Order Update Thread

Rakuten and the Yen's current state combined with the accurate description of the brick and mortar experience julian described makes the crowd funded model seem less attractive, at least the way it's being run by the current contenders. Ready to tolerate a bit of sizing risk and a price break? Rakuten. Want first class service and a guaranteed fit? Brick and mortar.

I want US manufacturing to come storming back just as much as the next guy, but only if it's based on a sustainable model. I do think crowd funding can work but the point isn't to grow as fast as possible, the point is to get a boost up to running condition and be sustainable, then you have to grow like a real company. We've all shown support for LD and G with our wallets, so all internal arguments/discussions aside, this collective of people are putting in the "work" into these efforts the most meaningful way possible, we are putting cash in at the bottom floor. We all have far more in common than the discussions on this board might lead an outsider to believe if they peeked at some of the debates here.

I hope LD survives and flourishes. I'd like to roll into the shop in a couple years, scope out some fabric and then plop down the cash for a couple pairs of jeans and have them show up in a month or so in my mailbox, built to my custom pattern that I paid 75 bucks to have on record. It's a great idea. We'll see if it comes to pass though.

Yen to dollar right now is awesome. Hope it keeps getting better!

And I would retort that those who ordered ~6 items did so before the recent hiccups and during a good sale.  Let's just see what happens.  All the negative posts regarding vendors here just becomes a drag.  Beating the already 10x dead horse just gets old (and that goes for Gustin too).

Lolz all you like...ima gonna get me some 40% off clothes!!!! (maybe)

Yeah I mean my order is #157 from 11/02 for one shirt and one pair of jeans. Hopefully I'll get them by 2/2 at that point I'll get a little bit on edge. I have faith 10-12 weeks I can do but things that get really dragged out is a bit much.

If both the shirt and jeans come in to spec with no flaws I'll be happy.

Japanese shipping is amazing. I've received motorcycle parts in 2 days for what I pay USPS priority to ship to a neighboring state.

Good to know. I'm in Canada too and I'm going to look into ordering stuff off Rakuten.

My order is #1161 from 11/27.  It's for one pair of jeans and a shirt.  I have mostly just forgot about the order and figure it will come when it comes.  What worries me is that I encouraged a friend to order some also.  He's not a denim nerd like us on the forums.  He has no appreciation of KS or of LD being a brand new company.  He's just noticed my collection of raws and had recently jumped on some unbranded he got at urban outfitters.  Point is, this type of customer is going to have much less tolerance of long delay times.  LD likely has lots more customers like these than enthusiasts like us who will give them more slack.  

Agree with everyone here about B&M.

EG, Filson, N&F and IH are now all within the G's price range when they are on sales or purchase thru Rakutan. "Made in US" is a great bonus but if the quality is not greater than goods from China or other places, the USA label does absolutely nothing to me. Not beating the dead horse but with easier return and more options on fits, fabrics and styles, I am not seeing any reasons on buying from any crowdsourcing or future KS companies anymore. Too much hassle with very little value.

Regarding LD, my items have arrived but I need to pick them up at the post office. Jury is still out on its products and I am not yet giving it up on that due to the price point. The delivery time is a real concern and I am in wait and see mode. My gut tells me I should know for sure a month after its LA factory up and running.

Another one is Ciano Farmer and it is a wild card. I hope LD and CF can pull it off because I am pretty much done with this model.

After all these, what I really need is to cut down on my total spend on clothing for 2015. 2014 was a totally undisciplined year for me and my worst behavior was buying similair items again and again, especially on bottoms and shirts. Make things even worst is the price points keep moving up with no better on the quality or style of the items. The enablers definitely brought out the irresponsible side of me that I must correct for 2015. I have to put my family and retirement first on spending than keep buying the same things with even higher price. I must stop.

Ciano is a wild card, sure, but so far they've been exceptional. I've actually heard back in reasonable time? Mike or Ciano actually pick up the phone? Brilliant.

marauder, the shipping on a single WS from rakuten (based on the couple of orders I have made) is around $15. That is pretty damn good compared to what I usually see when ordering from the US. If I remember correctly, Gustin charged $20 or $25 for a WS, it came in a bag and took nearly two weeks. Rakuten comes in a box and arrives in about five days. If you're in TO it'll probably get to you in two or three.

Plus, you get to read the always entertaining Japanese to English translations on the box and paperwork inside. Worth $15 alone!