Vanson: are you OK?

[massaggiogalore]

Well, I've been on a hunt for a leather jacket not in black (Burgundy would be my preferred color) and I know Vanson has a very nice "Brandy Roma" brownish/butterscotch color in the AR3 model for a decent price and the gold zips are fantastic. Sounds great right?

I've been here before. Back in April I placed an order with them and it arrived promptly. Fine. But then when I returned it because it was too large the fun began. I could tell from the shipping/tracking that they received it but I kept emailing them asking when I would be refunded on my credit card. No response. Not helping matters was that the website's ordering system wasn't working so I had to manually call up (Kim I think?) and give her my order so there was no digital trail of an order. Then a couple days after I ordered the whole website crashed*.

After about a month of solid smoke from Vanson I did something I never did before: I asked my credit company for a chargeback and I finally got my money back.

Contrast that with Schott: I had to return two jackets because alas I'm in-between sizes (see here for a fit-check thread with pics of me wearing the Medium 530 which was too big and I then tried the small which was too small/uncomfortable) and they had an automated online system for returns and I printed out pre-paid FedEx shipping labels they provided. Within 3 days the first jacket was received and the refund processed. THAT'S how you make customers of $1000+ jackets happy. Unfortunately most of their jackets I'm interested in have similar sizing which is a downer. I've included my measurements below FWIW.

Which brings me back to Vanson: I'm tempted to try the same jacket again with a different size since all the sizes except the one I tried were sold out the last time. Does anyone have recent experience with Vanson? Did a return/exchange go well? Is it worth risking it again? Seems like they have a pretty rickety operation, and I'm not the only one with this experience based on Google and Yelp reviews going back years.

So, uh, Vanson: are you OK?

*As of this writing, the website has now been down again for at least 24 hrs.

-5'7" 150 pounds
-Chest: 39.5"
-Shoulder: 18"
-Sleeves: 25"

 

[jacketjunkie]

I buy 1-2 jackets from them every year for years, guess I am a so called return customer.. never any issues. I never returned any jackets either.

Looking at your height and weights you probably better look somewhere else. All their jackets suited for your chest size (size 38-40 depending on model) will be too long in body and sleeves for you.

 

[dinhnguyen57]

I called once to inquire about alterations and they were quick to pick up the phone and did not seem hurried. Very polite and helpful.

 

[massaggiogalore]

I called once to inquire about alterations and they were quick to pick up the phone and did not seem hurried. Very polite and helpful.

Same here. Until I tried to return the jacket.

 

[Peacoat]

Kim is the wife of the owner, so I guess she is also an owner. It's been years, but she was always helpful. And she is cute, too. But then, I never needed to return anything.

 

[l0fielectronic]

Seems the website is back up. OP could you maybe try ordering what you want from one of their dealers if they carry it, I think Thurston carry Vanson, as do some others.

 

[MadCat]

Ive been dealing with them a lot lately and they are very helpful and prompt. Kim is awesome.

 

[bobjones]

Schott has 3 jackets in burgundy I found, but all are S-M-L sizing and not a cafe racer pattern. The 622H, 557 and 613S are all in burgundy, though different patterns and hides.

Based on your specs I think you're a Small in Schott's system, and it might be worth trying some other patterns if you are open to it. Do you live/travel near one of their stores?

I have found that while many of their patterns in size Large fit me perfectly, on occasion one might be too big in that size, so it is always best to try them on, if possible. Even similar patterns like the 555 which I loved seemed a bit too large when I tried one on, even though it is a very similar pattern to the most recent one I bought, the 562.

What made the Small not fit? Was the chest a bit tight, but the other specs ok? I ask because if the chest is only a tiny bit snug it can stretch a bit over time and if you are only wearing it with a t-shirt it might mould to your frame wearing it.

 

[Ybentov]

Schott has 3 jackets in burgundy I found, but all are S-M-L sizing and not a cafe racer pattern. The 622H, 557 and 613S are all in burgundy, though different patterns and hides.

Based on your specs I think you're a Small in Schott's system, and it might be worth trying some other patterns if you are open to it. Do you live/travel near one of their stores?

I have found that while many of their patterns in size Large fit me perfectly, on occasion one might be too big in that size, so it is always best to try them on, if possible. Even similar patterns like the 555 which I loved seemed a bit too large when I tried one on, even though it is a very similar pattern to the most recent one I bought, the 562.

What made the Small not fit? Was the chest a bit tight, but the other specs ok? I ask because if the chest is only a tiny bit snug it can stretch a bit over time and if you are only wearing it with a t-shirt it might mould to your frame wearing it.

Was about to say how annoying it is that Schott refuses to publish actual size measurements on their site, but apparently they redid things at some point and they actually do! Might have to give them another chance, this was always why I stayed away

 

[AeroFan_07]

Given your size specifications, Vanson's patterns likely will not be a good fit for you overall.

 

[onstar]

Given your size specifications, Vanson's patterns likely will not be a good fit for you overall.

I though lt they fit smilar?

 

[Edward]

Was about to say how annoying it is that Schott refuses to publish actual size measurements on their site, but apparently they redid things at some point and they actually do! Might have to give them another chance, this was always why I stayed away

Really helpful, that, as Schott's numerical sizes seem for me at least to come up small: I typically need to go up one to two full sizes in a 618 over the equivalent from most other brands I've worn.