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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: mperry on June 01, 2004, 04:22:00 PM

Title: Bestop
Post by: mperry on June 01, 2004, 04:22:00 PM

How odd.

I bought a Bestop a couple months ago. I've always bought from them because they are good quality tops. It was better made than the top that originally came on the car. When it was slashed, I ordered another top from the same dealer... this time in white. (Somehow the last order was mixed up... came in black.)

The top arrived today and... what a change. I notice it was made in China... and its workmanship is what made China famous. Crooked stitching, wrinkles (it fits like a Jeep top), cheap fabric, bunching around the velcro, the world's cheapest plastic zipper, and what looks like surgical tubing to seal the front down, instead of the heavy gauge seal. If it doesn't leak water around the stitching (pulling holes in the fabric) it's bound to leak up front, considering the wind that whistles through it.

I can only hope this isn't Bestop's new quality. Does anyone know of a different brand, one that doesn't look as if slave labor put it together?

Title: Re: Bestop
Post by: keith on June 01, 2004, 04:36:36 PM

I have a top by Pavement Ends.  I am very happy with it so far.  I have had it on for about 3 months.  I was like $175 on e-bay.  tops4less.com has them for $199 all day.

Title: Re: Bestop
Post by: tonka-toy on June 01, 2004, 08:57:13 PM

there is a company in the uk that make hoods for all vehicles
they even have the contract with suzuki to make the hood for tha GV
http://www.monsoon4x4.co.uk/

Title: Re: Bestop
Post by: Zukipilot on June 01, 2004, 11:07:38 PM

I would think you could return it since you are not happy with the quality. Check and see what he ordered you. I know that they use to have different fabrics you could order. A dull denum and a shiny vynal.
Zig

Title: Re: Bestop
Post by: mperry on June 02, 2004, 12:44:00 PM

I received an e-mail from the seller... basically it said "too bad, but if you pay shipping back (original packaging) we'll determine if it's defective." <sigh> They are one of the big E-bay sellers, BTW.

Thanks for the tip on the UK seller. I've been looking for tops in colors. (Bestop used to sell a couple options.)

This is the Pavement Ends top, Bestop's cheaper line. (My mistake, it seems. I'd ordered a "Bestop" and this is what was shipped.) I looked back through my "graveyard of old tops" and found this is my 3rd top of that line. This one just looks like it was put together by a drunken 12 year old. <g>

Title: Re: Bestop
Post by: Zukipilot on June 02, 2004, 11:52:05 PM

If the Ebayer was advertising a "Best Top" and shipped you a "Lands End" is falsely advertised his product >:( Go back to the items I won section and review the add and see if they stipulated that it was the Lands End Line of tops..
Zig

Title: Re: Bestop
Post by: GreatZuks on June 06, 2004, 03:21:27 AM

My experience was excellent.  Ordered Bestop #5136402 for '95 Sidekick from 4softtops on Tuesday (6/1/04), it arrived FEDEX on Thursday(6/3) and I put it on Saturday.  I compared it with the original 10 year old softop which was also a Bestop and they look the same.  This is an perfect fitting top and looks great.  So maybe they also sell a cheaper low quality brand, but I'm very happy with mine and the whole experience.  

Title: Re: Bestop
Post by: mperry on June 07, 2004, 09:27:01 AM

Quote

My experience was excellent.   

Yep, exactly my experience with BT, until this POS arrived. Crooked stitching, a zipper that belongs on a blazer, and wind leaks don't make for satisfied customers. <g>

I'm still hoping that *maybe* someone at BT cares about quality.