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Post by Legion Etrangere on Apr 8, 2009 9:04:57 GMT -5
This probably goes without saying, at least on this board but Jerry Lee's prices and goods are excellent. There have been some bad things in the past, but I have only had great service from Jerry and his equipment - for repro's - is excellent. Just make sure you get him after he's had his morning coffee... ;D
/martini/
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Post by oggy on Apr 9, 2009 4:59:55 GMT -5
Sadly, his service has gone down since he opened his Middle Eastern Warehouse...
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Post by cookie on Apr 13, 2009 8:41:30 GMT -5
I recently bought his 47/51 TAP suit. Which was pretty good quality and the jacket featured all the correct fittings etc. The only draw back was that the trousers were 47/52! But hey ho, mix and match.
The gear was excellent and arrived very promptly. But it WAS sent from the US, so must be his newer items that are coming from the middle east...
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lemaitre
Dans le théâtre de la guerre
Posts: 53
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Post by lemaitre on Apr 14, 2009 11:47:49 GMT -5
I ordered an M1936 pistol belt and a couple of canteens from WPG last week. The shipment arrived today (from Abu Dhabi) and had miraculously turned into a US army officers garrison cap somewhere between the Gulf and the UK  . Not very impressive. I'm currently waiting to hear from them to see about getting the shipment right. This is the first time I've oredered stuff from WPG - not an auspicious start to things! LeM. |
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Post by Legion Etrangere on Apr 14, 2009 14:57:37 GMT -5
LeMaitre: Sorry about your order, there. My best advice to any ordering from WPG is to call Jerry directly: Toll Free Order Line:
888-431-2351
Inquiry Line:
831-754-2351
9AM - 6PM PACIFIC TIME
12PM - 9PM EASTERN TIME (that means don't call before Mickey's hands point straight up)
5PM - 2AM UK TIME I used to order by email but not anymore. I simply call him up ... he usually answers, and place my order. I hope this helps. /martini/ |
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Post by oggy on Apr 14, 2009 15:12:41 GMT -5
The problem with that tho - he's half a world away from his stocks...
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Post by Legion Etrangere on Apr 14, 2009 16:57:57 GMT -5
Oggy,
Have to agree with you there. I did not like it when Jerry moved operations to the Middle East. Bad business IMHO. I am a business owner and I deal directly with my customers --- so you to be made available to your customers, know your product before you send it. Hadjji in Quatar hasn't a clue between a canteen or belt buckle.
May a'lah be with you....
/martini/
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Post by lt13demi on Apr 14, 2009 20:53:06 GMT -5
Inshallah!!!!!!  Renault |
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Post by oggy on Apr 15, 2009 11:40:36 GMT -5
Oggy, Have to agree with you there. I did not like it when Jerry moved operations to the Middle East. Bad business IMHO. I am a business owner and I deal directly with my customers --- so you to be made available to your customers, know your product before you send it. Hadjji in Quatar hasn't a clue between a canteen or belt buckle. May a'lah be with you.... /martini/ Mick - I used to swear by Jerry's KDs, but since moving his warehouse to Dubai, I've heard nothing but bad reports. A lot of people have kept the duff kit, as it would cost too much to return it... |
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Post by cookie on Apr 15, 2009 14:12:25 GMT -5
As I said earlier in this thread - he still ships some stuff out of California, which is a good thing. If enough people complain about crap gear/wrong gear, he'll have to change up or his business will disappear.
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Post by Legion Etrangere on Apr 15, 2009 19:01:10 GMT -5
Cookie: The post of the year! (well, almost) ;D The could not be more true! But reenactors will NOT complain. They are hardwired for a herd-instinct mentality and will not say anything, until everyone "reaches concensus" and then turn in a different direction. On the main WWII proboards that I frequent, its that way. Its what I call the "Band of Brothers mentality" Indeed, if there were enough people to complain to Jerry, I guaran-damn-tee you he would probably change some things around. I am sure of it. Businessmen are businessmen first, because its *all* about the money, period. Stir the shit storm long enough and you bet they will change! If they know they could lose their livelihood! You bet. Great post. Off soapbox. /martini/ |
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lemaitre
Dans le théâtre de la guerre
Posts: 53
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Post by lemaitre on Apr 16, 2009 2:28:13 GMT -5
Well, I've finally heard back from WPG in Abu Dhabi, who are very apologetic about the mix up with my order. I have to say that this incident has not inspired me - it's the sort of thing I experienced a year or so ago with Hong Kong Keith (sure you've all heard of him  ). Suffice to say I'll not be going back to WPG in a hurry once my stuff actually arrives. Jerry seems to have really shot himself in the foot with this relocation. LeM. |
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Post by cookie on Apr 16, 2009 6:52:33 GMT -5
Ahh Hong Kong Keith! Our group put an order for two Fallschirmjaeger helmets in with him a coupld of years ago. We got four and still only paid for two. He said keep them!
Sometimes problems can be a blessing in disguise.
If enough people complained about the Abu Dabi setup Jerry would be all over those guys like a cheap suit. This is because reenactors are, generally, creatures of habit. They find a coupld of dealers who are reliable (unfortunately rare) and provide good gear, and they stick with them. Soon as the gear goes south or the service declines then they move on, never to return, and tell all their friends about the problems. In such a rarified community as ours word of mouth can make or break a dealer.
I myself have never had a problem with Jerry and when ever he sends items to me they are 'gifts' worth very little, which is so considerate of him. The customs man must think I have five birthdays a year or something...
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Post by Legion Etrangere on Apr 16, 2009 11:33:49 GMT -5
LeM:
GLAD you got that squared away!
/martini/
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lemaitre
Dans le théâtre de la guerre
Posts: 53
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Post by lemaitre on Apr 22, 2009 16:52:19 GMT -5
Well, my order finally arrived. The canteen covers are ok, but the metal used on the buckle is a bit too thick - fastening it is quite difficult - and the paint is coming off already! I'll have to shave some of the metal off the buckle and repaint it. Not ideal, but I can live with it. I shall give him the appropriate feedback though. WPG verdict -  you get what you pay for! |
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Post by lonestarcharlie on Apr 22, 2009 23:04:10 GMT -5
Lemaitre, I bought the exact same belt... had the exact same problem... true it was only $18, but still, I expected it to be better... I have a $5 pistol belt from a surplus store that has better hardware that that!
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Post by lt13demi on Apr 23, 2009 8:15:38 GMT -5
I know it's no consolation but, I've heard several dealers admit that there is noone currently reproducing a decent M1936 pistol belt at this time!!!!! Including themselves!
Like LS Charlie recommended (as did one of the manufacturers), I grab every good original belt I run across. I think in the past 6-8 months I've picked up like 3 or 4 belts in the $5 range. Someone can always use a good belt! Two of them stay assembled at all times. One for the WWII impression and the other for Indochina....
Renault
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Post by niv on Jul 25, 2009 15:37:16 GMT -5
There are several M1936 pistol belts on EBay even as I type, the most expensive one being in the 40s (dollar-wise), but most are under $15.00. Add another $5.00 and it still beats the vendors prices, and they are (for the most part) WWII dated.
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Post by grog on Jul 25, 2009 17:20:48 GMT -5
FYI...
I did notice that Schipperfabrik is making M1910 pistol belts in either khaki or pea green for a reasonable price (don't have the site up right now, but I want to say it was around $25). I've also read that many of these belts ended up being used in WW2 as not all the stock was used up in the GW or the inter-war years.
Would it have been possible for some to have made it to FIC? Especially since the US was basically giving the French a lot of stuff they didn't need anymore?
The belts look the same as the M1936, but the buckle is slightly different.
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Post by soldatsoucy1 on Jul 25, 2009 20:52:32 GMT -5
Id go with what the Lt said...grab everyone real one you see whether you need it or not...thats what I do...even the tattered ragged ones for the hardware...stock pile those belts.
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Post by Legion Etrangere on Jul 25, 2009 21:53:03 GMT -5
Doc, Your right. I have just started to make local garage sales and am picking up bits and peices of GI gear. It sells for little to nothing - two bucks here, three bucks for a canteen and cover, etc. I picked up a pair of original M47 trousers from a local Goodwill - before my brother turned them into grease rags. Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo....
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Post by lt13demi on Jul 26, 2009 10:06:37 GMT -5
Hey Mick, I dunno if you're up to trying to repair your ctg. belt (or if is even possible), but you might can find the necessary hardware to attempt this here. alliedworkshops.com/index.shtmlRenault |
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Post by Legion Etrangere on Jul 26, 2009 12:41:23 GMT -5
Renault,
Merci sir. I've seen Allied Workshops before [ great place ], problem is ... the workmanship on the WPG webbing is just as shoddy as the buckles and there are small, thin tears all over it. The construction of the webbing material is poor and seems to be from a cheap type of simple weave and doesnt seems to be been pre-treated before assembly. I am going to replace my impression with the pistol belt / MAS pouch combination.
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Post by lt13demi on Jul 26, 2009 19:22:50 GMT -5
"I am going to replace my impression with the pistol belt / MAS pouch combination. "
Mick, I think that is a better idea!
Renault
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Post by oggy on Jul 27, 2009 5:05:41 GMT -5
What about At The Front for their kit?, or WWII Impressions? Or are they the same quality?
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Post by lt13demi on Jul 27, 2009 6:50:23 GMT -5
All my repro webgear is from ATF and it is Primo quality. The M1923 Ctg belt I received from them is first rate! Well worth the extra cash.
Renault
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Post by soldatsoucy1 on Jul 27, 2009 7:18:31 GMT -5
Seems part of the problem in replacing kit with the MAS pouch combination may be being able to find the MAS pouches.
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Post by Legion Etrangere on Jul 27, 2009 9:35:11 GMT -5
ATF's workmanship is much better and as Doc and Renault mentioned, its worth the extra shekels. Everything I have ordered from ATF in the past arrived on time, it was what I ordered, and the right size [ unlike the gargantuan sizes I got from WPG ]. As mentioned before ... reenactors vote with their dollars. At the Front is certainly worth the extra cash.
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Post by lt13demi on Jul 27, 2009 17:16:11 GMT -5
Doc, the MAS pouches are out there. You just gotta hunt them up! Renault |
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Post by oggy on Jul 28, 2009 12:46:23 GMT -5
Many thanks Renault, Doc & Martini, I did find a source for US Webbing, which was unusual - Norway (their webbing was US WWII surplus up until recently)
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. Not very impressive. I'm currently waiting to hear from them to see about getting the shipment right. This is the first time I've oredered stuff from WPG - not an auspicious start to things!
).
you get what you pay for!