New from ELC

[Cobblers161]

I understand how business runs John.

I also appreciate that when working with hides a small business is at the mercy of the tanneries but with cloth surely it's a different ball game.

Surely there comes a point where you are pricing customers out of the market, in a niche area such as this that's somewhat dangerous.

I think I'll leave it here as this could run and run. My guess is there are those who carefully consider each purchase in terms of value and affordability, those who will happily bung vast amounts of money at anything they fancy and those who think both groups are crazy for obsessing over military repop jackets.

 

[John Lever]

It's not just pricing. Generations of 20 somethings get married start families and move on from buying jackets and niche clothing. That's happened in Japan.
Companies will charge what they can but in the end it's our choice not to buy them.

 

[Ken at Aero Leather]

If that price for the N-4 is due to relocation, then ELC must have relocated into the foyer of the Dorchester.
.

You'd be surprised at the cost, in 1992 the total renovation of our 10000sq ft Mill came to well over £250,000, and that's without thecost of the building or any of machinery needed to operate a buisness.
Fortunately Sottish Enterprise put up the bulk of the cost in the form of a grant because (1) we were saving a listed building and (2) we guarnteeed double figure local employmernt for 10 years. If we failed on (2) we would be hit with repayment of their grant money.
I shudder to think what the cost would be today!

 

[stanier]

That must be one hell of worry for 10 years. Not only for the lives of the 10 plus people employed but not knowing and risking how the repro jacket market might develop over 10 years and needing to maintain the cash flow for salaries, employer tax, NI and pension contributions etc. Was it during those years you were hit with theft issues and burglary too Ken?

You have to admire the pluck of people who take on these business risks and worries. I don’t think I could do it.

And then you get the likes of us picking holes in leather grain and labels in an open forum! Whilst that’s our right as customers, the guys running the businesses must have their heads in their hands some days.

 

[Ken at Aero Leather]

Was it during those years you were hit with theft issues and burglary too Ken?

.

Fortunately no Stanier, but the 10 years did include the collapse of the Japanese Market in 1997. Luckily Levi Vintage saved the day.

 

[Grant]

ELC's N-4 looks like a killer reproduction, but original N4's are still pretty easy to find here in the states. Here's one I recently picked up that was worn by a sailor who served on the WWII sub USS Barracuda. It's well worn and obviously not in the best condition, but still a solid wearer. Oh yeah, it was a 1/4 the cost of the reproduction.

 

[Silver Surfer]

i think that the uss barracuda is still docked in phily. years ago i toured her in phily, and was shocked as to how small she was.

 

[dmar836]

Great jacket and fit, Grant. Are those MASH M-35s?
Dave

 

[johnwayne]

Grant, your original and the price paid nails any argument on the head! Nice jacket, fits well, looks good!! Just a minute, no USN stencil, there you go that's got to be worth a 75% mark up!!!

 

[Smithy]

There you have it. An original with full provenance to a named serviceman who served on subs (sub service stuff usually commands a higher price than surface vessel artefacts) and for a QUARTER of the price of the new ELC offering.

Nuff said.

 

[Grant]

Thanks Dave, yep they are the MASH M-35's. Highly recommend them.

 

[Cobblers161]

Really nice find Grant, if you find one in a 42 I’m all ears.
To paraphrase Life of Brian “ You lucky lucky bastard”.

What chambray shirt are you wearing?

 

[Tom Bowers]

i think that the uss barracuda is still docked in phily. years ago i toured her in phily, and was shocked as to how small she was.

that boat is the Becuna, a WWII sub that was later converted into a "Guppy" class diesel boat. She's still there

 

[Grant]

What chambray shirt are you wearing?[/QUOTE]

Ha, thanks Cobblers. It's a 40's salt n pepper Powerhouse work shirt.
The N4 is a sz 42 - if you're interested send me a PM.

 

[Peter Graham]

I’ve owned two original N-4’s, one in excellent condition, and the other being totally mint, complete with cutter tags. I bought that one from Havocpaul here on VLJ, but I couldn’t bring myself to wear it because it was so mint. I think Paul sold it to me for about £50 and I sold it on for about £70, so Gary Eastman, you can fuck right off with your £500 jackets.

 

[dmar836]

Lol

 

[Monsoon]

Well, ATFs jacket is $100.00 and ELCs is $700.00. If I were shopping for one.......

 

[johnwayne]

Don't mince your words Peter but I think we know what you mean! As I said earlier, wonder if Gary does ever view this site?

 

[Smithy]

If he does, I don't think he'll have too much trouble working out what we think of the pricing!

 

[MikeyB-17]

Not sure, but I get the feeling you’re hinting at something here Peter.
I’ve long wondered why manufacturers, especially Japanese ones, make repros of jackets it’s possible to get decent originals of for a fraction of the price. I guess it’s because there are mugs out there daft enough to buy them.