transistor
New member
Anyone have experience with manufacturing anything similar? I'm confused how something so simple could cost so much...
What do you think the margin is on a Gobi roof rack?
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85straight
New member
Just think about how smaller companies have same quality but little to no advertising. They cost less. Gobi is a successful company and will continue to be regardless of price because they have a lot of money invested in advertising. I believe that's where the extra cost comes from.
4runner_Sport
New member
Care to elaborate? Are they sue-happy with other folks making similar items?
JBurt
Senior Member
They have a patent on vehicle specific aftermarket roof racks which is ridiculous and they're happy suing any valiant big or small that manufactures them.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/203660-roof-rack-controversy-gobi-vs-whitson.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/203660-roof-rack-controversy-gobi-vs-whitson.html
Thai
Elite Member
And, to be fair, any valiant big or small operation need to heed patents before manufacturing the said product...because it is fair game in the business world.
JBurt
Senior Member
Absolutely. I'm not saying most companies wouldn't did the same given the chance. Autocorrect got me though. Valiant should have been company.
I just think it's one of many many bad patents. I have a high school buddy working for a patent law firm and the stories he tells new make me sick.
If you are set on gobi though their products are nice.
I just think it's one of many many bad patents. I have a high school buddy working for a patent law firm and the stories he tells new make me sick.
If you are set on gobi though their products are nice.
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tS_kStin
Member
I built my own that is pretty much the same size and material as a Gobi because I couldn't afford one of theirs. And with powder coating it was about $300-350 all said and done (there is a lot more time than money into it as well). So when whitson was still a company they were charging about double and that is reasonable for them. Gobi has the name, the advertising, the rep, and the overhead so they can charge that much and while it might make it impossible for some of us to buy their stuff, they will always sell their racks at that price easily. So $1500 for a rack it alot but there is a lot that goes into their price and it makes sense even though I think it should be a bit less.
