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'Das Boot' Jacket

Peacoat

*
Bartender
Messages
6,445
Location
South of Nashville
Hard to beat a Barbour. In the wet country of England, that is about all one sees. My wife and I have several we have worn for years without any problems, and without getting wet under the jacket. Filson does sell a good product, though.
 

misanthrope101

New in Town
Messages
2
Location
Korea
Another option - the Harley-Davidson Sentinel jacket

I just got the Harley Sentinel jacket today in the mail. I don't have any pictures yet. It's double-breasted, black leather, and actually more sinister-looking than I anticipated. It isn't the "Das Boot" jacket, because the lapels aren't as big, but it definitely conveys a similar aura. The only thing I don't like about it is that the handwarmer pockets are too low for a coat this long--I have to use the patch pockets. Of course it has the Harley-Davidson logo impressed on the left wrist and on the buttons, but it's not that noticeable unless you look for it. I'm a little disappointed to find that it's made in China, but oh well. Nothing against China, but with Harley being such an American cult, I assumed it would be made in the USA. I got it on Ebay for $200, shipping included. Not a bad jacket.
 

johnnycanuck

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,008
Location
Alberta
Good day all.
Good news, Just got the jacket back today. It looks great, I will post pictures later as my camera is indisposed right now. The leather looks good. It is not to heavy. One sharp looking coat.

Now with that being said I have had a few difficulties with this jacket. I called up Wested to confirm the size and was told to order a large. Following the order I sent my exact measurements to make sure the size was correct and got a response e-mail saying the extra measurements were being added to my file. Then came the delays in the leather getting in. When I got the coat it was the wrong size so I had to spend $100 to send it back to be fixed. I was also informed it was my fault as I ordered the wrong size. The e-mail was not added to my file as I was told. I talked with Peter, the owner, and he said he will custom make a replacement to my exact specifications so I should make a letter stating what is wong and what I want. He was also going to look into some sort of compensation for the added cost and was going to personally handle it.
When picking up the new jacket I had to pay duty for a second time as they did not indicate on the packaging it was a return after alterations. The jacket has no additions I asked for like a cell phone pocket and a looser back belt. In fact the sleeve length I specified was not used. What it does have is a nice XL label.
For myself I don't know if I really want to try and contact them again and try to resolve these outstanding issues. I have already gone $120 over budget on this one and am not sending it back again. So I don't know what they would do to compensate for these issues. I do believe this will be my last jacket form them.
With all that being said if i was going to buy a jacket from them again I would go to there E-Bay store. So if anything went wrong I would have more of a voice and hopefully have better resolution for any issues.
Just a rant form a disgruntled customer. A disgruntled - repeat - customer.
Just my two cents worth.
Johnny
 

ofelas

New in Town
Messages
26
Location
So-USA & Canada
johnnycanuck - sorry to hear that.

I ordered the same jacket over a month back, and was initially told it would reach me before the third week of November. My credit card was hit for a few hundred $$$ the same day I ordered.

Now, I was told that "my jacket would be started to be cut within a few days", even after I made it real clear that I was going to be redeployed in December.

I understand a custom maker must charge in advance; however, I am now paying interest on my payment, being the second month as far as billing cycles are concerned.

Still no jacket, not even basic courtesy to let me know "hey bud, we cannot make the jacket within the time period we promised, perhaps you could order at another date when you have more time".

I will cancel my order today, and will certainly not be giving them any more business.
 

ofelas

New in Town
Messages
26
Location
So-USA & Canada
UPDATE AFTER A FEW MINUTES -

I called & spoke to a"Gemma".
I was informed that my jacket would start to be cut sometime this week.
I then requested my order be cancelled & my credit card be refunded as no work had been started yet.
I was immediately told that "it may have been started to be cut, and if so, they couldn't cancel my order".
I said I'd hold while she checked.
She replied that it would take the rest of the day to find out.
Sounds like a grease job to hang on to my $$$.
 

Kt Templar

One of the Regulars
Messages
289
Location
Nr Wimbledon, SW London. UK
ofelas
Now, I'm a big fan of Peter and Gemma and I have met them both. Wested is a very small concern and they sometime get swamped with orders especially this time of year, they've just done the Halloween rush and are now in the last throes of the Chrismas rush. They are also an ageing company their machinists are gradually retiring and they seem to be having trouble getting the new people (the labour market in the UK is pretty messed up right now).

Their cutter, Bill, has also retired and is now working part-time, 3 days a week, and he is the main hard one to replace, there are literally no leather cutting apprentices in the UK these days. So it turns into a waiting game. I went over there maybe 3 weeks ago the orders waiting to be cut were an inch and a half thick, one order per sheet.

Last March, they were at full strength and some jackets were getting to the US in 14 days!

A friend of mine recently bought a Indy Jacket and it took about five and a half weeks in the UK.

They are good people, but the strain is showing. Please be patient and civil, if work has already started... leather bought, buttons ordered... they will of course try to keep the order in as money has already been spent.

johnnycanuck
Your story is an upsetting one too. I hope the jacket is a good one now. I can't say much apart from the fact that it it unfortunate that you've been charged duty twice. Canada is particularly overzealous where tax is concerned. Not a lot I can say apart from did you clearly state that it was necessary to tell customs that the jacket was a "return".

Both of you though... if you had bought a Bad Wolf jacket you would still be waiting... three months from now, by all accounts.

This is not a criticism of either of you, you are the customers and customers have a right to be informed of what is happening on their orders. but like custom hat's, custom jackets take time too.
 

johnnycanuck

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,008
Location
Alberta
That's good to know, but it is also something I think I should have found out for Wested. I have bought custom hats, Jackets and Suits before. Up till now I have not had a problem with being informed as to what the hold ups were. But its all right now as everything is said and done.

Ofelas have you found out what is happening with your jacket yet?

As for posting pictures I cant seem to get them to upload to the lounge. Looks like I may have to start a Photobucket profile and post them that way.

Johnny
 

Doctor Strange

I'll Lock Up
Messages
5,245
Location
Hudson Valley, NY
Kt Templar, I'm really glad that you posted about Wested's current labor/time issues.

I sent them my lambskin Raiders jacket for repair about six weeks ago (my car door tore a big v-shaped gash in the back panel - it would appear that lambskin is indeed as fragile as we often hear!) I had previously worked out some of the details with Gemma via email, and she sent me a message stating they had received the jacket about a week after I mailed it. Since then, I've written to her three times trying to finalize the payment and shipping details, but have had no response.

Your post gives me a clue why. I was starting to worry and had considered calling her, but now I realize I should just cool my jets for a while.

It won't be warm enough here for that jacket until the spring, anyway...
 

Pilotguy299

One of the Regulars
Messages
172
Location
Monrovia, MD USA
johnnycanuck said:
Good day all.
Good news, Just got the jacket back today. It looks great, I will post pictures later as my camera is indisposed right now. The leather looks good. It is not to heavy. One sharp looking coat.
Johnny


I've been thinking of ordering one from them too. I know you've had a problem and I am a little concerned about placing the order.

Are you able to post a pic of the front and back of the jacket?
 

Kt Templar

One of the Regulars
Messages
289
Location
Nr Wimbledon, SW London. UK
billy3ci on COW recently recieved this jacket in predistressed cowhide. It looked so nice for a Doctor Who that I asked his permission to show it to you here.





He said it cost him about $400 incl shipping and he got it in 4 weeks to the US.
 

Flitcraft

One Too Many
Messages
1,037
Wow! That does look good! I wish Wested would post better pictures on their website- its difficult to get a clear idea of how good that jacket looks.
Thanks for posting!
 

johnnycanuck

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,008
Location
Alberta
That is a nice looking jacket. The distressed looks really good. Thank you for the post KT Templar. I also went onto COW and read the thread. Made me realize how negative my post was. I have ordered threw them several times before and have been really happy with the experience. I am also very happy with the quality of work they produce. I guess I was a little angry at the time.
As for pictures I cant seem to load them straight onto the lounge so I may just post them threw Photo bucket. I will try to get them up before Christmas.
Johnny.
 

bender73

New in Town
Messages
1
Location
Massachusetts
Hello, I am new here. DAS BOOT jacket...

hello everyone. i found this place from a member at the indy forum. i have been lurking until activated and must say that this is a pretty cool forum. the other member told me that there was some interest in the Das Boot jacket from Wested Leather and i just recently received mine. custom ordered from the UK and arrived to me in the USA in under 4 weeks. the jacket is beautiful. drapes like butter. i got it in predistressed hide and it looks like it was pulled from an old prop house after sitting for 50 years! anyway, i just wanted to say hello and answer any questions you might have.

Cheers! -Chris

drwhojacket001.jpg

drwhojacket002.jpg
 

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