controls arms for my Gen 2. I'll post my long rant of how awful of a 5 month process this has been but, my main goal is to dissuade people from having to deal with this absolutely garbage company.

So, here is a link to not just my complaint but, 118 other complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau within the last year;

If that's not enough, the Kern County District Attorney is suing Calmini for consumer fraud;

Here's my experience, a little less polite than I put it for the BBB and the DA;
I ordered the UPCs on their site. After waiting 2 weeks (plenty of time, going off of their 3-5 business day shipping wait time), I called to see if there was an issue, or if they were on back order, whatever. I instead got this guy with some kind of aggressive attitude telling me he will "check with the guys in the back." Then he just hung up. A little taken back by that, I google Calmini business reviews, find the BBB page with dozens and dozens of complaints describing almost identical experiences. All stories of someone (usually with some sort of attitude) telling them they would "check with the guys in the back," or "check with the shipping guys," then not ever recieving their product. I mean, I'm not making that up, look at those complaints on BBB. They all have the same pattern, and there's dozens of people saying they never even received their product or a refund.

Anyways, I called probably 2-3 times, the same guy each time, giving me the same unhelpful response. I'm already starting to see myself become one of those guys in the BBB complaints. Finally, 3 weeks later, the package shows up. I open it up, thrilled I can finally get them on the pickup, to find that the package is missing the god d*** ball joints. That a*hole treating me like s** every time I called to politely ask where my product was, after I already paid for it, and it finally shows up incomplete. So, I took a breather and I called. I was just going to ask for a refund. Right off the bat the guy interrupts me and says "Listen, we already mailed you your control arms," before I can even explain what happened, without me saying anything aggressive or with attitude. After them taking forever to ship the product, his behavior before, then not getting the complete product, then that immediate disrespectful a** response, admittedly, I lost my cool in that moment. Told the guy I wanted a refund, and I wanted them to pay for shipping. He just kept saying "We'll ship you the ball joints overnight." Like I'm gonna trust that? When you already took longer than necessary to ship the control arms, and didn't even include the entirety of the product? I said I just wanted a refund, that's it. He said he'll email me the refund stuff, whatever.

2 weeks go by, still no email. So I call. And call, and call, and call, and call. It's been just shy of 3 months since delivery. It has gotten to the point where the "manager," "owner," and 2 employees know myself and my wife by name just by us saying "I'm calling about a refund." We've called over 30 times. The first guy was fired or quit, according to one of the employees, the story constantly changes. Even so, the owner himself has the exact same attitude. Every time, they act like I called and immediately started yelling at them, and every time, I am calm and polite, just asking for a refund. Nothing has been resolved. The UPCs are in my house taped up, ready to ship, and have been since May 17. Every time I call, whether the employees, or the "manager/owner" they do nothing but snap out a short, usually rude as f***, response, maybe throw out a previously used excuse, then hang up.

I am telling you all, this has been the worst experience I've ever had buying a product for anything. And if you just google their name, not even any hard digging, you can see my experience is not an isolated incident. For your own sake, do not buy anything from them. Go with one of the brands recommended on this forum, or somewhere else on the internet. I ended up buying the SPC ones off Amazon. They were delivered in 3 days, cost $40 less, and had everything it said it would. Apparently an unattainable concept to Calmini. Do your research before you buy.

And to Calmini, f*** you guys, I hope the lawsuit demolishes your company and you go out of business.
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ssundet…Thank you…I am on two Tacoma forums…NO one is having the same issues as mines..it was mention maybe e-cables ..sticking ..replace them..
3 times to the aToyota dealer..mechanic thinks some 4x4 binds more and mines does..
They check out the brakes , loosen the e-break cables..it help in a small way..as it is not as tight grip..

Today, twice going straight on our dirt/ a bit muddy..it lock up the right rear wheel again…I just reverse a few feet..and it frees it self..only in 4H &4L..annoying…!!!

I will look at you tube…Thank you.. yeah..every time it happens , closer I get to wanting to selling my truck…It is a Toyota? …feels worthless.. But at the same time..I like my truck.. love & hate relationship..
Aloha,
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After doing a few search’s ..about Calmini…. Most of the post were before 2021…and NOT good..
Always trust your instincts…Go with one’s you feel you can trust..
in any good business…to tell if they or your business is successful…is the Repeat customers who are satisfied…!
If you ever start a business? Repeat customers…is one of the best indicator….
Aloha,
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Calmini to my knowledge use to make a kit for the Frontier, but don't think the interest was enough to keep it available.

I kid you not, there's also a junk yard about 45 minutes west of where I live called Cal-Mini and they seem to work/specialize on a lot of Nissans. Appears to be the hard body mainly.
Good to know… Spacer kits…Not a big fan here... I prefer a good suspension lifts ..design for street and off road performance…Something that is built…to go where you know it can handle the off road terrains and make it back home with confidence…! And a good ride..
Aloha
It is a drop bracket lift not a spacer. A drop bracket was described earlier as a spacer, but not the same as a "spacer lift", which is a spacer that sits above your coil over shock to lengthen in. A drop bracket, bolts to the frame where the lower control arms attach and provided a lower mounting point for the LCA to achieve lift.

Calmini (California Mini truck) was a top notch company. I do not own any of their stuff for my Frontier but have dealt with some of their Toyota parts in the past. They were good parts. I think they either had some QC issues or people where just too stupid to properly install them and blamed the company. Their parts are a bit more expensive, part of the reason is they do a lot of the R&D (at least they use to) on their products that other companies then copy.

I always liked their baja style tube bumpers for our D40s
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Please read the many reviews about Calmini..before buying..? For every one satisfied review…1000 is more negative reviews… not bad…? Just a guess here..on the numbers..
Maybe the longest delivery times…if you ever get them parts..according to the many buyers…
Just a opinion after reading a few reviews…Being left handed…the reviews I read may cause a negative effects..? Most reviewers are right handed…reason..?
Aloha
Today, twice going straight on our dirt/ a bit muddy..it lock up the right rear wheel again…I just reverse a few feet..and it frees it self..only in 4H &4L..annoying…!!!

Yeah, that's sounds odd. Obviously you're not supposed to use 4HI or 4LO in high traction environments, but I've driven around on the road and been like "oh ****...switch to 2wd" and nothing ever locks up. The only time it was finicky on me is the Nissan when it was brand new switching in and out of the different modes would be sticky until after I hit about 12,000 miles I swapped all the fluids and it never was sticky again.

If it locks up a wheel in 4HI/LO where one tire locks up and draggs and doesn't let go until you reverse, that's not typical of any 4x4. I've never experienced that in Tacomas or Frontiers... or Fords, or Chevys...or Rams...or Suzukis...or Jeeps...so I'm stumped without more info, idk

Wish I knew more...maybe someone here will.
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They check out the brakes , loosen the e-break cables..it help in a small way..as it is not as tight grip..

This doesn't make any sense to me as a solution
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It was NOT a solution..the problem still exists….just that when the brakes engage…I can tell it did not lock as tight…it seems just the passenger side rear tires will feel lock up…happens even going straight..
when it happens ..the passenger rear tire…will not spin..( feels like it the brakes just came ON) this wheel only..does not spin….when I reverse..and put in drive …it get free…

So far only happens in 4H & 4L. I be driving slowly up the road or hill side..then “boom” the truck drags ..because the passenger side wheel brakes lock up…reverse just a little and the brakes is released..
Why it happen out of the blue? Almost everyday ..once or twice…use be only on turns..?

Why the brake e-cables engaging? I am wondering a computer gitch? The crawl controls do lock the brakes…rotating ..it it doing this? Or the e-cables got rusty? Cause my third member(diff) was rusted out to diff vent failure..and had it replace…
Also my gas mileage drop to 12 miles per gallon ever since this started to happen. Before was 15 miles plus.

Now before this started happening..I did try my crawl control for a down hill descent…now sure if related?
Aloha
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It was NOT a solution..the problem still exists….just that when the brakes engage…I can tell it did not lock as tight…it seems just the passenger side rear tires will feel lock up…happens even going straight..
when it happens ..the passenger rear tire…will not spin..( feels like it the brakes just came ON) this wheel only..does not spin….when I reverse..and put in drive …it get free…

So far only happens in 4H & 4L. I be driving slowly up the road or hill side..then “boom” the truck drags ..because the passenger side wheel brakes lock up…reverse just a little and the brakes is released..
Why it happen out of the blue? Almost everyday ..once or twice…use be only on turns..?

Why the brake e-cables engaging? I am wondering a computer gitch? The crawl controls do lock the brakes…rotating ..it it doing this? Or the e-cables got rusty? Cause my third member(diff) was rusted out to diff vent failure..and had it replace…
Also my gas mileage drop to 12 miles per gallon ever since this started to happen. Before was 15 miles plus.

Now before this started happening..I did try my crawl control for a down hill descent…now sure if related?
Aloha

Thanks for the explanation.

Wow, interesting. It sounds like either the mechanic left you out in the rain man, or it needs to go back for further trouble shooting till it's solved. A mechanic definitely isn't going to figure this one out in the first go unless they've heard of it before. Maybe someone on this forum can understand what's going on with your truck. I know in my case, the problem would eat at me.

If you post this as it's own problem, maybe someone can help you troubleshoot. I'd just copy paste your explanations in a new discussion directed to solving your issue. A good many of us came from Tacomas, including me.

This is the most helpful forum I've ever belonged to, someone's gotta know
Thank you for your support….I hope many others do not go thru the problems I am having…

I am sure if it is happening to me? It just maybe pop-up for others… that is how re-calls starts..first with one…then two.. or a possible solution maybe found?
All these years I purchase used 4x4s … finally Second time in my life…a brand new truck ..thinking trouble free… I spent at least 15,000 ..in aftermarket parts ,leer camper top the way I wanted, full under carriage armor , rock sliders, and still want to add more…MODS…
NOW?
Maybe I should have that 2nd hand Truck , lol. Yeah…I went to bank..for a loan ..2012 Tacoma long bed with a locker in the rear…my banker friend said hey you qualify for 2019 Tacoma..why buy used?
Yea! You have no used old mechanical problems.. today it is NEW mechanical problems..

Please anyone …HELP!
Aloha
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Thank you for your support….I hope many others do not go thru the problems I am having…

I am sure if it is happening to me? It just maybe pop-up for others… that is how re-calls starts..first with one…then two.. or a possible solution maybe found?
All these years I purchase used 4x4s … finally Second time in my life…a brand new truck ..thinking trouble free… I spent at least 15,000 ..in aftermarket parts ,leer camper top the way I wanted, full under carriage armor , rock sliders, and still want to add more…MODS…
NOW?
Maybe I should have that 2nd hand Truck , lol. Yeah…I went to bank..for a loan ..2012 Tacoma long bed with a locker in the rear…my banker friend said hey you qualify for 2019 Tacoma..why buy used?
Yea! You have no used old mechanical problems.. today it is NEW mechanical problems..

Please anyone …HELP!
Aloha
I hear you.

Like I said, look into creating a new post to solve your issue. Click on 'New' at the top and then 'Create Post' if you want anyone else to be able to hear you.

Then, try to be as clear and concise as you can.
Just saw a article about the Chicago Auto show…there was a picture of a Nissan 4x4 …5 inch Calmini lift kit with 34 inch mud tires…Awesome!
Every time I search Nissan lift kits….never notice the company “Calmini”….
I remember having a catalog ..many , many years ago…
They make some great lift kits for the smaller vehicles…. 5 inches..Nice!
Aloha
Please read the many reviews about Calmini..before buying..? For every one satisfied review…1000 is more negative reviews… not bad…? Just a guess here..on the numbers..
Maybe the longest delivery times…if you ever get them parts..according to the many buyers…
Just a opinion after reading a few reviews…Being left handed…the reviews I read may cause a negative effects..? Most reviewers are right handed…reason..?
Aloha
I don't understand your logic here??? Do you recommend Calmini parts or don't you? First you say the kits look awsome, then you complain about the parts?? And what's with the left handed or right handed comments....???? :rolleyes: 🤣
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Left hand and right was a joke, as to tame my comments.
I have to admit those trucks with the Calmini lifts looks awesome. Many years ago I did look into there lifts. Glad I stay away.
After reading the many , many negative reviews about Calmini company , I say be careful.
Read them for yourself.

Today 2022 , I have no idea if it is the same owners, or they have change? Over here on our island there was a off road shop that developed a “bad” reputation. That change with the “new” owners.

So do your own research. Follow your “ instincts!

Do I recommend Calmini? For myself, I think I will stay away from buying anything from them.
As for my logic? I know sometimes does not make sense to others? “ Please forgive me”
Aloha
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Ok..Maybe that’s why…not advertising as much..? Or not as popular…?
Pictures of the 2022 Nissan 4x4 ..with 5 inch lift and 34 inch tires using Calmini is ..Nice…
Reputations …can change? I know mines did …bad to worst..? (NOT!)…?
Aloha
They advertise plenty and are known very well throughout the Nissan off-road community. However, that reputation isn't great, probably even worse than some of the other companies that have bad reps. The problem with Calmini is that they would take your money and it was very hard to get back or get your product. They advertise deceiving lead times, having product in stock they don't have, etc. There's been issues with build quality of their products, too. At least with those other companies, you could get your money back pretty quickly if you filed a dispute. Calmini was good when it first started, but it's a bad company at best, dishonest and swindling at its worst.

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Thank you for the updates. Buyers beware!
Aloha
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