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By ian57tbird - 9 Years Ago
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While I was in the US last year I bought a soft top roof from Larry's Thunderbird and Mustang Parts. It took a couple of months to get here and I finally got around to installing it just after Christmas.
You can probably imagine the horrible sinking feeling I had when I realised that the window, zipper and lower back section had been put in crooked. This roof has cost me around $4000 by the time I picked it up from Larry's and transported it to Australia, so I was quite upset about this.
I got in contact with Larry's Thunderbird and Mustang Parts and said that I should be sent another roof. They replied back saying that the supplier (Prestige Thunderbirds) are willing to send a new rear section which includes the window and zipper and replacement trims as well as pay to have it changed over. I told them that they need to brace themselves for the cost of having things done here.
So I've had to do the ringing around and driving around to try and get quotes as well as using my fuel to show people the car, and that is around $5.50 a gallon I'm paying over here.
The big problem is even finding someone capable of doing it wright, not many people can do a convertible top here.
Initial estimates were $1000 or more, and the response was "that is ridiculous and the supplier says it is only 2 hours work at the most".
I pointed out to them that no one has jigs for this so it needs to be done on the car and if the manufacturer had taken a little more time in the first place to put it on straight instead of a shameful piece of workmanship being allowed to leave the factory then we wouldn't be having to deal with it now.
I eventually found someone that works from home and they said $800 + tax and that is the best I have got, so I forwarded the quote a week ago but have not had a reply yet.
I initially estimated at least double the time they were saying, but it was then pointed out to me by the person that did the cheapest quote that they would have almost certainly stapled the zipper section onto the frame before the main roof section was put over the top so the whole roof needs to be unpicked and peeled back to get to those staples. So to do it wright is probably a lot more than double the time that the manufacturer is claiming and makes their 2 hours a joke.
I sent a message tonight to ask what is happening so I will keep you posted.
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By Ted - 9 Years Ago
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Ian. Thanks for sharing this. I will be very interested in how Prestige Thunderbirds takes care of you on this.
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By glrbird - 9 Years Ago
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Yes Ian, please keep us informed, there are a lot of bird owners on this site that would like to see how "customer service" works. Good luck!
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By dbird - 9 Years Ago
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Bad news about the top, I have a Prestige top also in tan cloth, but without the zippered window and have had no problems with the craftsmanship. There are a couple of other things I'm not crazy about, but it is put together well.
If Prestige is anything like Larry's they will do what they can. I bought seat upholstery made by Larry's from Thunderbird Headquarters and three years later a seam tore out, TH sent it to Larry's who repaired it and sent it back to me for no charge, not even shipping.
Good Luck,
Don
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By ian57tbird - 9 Years Ago
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Thanks guys for the support. I'm sure they're not thrilled at the cost but that is the reality of things here, especially in Western Australia where I am.
I'm glad you had a good experience Don. There are a couple of things that are questionable on the roof in other areas but I just can't stand the look of it at the moment with that back window the way it is.
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By snowcone - 9 Years Ago
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If there are other issues then your best option would be to send it back and let them do all the work.
I know freight costs to the US are not cheap but you will never be happy with it if you don't get it right this time.
PS off topic but how did you get your images to work on this site?
My Photobucket images will not show in any post anymore even though they used to
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By charliemccraney - 9 Years Ago
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Gary,
Photobucket should work fine. Create another post, include a picture from your photobucket (copy and paste the code) and I'll take a look at it.
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By ian57tbird - 9 Years Ago
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Gary I just used the insert button below with no problems.
You probably don't realise how big the box is for a roof and I cant begin to imagine how much it would cost to fly it over there. It could end up costing them more than the quote just to get it there, and they are not going to pay that.
I haven't been told much but I suspect that Prestige thunderbirds is not wanting to pay up. I would have rather they had sent me a new roof as this has already consumed days of my time that I could have spent doing better things, and it isn't finished yet.
Here is what I believe is the contact email. tbirds@prestigethunderbird.com
Some may wish to politely send a message to say they are interested in the outcome. Then they will at least know people are watching.
If you do choose to send something it would be great to know that you have.
Ian.
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By ian57tbird - 9 Years Ago
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Update on roof saga.
I got some options given to me today so things appear to be finally moving.
Unfortunately sending me a new roof was not one of the options.
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By CK - 9 Years Ago
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I'm guessing you've had more experience with tbirds than myself, However another concern is the lining were it folds on the sides can be a little thin as mine is fairly new and is feathering the inner surface and has pinched a hole at the lower section. I think this is common and have since been more careful how I place the cover when the top is down, pulling the cloth out from between the frame.
I had super trim fit mine and will have to go back and see if they can repair it. Maybe line the area which gathers near the frame.
Your comments/knowledge on this will be interesting.
Oh and does your top fit down behind the seat?
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By dbird - 9 Years Ago
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Mine fits behind the seat ok, but my seat is reclined all the way and it rubs against the frame of the top.
Don
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By miker - 9 Years Ago
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Same with my top and seat back. I've had both the Prestige and the OEM top. The Prestige is lighter, a little less bulky, and actually went behind the seat easier and better.
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By ian57tbird - 9 Years Ago
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It will go behind the seat but it will rub on the sides so I am not putting it back there yet because it will end up marking the cloth top and I have been told they are impossible to clean. I want to make up a nice cover for the top first before I start putting it behind the seat.
Do you have any pics of where it has put a hole in your roof?
Watch if you are leaving it on the deck, mine has already marked the window from what I think was the paint polish. I wont make that mistake again. Also it left a small impression at the bottom of the window that I think was from the trim that is at the front of the roof.
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