Vanson sucks.

[rolker]

Van der Sleesen, a man of both vision and diverse talents, set about building a modern manufacturing operation with both software and logistic systems.

20 years ahead of his time then so 10 years behind now but really its more like 20-30 years behind now because of how fast technology has moved in the last 2 decades.

Wow, I didn't expect to read Vanson and "modern manufacturing operation with both software and logistic systems mentioned together! Based on their inability to provide proper info to their clients, I would have expected they were still in the stone age IT wise...

[e30addict]

Personally I hope they take action to clean up this part of their business. It would be a shame to see such a famous name go under.

It's not a shame when they appear to actively encourage their demise.

[Awesome]

I purchased a used suit there that has given good service, and a mesh jacket, ditto.
Both products have been excellent and I wouldn't hesitate to buy off the rack from them in future.

I thought everyone already knew they had big problems scheduling custom work, especially this time of year. They need to learn the key phrase for customer satisfaction: "Underpromise. Overdeliver." They should have stopped after they told you "It will cost as much as a new jacket" as it would have saved the both of you a lot of grief.

Personally I hope they take action to clean up this part of their business. It would be a shame to see such a famous name go under.

So you walked in, paid for something and walked out? It takes effort to fuck something up in that simple of a transaction, however there are stories here of Vanson doing just that.

[SteveM]

Wow, I didn't expect to read Vanson and "modern manufacturing operation with both software and logistic systems mentioned together! Based on their inability to provide proper info to their clients, I would have expected they were still in the stone age IT wise...

Back in 1980, when he "wrote the code" for the "ERP system" is probably was "modern"

If you ever go there, take a look at what is on screen; text only. It looks like 1980.

This is one instance where my advanced age helps me. I lived through this period as a young CPA and if I ever attempted to "freeze" something that was state of the art when I was 25 and drop it on a client now, I'd be laughed out of the building.

[Stoneman]

Personally I hope they take action to clean up this part of their business...

The response '...the item will be hanging in my office, UNTOUCHED...' pretty much makes it clear he couldn't give two shits about 'this part of their business'...

[Awesome]

"Vanson Leathers Inc. is a manufacturer of high quality garments. We stand behind our products and we are committed to our customer's satisfaction."

What are they committed to?

[Garandman]

The response '...the item will be hanging in my office, UNTOUCHED...' pretty much makes it clear he couldn't give two shits about 'this part of their business'...

Again, while not defending their actions in this matter, that was a response via 9SF, and he has not described what else he may have said.

[NobodySpecific]

Again, while not defending their actions in this matter, that was a response via 9SF, and he has not described what else he may have said.

If the comments of a completely unrelated third party can cause the company I am paying to refuse to complete the work they agreed to do, then that only serves to show how truly bad of a company they are.

[joeswamp]

I thought everyone already knew they had big problems scheduling custom work, especially this time of year. They need to learn the key phrase for customer satisfaction: "Underpromise. Overdeliver." They should have stopped after they told you "It will cost as much as a new jacket" as it would have saved the both of you a lot of grief.

Vanson is probably so overloaded with work at this time of the year that they don't know which way is up. I wonder how much all this drama could have been avoided if they had just been honest with the OP and said, "Look, this is gonna really take a while, potentially several months. It's also gonna be expensive -- are you sure you want to do it?"

I have a contractor I deal with who's a little like Vanson -- you call the guy, he quotes you the job, and then you have to wait eight or nine months for him to become available. His work is really good, and so you deal with it. But he'd never ever say, "Oh yeah, I'll get to you next week." Really this is Business 101.

[Stoneman]

Vanson is probably so overloaded with work at this time of the year that they don't know which way is up. I wonder how much all this drama could have been avoided if they had just been honest with the OP and said, "Look, this is gonna really take a while, potentially several months. It's also gonna be expensive -- are you sure you want to do it?"

Actually, what they should NOT have said was, 'it's almost complete'...

[joeswamp]

Very true. I wonder if this was a naive young employee who was attempting to placate an annoyed customer, I certainly hope it's not policy there.

I have bought several off the rack items at Vanson over the years, but I've never done anything custom with them. I ordered a mesh jacket from them a couple years back and they told me they were out of them. I asked them to be honest with me as to when I'd get one, and they said it could be as long as six weeks. I was very happy when it came in five.

[Awesome]

It will be done Friday.
I'm the only one here.
It's almost complete.
We'll resolve this problem.

[SRTie4k]

This thread was great for a laugh. Thanks!

[The Snowman]

Update to my suit repair...

A week to the day that I dropped off my suit, I just received a call from Nicole that my suit is ready. This is a couple of days earlier than it was originally promised.

So, they have gained a couple of points with me. Now to get out there to pick the suit up.

[Awesome]

Update to my suit repair...

A week to the day that I dropped off my suit, I just received a call from Nicole that my suit is ready. This is a couple of days earlier than it was originally promised.

So, they have gained a couple of points with me. Now to get out there to pick the suit up.

A broken clock is right twice a day.

[Stromper]

6 years ago they told me face to face that their off the rack suits come from Pakistan

At that time only the custom tailored race suits were made in USA

Perhaps even that is no longer true

[The Snowman]

A broken clock is right twice a day.

And a broken record constantly repeats itself.

[Point37]

this part of the article gave me a chuckle...

"There is nothing slick at Vanson except the finish on the leather. This is authentic hard- scrabble American old school industry at its most genuine. There is nothing corporate, nothing pretentious, nothing glamorized. This is the real deal."

[Awesome]

And a broken record constantly repeats itself.

And that song sure does stick in your head.

[Rossco]

A broken clock is right twice a day.

And a broken record constantly repeats itself.

And that song sure does stick in your head.

People who speak in metaphors can shampoo my crotch.

[butcher bergs]

Chuck, I have to ask, earlier in the thread you stated you'd be okay with a "slight delay" in getting repairs done. While you might be pleased with your experience so far, what would you be saying if you were in Jay's shoes? Having a company tell you the repairs are in process, 6+ weeks go by, turns out nothing was even started, etc. I'm honestly wondering if you'd still be happy.

[kb1]

Chuck, I have to ask, earlier in the thread you stated you'd be okay with a "slight delay" in getting repairs done. While you might be pleased with your experience so far, what would you be saying if you were in Jay's shoes? Having a company tell you the repairs are in process, 6+ weeks go by, turns out nothing was even started, etc. I'm honestly wondering if you'd still be happy.

Agreed - additionally how would you feel if you wound up missing a race weekend because of it?

[Kurlon]

Agreed - additionally how would you feel if you wound up missing a race weekend because of it?

Dude, I LOVE the what if game!

What if aliens attack, and one of their many ways of inflicting harm is reanimating the leather in our suits so they trap us in them while forcing us to do the Macarena in our power ranger outfits?!

[The Snowman]

People who speak in metaphors can shampoo my crotch.

the usual trolling post.

[SRTie4k]

Dude, I LOVE the what if game!

What if aliens attack, and one of their many ways of inflicting harm is reanimating the leather in our suits so they trap us in them while forcing us to do the Macarena in our power ranger outfits?!

If it turns me into Venom...bring on the alien invasion.