Newb frustration

[pastimesteve]

I'm going to first put the blame on myself for maybe being impatient, but I thought I'd share my experiences as a newbie. Please understand I don't want to bash anyone. I'm just asking for guidance. I'm sure these are all great people:

First, I've gotten zero response from admins, other than "read the FAQ," on another gear board asking for their assistance and advice (since they won't allow registrations until the first week of the month).

Second, I was geared up to invest in a G&B Expedition jacket, but in the end, didn't feel comfortable dropping nearly $500 on a leather jacket right out of the gate and they won't offer the mislabled Web price any longer. I may end up going in this direction anyway, because of the experience below...

I contacted another vendor (well known in these circles) again about their jackets. I submitted an order via their website's secure online form two days ago and now they're saying they never received the order and don't know what happened to it. I'm concerned because it included my credit card #. I realize this company has a great reputation, but in my experience, communication has been fragmented at best.

I've had a similar experience with a fedora maker, but will continue trying to contact them.

Needless to say I'm frustrated and I'm running out of options. As much as I'd love to purchase a jacket and fedora, I'm starting to get turned off by the poor communication and lack of interest to earn my business. I realize these are small operations, but jeez! This is a lot of $$ for nearly anyone's budget. Maybe I'm expecting too much?

Please help put all of this in the appropriate context for this newbie!

Steve

[Kt. Templar]

Hi Steve,

Firstly welcome! This is an engrossing hobby be prepared to leave your wallet at the door.

Ok, G&B: I haven't had any dealing with them but I know of no negative feadback from people who have bought from them. So what *is* the current pricing?

Wested I know very well. They are not, and Peter will agree, the most computer savvy of people at the best of times. However, I have never heard of a payment going astray. If they don't bill you then keep an eye on your account, but it may be you missed hitting a confirm button somewhere. Again I have never used their online ordering but others have and seem to be ok.

I suggest you phone and talk through your order, if you feel happy with giving your cc over the phone. It may seem a big thing to call international (I'm assuming you are in the US) but in the end what will it cost $10-15 tops? (Try and talk with Peter.)

One thing you will need with this hobby IMO is patience, many items especially hats and whips are made to order, you will probably have a wait, especially for the smaller producers.

[Ragingblues]

I'm sorry to hear that things haven't been rolling smoothly with the gear purchase attempts. I would like to know what the current price for a G&B Expedition jacket is myself. I know their website lists a goatskin as being $408, and lambskin at $428, and honoring listed prices is usually a standard business practice. Maybe a couple of the G&B owners here can recommend a rep they dealt with, to contact instead.

As far as your experience with Wested goes, I have heard of other people using the online order form with no success. Anything involving your credit card online can make you nervous when it doesn't work right the first time. They definitely have communication and organization issues at Wested, even when the order form does work correctly. This would frustrate me too, even knowing they are not attempting anything dishonest with your credit card.

KT hit it on the head when he said that many of the vendors in this hobby/interest are small time/part time operations, so patience must factor in. I also agree though, that customer service, quality control, communication, and order checking should improve in most cases. Not everyone making Indy related gear falls into these categories of course, but it only takes one or two bad experiences to make someone leary of the whole thing. I'm with you in that this sort of money doesn't grow on trees in my back yard. I would like some degree of confidence when placing an order, and I would like to receive what I actually ordered. If I have to wait a bit for a hand made item that someone produces as a second job or hobby.... I'm ok with that. But, keep me informed if there are delays and ask questions rather than guess at an option.

Also, feel free to name vendors you have had good or bad experiences dealing with, as it only helps "everyone" to hear these things. Around here, we are very friendly and supportive of many gear options, but we also like to tell the whole story about things. Sorry again for your troubles, and I hope we can help out in some way with suggestions, alternatives, or whatever.

Ken

[pastimesteve]

Thanks guys -- you're true gentlemen.

The current pricing at G&B for their goat is $448, plus shipping, which the sales rep. estimated to be about $14. The lamb is going for $468, plus shipping. Fairly steep. They acknowledge they need to change their web site pricing, but won't honor the price as listed.

I'm willing to wait for a product -- waiting isn't a problem. I'd just hope communication would be a bit better.

Regarding the fedora, I've been attempting to reach Jimmy Pierce, but have been unsuccessful. I know he's a one-man show...

ANY advice you guys (and gals) can offer, would be much appreciated. I've thought about phoning my order into Peter, but got really turned off through my communication with Gemma. They may still get my business because I know they offer a great product, but the lack of concern over my credit card information has me irritable.

Steve

[winstonwolf359]

Welcome to the lounge! I'm sorry to hear about your frustrations, especially just as you're trying to get into the hobby.

I'll mostly repeat what others have already said and recommend picking up the phone since you're having email contact issues. I know in this day and age we're all pretty dependant on electronic communication, but many times it really is easier and cheaper in the long run to just pick up the phone and talk to someone.

The cost of a couple long distance phone calls is probably cheaper than the cost to return something not quite right not to mention the elevated stress levels associated with wondering if messages were received.

I jumped into this hobby with both feet about a year ago, and have had mixed success with communication with vendors, but the top three for making a positive effort (in my experience) were HatsDirect, Todd's Costumes, and Wested.

Good luck, and keep us updated!

[Deleted]

The waiting game can be annoying but most if not all of us have been there.

I have only had a few minor problems with the vendors that I have dealt with personally so I have no major complaints.

I agree with the other guys here I would place a call to Wested. A few minute call will probably take care of all your credit card concerns.

Also thanks for the Pricing update on the G&B. I had no idea that the price had gone up.

Cheers,
G-MANN

[agent5]

Can you place orders through the G&B site? If so, what a crock! That's another strike against G&B in my book. How hard can it be to change a few damn numbers on their site? It is their duty and obligation to do so BEFORE they raise the prices. They should honor that price if they haven't changed them on their website if someone mentions it.

[Deleted]

I have just gotten off the Phone with ALVIN at G&B.

He told me that they have been letting orders go through with the prices listed on thier Website.

The site will be Updated In the next day or two. When that happens all new prices will be in effect.


Cheers,
G-MANN