Wested Direct or eBay?

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 11:32 pm

Before anyone says this is what a search is for, I tried and got no place fast.

I was wondering if it'd be better to order directly from the Wested site or their eBay for an otr jacket? As in, which would be QUICKER?

Opinions either way would be helpful.

Thanks,

Randy

crismans · Post by **crismans** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 12:27 am

I'm not sure what the wait time is for ordering through eBay but I've never had that long a wait for an OTR jacket. Usually around a week.

nicktheguy · Post by **nicktheguy** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 1:10 am

In my experience it's better to deal direct.

Imahomer · Post by **Imahomer** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 1:26 am

Yea, I agree with Nick. Go direct. The flip side is you have a bit of a hammer if you do the Ebay thing. Negative feedback can be a nice thing to use.

Indiana G · Post by **Indiana G** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 2:23 am

ebay for OTR......direct for customs.....very, very direct....hint - hint.....

moses · Post by **moses** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 4:00 am

Getting OTR from the Wested site is very quick - I think mine was despatched within 48hours.

Don't Call Me Junior! · Sat Jan 31, 2009 8:56 am

moses wrote:Getting OTR from the Wested site is very quick - I think mine was despatched within 48hours.

I also would say eBay for OTR and direct for custom. I actually ordered one of my OTR via eBay and had no issues. They happened to not actually have my size all set and ready to go so they sent me an email that told me it needed to be made. But just over two weeks later I had the jacket so it was a flawless transaction in my mind!

It's not a bad idea to obtain extra protection for yourself if you are unsure of how a vendor operates. This is really directed at Wested but in general if there did happen to be any complications in your transaction i.e communications difficulties, product not received in "reasonable" time eBay would have a complete record of the transaction and be able to assist should any disputes arise. From a seller's perspective I can say that eBay seems to side with the seller first in clearing up any conflicts that arise so should any issues happen you would likely be refunded your costs immediately until a final determination could be made.

A friend of mine sold a printer stating very clearly "no returns after 10 days". About a month later the buyer came calling demanding a refund and said the printer was DOA on arrival. My friend knew for a fact it worked flawlessly while it was in his possession and reminded him of the 10 day return policy. No response from the buyer. The buyer apparently then contacted eBay/Paypal who immediately refunded the cost of the printer by taking it from my friend's account and moving it to the buyer's account. eBay told my friend that they had to do that until everything could be proven otherwise.

A while later the customer sent back the "printer" only it wasn't the same as the one my friend had shipped him. Of course my friend had meticulous documentation and paperwork from when he originally registered the unit. He presented that information to eBay and Paypal. They told him that they couldn't do anything unless he went to the authorities. He went to his brother, a state trooper, and his father-in-law, a judge, for advice. The brother made calls to the local authorities whose visit seemingly rattled the buyer. Somehow in the end the buyer and their schemes were exposed but my friend did not have his money back until almost a half a year while the scheming buyer had the full protection of eBay. When eBay and Paypal were asked by my friend why this was they said that they had to give the money back to the buyer as that was their policy.

If you are unsure of the vendor then eBay gives you that little bit of protection.

WConly · Post by **WConly** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 9:21 am

Order direct and just except the wait time...not, a major issue...just patience! W>

jacksdad · Post by **jacksdad** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 10:05 am

I never ordered from e-bay ,but I got my ote within 4 days back in the summer when wested was really busy.

moses · Post by **moses** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 11:34 am

Mine wasn't from ebay - it was direct from Wested and dispatched within 48 hours because it was in stock. I would never buy a custom because it's just not worth it for me - my measurements would come out the same as for an OTR jacket anyway.

crismans · Post by **crismans** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 12:14 pm

moses wrote:Mine wasn't from ebay - it was direct from Wested and dispatched within 48 hours because it was in stock. I would never buy a custom because it's just not worth it for me - my measurements would come out the same as for an OTR jacket anyway.

I'm the same way in that OTR fits me great. But while I'm not "over-the-top" with SA, I have tweaked some specs to get a more SA appearance so I went custom.

Imahomer · Post by **Imahomer** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 12:56 pm

So, which way are you going to go?

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 3:18 pm

I'm leaning toward eBay actually. I do quite a bit of selling on there and from first hand experience, the "new" eBay is more buyer-centric vs. seller. I've had several ripoffs from customers with new policies and eBay backed them.

So, if there is a long wait, eBay might be helpful in putting a fire under their behind.

Randy

p.s I'll post a review of the eBay Wested experience when I get it to me.

Raider S · Post by **Raider S** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 3:52 pm

Can someone explain the new eBay rules? I used to sell a bit of stuff, and buy too, but haven't been on the site for a while. I think the last thing I bought was a $6 tube of glue.

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 4:26 pm

The first and foremost change they did, [which is total cow poop] is take away the seller's right to leave negative feedback to buyers.

As I said, eBay has turned more buyer-centric than in times past. And the scammers have had their way with me three times since the change. Including one who got not only his money back, but a free fishing rod.

Needless to say, eBay is either a bane or blessing for all involved. I've had tremendous success on there so far this year. I was able to sell off some unused camera equipment for a decent price QUICKLY.

Changes are too long to go into on here and completely off topic so let's give the mods a break and keep it on the rails.

To do so, I'm just placing my order now.

Randy

Kt Templar · Post by **Kt Templar** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 5:20 pm

If you have a completely OTR jacket with no special requests, both the EKM site and the ebay one are probably pretty equal. They all end up in the same in box after all.

If they have the item in stock they will aways try and get them out to you as soon as possible.

knibs7 · Post by **knibs7** » Sat Jan 31, 2009 8:52 pm

Ya, I would deal with Wested directly

Nibs

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 11:17 pm

Bought the jacket, no communication, even after a message asking if they'll be shipping soon.

Randy

:EDIT:

I just got an email from Gemma, it shipped already! That was fast.

theinterchange · Post by **theinterchange** » Sat Feb 07, 2009 9:04 pm

I got my jacket this morning. Shipped Wed and got it Sat, that's pretty dern quick for puddle jumping across the Atlantic. In my book at least.

So, I'd say there's no problem ordering via eBay.

Randy