Vest Secrets revealed!

[alexfugazi]

So...here's a secret that some people might not want to let out. 

There is no A-1 Vest, and looking at the new 'Coney' vest, it looks just like it.  So let me let you guys in on something. 

There is this company overseas, called Shah Meeran Enterprises which is the manufacturer on these vests.  They make 'em for cheap in Pakistan and sell them for WELL UNDER $100 bucks  (I'm not going to tell you how cheap...it's crazy).  The problem is that their vests (as is evidenced by the lack of quality in the A-1 vests and patches) totally blow. 

So they approched Mondo a few weeks back and asked us if we'd like to carry their Vests.  Since they seemed WAY off, I turned them down. 

Sure, we could have made a TON of money just by the fact that they're so cheap (and cheaply made).  But we here at Mondo wanted to make sure to have ours custom made to OUR specs.  Mainly because we believed in the quality of our new patches and cut of the vest. 

The REAL crazy thing is that even though the new Mondo vests are going to pre-sell for $125 and retail at $150, we're still going to make a tidy profit.  Any one selling the Shah Meeran Enterprises (A-1)  at anything above $100 or so is GOUGING the customer.  (to the tune of 300%+ mark up.)

Maybe I'll post some of their crazy emails.  Shah Meeran is in Pakistan and their use of English is HILARIOUS!

[charlloots]

the secrets out. heres the link your talking about.http://www.tradekey.com/selloffer_view/id/133336.htm

heres my link -
http://www.webspawner.com/users/charlloots/index.html

[Ninth Delegate]

Its no big secret.  They've contacted a few forum members including myself.  They are charging for bulk orders $35 a vest and $8 for a set of patches.

[alexfugazi]

Hmm...Then why haven't I seen any posts about these poseurs before? 
Glad to see no-one on this board has stooped to selling these vests!
I thought it was strange that a guy with a store called "a-1 american flags" was selling Pakistani designed product!

[Godfather]

$35 a vest is a awesome deal!!! I would order from pakistan for that price. 

[alexfugazi]

Yeah, but you'd have to order 300 of them.

[Godfather]

So does that mean that the vests Charloots is selling is from the same vendor as A-1?  But he is selling them for way cheaper.  Either way I thinks its a cool looking vest.

[WarlordSwan]

So does that mean that the vests Charloots is selling is from the same vendor as A-1?  But he is selling them for way cheaper.  Either way I thinks its a cool looking vest.

Well, the A1 vests have 4 buttons, Charlloots has 5.  The color and a couple others things are different aswell.

[Dave Mack]

Actually there were A-1's with both 4 and 5 button variations.

:0

[charlloots]

Well, here's the problem with going with a single seam vest.  The smaller the pieces of leather are that are used, then the cheaper the vest can be.  We could get a single piece of leather with no seams at all and while that would look pretty sweet, it would cost quite a bit more than it does now.  Think of a cow (not too hard...just don't think of the smell).  They only grow so big, eh?  The smaller the pieces are that are used, the less leather hide is 'scrapped' and the cost is kept low.  I've seen some vests with WAY too many seams, and while it helps the vest's cost, it ends up looking like a quilt.  I think we've hit a happy medium, with the seamlines being just the yoke, and the center back seam.  Most of the yoke seam is covered on the back by the Warbird, and the front yoke seam is pretty unobrusive.  Let me know what you think!
Tim

the vest from pakistan is a single seam back with no yokes ( FILM ACCURATE )
the vest from pakistan has no front yokes  (  AGAIN FILM ACCURATE )
the vest from pakistan has diamond cut leather piping ( AGAIN FILM ACCURATE )
DONT FORGET YOU HAVE TO PAY SHIPPING AND CUSTOMS FROM OVERSEAS INTO THE USA
BRINGING THE PAKISTAN VEST PRICE AROUND 70.00 A VEST .
the minimum order for the pakistan vest is 10. (ten)

so i guess the mondo vest is actually cheaper than the pakistan vest. (NO SECERT)

[alexfugazi]

Wow.  Someone got a little touchy!  Don't like competition, do you?  Bury the hatchet, man...and let it go.

[Kartoon]

guys if this keeps up this section can close and you can all find a diffrent place to push stuff

your all fans

you make a great product (including a1)

you should all work to make stuff better


this needs to end...last warning guys

[Lion]

Yup! I second that!  Just be glad we are getting some made

[charlloots]

Wow.  Someone got a little touchy!  Don't like competition, do you?  Bury the hatchet, man...and let it go.

sounds good .im getting tired of this nonsense.i love the competition i live for it.
consider this a handshake. 

[Dave Mack]

agreed. We should be happy that we have a choice.
Let's all just take it easy. BOTH vests look good.