Not so happy experience with Vanson repair

[ton312]

Who says it's unrealistic? I know makers who do alterations / repairs free of charge. Maybe you'd have to be a regular customer for that but who says the OP isn't? Or maybe Vanson thought they'd give him a good deal on the repair, hoping he'd become a regular customer. Who can tell? It's not the customer's responsibility to assess whether a quotation is realistic. He's not the specialist, Vanson is.

Agreed. The shoe repair shop will do repairs to my stuff for $2. If I have a low key repair, I use them all the time.

 

[JMax]

How low key is low key? And which jackets? Just curious. I’ve thought about doing this but am afraid the cobbler will jack up my jacket.

 

[Will Zach]

The orig. $60 estimate was unrealistic in the first place and the OP should have waited and spoke to someone else to get the rite price. Obviously he didn't know what the hell he was talking about.
The other guy who fu__ked up the jacket would still be enjoying his diner thru a straw.....

"Hey, I am not really happy with the $60 quote the other guy gave me, can you quote me a higher price?" - Said no one ever.

 

[ton312]

Who says it's unrealistic? I know makers who do alterations / repairs free of charge. Maybe you'd have to be a regular customer for that but who says the OP isn't? Or maybe Vanson thought they'd give him a good deal on the repair, hoping he'd become a regular customer. Who can tell? It's not the customer's responsibility to assess whether a quotation is realistic. He's not the specialist, Vanson is.

Agreed. The shoe repair shop will do repairs to my stuff for $2. If I have a low key repair, I use them all the time.

How low key is low key? And which jackets? Just curious. I’ve thought about doing this but am afraid the cobbler will jack up my jacket.

my guy is fantastic! I’m talking loose stitches, etc. he shored up my Westbury at the hem and pocket piping beautifully. Charged me $2 (cash only) and I had no cash on me. He told me “next time” and let me walk. So the last thing I had home do, another popped cuff seam, I gave him $20. He’s an old school cobbler, been there forever and well regarded for his work. Theodore shoe repair on Damen just south of Lawrence.
Not sure he’d want to take on the stuff I ask of Dena, but I’m sure he could. I’ve had to stand in line to get in his shop. That about says it all.

 

[Rich22]

Who says it's unrealistic? I know makers who do alterations / repairs free of charge. Maybe you'd have to be a regular customer for that but who says the OP isn't? Or maybe Vanson thought they'd give him a good deal on the repair, hoping he'd become a regular customer. Who can tell? It's not the customer's responsibility to assess whether a quotation is realistic. He's not the specialist, Vanson is.

I completely agree with this. Not only might they do work on their own products at a reduced rate, but is the work really going to take a skilled expert more than an hour? $60 doesn't seem unrealistic at all.

 

[JMax]

Per their price list, it is a bit unrealistic. Maybe it’s too high but whatever. It’s what they charge.

Vanson messed up. I would honor my own mistake and it seems they will. Not everyone does. Not sure you always have to, but that’s a different discussion. My takeaway— Prices are better at other outfits.

 

[TREEMAN]

Agreed. The shoe repair shop will do repairs to my stuff for $2. If I have a low key repair, I use them all the time.

We are talking alterations here...not repairs or sewing loose threads....The shoe repair shop guy must lite up when he sees you coming in with the cash !!

 

[El Marro]

I'm sorry for the experance you had. Sounds like in the end, they are making it right for you.
That said, Vanson has a really complete menu of repairs & associated costs, much more complete than I had expected:
https://www.vansonleathers.com/content/332-repairs-resizing

As to other "oops" that have happened recently or years past, well, life & mistakes happen. Best to try and let go and move on with life. Has happened to me more often than I can count (not usually with jackets). I try to hold "things" loosely, if that makes sense.

After reviewing this price list I will say that I was wrong when I said that Vanson could not do a repair for $60 without losing money. They clearly offer many simple repairs for this price and some for less.

 

[MrProper]

Maybe this , maybe that....free repairs , maybe they thought , hoping he'd become , who can tell.....Gimme a break Poser !! To answer your question : I think it's unrealistic... and I think it is always the customer's responsibility to assess weather or not a price quote is suitable or realistic . Hopefully this assessment is made before shipping.

I go as a customer to a professional.
I describe my job and am quoted a binding price. Mind you, no estimate with the indication that the cost can finally assess only after the work.
Now please explain to me why I, as a customer and layman, should question the quoted price of a professional? Am I the professional's lawyer? No.
The point is simply that I rely on what a professional says. And if changes do occur, I expect communication. "Ah, unfortunately my apprentice gave you the wrong price and forgot the 1 in front. Would you like the change for 160 as well?". I don't like being presented with a fait accompli.

 

[Fifty150]

The shoe repair shop guy must lite up when he sees you coming in with the cash !!

I'm sure that the shoe repair is getting rich, $2 at a time. The shoe repair guy who lets him get away without paying, when he forgets to bring cash.

Shoe repair is a dying art. Very few people have the knowledge. And even if they want to learn, there's not trade school.

free repairs

It could happen. Taylor offers a 5 year warranty. If it's a defect, they'll fix it free.

Vanson's website says, "Pricing subject to change WITHOUT NOTICE."

Of course, if you called instead of looking online, you may not know that.

Vanson's repair pricing is not cheap. Neither are the jackets.

 

[TREEMAN]

Keep in mind, the op wants alterations..not repairs.

 

[TREEMAN]

One more reason why I will probably never own a Vanson. Lack of communication and not keeping agreements is pretty unprofessional.

Here’s your answer perfectly explained by you ….

 

[MrProper]

Keep in mind, the op wants alterations..not repairs.

Exactly. And if I know my product as a professional, then I know exactly how much effort it takes and can quote a binding price. With a repair, that is more difficult.
But even if I'm generous and admit that sometimes things turn out differently, 10% or 20% might be acceptable, but not from 60 to 170.
If I worked like that, I wouldn't get any more orders.
And if I miscalculate (which I have already done), then I am responsible for it without discussion.
And that's obviously what happened in this case.
But maybe that's also a question of culture.

 

[TREEMAN]

Exactly. And if I know my product as a professional, then I know exactly how much effort it takes and can quote a binding price. With a repair, that is more difficult.
But even if I'm generous and admit that sometimes things turn out differently, 10% or 20% might be acceptable, but not from 60 to 170.
If I worked like that, I wouldn't get any more orders.
And if I miscalculate (which I have already done), then I am responsible for it without discussion.
And that's obviously what happened in this case.
But maybe that's also a question of culture.

The only thing that’s obvious here is that you never had any dealings with … Vanson.
You use words like Binding Prices and Quotes.. Wake up and smell the coffee …

 

[Will Zach]

The only thing that’s obvious here is that you never had any dealings with … Vanson.
You use words like Binding Prices and Quotes.. Wake up and smell the coffee …

Your bold key broke on your keyboard?

 

[navetsea]

Maybe this , maybe that....free repairs , maybe they thought , hoping he'd become , who can tell.....Gimme a break Poser !! To answer your question : I think it's unrealistic... and I think it is always the customer's responsibility to assess weather or not a price quote is suitable or realistic . Hopefully this assessment is made before shipping.

what?
I have free repair on my jackets, no guessing here, some makers do free repairs they take it as part of their after sale service, I even ask how much I should pay, and they answer it is free... I guess i must be living in unrealistic world then.

and what I mean by repair is changing main zip into dual zip while it was not even damaged, I just want to exchange it into dual zip, and also installing a piece of leather behind my neck bellow the collar, its free... I'm a returning customer... but it happens.

 

[MrProper]

The only thing that’s obvious here is that you never had any dealings with … Vanson.
You use words like Binding Prices and Quotes.. Wake up and smell the coffee …

The coffee smells quite excellent, thank you.
I don't see how it matters whether I've dealt with Vanson before or not.
I see it as described with any producer/manufacturer. Commitment and clear communication is key. If that is given, I am a loyal customer. If not, then there are plenty of alternatives.
The question is, why does the topic trigger you so much?

 

[Marc mndt]

I guess i must be living in unrealistic world then.

No you're not. Two of my favorite makers have done repairs and alterations for free.

Let me be clear, I'm not suggesting that that should be the norm. I'm just saying that it's up to the maker to quote whatever they want and that it's not the customer's obligation to assess whether a quotation is realistic.

 

[Monitor]

and I think it is always the customer's responsibility to assess weather or not a price quote is suitable or realistic .

Lol okay, so it is customers responsibility to fully understand the process of sewing & tailoring, leather alteration nuances, etc., whilst having complete understanding of the equipment & workforce involved in the alteration - Preferably for each and every existing leather workshop in the States - whilst having up to date information on all of the employees wages and the overall costs of the procedure, and thus finally deduct the realistic quote by themselves; Rather than listen to the information given to them by the people who work there & whose only job is to literally provide just such information?

No, it is not customer's responsibility to do literally anything other than ask, get a quote and decide accordingly. If they told the OP the procedure would cost $5, it's what they absolutely should've honored, even if it meant bankruptcy.

I do agree though that a $60 estimate wasn't realistic to begin with. $30 would be more like and that's on the high end of the alteration pricing spectrum. It's not that big of an alteration. Literally any skilled tailor with a powerful enough sewing machine can do it within 30 minutes time frame.

 

[JMax]

I see what you guys are saying. Not sure I I agree 100 percent since most of us do our homework- down to the nanometer on measurements or for how long the hide sat in the chrome pickle juice. However, Vanson did make a mistake. I’m just confused as to why Vanson’s culture, ethics and whatnot is questioned when they said they would honor the incorrect quote. Maybe we should see if they do. But I do like me a good public hanging. Tough choice.

Their prices are high. Cool. Their call. It’s partly why I go elsewhere for my work.

And the mobile web optimization on the site still sucks. We should be discussing that lol. Took me 15 minutes to get into the thread. I used the time to make me some morning coffee and popcorn.