Suit: Custom suit delayed. Your input?

MotoVegas · 02-04-2008, 12:15 PM

Well this sucks:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kushitani

I have the most unfortunate new about your suit, apparently Japan is having troubles with building your suit to specs, and will not be ready till march 25th. However they are sending the biggest suit for you to wear in the mean time. The European XXL should fit you width wise but a little long, June Kushitani will send it out Tuesday, once it gets here I will send it to you. Again I apologize for the inconvenience.

And my response:

Quote:

Originally Posted by MotoVegas

Well, I'm highly disappoined, Mike.

As you may recall it was my intent to have a custom Vanson built for me (who also indicated a Feb 16th date would be no problem). However, based upon Gregg's (Freddie's office manager) recommendation, and your assurance that I would have the suit by Feb 16th, I went with the (considerably more expensive) custom Kushitani suit. Missing the best weather of the spring riding season in a suit not fitted to me, is very frustrating to say the least. Additionally, riding in a suit that "isn't mine" gives me the added concern of pushing myself (and getting faster this season) and potentially going down in "someone else's suit"; a concern I would not have in a suit actually owned by me. However, I do appreciate their (and your) concern to make sure I'm suited up for this coming track season and sending me a loaner in the meantime, albeit one not fitted to me personally. Hopefully it is bigger than the suit I tried on with you at Freddie Spencer; I didn't fit in that suit, it was way to small and tight in the upper body and shoulders and would therefore not be usable by me on the track. Also, if the "loaner" suit is not usuable (because of the fit), and hopefully it does, please understand that I will expect some other consideration from Kushitani for the lengthy delay.

As we discussed back on November 2nd, my first track day of the season is Feb 16th. Please make sure the "loaner" suit is here prior to that date. Also, I will be tracking March 16th, and March 22nd. My first trackday after the suit is completed will be April 12th. As such, please make sure to expedite the delivery of my actual custom suit after it's completion so I won't have to miss yet another event on April 12th.

Well, I have to admit, it's cool of them to send a loaner. However, if it doesn't fit and is not usable, what do you all think would be adequate (serioulsy now) compensation to me for their delay. As I mentioned, I could of had a custom fitted Vanson already here by Feb 16th; and at considerably less cost (approx. $2600 for a custom Kushitani, and approx. $1800 for custom Vanson). And if I miss, Feb 16th, March 16th, March 22nd, and possibly April 12th, pretty much the best weather, and best part of the spring riding season will be lost; notwithstanding me paying a hefty sum for a custom suit that was PROMISED to me to be delivered in 60-90 days (i.e. no later than Feb 2nd). And in all honesty, had I known I would loose the first half of the '08 riding season because of such a delay, I would have just dealt with Vanson. Nevertheless, it is what it is.

Your thoughts?

jose_jimenez · 02-04-2008, 12:58 PM

Call up Vanson, get $ back from Kushitani. Vanson makes good chit.

phobe · 02-04-2008, 01:14 PM

Sounds like they ran out of cows in Japan. You should lose weight.

SheepOfBlue · 02-04-2008, 01:28 PM

They were confused why you wanted a suit to fit to people with only one set of arms.

Seriously everyone makes mistakes and it is how you recover that I judge them on. First they contacted you 2 weeks before to warn you AND offered a loaner the best they could. Further the delay is about 2 weeks so I doubt they have not started the work. I do find it bizarre that they cannot finish it based on size guessing it is more likely a color/quantity issue.

CBRVFR · 02-04-2008, 01:33 PM

As long as they're aware that any damage to the loaner suit is on them and it fits adequately, I'd say you're in good shape.

If it doesn't fit, I'd cancel the order and get a barnacle bill suit for about a grand. Vanson makes very good stuff, though.

ccwilli3 · 02-04-2008, 01:35 PM

well I'm assuming that you can't get a vanson in time for your events, correct? If so, then I'd just stay with the decision that you had already made. It def appears that kushitani finds your business very important and wants to do right by you, given the delay.

Now, if you can get the vanson before all of this, the choice is obvious. Cancel it, order up the vanson and enjoy... Having said that, my custom vanson suit did take like 3 weeks longer and cost more than they originally told me. I was a little peeved over it, but when I finally did get it, i was very happy. Perhaps the same will be said by you once you finally get your kushitani suit...

HondaGalToo · 02-04-2008, 01:50 PM

Vanson has delays a lot, too. And I doubt they'd give you a loaner...

ND4SPD · 02-04-2008, 01:53 PM

You could borrow mine.

CBRVFR · 02-04-2008, 03:14 PM

Barnacle Bill Leathers Product Review

MotoVegas · 02-04-2008, 04:08 PM

Thanks guys.

Update on the situation. Kushitani is not only going to give me a "loaner" but they are actually going to custom tailor the loaner. I go to Freddie's joint tomorrow, get their biggest suit, and they are going to overnight it to their US leather tailor in Oklahoma, and she is going to make adjustments and overnight it back, so I have it for my events.

Honestly, if they follow through on all that they've promised, despite the 2 month delay (if that's all it ends up being), I'd have to say that will have earned my loyalty from a customer service standpoint. Making it "right" is big to me.

My guess, the problem they are having is not only my size (US 56, Euro 66... I don't think they make Japanese cows that big, lol) but my requirement that they give me a dual zipper; which is why I was going to get a Vanson in the first place. But Kushitani assured me, despite not showing in their catalogs, that they do (and have) make dual zipper suits.

luvtolean · 02-04-2008, 04:13 PM

My experience with a couple of the custom guys is that they are pretty terrible in regards to delivery.

Kushitani has done you very right in this situation, and I think you should consider yourself lucky this is who you are dealing with.

I've never even heard of someone offering a loaner to a new customer...incredible.

Kush!

phobe · 02-04-2008, 04:18 PM

That's pretty damned good service.

CBRVFR · 02-04-2008, 04:28 PM

Just make sure he said Oklahoma and not Okinawa.

MotoVegas · 02-04-2008, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvtolean

My experience with a couple of the custom guys is that they are pretty terrible in regards to delivery.

Kushitani has done you very right in this situation, and I think you should consider yourself lucky this is who you are dealing with.

I've never even heard of someone offering a loaner to a new customer...incredible.

Kush!

Yeah, if they follow through on this, I tend to agree with you. Oh, and I just got this email.

Update 2:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kushitani

We will actually build the suit with 3 zippers, 2 on top and one down the middle., its a new design that Japan is going with your suit, this should make the suit much easier to get in and out of.
Along with extra ventilation that you have requested, so with that I hope everything will go as you want it to.

Looks like I not only get a custom suit, but a truely "one of". Lol. Apparently, the 2 zipper wasn't working for my suit in it's size. Perhaps they were worried dual long zippers doing something to the overall suit integrity. So, two shorter ones flaring from the neck towards the peck/armpit area. Then a traditional zipper down the middle.

We shall see!

ND4SPD · 02-04-2008, 05:20 PM

I hope for your sake they send you zip/unzip instructions with color coded zippers.

Hammer · 02-04-2008, 05:21 PM

Delays and problems will happen in business, it is how you deal with them that matters. I would say they handled it the best they could due to the circumstances.

bwhip · 02-04-2008, 05:25 PM

Did you say Kushidurrani?

Actually, the FS instructors had brand new suits when I was there a couple of weeks ago. The suits looked top notch, and I'm glad to hear they're taking good care of you.

Repeater · 02-05-2008, 03:03 PM

I go to the kushitani store all the time. Very nice folks and still run by the family. They fixed my dianese gloves for me when i was browsing. I think they are going above and beyond to make you happy most companies just say delays are apart of life.

I I do own a set of thier Gloves which in my opiniun are the best ones i have found. Also crash tested.

I would have bought one of thiers but Z-leathers was allot cheaper and delivered in 4 weeks. Crashed tested and lovin it.

CBR929RE · 02-05-2008, 03:09 PM

who are these people. no one is that nice. that is truely one stand up set of people at that company.

MotoVegas · 02-05-2008, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBR929RE

who are these people. no one is that nice. that is truely one stand up set of people at that company.

Yeah, the family owned factor is what is deciding this, honestly. They are bending over backwards to "do the right thing" here. And so far, I REALLY appreciate it.

Update 3:

I went to FS office today to get their largest suit and get it tailored. However, it didn't even close to fit my BigFoot/Yeti/Sasquatch build (6'3" 270). So, Mike (the sales manager for Kushitani USA) is coming to Vegas tomorrow. He is bringing;

- the largest off the rack suit they make, and will have that altered the best he can to have it fit me in the interim;
- a Kushitani "Cool Max" inner suit liner;
- and a pair of thier top of the line perforated GPR 5 Mesh Gloves

In addition to letting me have a loaner for the next few months, they are tossing in the body suit $120 Inner Suit and the $235 GPR 5 Mesh Gloves as comps for my inconvenience.

ccwilli3 · 02-05-2008, 05:13 PM

wow, that's customer service. ATT, Sprint, Time Warner, et al, take note!

ND4SPD · 02-05-2008, 05:16 PM

That's amazing MotoVegas. Kudos to Kushitani!

Hammer · 02-05-2008, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ND4SPD

That's amazing MotoVegas. Kudos to Kushitani!

No kidding.

Repeater · 02-05-2008, 08:05 PM

I love those gloves! the leather is so soft and no hard parts to impair knuckle bending. they also give military discounts!

SheepOfBlue · 02-05-2008, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MotoVegas

Yeah, the family owned factor is what is deciding this, honestly. They are bending over backwards to "do the right thing" here. And so far, I REALLY appreciate it.

Update 3:

I went to FS office today to get their largest suit and get it tailored. However, it didn't even close to fit my BigFoot/Yeti/Sasquatch build (6'3" 270). So, Mike (the sales manager for Kushitani USA) is coming to Vegas tomorrow. He is bringing;

- the largest off the rack suit they make, and will have that altered the best he can to have it fit me in the interim;
- a Kushitani "Cool Max" inner suit liner;
- and a pair of thier top of the line perforated GPR 5 Mesh Gloves

In addition to letting me have a loaner for the next few months, they are tossing in the body suit $120 Inner Suit and the $235 GPR 5 Mesh Gloves as comps for my inconvenience.

Is this really customer service or are they just worried about a pissed yeti

02-04-2008, 12:58 PM	#2
jose_jimenez Not Sure's Legal Representation Join Date: 01-05-2007 Bike(s): Hurricane Posts: 1,977	Call up Vanson, get $ back from Kushitani. Vanson makes good chit. __________________ http://www.bushslastday.com/

02-04-2008, 01:14 PM	#3
phobe circa 1970 Join Date: 12-17-2006 Age: 26 Bike(s): 600RR, 125R Posts: 4,634	Sounds like they ran out of cows in Japan. You should lose weight. __________________ Cum hoc, ergo propter hoc

02-04-2008, 01:28 PM	#4
SheepOfBlue SRA President Join Date: 12-18-2006 Location: Huntsville, AL Age: 46 Bike(s): CBR1000RR, RC51, VT500FT Posts: 6,400	They were confused why you wanted a suit to fit to people with only one set of arms. Seriously everyone makes mistakes and it is how you recover that I judge them on. First they contacted you 2 weeks before to warn you AND offered a loaner the best they could. Further the delay is about 2 weeks so I doubt they have not started the work. I do find it bizarre that they cannot finish it based on size guessing it is more likely a color/quantity issue. __________________ A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way

02-04-2008, 01:33 PM	#5
CBRVFR Godspeed, #20 Join Date: 12-13-2006 Age: 55 Bike(s): VFR750 SV650 TZ250 Posts: 5,033	As long as they're aware that any damage to the loaner suit is on them and it fits adequately, I'd say you're in good shape. If it doesn't fit, I'd cancel the order and get a barnacle bill suit for about a grand. Vanson makes very good stuff, though. __________________ "...the TV also never took away the screwdriver and shoved it up the repairman's ass." Our own Mr.2nd Amendment, explaining the difference. Perfectly. Rich Herald, the Gentle Giant

02-04-2008, 01:35 PM	#6
ccwilli3 having a laugh... Join Date: 12-18-2006 Age: 30 Bike(s): pps mod'd ohlins on a cbr Posts: 1,011	well I'm assuming that you can't get a vanson in time for your events, correct? If so, then I'd just stay with the decision that you had already made. It def appears that kushitani finds your business very important and wants to do right by you, given the delay. Now, if you can get the vanson before all of this, the choice is obvious. Cancel it, order up the vanson and enjoy... Having said that, my custom vanson suit did take like 3 weeks longer and cost more than they originally told me. I was a little peeved over it, but when I finally did get it, i was very happy. Perhaps the same will be said by you once you finally get your kushitani suit... __________________ Cleaver, a film by christopher moltisanti and carmine lupertazzi

02-04-2008, 01:50 PM	#7
HondaGalToo ...into the 30s Join Date: 12-16-2006 Location: New Jersey Age: 48 Bike(s): '01 929, '07 gsxr 600 Posts: 1,732	Vanson has delays a lot, too. And I doubt they'd give you a loaner... __________________ “I want to stand as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all the kinds of things you can't see from the center.” ~Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

02-04-2008, 01:53 PM	#8
ND4SPD I'm BATMAN!!! Join Date: 12-12-2006 Bike(s): Trek Posts: 8,055 Images: 25	You could borrow mine. __________________ "This is your life - are you who you want to be?" Learn all you need to know about Mac OS X

02-04-2008, 03:14 PM	#9
CBRVFR Godspeed, #20 Join Date: 12-13-2006 Age: 55 Bike(s): VFR750 SV650 TZ250 Posts: 5,033	Barnacle Bill Leathers Product Review __________________ "...the TV also never took away the screwdriver and shoved it up the repairman's ass." Our own Mr.2nd Amendment, explaining the difference. Perfectly. Rich Herald, the Gentle Giant

02-04-2008, 04:08 PM	#10
MotoVegas Join Date: 01-03-2007 Location: Las Vegas Age: 38 Bike(s): ZX-10R & HD Ultra Classic Posts: 893	Thanks guys. Update on the situation. Kushitani is not only going to give me a "loaner" but they are actually going to custom tailor the loaner. I go to Freddie's joint tomorrow, get their biggest suit, and they are going to overnight it to their US leather tailor in Oklahoma, and she is going to make adjustments and overnight it back, so I have it for my events. Honestly, if they follow through on all that they've promised, despite the 2 month delay (if that's all it ends up being), I'd have to say that will have earned my loyalty from a customer service standpoint. Making it "right" is big to me. My guess, the problem they are having is not only my size (US 56, Euro 66... I don't think they make Japanese cows that big, lol) but my requirement that they give me a dual zipper; which is why I was going to get a Vanson in the first place. But Kushitani assured me, despite not showing in their catalogs, that they do (and have) make dual zipper suits. __________________ Enjoy my pics Enjoy my crash Enjoy riding with Whip and I at SMMR

02-04-2008, 04:13 PM	#11
luvtolean Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Bike(s): 2008 BMW GS-A Posts: 6,341	My experience with a couple of the custom guys is that they are pretty terrible in regards to delivery. Kushitani has done you very right in this situation, and I think you should consider yourself lucky this is who you are dealing with. I've never even heard of someone offering a loaner to a new customer...incredible. Kush! __________________ Someone needs to present the facts and the physics rather than just the rhetoric. Poor old Carmelo doesn't understand the physics of a motorcycle. - Jerry Burgess, on spec tires and changing engine rules

02-04-2008, 04:18 PM	#12
phobe circa 1970 Join Date: 12-17-2006 Age: 26 Bike(s): 600RR, 125R Posts: 4,634	That's pretty damned good service. __________________ Cum hoc, ergo propter hoc

02-04-2008, 04:28 PM	#13
CBRVFR Godspeed, #20 Join Date: 12-13-2006 Age: 55 Bike(s): VFR750 SV650 TZ250 Posts: 5,033	Just make sure he said Oklahoma and not Okinawa. __________________ "...the TV also never took away the screwdriver and shoved it up the repairman's ass." Our own Mr.2nd Amendment, explaining the difference. Perfectly. Rich Herald, the Gentle Giant

02-04-2008, 05:20 PM	#15
ND4SPD I'm BATMAN!!! Join Date: 12-12-2006 Bike(s): Trek Posts: 8,055 Images: 25	I hope for your sake they send you zip/unzip instructions with color coded zippers. __________________ "This is your life - are you who you want to be?" Learn all you need to know about Mac OS X

02-04-2008, 05:21 PM	#16
Hammer For Sale Join Date: 12-17-2006 Location: Indiana Age: 39 Bike(s): 05 Suzuki 600 Posts: 4,899 Images: 1	Delays and problems will happen in business, it is how you deal with them that matters. I would say they handled it the best they could due to the circumstances. __________________ SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES. NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS

02-04-2008, 05:25 PM	#17
bwhip Every ride a gift... Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Idaho, USA Bike(s): 1098S-SXV550-849-Ruckus Posts: 3,899	Did you say Kushidurrani? Actually, the FS instructors had brand new suits when I was there a couple of weeks ago. The suits looked top notch, and I'm glad to hear they're taking good care of you. __________________ My Gallery

02-05-2008, 03:03 PM	#18
Repeater Join Date: 12-28-2006 Age: 33 Bike(s): F4I Posts: 524	I go to the kushitani store all the time. Very nice folks and still run by the family. They fixed my dianese gloves for me when i was browsing. I think they are going above and beyond to make you happy most companies just say delays are apart of life. I I do own a set of thier Gloves which in my opiniun are the best ones i have found. Also crash tested. I would have bought one of thiers but Z-leathers was allot cheaper and delivered in 4 weeks. Crashed tested and lovin it.

02-05-2008, 03:09 PM	#19
CBR929RE Go Sox! Join Date: 12-18-2006 Location: at home Age: 28 Bike(s): 01 R/B/W CBR929RR Posts: 3,315	who are these people. no one is that nice. that is truely one stand up set of people at that company. __________________ if you can't fix it with duct tape, you haven't used enough.

02-05-2008, 05:13 PM	#21
ccwilli3 having a laugh... Join Date: 12-18-2006 Age: 30 Bike(s): pps mod'd ohlins on a cbr Posts: 1,011	wow, that's customer service. ATT, Sprint, Time Warner, et al, take note! __________________ Cleaver, a film by christopher moltisanti and carmine lupertazzi

02-05-2008, 05:16 PM	#22
ND4SPD I'm BATMAN!!! Join Date: 12-12-2006 Bike(s): Trek Posts: 8,055 Images: 25	That's amazing MotoVegas. Kudos to Kushitani! __________________ "This is your life - are you who you want to be?" Learn all you need to know about Mac OS X

02-05-2008, 08:05 PM	#24
Repeater Join Date: 12-28-2006 Age: 33 Bike(s): F4I Posts: 524	I love those gloves! the leather is so soft and no hard parts to impair knuckle bending. they also give military discounts!

02-05-2008, 11:18 PM	#26
seamus is feelin alright Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Rocket City Age: 34 Bike(s): 1KRR; VFR; FMX650 Posts: 5,469