M.B.A. offers pants and shirt (but the cost!)

schwammy · Post by **schwammy** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 11:11 am

Minnesota_Jones wrote: There is no pleat under the pockets, just on top of it (those that own a Noel shirt should know what I’m talking about.)

Actually, I'm not sure I do know, Mike. A picture is worth How 'bout a photo or two?

antiquity collector · Wed Dec 10, 2003 12:10 pm

This is the email reply I just sent:

Hi Alastair,

Glad to hear it. But I have to ask this first. Is that a typo on the amounts? Was that supposed to read $120 and $190 U.S. respectively? It seems rather odd that the price would more than double in British pounds.

I know that someone like myself can't justify spending that amount on reproduction items for a costume. As much as I'd like to place an order, it's just not feasable. And if those prices are correct I'm afraid you'll wind up losing a sizable client base. With any luck we can clear this up soon.

Hope all is well,

Robert

Maybe we'll get a good response from them

Canyon · Post by **Canyon** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 12:38 pm

One day I was actually planning on getting the same shirt and pants from MBA costumes, but I doubt that's gonna happen now. :evil:

I find paying £190 for trousers and £120 for a shirt a tad expensive. Even though I live in the UK, in my opinon, this cost is far to expensive, even for authentic Indy clothing.

BTW, antiquity collector. Good luck with your e-mail reply.

skywlkr · Post by **skywlkr** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 12:42 pm

Canyon wrote:I find paying £190 for trousers and £120 for a shirt a tad expensive.

The word tad is a huge understatement.

Luke

antiquity collector · Post by **antiquity collector** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 4:17 pm

This is the reply I just received.

It's not a typo Noel was subsidising these items, we can't, the price we are quoting is a saving on the cost to make special shirts and pants. It is regretable but really nothing we can do.

Alastair

This cost is a saving? Does it normally cost more than this for items like these? Are they insane?

I'm currently searching for the materials to match what I've bought from Noel. Gonna give it a shot myself with my wife's help.

Rob

skywlkr · Post by **skywlkr** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 4:24 pm

antiquity collector wrote:I'm currently searching for the materials to match what I've bought from Noel. Gonna give it a shot myself with my wife's help.

Rob

If your wife is successful, she may have to start a new business.

Luke

Mulceber · Post by **Mulceber** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 4:32 pm

It's not a typo Noel was subsidising these items, we can't, the price we are quoting is a saving on the cost to make special shirts and pants. It is regretable but really nothing we can do. Alastair

That's a load of bull! (pardon the language, if it's unacceptable, then, please, change it) Noel made a very good living on the prices he quoted, the only reason he went out of business was that he didn't have a strong enough client base. Not only that but their charging those prices when we don't even know if their product is any good. :junior:

-IJ

indybill · Post by **indybill** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 4:39 pm

antiquity collector wrote: It's not a typo Noel was subsidising these items, we can't, the price we are quoting is a saving on the cost to make special shirts and pants. It is regretable but really nothing we can do.

Alastair

That's b.s. They can't honestly think that anyone with two brain cells to
rub together is going to believe that load of garbage! :evil:

Pyroxene · Post by **Pyroxene** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 4:47 pm

It sounds like, to me, someone who doesn't seem interested in making the gear anymore. But, if you want it really bad, he'll do it.

I have seen some people in the entertainment industry quote an outrageous price to discourage the sale only for the customer to agree to it and pay it.

antiquity collector · Post by **antiquity collector** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 5:14 pm

I've seen that as well, but why make us wait this long to discourage us? Why not just tell us up front that they don't plan on continuing if that's what they want to do?

Typical bad business in my opinion.

Cassidy · Post by **Cassidy** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 5:50 pm

It's not a typo Noel was subsidising these items, we can't, the price we are quoting is a saving on the cost to make special shirts and pants. It is regretable but really nothing we can do.

Well, then, I'm afraid it is regretable that I will be unable to purchase any more of MBA's items as I have done in the past, but there really is nothing I can do.

ob1al · Post by **ob1al** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 7:18 pm

Sort of sorry I checked back on this thread after reading that reply...

Noel was subsidising these items, we can't, the price we are quoting is a saving on the cost to make special shirts and pants

How on earth was NH 'subsidising' the items?

And as for the second part of the reply, well it just defies logic. A saving on the cost to make special shirts and pants??? What? Is he implying that they actually charge MORE to other customers for different trousers and shirts? That's hard to swallow.

Well, anyway - it looks like we need another supplier to take up the mantle, to make a good product at a value-for-money price. It's not too much to ask, hopefully.

I will not be buying from this vendor out of sheer principle now.

Al

Neolithic · Post by **Neolithic** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 7:53 pm

Yep- DEFINATELY, find someone else!

)
The subtext is that they are not interested in our business- that is pretty clear. How sad it is.
I emailed this thread link to Lee as well, although I am sure he will pick up the scent soon enough.

Totally agree- I will never buy a thing from 'MBA' now.

Maybe even LL Bean could be contacted?!

Cassidy · Post by **Cassidy** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 7:55 pm

Looking at your tagline, Al, I wish I had of kept my Noel Howard shirts and pants, buried them and then watch the dollars rool in. My prediction for the New Year? A massive amount of MBA shirts and pants on E-bay...

Imahomer · Post by **Imahomer** » Thu Dec 11, 2003 2:53 am

Well, as I see it... it boils down to one of two things.
1. They are not interested in making and selling these items, hence the price increase. The demand will dwindle and they may possibly be discontinued.

2. They see the interest for these items and are raising the price to increase profit margin.

The problem with #2 is that (at least on this forum) the increased price has turned off many buyers. The result of which will be that the demand will dwindle and the item will possibly be discontinued. (OR) When the demand dwindles, they will reduce the price of the item and things will return to a happy medium.

Tollan · Post by **Tollan** » Thu Dec 11, 2003 5:28 am

antiquity collector wrote:

It's not a typo Noel was subsidising these items, we can't, the price we are quoting is a saving on the cost to make special shirts and pants. It is regretable but really nothing we can do.

Alastair

That's b.s. They can't honestly think that anyone with two brain cells to
rub together is going to believe that load of garbage!

Well.... I have to confirm that Noel actually did sell these items at a loss. I know It sounds hard to belive but a friend of mine who worked there told me this about a year ago. It does, in part, but not totally, explain the downfall of MBA. Having said that, I am surprised by the prices; I really didn't think they would be that high. A great shame!! I will also re-itterate what I said a while ago.... NONE of the staff at the new 'MBA' are the same as before, this is a TOTALLY different company. Without Noel I don't think one should associate the two companies.... I wonder what they will charge for the leather goods?

antiquity collector · Thu Dec 11, 2003 11:56 am

Well, I didn't write the line as thought above, that was someones response to my post. Though I do wonder why Noel would sell items at a loss.

I for one would have paid more to get them from him if I knew it was hurting his business. I'd want to keep him going for future purchases. Wish he'd have let us know.

On another note I thought Noel retired, not went out of business.

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Dec 11, 2003 11:59 am

Check out Peter Botwright's announcement regarding this topic. Regards. Michaelson