Todd's Indy Jacket

[Kt. Templar]

The back panel being different was bad. Do you think it was lamb instead of goat?

They did make you a completely different jacket, chances are that your old one got cut up for spare parts (pockets etc.) I'll bet you that Peter is out of pocket on your particular jacket.

Part of the problem with wested is that they allow so many mods of the jackets, if there were no mods I dare say they'd have many fewer headaches.

They haven't had the rec black sliders for ages but do have antique ones I wish they'd take the option off the main site so people wouldn't spec them anymore and be disappointed when they don't arrive. I also wish they'd put the antique brass rec ones on instead of the D rings.

X box stitching should be standard, they can't take nore than 2 minutes to do, I haven't got them and the straps havent fallen off! But I can't see why he doesn't just do them as standard and the small pockets too.

He does seem to be having major intermittant raw materials problems, leather, metal fittings etc. A lot of this has to do with virtually all his wholesalers going to the wall. His whole supply chain is in disarray and he's finding it hard to replace it after it having been a constant for so many years.

Also Jerry has gone back to college and gone back to his original profession of electrician. So he's a general manager short too now.

The underlying thing between Peter and Todd is a disagreement between 2 vendors, they have been in contact behind the scenes. The story I have had from Peter directly is this:

Todd came to him with the statement, "I'm going to be your US distributor, give me your best trade price and I'll buy a bunch of jackets from you."

Peter's reply, "Well I already distribute to the States myself so I don't really need a US distributor. But if you are going to buy in large numbers here's the trade price"

Todd: "That's far too high, I don't need you. I'm going to go offshore and make my own."

Todd's story may differ, and many people don't see anything wrong with Todd's actions. Then again that seems to be just the way many people do business.

Peter's insistance of keeping production in the UK is old fashioned and is costing him. He should start looking to overseas manufacturing for bulk, standard sized, product perhaps the non Indy stuff first. But it may mean travelling to the factories to make sure the item is right, he's not a young man and that may not be what he wants to do. The irony is this: Offshoring is becoming less and less attractive as it becomes more expensive to ship as the shipping charges have increased.

I can't see the custom sizing going offshore easily. I think a lot of it is; he prefers to generally oversee what's being made.

[Ragingblues]

KT,

I personally think the back panel was lamb by mistake, but Gemme swore it wasn't when it arrived. No biggie either way, as it did get replaced. It was just frustrating having to deal with all that mess, and it did wind up costing me more money to get less than I had originally. Like I said before, I never mentioned any of this before, and it happened 9 months or so ago.

Peter's version of the behind the scenes story certainly gives him much more of a reason to be upset with Todd. I see many other folks just jumping on the bandwagon, without stopping to realize the big picture.... but, since when is that new with anything in this world?

I can understand Peter wanting to keep his production in house whenever possible, as I would most likely do the same. I also agree with you that they need to just standardize several of those always requested options again. It would really simplify the ordering process for both sides, and hopefully that would improve their quality control as well.

Ken

[todd]

Todd came to him with the statement, "I'm going to be your US distributor, give me your best trade price and I'll buy a bunch of jackets from you."

Peter's reply, "Well I already distribute to the States myself so I don't really need a US distributor. But if you are going to buy in large numbers here's the trade price"

Todd: "That's far too high, I don't need you. I'm going to go offshore and make my own."

Let me set the record straight for you. That's only half right.

When I first learned of Wested (perhap three or four years ago), I had no idea they were so popular here in the states. I contacted Peter and offered to be a "US distributor" thinking to keep stock here for quick delivery. Peter replied as he stated, and that was fine. I would take advertise for him, take orders, take payments, submit orders and payments to him, handle customer service, and deal with any returns or refunds. Unfortunately, Peter couldn't afford to discount them enough. To be specific, I think he was offering a discount of 10 pounds, which was about $15 - $20. It might have been 15 pounds. I'm not sure.

I quickly realized that this small fee didn't even cover my time, and hidden expenses like phone calls and currency conversion fees were eating up my discount completely.

I did sell five or six jackets for him, over a period of maybe six months. Relations were fine, but communication was very limited.

The last order I gave him, I was charged the full price with no discount. Peter said he couldn't offer it anymore. Okay, fine. I paid the additional expense out of my pocket - I did not want to disappoint the customer. I was thinking about discontinuing the jacket anyway, so I just took it off the website. I was not angry. I think I did send an e-mail to tell them I was discontinuing the jacket. I MIGHT have said I would look for another source, I don't recall. I did know about Wings and G&B, and contacted them, but neither had a reseller's program. That was the end of that.

Now looking back, I can see that my mention of "finding another source" would have been the ultimate slap to him. To any other vendor, it would been simple routine business, not a personal attack.

That was several years ago. I wasn't aware of any hositility - there surely was none on my part. Since then I have been looking into options for a source for a jacket to offer for sale. Of course, I can't do this as a favor and donate my time to do it - I have to make enough money from it to pay the bills.

I am going through a manufacturer in the US, and until just a few weeks ago, I thought the manufacturing was going to be done in the USA. After I got the prototype sample, I learned that they will be made "offshore". However, this US company has had a lot of clothing made from this Indian company with great success. The things I've seen are indeed top quality, and I fully expect my order to be no different.

Anyway, I just wanted to set that straight. I had no ill-will toward Wested at all. I just wanted to fill-out the clothing that I offered on the website.

[Deleted]

Todd,

All I can tell you is am looking forward to getting mine from you

Cheers,
G-MANN

[pitfallharry]

Thanks for stopping by and giving us your side of the story as well Todd. I can't wait to see the final product myself.

[indianadirk]

I noticed it isnt on his website anymore , does it mean the limit has reached or ?

[IndyBlues]

I hope it's still in the works. I'd hate to see a potentially great jacket project de-railed over a few arguments. Todd, if you're out there, let us know.
'Blues

[Deleted]

This link still works:

www.toddscostumes.com/indy/indiana_jones_style_jacket.htm

Cheers,
G-MANN

[todd]

Hey, all! Just checked in...

Please let me know if you're having trouble accessing the page so I can troubleshoot it.

Yes, the project is moving along. I just got the second sample with all of my nit-picks incorporated. It is looking VERY good! The only downer is that they made the second sample from goat in interest of time (the first sample was made from a small hand-dyed batch of leather). That's bad because I still can't take photos that represent the "final" product yet. I will take pictures and share them here, and you'll have to just IMAGINE the jacket with the details of the second jacket combined with the leather of the first. I do have a few changes to make to the collar, too, but they are very minor.

I noticed your thread on the "flying squirrel wings". Yeah, I have observed that and made sure my jacket pattern is narrower under the arms, like the G&B. That has the proper cut. The Raiders jacket didn't do the "wings" because the leather was so pulverized in the distressing process that it draped like a rag. A great deal of the movement of the jacket has to do with the leather. Even if it is thin, if it has little stretch it will still pull up when you move your arms. It depends so much on (in decending order of importance) 1. the type of hide 2. the type of tannage 3. the specific tanning run 4. the specific animal. In general, goat has little stretch, cow has little stretch. Lamb is usually very stretchy, but most lamb indy jackets are made from leather that is more like goat in its properties.

Anyhow, enough of the lecture on leather. I'll post some pictures as soon as they're ready.

Todd

[Deleted]

Thanks once again Todd. We will be looking forward to the Pics.
Are you still planning on having the jackets ready to go by Oct. 20

Cheers,
John

[indianatone]

Thanks for the update, Todd. Definitely looking forward to the updated photos.

Yes, curious as well. Will the first batch be available around Oct. 20?

[Deleted]

I just noticed this today



Cheers,
G-MANN

[Connecticut Jones]

Also saw it On The Raider.net

Nice Job Todd!

[Deleted]

Todd,

Are there any updates?

Are these still going to be in on October 20th?

How soon after will they be shipping out to those of us that have pre-purchased one?

Cheers,
G-MANN

[todd]

The second sample has gone back, and minor changes to the collar were requested. All other details were perfect. I am awaiting news on the delivery date. My designer thinks we need another sample embodying the final collar - I don't want to delay the delivery. Perhaps we can accomplish both by asking for a "production sample". I'll let you know as soon as I hear.

I will also let you know as soon as leather swatches arrive.

[Ragingblues]

Todd,

Well, the whole project is actually exciting to me.... and I don't even have a jacket on order yet! ;D

I'm looking forward to seeing these babies all finished, and have great confidence in your ability to get it done right.

Ken

[Deleted]

Not to be a pest or anything..................but.....................are these still expected to be in hand tommorrow?

Cheers,
G-MANN

[pitfallharry]

G-Mann, are they supposed to arrive at Todd's shop tomorrow or are you expecting to get yours tomorrow?

I really can't wait to see the final product and you will probably be the first on here to model it for us.

[Deleted]

Harry,

Todd was originally expecting the first shipment to be in his hands on October 20. But delays can happen when trying to get things just right.

Cheers,
G-MANN

[pitfallharry]

I remembered something being said about the end of October but I wasn't sure if it was when he was going to get the jacket or when you'd be receiving yours.

I'm so turned around anymore I'm lucky I even know what day it is.

Still, I'm just as eager as you probably are to see how this jacket looks in person.

I'm guessing I'll be adding it to my long list of Indy gear I must own. ;D

[todd]

As you might have guessed, the jackets are not here, but are in progress. I have to take a little blame for asking for more mods on the last sample, and that did kind of throw off the original timeline. But...it's gotta be perfect, so it will be another week. Now they are waiting on labels from me, and I haven't had a chance to even decide on a name let alone design a label. I will be working on that today between preparing and shipping a Barbossa custom suit, two gladiator "Carthage" suits, one gladiator "final" suit, forty HJ hats, fifty holsters (that aren't finished yet) etc, etc, etc...

I will keep you posted, but all I know now is that they are making them, they are waiting for labels from me, and we're still trying to get a final sample out of the production leather with the label inside... I'm guessing another 1 to 2 weeks. Sorry, G-Mann. But it will be all worth it!

Todd

[Deleted]

Todd,

I have no doubt that in the long run the jacket will be worth the wait. I do appreciate the fact that you are keeping us all updated even if some of the news is not what folks are hoping for.

As for me, I would rather wait it out than rush.

Cheers,
G-MANN

By the way I have checked out your Xena gear and it is Fantasic work. Especially the Callisto Outfit.

[pitfallharry]

Todd, thank you for keeping us all up to date. I agree that it's better to take your time and not rush it.

I really want to see the final product and 2 weeks seems like an eternity! ;D

[pitfallharry]

Just thought I'd add this over here. Someone asked Todd over there at COW a day or so ago about the jacket and he said it's going to be a few more weeks because of the label and then it should be finished.

Just thought I'd post this encase anyone was wondering.

[Deleted]

Harry,

Yes I read that at COW. I have to say I am a bit disappointed having to wait for the Jacket due to the label. Not sure about anyone else but that is one of the first things I would have worked out.

I would have at least liked to have had one of the leather samples Before the jacket arrives so I know what to expect. Receiving the sample at the same time as the jacket just does not make much sense

The other drawback to this is with the climate where I live, I won't get much of a chance to wear this jacket for many months.

I do hope these get here soon.

Cheers,
G-MANN