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Source of the Odor in my 55J14 jacket from Five Star.

B-Man2

Well-Known Member
Dear Billbnks

Thanks for all of your messages, well I mentioned I would like to make you happy whatever the way you will be, also communicated with you on a lot of problems, but I am unable to catch the real issue working with you, I am not sure the Odor is in Leather, Mouton Collar, Waxes, or anything else, I came to the conclusion that even I can not satisfy you with another jacket, So I decided to refund you the complete amount you paid include shipping, You also don't need to pay any shipping charges for return to New York or Pak. Please destroy this jacket. Your whole refund will be in your account within 24 hours.

At the end I apologize for not to fulfill your requirements, I will work to improve all the area's you suggested.

Best Regards

Shawn

This is one of the most forthright, honest responses I’ve seen in a situation like this. No brash replies , resentment or animosity. Every indication that the manufacturer will make an effort to improve his product and service. A complete refund to be issued. No return required. I would think that this should be a satisfactory resolution for any purchaser who experienced a grievance or a claim.
 

Micawber

Well-Known Member
Agree Burt. Excellent resolution to an unfortunate situation, I would be most surprised if the OP was not entirely satisfied.
 

ties70

Well-Known Member
What are you implying? ;)



... but now that you have said that my brain is starting to work...o_O

Earl,

maybe you are just implying that I might be implying something :)?

I just mentioned that for me Mr. Willbanks is full of surprises:

- we hardly get feedback from members that are older than in their 60s or 70s, simply because a lot of the guys from WWII and Korea are not with us anymore... Don't get me wrong: All the best for Mr. Willbanks and may he keep up the good health.

- if I remember it correctly, a lot of guys who talked to USAAF personnel mentioned that they remembered they wore leather jackets....but couldn't find a difference between originals and mall jackets, though...simply because they really didn't care or didn't remember...Here we have somebody who knows exactly when he wore which G-1 contract... that is remarkably sharp.

- I do not know any other 90 (?) year old who uses the internet and a computer as easily as Mr. Willbanks.... for posting in forums, for e-commerce... my deepest respect for that, cause he is far more "up to date" than my 70 year old father.

- despite the general concerns and complaining that manufacturing might have left the USA forever, Mr. Willbanks, a veteran of the US armed forces, decides to get a jacket made in Pakistan... I do not know his financial status and of course this could have been a simply budget-oriented decision....it is just one I would not have expected from a vet....

You see?
Mr Willbanks simply does not fit into my (maybe prejudiced) expectations of a US veteran.... that's why I find this whole issue "surprising" .... everything else is of course just your smart interpretation ;)

Ties
 

B-Man2

Well-Known Member
I think that a least a few of us are questioning what has played out here. One factor in all of this is whether this gentleman, who has recently joined this forum, will remain an active and contributing member here. Or..... now that he seems to have achieved his goals, will he simply disappear . As of this moment... the silence from this person is deafening.
 
To all:
I found this VLJ website by accident. I was always told try to avoid accidents. This is one of them.
My main reason to join was to seek information on what two old 1950's 55J14 flight jacket might be worth having or selling. That I have such doesn't make me a crazy fool in collecting them. I would guess one or two member on here might have a 'clue" of their worth. What information I did get, proved not worthily of my registering here. In one category title "Reproduction of Manufactures", I notice some had comments on a leather jacket company...name Five Star and their price was reasonable on a G-1. For the last 49 years I've had no desire to own or wear another flight jacket, however, something click that I could get one for a modest price.
From this website, I've read there is a flight jacket maker out in the Seattle area, and from that website, I found the price of $1800 is way too much for me to own another one just to prove I was once in the Navy.
My experience trying to get one from Five Star just proves I don't need a G-1 flight jackets. If all these flight jacket manufactures make and ship jacket that have "odor" such as the one I receive, I pity those new Navy air crews guys having to wear one.

Now, my comments to BAD-Man2. Yes!, I have on intentions to be active member here. I gain some knowledge, but not the results I was searching for.
Keep buying those old worn out leather jackets, and remember you make some people happy buying them.
 
I would to add one final message here.
Being 89 years old, and come Dec. 15th for my 90th birthday, my memory is rather excellent. It might be due to my ancestry blood line. My grandmother died at the age of 106, my grandfather died at age 101. My father died on his 98 birthday. My oldest brother turned 98 last September, the next oldest is 95, and the next brother will be 93 come Dec. 17th. As for as I can tell they all have excellent memory. Must be a great bloodline. BTW: My great grandmother was full blood Cherokee Indian.
 

Micawber

Well-Known Member
Well B. Willbinks not only do you have an excellent memory you also appear to have an excellent sense of smell. Admirable qualities indeed, I only hope I am in similar shape should attain your age.
 

Shawn Ali

Well-Known Member
Total Price amount of Mr. B. Willbnks is refunded..

I want to Thank you for your time and improvements you suggested here. Many Many Happy Birthday In Advance, May you have many more..

Greetings from
Shawn & FiveStar Leather
 
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ties70

Well-Known Member
@Pilot :

Did you ever make it to Pakistan and visit FiveStar? I can vaguely remember that you mentioned something like that in a post some months ago...
 

Earloffunk

Well-Known Member
Looking at the last replies from Mr. W I get the impression he’s an grumpy old man. That’s the only reason I do not get upset by his last two postings. The next to last one really is not very gentlemanlike. But I guess we are all just fools here in this forum. Only the real deal is the real deal. With all due respect to veterans I have to say that they deserve our respect for their service but the will also be judged by the behavior they show today. Having served is not an excuse for bad manners. I have made my judgment....
 

Silver Surfer

Well-Known Member
hot damn, b.w, you are going to be 30 years and one day older then me, this month. maybe ya have some eveready bunny in your genes as well. happy bday, my man, and keep on keepn on.
 

Pilot

Well-Known Member
@Pilot :

Did you ever make it to Pakistan and visit FiveStar? I can vaguely remember that you mentioned something like that in a post some months ago...
Yup, but only to Karachi....all meetings were held in the Hotel Pearl Continental..For Lahore ...its postponed to 2019 for processing reasons...( travelling to and within Pakistan is not as easy as it seams...and welcome to join me...) but will go there as planned just a bit later.Thx for asking.
 
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dmar836

Well-Known Member
Another consideration is that the processing of goat skins is, as I have been told, absolutely horrid. The story comes to mind of another member here purchasing a purse in the Middle East directly from a shop associated with the tannery. I was told it had to be left outside the hotel room due to the rancid stench. Perhaps that’s all that this stems from?
Dave
 
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