[counselor]

RowJ-

I'm working of the assumption that the product is well constructed (although the plastic end caps make me gag) and will perform as designed. However, every product has a sweet spot for pricing to maximize profitability (the lower the pricing the more you sell, but the less you make per unit). There's a name for this but business school was a long, long time ago. I just think they missed that sweet spot by a bit.

It's going to be interesting to see how they handle this. The first response was just horrible---it didn't accomplish anything PR wise. It would be impressive to see a bold move by the company at this point. Let's face it, they have a limited amount of time before Smittybily knocks off their product, produces it in China and whores it out for $200 a pop. They need to make as much money on the product as they can in as short of a period of time as they can. Add ons such as jscherb's tween rack (I think that's what he called it)will help prolong the life cycle.

And this thread, which probably once put a smile on the company's corporate face, is now likely the source of many sour stomachs. As I said, a bold move is needed now---not only to salvage this product rollout but because this rollout has probably caused concern for prospective purchasers of the safari top. Another incredibly well designed product which fills a vacuum in the market, but will it be priced at an accessible figure as judged by the pool of prospective purchasers?

As a prospective purchaser for both and a huge fan of jscherb, his designs, and the company with the cojones to bring them to market, I anxiously await further developments. And RowJ, please do give us your impressions on the Exogate.

[00stephen]

Originally Posted by counselor

this rollout has probably caused concern for prospective purchasers of the safari top. Another incredibly well designed product which fills a vacuum in the market, but will it be priced at an accessible figure as judged by the pool of prospective purchasers?

I agree with everything you wrote... but that concern, especially, stands out to describe a sinking realization that set in last night.

[mike_dippert]

Originally Posted by 00stephen

I agree with everything you wrote, but that concern hits the nail on the head to describe a sinking realization that set in last night.

The 2-piece Bestop hardtop is around $2000. I haven't ready every post about the Safari Top, but if it has half as many features and I've seen sketched in that thread, I predict $3000

[00stephen]

Originally Posted by mike_dippert

The 2-piece Bestop hardtop is around $2000. I haven't ready every post about the Safari Top, but if it has half as many features and I've seen sketched in that thread, I predict $3000

And I have no qualms with that predicted price, or even slightly more -- as I indicated when I took Jeff's survey. But based on this experience, now I'm concerned the email we ultimately receive will include a figure pushing $4000 or more.

[Noonen]

Originally Posted by counselor

RowJ-

And this thread, which probably once put a smile on the company's corporate face, is now likely the source of many sour stomachs. As I said, a bold move is needed now---not only to salvage this product rollout but because this rollout has probably caused concern for prospective purchasers of the safari top. Another incredibly well designed product which fills a vacuum in the market, but will it be priced at an accessible figure as judged by the pool of prospective purchasers?

I think that you might have hit the nail on the head - rolling out a product at full price (no discount to early adopters) takes away any urgency for people who are on the fence to buy. It doesn't follow the model for other Jeep product rollouts that I've seen.

Saying: "don't worry guys, this is full price" isn't going to close any deals, it is just going to convince people to sit on the fence. Sadly I think that we may either see this product die, or depending on the size of the initial production run, we'll see a sale to burn off the existing inventory and then the product will die. I don't see it having legs at a price where bestop can leverage their reputation and relationships with other jeep parts retailers to move their similar product for $100 less.

[mike_dippert]

I don't think it will die. Depending on the cost-to-build, I think they could be more profitable at a lower price, even just 50 cheaper. It has features the other options don't. I think those are worth $50 to a lot of people.
The psychology behind a $100 difference vs. a $50 difference is quite a bit.

Sent from my Droid Incredible using the JeepForum app.

[joshhtfld]

Man, the price is unexpected but that's not bothering me, I don't mind spending for a good American made product but with the curve ball in price from what we expected I can't see long term support for the product which is the key factor for me. I want the product but will wait to see if it last. My build list is still long and don't have time for installs right now either way, I will be patient for once and not buy on a impulse for once

[EricsGreen98Tj]

Originally Posted by jscherb

Thank you! .

Jeff my failure to purchase one of these on the early adopter run has nothing to do with you, your design(s), or anything I've ever seen you do on this forum. You are an incredible engineer/person that takes the extra steps to make a project the BEST IT CAN BE!

I have no doubt that the Exo is going to do as advertized, i just dont want to eat bologna sandwiches for a month.

Keep up the designs Jeff

[StealthItself]

so has anybody got this thing installed yet?

[jscherb]

Originally Posted by EricsGreen98Tj

Jeff my failure to purchase one of these on the early adopter run has nothing to do with you, your design(s), or anything I've ever seen you do on this forum. You are an incredible engineer/person that takes the extra steps to make a project the BEST IT CAN BE!

I have no doubt that the Exo is going to do as advertized, i just dont want to eat bologna sandwiches for a month.

Thank you, I try very hard to design and build the best product I possibly can, whether I'm just building a one-off item for myself or something to see eventual production. I think I've succeeded well with the Exogate, I'm very pleased with how it looks and how it has performed on my Jeep on- and off-road for the past 8 months/12,000 miles. I can't imagine any other solution that would be better for me (hey, if I could imagine a better one, I would have built it instead of the Exogate ).

Originally Posted by EricsGreen98Tj

Keep up the designs Jeff

I'm about a month into my next big project, I'm trying to decide it I want to do a step-by-step detailed build thread on it or if I'll just unveil it in a few months when I'm done...

[MCDavis]

Originally Posted by EricsGreen98Tj

Jeff my failure to purchase one of these on the early adopter run has nothing to do with you, your design(s), or anything I've ever seen you do on this forum. You are an incredible engineer/person that takes the extra steps to make a project the BEST IT CAN BE!

I have no doubt that the Exo is going to do as advertized, i just dont want to eat bologna sandwiches for a month.

Keep up the designs Jeff

+1 Jeff. I love the product, and I think GR8TOPS has done a good job of bringing it to market. I simply can't spend $400 right now, especially running 31's that only have 10,000 miles on them.

The Exogate has moved to the top of my list for tire carrier's when the time comes, however.

I look forward to user reviews on this product, and to the next jscherb project!

[Swagoffroad]

I'm all for new products, and I like the unique problem solving that took place on this project. I would be interested to see real numbers on the strength of a stock hing to this aftermarket designed hinge.

Testing would be relatively easy to do and I have my doubts as to if these hinges provide any significant upgrade over stock. If that is the case there is your $100 savings

How much would it be to water cut a sheet of aluminum? I know the material cost would be 30X as much, however there would not be any labor involved and no plastic end caps required.

Troy

[jscherb]

Originally Posted by MCDavis

+1 Jeff. I love the product, and I think GR8TOPS has done a good job of bringing it to market. I simply can't spend $400 right now, especially running 31's that only have 10,000 miles on them.

The Exogate has moved to the top of my list for tire carrier's when the time comes, however.

I look forward to user reviews on this product, and to the next jscherb project!

Thank you. Here's hoping some day you'll also get that Safari Commando top you want too..

[MCDavis]

Originally Posted by jscherb

Thank you. Here's hoping some day you'll also get that Safari Commando top you want too..

All you have to do is build one for me!!

Have a great weekend, bud!

[counselor]

Originally Posted by Swagoffroad

I'm all for new products, and I like the unique problem solving that took place on this project. I would be interested to see real numbers on the strength of a stock hing to this aftermarket designed hinge.

Testing would be relatively easy to do and I have my doubts as to if these hinges provide any significant upgrade over stock. If that is the case there is your $100 savings

How much would it be to water cut a sheet of aluminum? I know the material cost would be 30X as much, however there would not be any labor involved and no plastic end caps required.

Troy

An interesting point. I agree that a limited amount of strength probably comes from the hinges themselves---the real gain is extending the hinge arm and creating a box that takes the stress off the tailgate.

As an experiment I may weld up a box tube frame for the tailgate similar to the exogate and knock the pins out of the factory hinges and use the factory hinge bases. It'll have to wait until after hunting season, but I can't see why it wouldn't work.