Eastman Californian chinese look alike.

[Tatagiba]

The Eastman Californian is my dream jacket, but it's out of my budget.

In my country due the bad economy, weak currency and taxes It will cost like 6 monthly minimum wages. Yes, half a year of work for some people ...

So, when looking for a alternative I found this ad on Aliexpress. The model looks a lot like the ELMC Californian, but the leather is odd.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Top...3.html?spm=a2g0s.13010208.99999999.269.ZIaiDb

Any of you guys could add some consideration by what you can see by the pictures ?

 

[handymike]

You're right, this does look a bit like the California. The hide has a pull-up/ sueded look to it. If you like it, the price ain't bad. For my money, I'd seriously look for a pre-owned one. This jacket is a pretty simple Half-belt, and can be found fairly often in more interesting hides and configurations.
You can't beat a return policy that offers "or keep the item and negotiate a refund with seller."
Good luck!
If you do buy it, please write up your thoughts and experience with pictures!

 

[Seb Lucas]

Looks like a copy of a generic 1940's half-belt as made by many historic companies and copied by many companies today. Camo lining as per Himel. The sleeves are too short in the model photos. I think this is the kind of jacket you would have to see in the flesh to decide upon. I'd like to see a review by someone with some jacket experience.

 

[ProteinNerd]

Hmmmm, any online listing where they mix pictures of their jacket and then throw in some pictures that are obviously of an actual Eastman Californian make me very suspicious....

 

[ton312]

It appears they ripped off @HPA Rep photos as well as actual Eastman pics...I would say the jacket in question will be one that probably isn't terrible but will ultimately leave you wishing for something more...

 

[Hh121]

I can guarantee you that the picture in their website is not the same jacket they sell.

 

[Tatagiba]

Lots of fast replies, thank you all !

The ELMC Californian have a combination that I love (half belt + action back + button cuff) and you dont see it too often.

Ends up that this one have this combination. I asked the seller for photos of the actual jacket that he has in stock, and he refused saying that he does not have more pictures ...

This plus all the stated above about using pictures of the official manufactuirers and the big possibility that the jacket that they will ship can be a lot different from the ad, makes it a no go.

I was hoping that this could be something good, but it's not worth the risk.

If anyone have a good tip abou the mentioned combination for a low budget, please let me know !

 

[tropicalbob]

You'd be way better off keeping an eye on the Classifieds area here. Great deals are to be had, and once in a while just the thing you're looking for pops up - and in your size! Best of luck.

 

[navetsea]

the jacket with camo lining is obviously different leather than the one used by the "borrowed" pics, but to me the construction and the leather seems legit enough, it has leather facing all around the inside, and a probably soft brown drum dyed pebbled leather to me, it won't develop incredible patina, but it looks solid enough, and the price looks right for a decently made jacket in asia to me... I dunno... but I believe it, it doesn't look like any of those crappy scam costume grade jacket.

the case with my experience buying clothing from chinese vendors in ebay, all using the same pictures, and they never be able to show you in hand picture, so I assume they are just agents and they get commission for whatever they sell, and also the sender of the package I received are often not the seller but from a different company... at least with clothes item.

 

[AeroFan_07]

I'd keep looking. Seems lately we've had many good deals pop up right here. Proceed with caution if you surf out in the 'Bay.

 

[Justhandguns]

The pictures are not very consistent themselves. The demo guy's jacket seems to be a lot stiffer than the 'supposedly' on sale jacket. But then again, it doesn't look too bad, provided that 'what you see if what you get'.

 

[HPA Rep]

It appears they ripped off @HPA Rep photos as well as actual Eastman pics...I would say the jacket in question will be one that probably isn't terrible but will ultimately leave you wishing for something more...

Thank you for pointing this out! Yes, there are three modeled pics that are owned by me and are of me!!! I hope no one ever buys from this company.

The Chinese are the worst violators of IP rights and patronizing goods sold by them is just a slow form of suicide for a short-term gain.

 

[AeroFan_07]

Charles thanks for pointing this out. Please take due regard of caution FL members as per this finding.

 

[Sloan1874]

What everyone else said, tbh. A bit of judicious eBay searching - set up a few automatic searches to scour keywords- and patience will get you something far nicer second hand for a similar price.