Price increase at Eastman Leather

[Lorenzo_l]

Couldn't agree more Brett, repros but especially A-2 repros are quite frankly bloody silly money now for what they are. All the highly thought of crowds charge way north of 500 quid (and a darn sight bloody more in most cases) for what is essentially a leather shirt.

But it's good that there's a solid secondhand market and now it's nice to see crowds like AVI LTHR popping up.

There is no way you should have to pay the same price for an off the rack bog standard A-2 jacket (even in fancy pants horsehide or whatever) as you would for a pair of made to measure shoes which is happening now. There's no other way of saying it, it's a rort.

This a very fair assessment of the current repro market situation, IMO. The price of repro jackets has gone beyond what is reasonable to pay for what they are. I for one pay (or used to) more for the historical significance and sheer beauty of the jackets than for their practical use and applications - they are things of beauty alright, but they are not terribly practical (unless you are Grant, who cycles through NYC in his A2 with a mammoth bicycle chain slung across his torso (and jacket) bandolier style!).

 

[Lorenzo_l]

There is a positive side to this. Perhaps we will be happy with our current collections and just enjoy wearing the jackets we already own.

That's exactly what I have been thinking! The silly prices will rein in, if not totally stop, the addiction, at least to repros.

 

[Brettafett]

Haha.... I like it, but I doubt few will ever be truly happy with what they have.... There will always be one more. You may think you are set, then someone will post a pic or a review of a killer jacket and ... BAM! The bug will bite and the hunt will be on. Questions will be asked... Pictures, reviews and measurements will be Googled... The CC will be brought to bare and another purchase will me made.
What will happen is, we will all start drooling over and collecting the mid range jackets! Gosh, I already have three AVI's and one Cockpit Government Issue A-2, and they aint half bad.
Just don't sell the high end repros you do have, as you are not likely to replace those with other high end repros, but a couple of mid range jackets...
That said, if the high end jacket is kept in good condition, it may hold its value. A decent secondhand ELC now is generally worth more than my first few Eastman were new.

 

[Teddy]

Well said Brett. I was wondering today when I checked ELC M422a price at £849 and pondered if my memory is flawed. Having read this thread, I realized that my memory is perfectly fine and ELC will probably lose a potential buyer.

I guess that's why you recommended me to keep my AVI G-1 Mid-range jackets are indeed a fine option when high-ends are rocketing their price tags. My Cockpit Reissue A-2 has aged beautifully despite not being even close to an ELC or BK A-2. What we all dream of on a jacket is usually a result of constant wearing. So it's funny how my beater actually come to be my favorite.

 

[Brettafett]

If you replace the knits on that G-1 to be more authentic, you will haven cracker of a jacket.

 

[Roughwear]

There is a positive side to this. Perhaps we will be happy with our current collections and just enjoy wearing the jackets we already own.

I agree John. The other option is to buy second hand.

 

[John Lever]

I always buy second hand usually from Japan.

 

[Dr H]

Always Mr Lever-san? What about those lovely offerings from Whitefeather?

 

[CBI]

Yes, I agree, maybe we will just keep what we have an enjoy! I really think this buying/selling/collecting gets out of hand with folks buying high dollar great stuff and then selling for some small issues. Its almost a bit childish and irresponsible IMO. I can say this as I have been guilty of this behavior MANY times myself.

I am getting better though! I had some other collecting hobbies that I have stopped altogether for good.

Actually, I plan on getting my private pilots license again and that is where most of my jacket money will be going in the future. I used to fly years ago.

Where I live is a great place to fly....not very busy.

For 6 new Eastman's, I can get my license again (after MANY years of not flying). Yes, I know its costs lots to KEEP the license.

So, I can wear a pilot's jacket or actually be one. That is a no-brainer! Glad its an option!

Sorry to go so off topic.

 

[Skyhawk]

Didn't know you flew CBI. I have a commercial multi engine certificate myself. Your certificate never expires, you got that for life. Get a flight physical and get some flights with an instructor and your up and flying again. If you study hard beforehand your talking around $500, so way cheaper than some repros.

Regards,
Jay

 

[John Lever]

Always Mr Lever-san? What about those lovely offerings from Whitefeather?

Oops...forgot that ! Whitefeather is a small specialist shop that has jackets not shown on the web so if I go in and see something it is very tempting.
Funny thing is are in Vienna in two weeks time....

 

[Dr H]

In a fortnight, do remember those wise words about being satisfied with own existing jackets...

 

[John Lever]

As Toad said ' what can be the harm in looking ?'

 

[Dr H]

Poop poop!

You know where that money should go!

 

[Brettafett]

CBI, Skyhawk... perhaps we should start another thread. I used to have a PPL and have been considering getting back into the air. The obvious costs, busy and complexicating airspaces are putting me off a bit, here in the UK.
Still... heres a question... One Eastman = approximately 6 hours airtime. What would you prefer?

 

[John Lever]

Poop poop!

You know where that money should go!

Gert lush....

 

[johnwayne]

Brettafett, patience really is a virtue when trying to find the perfect jacket! That is if there is such a thing as perfect - I almost stumbled across my perfect jacket being my GW Doniger that was intended to be an A1 on GW's sale page some years ago but JC advised it wouldn't be right despite being 'my size' a 44" and offered me the Doniger A2 at a fair price. Have to say it was my perfect jacket in all respects and fits like glove, great leather, great colour and ageing nicely. I subsequently bought an A1 from SFA ( now Norshor - the owner Mark is a member here) and that too is a great jacket in all respects. I guess the perfect jackets are the keepers until our body shape changes as we age too!! But hang in there, seek and yee shall find but at what cost is another matter!!!

 

[Persimmon]

CBI, Skyhawk... perhaps we should start another thread. I used to have a PPL and have been considering getting back into the air. The obvious costs, busy and complexicating airspaces are putting me off a bit, here in the UK.
Still... heres a question... One Eastman = approximately 6 hours airtime. What would you prefer?

Why not do both !!
Wear the Eastman cable and fly in the sky

 

[Brettafett]

Well said... Best place for it!

 

[Lorenzo_l]

Why not do both !!
Wear the Eastman cable and fly in the sky

Never better said! Alan, is that your airplane?? Is that a Tiger Moth? What a sweet machine.