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Ebay seller - advise / opinions needed

TOMASSO

New Member
Hello everyone,
I´m really into A-1 or A-2, love both designs - unfortunately never own one. I´m interesting in some budget/middle entry. During reviewing Ebay I´ ve found seller offering lot of repros (five.star leather based in UK), e.g:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Flight-A...hash=item41db35738c:m:mUbojBAkIhsnYXKXLVi3WaQ

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MEN-PILO...hash=item41cef99caf:m:mI2Cgo4L4iWgeTX2W5WwTDg

What do you think of the 3 mentioned jackets - total crap or worth the price?

Basing on given size chart I´m assuming that is Pakistan production. Suprisly his feedbacks are outstanding.

Problem is some of his auctions are filled with some stolen pictures from famous manufacturers and to be frank I don´t know what to expect.
Is anyone have experience with that seller? Do you think is worth to risk some 100Euro or should I save some more funds and go for AVILTHR or cheap Billy Kelso (econo 29971) or BRONSON A-1?

Thank you in advance!!!
Tomasso
 

ButteMT61

Well-Known Member
Someone starting with stolen pics is off my list.
Save your money and buy something used or save longer to buy new.
Why support someone who is shady?
 

stanier

Well-Known Member
Blimey, these things scream avoid.

Though I dare say they were the hide of some unfortunate creature at some point, they look like brown plastic "leather" with knits made from old brown jumbo cords "found somewhere".

Spend your £80 on one of these and spend 5 minutes thinking what a bargain, then forever knowing what crap they are.

A pet hate of mine is why these sort of crap jackets have to convert inch chest sizes to S,M,L etc, why do it?

DEFINATELY save for something better, although comparing with the cheapest Bill Kelso product at least, of those mentioned, is like comparing acid rain with fine wine.

Sorry, probably not what you want to hear, but you asked and just my tuppence worth.
 

TOMASSO

New Member
Stanier - thanks for your advise. There is nothing I want or don´t want to hear:).As I said - don´t have any experience with A1´s or A2´s. For me it´s very difficult to estimate quality based on some pictures - that´s why I´ve asked experts :) It´s clear for £80 this will never close to any major players. Do you think any Avirex, Cockpit (china made) or Bronson A1 (chinese), AVILTHR (Denmark) will be much better or it has no sense to go for middle range at all?
 

stanier

Well-Known Member
Hi Tomasso, I don’t have personal experience of any of these brands, though I’m sure others here do. from other posts I recall about Bronson in particular, if you’re not to fussed about the details then they have good reviews. The threads are here if you look.

My personal point of view, and it is my personal point of view, is that money spent on cheap jackets is money wasted as you journey to quality. Part of the fun, imho, is doing the research and finding your own perfect jacket.

We all have our own requirements and budgets but as ButteMT61 has already said, why bother with vendors who steal pics.

I can’t really say more.
 

Pilot

Well-Known Member
Hi Tomasso, I don’t have personal experience of any of these brands, though I’m sure others here do. from other posts I recall about Bronson in particular, if you’re not to fussed about the details then they have good reviews. The threads are here if you look.

My personal point of view, and it is my personal point of view, is that money spent on cheap jackets is money wasted as you journey to quality. Part of the fun, imho, is doing the research and finding your own perfect jacket.

We all have our own requirements and budgets but as ButteMT61 has already said, why bother with vendors who steal pics.

I can’t really say more.
All very well and perfectly said...Dont support or buy from this kind of sellers...never...
 

ECKHARTUS

Active Member
there are avirex jackets of good quality leather but the cuts are very large with large pockets. However, you can find one for 80 euros.
 

johnwayne

Well-Known Member
Not saying go ahead for one minute, but I'd love to see what arrives for that money! As mentioned, the images are cloned from better manufacturers and I'm amazed these guys get away with it, image plagerism that shamefully eBay seem unable to prevent! As most here are advising, don't be tempted and wait 'till you can buy one of the established repro makers jackets as 'used' possibly from a sole eBay seller or via the 'buy/sell' section here or maybe place your requirement here? Unfortunately however, a good used repro is likely to command a price of maybe £300+ dependent on size and the maker. Possibly a 'house' A2 - one that is not styled on any particular original jacket. You'll be pushed to pick up an A1 cheaply as they tend not to hang around long, particularly the popular sizes 40", 42" and 44" and I'm sure most here would agree, the A2 is a better more robust jacket to start with!!
 

Skyhawk

Well-Known Member
I would never buy from a seller who steals photos and pretends they are their own products. Also those are bottom level jackets not mid level.

I guess it depends on what you are looking for. All of the mentioned jackets are no where near authentic and probably not good quality. Bronson seems OK but still, inaccurate labels, wrong materials, poly blend knits that are sewn in the back, they really should be considered more fashion jackets than reproductions. Even if you did buy one of these bottom of the barrel jackets and the shell and stitching was ok, it would cost a lot to replace the cheap unauthentic parts. You would be better served spending a little more money and getting a jacket that is well built and has period correct parts.

I think that the major difference with these low level econo jacket companies besides the materials, is the whole philosophy of their business. They are making these jackets to make money. (Period.) They don't care about authenticity beyond a general "close enough to sell" level.
The companies out there making real reproduction jackets actually care about authenticity. These are people who actually own and collect vintage jackets. They have handled originals and have a genuine interest in replicating those jackets as closely as possible.

Every business must make money to survive but it should not be the sole driving force of a business to just make money. The quality has to be there too in my opinion.
 
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Rutger

Well-Known Member
I wouldn't consider them, but this is VLJ. Pedantic, arrogant wannaknows ;) .
If I were you I would try and save some money every month for a year and spend it on a decent second hand Eastman or Aero house jacket, either here from VLJ or from Ebay. Be prepared though : by the time you find one on the internet you'll have still have to put it on to see if the fit is exactly after your liking, and everyone here will agree that it may take a few jackets to end up with "the one". So expect some reselling to be inevitable, and keep reselling value in mind when about to hit "Buy it now".
 

TOMASSO

New Member
I wouldn't consider them, but this is VLJ. Pedantic, arrogant wannaknows ;) .
If I were you I would try and save some money every month for a year and spend it on a decent second hand Eastman or Aero house jacket, either here from VLJ or from Ebay. Be prepared though : by the time you find one on the internet you'll have still have to put it on to see if the fit is exactly after your liking, and everyone here will agree that it may take a few jackets to end up with "the one". So expect some reselling to be inevitable, and keep reselling value in mind when about to hit "Buy it now".

You're right. Perhaps need to postpone my buy for next year and then go for Bill Kelso or something alike . Thought I may find something new under 300 but based on your oppinions there is nothing new in ca.300 dollars range that I want: solid quality, good stitching, slender cut A1/A2 jacket that will last for couple years (deviation from authentic design allowed).

Found the last 2 more but assuming they are aslo crapp or?:

https://qmi.be/uniforms-and-equipment/us/a2-flight-jacket-horsehide-leather.html

http://avilthr.com/product/a2-flight-jacket/
 

johnwayne

Well-Known Member
Crikey, that AVI leather on FL is awful! Poor fit to say the least, wrong knits, sleeves too long, square boxy shoulders - yuk!
'Steer' clear of one of those, poss the worse A2 Ive seen in a long time, I wouldn't even class it as a 'repro'!!!
 
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