I've just talked to Noel Howard..and he's BACK IN BUSINESS!

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 5:51 am

I just got off the phone to none other than Mr. Noel Howard, formerly of MBA costumes. What a nice guy he is, a real gentleman. He has just returened from a long spell in the far east where he was working on a new movie.

I have some big news to report - Noel is back in business selling Indy Shirts, trousers, bags/straps, whipholders, holsters, LC ties and everything else from the old Indy line.

I actually called to invite Noel to meet up with us at the UK summit next month, which he says he would be delighted to do on either of the days.

Anyone wishing to order from Noel should place their orders via his usual email address:

Email Mr. Howard at: NHowardUk@aol.com

The business should be up and running properly very soon, Noel is just waiting for his Computer to return from the PC doctor and then it's all systems go.

Payment options will hopefully include a new Paypal facility.

Woohoo! Welcome back Noel, and thank you!

Scandinavia Jones · Post by **Scandinavia Jones** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 5:54 am

EXCELLENT!

Way to go ob1al - and three cheers for Mr. Howard too!

Canyon · Post by **Canyon** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 5:57 am

Ob1al, this is great news!

Also, I would love to meet Mr Howard at the up and coming UK Summit. That would be awesome!

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 5:58 am

Similar prices? This is great news!

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 6:02 am

Right on!!!!! Did he have an E.T.A. on when the website will be up ?? With pics and prices?????

I asked about that and it's still in the works - however anyone wishing to order should just email Noel and he will respond. Check out the MBA price list from the Indygear mainsite, I guess prices will be pretty much the same as shown there but Noel will advise of any changes when you email him, I'm sure.

Canyon, it will indeed be excellent to meet up with Noel - maybe if I ask him nicely he'll bring along his screen-used items for us to 'ooooh' and 'ahhhh' over.

We just need to fix a date and place in the summit schedule and I'll get right back to him to confirm.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 6:04 am

Does anyone have the LC tie here? That's one of Noel's items I'd go for at this stage, I think...

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 6:18 am

$\:D/$

Amazing! Thanks to both JAN and Al for finding out.
I wouldn't trust the mainsite prices though as I don't think they were up-to-date when he got out of business.

Regards,
Swindiana

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 6:20 am

Would you guesstimate another 10%? 25%?

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 6:23 am

Whoops - I should indeed have mentioned in my excitment that JAN tracked down the contact details!

Sorry mate, and well done!

$\:D/$

Canyon · Post by **Canyon** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 6:33 am

ob1al wrote:Canyon, it will indeed be excellent to meet up with Noel - maybe if I ask him nicely he'll bring along his screen-used items for us to 'ooooh' and 'ahhhh' over.

Screen....used....items...THUD!!!

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 6:34 am

Canyon wrote:
ob1al wrote:Canyon, it will indeed be excellent to meet up with Noel - maybe if I ask him nicely he'll bring along his screen-used items for us to 'ooooh' and 'ahhhh' over.

Screen....used....items...THUD!!!

Can someone... touch... one of the garments for me...

Swindiana · Post by **Swindiana** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 6:42 am

Can someone... touch... one of the garments for me...

I'll do it. Then watch this ad on eBay:

L@@K. Fingerprint copy from hand that touched garment from the Idnaina Jenos thrillogy. No Res low price. L@@K

This is very exciting, for sure.

Regards,
Swindiana

Gater · Post by **Gater** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 9:18 am

Idnaina Jenos and the Taco Stand of Muerte!!

I have a Mexican bullwhip...wonder if it's screen acurate

rick5150 · Post by **rick5150** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 9:21 am

That is great news for sure. As happy as everybody is (myself included) I am also disappointed. With NH back in action, Peter will lose sales that he would have received after all of his hard work in developing the garments especially for us Indy fans. Few vendors would do what Peter did for us, and I am hoping that when the smoke clears, Peter is still satisfied with the sales of this line of garments.

Also, the two mint condition - still in the package - MBA Raiders shirts I have been holding onto, may not be as valuable now.

Scandinavia Jones · Post by **Scandinavia Jones** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 9:22 am

rick5150 wrote:

As happy as everybody is (myself included) I am also disappointed. With NH back in action, Peter will lose sales that he would have received after all of his hard work in developing the garments especially for us Indy fans.

I believe there's plenty of room for Peter's garments - though it's great to have Mr. Howard back in business, there'll still be a significant price difference betwixt the two gentlemen's merchandise... I for one would rather well the #### out of a pair of £49 pants than a £95/£155...

L@@K. Fingerprint copy from hand that touched garment from the Idnaina Jenos thrillogy. No Res low price. L@@K

What movies are these, exactly??????

Rdaiers fo hte Lsot Rka,

Idnianna Jenos adn teh Tmeple fo Mood,

Idnianna Jenos adn het Lsat Cursdae

Gater · Post by **Gater** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 9:27 am

Rick,

I personally have 2 NH shirts, and am chomping at the bit for a Wested or two. I think the supperior quality of material and screen accuracy assured by all of our input makes it a great shirt. the colour correctness and fabric will sell this shirt. I insist that the Wested shirt be my next purchase. NH is a great product, but it is a costume shirt, whereas Peter's is more 'wearable'.

rick5150 · Post by **rick5150** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 9:42 am

Indiana Gator,
I have not seen Peter's shirts in person, but anyone that can save me money, and keep the house from smelling like RIT dye remover, and provide a tougher shirt has my business.

I believe there's plenty of room for Peter's garments - though it's great to have Mr. Howard back in business, there'll still be a significant price difference betwixt the two gentlemen's merchandise... I for one would rather well the #### out of a pair of £49 pants than a £95/£155...

I am looking at the simple math of it. After Noel left, MBA raised prices to a degree to ensure nobody buys the clothes from them. We were stuck in a situation where we either paid through the nose (in my case, it is a BIG payment) or went with close-enough clothes. Peter solved this problem by offering the clothes at LESS than what they originally cost from NH. After all of the dedication put into doing this for us, every sale that goes to NH is one less that Peter gets. I cannot imagine that he is making a killing on this line of clothing as it is either, unless he has elves working for him during the night. While this wouldn't surprise me, I think it will put a dent in his Indy clothing business.

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 9:43 am

Yup, screen-used items JUST like that Lang.

Say, who's the fresh-faced young guy wearing the jacket?

Rick, that's a good point.

Well, I'd hope there is room for both vendors. It hopefully just gives us more choice - as with our hats, people will choose whichever vendor suits their style, taste and wallet. I own 2 wested shirts and a pair of their trousers - they are great items, good quality - and I'll continue to use them. But Noel also offers bags, straps, ties, holsters...I'll be sending my business his way for these things.

Got Maul · Post by **Got Maul** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 9:43 am

will NH correct the button placement this time ? I know its a small minor issue, but a lot of people wondered that way back when.

Got Maul · Post by **Got Maul** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 9:49 am

I think that yes, orders will be taken away from peter. Though this is a situation that peter has seen before with other companies being competition for his jackets. Peter responded with great, constant customer service, always being open to suggestion and a willingness to try new things. For this Peter has come through thick and thin. In truth, you're right, I don't think it puts a dent in Peter's business since he does most of this as a favor to the fans- and for that we love him ! It was merely gesture that he came out in the hour of need which echoes in our minds, not just the product but for his dedication to the hobby. He will continue selling a great product at such a competitve price for a such an incredible value that I don't forsee any aspect of his business fully compromised.

rick5150 · Post by **rick5150** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 10:04 am

I am not a business man, but my fears are that if this line of clothing is not profitable, he has no reason to continue it and we have no reason to expect him to.

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 10:05 am

I don't think Peter's business will suffer. The exception might be someone who wishes to purchase the (higher priced) MBA garments for 'collectability' sake, from the original supplier (ie Noel), other than that I bet most folks stick with Wested the shirt and pants.

As I said above, the other items Noel offers are what really excite me the most, and I'm sure Noel will quickly cotton on to which items sell the best (ie bags, straps, holsters, gunbelts etc.) and adjust his business accordingly.

I believe Noel is approaching this from an entirely different angle to Peter - Noel is now (semi) retired, running his business himself from home on his PC; he will be away on film productions at times.

The impression I got whilst talking to him today is that he is approaching this in a low-key fashion- I think from his POV, he is simply offering us the great range of Indy items which he had a hand in originally designing and supplying for the films- albeit now he will be doing this on a smaller more personal scale.

I honestly don't think Peter need worry. There have always been shirt and pants alternatives on the market like Orvis, LL Bean and so on.

Peter is indeed a great guy, and I'm sure the excellent shirt and pants Wested make will continue to sell very well with us fans. I know I'll be sticking with Wested for my shirt and pants orders.

On the other hand, I'm just glad that Noel is back around in our hobby - he's one of the 'key' original people involved in the gear we know and love today!

And I really want one of Noel's Raiders gunbelts!

whipwarrior · Post by **whipwarrior** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 10:17 am

YES!!!

Got Maul · Post by **Got Maul** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 10:19 am

the real money you dump into costuming is the prototyping and researching...aka, the first few steps of getting going. After that, you have patterns and material everyone agrees on...its a cake walk and doesn't cost you nearly as much. I think peter will carry on.

Jack Flanders · Post by **Jack Flanders** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 10:24 am

It's Friday the 13th not April 1st.

Scandinavia Jones · Post by **Scandinavia Jones** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 11:41 am

It's Friday the 13th not April 1st.

:

Jack Flanders · Post by **Jack Flanders** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 11:52 am

Oh, that’s just my little way of reminding people of the societal stigma that is "Friday the 13th" (a day feared by many superstitious people) and drawing a parallel with April Fools' Day. I was alluding to the fact that although NH is back in business, it sounds somewhat prankish (but likely isn't), hence my reference to April 1st- a day, at least in the States, where people enjoy playing practical jokes on one another...

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 12:20 pm

It's not a joke.

Gobler · Post by **Gobler** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 12:48 pm

Yes it's great news and I will buy from both but we are forgetting one other person...Jerry at WPG who has been busting his hump trying to come up with a great shirt. He's still doing prototypes so he may loose money on this. Although if he does come up with a super nice shirt who knows?... It's going to be an interesting time. While I like the Wested shirt in color and fabric, the MBA has a tighter cut and not so modern...oh the choices.

Cheers,
Jeff

Scandinavia Jones · Post by **Scandinavia Jones** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 1:27 pm

If theWPG shirt ain't ready for production yet, then Jerry might consider pulling the plug alltogether...

Still, I believe there is a market for NH clones.

Redbeard · Post by **Redbeard** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 2:20 pm

Oh, Boy. Now this is what I call freakin' news!!! Great news!!!

Skippy · Post by **Skippy** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 8:05 pm

Nice going Al!

Well that puts paid to Hand & Lock in the Indy Gear business. Especially with their prices!

Funny, when I was talking to the guy at Hand & Lock yesterday, when he said Noel had taken all the Indy stuff with him, I thought there must be a good reason for that

Can't wait till he gets his website up & running

Marcus Petrius · Post by **Marcus Petrius** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 8:09 pm

I'm as giddy as a schoolboy.
It's great to have another destination to throw money to.

Noel Howard, it represents everything we got into gear for in the first place (or at least partially).

Mike

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 8:19 pm

I doubt the sales of MBA gear will affect Peter's as, for starters, they are playing in different areas of the market, money-wise. Additionally, there's no telling what personal taste will make people do. For example, have I seen it said that some people adore Noel's shirt, whilst others think it's too pink and even re-dye it? There's an instant market for both Noel and Peter to be playing in.
As for the WPG shirt, it's hard to say. It still looks a long way off being screen accurate, but if WPG is willing to persevere and offer a shirt at an attractive price, they might find themselves a niche as well.

In other words, there will be people who simply must have a NH buying NH; there will be people who are either Wested addicts or don't like the pinkness of Noel's shirt buying Wested; and there will be those who take a budget path (I am guessing here) with a WPG.

Having said that, I can't see room for a serious 4th vendor in the market, as these three businesses are all well known, and will have stitched up the minds of too many gear heads for a 4th to make enough space in the market to be viable.

All IMHO, of course.

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 8:40 pm

I agree Rob.

With regard to Noel's prospective website, I specifically asked him about this and he didn't know yet when that might transpire. I think he is giving thought on how to how to manage the site whilst he is away on movie projects. This is how the subject of paypal came up, which is (as far as I know) going to be used by Noel to accept all forms of payment.

In the meantime - as of NOW really - I think Noel is pretty much open for business. Anyone wanting any gear from him could email him (at the address above) and he should respond very soon, once his computer is up and running.

I'm intending to give him another ring to confirm arrangements for the UK summit, so I'll attempt to clarify a few more details then, including prices.

And of course order my Raiders gunbelt at the same time.

$\:D/$

schwammy · Post by **schwammy** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 12:21 am

Ha! I knew it! I predicted it. See my post in this thread:

http://www.indygear.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4357

Anyway, I am very glad. My one TOD shirt has become something of a good luck charm. I seem to perform better at work on days when I wear it. I was starting to worry about what I'd do after I'd worm it out.

Now I intend to buy four more. One for each day of the week.

Mulceber · Post by **Mulceber** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 2:04 am

uhh...not really Schwammy, you said someone would rise to fill Noel's void, you didn't specifically say Noel would come out of retirement. You were right that someone did fill the vaccuum (several in fact) but as I said you didn't actually predict his return. :junior: -IJ

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 3:02 am

Let's not quibble over past posts...

Fact of the matter is, he took his gear with him when he left MBA. He was obviously going to start selling it again, or give it to a dealer to start trading with, because it's unlikely he was going to start wearing the stuff for his own amusement.

Band Director Jones · Post by **Band Director Jones** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 9:40 am

While this is great new, it is not totally unexpected.
http://www.indygear.com/forum/viewtopic ... ght=#42743

Skippy · Post by **Skippy** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 12:26 pm

because it's unlikely he was going to start wearing the stuff for his own amusement.

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 1:08 pm

Unlike us, who of course do.

(Wear the stuff for our own amusement, that is.

)

Captain D · Post by **Captain D** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 5:31 pm

Who would of thought that, at one time or another, we were pretty limited to having "screen-accurate" Indy shirts.....now, lots of quality selections. I feel like a kid in a candy store.......

WPG shirts will be cool because they are made here in the US, that is if Jerry continues with his shirt project, and be lower costs. However, I have seen the Wested shirts in person....I would LOVE to own one of Peter's shirts.........I suppose its just one of them wait and see scenarios.....

Kind Regards,
Captain D

Scandinavia Jones · Post by **Scandinavia Jones** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 5:39 pm

WPG shirts will be cool because they are made here in the US

Don't want to disappoint anyone, but I don't think his shirts will be made in the United States.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 8:36 pm

Scandinavia Jones wrote:
WPG shirts will be cool because they are made here in the US
Don't want to disappoint anyone, but I don't think his shirts will be made in the United States.

And also, I'd like to nip the fact they might be cheap in the bud right here. I only suggested that, above, as a suggestion for how WPG could compete in a marketplace with Noel and Wested - it doesn't mean it's going to be the reality of the situation; we have to wait and see on that count. I mean, look at other WPG items - they're niche products and they cant be written off as "cheap" - any of them. The Indy shirt might not be much different... I just suggest it should be, if WPG wants to grab a useful slice of the pie.

Indiana_Tom · Post by **Indiana_Tom** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 9:03 pm

did anyone have success in contacting Noel via email concerning the availability of Indy shirts and stuff? I don't want to be his number 3982 email. It would be better if someone could post the necessary information right here...

Regards,

Indiana_Stone · Post by **Indiana_Stone** » Sat Aug 14, 2004 9:50 pm

I haven't gotten a response as of yet.

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sun Aug 15, 2004 3:02 am

And I can add that I haven't e-mailed at all.

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Sun Aug 15, 2004 6:41 am

Nobody will get a response until Noel's PC is up and running again, probably next week by the sound of it, as I mentioned earlier.

Scandinavia Jones · Post by **Scandinavia Jones** » Sun Aug 15, 2004 6:43 am

So, what you're saying is that the best way to welcome him back to the gearhead madness is by clogging his mailbox?

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sun Aug 15, 2004 8:11 am

hey, he needs to know we're still here

I've just talked to Noel Howard..and he's BACK IN BUSINESS!

I've just talked to Noel Howard..and he's BACK IN BUSINESS!

Great news...