People going crazy for Leather Jackets

AviatorBRZ · Sep 8, 2014

Hi everyone,
After I've lost an auction in ebay of an apparently never worn G-1 Jacket from the early 60's, for a price that I've considered "out of any expectation".
I was looking for anything interesting and found an Eastman jacket (M-422A Time Worn - Size 38). I've decided to "watch" it, just for curiosity because it started in "$0,00".

Well, I was actually not planning to buy it, because I'm more interested in the real deal, not repros... Even if they are better in quality.

Anyway, for curiosity I was watching the auction to see how far it would go... and BAM!

It ended today and was sold for £870,22.
Jesus! One BRAND NEW is £779.99.

The jacket in question have the cuffs replaced and have flaws in the waistband... PLUS: NO LINING!"

I was just wondering... How people go insane and pay absurd prices for things that they want.
The auction that I've lost was kind of "OK". It was a size 36 jacket... Not a great market in the US but I know that in Japan the market is huge for this size. And it ended "very expensive"...

My case was a great example of "Offer and Demand", but this Eastman... is nonsense

Here's the auction I'm talking about:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/G1-Jacket-/...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Big J · Sep 8, 2014

Seller must be laughing all the way to the bank.
I'm guessing that the buyer doesn't know that it's a repro that can be bought complete for less.

AviatorBRZ · Sep 8, 2014

That's my guess too Big J.
The problem is... you shouldn't pay that much without a little quick search on internet

Big J · Sep 8, 2014

AviatorBRZ said:
That's my guess too Big J.
The problem is... you shouldn't pay that much without a little quick search on internet

A fool and his money, as they say.
Maybe it's a good time to sell some jackets on eBay!

andyfalzon · Sep 8, 2014

That jacket is from a rare contract. That's why the high price.

Big J · Sep 8, 2014

andyfalzon said:
That jacket is from a rare contract. That's why the high price.

You mean it's a repro of a rare contract? Or that the repro of the original contract is rare?

Looks the same as the one they are selling on their site at the moment to me.

Sloan1874 · Sep 8, 2014

So that's how an action back works! That was clicking just to see the mechanics of where the elastic goes.

zhz · Sep 8, 2014

I cant understand it as well, it is a repro isnt it. And Eastman still sell it on their website...

Big J said:
You mean it's a repro of a rare contract? Or that the repro of the original contract is rare?

Looks the same as the one they are selling on their site at the moment to me.

rocketeer · Sep 8, 2014

Sloan1874 said:
So that's how an action back works! That was clicking just to see the mechanics of where the elastic goes.

If the jacket gets a little too small the straps can start to feel irritating in my experience(With a lining).

Justhandguns · Sep 8, 2014

Some bidders are addicted I guess. They just want to win, and most will most likely regretting it right at the instant when they check out. I have seen numerous occasions where used repro jackets selling beyond their original prices. GBP 870.22 for a well used Eastman! Such an expensive lesson!

Monitor · Sep 8, 2014

I have always wondered about this, who buys these jackets. Is it the collectors? Or some rich kids from Styleforum, just because the distressed flight jacket seems to trendy this year? What I don't understand is that sometimes I see auctions for jackets made by companies that are still in the business, fetching prices higher than what the new piece would normally cost.

Some time ago I was watching an auction for a jacket that the seller referred to as a 'lovely vintage punk jacket', with a starting price of $25 dollars if I remember correctly. The jacket in question was in fact one of the early horse hide Harley Davidson jackets, Cycle Champ I think it is called. I bet they were quite surprised when the auction ended with the jacket fetching the price of over $500... Okay, so these jackets have an added value for collectors and such but what got me thinking was, how the heck did whoever was willing to pay this sort of money find this particular auction? Nothing in the title, or the item description would have indicated that the jacket in question would be of any interest to, well, anyone.

I guess some people just have the time to browse eBay going only by the terms "vintage" and "leather jacket".

andyfalzon · Sep 8, 2014

You mean it's a repro of a rare contract? Or that the repro of the original contract is rare?

Please disregard my comment, I was looking at some other auction.

Big J · Sep 8, 2014

Any way I look at it, it doesn't make sense.

As for hipsters, what's the point of buying a 'trendy' vintage jacket with a worn look so that it looks like you've been living in it for years, if everyone you know has never ever seen you in it before? This is that fake 'authentic' thing again, isn't it?

Mark my words, that jacket will be back on ebay in 12 months when the owner realizes that it isn't 'trendy' next winter. Could get a bargain when it's re-listed (because the first time, this guy will start it at the price he paid for it, for sure!).

Monitor · Sep 8, 2014

I don't think hipsters, just like people that are into fashion, care what you have or have not been wearing before. And by before I mean, earlier that day. It's all about how you look right now... Besides, these kinds of folk tend to get easily bored with the stuff they wear, so I don't think it's possible for a true hipster to achieve a worn look, anyhow.

BTW, nothing against hipsters here! Not that there is anything wrong with it.

Big J · Sep 8, 2014

Monitor said:
I don't think hipsters, just like people that are into fashion, care what you have or have not been wearing before. And by before I mean, earlier that day. It's all about how you look right now... Besides, these kinds of folk tend to get easily bored with the stuff they wear, so I don't think it's possible for a true hipster to achieve a worn look, anyhow.

BTW, nothing against hipsters here! Not that there is anything wrong with it.

True. Although I have got something against the hipsters who turn up in my regular haunts and then try to make me feel like I'm not 'cool enough' to be there.

Monitor · Sep 8, 2014

Haha, sounds like a swell bunch! Somewhat similarly, I have had people wearing mall perfecto styled lambskins explaining to me how a 'biker' jacket should fit, because mine are all weird... God, I hate trends.

schitzo · Sep 8, 2014

sometimes unscrupulous sellers pull strings to manipulate their auctions. It only takes one bidder with the bit between his teeth

Big J · Sep 8, 2014

schitzo said:
sometimes unscrupulous sellers pull strings to manipulate their auctions. It only takes one bidder with the bit between his teeth

Well, I can kind of understand if the 'hunter' side of a bidders 'hunter-gatherer' instinct comes out under pressure.
My wife would say I'm a 'gatherer' based on the number of jackets I pick up.

Doctor Damage · Sep 8, 2014

Justhandguns said:
They just want to win, and most will most likely regretting it right at the instant when they check out.

We've all done that, at one time or another. Just yesterday I bid on something that I have second thoughts about today, although it won't be costing me much.

schitzo said:
Sometimes unscrupulous sellers pull strings to manipulate their auctions. It only takes one bidder with the bit between his teeth.

I guess a seller would have to enlist his friends, or have several accounts, to do that. I have certainly seen some auctions that seemed a bit dodgy and a few times an auction has sat there untouched until I've bid and then others suddenly jump in.

nick123 · Sep 8, 2014

A while back someone mentioned replacing the elastic bands is a huge undertaking. How long do they last before they give out?

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