Money or Intention? Help me Decide

[tblay]

I feel like it's a supportive community on this board, so I thought I'd pose a question I'm having trouble with.

As I've posted elsewhere here, I ordered a Kensington from Himel Bros. Himel went out of town while my jacket was being cut, and it got cut from the wrong hide—Italian HH (Vicenza?) instead of Shinki.

So Himel has offered two options: 1. I take the Italiano HH for a discount or 2. I let them remake the jacket in Shinki for the original price. Though I don't quite understand how option 2. compensates for the lost time or frustration as the first option does, I'm tempted to stick with my original intention and ask for the remake in Shinki. I figure, if I wanted a great jacket in Italian HH, I could've just ordered another jacket from Thurston Bros. But I'm really tempted by getting some of my money back, essentially getting a Himel Bros jacket for much cheaper...

WWTFLD?

 

[handymike]

Do you love the current jacket?

 

[Fanch]

Italian/Vicenza HH IMO is a fantastic hide. Personally I would keep the discounted Kensington and never look back.

 

[tblay]

Do you love the current jacket?

Have no idea. I'm a long ways from Toronto. Have only seen photos.

Italian/Vicenza HH IMO is a fantastic hide. Personally I would keep the discounted Kensington and never look back.

I'm certainly leaning this way. Just gathering wisdom at this point. Thanks for your input.

 

[tropicalbob]

I'd go with Fanch's advice. Mistakes happen, but their offer seems completely reasonable and fair. Besides, in a recent conversation in another thread about the relative merits of Vicenza vs. Shinki, there seemed to be a fairly even split between them. I don't think you could lose either way.

 

[tblay]

I should also say that this is in no way an attempt to discredit Himel. He's been a real gentleman about the whole thing and I merely posted here because I was indecisive. I'd order from him again, no problem.

 

[handymike]

Unless you have held samples (or jackets) next to each other, it might be hard to tell the difference or make a clear decision. They are both lovely hides. If you are jonzing for Shinki there is no substitute! If you havent experienced it before, you may not miss it. Ask yourself if the discount is enough.
It might be...

 

[navetsea]

your initial first reaction is usually the truest, stick to what your initial feeling when hearing the news. just my 2c

 

[dudewuttheheck]

Get what you wanted. You'll likely regret it if you don't. Also, having seen both hides, Shinki is vastly superior IMO.

 

[Superfluous]

Without a doubt, Shinki. I have owned two Vicenza jackets and, while its definitely a nice HH, I far prefer Shinki HH (hence the reason why I sold both of my Vicenza jackets).

A Himel Kensington is a superlative jacket that deserves the best HH available. Moreover, Shinki is Himel's trademark leather.

 

[technovox]

I own jackets in both the Italian Vicenza and two in the Shinki (one is a Himel.) If it was my choice, the answer would be simple. Go with the Himel Shinki. For two reasons. One, as you stated, if you wanted the Italian Vicenza, you would have just ordered it. Secondly, not only is Shinki an amazing hide, but Himel's Shinki is at yet another level altogether. I think he must have some inside connection with Shinki- Himel jackets are made with the most beautiful horsehide I have ever seen. Just my humble opinion.

 

[plainsman]

Did you order Shinki because that is what you really wanted or just because it is supposed to be the best (at the moment) ? Go for what you really want

 

[Monitor]

Does the money really matter at this point? This jacket is over $2200. It's a luxury item. Refund would have to be over a grand and a half in order to get your moneys worth back which I presume is not, so just get the Shinki one if that's what you want. It will irk you in the long run, not having the jacket made from the best leather in the world.

 

[Peacoat]

Simple solution: Keep the Italian HH with the discount and have them make the Shinki that you originally wanted. May have to do without beer/wine for a few months to recoup the purchase price, but it will be worth it.

 

[ton312]

It will irk you in the long run, not having the jacket made from the best leather in the world.

You mean CXL right ...sorry couldn't resist.
But I agree...get what you wanted, don't settle. Even if the settlement is quite nice.

 

[Monitor]

You mean CXL right ...sorry couldn't resist.
But I agree...get what you wanted, don't settle. Even if the settlement is quite nice.

Well, whenever the subject of the best leather in the world comes up, a vision of a running blue horse in two frames .gif appears before my eyes but in reality, yeah, CXL would be pretty much it for me nowadays.

 

[ton312]

I don't quite understand how option 2. compensates for the lost time or frustration

It doesn't...even a small token refund, would've gone a long way for me here...

 

[Fanch]

I have a Himel Ventura (Shinki) and an Aero (Vicenza), and I don't perceive superiority of one over the other, but maybe leaning towards Vicenza. Just my personal opinion, and the basis of why I would keep the discounted Vicenza Kensington.

 

[tblay]

Well, you know what they say: go Shinki or go home. I'm asking for the remake in the hide I wanted originally. Hope it gets here soon...

Does the money really matter at this point? This jacket is over $2200. It's a luxury item. Refund would have to be over a grand and a half in order to get your moneys worth back which I presume is not, so just get the Shinki one if that's what you want. It will irk you in the long run, not having the jacket made from the best leather in the world.

It does matter in the sense that I sold off four jackets to pay for one, so it's a big investment. But I take your point. You're right; it would irk me down the road.

May have to do without beer/wine for a few months to recoup the purchase price, but it will be worth it.

Unthinkable!

Well, whenever the subject of the best leather in the world comes up, a vision of a running blue horse in two frames .gif appears before my eyes but in reality, yeah, CXL would be pretty much it for me nowadays.

For a long time, I kept trying to decide what the best bike in the world is, based on features, reputation, aesthetics, etc. Then, I figured out it was the one on which I couldn't stop smiling as I rode through town.

I definitely know what the best outerwear forum in the world is, though!

 

[tblay]

I have a Himel Ventura (Shinki) and an Aero (Vicenza), and I don't perceive superiority of one over the other, but maybe leaning towards Vicenza. Just my personal opinion, and the basis of why I would keep the discounted Vicenza Kensington.

I hear you. I can definitely see why you'd like it. It's a beautiful hide, for sure. I got a sample of Vicenza a while back and really dug it. Ultimately, though, I think it'd bug me if I didn't try out the Shinki. Himel Ventura seems like the pinnacle, but again, it's what makes you feel good, which is why it's really nice to be able to gather so much information on this forum.