Who is the expert here on buying jackets from Japan?

[Kuro]

I sent photos of my Aero Ridley measurements and asked for measurements of their jacket they have for sale, I can go smaller in a couple areas.

I believe they are closed today, so I will probably not know more until tomorrow.

 

[Kuro]

For those following my quest, it has come to a conclusion with a paid invoice with Genco for a Freewheelers Centinela in a size 44.

They make you pay for the bigger sizes!

I actually never thought that I would spend this kind of money for a jacket... Once I found out this style was really only made in Japan, it opened the door.

 

[red devil]

For those following my quest, it has come to a conclusion with a paid invoice with Genco for a Freewheelers Centinela in a size 44.

They make you pay for the bigger sizes!

I actually never thought that I would spend this kind of money for a jacket... Once I found out this style was really only made in Japan, it opened the door.

Yes the price goes up for sizes over 42 which is the standard biggest size in Japan. It must cost them quite a bit more to add bigger sizes such as 44 and up.

 

[Edward]

If only they didn't insist on declaring the full value of items they would be the perfect solution.

To be fair, I can understand why they do this - strictly speaking, to do otherwise is tax fraud, which also, worth noting, implicates the buyer as well. Some parts of the world it's more of a risk than others, of course. I've not bought anything from Japan, but I know HMRC takes a very big interest in anything coming in from the US this last decade, nothing slips through there. (The annoying bit is the handling fee typically far outweighs the actual tax in my experience.)

 

[Blackadder]

If it turns out that you don't like the teacore Japanese leather, there is this for a custom guarantee fit from Langlitz.
https://item.rakuten.co.jp/lahaina/10007616/

 

[red devil]

If it turns out that you don't like the teacore Japanese leather, there is this for a custom guarantee fit from Langlitz.
https://item.rakuten.co.jp/lahaina/10007616/

So Langlitz would be willing to make this model. That is an interesting option!
The snaps look a bit too small though

 

[Blackadder]

So Langlitz would be willing to make this model. That is an interesting option!
The snaps look a bit too small though

Well, you may have an option for snaps too. Do these not look bigger? And with markings/engravings?

 

[Colin G]

From my experience Langlitz seems to have trouble making the Japanese market jackets for us North Americans. I wanted a Red Dog and after talking with them about it and how it fits, they refused to make me one since they said they don't make them much yet they seem to make them for the Japanese market no problem. That puzzled me. I was kind of annoyed and ended up, ordering a Cascade instead but how can you not know how a jacket fits yet seem to have no problem making them for Japan?

It would have been measured in Japan by Langlitz Japan, then made in the USA but still I found it very odd they could not tell me if it is a slim fitting jacket or a roomy cut. Maybe it depends what kind of mood they are in that day.

All I can say is good luck ordering one of those Centinela type jackets from Langlitz. Being a Langlitz fan myself, the Freewheelers one looks way nicer anyway.

 

[red devil]

Well, you may have an option for snaps too. Do these not look bigger? And with markings/engravings?
View attachment 207528

Yes these are engraved and bigger than the previous ones, maybe the caps were commisionned by the client?

From my experience Langlitz seems to have trouble making the Japanese market jackets for us North Americans. I wanted a Red Dog and after talking with them about it and how it fits, they refused to make me one since they said they don't make them much yet they seem to make them for the Japanese market no problem. That puzzled me. I was kind of annoyed and ended up, ordering a Cascade instead but how can you not know how a jacket fits yet seem to have no problem making them for Japan?

It would have been measured in Japan by Langlitz Japan, then made in the USA but still I found it very odd they could not tell me if it is a slim fitting jacket or a roomy cut. Maybe it depends what kind of mood they are in that day.

All I can say is good luck ordering one of those Centinela type jackets from Langlitz. Being a Langlitz fan myself, the Freewheelers one looks way nicer anyway.

I have been wanting a centinela for a long time, except that it is too trim for me. I am improving on that aspect though. If that doesn't work I will have to look at other options to get that jacket

 

[Blackadder]

From my experience Langlitz seems to have trouble making the Japanese market jackets for us North Americans. I wanted a Red Dog and after talking with them about it and how it fits, they refused to make me one since they said they don't make them much yet they seem to make them for the Japanese market no problem. That puzzled me. I was kind of annoyed and ended up, ordering a Cascade instead but how can you not know how a jacket fits yet seem to have no problem making them for Japan?

It would have been measured in Japan by Langlitz Japan, then made in the USA but still I found it very odd they could not tell me if it is a slim fitting jacket or a roomy cut. Maybe it depends what kind of mood they are in that day.

All I can say is good luck ordering one of those Centinela type jackets from Langlitz. Being a Langlitz fan myself, the Freewheelers one looks way nicer anyway.

Japanese like to get the makers to make special limited revival edition of products. For it to be special limited edition, there has to be a restriction on the makers for a number of years. I heard rumour that that is how they did it with the Wesco Flightmaster a number of years ago. No other dealer or individual was able to order from Wesco a pair of Flightmaster because of the restriction. That restriction may have over the years lapsed or been lifted.
http://wescojapan.seesaa.net/article/228082923.html

 

[TheBigEraser]

Just FYI i have used buyee around 25 times over the years, a lot of japanese vases and instruments and have never had a problem with them. Everything always arrived quickly and always incredibly well packaged. (seriously, they take packing to another level even without using the repackaging service)
They are a bit expensive compared to others but they offer very reliable services.

Just one thing to be aware of, the consolidation of packages (when they unpack two items and repack them in a single package) doesn't usually save you money, if anything it is often more expensive to ship one larger/heavier item than two smaller/lighter ones.

If only they didn't insist on declaring the full value of items they would be the perfect solution.

Hi Carlos,

You lived in Belgium right? Which carrier do you choose when using Buyee?

 

[Carlos840]

Hi Carlos,

You lived in Belgium right? Which carrier do you choose when using Buyee?

I have not used Buyee since leaving London and coming back to Belgium, i have no experience using buyee in Belgium.
In the UK i always used EMS and never had a problem.
I don't know how Covid currently affects EMS, not sur ethey are even allowing parcels out of Japan yet.

 

[TexasTailored]

New here, but I'll weigh in on this as well. On the topic of Japanese leather, stay away from Y2 and Black Bear. They have collaborated on a N1 deck jacket design, boasting a hefty price point at $2260 USD. BB is a one man show that essentially acts as a middle man facilitating the sale of a "special colorway"...Looks great, but not worth the price, the wait time, or the craftsmanship. After a lengthy phone consultation and all measurements/details covered, I order a Large (I normally wear a medium). It turns out that their size chart provided is about as inaccurate as it can get. All measurements taken from outer as with most other brands, but no real indicator of how thick the lining will be. Keep in mind that I sized up, and upon arrival it was like wearing a straight jacket. My arms had red marks on them at the shoulders from it being too tight. Being familiar with horsehide, and basing it off measurements of my other favored jackets, this was a real let down. I had also requested the sleeves be extended, one sleeve turned out half an inch shorter than the other, with neither sleeve being the full 1 inch it should have been.

I contacted BB and he basically refused to question Y2 on the sleeves. It then becomes a my word against theirs situation. He tells me to just wear it and break it in. Well, the first night I go to wear the jacket out, when I went to button the collar flap, the button almost fully pops off. Literally hanging on by a thread. At this point I ask about an exchange, and if a size up was possible. At least with the XL the sleeves wouldn't require any lengthening. The dude gets real pissed and in fewer words or less, seemingly accuses me of damaging the jacket on purpose. After that, I said to disregard the sizing request and I'd just like a refund...Refund denied, in fact not even offered. He was very adamant about making sure I understood a refund was not even on the table. Instead they have me pack the coat, send it back to Y2 in JP (on their dime luckily) for repair. I'm willing to give this a shot and let the manufacturer correct this flaw

Once it arrives, BB tells me the owner of Y2 has inspected it and the sleeves are not wrong, they will repair the button and return it. Since the jacket is already there, I email the owner and ask if he can show me how he is getting the measurements and not showing the difference in sleeve. Perhaps we are measuring different points (even though I'm using their measurement guide to get the numbers) ? Couple days go by with no reply, and I send another email as I want clarification before the coat is returned. Even ask if it is possible to purchase another of their items and they can ship it back with the repair. Still no reply...Then get an email from BB with the Y22 people copied saying based on my multiple emails that they do not feel this is a good business relationship and are refunding my money and not sending the jacket back. What a cluster F...I think it says a lot about a business when the person who supposedly made the jacket can't even take the time to explain/show how they measured it, much less reply to an email in regards to an item they are repairing. Sounded very fishy, almost like they knew it wasn't cut correctly and it was cheaper to refund than to fix the sleeves. Lesson learned, shop from places that let you try items on or exchange to size up/down. The Shop Vancouver stocks Japanese items and will help you with sizing if it doesn't fit, and the guys there are very nice and pleasant to work with. I recommend avoiding anyone who doesn't have the best interest of consumer in mind. The whole take the money and run thing isn't a good business model, but some like to operate this way.

 

[NYDRH]

New here, but I'll weigh in on this as well. On the topic of Japanese leather, stay away from Y2 and Black Bear. They have collaborated on a N1 deck jacket design, boasting a hefty price point at $2260 USD. BB is a one man show that essentially acts as a middle man facilitating the sale of a "special colorway"...Looks great, but not worth the price, the wait time, or the craftsmanship. After a lengthy phone consultation and all measurements/details covered, I order a Large (I normally wear a medium). It turns out that their size chart provided is about as inaccurate as it can get. All measurements taken from outer as with most other brands, but no real indicator of how thick the lining will be. Keep in mind that I sized up, and upon arrival it was like wearing a straight jacket. My arms had red marks on them at the shoulders from it being too tight. Being familiar with horsehide, and basing it off measurements of my other favored jackets, this was a real let down. I had also requested the sleeves be extended, one sleeve turned out half an inch shorter than the other, with neither sleeve being the full 1 inch it should have been.

I contacted BB and he basically refused to question Y2 on the sleeves. It then becomes a my word against theirs situation. He tells me to just wear it and break it in. Well, the first night I go to wear the jacket out, when I went to button the collar flap, the button almost fully pops off. Literally hanging on by a thread. At this point I ask about an exchange, and if a size up was possible. At least with the XL the sleeves wouldn't require any lengthening. The dude gets real pissed and in fewer words or less, seemingly accuses me of damaging the jacket on purpose. After that, I said to disregard the sizing request and I'd just like a refund...Refund denied, in fact not even offered. He was very adamant about making sure I understood a refund was not even on the table. Instead they have me pack the coat, send it back to Y2 in JP (on their dime luckily) for repair. I'm willing to give this a shot and let the manufacturer correct this flaw

Once it arrives, BB tells me the owner of Y2 has inspected it and the sleeves are not wrong, they will repair the button and return it. Since the jacket is already there, I email the owner and ask if he can show me how he is getting the measurements and not showing the difference in sleeve. Perhaps we are measuring different points (even though I'm using their measurement guide to get the numbers) ? Couple days go by with no reply, and I send another email as I want clarification before the coat is returned. Even ask if it is possible to purchase another of their items and they can ship it back with the repair. Still no reply...Then get an email from BB with the Y22 people copied saying based on my multiple emails that they do not feel this is a good business relationship and are refunding my money and not sending the jacket back. What a cluster F...I think it says a lot about a business when the person who supposedly made the jacket can't even take the time to explain/show how they measured it, much less reply to an email in regards to an item they are repairing. Sounded very fishy, almost like they knew it wasn't cut correctly and it was cheaper to refund than to fix the sleeves. Lesson learned, shop from places that let you try items on or exchange to size up/down. The Shop Vancouver stocks Japanese items and will help you with sizing if it doesn't fit, and the guys there are very nice and pleasant to work with. I recommend avoiding anyone who doesn't have the best interest of consumer in mind. The whole take the money and run thing isn't a good business model, but some like to operate this way.

That sounds like a real awful experience, sorry you had to deal with that.

I would lay that entire situation at the feet of black bear. It's their responsibility from the moment they take your cash. While I believe Y'2 has a retail operation in Japan this was contract manufactured(possibly a different set of people within Y'2) and they may have felt that direct communication with the end customer was not part of the contract with bb. Many manufacturers would have stepped in but I wouldn't be surprised to hear an american third party contract manufacturer avoid that level of hands on customer service when the retailer is the responsible party.

As you said it is better to deal with retailers that have excellent customer service because when there's a problem it's the only thing that matters. I had no idea who black bear was until recently, I have liked a few things I've seen on IG, I did think their size chart seemed odd.

 

[TexasTailored]

That sounds like a real awful experience, sorry you had to deal with that.

I would lay that entire situation at the feet of black bear. It's their responsibility from the moment they take your cash. While I believe Y'2 has a retail operation in Japan this was contract manufactured(possibly a different set of people within Y'2) and they may have felt that direct communication with the end customer was not part of the contract with bb. Many manufacturers would have stepped in but I wouldn't be surprised to hear an american third party contract manufacturer avoid that level of hands on customer service when the retailer is the responsible party.

As you said it is better to deal with retailers that have excellent customer service because when there's a problem it's the only thing that matters. I had no idea who black bear was until recently, I have liked a few things I've seen on IG, I did think their size chart seemed odd.

I would lean to agree with you, but my jacket was sent to and evaluated by the owner of the company. He was to personally repair it, and so I reached out directly. Either way the two just kept passing the buck back and forth until they apparently decided it wasn't worth their time any longer. What a crap way to run a business on both ends. One sells a private label garment and doesn't stand behind it, and the other manufactures it and doesn't even stand behind their own work. One would think that y2 wouldn't want this to become a reputation they have. BB uses the motto of "demand a deeper connection with everything you welcome into your life" or something laughable like that...the reality is once they take your money, that connection is gone.