Construction methods vary from jacket to jacket, as do the various details - collar stands and shapes, inset sleeves, pocket shapes, etc. John's very good at maintaining the integrity of the original contract within the requests of the customer. Personally, I asked John to keep my Dubow as close to 'standard-issue', otherwise what's the point of going to him?
As regards Himel, I don't even look at them, the prices are as ridiculous as the Japanese makers.
As you might have noticed, I am not into flight jackets, but civilian and moto style. I originally placed an order for a Californian racer but then got more interested in the Arcadia which is possibly what I would order if my turn ever comes. Is there any point in going with John for this? Or people should only consider John for military style jackers?
Genuine question
In the end, waiting lists and higher costs serve a similar purpose, which is to control the stream of demand. Both Himel and Japanese makers know that if you want the jacket bad enough, you'll pay for it, and if not, it's no sweat off their back. JC has a similar outlook on his waiting list, if you want it bad enough, you'll wait. If not, he'll refund your deposit.
The question is whether or not, as a buyer, you prefer to spend your time or your money. (I will say that out of the two, time is an equalizer. If you're better off, it's easier for you to spend more on a jacket, but 2 years+ will always be 2 years+.)
If it was this simple, I don't think that John would be causing such negative feelings. The problem are that the waiting list is out of control and people get selected out of the chronological timing of their orders. Why have you received your jacket earlier then people who have over 5 years waiting? Did you ask John directly? If so what was his answer? And how can you justify this?
You also claim that there are 2 ways to deal with a long waiting list, either raise price or make people wait and in your own words time is an equalizer. What are you implying by saying this?
I would say that there is at least a third way to do things correctly, as evidenced by the other thread: stop taking orders until the waiting list is more manageable, so why John doesn't do this and why does he still accept down-payments? This question has been asked a few times already but never got an answer, always ignored by the GW fans.
Finally, if I was a new forum member or simply lurking for the first time and I read some of the comments like the one you just made, I would be misled to believe that with John, it's only a matter of waiting longer to get your jacket, 2 years +
Having read John's website which still states 18 to 24 month waiting and then reading the comments here, I would think that it could take about 2 years and a half to get the order, long but manageable... Is that fair to mislead people to such an extent?