U.S soft top possibility version 2 east coast
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Travis and Scott,
See what I mean, as the fellas say "you got people backing you baby". Hang in there and let me know what you need.
John
See what I mean, as the fellas say "you got people backing you baby". Hang in there and let me know what you need.
John
Maybe if you let the people that expressed an interest in them know that you have them for sale, you could sell more of them.
Why did you keep it a secret from the undisputed #1 Land Cruiser community?
This gets stranger by the post.
Why did you keep it a secret from the undisputed #1 Land Cruiser community?
This gets stranger by the post.
Because I'm a business man and have a little business savvy I know to test the market and demand more than one way, unfortunately the first time went like this second time. If only a few are willing to make this purchase at $300-$400, I have a very small chance at selling them at a price that's fair to me and the consumer.
Pick a style/fabric etc and quote a price and we'll go from there (the survey says the 7 window style wins). Keep it simple to start, don't try to offer all window combos right away if you can crank out a single style more economically... The price needs to be fair to you of course. As someone said maybe a "group buy" situation to get this rolling and to keep the price DOWN due to an upfront number of sales while keeping your net UP.
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cruiser_guy
Out of Africa / North Africa
Unfortunately that tends to be the way things are. Everyone wants one until it's time to part with cash, at that time the excuses come.
Your business savvy told you that you should keep the fact that your product was available a secret from the people that are most likely to buy them? I bet most of the people on Mud looking for a top right now had no idea they were on ebay until after the sale.
But, more importantly, who said $400 was fair??? Maybe what's fair for the consumer, and worthy of your time is $1,000.
The average Land Cruiser enthusiast has thousands of dollars worth of expendable income invested, and they are not looking for the cheapest option. They are looking for the best option.
If we just wanted a cheap 4x4, we'd buy jeeps, and be thrilled about the quality of bestop.
We want old-school, heavy-duty quality, and we're willing to pay a premium for it.
Now, just like it's not fair for you to assume that the average Cruiser owner looking for factory-style soft top is only willing to pay $400 for a quality reproduction, it's not fair for me to assume that I know what you think a "few" means.
So rather than giving up on the idea, why don't you take this poll one step further. According to your results, the 7 window version was the winner. 85 people said 7 windows : split side windows, 3 back windows...
Why don't you start another poll and ask what people would be willing to pay for a top-quality black 7 window version made in the USA from PREMIUM materials? Give us options that make sense for you. I might suggest $400, $600, $800, and $1,000.
Then, Assuming 80% of those people wouldn't actually pony up and buy one, tell us what you are willing to produce them for.
This is an easy crowd. We understand that quality does not come cheap. Tell us what works for you. Base it on your worst case scenario (producing 1 or 2 at a time).
keep it simple(black),start small(one certain window setup), advertise here on mud,take order,maybe receive a down payment for materials(at a list price)-so your not out your a$$ on that.make the top receive 2nd payment.build your rep.i(as do others here) definately see the quality-and craftsmanship in these tops,and would pay as much if not more for your usa made top than a pak top going for 800-1200(bows included). group buys are good if both parties can agree on all variables(colors,windows,prices)your not selling a shift knob that comes in black and can be mass produced for .25cents.this is a quality custom handmade soft top,that the customer has an input on.That means everything to someone that would sacrifice their rt nut for their truck. I was considering buying a bestop after i read that you had gotten sick.i coulnt drag my self to buy a top that made my fj look like jeep mall cruiser.im very glad to know your attempting this.dont give up.talent in a bare market.good luck and ill be sure to harrass you for my top when the time comes
...and if there isn't much interest, why are there 590 posts and 32,922 views on this thread?
I was one of your potential customers when this project first took flight. I was bummed when I heard the news of it not unfolding the way you initially had planned for it.
Having said that I don't believe that your past e-bay sale reflects the possibilities here.
I would have paid $600 if the black top had the window configuration that the white one had.
My point being, I think you could still proceed with this venture and profit from it even without the market of the bows(yet). You just have to offer people the ability to choose the right color and window configuration that's right for them. Hell people are waiting up to a year to buy something non-USA. Take orders like you did the first time around and give them a reasonable time frame and start by making tops that you've received deposits for.
It seemed to work the first time you gave it a go?
Having said that I don't believe that your past e-bay sale reflects the possibilities here.
I would have paid $600 if the black top had the window configuration that the white one had.
My point being, I think you could still proceed with this venture and profit from it even without the market of the bows(yet). You just have to offer people the ability to choose the right color and window configuration that's right for them. Hell people are waiting up to a year to buy something non-USA. Take orders like you did the first time around and give them a reasonable time frame and start by making tops that you've received deposits for.
It seemed to work the first time you gave it a go?
X2 on what 67azcruizr said. I looked at the top on E-bay and would have bought it quick if it was a 7 window. The color and price was right. I really want the 7 window and I knew that I would always regret settling for a 3 window. Good luck and try black again with 7 windows and I know that it will sell because I will be bidding on it. I set Ocdbeetle a PM awhile ago discussing that same top. Please don't give up.
I didn't mention it in the last post but 3 window looks to Heepish for my taste. 7 window just looks like it belongs on a LC to me. Just my .02.
QUOTE=73fj40lc;4612059]X2 on what 67azcruizr said. I looked at the top on E-bay and would have bought it quick if it was a 7 window. The color and price was right. I really want the 7 window and I knew that I would always regret settling for a 3 window. Good luck and try black again with 7 windows and I know that it will sell because I will be bidding on it. I set Ocdbeetle a PM awhile ago discussing that same top. Please don't give up.[/QUOTE]
QUOTE=73fj40lc;4612059]X2 on what 67azcruizr said. I looked at the top on E-bay and would have bought it quick if it was a 7 window. The color and price was right. I really want the 7 window and I knew that I would always regret settling for a 3 window. Good luck and try black again with 7 windows and I know that it will sell because I will be bidding on it. I set Ocdbeetle a PM awhile ago discussing that same top. Please don't give up.
[/QUOTE]
Please dont give up.... I dont know why you did not post on mud you had these for sale... no one was for sure it was you guys selling them!!!! why not just make to order these things!!! you already have the pattern...
I understand why he didn't alert MUD to the auction.
He needs to figure out the overall market for his tops. He already knows what the market is from MUD people. Now he needs to figure out what other potential demand there is exclusive of MUD people. The only way to do that is to not tell the MUD people about the auction and hope that only "new" customers see and bid on the tops. Then he can figure out what the total overall demand would be (MUD + rest of the world).
He needs to figure out the overall market for his tops. He already knows what the market is from MUD people. Now he needs to figure out what other potential demand there is exclusive of MUD people. The only way to do that is to not tell the MUD people about the auction and hope that only "new" customers see and bid on the tops. Then he can figure out what the total overall demand would be (MUD + rest of the world).
I don't know...I find all this poor business odd, and frankly too bad 
Whatever WE think he was thinking... whatever he WAS thinking for that matter, doesn't mean much to this discussion. Let's move on...
I for one would like to be able to buy a quality made Sunbrella fabric OEM style soft top at a reasonable price... I can go to a boat place here on LI and get a one-off made for $1200-ish so that's not gonna help me... $500? If I has seen the one on ebay and had known it's origin I would have purchased it (well I'm not really looking for black or white I don't think... but the price was certainly right!)
If the "group buy" was 10 units at $500 each (including extra fabric for the OEM soft doors?) (paid 50% in advance, 50% prior to delivery) in a single attachment style & window pattern would that get this going?
I for one would like to be able to buy a quality made Sunbrella fabric OEM style soft top at a reasonable price... I can go to a boat place here on LI and get a one-off made for $1200-ish so that's not gonna help me... $500? If I has seen the one on ebay and had known it's origin I would have purchased it (well I'm not really looking for black or white I don't think... but the price was certainly right!)
If the "group buy" was 10 units at $500 each (including extra fabric for the OEM soft doors?) (paid 50% in advance, 50% prior to delivery) in a single attachment style & window pattern would that get this going?
Mark, If this is the one that did not fit your truck properly that Rick did not want back I would be happy to buy it from you for $50
Mark, If this is the one that did not fit your truck properly that Rick did not want back I would be happy to buy it from you for $50
Who has been paying attention to the goings on here on mud.... YOU HAVE!
I DO have one that fits a little less-well than the other and I MAY be selling it - once the 40 is back together and I can test fit the 2 tops.... until then I'm holding on to both.
FishNinJay
SILVER Star
Makes sense.. ok, I'm finally subscribing and getting in line for one of these sweet tops!
It's interesting how things seem to go differently on MUD vs eBay. I've been surfing ebay for FJ40s for several years, and my impression is that they tend to go for higher $$$ on ebay, because of the whole auction-excitement-impulse environment. But here on MUD, the base of knowledge is much higher, and they probably sell much closer to their true value, or pehaps less with the "MUD discount". Conversely, these high quality repro tops.. I can see them going for less on ebay than on MUD. I think MUDders have an appreciation for the quality, and turbulent history of soft-tops here in the US, and the bow production issues, purist vs bestop, etc.. so they recognize and are willing to pay premium $$$ here on MUD. Sorry for my semi-OT newbie musings...
Please put me down for a complete set..
7-windows, bows, hardware for a 1971 FJ40:
I think BLACK? What other colors are available? Is there a dark grey? Back in the original ordering posts, there was a light grey. Any color suggestions? Even if bows aren't yet available, I will buy the soft-top anyways, and wait to find appropriate bows. Any hints on getting bows?
Please email me: arcallc(AT)gmail(DOT)com
THANKS!!
cruiser_guy
Out of Africa / North Africa
We're working on bows here https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/293147-reproduction-oem-soft-top-bows.html
I have a lead that has 50 sets made already. He's pricing out the necessary brackets and once we have that info then we'll have 50 sets of bows available for sale.
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