Bill Kelso website down

[Marc mndt]

The Bill Kelso website has been down for a couple of weeks already. Does anybody know what's going on there, are they still in business?

 

[Marc mndt]

@Peacoat sorry, I wanted to post this thread in the outerwear section. Is it possible to move our delete it? Thanks!

 

[Peacoat]

Yes, I will move it.

 

[Harris HTM]

The Bill Kelso website has been down for a couple of weeks already. Does anybody know what's going on there, are they still in business?

There was a hack attack on their website. Check some relevant threads on the VLJ forum.

 

[Marc mndt]

The website is still down. Sounds a bit strange to me that their website has been hacked. If that's actually the case, why wouldn't BK mention it on any of their social media pages? Moreover, why should anybody hack their website?

 

[Turnip]

Making money, encrypting data and extorting some bucks for decryption.

 

[Marc mndt]

Making money, encrypting data and extorting some bucks for decryption.

Even if they actually had access to their database and hyjacked the data, BK could just reinstate a copy of their website.

Imagine your business' website having been hacked and you were to take it offline for weeks... Would you not mention it on any of your social media channels?

 

[Turnip]

Not sure...I would inform suppliers and customers with pending orders, personally, but I possibly would not necessarily hang that any higher.

Anyway, that’s all only speculation, who knows...

 

[TREEMAN]

Where's Mr Kelso ?

 

[kojax]

i bet they are out of bussiines

 

[Dav]

A chap on the VLJ just today received a new jacket, so they seem to be working.

 

[kojax]

good to hear that

 

[Peacoat]

good to hear that

Glad you are still with us; haven't heard much from you lately. PC

 

[Caber]

I hope He Is not out of business. I ordered a jacket last march or April. I sent him 2 emails asking if he knew what the turnover time was for jackets but he will not reply. Anyone have any insight to the turnaround time at BK now days?

 

[Mulceber]

I hope He Is not out of business. I ordered a jacket last march or April. I sent him 2 emails asking if he knew what the turnover time was for jackets but he will not reply. Anyone have any insight to the turnaround time at BK now days?

I ordered an A-2 from them in April as well. It shipped about a week ago. I get the sense that the supply issues have been impacting jackets unevenly. For example, mine shipped at the same time as another A-2 that someone had ordered in January, because in both cases Andy still needed to apply collar hooks. It's very possible they're still waiting on a resupply of some piece of hardware or fabric that they need for your jacket. Either that or they shipped it recently and forgot to tell you.

I'd keep messaging Andy. Send him an email. If he doesn't respond, send him a (polite) follow-up email a week later. Repeat until you get a response. Usually they'll get back to you after 1-2 tries.

 

[Mark]

I have emailed Andy a few times since my jacket went in for some mods back in June. Andy always replies quite timely. I think it helps if you are polite, respectful and don't over load him with emails. Not suggesting people here do but some folks have been less than friendly in the past shall we say.
Andy explained to me that the current Covit crisis (or rather the restrictions) are really impacting on their ability to trade and catch-up with the back log of orders from the last lock down. In addition Andy explained there is a real shortage of properly trained machinists and too many imported jackets from Pakistan flooding the market that are adding to the issue. However Andy assures me they are not out or going out of business as some have suggested and are also working around the clock to get peoples jackets out. I am sure Andy will not mind me saying but they are also working on a new line of jackets that only confirms (at least to me) that they do see light at the end of the tunnel with this virus issue and are planning ahead. I have told Andy there is no rush with getting my jacket to me (it's a spring/summer jacket anyway). Why put unnecessary pressure on the guy, I think he is doing the best he can in difficult times.

 

[Caber]

I sent a message about 2 months ago just asking for an update on jacket turnover times and I sent one last month. I sent another one about 3 days ago. No reply to any of them. That made me wonder if he went out of Business too. Sounds like he is still up and going

 

[Caber]

I say that and then I received an email today from him. There you go!

 

[Edward]

Not sure...I would inform suppliers and customers with pending orders, personally, but I possibly would not necessarily hang that any higher.

From a sales & marketing pov, it'd be worth likely them indicating the site is temporarily down, but then that's assuming their 'new mystery owner' (was that ever announced, or did it fizzle out?). In the event of a hack, they would be required by law (General Data Protection Regulation), being based in the EU, to notify the national Data Protection Authority as well as any customers whose personal data may have been compromised. I can well imagine that being a headache. Also possible they are looking ot limit new orders coming in for a bit if they are working on a backlog. Which makes sense, as I've seen a few smaller businesses over they ears get in real trouble by getting caught up in a backlog while still taking on new orders.

 

[dannyk]

From a sales & marketing pov, it'd be worth likely them indicating the site is temporarily down, but then that's assuming their 'new mystery owner' (was that ever announced, or did it fizzle out?). In the event of a hack, they would be required by law (General Data Protection Regulation), being based in the EU, to notify the national Data Protection Authority as well as any customers whose personal data may have been compromised. I can well imagine that being a headache. Also possible they are looking ot limit new orders coming in for a bit if they are working on a backlog. Which makes sense, as I've seen a few smaller businesses over they ears get in real trouble by getting caught up in a backlog while still taking on new orders.

Thats what I would think. Whether backlog or due to covid messing up shipping....they probably took it down so they couldnt take on new orders. Which I dont like. They would be better off putting up an explanation and locking purchase options. Or at the very least explaining and just putting up long lead times. I dont like just disappearing.