BK price increases again?

[Superfluous]

And I have to say that the comments of "our leather, jackets are the best" have finally turned me off. Andy, maybe you do have the very best leather but harping on about it doesn't do any good, in fact it does the opposite. I don't see Gary from ELC posting here saying their Warhorse is the dog's bumpy bits or John from GW saying his leather is the bee's knees.

To the contrary, while JC no doubt subjectively believes that his leather is the finest available, he never proclaims as such and, instead, openly compliments other leathers. Such humility is refreshing and no doubt attracts customers to the brand.

 

[andyfalzon]

Each vendor advertises as he sees fit. Someone might like to leave customers to wonder or assume that he offers the finest leathers; and they might assume so considering the high prices. We instead don't like to leave anything to chance and wish to fully inform you about what you are buying. And considering the price differences we believe it is our duty to inform you. You have a problem with that?

 

[Fanch]

This thread has been entertaining if nothing else.

 

[andyfalzon]

as always :eusa_clap

 

[Sloan1874]

The VLJ seems to be remarkably quiet on this subject. Are they aware or simply unable to comment? [huh]

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Each vendor advertises as he sees fit. Someone might like to leave customers to wonder or assume that he offers the finest leathers; and they might assume so considering the high prices. We instead don't like to leave anything to chance and wish to fully inform you about what you are buying. And considering the price differences we believe it is our duty to inform you. You have a problem with that?

The problem might very well be that many find it rather odd that BK assumes the position of what is usually coming from the customer's posted jubilation of excitement and satisfaction with the product that they have received...but you can't seem to understand the difference no matter how or how many ways it is explained and that also seems to add to the 'problem'. Just as you can't see how the way the price increase was handled should be any problem whatsoever to anyone.
HD

 

[Superfluous]

Each vendor advertises as he sees fit. Someone might like to leave customers to wonder or assume that he offers the finest leathers; and they might assume so considering the high prices. We instead don't like to leave anything to chance and wish to fully inform you about what you are buying. And considering the price differences we believe it is our duty to inform you. You have a problem with that?

Do you really believe you are "informing" your prospective customers when you proclaim: "BK's leather is better than all other leathers. Take my word for it." Where in that statement is the "information"?

If "information" is genuinely your goal, I welcome the opportunity to be "informed." Please explain why Victory HH is objectively better than Shinki, Horween and Warhouse. When doing so, please avoid nonsensical statements like "it cost more," and subjective statements like "it looks better." Start with the selection of hides -- why are the horses used for Victory HH objectively superior to the others? Why is the tanning objectively superior? Why are the other components of the Victory HH objectively superior?

You are correct that prospective customers want information, as distinct from self-serving chest pounding devoid of factual content. So, give your prospective customers what they want.

 

[andyfalzon]

I have shared tons of information including industry secrets previously subdued which put an end to years of speculation; I even showed how to determine whether M-422 were veg tanned or chrome tanned, but unfortunately the posts were deleted and the threads locked down because some members could not behave. For these reasons and also because as I said our affiliate thread is suspended, as much as I like to, I cannot share any more info here. Anyone interested, feel free to contact our email.

 

[GregO]

So is this andyfalzon character related to Stu at Lost Worlds? Just wondering...seems like they have a bunch in common!

 

[Sloan1874]

This is passing into the annals of Classic Fedora Threads! lol

 

[Otter]

So Andy, yes or no, have the prices gone up?

 

[Sloan1874]

^^^^^^^^^^^Priceless!!! :eusa_clap

 

[atomjet58]

Last July we made an announcement that BK was sold to UK interests who wish to remain undisclosed. The deal was concluded last January which was when the new owners wanted to increase the prices but the old management resisted consistently until now. I would like to remind everybody that there was a huge billboard on BK website for longer than 6 months explaining that the jackets made with Victory horsehide were offered far below their value and that the actual prices would apply soon. These "tactics" allowed our customers to benefit by buying those jackets really cheap and ourselves to promote our products and services to a wider public. In a sense BK sponsored the customers who bought those jackets. The new ownership thought this could not continue anymore. Their goal is that the brand should expand further and I can reveal that work is being done to present new products soon. Such expansion is a costly operation so it had to be funded by an increase in the prices.

I remember when Tony Nowak entered the scene sold the Indy jacket at $1200 and there was a debate over at the Indy forum that his jackets were overpriced because Wested sold them at GBP 165. Apart from the fact that almost every fan got one of his jackets, the majority of members and especially the moderators defended Tony Nowak and his prices suggesting that each vendor is entitled to adjust his price depending on his costs and quality of his product and that his prices were well justified. We sold our version which is more accurate than TN's and made with better leather for eur 600 ($800) and people are still complaining that it's expensive.

May I remind everybody that BK prices are still lower than other UK vendors and the quality is equal or higher, while the costs are higher than everybody's because there is still no benefit of economies of scale.

As regards the new house jacket, it will be made with our new Mark 31 horsehide which is the same quality horsehide that Gibson & Barnes use in their A-2 jackets. So by buying the BK you get the same leather plus the original WWII pattern for almost the same price.

Why would this be called Mark 31 Horsehide? Isn't the Gibson Barnes Mark 31 goatskin?
Also how is a BK "house" A-2 different than a GB horsehide A-2?

 

[bretron]

What happened to the affiliate thread, incidentally?

BK no longer "affiliated"?

 

[Fanch]

G&B labels their "historic" A-2 as a Model 31, which model is veg tanned goatskin, silk lining, russet (mid-brown), and collar stand. G&B's Model 41 is either russet or mahognany (dark brown) horsehide , cotton lining, and collar stand. G&B's Model 43 is the same as their Model 41 but without the collar stand. G&B labels their historic A-2's as copied from the original WWII pattern too. Since I have never laid eyes on a BK, I could not say one way or the other as to whether G&B or BK is "superior" to or more "original" to one over the other, nor do I really care.

 

[zhz]

Since when this thread goes so entertaining...

 

[Sloan1874]

What happened to the affiliate thread, incidentally?

BK no longer "affiliated"?

Went a few weeks ago. The thread was locked without further comment.

 

[zhz]

Went a few weeks ago. The thread was locked without further comment.

I somehow feel BK prefer doing things in a secret, silence way.

 

[atomjet58]

G&B labels their "historic" A-2 as a Model 31, which model is veg tanned goatskin, silk lining, russet (mid-brown), and collar stand. G&B's Model 41 is either russet or mahognany (dark brown) horsehide , cotton lining, and collar stand. G&B's Model 43 is the same as their Model 41 but without the collar stand. G&B labels their historic A-2's as copied from the original WWII pattern too. Since I have never laid eyes on a BK, I could not say one way or the other as to whether G&B or BK is "superior" to or more "original" to one over the other, nor do I really care.

Since both GB and BK "house" A-2s have the same horsehide and now cost almost the same I'm thinking a new GB horsehide A-2 would
be a safer bet since GB will exchange or alter the jacket if necessary and mailing is a whole lot cheaper and faster to El Cajon than to Europe.
Every GB or Flight Suits jacket I've seen has had very nice leather.

 

[Foster]

Since when this thread goes so entertaining...

Greek tragedy for the Leather Jacket theatre. Price increases are always tragic.