How long does it usually take to get a reply from Goodwear Leather ?

[El Marro]

If the OP still wants his jacket he will get it if once he manages to break through to John via email and/or phone. Obviously this is not how it should be, and it is ludicrous. But going on and on disparaging GW and the OP is something else entirely, its rude.

 

[Zoro]

Not personal just ludicrous that anyone would be so dense as to think after 9 years it's viable, end of, but yep so what, rant over, 10 plus one!

I'm a believer into special circumstances having special measures. I see where you come from if you pay someone and after 9 years you're still waiting, you may as well say goodbye to your money, but at the same time, most makers I hear of around here are on extended lead times and it seems to be a common trend that their craftmanship is inversely proportional to their business acumen. So I wouldn't kill the man without giving him the chance to refund his customer.

Also, after 9 years I think both OP and Goodwear are at fault, unless someone contacted at any point and got no answer. There can still be a happy ending, specially if OP gets a brand new jacket in 2025 at 2015 price.

 

[Fonzie]

Exactly, good luck with that one haha

You’re sounding quite obnoxious with your repetitive condescending remarks. The OP doesn’t want to badmouth Goodwear or complain about his deposit, he asked a simple question and got helpful answers.

John Chapman is an honest man who is a master craftsman of leather jackets, but he is also notoriously bad for his admin work.

In 15 years reading posts here about these types of issues not once I’ve read that someone that paid a deposit, got tired of waiting and asked for a refund didn’t get it.
To my knowledge from reading countless threads here, he always returns deposits quick when asked for, regardless of how long ago they were paid as evidenced in multiple posts here.

So maybe don’t be so cynical and stop with the sardonic replies, it’s not well received by long term members and the decorum of TFL asks for common courtesy and a gentleman like behaviour, it’s what makes this site such a nice place to come to.
Thanks.

 

[cbez]

Or we could collectively raise the expectations for reasonably prompt communication, and reasonably accurate lead time estimates, instead of infinitely making excuses for people. It is a business.

If it happens occasionally due to unforeseen issues or emergencies, that's one thing, when it happens year after year it's another.

Some folks simply want a particular jacket regardless of wait time, and more power to them. But a lot are lured in by the misleading lead times, which seems to be a common thing with all the stories of people asking for their deposits back.

Out of fairness I corrected the post where I said his deposit is gone, it sounds like they are at least good about returning those.

 

[Fonzie]

Or we could collectively raise the expectations for reasonably prompt communication, and reasonably accurate lead time estimates, instead of infinitely making excuses for people. It is a business.

If it happens occasionally due to unforeseen issues or emergencies, that's one thing, when it happens year after year it's another.

Some folks simply want a particular jacket regardless of wait time, and more power to them. But a lot are lured in by the misleading lead times, which seems to be a common thing with all the stories of people asking for their deposits back.

Out of fairness I corrected the post where I said his deposit is gone, it sounds like they are at least good about returning those.

No one is making excuses for John’s lack of discipline to answer to his customers, just setting the record straight regarding the paid deposits.

As I stated, there’s plenty of evidence that John’s an honest man, regardless of his poor customer service.

 

[cbez]

If I tell you I will do a service for you by the end of the year, and take your deposit, knowing full well my last 20 jobs took me 4 years and I'm still running behind with 3 years of work ahead of yours in the queue, am I being honest? And then when you ask about it once a year has passed, I take a long time to even respond to you?

There has to be some accountability.

 

[Fonzie]

If I tell you I will do a service for you by the end of the year, and take your deposit, knowing full well my last 20 jobs took me 4 years and I'm still running behind with 3 years of work ahead of yours in the queue, am I being honest? And then when you ask about it once a year has passed, I take a long time to even respond to you?

There has to be some accountability.

I placed my order in the summer of 2015.
But that’s not what I want to discuss this time.
Did I end up writing something unnecessary?

Certainly, if you’re in that position by all means get frustrated, complain publicly and ask for your deposit back.

But as the OP said very clearly, he didn’t want to discuss or complain about his huge long wait time, he was merely politely asking for the opinion of someone with first hand experience in communicating with John recently, and he implied that he didn’t want to critique Goodwear or start another pile on thread against John.

There’s plenty of those threads already if you want to bring out the pop corn.

 

[cbez]

Well evidence of beyond sloppy business practices is sure to invite discussion. It's a public business and public discussion of it is reasonable.

I think I've said pretty much all I have to say on it, good luck OP and I hope you get your jacket or deposit.

 

[LostWorldsFan]

Just out of curiosity, what makes him an honest man if he doesn’t even bother to check or respond to an email from a customer who has already paid the deposit? Mr. Chapman must possess some kind of magic to convince his fans that he genuinely faced some difficulties that prevented him from replying to emails.

 

[mnrkm]

I understand that everyone has different opinions about John. However, I hope that any discussions remain calm and respectful.

If there are any updates, I will post them here.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

You seem to take that personal.

The OP asked a simple question that doesn’t require a 10+ post rant.

In life as in business things go wrong all the time. For all I know John Chapman isn’t even aware of this matter (Yes, he should, but so what.). Members in the same situation report that a refund isn’t a problem. Just speak to him.

Just out of curiosity, what makes him an honest man if he doesn’t even bother to check or respond to an email from a customer who has already paid the deposit? Mr. Chapman must possess some kind of magic to convince his fans that he genuinely faced some difficulties that prevented him from replying to emails.

This does not help!

It is incendiary and in no way addresses the OP’s stated concerns.
See the previous posts to satisfy your curiosity or start your own thread dedicated to your curiosity.

This dead horse has been kicked enough….again!
B