Finds and Deals - Leather Jacket Edition

I went all in, and also won this one, it was even cheaper than the black one:






Same style of label, not sure what to think yet, if they are both real this was a great score, pretty much buy one get one free...
I'll also ask Buyee for pics before i ship it, curious to see what it looks like.

Shipping charges from Buyee, you need to keep in mind a few things.

You're paying domestic shipping (Japanese seller to deliver to Buyee) and International Shipping (Buyee to your destination). On the Domestic shipping, it's usually $8-15. Goes by weight on the international. They've started using Fed Ex which has helped costs to USA dramatically. Will run you about $40-60. There's a crazy jump in price once you cross a certain threshold, I think 3 or 3.5kg. Not a problem for most jackets, but for some Vansons... well you know. Anyway, the price chart is listed on their page and you can get a good guess. FYI, I've gotten jackets from Japan to Los Angeles in 2 days. Better than USPS getting something from northern California. Crazy.

If the seller is a store, you have to pay tax as well, but it's noted in the auction price. And if it's a store, there's a chance that even though you win the auction or BIN, the jacket may have been sold at the store. So you'll see sometimes bad ratings about someone buying something not available. No financial consequences, but kind of disappointing. Also consider local customs rules because they won't fake invoices.

I've bought 4 jackets from Buyee from 4 different sellers. You really need to take a leap of faith in some cases because you're going off of limited photos, no ability to talk to seller, and sometimes iffy English translation of Japanese listing. Pricing for most part is on par with what you would get from a really good deal on Ebay. But occasionally something falls through the cracks and you can get a really good deal, especially if there's some sort of damage (i.e. male zipper pin fraying etc.). And more importantly, the selection of jackets seems to be better than Ebay, although bigger sizes +42 are not as abound. If you're a 36-38, even a 40 in some cases, get ready to spend some money.

My 2000 Enfield was about $350 (all prices, all in with shipping, etc). Excellent condition. That's about as low as I've seen them. I've seen horse and octagon ones go for about $400ish.

My early 1980s C2 was $280. Needed male side zipper replacement and epaulettes had been cut off, and no belt. Newer models, but still in that sweet spot for the really good comp weight leather, perfect condition, run closer to $500ish.

My Schott 641xx (I think 2006) with NOS Talon zips was $330. Needed male side zipper replacement. Good condition ones run about $500-750ish.

My Schott suede sherpa trucker (probably late 80s/early 90s) was $80. Everything perfect except for a red marker stain on the chest pocket. Thought I could wash it out, no luck, so I waxed it a darker shade. Doesn't fit though, otherwise would have been my most epic purchase ever. Such a nice jacket.

The very best deals on Buyee I see consistently are anything shearling, especially Schott jackets. If you're in the market for a B3 or any of their civilian style B3 variations, buy from there. They frequently go for like sub $200 in what seems to be near mint condition. But like I said, you really need to understand what you're buying (know the sizes, know how they fit, etc.)

I know there's good deals on RMC, Iron Heart, Freewheelers and other Japanese brands, but I haven't gone there yet. Those typically will cross over the customs charge range for US and more importantly, I don't understand the sizing, so don't want to take a chance. But again, if you know the product, you can pick up something at a pretty good price.

Last tip, you need to make your search field kind of generic to pick up what you're potentially looking for. Schott for instance sometimes gets spelled as Shot and I've seen Banson instead of Vanson. And typically they don't reference the model number. So don't search for 118, etc. It's usually going to be single rider, double rider, etc. Don't think they reference cross zip, cafe racer, etc. Maybe occasionally.

Now get ready to spend hours on there, not to mention how many dollars. I have more things in my watch list on Buyee than anywhere else.

Carlos840 said:

I went all in, and also won this one, it was even cheaper than the black one:

Same style of label, not sure what to think yet, if they are both real this was a great score, pretty much buy one get one free...
I'll also ask Buyee for pics before i ship it, curious to see what it looks like.

Click to expand...

I think Vansion (I know Schott for sure) has done Japanese specific collabs/productions. So maybe this is something that was produced locally or specifically for Japanese market and that's why the label is "off".

I agree that it's silly to counterfeit Vanson at this price point. It's the same thing with all those "Is this real Schott" on the Schott message boards. You can buy them for like sub $300, so why even bother faking one?

The only possible problem might be if the leather is different/inferior for a locally produced (i.e. kind of the Schott Euro line). But I would hope Vanson would set some standards if they're lending their name, etc.

I got a feeling you got a good score here.

I am not an expert on Vanson and have no idea if the one on buyee is fake but would like to share my understanding.
1) Apart from the prolific fake RRL, one can find fake Real McCoy's deck vest, fake RM Buco tees, Langlitz tees and Schott items etc;
2) many factories in China are already making low price copies of LL, Schott, Vanson, Langlitz etc. These are being sold without labels or with some other factory labels etc. Cost of switching the labels is small;
3) Japanese do often buy fake merchandise, they just don't make them because of the labour cost. That only means Japanese would import fake goods and resell them. I have seen many people wearing fake Moncler in the streets of Tokyo. I have been to shops selling those fake Moncler in Tokyo. Having said that, the Japanese sellers don't usually pass those off as genuine i.e. more often than not they are priced so buyer are aware that they are counterfeits. There are now many overseas labour/students living in Japan who do not share this practice and can more readily obtain fake goods from their own country.
Reason why I want to share this is I have seen more and more fake goods on Yahoo Auction JP. My guess is more and more overseas labour/students trying to make extra by reselling fake goods from their home country.

Bill Kelso A1 - shinki horsehide (size 42)

Buzz Rickson B-2 sz40: BIN $750

https://www.ebay.com/itm/144047280196

Carlos840 said:

I went all in, and also won this one, it was even cheaper than the black one:

Same style of label, not sure what to think yet, if they are both real this was a great score, pretty much buy one get one free...
I'll also ask Buyee for pics before i ship it, curious to see what it looks like.

Click to expand...

From the same seller, I got myself a Cheyenne in my size today. Hope it fits.

handymike said:

Buzz Rickson B-2 sz40: BIN $750

https://www.ebay.com/itm/144047280196
View attachment 338367

Click to expand...

Gorgeous jacket. @Rufus Dayglo had one back about fifteen years ago, as I recall. Lovely jacket. A touch of class over the B3, imo, but very rarely seen. As memory serves I've only ever seen them done by LW and BR, though I'm sure there are others in Japan.

Missing zip-out and label. Anyone recognize it? Front has some Brooks in it, but the rest...? Anyway, looks solid. Tagged sz 40. $100 US.




https://www.ebay.com/itm/333890188437

Jumper said:

Missing zip-out and label. Anyone recognize it? Front has some Brooks in it, but the rest...? Anyway, looks solid. Tagged sz 40. $100 US.

View attachment 338452
View attachment 338453

https://www.ebay.com/itm/333890188437

Click to expand...

Looks Lesco-ish to me, I've also seen Excelled and Older Orchard Leathers (Branded) with the same back and side zips.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/clo/d/pleasant-hill-vintage-womens-black/7326034813.html

About a size 4 women's jacket. Local find looks like a Cal to me

17" pit to pit
24" sleeves
21" back length

Jumper said:

Missing zip-out and label. Anyone recognize it? Front has some Brooks in it, but the rest...? Anyway, looks solid. Tagged sz 40. $100 US.

View attachment 338452
View attachment 338453

https://www.ebay.com/itm/333890188437

Click to expand...

Very, very similar to a jacket I owned for a few years back around 2003. In the days before I discovered leather outside of bike jackets, I picked it up to wear to the office on more casual days, as the Perfecto style I had just seemed a bit.... much... for wearing to work. Nobody wants to look like they're trying to be "trendy lecturer". Mine was branded Route 66, as I recall - made in USA, I think it was a naked cowhide according to the label. Very similar front, though the collar stud-over-tab was a bit longer, and had an additional internal stud so when open it could either hang loose, or be clipped back in on itself. Can't remember if the back had a centre seam, tbh. All zips were chrome, and I think there may have been a studded leather strap at the bottom hem end of the zipper too. The body was lined in black satin with a zip-out, quilted body liner -not especially heavy. I don't think I ever zipped it out; I saw it as a way of stopping the main lining from wearing out, really. Nice jacket, though I sold it on in the end because I felt it didn't quite work with a collared shirt, and I moved away from t-shirts at that time. Now I'm back wearing a few 50s-style striped t-shirts for the first time in over a decade, I'm a bit tempted by a cafe racer again...

That Bill Kelso A1 isn't much of a deal. More like RMC prices.

Rgcards said:

That Bill Kelso A1 isn't much of a deal. More like RMC prices.

Click to expand...

Interesting move if they're calling it an A1 now, though, after the ill-felling over the use of "Aeronaut".

Edward said:

Interesting move if they're calling it an A1 now, though, after the ill-felling over the use of "Aeronaut".

Click to expand...

It's always been called an Aeronaut A-1 as far as I know. At least as far as I've been around.

While it's cheaper than BK is charging for their new Shinki, yea it's still pretty pricey. Great looking jacket though!

Rgcards said:

That Bill Kelso A1 isn't much of a deal. More like RMC prices.

Click to expand...

Agreed, but Shinki aint cheap?
I wonder how much he originally paid? from what i can see the Victory Dark Seal is £1600 without any customisation.

It looks exactly like my Himel A1.

Seems he provided the Shinki himself before Bill Kelso sourced their own. The new Shinki that Kelso offers is priced at £1175 for the Aeronaut A-1 so he's reasonably priced for what looks to be a pretty brand new jacket.

marker2037 said:

Seems he provided the Shinki himself before Bill Kelso sourced their own. The new Shinki that Kelso offers is priced at £1175 for the Aeronaut A-1 so he's reasonably priced for what looks to be a pretty brand new jacket.

Click to expand...

15% off new, customized to your sized

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174787669335

Monitor said:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174787669335

Click to expand...

So nice!