Club Obi Wan

Just received my GB Expo today with special order nickel zipper. The special order was not easy, but since I ordered out of season and they had to make the Expo specially for me, they finally relented after I took the request up a level to a supervisor. I also had to sign custom form, so I wouldn't be able to send it back had it not fit.



Anyway, I noticed that the zipper pull is reversed, being on the left side instead of the usual right. Is this normal with the Expo? Anyone else have a jacket with the pull on the left?

The pull is on the left on both my Wested and Nowak jackets. The European zipper configuration was a detail on the Raiders jackets.

I find the pull on the left very odd, but I guess I'll get used to it if it's "normal".

Other than that, I think the nickel zipper contrasts very well with the dark brown leather, and I'm really happy with the look. I'm not a big fan of brass anything....

What say you Gearheads?

looks MUCH better!!

Zipper pull on the left is actually quite common all over the world. It's just that it isn't in the US.
You'll get used to it

I like the contrast of the silver color and dark leather. Nicely done.

I agree. That's a good look. Most of my jackets have the zipper on the left now so I get confused if I have on a jacket with it on the right.

Looks great, I love it!

I love the expo and the nickel zipper looks great on yours. Congrats on getting the custom work done. I am glad it fits! that is one tough jacket.
best
Canada

I'm not a fan of nickle zips, but that looks okay.

That looks great. Silver and dark brown are always a good combo. I wish they would make the nickle zip a standard.

Looks SO much better. This should be their standard.

Thanks for all the compliments.

I agree, it should be the standard, or at least an easy option. Getting mine was like pulling teeth, which in this economy one would think wouldn't have been the case. Any vendor should be throwing rose petals at a customer's feet when they walk in the door to hand over a wad of cash.

I even had to pay an up-charge of $38 for the simple request when no alteration was necessary.

I think all the later customers are paying the price for the extensive laundry lists when G and B did do some custom work.

Unfortunately, yes.

Considering flight jackets and related gear are their bread and butter, the Expedition started out as an extra offering and custom item. They really don't NEED our business, but have always supported us as they were around from the beginning of the hobby through their close association with Lee Keppler.

As crismans said, the good times got totally fouled up due to those laundry lists G&B had to deal with from individuals, and then trying to resell jackets returned because the individual who made those requests changed their mind and no longer wanted the jacket.

It tied up thousands of dollars of inventory, as once returned, it was considered used and could not be sold at a new jacket price. They lost thousands of dollars due to those folks, so the custom work ended.

You are VERY fortunate you were able to find someone willing to even talk to you about doing this work now, as creating this 'one off' jacket was a gamble for them. Like I said, they've been burned too many times by folks who wanted something special made, then they got stuck holding the bag when the individual changed their mind. I'm surprised they only charged you $38 up front. I've heard of much higher charges in the past before the custom work stopped.

A VERY VERY nice Expedition, if I may say so myself. Treasure it, and make it a good friend....as most all Expeditions tend to do over the years.

Regards! Michaelson

What do the pocket flaps look like. Any pics you would like to show off?

Here you go:

I guess G&B could offer a compromise, however. Why not offer 3 or 4 options only with a tick box on the order form. No refunds. That could offer people a different zip or colour, without anyone getting burnt.

I don't know. Drop them a line and ask.

Regards! Michaelson

I'm surprised they took back customs; that's almost unheard of.

JC1972 wrote:I'm surprised they took back customs; that's almost unheard of.

Their return policy used to be pretty liberal and lax, I know I probably abused it a few times myself. I never had a jacket custom made, but went thru quite a few jackets from their clearance section buying them then sending them back. I also had a few Expos sent out just for size comparision and sent them back. I finally did keep an A2 from their clearance page.

that jacket looks really sharp. congrads and enjoy.