Wested custom becomming less custom?

Nebraska Brad · Post by **Nebraska Brad** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 1:31 pm

Hey all

I just received a replacement Wested and some of the specs I sent were not included( Agent 5's). Gemma had told me before the order was processed that they may not be able to complete all of them. I got the jacket and it is great and I inquired about another. I mentioned to Gemma the specs that were not honored (pocket size and no facing on the inner pocket for example) when I asked for leather samples for the new jacket. She replied , "we are now making customer aware that some request cant be made".

Is this a fairly new policy? Still, a great jacket and I had prompt communication with Wested on many occasions so I think I will order again if I can nail down a good LC set of specs.

Nebraska

IndianaChris711 · Post by **IndianaChris711** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 2:05 pm

Oh noooo.........I hope they don't miss the specs on my jacket.

That is odd, because I got the same type of thing from Gemma, and e-mail before the order was processed. I did order the same spec as you Nebraska, now I am worried.

I hope my jacket turns out ok, I told Gemma that if something could not be done on the jacket that I requested, was to contact me. I did not hear anything so I figured they did the request. Now that your jacket's pockets are off and no facing on the inner pocket, now I am worried. If you feel like it is worth calling Peter about it, I am sure they would try to get the pockets right, I don't think it is a new policy, custom jackets are still custom. When did you order your jacket Nebraska? I ordered a custom and still have no got it yet. I hope my jacket has the specs I requested. I mean other people have requested stuff and they granted their requests. Good luck on your LC, I may go with cowhide, for my LC jacket, but we will see. Hope to see some pics of your jacket.

IndianaChris

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 2:25 pm

Calls are always the best route to go.

I've had 3 unanswered emails in a row lately, with Peter promising to sort things out and contacting me regarding my question, and still no rothing. I'm thinking the mail server is either on the fritz again, or they're swamped.

Regards! Michaelson

Panama Tom Jr. · Post by **Panama Tom Jr.** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 2:37 pm

Being in manufacturing myself, I would not be surprised at all if Wested had to start putting their foot down on some of “customizing” we gearheads can be guilty of. Face it, even with the weak dollar Wested is the best deal around on a custom tailored jacket. When you add all the extra little requests that we tend to add to our orders (myself included) it becomes more and more difficult for the manufacturer to maintain consistent output and quality. And with the new movie coming out Wested has to be seeing a jump in demand for their product, and in order to meet decent lead times and keep costs down it would not surprise me if they have to reduce the number of out of the ordinary requests that they can honor. I would think it’s either that or raise the price…

Doug C · Post by **Doug C** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 2:50 pm

She replied , "we are now making customer aware that some request cant be made".

humm, now that's odd - It's not like Gemma not to elaborate.

Doug C

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 2:53 pm

Panama Tom Jr. wrote:Being in manufacturing myself, I would not be surprised at all if Wested had to start putting their foot down on some of “customizing” we gearheads can be guilty of. Face it, even with the weak dollar Wested is the best deal around on a custom tailored jacket. When you add all the extra little requests that we tend to add to our orders (myself included) it becomes more and more difficult for the manufacturer to maintain consistent output and quality. And with the new movie coming out Wested has to be seeing a jump in demand for their product, and in order to meet decent lead times and keep costs down it would not surprise me if they have to reduce the number of out of the ordinary requests that they can honor. I would think it’s either that or raise the price…

Excellent points, Tom. If this is the case, they really need to make a general announcement so folks will know what they will and will not accept now.

Regards! Michaelson

St. Dumas · Post by **St. Dumas** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 3:09 pm

Wested's customization is on the customer's measurements, the 80's-vs.-standard-fit, the leather facings, the gussets and the pleat elastics.

My understanding is that requested measurements as to pocket size/placement aren't usually part of the option unless you agree in advance to pay extra.

SD

IndianaChris711 · Post by **IndianaChris711** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 3:32 pm

Doug C wrote:humm, now that's odd - It's not like Gemma not to elaborate.

Doug C

As far as Wested being swamped, I can understand that, I am a very patient person, I still have not got my jacket yet. I hope that they got my specs right, if it takes a few more weeks to do the jacket, that is fine. I paid quite a bit for this jacket to be done anyway, it is the most expensive Indy item I have bought so far (whip is going to cost me a lot of mula). I just hope and

that my jacket will be fine. I would probably call, but last time I called Peter sounded busy as could be. I don't know, the waiting continues for me.

IndianaChris

Nebraska Brad · Post by **Nebraska Brad** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 3:51 pm

Michaelson

I actually did call and talk to someone I assumed to be Gemma about an order and she sounded pretty frantic and asked me to send the specs by email so the cutter would have accurate info. Since this was a replacement jacket I offered to pay more as my specs were much more detailed this time. I was not charged anything more. On my next effort should I just call and ask to speak only to Peter?

Panama

I agree that the tiny details should cost more. Maybe the buzz of the new movie is causing some "tightening up" of the process. Still, it would be nice to have had clarification on what couldn't be done.

Indiana Chris

My order was processed on Nov 30 and was in my hands Jan 7. The inner pocket had the extra facing and not just the one strip as I asked. The jacket is MUCH better the second time around and I will post another topic with pics tonight so you can check it out for yourself. I am happy with it so don't be too scared...yet

Nebraska

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 4:01 pm

Nebraska Brad wrote:Michaelson

I actually did call and talk to someone I assumed to be Gemma about an order and she sounded pretty frantic and asked me to send the specs by email so the cutter would have accurate info. Since this was a replacement jacket I offered to pay more as my specs were much more detailed this time. I was not charged anything more. On my next effort should I just call and ask to speak only to Peter?

Nebraska

Yep, I would, and I'd also find out exactly who you were talking to when ever you call. It could have been anyone walking by the phone when you called and once they hung up, that was the end of that.

Regards! Michaelson

Doug C · Post by **Doug C** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 4:01 pm

Brad - I'm trying to follow and not sure if I got it right... did you ask for extra leather facing around the inside pocket, it's not very clear from you posting?

Doug C

Nebraska Brad · Post by **Nebraska Brad** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 4:10 pm

I asked for no leather facing. This would be as you see it in their special offer Raiders jackets.

Nebraska

IndianaChris711 · Post by **IndianaChris711** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 4:24 pm

Ya I am just a bit more freaked out then scared. Your first post really freaked me out since I got the same e-mail. I am sure my jacket will get here soon I hope, my order got processed not too long after yours, Dec 12th. So if it is not here next week, I guess it may be here the week after that. Who knows. Can't wait to see your pics of your jacket Nebraska.

IndianaChris

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 4:34 pm

Nebraska Brad wrote:I asked for no leather facing. This would be as you see it in their special offer Raiders jackets.

Nebraska

That's quite interesting, in the past they have 'kinda' preferred the simple piped inner pockets, they are easier to make and use less leather!

Doug C · Post by **Doug C** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 4:36 pm

Nebraska Brad wrote :[quote] I asked for no leather facing.[/quote]

Ok, yea that's what most people request when ordering. As a matter of fact, who asks for "a big huge slab of leather around that inside pocket" anyway? Does anyone prefer the extra weight that it causes on that side? I personally think the negatives out weigh the intended purpose - JMHO.

Doug C

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 4:54 pm

Actually, I've found the little extra weight around the inside pocket helps fight the infamous 'demon roll', but that's just me and my experience.

Regards! Michaelson

Doug C · Post by **Doug C** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 5:08 pm

Your weird, I love the demon roll... that doesn't make me weird does it?

Doug C

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 5:11 pm

UHHHH

Yes.

Regards! Michaelson

Nebraska Brad · Post by **Nebraska Brad** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 5:38 pm

Demon roll? Help me out here guys

Nebraska

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 5:40 pm

Most Wested jackets have a nasty habit of the left side to the collar rolling outward. You either train them not to by wetting them and clipping them flat until they dry, iron them flat, or just keep your jacket zipped.

It's such a normal item, it earned the nickname 'demon roll' as it's a headache to get to stop from rolling out like that.

Only Wested jackets do it too, and to date I'm still not exactly sure what's in the pattern that causes it to do that.

Regards! Michaelson

Sergei · Post by **Sergei** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 5:49 pm

yeah but the demon roll is on the right side of the collar "down under" in Oz. Go figure... running and ducking towards the plymouth.

)

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 5:50 pm

Regards! Michaelson

Nebraska Brad · Post by **Nebraska Brad** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 5:57 pm

Oh, so that's the weird thing with the collar I have noticed about both of my Westeds

Nebraska

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 6:00 pm

That's it.

Regards! Michaelson

Doug C · Post by **Doug C** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 6:26 pm

Well.. and I'm being serious when I say this, I actually train my collar to spread out on both sides a bit which causes the demon roll effect apparently. I think it gives the jacket that sloppy look, sort of like when we see Indy tip toeing across the booby

trapped floor tiles in the temple/cave, when it's ridding back on his shoulders a bit. I think it's screen accurate but perhaps not what some want when dressing for the office?

Doug C

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 6:37 pm

I don't mind the rolled back collar. It's when it goes clear down the jacket and causes THAT to roll outward, exposing the lining, that it starts to annoy me.

Regards! Michaelson

Treadwell · Post by **Treadwell** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 1:23 am

I imagine we send the poor folks at Wested round the bend with all our demands. I'm relatively new here (in an active sense) and, combined with references on the RPF, I've come across at least three lists of "definitive SA changes" one should ask of them. Lists by different people and with different specs. Just when we have them used to one SA standard, we hit them with another.