Cliffside sails

[SailingLoto]

Has anyone dealt with Cliffside Sails? I ordered a mainsail from them right after the first of the years. I've paid half down, but can't seem to get a date for the arrival, where it is in production, etc. I'm hoping others have had better experiences.

 

[SailingLoto]

No one? That's confidence inspiring.

 

[jssailem]

Ok, I hate it when no one responds.

I went online and found a Hong Kong based manufacturer of sails named Cliffside Sails.

Their website was basic. The impression was “we will sew a sail you design”.

Without any experience with a shop like this I would not use it.

They could be excellent like an Savile Row tailor cutting and sewing a suit of sails to last a lifetime. Or your money just lost. International purchases can be complicated for the uninitiated buyer. It is not like an Amazon online order. There is customs and taxes to manage when having things shipped from Southeast Asia.

The no contracts statement was a red flag for me. Everything is contract managed in International Trade.

Let me know your thoughts.

 

[FastOlson]

Admittedly having Zip experience with the named vendor, I can say that back when I was rep-ing for a national sail maker I learned a bit of sail making trivia. Also have a friend that was selling sails (two decades) for a decent sail maker out of Hong Kong. He put a lot of time into customer advice and support, and the sails were quality dacron, and were indeed a little less expensive than the big sailmakers.

But, doing business with an unknown company via the internet nowadays is pretty much like answering a one-column-inch ad in a 1950 issue of Popular Mechanics, to acquire a perpetual motion machine. Actually, those ads were likely more honest, since the US Postal Inspectors would go after the advertiser for failing to provide the product. Buying stuff via the 'net is often a lot sketchier.

Far better to just deal with a local sailmaker. Or a national brand with a local shop.
The OP may have just paid some tuition into the 'school of hard knocks', as have we all done.... from time to time...

 

[SailingLoto]

Admittedly having Zip experience with the named vendor, I can say that back when I was rep-ing for a national sail maker I learned a bit of sail making trivia. Also have a friend that was selling sails (two decades) for a decent sail maker out of Hong Kong. He put a lot of time into customer advice and support, and the sails were quality dacron, and were indeed a little less expensive than the big sailmakers.

But, doing business with an unknown company via the internet nowadays is pretty much like answering a one-column-inch ad in a 1950 issue of Popular Mechanics, to acquire a perpetual motion machine. Actually, those ads were likely more honest, since the US Postal Inspectors would go after the advertiser for failing to provide the product. Buying stuff via the 'net is often a lot sketchier.

Far better to just deal with a local sailmaker. Or a national brand with a local shop.
The OP may have just paid some tuition into the 'school of hard knocks', as have we all done.... from time to time...

I am afraid you might be right. They took my 25% deposit. I sent in measurements they asked for. They sent me back plans for the sails to approve. I approved them and sent another 25% as the asked. Communication has been lacking since then.

The salesman I'm dealing with has been in touch with me since 2022 trying to sell me sails, sending me promotions, etc.

It all seems legit, until the conversation stopped.

 

[garymalmgren]

Do write it off just yet.
When did you last hear from them?
They must have given you an estimated delivery date when you contracted. When was that?

As you might have noticed , the international trading system is undergoing,,,,err, I guess review is the word.
Your delivery could just be held up.
As for communication, get onto them everyday!
Get yourself noticed.
I dealt with Far East Sails and had great communication and was very satisfied, so there is hope.

Gary

 

[garymalmgren]

I just sent an email to Cliffside sails giving a link to this page.
Let's see what happens.

 

[garymalmgren]

Immediate reply!
Off you go SailingLOTO

 

[garymalmgren]

Latest

 

[Will Gilmore]

I think I found Richard. He seems legit.
https://hk.linkedin.com/in/richardrbulgin
https://www.cliffsidesails.com/our-team
Cliffside Sails

They are certainly not hard to find on the WWW.

-Chill Will

 

[DirectSails]

Hi

This is Richard, the owner of Direct-Sails.com (Cliffside Sails Limited). I can't tell by your user name which order is yours as we are currently making quite a few Catalina 25 sails. I am not sure which address or contact you have been emailing but I can only apologise for the breakdown in communication.

If you can send me an email to Richard@direct-sails.com I will gladly give you an update and if your sail is not ready I will be able to get it expedited.

Thanks

Richard

 

[Will Gilmore]

I'm in Java, Indonesia right now. Our expected flight home has a short layover in Hong Kong. However, my wife fell through a rotten board on a dock on Karimunjawa. The bruising has gone up her leg and has swollen to much bigger than her other leg. We are convalescing in Solo, until she feels safe to sit still in an airplane seat for 24 hours. So, I don't know how much longer we will be before flying home.

-Chill Will

 

[DirectSails]

I think I found Richard. He seems legit.
https://hk.linkedin.com/in/richardrbulgin
https://www.cliffsidesails.com/our-team
Cliffside Sails
View attachment 230618
View attachment 230619
They are certainly not hard to find on the WWW.

-Will

Oh wow that's quite the vintage picture you have found there! To be clear our website for boat owners is www.direct-sails.com rather than www.cliffsidesails.com - which is the site we manufacture white label sails for other sailmakers.

 

[Will Gilmore]

Hi

This is Richard, the owner of Direct-Sails.com (Cliffside Sails Limited). I can't tell by your user name which order is yours as we are currently making quite a few Catalina 25 sails. I am not sure which address or contact you have been emailing but I can only apologise for the breakdown in communication.

If you can send me an email to Richard@direct-sails.com I will gladly give you an update and if your sail is not ready I will be able to get it expedited.

Thanks

Richard

Welcome to our sailing forum. As you can see in my post above, I have seen some of your Web site and LinkedIn posts. Your joining us just to answer a customer's concerns, shows a commendable amount of integrity. However, I hope you find our sailing community worthy enough that you stick around beyond addressing a customer service event. We are all just here for the love of sailing.

-Chill Will

 

[DirectSails]

Hi Will

As a boat owner myself (Rising Sun - Dufour 38 Classic) I am sure I will also find a lot of valuable information here as well. It's all about the love of sailing! Its great to join the community

 

[DirectSails]

Has anyone dealt with Cliffside Sails? I ordered a mainsail from them right after the first of the years. I've paid half down, but can't seem to get a date for the arrival, where it is in production, etc. I'm hoping others have had better experiences.

HI Sailing Loto, I still have not heard form you - please do either message me here privately with your details or email Richard@direct-sails.com so I can give you an update

 

[SailingLoto]

Thank you everyone! Contact has been made! All is good!

 

[twodzusfittings]

@SailingLoto A meeting of all the folks that were involved in helping you connect with your sail maker should be set up and I believe you owe them all Beers!!!!!! and then some more