Good Wear-abouts

[technovox]

Deposit on 4/27/2015. Made a couple of calls, sent two emails a while back...nothing. I agree- some kind of response, or at this point any kind of response would be more than appreciated.

 

[ProteinNerd]

Deposit paid January 2015.

Last I heard from John was an email on 27th March 2018 where he said he had express mailed some samples, they haven’t arrived....

He had told me he had issues with one of his machines and was replacing it plus the Shinki Tannery had sent him the wrong batch of leather and they had been very hard to get answers from so he wasn’t sure if/when he would get the leather he ordered.

All I keep thinking is at least he isn’t like stu at LW and asks for full upfront payment!!!!

 

[ProteinNerd]

I’m curious as to who is after a Shinki jacket? Maybe that’s the issue for all of us?

 

[Bfd70]

When the work load becomes such that an email cannot be replied to, the owner should stop taking deposits. At this point he is spending $ ( assuming that it is not in an escrow account ) that he may never earn.

 

[Hh121]

If his jacket takes 3-4 years to make, I can understand that he also needs 1 year to reply your email.

 

[Monitor]

 

[ProteinNerd]

I hope not!

 

[Sloan1874]

You've lost me. What does that mean?

 

[ProteinNerd]

it’s the logo for TOJ or Temple of Jawnz.

Very interesting story
http://afine-toothcomb.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/the-rise-and-fall-of-temple-of-jawnz.html?m=1

 

[ton312]

My basic point is the lack of anything approaching communication with people who have handed over money. If I even just received an email saying 'it looks like a three year waiting period now, do you want to stick with it or take a refund?', then I'd at least I'd have the option. Does anyone actually think the point I'm making is unreasonable?

This is ground level basic customer service. I can't even describe the fury I'd have. I'm also super obsessive. Couple that with raging high blood pressure and I just have to sit back and enjoy GW from the sidelines.
I'd say you are more than entitled to be frustrated and frankly, ****ed off. I don't know how Boyo does it. He should be earning interest on his deposit. Jacket should be made and shipped at no additional charge.

 

[Hh121]

 

[Sloan1874]

I'm have been pretty relaxed about the whole thing - I think you have to be to get on a two year waiting list in the first place - but I'm also used to dealing with Aero, who reply to almost all emails within 48 hours.

 

[ProteinNerd]

I’m rather zen about it now, I know I’d like a GW and there is only 1 way (realistically) to get it. Having said that if a used Modoc in my size comes up I’ll jump in that and get a refund.

It’s not like I don’t have other jackets to wear in the meantime and if the day comes I’ve had enough (most likely if it’s not in hand this time next year for winter 2019) I’ll happily get another ELMC Californian instead and not look back.

I do feel for the guys in the queue because their heart is set on an exacting military repo, I guess they don’t have the flexibility I do?

I think people haven’t heard from him because he is waiting on leather he doesn’t know when will arrive....it could be handled better but I highly doubt he is trying to actively rip people off their deposits...

 

[Sloan1874]

I don't imagine for a moment that John is trying actively to rip people off. The problem is that by failing to maintain communication, people could be forgiven for feeling that at the very least, they're concerns are being given short shrift by John. I gotta say, at this point, the fun and anticipation has drained out of this process, which is kinda a large part of this hobby.

 

[thor]

I just purchased a WWII-vintage Edmund T. Church M-422a off the Goodwear sale page; John and I had a back and forth e-mail exchange and he shipped the jacket out the very next day. Jacket arrived last Saturday but it didn’t quite fit. I e-mailed him again and we arranged a refund and I shipped the jacket back.
John was pleasant and professional and the entire transaction (purchase, shipment, return, refund) took a total of 5 days (John used 2-day Priority Mail service).
I bought a couple of jackets from John dating back to 2009 but nothing recently.
He has always been a gentleman in all respects.

 

[Big J]

I'm surprised to hear that GW was messing around with Shinki leather. They're just a couple of hours drive from me. Their biggest customer for years has been RMC, who get first dibs on their hides.
Cross share-holding between companies to protect mutual business interests is an everyday occurrence in Japan, so I'm sure Shinki and RMC are on each other's boards. I'm surprised they agreed to sell GW anything (or maybe they sent a rival the wrong batch to spike him).
Four years. I've said just about all I have to say about that. At what point to people stop jumping in? There are other repro A-2 makers out there making perfect jackets (Aero, for one).

 

[Sloan1874]

That's good to hear, Thor. John may be a gent, he was certainly friendly and helpful when I spoke to him *two years ago*. But at the risk of repeating myself, if he doesn't reply to people's emails, for whatever reason, what are they to think? If you gave me $200 and a typed order for a specific item to be delivered at around a specific date, I would see it as a contract and with it a responsibility to maintain at least a modicum of contact. I mean, I'm not sure what this sort of thing is doing to his rep...

 

[Cooper A-2]

Needed some info.
Send a mail approx one week ago.
Answer came within the same day ( time difference included ).
All good, except that he was sick, thats what he mentioned.

 

[El Marro]

I put my deposit down on 2/2/16. John replied to an email I sent out at that time to confirm that he had received my order. In September last year I sent him a couple emails to inquire about where we were in terms of scheduling and got no response. Finally I called him on the phone and we had a very nice chat. He told me that the timeline at that point was more like 2 1/2 years from date of deposit and that I should reach out to him mid 2018 to get the ball rolling on my jacket. As others have said, he is a true gentleman and a real pleasure to speak to. Having said that, though, there is no excuse for ignoring emails and requests for information regarding the schedule.

 

[Gromulus]

Wasn't yours delivered in two years though? I think the frustration probably comes from people whom have waited longer and may have been in the queue ahead of you...can't say for sure but that's why I know I could never do it. I love the jackets, no denying the beauty there but no way I could wait that out and non replies to email would send me into full on child like tantrum...I'm not proud of that but a man's gotta know his limitations...

This is ground level basic customer service. I can't even describe the fury I'd have. I'm also super obsessive. Couple that with raging high blood pressure and I just have to sit back and enjoy GW from the sidelines.
I'd say you are more than entitled to be frustrated and frankly, ****ed off. I don't know how Boyo does it. He should be earning interest on his deposit. Jacket should be made and shipped at no additional charge.

We share similar temperament. At the very least I would have to re-direct my energy to blowing off a few hundred rounds at the range or perhaps shooting for a PR in the bench or deadlift.

You fellas have way more patience....and tolerance.... than me...........