JohnnyC
Long ago TLCA# 2231
exactly that...I havent heard from either softtopguy or highland ...i have tried to pm and email both...no responce...if anybody has spoken to them...please email me thru my member area...thanks
U.S soft top possibility version 2 east coast (2 Viewers)
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exactly that...I havent heard from either softtopguy or highland ...i have tried to pm and email both...no responce...if anybody has spoken to them...please email me thru my member area...thanks
I truly hope that the health problems are not as serious as they may seem by his/their lack of participation in this forum. I believe I speak for all of us when I say, there are many things more important than a soft top for a 40. No matter how bad we all wanted one.
I wish a speedy recovery to those who may be suffering.
I wish a speedy recovery to those who may be suffering.
First off, as far as I know, all of the money fronted and parts borrowed, were returned.....which is VERY admirable of them.
The rest of this is just theory on my part and I'm not wanting to bad mouth anyone....so this is just my opinion.
I spoke with the guy making these right when all of this was coming to a head and it sounded like it was more of a labor problem (maybe their health was the issue?). Apparently, there was one person that could make them (or had the time) and he (the owner) was having problems with finding enough labor to get them done. I wound up lending them my bows for longer than I really felt comfortable with just to try to get this project to happen. Between the difficulty of getting the bows reproduced, and what I would guess was a lack of profit to make the tops, it got back burnered and eventually shelved. Let's face it, the reason Ehsan is the only one that has been able to reproduce these is that he has skilled labor and lower costs than anyone else. Time + labor - costs = profit....and profit is what brings product to market and keeps it there. If there was good money in it for softtopguy and his brother, this project would have resurfaced by now. People just can't turn away good money, and especially with today's scarce economy.
Like I said, I think the guys involved with this did the right thing by returning everyone's stuff. I'm sure quite a few people in the world, would have just taken the money and run, but they had the good morals not to do so. I think they just got in over their heads, and shut it down before it drowned them.
The rest of this is just theory on my part and I'm not wanting to bad mouth anyone....so this is just my opinion.
I spoke with the guy making these right when all of this was coming to a head and it sounded like it was more of a labor problem (maybe their health was the issue?). Apparently, there was one person that could make them (or had the time) and he (the owner) was having problems with finding enough labor to get them done. I wound up lending them my bows for longer than I really felt comfortable with just to try to get this project to happen. Between the difficulty of getting the bows reproduced, and what I would guess was a lack of profit to make the tops, it got back burnered and eventually shelved. Let's face it, the reason Ehsan is the only one that has been able to reproduce these is that he has skilled labor and lower costs than anyone else. Time + labor - costs = profit....and profit is what brings product to market and keeps it there. If there was good money in it for softtopguy and his brother, this project would have resurfaced by now. People just can't turn away good money, and especially with today's scarce economy.
Like I said, I think the guys involved with this did the right thing by returning everyone's stuff. I'm sure quite a few people in the world, would have just taken the money and run, but they had the good morals not to do so. I think they just got in over their heads, and shut it down before it drowned them.
Seems very logical. Thanks for you thoughts.
i still think its the curse of the soft top.. my .02
JohnnyC
Long ago TLCA# 2231
- Thread starter
- #487
Just wanted to check in and say hello. I apologize for the long absence! And to those that have e-mailed/PM'd that I haven't been able to respond to. I'm back online!
Thank you guys for all of the kind words, thoughts, and prayers! Softtopguy is doing well now.
Yes, there had been a labor shortage that was the initial reason for not taking on more orders.... But Travis' health is was what caused him to have to cancel orders, and consider not continuing with this project [as well as making some other sacrifices].
We've both had additional reasons to really need to concentrate on family in recent months. [A death in the family for starters]
Anyway, I'm happy to report that Softtopguy let me know that he'd be interested in giving this a go again in the very near future. He's actually in the process of relocating to Tennessee, and will take a bit of time to set up shop. But we'll keep you updated. I expect that he should be in an even better position to manufacture these tops than he had been previously.
Also, since the beginning of this project, I've really made an effort to keep everyone updated on our status, while not getting anyones hopes up prematurely. I apologize for any inconvenience this delay has caused. I've had nothing but the best of intentions with this, and strive to give you a realistic idea of what we're able to do.
I'll be around.
Scott
[I didn't hear the fat lady sing?] 
Thank you guys for all of the kind words, thoughts, and prayers! Softtopguy is doing well now.
Yes, there had been a labor shortage that was the initial reason for not taking on more orders.... But Travis' health is was what caused him to have to cancel orders, and consider not continuing with this project [as well as making some other sacrifices].
We've both had additional reasons to really need to concentrate on family in recent months. [A death in the family for starters]
Anyway, I'm happy to report that Softtopguy let me know that he'd be interested in giving this a go again in the very near future. He's actually in the process of relocating to Tennessee, and will take a bit of time to set up shop. But we'll keep you updated. I expect that he should be in an even better position to manufacture these tops than he had been previously.
Also, since the beginning of this project, I've really made an effort to keep everyone updated on our status, while not getting anyones hopes up prematurely. I apologize for any inconvenience this delay has caused. I've had nothing but the best of intentions with this, and strive to give you a realistic idea of what we're able to do.
I'll be around.
Scott[I didn't hear the fat lady sing?
]
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Good the hear things are better with you guys. Once he get's settled perhaps a much simpler project like trail covers would be a good start. https://forum.ih8mud.com/chit-chat-section/168762-another-trail-cover-design.html
- Thread starter
- #489
Absolutely. We've had lots of interest in trail covers. I know Softtopguy has been interested in making products in addition to OEM soft tops.
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Good to hear from you Scott, sorry to hear about your loss. Dealt with a similiar situation first of the year, not ever easy to deal with. Also glad to hear Travis is doing much better. As my original efforts where there I will continue to lend a hand if at all needed. Check in over on the ONSC board when you get a chance.
Take Care
Take Care
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- #491
Thanks Greg. Will do. 
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Scott,
Great to hear from you and I'm really glad to hear that Travis is better and getting back on his feet in every sense. As you know I was one of the guys who was in with you on the first orders as I believed in you guys and your product, I still do. Just let me know when everything is settled and ready to go and count on my business again. I hope that your wife and now not so little one are doing well also. Maybe we can get together again for chow next time I'm back in the Warrenton area.
John
Great to hear from you and I'm really glad to hear that Travis is better and getting back on his feet in every sense. As you know I was one of the guys who was in with you on the first orders as I believed in you guys and your product, I still do. Just let me know when everything is settled and ready to go and count on my business again. I hope that your wife and now not so little one are doing well also. Maybe we can get together again for chow next time I'm back in the Warrenton area.
John
- Thread starter
- #493
Sounds great John! Give me a shout when you're in the area.
THis is great news!!!! glad to hear both everyone is doing better and the tops!!! put me in line.... I am in!!
Coolio
Hey guys put me in line as well.
Alex
Hey guys put me in line as well.
Alex
I'm in the market for a top as well... and glad to hear things are looking up for you guys.
Hey guys I'm alive and well (finally)!!!!!
We've moved to a different state to care for Scott's mom after the death in the family.
The great news is Scott's Grandpa liked to tinkle w/ different projects and had a LARGE shop built on the property!!!!!!
Scott and I have since been able to acquire some items that will help us move fast forward w/ fabricating ie. (another rig and bows we won off Ebay yesterday....and Scott drove 16 hrs to pick up. Thanks Scott)
Our immediate plan is to contact the guys who had orders in w/ us before we dropped of the radar & offer them them first choice and then begin taking new request.
I've found several new distributors that will sell me treated canvas (OD green & natural) as well as great acrylic canvases and vinyl products.
With that said we'll be able to fabricate bimini tops, soft tops, bikini tops, half tops w/ or w/o Tonneau covers attached, trail covers and a number of other soft goods.
Frame ideas still welcomed WE'LL BE IN TOUCH SOOON!!!!!!
We've moved to a different state to care for Scott's mom after the death in the family.
The great news is Scott's Grandpa liked to tinkle w/ different projects and had a LARGE shop built on the property!!!!!!
Scott and I have since been able to acquire some items that will help us move fast forward w/ fabricating ie. (another rig and bows we won off Ebay yesterday....and Scott drove 16 hrs to pick up. Thanks Scott)
Our immediate plan is to contact the guys who had orders in w/ us before we dropped of the radar & offer them them first choice and then begin taking new request.
I've found several new distributors that will sell me treated canvas (OD green & natural) as well as great acrylic canvases and vinyl products.
With that said we'll be able to fabricate bimini tops, soft tops, bikini tops, half tops w/ or w/o Tonneau covers attached, trail covers and a number of other soft goods.
Frame ideas still welcomed
WE'LL BE IN TOUCH SOOON!!!!!!
good to hear everyone is doing better
Good the hear that things are coming together for you guys...looking forward to seeing things coming together
Ready to buy!
That is great to hear eveything is going well. I have been watching this thread for quite some time. I'd really liked to purchase one those tops after seeing the picutres of the blue 40.
I would like my 42 to look like that.
What kind pricing would I be looking at for complete top canvas,bows and all needed hardware.
Are you going to sell to Canadian guys.
If so please PM me, I ready to order.
Dave
That is great to hear eveything is going well. I have been watching this thread for quite some time. I'd really liked to purchase one those tops after seeing the picutres of the blue 40.
I would like my 42 to look like that.
What kind pricing would I be looking at for complete top canvas,bows and all needed hardware.
Are you going to sell to Canadian guys.
If so please PM me, I ready to order.
Dave
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