Poll: Does country of origin matter?

[saunders]

Since this became a subject regarding BR products, I've been thinking it's worthy as a subject for a poll. The basic question surrounds the issues of country of origin and country of market vs. price, authenticity and quality. I realize that leather jackets are often associated with higher costs and some level of craftsmanship, whereas textile jackets (cotton, wool, nylon) can be much more readily mass produced, and they are effectively made well in developing nations when leather is, most often, not, and we have infinitely little textile manufacturing taking place in developed nations now, thus the poll questions are divided into two sections: One for leather jackets and one for textile jackets. Structuring the questions individually for both leather and textiles provides for specific input and distinctions we may make toward these two different types of jackets and the role country of origin may play in our buying selections.

The poll statements apply ONLY toward the purchase of jackets based on U. S. military jacket styles, so please DO NOT consider mainstream clothing styles, and DO NOT consider jacket styles of the RAF, Luftwaffe, motoring sports, etc.

Please select ONLY one response for each of the two categories. You may not find the perfect statement that matches your thinking, so please choose one that allows for the BEST OVERALL description of yourself and how you feel toward purchasing both leather and textile military jackets. The statements allow for not just where the jackets are made, but also for where they are being sold. You may elaborate about or qualify your selection if you feel it’s necessary; for example: If you would buy a jacket that is made in China (and sold in the USA) but you won’t purchase from China directly, you may elaborate on this after choosing the appropriate response.

I think our replies will be very telling about us and our feelings towards a global marketplace and our passions in purchasing repro jackets of varying degrees of quality and authenticity:

U. S. Military-Style Leather Jackets
1) Country of origin doesn’t matter at all. I want quality, authenticity and detailing in the best, most authentic leather jacket I can get from anywhere in the world, and price is, within reason, a secondary concern. It doesn’t matter where this jacket is made and/or sold.

2) Country of origin doesn't matter at all. I want the best value in quality and authenticity - the best, most authentic leather jacket at the best price, but not necessarily the best price or the best, most authentic leather jacket. Moderately good will do and it doesn’t matter where this jacket is made and/or sold as long as I get great value.

3) Country of origin doesn't matter at all. I don’t want an absolute bottom-of-the-barrel jacket but I want a leather jacket at the best price I can find, and authenticity and quality are secondary to price; price is my main concern and I don’t care where the jacket is made and/or sold.

4) Country of origin matters somewhat to me. I won’t purchase a leather jacket made and/or sold in China, Pakistan or other developing countries no matter how good it is; otherwise, I only care about quality, authenticity and detailing. I want quality, authenticity and detailing in the best, most authentic leather jacket I can get from any of the DEVELOPED countries and price is, within reason, a secondary concern.

5) Country of origin matters somewhat to me. I won’t purchase a leather jacket made and/or sold in China, Pakistan or other UNDEVELOPED countries no matter how good it is; otherwise, I want the best value in quality and authenticity - the best, most authentic leather jacket at the best price, but not necessarily the best price or the best, most authentic leather jacket. Moderately good will do as long as I get value and it’s not made in a UNDEVELOPED country.

6) Country of origin matters to me when made in USA is an option. If given a choice between two jackets of EQUAL quality, authenticity and detailing and one is made AND sold in Europe and one is made AND sold in the USA and the made-in-USA leather jacket costs 30% more than the jacket made AND sold in Europe (this does not include shipping and duty from Europe to the USA), I would still purchase the leather jacket made AND sold in the USA. Assume the made-in-USA jacket doesn't cost more than $900.00.


U. S. Military-Style Textile Jackets (cotton, nylon, wool)
1) Country of origin doesn’t matter at all. I want quality, authenticity and detailing in the best, most authentic textile jacket I can get from anywhere in the world, and price is, within reason, a secondary concern. It doesn’t matter where this jacket is made and/or sold.

2) Country of origin doesn't matter at all. I want the best value in quality and authenticity - the best, most authentic textile jacket at the best price, but not necessarily the best price or the best, most authentic textile jacket. Moderately good will do and it doesn’t matter where it is made and/or sold as long as I get great value.

3) Country of origin doesn't matter at all. I don’t want an absolute bottom-of-the-barrel jacket but I want a textile jacket at the best price I can find, and authenticity and quality are secondary to price; price is my main concern and I don’t care where the jacket is made and/or sold.

4) Country of origin matters somewhat to me. I won’t purchase a textile jacket made and/or sold in China, Pakistan or other UNDEVELOPED countries no matter how good it is; otherwise, I only care about quality, authenticity and detailing. I want quality, authenticity and detailing in the best, most authentic textile jacket I can get from any of the DEVELOPED countries and price is, within reason, a secondary concern.

5) Country of origin matters somewhat to me. I won’t purchase a textile jacket made and/or in China, Pakistan or other UNDEVELOPED countries no matter how good it is; otherwise, I want the best value in quality and authenticity - the best, most authentic textile jacket at the best price, but not necessarily the best price or the best, most authentic textile jacket. Moderately good will do as long as I get value and it’s not made in an UNDEVELOPED country.

6) Country of origin matters to me when made in USA is an option. If given a choice between two jackets of equal quality, authenticity and detailing and one is made AND sold in Europe and one is made AND sold in the USA and the made-in-USA textile jacket costs 30% more than the jacket made AND sold in Europe (this does not include shipping and duty from Europe to the USA), I would still purchase the textile jacket made AND sold in the USA. Assume the made-in-USA jacket, depending on style, doesn't cost more than $275.00.

 

[saunders]

Here are my responses in blue:

U. S. Military-Style Leather Jackets
6) Country of origin matters to me when made in USA is an option. If given a choice between two jackets of EQUAL quality, authenticity and detailing and one is made AND sold in Europe and one is made AND sold in the USA and the made-in-USA leather jacket costs 30% more than the jacket made AND sold in Europe (this does not include shipping and duty from Europe to the USA), I would still purchase the leather jacket made AND sold in the USA. Assume the made-in-USA jacket doesn't cost more than $900.00.

If USA made isn't a consideration, then maximum quality, detailing and authenticity are what I want and it doesn't matter where the jacket is made, but I will NOT purchase directly from a foreign country due to fitting issues, shipping risks, return hassles, difficulties and costs, fluctuating exchange rates, customs duty, and the fees charged by banks to process international transactions on credit cards.

U. S. Military-Style Textile Jackets (cotton, nylon, wool)
6) Country of origin matters to me when made in USA is an option. If given a choice between two jackets of equal quality, authenticity and detailing and one is made AND sold in Europe and one is made AND sold in the USA and the made-in-USA textile jacket costs 30% more than the jacket made AND sold in Europe (this does not include shipping and duty from Europe to the USA), I would still purchase the textile jacket made AND sold in the USA. Assume the made-in-USA jacket, depending on style, doesn't cost more than $275.00.

If USA made isn't a consideration, then maximum quality, detailing and authenticity are what I want and it doesn't matter where the jacket is made, but I will NOT purchase directly from a foreign country due to fitting issues, shipping risks, return hassles, difficulties and costs, fluctuating exchange rates, customs duty, and the fees charged by banks to process international transactions on credit cards. If I performed as a re-enactor (not to be confused with Living History), I'd be a bit less concerned about maximum authenticity and be more aware of price since the jacket would be getting beat up outdoors, but I still wouldn't buy junk sold outside the USA, and if better authenticity and quality cost me another 30% or so and the purchase was, say, a field jacket and it was $200 or less, then I'd buy it.

Saunders

 

[Roughwear]

You have really gone to a lot of trouble writing this post. I'm not quite sure why you want the information or what you will do with it, but each to his own I guess!

For leather and cloth jackets my response can only be number 1.

Country of origin doesn’t matter at all. I want quality, authenticity and detailing in the best, most authentic leather jacket I can get from anywhere in the world, and price is, within reason, a secondary concern. It doesn’t matter where this jacket is made and/or sold.

 

[saunders]

You have really gone to a lot of trouble writing this post. I'm not quite sure why you want the information or what you will do with it, but each to his own I guess!

For leather and cloth jackets my response can only be number 1.

Country of origin doesn’t matter at all. I want quality, authenticity and detailing in the best, most authentic leather jacket I can get from anywhere in the world, and price is, within reason, a secondary concern. It doesn’t matter where this jacket is made and/or sold.

I just thought it was a good topic since this whole BR question came up. I now think I'll sell the responses to Avirex.:lol:

Saunders

 

[ButteMT61]

Country of origin matters to me my if I feel I might get hosed in the deal. More important is WHO the seller is, and his reputation. I can overlook geography if someone has a proven track record. I face this when buying Soviet repro or original gear overseas from Ukraine, USSR, etc.
I no longer see ”Made in the USA” as important, and even a detriment at times, at least for USA made items that fall under expensive union labor.
I did not at this point want a jacket made in China, Korea, or India. There's still something that nags me about a US Mil repro made in certain places such as those. (As well as items I do own that are not great)
I see a closet full of items made in Scotland, Seattle, and the USA. Older items from cheaper places have been sold or will be sold. Mainly because they don't stand up to the others in quality and fit. Sorry my answer didn't really fit your guidelines. But I could not pick from the list accurately.

 

[Jeff M]

Yes, it matters a lot if I am buying "blind"....ie, don't have the product in hand.
Especially if I know there are other manufacturers making exceptional examples of that product that I do have experience with. Even more so if those manufacturers products cost less.

 

[Rutger]

2) Country of origin doesn't matter at all. I want the best value in quality and authenticity - the best, most authentic leather jacket at the best price, but not necessarily the best price or the best, most authentic leather jacket. Moderately good will do and it doesn’t matter where this jacket is made and/or sold as long as I get great value.

With the addition that never having owned any original A2's to compare authenticity, I can only judge by studying reviews, descriptions, passed-on knowledge and pictures. I won't buy jackets that have obvious faults when compared with originals, even though they may be of very high quality. Being from the Netherlands I may not qualify to reply, but almost no one can delete my reply :lol: .

U. S. Military-Style Textile Jackets (cotton, nylon, wool)
1) Country of origin doesn’t matter at all. I want quality, authenticity and detailing in the best, most authentic textile jacket I can get from anywhere in the world, and price is, within reason, a secondary concern. It doesn’t matter where this jacket is made and/or sold.

That's because even the best textile jackets are way cheaper then leather. If at the same price level I'd opt for nr.2 as well.

I don't care where I buy my stuff, not afraid of foreigners. Same people everywhere, they all speak English, if the feedback and reviews are ok it's ok with me.
Customs (40% over value and shipping, and a handling fee) are way more disturbing to me.

 

[Who]

I'm kinda interested in the question but, Man, I can't read read all that. Sorry.

 

[ButteMT61]

I'm kinda interested in the question but, Man, I can't read read all that. Sorry.

Gee, that was helpful... :roll:

 

[Jeff M]

I'm kinda interested in the question but, Man, I can't read read all that. Sorry.

Must admit, couldn't make it through it myself.
I just answered the question as was asked in the thread title.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm kinda interested in the question but, Man, I can't read read all that. Sorry.

Same here, although I don't doubt it's interesting.
I will try to read it if I find the time (and the peace of mind)

I don't know about jacket but regarding TV sets, when it's a SONY and it costs a fortune, it better be made in Japan.

 

[MikeyB-17]

I'm kinda interested in the question but, Man, I can't read read all that. Sorry.

Gee, that was helpful... :roll:

Sorry, same here. Surely there's a way to make polls less unwieldy?

 

[Peter Graham]

For leather and cloth jackets my response can only be number 1.

Country of origin doesn’t matter at all. I want quality, authenticity and detailing in the best, most authentic leather jacket I can get from anywhere in the world, and price is, within reason, a secondary concern. It doesn’t matter where this jacket is made and/or sold.

I'm kinda surprised that no one seems to be concerned that a jacket that is made in China, as many undoubtedly are these days are being made under a political regime that threatens the rest of the world and treats their workers as practically slave labour. I know Chinese goods are hard to avoid these days but it's good to try. Surely there are more important things than authenticity ?

 

[Roughwear]

Good point about the conditions in China. I have never bought a leather jacket from China and they do not make the accurate repros I want anyway.

 

[ButteMT61]

For leather and cloth jackets my response can only be number 1.

Country of origin doesn’t matter at all. I want quality, authenticity and detailing in the best, most authentic leather jacket I can get from anywhere in the world, and price is, within reason, a secondary concern. It doesn’t matter where this jacket is made and/or sold.

I'm kinda surprised that no one seems to be concerned that a jacket that is made in China, as many undoubtedly are these days are being made under a political regime that threatens the rest of the world and treats their workers as practically slave labour. I know Chinese goods are hard to avoid these days but it's good to try. Surely there are more important things than authenticity ?

Double-edged sword, Peter. Those working in China are far better off than those who aren't. With all the (some fake) FUD posted about Foxconn, there are still 1000's of workers lining up when they have positions opening. So, don't support them and they're worse off in many ways. For me, like Andrew, I don't see anything made there that I want, and we have been intentionally not buying Chinese goods for years now in our home. Many reasons why...

 

[colekwok]

My answer to this question is yes and no.

If you are specifically talking about repro flight jackets, it is a matter of price and authenticity. Now tell me, can somebody justify the high price of Japanese made repro A-2s while we all know that Mr Chapman current makes the best and most authentic WW2 flight jackets in the world right now at half of those prices and in the great US of A? Let's say if somebody cannot justify paying USD1k for John's jacket but want an relative decent repro made in the USA, would they go for Gibson & Barnes or US Authentic? Or would they rather get something from their old ally? Say, Eastman?

Off the topic, the idea of manufacturing stuffs in China (or India, or Vietnam, or Dominican Republic etc etc) is to keep the cost down. This should translate to the price that we consumers have to pay, instead of the companies making a better margin. As a Chinese, I would happy avoid anything which are made in China, provided that if I can afford them. I am not implying that Chinese made stuffs are inferior, you will also notice that recently manufacturers are moving away from China as the labour price in China has hiked so much that it is not cheap to manufacture good over there. Nike, for example, have moved the major production line to Vietnam and leave their Chinese factories to produce higher end trainers. Thailand is also the alternative to and the economy seems to be a bit more stable than China. Anyway, I think I need to shut up here.

 

[cmk-2]

I would have to go with number 1 on both leather and cloth jackets. BUT I would like to know where the jacket is being produced. Having the point of sale being in the U.S. is a BIG plus with concerns of fitting and maybe zippers breaking (in a week) as with my Aero A-2 a few years ago. As far as buying from China I have to say one of my hobbies is R/C Warbird flying and almost all the high scale foam birds are produced in China but point of sale is in the U.S.