The Hidden Risks of Ordering Those “Low-Cost” Driveway Gates
Why “Factory Direct” & Budget Gates Often Cost You Double (or Worse!).
Introduction: When you see a driveway gate online for thousands less than our custom quote, it’s tempting to click “Buy.” But in the driveway gate industry, a low price tag often hides massive liabilities. Based on common industry complaints (which can be revealed by a search of the Better Business Bureau), here is what often happens after you enter your credit card number.
Risk #1: The “Freight Collect” & Shipping Nightmare
The Promise: “Free Shipping” or low flat-rate delivery. The Reality: Many budget gate companies use the cheapest possible freight carriers.
- The “Curbside” Drop: Drivers often refuse to help unload, leaving you figuring out how to unload a 600lb crate at the end of your driveway.
- Hidden Fees: Some customers report being hit with “Freight Collect” bills—meaning the shipping wasn’t actually paid, and the trucking company won’t release your gate until you pay hundreds more.
- Missing Parts: It is common for “kits” to arrive missing critical hinges, sensors, or posts. Because these companies lack real inventory systems, getting replacement parts can take months—leaving you with a pile of overpriced metal you can’t install.
Risk #2: “Rust on Arrival” (The Storage Problem)
The Promise: “Powder Coated for Durability.” The Reality: Mass-produced gates are often stacked in damp warehouses or shipping containers for months or years.
- The Defect: Customers frequently report uncrating a brand-new gate only to find bubbling paint and rust already forming at the weld points.
- The Cause: Unlike our Custom Powder Coating Process where gates are blasted and coated fresh for your order, budget gates are often coated with cheap “baking paint” that fails before it even reaches your home.
Risk #3: The “Universal Fit” Engineering Trap
The Promise: “Easy DIY Installation.” The Reality: To save money, budget gates are built to “loose” tolerances so they can be mass-assembled.
- The Issue: If a gate isn’t perfectly square (which often happens with cheap 14-gauge frames), the latches won’t align.
- The Consequence: You have to hire a local welder to cut and re-weld the “brand new” gate just to make it close.
- See why we use 7-Gauge Steel Frames to ensure your gate stays square forever.
Risk #4: The Ghost Warranty
The Promise: “5-Year Warranty” or “100% Satisfaction Guarantee.” The Reality: A warranty is only as good as the company behind it.
- The Pattern: When things go wrong (motor failure, rusting), customers often find their emails ignored and phone lines disconnected.
- The “Restocking” Trap: If you try to return a defective gate, you are often charged a 25% “restocking fee” and forced to pay return shipping (which can cost $1,000+), making a return financially impossible.
The Custom Difference: Peace of Mind
At JDR Metal Art, we don’t pull a box off a shelf.
- We Build It For You: Your gate is cut and welded after you order it.
- We Crate It Carefully: We build custom wooden crates to ensure your gate arrives in showroom condition.
- We Are Here: We are a small family business that lives by our reputation, not a call center. When you call, you talk to the people who built your gate.
Don’t gamble with your entrance. Invest in a gate that lasts. See the ROI of a True Custom Gate Here.