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Showing Eastman Some Love
- Thread starter mulceber
- Start date
Smithy
Well-Known Member
That's just the start of it!
mulceber
Moderator
Well said, Tim.
Micawber
Well-Known Member
With respect - but to be blunt…
There goes the showing Eastman some love as per the title of this thread, so now we are likely to go down the usual well worn paths. Gets a bit old TBH.
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ZuZu
Well-Known Member
Sorry. I have hard time being nice. In person I'm quite nice.
John Lever
Moderator
I wondered how long it would be until this happened.
B-Man2
Well-Known Member
Tim
Great post !
It makes some points that might sound familiar.
Rule # 5. Regardless of how we as collectors view these jackets, most people can’t tell the difference between one A2 from another, so remember that, when deciding if you need the $1200 repro or the $500. one.
Rule # 11. Regardless of how we view these jackets i.e. “GWs are the greatest, ELCs are the bomb, Aeros are the coolest” etc, etc, etc, . Remember that they are really just articles of used clothing , nothing more.
Micawber
Well-Known Member
Not quite correct as you have shown your somewhat more measured side since your return but you do tend to be a tad repetitive at times.
ZuZu
Well-Known Member
I'll stay away from the "I love Eastman" threads if it really bothers people so much. But I still think that on a forum dedicated to discussion of vintage leather jackets and their repros criticism should be welcomed. I admit criticizing the subject of a "love" thread was kind of rude. I apologize.
One of the major reasons there ARE good repros today is because assholes like me and others who were more diplomatic goaded companies to be more accurate in the early oughts. If we had blandly accepted whatever fare was offered we'd still have smooth bespoke leather and weird innaccurate patterns.
I hope all you Eastman owners aren't offended by my Daffy Duck quacks complaining about high pockets! Sorry!
mulceber
Moderator
It is welcome. In fact, if you read the opening line of post #1, I acknowledged your criticisms and posted a link to a list of your helpful threads on Eastman. "Criticism welcome" doesn't mean it has to be welcome at every time and place.
ZuZu
Well-Known Member
"Belabored grumpiness"! My Dad would be proud! I'll be honest and admit I didn't read post#1 carefully enough reactionary as I am.
Obscurator
Active Member
I have an Eastman B-3 and a D-1, and both suit me just fine. I bought them well-before their prices rose to current levels, and at the time, they seemed expensive, but not excessively so.
Stravaiger
Well-Known Member
When I get the chance to try on their B10 , then if it is a fit then I will wear it , aye, with love. It looks braw .
Smithy
Well-Known Member
It's been mentioned here but really needs highlighting if we're going to sing ELC's praises, but their customer service is some of the best you'll come across.
When I was considering ordering my Irvin, I must have hit Gary up with a couple of dozen emails with photos of what I wanted fit-wise, clarifications, other questions, etc, etc.
He answered every single question within a day and with the patience of a saint and always without a hint of frustration at being pestered.
Here comes the big confession...
I'm going to come out here now and say that in the past I've been a bit tough on ELC in criticising their pricing. In fact quite a few times I've had a go at them about it.
My attitude has changed now though. They have built a very successful business and marketed it brilliantly. They also still make their goods by hand in the UK which can't be cheap when you think of labour and material costs. That's something I think I've forgotten. They also have a right to sell their goods for what they think they can and they obviously can at these prices.
I think we have to realise that the days of buying a top shelf, handmade jacket from the UK and US for a song have gone now. It's silly to hanker after what we paid in the 90s and 00s because times have changed and I think for some of us who were buying these kinds of jackets back in those days it's been a difficult adjustment in perception to make.
So with that said and if Gary or any of the ELC gang happen to read this down the line, sorry from this member for giving you boys a hard time.
When I was considering ordering my Irvin, I must have hit Gary up with a couple of dozen emails with photos of what I wanted fit-wise, clarifications, other questions, etc, etc.
He answered every single question within a day and with the patience of a saint and always without a hint of frustration at being pestered.
Here comes the big confession...
I'm going to come out here now and say that in the past I've been a bit tough on ELC in criticising their pricing. In fact quite a few times I've had a go at them about it.
My attitude has changed now though. They have built a very successful business and marketed it brilliantly. They also still make their goods by hand in the UK which can't be cheap when you think of labour and material costs. That's something I think I've forgotten. They also have a right to sell their goods for what they think they can and they obviously can at these prices.
I think we have to realise that the days of buying a top shelf, handmade jacket from the UK and US for a song have gone now. It's silly to hanker after what we paid in the 90s and 00s because times have changed and I think for some of us who were buying these kinds of jackets back in those days it's been a difficult adjustment in perception to make.
So with that said and if Gary or any of the ELC gang happen to read this down the line, sorry from this member for giving you boys a hard time.
Kermit3D
Well-Known Member
These are interesting thoughts.
) I'm looking for a used B-10 jacket, and I'm really only considering ELC or RMC (Stagg Coat).
Obscurator
Active Member
I considered one from ELC, but eventually plumped for the BR version with red knits. My problem with any jackets, or indeed anything that's not underclothing, is that I wear it or them whatever I'm doing, without regard to dirt, wear etc. Not a problem with most leather, but a big worry with cloth jackets, as cleaning them is neither easy nor cheap.
That may explain my now "tramp (hobo) grade" Chinese Bronson B-10s hanging on the clothes hooks for outdoor wear.
Smithy
Well-Known Member
I hope so Kermit but they're just my thoughts.
My attitude to ELC and what they charge has changed over the last year or so.
Now I think it's justified based on their business model, where they are made, the fact they're handmade and with excellent quality control, their wait time is probably the best of all top shelf WWII repro flying jacket makers, and they have brilliant customer service.
If people have a problem affording buying an ELC jacket then you have 3 options:
1) Don't buy one. Buy something else
2) Buy secondhand
3) Save up your pennies and buy one new from ELC.
Kermit3D
Well-Known Member
I was a bit harsh on ELC too, but that was mostly about a few historically inaccurate statements they made (in all conscience). But your message resonates with me because I feel a bit the same as you, that I've been a bit unfair. ELC made me dream for years, and I still have a special affection for this brand.
I wouldn't want them to stray into purely luxury-oriented products in the future. But as I've said before, I don't think they're there yet.
And above all, high-quality customer service REALLY deserves to be highlighted.
