Real McCoy's shop Mayfair

[MauldinFan]

Similarly Son of Stag in E1 sells ELC and other at highly priced stuff, aimed I think at the ‘hipster’ types!!!

Let's face facts, there's a segment that only holds something to value for how much the price tag shows. Doesn't matter if it's a piece of junk; there are brands that are beloved for those who can afford them, that you DARE not point out isn't as well made as lesser price similar items.
It's a status thing and the Japanese replica companies to a degree figured it out and are doing quite well making such items.
I'd imagine that generally, many like us would love to get Eastman or Good Wear quality for 5-star leather prices. I sure would.
I have some things in my collection that are worth a lot and some I paid a lot for, but I wanted them for what they were, not to brag about how much I paid for them.

 

[JonnyCrow]

Let's face facts, there's a segment that only holds something to value for how much the price tag shows. Doesn't matter if it's a piece of junk; there are brands that are beloved for those who can afford them, that you DARE not point out isn't as well made as lesser price similar items.
It's a status thing and the Japanese replica companies to a degree figured it out and are doing quite well making such items.
I'd imagine that generally, many like us would love to get Eastman or Good Wear quality for 5-star leather prices. I sure would.
I have some things in my collection that are worth a lot and some I paid a lot for, but I wanted them for what they were, not to brag about how much I paid for them.

I see a few French on European sites here selling Eastman, nice but some still beyond my lowly budget

 

[269sqnhudson]

They're charging $4k for jackets, and won't/can't hire adequate staffing paid a living wage? BS. They can stuff their appointments.

Well if people aren't buying enough jackets in-store maybe not, if they get 5 people in a week maybe it's not worth it. I'm not surprised by the anger on this thread so much as confused, a lot of conclusions being jumped to.

 

[269sqnhudson]

Let's face facts, there's a segment that only holds something to value for how much the price tag shows. Doesn't matter if it's a piece of junk; there are brands that are beloved for those who can afford them, that you DARE not point out isn't as well made as lesser price similar items.
It's a status thing and the Japanese replica companies to a degree figured it out and are doing quite well making such items.
I'd imagine that generally, many like us would love to get Eastman or Good Wear quality for 5-star leather prices. I sure would.
I have some things in my collection that are worth a lot and some I paid a lot for, but I wanted them for what they were, not to brag about how much I paid for them.

Well I've never bought a Real McCoy's jacket previously, may never again, but my WEPs I just bought are absolutely fantastic, at least from my perspective, and I've been involved in collecting (and this forum in all its forms) since 1998. In my eyes they're very well made indeed and also not too short so arguably even better than the originals For me they're not a status symbol based on the price - barely anybody even knows what they are. But they're really really REALLY good. So a big thumbs up from me!

 

[JonnyCrow]

Well if people aren't buying enough jackets in-store maybe not, if they get 5 people in a week maybe it's not worth it. I'm not surprised by the anger on this thread so much as confused, a lot of conclusions being jumped to.

I'd have to be a rockstar to pay 4k for a jacket

 

[Pilot]

Will be there in the first week of Dec.22

 

[johnwayne]

In London, the old Battersea Power Station has been regenerated and has a shopping mall within and is actually a great place to see the awesomeness of the building plus, it’s a nice day out with ‘designer’ shops and prices to match (even eateries)! Went into Polo Ralph Lauren just for a look and spotted a suede A1, pretty much accurate in all respects and having a Norshor A1 myself plus knowing what ‘we’ know about more recent high prices, guessed it to be about £1200 - how wrong was I….£2600!!!

 

[MauldinFan]

Well I've never bought a Real McCoy's jacket previously, may never again, but my WEPs I just bought are absolutely fantastic, at least from my perspective, and I've been involved in collecting (and this forum in all its forms) since 1998. In my eyes they're very well made indeed and also not too short so arguably even better than the originals For me they're not a status symbol based on the price - barely anybody even knows what they are. But they're really really REALLY good. So a big thumbs up from me!

I don't think anyone will argue with you that they're very well done. But can someone really say one is empirically worth several thousand bucks?
NO, that price tag to a large degree is based on the status of owning something that cost that much. I once talked with some of the Real McCoys folks at an event at the Museum of Flight in Seattle several years ago. they confirmed that most of their jackets actually go to folks who wouldn't likely know (nor care) if any aspects of their products are historically correct.
I know a guy who works for the company that makes Bentley cars, and he said they know they sell them to people who don't care nearly as much for the quality than to brag about how much they paid for it. Many buyers of their cars, he said, only own them for a year or two before looking for the next 'shiny thing,' because they have the money to do so and crave the status.
Frankly, I never understood reproduction flight jackets, in that if you're making one at all, you can make them as accurate as possible, but many companies choose not to. Bronson has proven what I've always said; if you're making it at all, why not just make it as accurate as you can for the price point?
Sure, the Real McCoys and Eastman jackets are great, but it's clear to me that they're listed for as much as they are for the market I wrote of earlier, those who want to brag about paying more for something they could have gotten for much less money but doesn't can't be bragged over.
THOSE folks would rather spend several hundred bucks for a MA-1 made by those companies than one made for around $150 by Bronson. There's a difference, to be sure, but not enough to me that justifies the difference in price.

 

[John Lever]

Bentley, Aston Rolls Royce.
A very high percentage of the cars made decades ago are still on the road. Could be as high as 70 %.

 

[Smithy]

Bentley, Aston Rolls Royce.
A very high percentage of the cars made decades ago are still on the road. Could be as high as 70 %.

Those are vintage and classic examples John. Post late 60s versions of those marques aren't nearly as prevalent. My great-uncle had a vintage Bentley (pre-war) and my Mum's cousin has it now, and it's still going strong and worth a small fortune. I do wonder whether the percentage of, for example modern Bentley Continental GT survivors will be quite the same level as those of say the VI in the same timeframe, ie, 70 to 80 years. I seriously doubt it.

I think Maudlin makes a good point. I have nothing against something being excellent quality or even exceptional costing a fair and very large price. But once the price far exceeds what the object is then that's just silly and getting into "a fool and his money are soon parted" territory. Several thousand pounds for a flying jacket is stupid because it's not justifiable from any standpoint. I've heard people here and on other boards make out that making flying jackets is akin to making bespoke hunting guns and rifles, and other such rarified specialist goods.

There's also been this ridiculous aura that has arisen around Golden Era flying jackets (and Americana workwear for that matter) that somehow these things were manufactured to the degree of Faberge eggs and are the pinnacle of clobber. This is complete and utter hogwash but it's this silly fantasy that crowds like The Real McCoy are cashing in on.

Yes, a well made leather flying jacket should command a decent sum but thousands of pounds is more than taking the mickey. Sure obviously idiots are paying these sums but then dipshits are buying an off the rack Versace suit when they could buy a tailormade suit from Savile Row.

 

[Micawber]

I don't think anyone will argue with you that they're very well done. But can someone really say one is empirically worth several thousand bucks?
NO, that price tag to a large degree is based on the status of owning something that cost that much. I once talked with some of the Real McCoys folks at an event at the Museum of Flight in Seattle several years ago. they confirmed that most of their jackets actually go to folks who wouldn't likely know (nor care) if any aspects of their products are historically correct.
I know a guy who works for the company that makes Bentley cars, and he said they know they sell them to people who don't care nearly as much for the quality than to brag about how much they paid for it. Many buyers of their cars, he said, only own them for a year or two before looking for the next 'shiny thing,' because they have the money to do so and crave the status.
Frankly, I never understood reproduction flight jackets, in that if you're making one at all, you can make them as accurate as possible, but many companies choose not to. Bronson has proven what I've always said; if you're making it at all, why not just make it as accurate as you can for the price point?
Sure, the Real McCoys and Eastman jackets are great, but it's clear to me that they're listed for as much as they are for the market I wrote of earlier, those who want to brag about paying more for something they could have gotten for much less money but doesn't can't be bragged over.
THOSE folks would rather spend several hundred bucks for a MA-1 made by those companies than one made for around $150 by Bronson. There's a difference, to be sure, but not enough to me that justifies the difference in price.

If you are happy with what you have and for the price you paid for it all well and good, that is all that matters. Let other people spend their money on what they want whatever their reasons for doing so. Bragging and status account for sweet fanny Adams when you are 6 feet under the grass.

 

[colekwok]

I'd have to be a rockstar to pay 4k for a jacket

You'll be surprised. If the shop is located in London, there are plenty of rich Saudi princes and Chinese students who can just flash their (more like their parents') credit cards and take whatever they want from the shop.

 

[Brylcreemer]

Are you threatening to kill anyone who owns a RMC!?

If you are happy with what you have and for the price you paid for it all well and good, that is all that matters. Let other people spend their money on what they want whatever their reasons for doing so. Bragging and status account for sweet fanny Adams when you are 6 feet under the grass.

 

[Micawber]

Are you threatening to kill anyone who owns a RMC!?

What a strange interpretation.

 

[Blackboxr1200S]

Bentley, Aston Rolls Royce.
A very high percentage of the cars made decades ago are still on the road. Could be as high as 70 %.

Same with Harley Davidsons.... the rest made it home safely.

( sorry couldn't resist)

 

[JonnyCrow]

You'll be surprised. If the shop is located in London, there are plenty of rich Saudi princes and Chinese students who can just flash their (more like their parents') credit cards and take whatever they want from the shop.

Daddy's moulah huh haha

 

[Brylcreemer]

What a strange interpretation.

I thought I was pretty funny there. Ah well..

 

[Rutger]

I thought I was pretty funny there. Ah well..

shoulda added an .

 

[269sqnhudson]

I don't think anyone will argue with you that they're very well done. But can someone really say one is empirically worth several thousand bucks?
NO, that price tag to a large degree is based on the status of owning something that cost that much. I once talked with some of the Real McCoys folks at an event at the Museum of Flight in Seattle several years ago. they confirmed that most of their jackets actually go to folks who wouldn't likely know (nor care) if any aspects of their products are historically correct.
I know a guy who works for the company that makes Bentley cars, and he said they know they sell them to people who don't care nearly as much for the quality than to brag about how much they paid for it. Many buyers of their cars, he said, only own them for a year or two before looking for the next 'shiny thing,' because they have the money to do so and crave the status.
Frankly, I never understood reproduction flight jackets, in that if you're making one at all, you can make them as accurate as possible, but many companies choose not to. Bronson has proven what I've always said; if you're making it at all, why not just make it as accurate as you can for the price point?
Sure, the Real McCoys and Eastman jackets are great, but it's clear to me that they're listed for as much as they are for the market I wrote of earlier, those who want to brag about paying more for something they could have gotten for much less money but doesn't can't be bragged over.
THOSE folks would rather spend several hundred bucks for a MA-1 made by those companies than one made for around $150 by Bronson. There's a difference, to be sure, but not enough to me that justifies the difference in price.

The WEPs are £825, which is a lot, yes, but not several thousands. Just a minor point, not really to criticise, I get your overall argument for sure. But as remakes of a hard to find jacket (in mint condition, which is what I collect when it comes to originals) they are really good.

 

[Micawber]

I thought I was pretty funny there. Ah well..

I admit to having a minor chuckle when I first read it but then began to wonder.

As already stated these can be useful