Club Obi Wan

I thought I'd bring this up since there are a few of us that may have to deal with the "Where'd you get that and how much did you waste on it?" speech.
My wife is aware that I want to buy an AB, and I've told her that it's being HANDMADE from the very guys who made it for the upcoming movie.
Her look is the obvious "I Don't care if it was given by Dr.Jones himself" look, I don't know whether or not I should tell her how much it would cost, especially a Dlx.

So I'd love to hear you guys share some nice stories about how you got around the ultimate Indiana jones adventure, your significant other.

Cheers

My fiance and I have this unspoken agreemen where if she buys something expensive that I find stupid and a waste of money I can go ahead and do the same thing without reprocusion. I know that there are certain things that she is into that I will not understand (like having over 40 pairs of shoes), and vice-versca. I'm sure your wife has something she loves to indulge in, just exploit that. I know it sounds mean but that will get the point across. You want an AB Deluxe, tell her and explain that you want it and that it is no different than a pair of shoes, purse, dress, etc... that she would want.

For instance, I placed an order for a Keppler Raiders Fedora last week and am ordering an AB this week. Now, that is alot of money to spend in such a short amount of time. I don't like spending money like that, I prefer to space myself out, but I really want them. She understands that just as I would understand if she bought three pairs of shoes in one day. We may never understand why the other does things but it is for a reason.

Sorry to be long winded, but if you explain that, she should understand that she doesn't need to understand why you want an AB Deluxe, jsut that you want it. Now, just don't go crawling up her @$$ when she buys a $400 pair of shoes. Just don't drive yourself in debt and its cool.

Dave

Her look is the obvious "I Don't care if it was given by Dr.Jones himself" look, I don't know whether or not I should tell her how much it would cost, especially a Dlx.

Divorce her.

Just kidding. In all seriousness, I think Ulloa's suggestion makes the most sense. We all have our indulgences. All you have to do is find hers and exploit it to maximum effect. :junior: -M

Just kidding. In all seriousness, I think Ulloa's suggestion makes the most sense. We all have our indulgences. All you have to do is find hers and exploit it to maximum effect.

It's ruthless, but it works.

Its not ruthless. I would never stoop to any level of ruthlessness. All you are doing is showing her the situation as if it were a three course meal. You show her what she likes, appetizer, you show her what you like, main course, and you both understand you want to eat and so you do and in return end up happy with yourselves and each other, dessert. See, not ruthless, just simple show and tell.

Dave

Mulceber wrote:

Her look is the obvious "I Don't care if it was given by Dr.Jones himself" look, I don't know whether or not I should tell her how much it would cost, especially a Dlx.

Divorce her.

Just kidding. In all seriousness, I think Ulloa's suggestion makes the most sense. We all have our indulgences. All you have to do is find hers and exploit it to maximum effect. :junior: -M

that's what I say. I won't be treated like a child. If the two of you are adults you don't have to run home and ask mommy.

I was looking at some leather backpacks online yesterday and the owner of the company writes some of the funniest and most engaging ad copy I've seen recently. Here's how he addressed the question of "How do I justify the cost of this backpack?":

How to Convince your Honey

So you want it, but… now comes the hard part; to convince your honey. Throw some of these phrases out and see what happens.

Her to Him

* I feel FRISKY every time I even think about this bag.
* I would just feel so SEXY with this bag.
* I think this bag would really make me LOOK THINNER.
* I don't think I'd ever want to go shopping for another bag after having one like this.

Him to Her

* Even looking at this bag makes me want to just HOLD you.
* I don't know why, but just the thought of this bag makes me want to TALK with you for hours on end.
* Think of all of the extra TIME we'd spend TOGETHER on our long walks holding hands and showing off the bag.
* Maybe owning my dream bag would help me OPEN UP to you and SHARE the hopes and dreams I have for us.

Me to Both of You

If you don't buy this bag, then next year, when you're scouring the internet looking for your next soon-to-be garage sale bag, your mind will drift back to my words. You'll slowly shake your head and say, "Man, was that guy right or what". And then you'll press your lips together, squint and give a few small nods. I tell you what, buy it now or kick yourself later.

Classic!

Tony

I was simply told by my wife that I owe her a Coach handbag for her birthday after I bought 2 ABs in less than a year. Not a bad trade, just have to budget for these kinds of things. If I want to buy something, I better save twice as much $ so that she gets hers, too! Good thing she wasn't around when I spent $4G on a guitar and amplifier!!!

Tony, just missed your posting... Classic!!! Where'd you find that? I'd look it up just for the entertainment value!

That is really funny and true. funny how the truth is normally funny. Seriously though, little unresolved issues like "why can't I buy this, I make my own money and pay my own bills" can lead to big unresolved problems. I'm not in the business of giving relationship advice, but that is unhealthy. Oh! I just had a thought. Play the "I don't want our relationship to suffer becuase of this" card. #### I'm good! That one always works. You'll have ordered your AB Deluxe by tomorrow!

Dave

airforceindy wrote:I was simply told by my wife that I owe her a Coach handbag for her birthday after I bought 2 ABs in less than a year. Not a bad trade, just have to budget for these kinds of things. If I want to buy something, I better save twice as much $ so that she gets hers, too! Good thing she wasn't around when I spent $4G on a guitar and amplifier!!!

Well it better have been an Gibson and a Marshall. Those are the only two companies I could ever justify spending a few thousand for. I own a Les Paul and a Marshall stack and don't have a need to continue my search for the perfect tone. It was money well spent, as I'm sure it was for you too.

Dave

airforceindy wrote:Tony, just missed your posting... Classic!!! Where'd you find that? I'd look it up just for the entertainment value!

The whole page is hilarious! (And although nothing from this company looks like Indygear, I think I could definitely enjoy a set of their luggage).

I found the first page on Ebay here. But you can visit the company site online at http://www.saddlebackleather.com. The Ebay page is hilarious.

BTW, that's not a bad deal offering your wife a Coach bag in exchange for an AB hat. Coach makes some amazing stuff. Again, although it's not Indygear, my wife bought me the Coach messenger bag last year for my birthday and I believe I could count on two hands the number of days I haven't carried it.

Tony

I have to agree with your statement on Coach Tony. Of all the purses that my finace owns, and the ones I've purchased for her, the Coach ones are the nicest. They make classy looking purses that can be worn with formal or casual clothes. Kill two birds with one stone.

Dave

DR Ulloa wrote:

airforceindy wrote:I was simply told by my wife that I owe her a Coach handbag for her birthday after I bought 2 ABs in less than a year. Not a bad trade, just have to budget for these kinds of things. If I want to buy something, I better save twice as much $ so that she gets hers, too! Good thing she wasn't around when I spent $4G on a guitar and amplifier!!!

Well it better have been an Gibson and a Marshall. Those are the only two companies I could ever justify spending a few thousand for. I own a Les Paul and a Marshall stack and don't have a need to continue my search for the perfect tone. It was money well spent, as I'm sure it was for you too.

Dave

Bingo! Well... close. I actually had the guitar custom built for me (carved top Jackson Soloist body, Les Paul neck measurements, Jackson headstock, 5A flame maple... the woyks), and topped it off with a Marshall TSL 2-12 60W combo. Very sweet, but very spendy. My search for MY guitar and amp has ended; as you say, money well spent.

5A! Wow, you really went all out. The Jackson body must really give you easy access to the high registers. Gotta love that LP neck. Chuncky and substantial, nothing compares to it.

Dave

TonyRush wrote:BTW, that's not a bad deal offering your wife a Coach bag in exchange for an AB hat. Coach makes some amazing stuff. Again, although it's not Indygear, my wife bought me the Coach messenger bag last year for my birthday and I believe I could count on two hands the number of days I haven't carried it.

Tony

You're right, it's not a bad deal. But MAN is it a lot of money for a bag!!! 'Course, she says the same thing about my hats, and that just brings us right back to where we started! If (someday) I can get a away with buying her a $400 purse in exchange for a $600 Dlx, though, I won't argue!!! My next tax return can't come fast enough!!! She DID just by me a new truck, though. Maybe I should be happy with that for while, huh?

DR Ulloa wrote:5A! Wow, you really went all out. The Jackson body must really give you easy access to the high registers. Gotta love that LP neck. Chuncky and substantial, nothing compares to it.

Dave

Gimme a second, I'll post a couple links so you can see some pics of it.

Yeah, I guess you should. It stinks that we are all built so that we always want the next and best thing. Modesty is the best policy, if I can be a Catholic School nun for a minute. But what the heck, AB Deluxes for everyone!

Dave

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2262/235 ... a3a78f.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2258/235 ... 9352e3.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3026/235 ... 4b71a5.jpg

Tony take it from a woman that post is spot on...but I have a little secret that works every single time. "Honey I've had this for years it's been right in the closet", or basement, or attic...whichever is appropriate. I then throw in a "You don't remember?!!" And since he won't admit he can't remember he drops it.

Then out I go through the door with my brand new hat!

She is beautiful. Did you use a 60's neck profile, same profile as the Les Paul Classic? The neck seems very wide, which is why I ask.

Dave

Thanks! It's my baby... I had it made by a company called Warmoth. The neck profile is what they call a "Fatback". Not sure what era of Paul it would be close to, but it was the closest specs I could get when I ordered it.

gabrielle wrote:Tony take it from a woman that post is spot on...but I have a little secret that works every single time. "Honey I've had this for years it's been right in the closet", or basement, or attic...whichever is appropriate. I then throw in a "You don't remember?!!" And since he won't admit he can't remember he drops it.

Then out I go through the door with my brand new hat!

That is great! You can also hide it and swap it out with your other fedora whenever you want to wear it. You will know the difference but I doubt your wife will.

Dave

Sounds good. As long as you are happy with it, its all good. It really is beautiful though. I'll post some pics of my Les Paul tomorrow. I'm going to bed now. I have to wake up in a few hours for work.

Dave

Tony take it from a woman that post is spot on...but I have a little secret that works every single time. "Honey I've had this for years it's been right in the closet", or basement, or attic...whichever is appropriate. I then throw in a "You don't remember?!!" And since he won't admit he can't remember he drops it.

Then out I go through the door with my brand new hat!

####...and I thought I was emotionally manipulative! I bow in deference to your greater authority. :junior: -M

DR Ulloa wrote:Sounds good. As long as you are happy with it, its all good. It really is beautiful though. I'll post some pics of my Les Paul tomorrow. I'm going to bed now. I have to wake up in a few hours for work.

Dave

Yep, I'm in the same boat. 4:45 comes early!!! Look forward to seeing that Paul!

My only defense Mulceber is that I gotta have my fedoras. That's me over a photo of an AB. I have other hats too, but I really like the fedoras best, the feel, the look, the Indiananess! I really can't wait for my Keppler, I almost need a tranquilizer to take away my waiting pains!!!

My only defense Mulceber is that I gotta have my fedoras. Drool That's me over a photo of an AB. I have other hats too, but I really like the fedoras best, the feel, the look, the Indiananess! I really can't wait for my Keppler, I almost need a tranquilizer to take away my waiting pains!!!

Don't worry about it. I just think that this thread, while useful, also gives us the chance to laugh at the ways in which we influence people. :junior: -M

My wife has always thought my hat and gear obsessions are complete dorksville but she knows that it makes me happy and because of that she tolerates my ramblings and "Hey honey come check this out" and all that. She has even bought me a few things like my wested and AB for Christmas and birthdays. It is known that I would have bought them anyway but allowing her to take part in the process brings us together on the subject. She just knows that it is something that makes me happy and because of that I have been able to bring her around...a little
Fletch

gabrielle wrote:...but I have a little secret that works every single time. "Honey I've had this for years it's been right in the closet", or basement, or attic...whichever is appropriate. I then throw in a "You don't remember?!!" And since he won't admit he can't remember he drops it.

Then out I go through the door with my brand new hat!

Ummmm.....I guess I better start using cash and stop leaving a paper trail before I try that one. And besides, my memory is the one that is going bad, not my wife's.




What were we talking about again?

I dont' know what to say to you guys; my wife loves the way I look in my Indy jacket and fedora, and thinks my skill with the bullwhip is sexy (I charmed her while we were dating with the classic manuever from the last scene of ToD. Seriously, it's one of her favorites!). I proposed to her while wearing a Wested. She bought me a Wings goatskin Indy jacket for our anniversary, and this year is getting me some new gear, which she says is coming in 4 components and I can have after they clear customs.

Some of us are just lucky. Really lucky.

Weston

Bufflehead Jones wrote:

Ummmm.....I guess I better start using cash and stop leaving a paper trail before I try that one. And besides, my memory is the one that is going bad, not my wife's.

That is what's sooooo great about Paypal! Lol! My wife would have killed me if she knew what I just dropped on my new Fed Deluxe! I used my paypal account to pay for it and then had it sent to my dads office and my parents agreed to say it was a birthday present ordered from a local mens clothing store which DOES sell fedoras in town. I know.....hats wrong. But in my self defense my wife thinks it is stupid and a waste of money even though it makes me happy. Doesn't phase her at all to drop $400+ on a new bellydance outfit though! Lol! So I figure what she doesn't know won't hurt her! Been eyeing a grey Fed Deluxe already....... I wonder what my parents would say about an early christmas present.......hmmmmm.....

Yeah, I recently signed up for the SideShow Indy figure. My husband just about had his 2nd heart attack when I told him. (I was hoping he wouldn't ask the price since he wasn't happy about the cost of the $60 Leia Sideshow figure I'd recently received). Anyway, I jumped in and told him I wouldn't have to pay for it until the fall, which eased the situation only slightly, but deep down he knows not much is gonna stop me when it comes to Indy (For the old timers: He will witness my credit card melt when the Hasbro toys come out, I have warned him).

Then I go and drop maybe $100 (I didn't add it up so that may be a conservative estimate) on clothes this weekend since we're getting ready to go visit his family in Mexico City in a few weeks. As I'm showing him the clothes, I'm going over how this shirt makes my hips look more slender and this so on and he brings up nothing about the price. It was more difficult with the Indy figure because it's a novelty item and doesn't do things like make my hips look more slender. So Tony, that was quite funny and I can totally relate to that little bit you posted. Thanks!

Fletch wrote:My wife has always thought my hat and gear obsessions are complete dorksville but she knows that it makes me happy and because of that she tolerates my ramblings and "Hey honey come check this out" and all that.

Haha... same with me!

I'm always showing her photos of fedoras. She puts up with it all... I mean, she reads Vogue... why can't I read Indygear?

pssst...it's cause girls are dumb sometimes. They get all bent out of shape cause they don't understand what it's like to be into something cool. Most girls aren't brought up to be imaginative or adventurous (in my opinion), so they simply can't get why someone would want to spend money on these things.

For those who say it's the same as that LV bag, or whatever, it's totally not. I wouldn't take gear collecting down to such a trivial level. There is a history, a sense of adventure, imagination, community, and a little bit of youth in gear collecting....my ex flew all the way to France just so she could buy a Louis Vuitton bag...just because she wanted to be the "hottest" girl in her group.

I'm not saying all girls do that, but it's not often you see girls with hobbies that take some imagination to do. Some of you may disagree with me, but how many girls have I dated who considered making bead bracelets, or cross stitching what they consider a hobby.

(I'm almost done ranting)

So my advice to anyone out there that is getting flak from a significant other is to let them know in a nice way that if they don't have the imagination or care to see why it's important, then perhaps it might be best if they just didn't ask anymore. As long as the bills are paid, your kids are fed, you put some away for retirement, and set aside some for family time...then who gives a flying Fig Newton what you spend your money on!

Ha...can you tell I have recently been made cranky by a girl?

crazylegsmurphy wrote:

Ha...can you tell I have recently been made cranky by a girl?

Been there my friend.....All to often! LOL!

I'm just lucky that my wife knew what she was getting into. She stole my hat when we met, so she doesn't ask. Now if I could just get her to do that about the filmmaking stuff.....

The Safari-themed wedding was nice, too...I'm definitely one of the lucky ones.....

My lovely other half acutally pushed me to buy the hat, She also loved the jacket, although it has cost be a ladies B3 from Wested, and another lovely long coat. (I am gettings a B3 from Wested and a very Custom Indy Jacket). As far as the Mark VII I had to buy 2 becuase she wanted an adventure bag as well.. So I really really cannot complain... She also loves Magnoli's trousers, so I am having to get 2-4 paris of those as well...

For my tale of woe, check this thread - http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?t=24759
Actually, I’ve been pretty good about my purchases lately – no huge expenditures to get me in trouble. Everything I’m buying now I use the excuse that it’s in preparation for my trip to Panama this fall. Not sure how much mileage I’ll get off of that, but hey – it’s worth a try…

I am very lucky. My wife has no problems with my purchases as long as I don't go too crazy. We both work so we should both be able to spend our money how we please. Bills first, then fun.

The best story I've ever heard about a collector hiding things from their spouse was from a woman at a comic book shop.

I had been standing there struggling over what item to purchase with that week's "geek allowance" and she told me that her husband had her on a budget too. She said she had found a way around it. It turns out she was taking classes at a local college, and the college and the comic shop happened to share the same initials. So the checks made out to "WGCC" could have either been for textbooks or graphic novels. Only she knows for sure.

And don't forget that along with Indy hats and the like, some of the vendors sell jewelry.

That is pretty ingenious. Sadly, The Adventurebilt Hat Company and Magnoli Clothiers don't have the same initials as St. Thomas University (which I will be happy to graduate from and never turn back to this June). The secret, though, is just trying to get into what your other half is into. If she sees that you are making the effort to at least try and get into her stuff, if she is anything like my fiance, she will do the same. Four and a half years ago I could have never seen myself sitting at a theater watching Les Miserables, or actually having a real opinion on a purse, or caring whether those Manolo Blahnik shoes look better in pink or fuscia, but I acutally do. And now, my fiance actually appreciates a good guitar solo when she hears one (and can actually tell me when Slash, my favorite guitarist, is playing and when it is Izzy), knows the acting differences between all six James Bond's and can tell me the difference between all three Indy fedoras. It is all about caring. Care for what she does and what sheis into and she will do the same for you. I'm not saying she won't give you a littl #### for buying a fedora, jacket and whip in one month, but she will at least know that you enjoy it.

Dave

My wife is very cool about it as long as I don't go crazy as well...

But my real problem was with a buddy of mine who gave me all kinds of grief while at a bar one night. After telling him about my order for the AB, he just shook his head and thought I was retarded and every other word in the book. This after showing off his new Rolex... At that point, I said, (very loudly mind you), that I could have bought quite a few AB's with that kind of money... (I then threw my arm to the left, without even looking away from him), yelling "AND there's a go& d@m^ clock right there!"

He said that was different.



MB

lol rolexs dont keep good time... the AB is better value.. it never ages...

Either of the AB's are MORE than just a good value. You're paying for quality and precision and you could be paying MUCH more from what I've seen ($300 Borsalino rabbit that can't even hold it's shape HAH) But to some people it's still a hat. I have to admit that when I first bought a hat couple of years ago I spent $20 on something that said waterproof wool and thought that I was getting a good deal. When I found out about AB I said, who on earth would spend so much on a hat. After 2 months of researching I went from that to wanting to spend $600 on an AB Dlx. This is because I know how much work goes into such a hat and I know how the market for such a hat is. The way I see it AB’s are an investment, but that’s not the way she would see it.

Solo, what does she like? I'm sure there is something she likes that she would consider an investment. Tell her its the same thing. Because it is. And by the way. I would never pay for a Rolex. I own many watches, many Swiss watches that come with its prestige. I own numerous Omegas and TAG Heuers. Rolex is a waste of money. Omegas Co-Axial Escapement is much better than any movement Rolex has ever produced and it costs about $3000 less. Tell your friend he is two things: dumb, for buying a Rolex, and blind, for not seeing his fascination with watches is no different from your with Indy Gear.

Dave

As long as the bills are paid, your kids are fed, you put some away for retirement, and set aside some for family time...then who gives a flying Fig Newton what you spend your money on!

The bottom line has been spoken.

I laugh, laugh, laugh at grown men who have to ask their wifes 'permission' to buy something. Then I feel sadness for those men because they are not man enough to know whether or not they can or cannot afford an item they want. They need to ask the wife if it's okay to do it as they would their mother if they were 9 years old and wanted candy at the store. Women should not have to do the same either. It goes both ways.

michaelb wrote:My wife is very cool about it as long as I don't go crazy as well...

But my real problem was with a buddy of mine who gave me all kinds of grief while at a bar one night. After telling him about my order for the AB, he just shook his head and thought I was retarded and every other word in the book. This after showing off his new Rolex... At that point, I said, (very loudly mind you), that I could have bought quite a few AB's with that kind of money... (I then threw my arm to the left, without even looking away from him), yelling "AND there's a go& d@m^ clock right there!"

He said that was different.



MB

Nice one!

Agent5

This isn't about being "man" enough it's about being responsible. I don't live by myself and I may have a child on the way. If I can't be financially responsible we may go broke. I should ask my spouse if it’s ok because our success depends on a working partnership that greatly involves communication. If this was a business arrangement you wouldn’t want your partner to withhold information on your financial situation. While I may want the hat, there may be something more important that would benefit us better.
How each couple deal with this may be different and that’s what this post was about. “It takes strong man to stand by himself, but it takes an even stronger man to stand with others”