Diamond Dave - Buco J-21

[bretron]

A1, I love ya buddy. And I know what you've gone through in your leather jacket hunt, which is why it is all the more painful to say but if it were me I'd be requesting a remake or some kind of other compensation.

Only you can judge the fit for yourself, and please don't let me be the one to say it "doesn't fit" or that you "should" do one thing over another. But I am with Superfluous on this. I have yet to successfully convince myself that my initial gut reaction was wrong. I either know a piece fits or I know it doesn't. Whenever the latter proved to be the case in the past, I would desperately try to convince myself otherwise, but I've found it better for me (if nothing else than my sanity) to reconcile the fit problem, be it an exchange or remake, return or resell.

More importantly, I think there's a pretty strong case to be made that this isn't your fault. If you specified 25-25.5" length but got a jacket made to order at 23", then that's a problem IMO. Unless there is a discrepancy in the way you and DD measure??

In any event, it is an absolutely stunning jacket. Should you decide to keep it, you will certainly continue to love it more and more as you make it yours. And considering all the heartache you've gone through with your jackets, I can understand why you may decide to keep it.

Hang in there, pal. (Peace)

 

[A-1]

Well folks, I truly value all your opinions!
I still think it’s just a little bit too short on me. I’ve asked for 25,5“ and probably 24,5“ would be alright as well. I find myself pulling it down constantly when wearing it. It’s just that as soon as I move, my belly and back are exposed.
I’ve actually asked DD if he could and would remake it. Maybe I and him could try to sell this jacket here in Europe so we don’t have to send it back to the US, which is customs and shipping again.
I’m just very sad because it’s actually a piece of art. The leather, all the stitching and construction is flawless and insanely beautiful... This really hurts!

 

[A-1]

Bret, thank you so much for your words!
It means a lot!

 

[Superfluous]

Well folks, I truly value all your opinions!
I still think it’s just a little bit too short on me. I’ve asked for 25,5“ and probably 24,5“ would be alright as well. I find myself pulling it down constantly when wearing it. It’s just that as soon as I move, my belly and back are exposed.
I’ve actually asked DD if he could and would remake it. Maybe I and him could try to sell this jacket here in Europe so we don’t have to send it back to the US, which is customs and shipping again.
I’m just very sad because it’s actually a piece of art. The leather, all the stitching and construction is flawless and insanely beautiful... This really hurts!

You're doing the right thing A-1. I know its a hassle, but you will be happier in the long run. DD should be able to make another jacket that is also "insanely beautiful," but a little longer. Then, you can truly enjoy your jacket, without any excuses or reservations. I can't wait to see photos of you strutting around in your new jacket, with a big smile on your face.

 

[bretron]

Bret, thank you so much for your words!
It means a lot!

Dude it totally and completely sucks. That initial "wtf??" feeling is indescribable. But I promise you'll be happier in the long run

 

[A-1]

Alrighty, it's on! I'm trying to sell it now.
It's really sad actually. Holding it and looking at it. It's just so damn beautiful!

 

[handymike]

The remake will be too...and it'll feel right as well!

 

[bretron]

There's gotta be someone in your neck of the woods meant to have this jacket!!

 

[Superfluous]

Alrighty, it's on! I'm trying to sell it now.

I see your listing in the Classified section. Good luck with the sale. That said, why are you taking a loss on the transaction? The jacket delivered by DD was NOT what you ordered. Most jacket manufacturers advertise a 1/2 inch margin of error. A 2 inch differential is far beyond any reasonable margin of error. Therefore, DD should take back your jacket, and make you a new jacket, without you incurring any costs whatsoever. If you and DD agree that you will sell the jacket (rather than returning it to him), DD should sell you the new jacket for the exact amount that you receive on the sale of the old jacket, such that you are not absorbing any of the loss -- DD should also reimburse you for the cost of shipping the old jacket to the buyer, and any additional customs for the new jacket. Bottom line: You should not have to pay one penny more than the original agreed price. DD screwed up and he must own his mistake. You should not be forced to incur additional costs because of DD's undeniably mistake.

Separately, and I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I suspect it will not be easy to find a buyer for a jacket with a 24 in chest and 26 in sleeves, but a 23.5 inch body length. You need to find someone with a large chest, short body, and long arms (I am refraining from the obvious analogies). I think you would be better off shipping the jacket back to DD and letting him find an appropriate buyer (again, at his cost).

Again, I am sorry for my blunt comments, but I am irked by how this is playing out. You are a good guy A-1 and a passionate jacket enthusiast -- not to mention a wonderful member of this community. You deserve better. DD should be bending over backwards to minimize your aggravation. He should be making this right, and incurring all associated costs. This is his responsibility.

 

[Monitor]

First off, it's a stunning, crazy beautiful jacket.

Now; I've had Aero make me a direct J-24 copy. It was without any doubt the most beautiful jacket I've ever handled, and at the very top of the list of jackets I've EVER seen online or otherwise. I can safely say that I have handled quite a few premium jackets and nothing ever got close. That's just my personal opinion, of course, but... The shiny, jet black leather on that jacket, man, I recall how it was showing more and more insanely cool character and patina every time I'd wear it. Made a fan of Aero out of me for life.
It was so beautiful that I felt like wearing a costume piece every time I went out, I loved it to death, but... Yeah, it was too short - and it was getting shorter every day, eventually loosing an inch after just a month of non-consistent wear. I was telling myself it looks Rock & Roll, that it's just as long as the jackets we see on those old b/w photos, that it's cooler that way...




Eventually, I had to let go of it once I realized I literally had to psych myself out to leave the house in it. And that's not what I had in mind when I bought it. What Super said, I was trying to compromise a jacket that had me feeling entirely self-conscious until I ceased using it.

Looking back at it, I wish I didn't sell it as I just know for a fact I'll never see another jacket like it, but it was just the sort of jacket that I never could casually wear every day - Which was precisely what I intended it to become, when I spent all that $ on it. It was to be just a super cool jacket I'd put on and forget.

There's no moral to this, just telling you my story and my failure to deal with what I perceived as an issue, whether this issue was real or not.

Is your jacket short? It's a short jacket, alright. Does it look bad? What Nick said, it looks Rock & Roll. It looks badass. You're a rockstar in it but... That's just the thing I realized couldn't handle being, nor wanted to. Cosplay ain't my thing. And yeah, some people will be telling you it's too short. Do you care? I guess I did, more than I thought I would.

So yeah, sure, it's period correct fit, looks cool, etc. etc. but if that "if only..." thought is rattling inside your head every time you put it on, do what must be done ASAP.

 

[Dickie Teenie]

Alrighty, it's on! I'm trying to sell it now.
It's really sad actually. Holding it and looking at it. It's just so damn beautiful!

Have you heard back from Dave on how he'll handle this, are you on your own?

 

[53Effie]

I couldn't agree more with Superfluous' post above. DD should be making this right with A-1 and should absorb all costs associated with his error. I really don't see how it can be otherwise.

 

[IXL]

Hey Bolero, I mean....Monitor, you did the right thing with your Aero! But brother, that must have really, really hurt.

 

[Carlos840]

I couldn't agree more with Superfluous' post above. DD should be making this right with A-1 and should absorb all costs associated with his error. I really don't see how it can be otherwise.

Agreed, it's not your fault and you should not be the one trying to sell it and make your money back!

 

[ProteinNerd]

Yeah I have to agree, DD didn't deliver what you ordered so the responsibility should not be yours to sell it, it wasn't your mistake. While it is a GREAT jacket, it is going to be a hard sell due to the measurements and I think your asking price will suffer because of that.

The only contrary point in my mind is, and correct me if I'm wrong, but the Buco J-21 is supposed to be a very short jacket right? On one hand I think, you cant order a short style jacket and then be disappointed its short...on the other, you did specify the length you were after so what it boils down to, you didn't get what you ordered.

This is where (especially) boutique manufacturers can make or break their reputation. Do they stand by their promise to deliver what was ordered or make the customer pay for the mistake?

I will be interested to hear what the outcome of this is......as I imagine a lot of us will be.

 

[Sloan1874]

Sounds like my measurements... how many bananas do you want for it?

 

[Otter]

I could see you in that Sloan !

 

[Damo]

@Sloan1874, lol...

@A-1, I think your making the right decision with a remake. I'm with the others about you not having to sell it to get your money back since the measurements aren't what was specified.

It's these situations that turn me off from buying a jacket online internationally without being able to try it on. The extra money on back and forth shipping plus duties would kill me. I find these jackets expensive enough in the first place.

Any who, good luck with your situation. I'm sure it will turn out well for you. I have limited interactions with DD but he was very helpful and is a stand up guy.

 

[A-1]

Sounds like my measurements... how many bananas do you want for it?

@Sloan1874 Would be cool to get 1000€ = 750 pounds shipped to the UK. The jacket is truly incredible and my heart bleeds to let it go! I would love to know it’s in good hands of a fellow lounger! I just don’t wear the high waisted pants...

Firstly: I wanted to let you know it was my offer to try to sell the jacket here as the sending back and forth would be extra money for DD. It was not DD’s idea.
I also wanted to clarify I’m not in bad mood with D. I truly believe he has done all he could to satisfy me. I’m not an easy customer also, writing a LOT of emails, changing my mind all the time. Not on measurements, but on model and specs.
Just wanted the DD bashing to stop as I think he truly is a good guy with a good heart trying to make the best products possible. And I also can understand when things get lost in hundreds of mails.

Maybe I’m a bit too understanding in the view of some of you guys, but DD is a one man enterprise and sometimes I have the feeling we’re not always fair with him here.

He agreed to remake the jacket for me.

I won’t pay money on top as I just offered to sell the jacket for him. So the loss is all his. And for a one man operation this can be bad.

Also I'm very sorry for not being really clear here.

Good night everyone!

 

[Gav]

This is a great shame. I too feel for you. I was similarly conflicted over the length of my aero j106. It sits right on my belt at the front and just overlapping at the back. I was pretty unsure at first but after 6 months or so of daily wear including riding, I'm ok with it.
Hope your next one turns out spot on.