Bought the glass top, but.....
 

I recently bought the glass top from Auto Tops Direct for 550 shipped, and on my visa statement it says "GAHH inc" mmmhhmmm makes you think

Auto Tops Direct is most likely a reseller that does not stock any inventory, it's just a request that goes back to Gahh and they'll ship direct. It's the same with Lloyd Mats.

Or Auto Top Direct is actually Gahh. Just a different name which is likely easier to come up in google.

so then "GAHH" is the name brand and sells for double the price

sort of, yes. i believe the warranty is different, even though the tops are the same.

A lot like Lexus and Toyota. :D (just kidding, put down the pitchforks)

Are you installing the new top yourself ?

I ask because I need to replace my 2000's top and will likely be buying a glass replacement as well. I'm not sure if I'm going to try replacing it myself or finding a shop in the Toronto area to do this.

To the original post...considering the company is named "Auto Tops Direct", I'm not the least but surprised that you're being charged by the manufacturer directly as opposed to being charged by the middleman.

I also believe that, as mentioned by someone previously, that buying in this manner as opposed to paying the premium typically associated with the top from GAHH carries a different warranty.

You never know, it could be that these are the tops that are perfectly fine but for one reason or another don't get sold at full price (kind of like dent & scratch items sold at department store warehouses at a fraction of the cost of the spiffy in-box item).