Pakistan Soft Top from Ehsan

[pportmd]

OK,

Here is what I will do regarding payments. I need money orders mailed to
my attention at:

Ricardo Febry
P.O. Box 751209
New Orleans, LA 70115

When I receive your payment, I will make a copy of the MO on my letterhead overlaying the MO and a receive date and amount posted and send it back to you by email as a pdf file. The database will be updated accordingly to reflect the payment.

I am looking into finding out if a 10% sur charge per order will be sufficient to cover the shipping and other potential costs in shipping to your delivery address. Will keep you posted.

Ricardo

 

[PScottBx]

OK,

Here is what I will do regarding payments. I need money orders mailed to
my attention at:

Ricardo Febry
P.O. Box 751209
New Orleans, LA 70115

When I receive your payment, I will make a copy of the MO on my letterhead overlaying the MO and a receive date and amount posted and send it back to you by email as a pdf file. The database will be updated accordingly to reflect the payment.

I am looking into finding out if a 10% sur charge per order will be sufficient to cover the shipping and other potential costs in shipping to your delivery address. Will keep you posted.

Ricardo

I'll do WHATEVER makes it easier on you and whatever you prefer...

Having said that, is paypal out of the question???



Scott

 

[PScottBx]

Procrastinator!!

True dat!

 

[PScottBx]

...5) Pay, money order only ...

Sorry, just reading this.

Scott

 

[pportmd]

Final bills were emailed to the 13 registered buyers today. Payments by money order only are due June 15th in my hands, so mailing deadline should be ~3 days prior at least.

In the bills I included a 16.5% estimated cost of shipping from Pakistan to USA and added that to the order value. Let me know if there are any questions.

Ehsan is eager to get going and has stated an intent to process our order promptly, but I need to have the money from everyone first before I can wire him payments.


Thanks,
Ricardo

 

[honk]

FWIW, I have two of Ehsan's tops in vinyl, one of which I've used to replace the somewhat ragged original canvas top of my 1977 BJ40 FST. The vinyl has texture that makes it very difficult to tell the two tops apart, and the two layers of the vinyl top do quiet the ride and reduce the drumming that was common with the original top. In addition, the original canvas smelled kinda' bad when wet. All in all, I think the vinyl is a better top.

The vinyl top did install over the original factory bows. It was a bitch to get it stretched on to my satisfaction, in fact, the double layer of the material probably is the reason for that. This picture was taken before I had gotten the top completely stretched on but needed to use the vehicle to manuever the trailer (with the wet ground my truck couldn't keep enough traction to turn the trailer around).

Another factor in favor of vinyl is that Eastwood (?) has vinyl recolor sprays that can renew or recolor any color of vinyl. I have a white top from Ehsan that I got for an order of a grey top. After a lot of BS I decided to try to recolor the thing because the intended truck is white. I have a sample piece that's been outside through freezing, snow, lots of rain, 95 degree temps - all weather and the grey I sprayed it hasn't changed or degraded one bit. When I have the truck running again I'll get busy with the top spraying it completely the grey I wanted. Might be sorta' neat to leave the inside white.

One thing to be aware of - unless there's been a change, the buckles and "d" loops provided are pretty shoddy. I bought the top shown from another mud member who had been in the same group order I was and had installed his top in Iowa. All of the buckles and rings were completely rusted and I bought all new chrome over brass ones from Tandy leather. My wife and I spent a day or two replacing every piece on the top and scrubbing out the rust stains. All told I think I spent about $100. for the new hardware. This picture is the buckles and stuff I removed from the top I bought used.

Something else to consider: these factory type tops, whether original or from Ehsan, are something that I don't think Toyota intended to be removable. They were just a less expensive body style than the hardtop. Although I love the look for sure, I'm not so sure that if I had it to do over I wouldn't rather have a top that is easier to put up and down or take off completely. Something like those ones that snap down. I hear they're more trouble but taking off a factory softtop is more involved and timeconsuming than removing a factory hardtop. Just my opinion and observation.

 

[ehsankiani]

FWIW, I have two of Ehsan's tops in vinyl, one of which I've used to replace the somewhat ragged original canvas top of my 1977 BJ40 FST. The vinyl has texture that makes it very difficult to tell the two tops apart, and the two layers of the vinyl top do quiet the ride and reduce the drumming that was common with the original top. In addition, the original canvas smelled kinda' bad when wet. All in all, I think the vinyl is a better top.

The vinyl top did install over the original factory bows. It was a bitch to get it stretched on to my satisfaction, in fact, the double layer of the material probably is the reason for that. This picture was taken before I had gotten the top completely stretched on but needed to use the vehicle to manuever the trailer (with the wet ground my truck couldn't keep enough traction to turn the trailer around).

Another factor in favor of vinyl is that Eastwood (?) has vinyl recolor sprays that can renew or recolor any color of vinyl. I have a white top from Ehsan that I got for an order of a grey top. After a lot of BS I decided to try to recolor the thing because the intended truck is white. I have a sample piece that's been outside through freezing, snow, lots of rain, 95 degree temps - all weather and the grey I sprayed it hasn't changed or degraded one bit. When I have the truck running again I'll get busy with the top spraying it completely the grey I wanted. Might be sorta' neat to leave the inside white.

One thing to be aware of - unless there's been a change, the buckles and "d" loops provided are pretty shoddy. I bought the top shown from another mud member who had been in the same group order I was and had installed his top in Iowa. All of the buckles and rings were completely rusted and I bought all new chrome over brass ones from Tandy leather. My wife and I spent a day or two replacing every piece on the top and scrubbing out the rust stains. All told I think I spent about $100. for the new hardware. This picture is the buckles and stuff I removed from the top I bought used.

Something else to consider: these factory type tops, whether original or from Ehsan, are something that I don't think Toyota intended to be removable. They were just a less expensive body style than the hardtop. Although I love the look for sure, I'm not so sure that if I had it to do over I wouldn't rather have a top that is easier to put up and down or take off completely. Something like those ones that snap down. I hear they're more trouble but taking off a factory softtop is more involved and timeconsuming than removing a factory hardtop. Just my opinion and observation.

Thank you for the explanation and the nice words and the pics. The buckles have since been replaced with better quality chrome ones.
Ehsan

 

[aandylvy]

Yes I would like in on the soft top order. What do I do next?

 

[PScottBx]

i am sorry i did not have time to go thru this post in detail like to get canvas or vinyl for my 45 probably vinyl as i may be moving to washington soon pls let me know thanks mudders for putting this order

Short version:

Hit this link: https://global-ims.webexone.com/login.asp?loc=&link=/default.asp? Enter as guest.

Yes I would like in on the soft top order. What do I do next?

Click on the link and get started.




Bx

 

[kraeji]

ehsan in what condition do the hard half doors come in? with primer ready to be painted?

 

[83white]

Sorry, i am just having a hard time with the database setup.....I want a black top Full setup) with the rear winow option. I am in the setup as boulderites@gmail.com....just not sure what the hell to do....sorry.

 

[pportmd]

Sorry, i am just having a hard time with the database setup.....I want a black top Full setup) with the rear winow option. I am in the setup as boulderites@gmail.com....just not sure what the hell to do....sorry.

You have to log the order yourself the first time. Here is a repeat of the instructions:

Ricardo
*******************
To access intranet database go to www.global-ims.intranets.com and enter the site using the "Enter as a Guest" link located to the mid-lower left of the login page. This is a walk-through:

Inside the Home Page you will see a charcoal gray bar acrross the top with the following link-active labels:

1. PAKISTANI SOFT TOP BUYER REGISTRY|2. EHSAN'S PART INC CATALOG|3. ORDER TOOL|4. SOFT TOP INSTALLATION

Follow the links in sequence.

Step1: Register-->The buyer registry contains your names, email addresses, IH8MUD names, and vehicle data only. That means your email address is the only form of contact, so if you change address after you pay for your order, please let me know. To add your name click on the "NEW" button in the registry, complete the froms and "SAVE".

Step2: Ehsan's PART INC CATALOG was redesigned with a link in each record that opens to a complete description of each part with photos where available. Review the catalog to know what you want to order in step3. Each entry in the catalog has a link to a more complete description with a photo(s) of the part.

Step3: The ORDER TOOL builds orders by linking the buyer's name and part lists so that each buyer can now add more than one item to their order. Click on the "NEW" button for EACH ITEM ORDERED, and fill out the form(s) by selecting your name and the part name from the respective drop down menus, then "SAVE". The tool calculates the total price when more than one item have been ordered by entering his/her first or last name in the [SEARCH] box above the list of items. The prices listed include a current, unofficial estimate of 16.5% in international shipping charges, but no taxes, or any other costs incurred in the processing and delivery of items to their final destination. Please take a moment to check the total price of your parts once over.

A link to Ehsan's SOFT TOP INSTALLATION site follows for reference purposes only, with pictures on how the tops are made and installed.

Hope this helps,
Ricardo

 

[pportmd]

I would be interested in a top as well:

I have a 74 FJ40 Hardtop so I would need the top & all hardware..
I would like it in Olive (if possible) & canvas..

Just FYI: I'm in Northern New Jersey, which may be close to some East Coast (USA) ports.. If necessary, I can help w/distribution once the tops, etc arrive from Pakistan.

Does anyone know waht happened to 2/40's? Hi signed up for an order but has failed to respond to any of my follow-up emails to confirm his order.

2/40's, if your read this please respond by tomorrow, yeah or neah, if you are going forward with the order. I am closing the group order tomorrow to new buyers and old ones not responding (...you!) to confirm their order. BTW, hope you are well and less important reasons are keeping you silent.

Ricardo

 

[ehsankiani]

ehsan in what condition do the hard half doors come in? with primer ready to be painted?

That is right. Primered and ready to paint.
Ehsan

 

[pportmd]

Got some last minute buyers on whom I am waiting for confirmation of their orders.

Deadline for me to recieve payment is June 15th, so allow a few days in advance for slow mail to deliver!

I will be accepting payment only in cashier's check or money orders please. I do not have time to deposit personal checks and wait for them to clear, then chase after you if it doesn't to recover the insufficient-funds fee my bank would charge me. Plus, it would not be fair to the others to have to wait. I am trying to beat the 6-month wait with increased eficiency and I think Ehsan recognizes the long turnover time has been an issue with many buyers in the past.

The money I received will be kept in escrow and will not be refunded once I release the group order to Ehsan and he begins to work on it. This is to protect Ehsan from doing work and not getting paid. I am acting as an escrow agent for both sides and Ehsan has been gracious enough to accept my terms as escrow agent as follows:

Step 1: I will wire Ehsan 55% of the order value up front to begin production.

Step 2: Ehsan will update us periodically with his progress by way of this thread, including pictures as needed.

Step 3: Once production of our order is completed and in crates ready to be delivered to shipping agent, Ehsan will notify us (or me) to release the other 45% plus the cost of shipping. I will then wire this balance.

Step 4: Ehsan will verify he has been paid in full and he will then release package to shipping company under my name and provide the details necessary to track the package during its vogage to the USA.

Point of information: We have 11 confirmed orders (& 2 pending confirmation) for a complete soft top kit. Ehsan has advertised in previous postings that 5 or more complete kits in a group order would result in a discount per kit of $50 (i.e., $650 per kit). I intend to collect the full amount ($700) to keep my bookeeping simple using the calculated totals in the database records. What I will do is give each buyer of a complete soft top kit a $50 credit towards any additional cost of storing, parting out, repackaging and shipping to your addresses from my zip code.

There is no way I can predict what US customs will require in fees, if any, to release the package, or if I will have to secure a broker to accomplish that, or if I will have to pay storage fees. If so, these expenses will be passed on to you pro-rated to your share of the total cost of the order. Payment will be due to me before I ship the items to you.

Once I have the shipment in my possesion, part it out and get quotes from UPS to ship to you, I will let you know how much will be due from you to cover these additional costs as well. You will have 14 days to send me a M.O. or cashiers check for any such additional costs.

Failure to provide full payment of your share of the cost of this transaction will result in seizure of the goods you ordered, which will then be sold on Ebay to the highest bidder. I may refund you whatever is left from such sale after I recover the expenses incurred because of your failure to keep your end of the deal, or I may exercise the option to charge you an "aggravation" fee if you end up deserving one.

Some have asked for my physical address to feel secure about sending payment to a P.O. Box. I am in the phone book in New Orleans and my 24/7 answering service is 504-456-9199. You can text message me as well using the internet <http://www.usamobility.com/send_a_message/index.html> or your cell phone and the following beeper #: 504-668-1899

Don't page me after 9PM Central Time, my dogs hate it and start barking, I will be awaken, and you will be unknowingly making contributions to that "aggravation" fee I was talking about :>)

Anyway, Ehsan, please weigh in if you read this and confirm for the rest of the group that I have described accurately what you and I have agreed to on behalf of this purchasing group.

Ricardo

 

[67azcruizr]

bump

 

[pportmd]

[For Sale Pakistan top lastest material, TAN

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have a gentleman that bought a top from Ehsan in our group that no longer owns a fj40. He asked if I could sell it for him instead of me shipping out to him. Its tan and will fit a 1974 and older. let me know if anyone is interested. He wants to cover over all cost: $900.00. You pay for shipping.]

The above is in the following thread, https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=159393&highlight=ehsan and should give you a rough idea of the total cost involved to have the top delivered.

I am checking my P.O. Box tomorrow for any payments mailed already. Deadline is the 15th to keep momentum going with the group order.

[Bump]

Not sure what that means. If my previous post sounded too harsh chuck it to been up late at night and tired. If anyone has any questions please post on thread for everyone else to benefit. One question I received had to do with wiring money directly to my bank account, which I do not accept in order to keep my account info protected.

I hope Ehsan can confirm on this thread soon what we agreed to regarding payment. Accidental lapses in communicating around the world is what justifies the use of a partial payment/escrow system, in my opinion at least.

Point of clarification: if you withdraw your order prior to my paying Ehsan any of your money I will be happy to return your funds, but otherwise it's between you and Ehsan to resolve any requests for refunds once funds are transferred and he begins work on the basis of the downpayment of 55%. I am committed to paying him the full amount when the tops are ready for shipment once he begins work.

One last comment, if you are discouraged by sending your payment to a P.O. Box #, here is my contact info in full detail:

Ricardo
(info edited out 6-18-07 for security after finding it on a yahoo search engine query)

 

[1973Guppie]

I hate to do this but........

I don't want to see anyone get ripped off here, pportmd has 48 posts, joined in April of 2007 to mud and everyone is sending money orders and cashier's checks to this guy, to a P.O. Box! Are the money orders made out to him or to Ehsan? Ehsan do you vouch for this guy? What happens if nobody hears from him again?

Maybe I am being too leery but this would be a situation in which I would be cautious.

Please also, don't flame me, maybe all is good and all intentions are good. Just thought I would raise my concerns here. If I am incorrect, I do apologize. This is not meant to bash anyone, especially Ricardo, but yet to raise awareness of what could happen. Again, just want fellow mudders not to get burned and to think this through completely before acting.

Best Wishes,

Noah

 

[pportmd]

I hate to do this but........

I don't want to see anyone get ripped off here, pportmd has 48 posts, joined in April of 2007 to mud and everyone is sending money orders and cashier's checks to this guy, to a P.O. Box! Are the money orders made out to him or to Ehsan? Ehsan do you vouch for this guy? What happens if nobody hears from him again?

Maybe I am being too leery but this would be a situation in which I would be cautious.

Please also, don't flame me, maybe all is good and all intentions are good. Just thought I would raise my concerns here. If I am incorrect, I do apologize. This is not meant to bash anyone, especially Ricardo, but yet to raise awareness of what could happen. Again, just want fellow mudders not to get burned and to think this through completely before acting.

Best Wishes,

Noah

You can always Earth-Google my home address and drop me a bomb!

Seriously, you are right Guppie, abundance of cautiosness is welcomed. Your posting probably crossed with mine 1-2minutes earlier containing all of my contact information in detail. No body wants to be left holding the bag, including me. Below are yahoo and google searches on my name. Trust me, this has already consumed a LOT more time than I ever wanted to spend on this, but I have enjoyed the project, particularly devising a the database to organize Ehsan's products and bring him together with buyer's groups.

http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=ricardo+febry&fr=yfp-t-465&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8

http://www.google.com/search?source...rls=GGLR,GGLR:2005-51,GGLR:en&q=ricardo+febry

Ricardo

 

[1973Guppie]

cool, thanks Ricardo, just playing "the devil's advocate", no disrespect meant, it is a shame that we have to be so cautious in this world today, best of luck to everyone!

Noah