700+ miles in 13 hours...... I'll unload the crates tomorrow.
The plan here is to install the windows into 4 or 5 Chops we already have here & develop some video instructions to go with them.
That process will start tomorrow morning.
I also have to figure out the best way to ship them. I have to figure out wether to build wooden crates or buy appropriately sized cardboard boxes & what packing material will keep the windows safe.
I had ordered 25 sets, they only successfully completed 20 sets. A total of 19 sets are spoken for. So we can't afford to have any broken in shipment.
quote
Originally posted by CDubbz88GT:
would you prefer for us to pick these up or are you shipping, 1 off glass pieces?
Shipping costs were not included in the initial pricing because I had no weight or sizing for the containers they will ship in & it's hard to quote shipping without that info..
I can & will ship them to the people who want me to, but it's going to take a few days to get it all figured out here.
Anyone on the list who wants to pick them up here is more than welcome to & they'll also save some packing & shipping costs.
I'll have more info in just a couple of days.
Archie
[This message has been edited by Archie (edited 10-20-2009).]
I also have to figure out the best way to ship them. I have to figure out wether to build wooden crates or buy appropriately sized cardboard boxes & what packing material will keep the windows safe.
I had ordered 25 sets, they only successfully completed 20 sets. A total of 19 sets are spoken for. So we can't afford to have any broken in shipment.
Shipping costs were not included in the initial pricing because I had no weight or sizing for the containers they will ship in & it's hard to quote shipping without that info..
Archie
If you're shipping them use a simple crate. Also somewhat suspend them in the middle. Glass of course is fragile as hell and shippers..... Well you know. DON'T CARE. Flat boxes get laid down, arrows and fragile signs get ignored etc etc etc. I think Mike had a couple trials get destroyed in shipping to his house they were boxed and bundled still broke every last one. And then shipping them out in cardboard one got tagged but all crates made it fine. Just FYI.
700+ miles in 13 hours...... I'll unload the crates tomorrow.
The plan here is to install the windows into 4 or 5 Chops we already have here & develop some video instructions to go with them.
That process will start tomorrow morning.
I also have to figure out the best way to ship them. I have to figure out wether to build wooden crates or buy appropriately sized cardboard boxes & what packing material will keep the windows safe.
I had ordered 25 sets, they only successfully completed 20 sets. A total of 19 sets are spoken for. So we can't afford to have any broken in shipment.
Shipping costs were not included in the initial pricing because I had no weight or sizing for the containers they will ship in & it's hard to quote shipping without that info..
I can & will ship them to the people who want me to, but it's going to take a few days to get it all figured out here.
Anyone on the list who wants to pick them up here is more than welcome to & they'll also save some packing & shipping costs.
I'll have more info in just a couple of days.
Archie
I'm glad I ordered three sets for my choppers.
Questions; since the company was having some problems in producing 20-sets; do you think the company will try again and produce the last 5-remaining sets? Or producing this extreme curved windows is too difficult for them?
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01:23 PM
PFF
System Bot
Archie Member
Posts: 9436 From: Las Vegas, NV Registered: Dec 1999
Questions; since the company was having some problems in producing 20-sets; do you think the company will try again and produce the last 5-remaining sets? Or producing this extreme curved windows is too difficult for them?
I'm a guy who's had many different parts custom made by various suppliers over the years. Prior to being in this business, I also worked in Q.A. in the aircraft industry where we were having specialized parts made by Sub-tier contractors. So I've seen this as a supplier & as a member of the materials procurement side.
Let me explain how this works in real life.
Typically a quote from a supplier will specify the quantity ordered with words to make the terms "more or less". In manufacturing a new item like this or like all my other custom designed parts, there's always some scrap or loss in the production process. Making these windows for example, requires 6 or 7 specialized processes to complete each one. Each process involves set-up time & process time. I like working with my suppliers, I like getting good suppliers & keeping them because the learning curve for bringing in new suppliers is a steep one. When a buyer (like myself) orders a certain number of parts & the supplier is making them for the 1st time, If parts are lost along the way a buyer can't expect a supplier to make up a few missing parts. A good supplier will learn from his 1st run of a new part & adjust his process & or begining quantity so that future orders will get closer to the correct quantities.
A demand by me to them that they run another batch just to make up the proper number of parts will result in a KMA response & then I will have wasted all the time & work that's been invested in developing a new supplier.
You gotta remember that when I ordered the windows we only had about 14 or so sets spoken for. Several people have joined up since then & that's the only reason we're close on the quantities now.
We've been fitting the windows today, we've done 2 cars (#1 & #26) & they look great.
Considering that we're considerably short of the number of windows we originally ordered, I'm very likely going to do one more run of windows shortly.
That will be decided once several customers have evaluated the current production run when they install them.
If there's anyone interested in a 2nd run, they should let me know.
Archie
[This message has been edited by Archie (edited 10-22-2009).]
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03:04 PM
GT-X Member
Posts: 1506 From: Crestwood, KY Registered: Feb 2003
If there's anyone interested in a 2nd run, they should let me know.
Archie
That Youtube run of the windows looked great. I wish my windows were that fast though.
Given how notoriously difficult these windows are to produce it would be nice to have a spare set. Is there any chance the second run will be a little less expensive though since you have already paid the setup costs?
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05:01 PM
DL10 Member
Posts: 2350 From: Bloomington IL Registered: Jun 2000
That Youtube run of the windows looked great. I wish my windows were that fast though.
Given how notoriously difficult these windows are to produce it would be nice to have a spare set. Is there any chance the second run will be a little less expensive though since you have already paid the setup costs?
Thanks Archie for putting the first set in #1....... they do roll up and down pretty fast. I'm not speaking for Archie but I think this group guy helped get the windows made by pooling our money. \I'm pretty sure the windows were sold at cost so Archie made no profit for his trouble. If there are any more made I think the cost should stay the same or even be higher. That way the people who put up their money not knowing for sure of the outcome will not wind up paying more than those you had no faith. Archie could than also make a small profit for his trouble. once again this is just my opinion.
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05:20 PM
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
Thanks Archie for putting the first set in #1....... they do roll up and down pretty fast..
Maybe this would be a good time to upgrade my motors?
Not to speak for Archie, but since I'm in the first group, and I put up the money and had the faith I think I have a suggestion...I'm not opposed to Archie making a profit, but if the company does manage to make the second batch any less expensive (because the setup costs have already been paid) then that savings could be passed on for the second batch to any person who has already purchased a set. Just my $0.02
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07:44 PM
PFF
System Bot
exoticse Member
Posts: 8654 From: Orlando, Fl Registered: Jun 2003
Thanks Archie for putting the first set in #1....... they do roll up and down pretty fast. I'm not speaking for Archie but I think this group guy helped get the windows made by pooling our money. \I'm pretty sure the windows were sold at cost so Archie made no profit for his trouble. If there are any more made I think the cost should stay the same or even be higher. That way the people who put up their money not knowing for sure of the outcome will not wind up paying more than those you had no faith. Archie could than also make a small profit for his trouble. once again this is just my opinion.
I don't think it was a case of people not having faith, i just think it was a matter of bad timing for most with the economy being what it is. Fun money for me right now is very tight.
I absolutely would like to get a set in the future, but if it doesn't work out that way, i guess that is just the way it goes. I applaud Archie for all his efforts and those who put up their monies to make all this happen.
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07:57 PM
Archie Member
Posts: 9436 From: Las Vegas, NV Registered: Dec 1999
That Youtube run of the windows looked great. I wish my windows were that fast though.
Given how notoriously difficult these windows are to produce it would be nice to have a spare set. Is there any chance the second run will be a little less expensive though since you have already paid the setup costs?
I've thought about this already.
IF there is a second batch of windows, the total cost will be less because the tooling costs have already been paid. The people in the 2nd buy would get a bit of a price break HOWEVER, calculated into that price break would be a rebate to the people in the 1st group who paid for the tooling. So they'd be getting some $$ back to where their total costs would be less than the total costs for those in the 2nd group.
However, that's all a ways off because I'll be waiting for input from the current group before beginning on a 2nd group.
Archie
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09:47 PM
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
However, that's all a ways off because I'll be waiting for input from the current group before beginning on a 2nd group.
Archie
If history has anything to do with the creation of the second batch-- I won't be holding my breath. Bad economy or otherwise there are those who will procrastinate till there's no end, but if you like to give me my refund in advance--- I'll take it, hehe.
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01:49 AM
Daviero Member
Posts: 382 From: Thunder Bay, ON Canada Registered: Jan 2006
I just stumbled onto this thread and wish I had seen it sooner. I do have a question though. With these windows does the door close normally with the windows up like stock windows? Or do you have to hold and tuck the glass or close the door with the window down a bit the way the lexan windows must be treated? If yes, I'd like to be added to the second order list if it ever happens. I will not quibble on cost, it is what it is.
------------------ Daviero - 88 N* GT
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09:05 AM
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
With these windows does the door close normally with the windows up like stock windows?
Since I don't have my windows yet I can't speak to how well they work, but my stock windows on Stock Fieros don't do all that well. The Fiero window has a delicate balance between applying enough pressure to seal properly and not smashing to a million pieces when the door is slammed from too much pressure.
Frameless windows on modern cars will roll down slightly when the door is opened and rollup slightly when the door is closed. This is a much better system. I plan to add that feature to my car eventually.
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11:25 AM
whodeanie Member
Posts: 3819 From: woodstock,Ga.,USA Registered: Jan 2008
is anyone going to pick up their windows from the south east? or if someone wants to share the cost of the trip I could go pick them up and bring them back to Ga for pick up. PM me if you are interested. I just don't want to risk shipping them after all that it has taken to get them. D.
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01:03 PM
cornersonrails Member
Posts: 788 From: Algonquin,Il USA Registered: Jul 2006
I'm glad that all the choptop owners who placed their orders are getting their Xmas gifts a little early this year. . Now Archie's car will be complete and people can stop bitching about his cars not having glass windows. Then again they'll just ***** about something else. That's the nature of the beast. Have fun guys.
