Club Obi Wan

Hello all... Since my Wested LC dark brown horsehide jacket has been cut, I am starting a thread regarding my Wested order experience... I will update this post with pics when the jacket arrives...

I think after reading quite a few posts here about Wested quality control, incorrect sizing, and features being left-out from jacket orders, I became nervous about the sizing and features on my order...

I started second-guessing myself on sleeve length, and changed the order from 25" to 25.5 inches. After recently checking again with a well-fitting jacket, I determined that I need the original 25" length... I contacted Wested requesting the 1/2" shorter sleeve length, and received a reply this morning stating:

"Unfortunately the jacket has already been cut, and will be machined this week."

Well, I can see a problem if the jacket was already completed, but since it has not been machined yet, it should not be too difficult to SHORTEN the sleeves by 1/2".....

It does not make sense to me to ship a jacket to the U.S. knowing the customer will not be satisfied with the sleeve length.

In my reply to Wested, I stated the above reasoning... I can only hope that this will be straightened-out...

I also requested trhat my jacket be checked before shipping to make sure that the right-handed zipper was installed... We'll see.... I have seen some fine Wested HH jackets here... I want one to enjoy also....

I will keep this thread updated...

You won't even notice half an inch.

Strider wrote:You won't even notice half an inch.

Maybe I am getting overly anxious about this.... 8-[

I just got a prompt reply to my concerns....

"Dear Sir,
I have checked jacket has been completed ready to dispatched today"

It went from not being machined, to in-the-box within a couple of hours.....

I also asked if the jacket was checked for the right-handed zipper, and had no reply to that... I just sent a reply asking that that be confirmed, along with the "Custom Made For" label that was originally requested.....

On my first Wested, I ordered sleeves that were 23.5" long, and on my third, I took them up half an inch to 23", and I don't even notice the difference. The only half inch difference that I feel is when I went up from 40.5" body to 41".

Think of it this way also...

It's better to have an extra half inch that you can take to the tailor to shorten (if needed) for ten bucks than to be a half inch too short that you can't get back!

technonut, if you took the measurement of your sleeve length as stated by wested on their website, it should be closer than taken a foreign jacket's sleeve length and using that as your standard....unless it is a wested as well.

wested has always been bang on the sleeve lengths from both my jackets. i use a foreign jacket just to confirm or reference what i was measuring to ensure i wasn't out to lunch with the length.

hope that helps. cheers.

Yeah.... I can let the sleeve length go. As said, I probably won't notice it...

I am concerned about not getting a reply to my email after getting prompt replys on the others, regarding checking the jacket for the right-hand zipper and "Custom Made For" label BEFORE SHIPPING it out the door.....

If I receive the jacket without the right-handed zipper, (which is important to me) or custom label, who is to blame? I have email confirmation of the zipper being added to my order weeks ago, but I have heard of others that had the same confirmation not get the right-handed zipper....

I guess I would just appreciate it and feel better if someone at Wested would take a minute, look at the jacket, and confirm the zipper and label before the jacket is "dispatched".

It it really worries you, give them a call, it will only cost a few dollars.

Technonut wrote:Yeah.... I can let the sleeve length go. As said, I probably won't notice it...

I am concerned about not getting a reply to my email after getting prompt replys on the others, regarding checking the jacket for the right-hand zipper and "Custom Made For" label BEFORE SHIPPING it out the door.....

If I receive the jacket without the right-handed zipper, (which is important to me) or custom label, who is to blame? I have email confirmation of the zipper being added to my order weeks ago, but I have heard of others that had the same confirmation not get the right-handed zipper....

I guess I would just appreciate it and feel better if someone at Wested would take a minute, look at the jacket, and confirm the zipper and label before the jacket is "dispatched".

I was assured that my zipper was being switched to the right side, but it came left. It really is not that big of a deal, just is a little bit odd when you are used to right side. Still ove my Cow hide LC

I didn't get the "american" zipper either but the zipper on the other side doesn't bother me at all.

In all fairness to Wested, Harrison Ford's Jacket had the zipper on the "wrong' side. thereby making it screen accurate.
I'm not a tailor but I would think reversing a zipper on a coat with a storm flap such as ours would be a lot of extra work.

besides, I'm left handed, so it works for me. heh heh

rbxb wrote:In all fairness to Wested, Harrison Ford's Jacket had the zipper on the "wrong' side. thereby making it screen accurate.
I'm not a tailor but I would think reversing a zipper on a coat with a storm flap such as ours would be a lot of extra work.

besides, I'm left handed, so it works for me. heh heh

If that is the case, then tell me that it can't / won't be done... Don't blow smoke up my a** and have me expect something that I am not going to get.... Either the person that confirmed that the right-handed zipper was added to my order did not add it, or the person machining the jacket flat-out ignored the order. Either way it is wrong to the customer...

There are much larger businesses out there that manage to check orders before they go out. (You know, the little tags that say "Inspected By...." Packed With Pride By....")

I love the quality and looks of the Wested jacket, and only want what I was told I was going to get when ordered. They seem to manage much more difficult specs / requests than a right-handed zipper for others.....

Example: I just received my Federation Deluxe in the mail.... I was expecting an open-crown hat... I got an open-crown hat... Great! Now, if I asked for, and was told I was going to get a pre-bashed Federation Deluxe, and received an open-crown, I would feel shorted on the deal....

BTW: Harrison Ford thought the jacket was too hot.... He more than likely thought the left-handed zipper was a pain-in-the-a** too...

Hey Tech,

We're in the same situation.
I ordered a new Wested on the 11th
I have some anxiety afer reading some of these posts BUT, I'm also optimistic. Since the "Raiders" is what I'm going for & all other vendors seem to only offer the longer TOD length. The folks at Wested are ol pros & I'm proceeding with the premise all will turn out fine & I'll get the jacket of my dreams!
Cheers & here's hopin' we all win.

Well, last Monday (Jan. 22nd)......

I have checked jacket has been completed ready to dispatched today"

I e-mailed to ask that the jacket be checked before being dispatched for my requests. (no reply)

Today (Jan 31st)....

The consignment identified with the reference number xxxx is due to be despatched on 31/01/2007 to the delivery address below by the shipper WESTED LEATHER CO by PARCELFORCE WORLDWIDE using the service International Scheduled

I hope that this extra week between when I was told the jacket would ship, until now was to make any overlooked corrections... We'll see......

rbxb wrote:Hey Tech,

We're in the same situation.
I ordered a new Wested on the 11th
I have some anxiety afer reading some of these posts BUT, I'm also optimistic. Since the "Raiders" is what I'm going for & all other vendors seem to only offer the longer TOD length. The folks at Wested are ol pros & I'm proceeding with the premise all will turn out fine & I'll get the jacket of my dreams!
Cheers & here's hopin' we all win.

Thats funny, I ordered a TOD from Wested last august and received a Raiders. Oh well...I guess I'll eventually get used to tucking in my shirt.
-GC

Well, the jacket arrived today.... I am not happy at all. :evil: :evil:

Where to begin.....

Well, I originally ordered a goatskin jacket, was told there was no goatskin, and switched to horsehide for no additional cost. I spoke with Peter directly on the phone regarding this and some sizing info.

The jacket is in LAMBSKIN not horsehide... I purchased a Wested lambskin LC recently from a forum member, and the leather weight, grain, color, and hand is EXACTLY the same. I have horsehide jackets... This ain't it.

I #### near begged for Gemma to make sure that the right-handed zipper was installed.... I asked for the jacket to be checked before it went out... Guess what?

NO RIGHT-HAND ZIPPER....

I ordered a "Custom Made For" tag (With my entire name) Guess what?

NO LAST NAME ON TAG. (There is clearly enough room)

The upper seams on both arms are WAY OFF. (Not supposed to be seen with arms at your sides)

Custom-made.... What a joke... It appears that they just grabbed a 44R off the rack (factory seconds), stuck an incomplete "Custom Made For" tag on and sent it.

I don't know why so many folks take this abuse. It still is a sizeable amount of $$ to spend, not to mention getting your expectations up just to shatter them ....

There is no exuse in my book for letting that jacket out of the shop since I was in communication with a company representative right before it was dispatched. I have all the e-mails between Gemma and myself if anyone is interested.

I would have been better off buying a Gibson and Barnes... (and probably will after my experience with Wested) I have dealt with Gibson and Barnes before, and their quality and customer service is second to none....

I'm too ticked to go further right now... I need a beer...

Sorry about your bad experience.
Please explain the sleeve seam being wrong?

My Wested is to be dispatched this week & last week Gemma assured me it was being cut to my specs - see this post viewtopic.php?t=20301

What are your plans now? call? send back? How do bring this to Peters attention. I dont wanna see tham lose sales to other companies but I wish they would address some of these issues......My ecperience on previous orders & so far this order has been all good.

It is at my attention and I will look into it tomorrow.
I do not to comment further at this stage. I will post my reply tomorrrow.
Cheers
Peter

Thank you.

Regards! Michaelson

At the risk of hijacking this thread.....

Thank you Peter, for acknowledging. I am confident these matterss will be worked through for a satisfactorily conclusion for buyers & sellers .


Hopefully I speak for most of the diehard Indy fans & gearheads...
Wested is the premier leather apparrel maker & tops in products & customer service!

No one has ever said Wested wasn't, diehard gearheads or casual hobbiests alike.

As was stated in the post written last month regarding QC problems, it's a concern of things falling through the cracks that can HURT that reputation, and that's the last thing I personally want to see happen to a firm with as solid a reputation and as good a product as Wested produces. It's just happening to often of late, and it's something I'm glad to see Peter is finally going to address.

Regards! Michaelson

Michaelson,
Great to have you back!
Sorry 'bout your loss, Amigo

Thank you, my friend. I really appreciate that.

HIGH regards! Michaelson

PETER wrote:It is at my attention and I will look into it tomorrow.
I do not to comment further at this stage. I will post my reply tomorrrow.
Cheers
Peter

Perhaps light at the end of the tunnel? I appreciate you personally looking into this Peter. I must say that I did send a duplicate email to your attention (peter@wested.com) on Jan. 22nd, along with this orginal e-mail: (wested@wested.com)

Although the jacket has already been
cut, I would imagine that it would be
easier to correct the sleeve length now,
before the jacket ships to the U.S.
rather than having the jacket sent back
to England after I receive it and find the
sleeve length too long.....

I would also appreciate the jacket be
checked before it is shipped-out to
make sure that the RIGHT-HAND ZIPPER
has been installed... If it is not, I will have to
immediately return the jacket.

Please also make sure that it is DARK BROWN HORSEHIDE
before shipping....

I am a member of the online Forum,
Club Obi-Wan that Peter is a Vendor
on. The members there are looking forward
to reading about how my experience with Wested
turns out, and to see pictures of the jacket.

I would very much like to have a good experience,
and enjoy the fine jacket that I ordered.

Please reply...

Regards,

I e-mailed very shortly afterward to say not to worry about the sleeve length... (See Above)

I was told that I more than likely would not
notice the 1/2 inch sleeve difference...

I may be overly anxious about this order...

Forget the sleeve length change, but
please look at the jacket, and confirm that the right-handed
zipper was installed along with the "Custom Made For"
label before the jacket is dispatched...

Regards,

Michaelson: I appreciate you looking into the matter, and all that you do for folks on this forum. Thanks!

rbxb wrote:Sorry about your bad experience.
Please explain the sleeve seam being wrong?

The seams on this jacket, and the other LC jacket that I purchased from another forum member run down almost along the middle of the forearm.







Now, here is the lambskin LC purchased from a forum member:





Not even the seams on my inexpensive shirts are off like above... The jacket seams look funny running along the top of the forearm instead of hidden to the side like every other jacket that I own....

Why do you have an "exposed" snap on the bottom of your jacket?
was this a special request?

Hi rbxb,

Snaps on the top and bottom of the stormflap are part of the LC spec along with a larger collar and larger pockets.

Hi Techno,

The sleeve seam is correct, you'll find the G&B to be the same.



Wested's current batch of horsehide is VERY soft and supple and as I noted last week rather gorgeous. You may find you are mistaken thinking it is lamb.

Kt

Just for comparison on the sleeve seams, here is my Clearance U.S. Wings (Made In China) Indy jacket:









As anyone can clearly see, the seams on the U.S Wings Clearance jacket are MUCH better done, and as sleeve seams should be compared to the 2 Wested jacket seams shown above....

I'm wondering if this seam appearance is due to the inclusion of a gusset? The G&B has one (I believe I read you had one installed in your Wested), and the Wings jacket does not.

Regards! Michaeson

Techno,

Please note the placement of the seem in both these pics.

Michaelson wrote:I'm wondering if this seam appearance is due to the inclusion of a gusset? The G&B has one (I believe I read you had one installed in your Wested), and the Wings jacket does not.

Regards! Michaeson

If you mean an underarm gusset, there is no underarm gussets installed in any of the jackets....

Ok, so much for that theory.

Regards! Michaelson

Kt Templar wrote:



Techno,

Please note the placement of the seem in both these pics.

I can't really see them like on mine... If I put my arms at my sides or up in front of me, the seams are almost in the middle of my forearms. No other shirt or jacket that I have is like that.

If that is the way the seams are supposed to lay, it looks very off to me...

About the horsehide, I looked very closely, and both Wested jackets look and feel the same.. I may be wrong about it though... I do have a couple of horsehide jackets, and the grain is very different.

I will post a couple of close comparison pics shortly.. Regardless of the seams or hide, my zipper placement and "Custom Made For" tag instructions were not followed.. Even after I went over it quite a few times with Wested. This was important enough for the $$ I spent to be a "deal-breaker".

My new Wested horsehide? :






My pre-owned lambskin Wested:






Jackets together:

And yet more jackets together....

can you please post a close-up photo of the label?

PLATON wrote:can you please post a close-up photo of the label?

Sure....




Someone would have a difficult time convincing me that these jackets are not BOTH lambskin.... Look at the grain, they are identical:

Maybe it was made out of this kind of horse:



8-[

Kind regards,
Indy

It's hard to tell only by these pictures, but at the last European Summit, Peter also presented some leather samples, and the "look" and grain of the new horsehide was indeed comparable to what I see in the pictures above.

Well, you can definitely tell the difference between a lambskin jacket as opposed to a horsehide jacket. The weight of the jacket itself is enough to tell the difference, so regardless of whether this is some kind of "lambskin looking horsehide," the weight should still be vastly different.

I don't think the seams are so off

http://www.theindyexperience.com/screen ... een/98.jpg
http://www.theindyexperience.com/screen ... een/51.jpg
http://www.theindyexperience.com/screen ... en/175.jpg

I have looked into this order and 'Technonut' has got what was on the original order which is a Last crusade in dark brown goat. No mention of right hand zip on the order.
The order was processed on 28th Dec and cut and in work 15th Jane.
I had told Gemma to contact customers wanting goat to offer an alternative, what she did not know was that Bill the cutter had enough goat to complete this order and had cut it.
When several days later the reply came asking to have the horsehide alternative it also had a request for a right hand zipper which although I agreed to do is NOT an option. However as without my knowledge the jacket was effectively finished the ammendments never caught up with it and it was despatched as per original order.
The custom label is a differant matter and was entirely my fault as I do the labels. On reading the order I only took the first two names not reading the third which was on the next line down. I blame that on my dodgy eye but it was my fault and I apologise.
If we had not contacted 'Technonut' re lack of goatskin, with the exception of the label, the order was correct and I cannot blame my staff for that. What I must do is make sure that follow up requests where possible are carried out and for that I apologise to Technonut.
Contact me as to what you want to do.
Cheers
Peter

PETER wrote:......is a Last crusade in dark brown goat. No mention of right hand zip on the order........
Cheers
Peter

That explains why the two grains look so alike in the photos above. I've handled (and once owned) a Wested goatskin, and it was EXACTLY the same as the lambskin in grain, texture, and weight. Makes perfect sense on this one.

Regards! Michaelson

December 28th

Dear Sir
Your order has been processed for production under order number xxxx
Cheers Gemma

December 28th

Thank You Gemma....

Please also include the following measurement:

Neck Size: 17.5 inches

I also request a RIGHT HAND ZIPPER (American)

Please also use HEAVY DUTY STICHING on the jacket

REINFORCED SIDE ENTRY POCKET STICHING

I spoke with someone before Christimas,
(Peter I assume) and since goatskin is not available,
I am going with DARK BROWN HORSEHIDE.

Please let me know that the above has been noted on
my order...


Thank You.....

From: Technonut
To: gemma@wested.com
Sent: Thursday, December 28, 2006 10:51 PM
Subject: Re: >>>Please Read: Updated Info: New Order xxxx<<<


Hello Gemma,

One last change to the below measurements:

Please change the sleeve size from 25 inches to 25.5 inches

Please make the jacket as follows:


Height: 5 feet 11 inches
Chest: 44 inches
Sleeve: 25.5 inches
Jacket Size: 44 Regular
Jacket Style: Last Crusade Jacket
Leather: Dark Brown Horsehide
Lining / Zip: Cotton Body-Satin Sleeves (rec)

Neck Size: 17.5 inches
Right Hand Zipper (American)
Heavy Duty Jacket Stiching
Reinforced Side-Entry Pocket Stiching

Notes for the jacket tailor:

My chest size was measured as 44 inches while wearing
a tee shirt.

I weigh 215 pounds

My waist is 38 inches

Please make certain that the above specs are followed,
and let me know that you have noted them.

Thank You..


One more thing...

Be sure to include the

"Custom Made" sewn in "Satin Sheen" label to read:

"Custom Made No xxxx For ***** *** *******"

"xxxx" Being whatever the jacket number is......


That label added to the below updated measurements
and notes will make the perfect jacket for me.....

I appreciate your attention to these details....

If there are additional charges, please add them to the total
on the VISA used for the order, and let me know how
much more it was.....

Jan. 5th

From: Technonut
Date: 05/01/2007 11:35:55
To: Wested
Subject: Re: Order **** (Please Reply)




Could someone please confirm that
the below requests have been noted
and added to my order?

I have not had replies to any of the related
emails...

Thank You...

Dear Sir
We have added the new sleeve length
Cheers Gemma

Jan 8th

From: Technonut
Date: 08/01/2007 16:12:04
To: Wested
Subject: Re: Order **** (Please Reply)

Thanks for the reply...

It is more than just sleeve length.... I would like
the below features followed, especially
the right hand (american ) zipper... Heavy
Duty Stiching, and Reinforced Side-Entry Pocket
Stiching...

Please go though the below jacket requests carefully,
and give them to the tailor that will be making the jacket.

I want to be happy with the jacket, and not have to send
it back.....

Please make the jacket as follows:

Height: 5 feet 11 inches
Chest: 44 inches
Sleeve: 25.5 inches
Jacket Size: 44 Regular
Jacket Style: Last Crusade Jacket
Leather: Dark Brown Horsehide
Lining / Zip: Cotton Body-Satin Sleeves (rec)

Neck Size: 17.5 inches
Right Hand Zipper (American)
Heavy Duty Jacket Stiching
Reinforced Side-Entry Pocket Stiching

Notes for the jacket tailor:

My chest size was measured as 44 inches while wearing
a tee shirt.

I weigh 215 pounds

My waist is 38 inches

Please make certain that the above specs are followed,
and let me know that you have noted them.

Thank You..


One more thing...

Be sure to include the

"Custom Made" sewn in "Satin Sheen" label to read:

"Custom Made No xxxx For ***** *** *******"

"xxxx" Being whatever the jacket number is......

Dear Sir,
We already reinforce the stitching, I can get the USA zipper added
Cheers Gemma

If you look at my communication with your company representative in the e-mails above, it is clear that your statements are not true.... Look at the dates of the emails...

If "Bill the Cutter" did not cut the jacket until Jan. 15th, why was the request for the Dark Brown Horsehide ignored??... Why, after practically begging for someone to confirm CLEARLY STATED CHANGES IN MY ORDER were they not added to the order??? The right-handed zipper was sure confirmed, but you say it was not.....

Why was I at least not informed that goatskin was available again, and asked if I want to change my dark brown horsehide order back to goatskin?? As far as I was concerned, I was expecting a dark brown horsehide jacket.... No one bothered to tell me differently....

EDITED......

PETER wrote:I have looked into this order and 'Technonut' has got what was on the original order which is a Last crusade in dark brown goat. No mention of right hand zip on the order.
The order was processed on 28th Dec and cut and in work 15th Jane.
I had told Gemma to contact customers wanting goat to offer an alternative, what she did not know was that Bill the cutter had enough goat to complete this order and had cut it.
When several days later the reply came asking to have the horsehide alternative it also had a request for a right hand zipper which although I agreed to do is NOT an option. However as without my knowledge the jacket was effectively finished the ammendments never caught up with it and it was despatched as per original order.
The custom label is a differant matter and was entirely my fault as I do the labels. On reading the order I only took the first two names not reading the third which was on the next line down. I blame that on my dodgy eye but it was my fault and I apologise.
If we had not contacted 'Technonut' re lack of goatskin, with the exception of the label, the order was correct and I cannot blame my staff for that. What I must do is make sure that follow up requests where possible are carried out and for that I apologise to Technonut.
Contact me as to what you want to do.
Cheers
Peter

TN let's keep this civil.

Mistakes happen, companies don't always have the ability/capacity to respond timely as they should.

The man is telling you

Contact me as to what you want to do.

No need that you write all that....

A brand new, great looking Wested jacket? The first new goatskin Wested in two months? You'd think Technonut would be thanking his lucky stars. If he doesn't want it he can offer to sell it and we can kill this thread right now.

SD

Just send it back... I'm sure Peter doesn't want an unhappy customer! If I were you, I'd just have Peter fix the label to include your last name and then be happy with it... You got the goat!!!! That is what everyone is wanting... That is what you wanted in the first place.

The zipper is no big deal - it is only weird for about the first 4 times you have to zip up then you get used to it~ Plus, you will probably not zip it up that much anyway, as it is not a cold or foul weather jacket (unless you are Indy!)

Or you could always donate it to the Coronado fund! It is the perfect size and material...

Coronado3

If you study this thread AND the "Wested QC concerns" thread
Then carefully scrutinize Peter's posts.
You will come to realize the resolution is--:
to put ALL custom mods ON THE WEBSITE ORDER FORM...That way the mods are originally assigned to the order number. & follow the jacket thru each section of assembly.
It seems, last minute changes by phone or email are the ones most overlooked.
I think its great we have a vendor Like Peter who is not only the original maker but willing to alter the product for our individual tastes.

Tech, You got your goat you wanted. The zipper is easy to get used to & I think it makes it unique ( at least on this side of the pond)
Peter has extended an offer for your contact.