The purpose of my post was to give information to allow people to make an educated decision about purchasing a jacket. Although my specific situation dealt with Wested, I suspect it could be similar to any other overseas vendor one chooses to deal with.
The jacket I ordered cost about $220 with $30 shipping and handling. $250 total. If it had fit, it would have been a good price.
I consulted all of Wested's guides and blogs and ordered a size based on their recommendations and sizing instructions. I also researched various forums. However, I never came across the topic of how much return shipping adds to the cost. So I wanted to share that information.
The jacket did not fit, so it had to go back at a cost of $65.
Wested would have sent me a replacement standard size jacket without charging me more for shipping. If that new jacket would have fit, it would have cost me $315. That is not as great of a price, but I would have had a jacket. But if that second jacket didn't fit and I returned it. I would have been out $160 with nothing to show for it.
My original intent was to go custom if the off the shelf did not fit. If that second custom jacket had fit, it would have ended up costing me about $265 for the jacket plus about $95 in shipping for a total of $360.
If that second custom jacket had not fit and I wanted to return it, I would have had to pay an additional $65 for return shipping. Plus there would be a restocking fee of at least 25% which for the sake of round numbers would have been at least $65. So I would have lost $30 (original shipping) plus $65 (first jacket return shipping) plus $65 (second jacket return shipping) plus $65 (second jacket restocking fee) for a grand total of $225 with nothing to show for it.
I made a personal decision to cut my losses at $95. Based on the sizing of the jacket I initially received, I was concerned how accurate the sizing would be on the second custom jacket I would have ordered and I chose not to gamble an additional $130.
If you are considering a mail order purchase of an Indy jacket, my only suggestion is to do all the math and know all the costs for shipping, return shipping, and restocking fees and make an informed decision. Maybe you choose not to go the mail order route. Maybe you choose to go directly to the custom route.
Some people have had great success with Wested. I am not saying you should not purchase from Wested.
I am saying I did purchase from Wested, and based on my personal experience, I have chosen to take my business elsewhere in the future. Your mileage may vary.
The jacket I ordered cost about $220 with $30 shipping and handling. $250 total. If it had fit, it would have been a good price.
I consulted all of Wested's guides and blogs and ordered a size based on their recommendations and sizing instructions. I also researched various forums. However, I never came across the topic of how much return shipping adds to the cost. So I wanted to share that information.
The jacket did not fit, so it had to go back at a cost of $65.
Wested would have sent me a replacement standard size jacket without charging me more for shipping. If that new jacket would have fit, it would have cost me $315. That is not as great of a price, but I would have had a jacket. But if that second jacket didn't fit and I returned it. I would have been out $160 with nothing to show for it.
My original intent was to go custom if the off the shelf did not fit. If that second custom jacket had fit, it would have ended up costing me about $265 for the jacket plus about $95 in shipping for a total of $360.
If that second custom jacket had not fit and I wanted to return it, I would have had to pay an additional $65 for return shipping. Plus there would be a restocking fee of at least 25% which for the sake of round numbers would have been at least $65. So I would have lost $30 (original shipping) plus $65 (first jacket return shipping) plus $65 (second jacket return shipping) plus $65 (second jacket restocking fee) for a grand total of $225 with nothing to show for it.
I made a personal decision to cut my losses at $95. Based on the sizing of the jacket I initially received, I was concerned how accurate the sizing would be on the second custom jacket I would have ordered and I chose not to gamble an additional $130.
If you are considering a mail order purchase of an Indy jacket, my only suggestion is to do all the math and know all the costs for shipping, return shipping, and restocking fees and make an informed decision. Maybe you choose not to go the mail order route. Maybe you choose to go directly to the custom route.
Some people have had great success with Wested. I am not saying you should not purchase from Wested.
I am saying I did purchase from Wested, and based on my personal experience, I have chosen to take my business elsewhere in the future. Your mileage may vary.