Eastman raised prices?

Faisalha9159 · Sep 27, 2011

This maybe old news, but I just visited the ELC website to look at a broken grain B-3 and was shocked to see the price has now risen to £600.00. I am pretty sure it used to be around the £400.00 mark.

Is it really worth paying £600.00 for?

ButteMT61 · Sep 27, 2011

Well, it's like anything. Up to you to decide. For me, I started buying mid-range jackets a few years back, now I'm getting rid of 'em all. Once you get a quality piece, you find it's worth saving and getting them. Price hikes are always painful, but it's a way of life...

bretron · Sep 28, 2011

Cost of materials was what the good folks at History Preservation told me about six months back, when I was considering an A2. She said, "Buy one now!" But... I didn't!

Edward · Sep 28, 2011

Is it one of their "Timeworn" jackets you're looking at? Those do tend to cost more than the standard, as you're paying for the extra labour involved. ELC did raise their prices across the board a year or two ago, they may well have had to again more recently.

John Lever · Sep 28, 2011

Take a look at the cost of the new Perry B-3 ..
http://www.eastmanleather.com/product_info.php?products_id=237

Bix B. · Sep 28, 2011

Yes they are very expensive.
But, to a rookie like me, the B3`s and especially the B6 "rough wear broken grain" look better than anything similar of the other producers. I`m thinking about getting a B 6. Hard decision so far ...

Edward · Sep 28, 2011

John Lever said:
Take a look at the cost of the new Perry B-3 ..
http://www.eastmanleather.com/product_info.php?products_id=237

Yeah, the specials and original maker series do seem to add a whack to the price. I love that Perry B3 - I'd love something in the 'redskin' style of early B3 - but it is, alas for now, rather out of my price range, especially as I already have a very nice two-tone LW B3 (actually the one I bought from you a couple of years ago, John).

As an aside, how do Aero compare to Eastman for the USAAF shearlings? I know their Irvins are considered to not be as good as ELC, but their USAAF stuff looks better than their Irvins to my eye.

John Lever · Sep 28, 2011

Edward,
I hope you are enjoying the B-3. We are due to have very cold October here in the UK so it may have an outing soon. I used to have an Aero B-3 and was very happy with it. Solidly made out of very thick sheepskin,it now lives in Norway and sees loads of wear.
I would say it is as good as your LW.

ButteMT61 · Sep 28, 2011

I don't have an Eastman, but I just received an Aero B3 for my son (birthday gift) and its gorgeous. The quality is superb. Hides (sheep & horse) are top-notch. Thick sheerling. Nothing bad to say about it.

Twit · Sep 28, 2011

John Lever said:
We are due to have very cold October here in the UK so it may have an outing soon.

I hope that is true! I've just ordered an Eastman D-1 but not being someone who really feels the cold I'll have to wait a while to actually wear it! That said I don't want to wish the weather away, its great!

I have been loking at the Eastman prices and I can't say I have noticed any recent price rises. I guess buying outside of the UK the prices may fluctuate due to the manic exchange rate changes...

coloradorider · Sep 28, 2011

Faisalha9159 said:
This maybe old news, but I just visited the ELC website to look at a broken grain B-3 and was shocked to see the price has now risen to £600.00. I am pretty sure it used to be around the £400.00 mark.

Is it really worth paying £600.00 for?

Here's a post from Horween leathers (provider of Aero's FQHH) blog about increased hide prices - http://horween.wordpress.com/2011/03/18/the-state-of-the-market/. Hopefully - prices will eventually come down and jacket makers can reduce their retail prices to follow. If your jacket maker hasn't raised their prices it may be a good time to buy... Cheers

Justhandguns · Sep 29, 2011

coloradorider said:
Here's a post from Horween leathers (provider of Aero's FQHH) blog about increased hide prices - http://horween.wordpress.com/2011/03/18/the-state-of-the-market/. Hopefully - prices will eventually come down and jacket makers can reduce their retail prices to follow. If your jacket maker hasn't raised their prices it may be a good time to buy... Cheers

Honestly, I don't see the prices will come down even when the material cost becomes cheaper in the future. When manufacturers such as Eastman and Aero find that their orders keep on increasing while they increase their prices, why should they reduce them afterwards?

HoosierDaddy · Sep 29, 2011

Justhandguns said:
Honestly, I don't see the prices will come down even when the material cost becomes cheaper in the future. When manufacturers such as Eastman and Aero find that their orders keep on increasing while their increase their prices, why should they reduce them afterwards?

Ha..that's for sure! Once established..I don't ever remember prices going back down

John Lever · Sep 29, 2011

You're right there Van.

Edward · Sep 29, 2011

John Lever said:
Edward,
I hope you are enjoying the B-3. We are due to have very cold October here in the UK so it may have an outing soon. I used to have an Aero B-3 and was very happy with it. Solidly made out of very thick sheepskin,it now lives in Norway and sees loads of wear.
I would say it is as good as your LW.

Hi John, Yes, thanks, the B3 is still serving me well. It was worn almost exclusively for a couple of Winters, then last year it shared duty with an ELC 42 pattern Irvin I picked up for £300 on eBay, mint. I find the B3 one I'll wear if I'm a bit more concerned that the jacket might take a knock - those big horsehide panels on the elbows are very comforting. Good to hear you were well pleased with the Aero B3 - I might think about one of those next year.

A bit of cooler weather would be very welcome - I've been uncomfortable in the heat here in London the last few days - back in a cotton Summer blazer and everything. Feels very wrong for nearly-October!

Twit said:
I hope that is true! I've just ordered an Eastman D-1 but not being someone who really feels the cold I'll have to wait a while to actually wear it! That said I don't want to wish the weather away, its great!

I have been loking at the Eastman prices and I can't say I have noticed any recent price rises. I guess buying outside of the UK the prices may fluctuate due to the manic exchange rate changes...

Could be. Not so long ago the pound was as low as USD1.50 (gone are the heady days of 2007 and USD2.20 to the pound!), but it is slowly improving.

Justhandguns said:
Honestly, I don't see the prices will come down even when the material cost becomes cheaper in the future. When manufacturers such as Eastman and Aero find that their orders keep on increasing while they increase their prices, why should they reduce them afterwards?

Yay capitalism!

SMF144 · Sep 30, 2011

Is the Perry B-3 really worth, in my case, $1500 CDN? I am a little concerned over this talk about the price increase and quality issues with some of ELC's products as I am close to getting off the proverbial pot and ordering one. I think it would come in handy since I live in the North. The B-6 and D-1 look interesting too and I'd be curious to hear from those who own these ELC products. I could use one of them now...

Stephen

John Lever · Sep 30, 2011

High prices yes, but I have never experienced any quality issues with Eastman. My only dislike the the Crown zip which I hate. Construction and materials are all very good. If there were ever a problem I know it would be sorted with out any quibbles from Gary and the team. Allan has even supplied free of charge replacement zip parts for my old RAF jacket.

Otter · Sep 30, 2011

That might have swayed me. I usually buy Aero, I have 6 of them, but I might give Eastman a try for my new B3.

subject101 · Oct 1, 2011

Justhandguns said:
Honestly, I don't see the prices will come down even when the material cost becomes cheaper in the future. When manufacturers such as Eastman and Aero find that their orders keep on increasing while they increase their prices, why should they reduce them afterwards?

I tend to agree but at some point they'll start to lose too much sales.

ButteMT61 · Oct 2, 2011

subject101 said:
I tend to agree but at some point they'll start to lose too much sales.

I doubt it. Premium products and better-off buyers. Look at Apple. Always accused of higher prices, yet are growing in spite of all the garbage going on.

Eastman raised prices?

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