Is this the last drum roll?

[lazarus]

Hello gents! It's been a while since I've posted on the AC or even looked at it with a significant job change and move but I wanted to check and understand the recent defection of quality vendors. It seems that we loose at least two quality vendors a year to various valid reasons; however, I wonder if we have somehow painted ourselves into the proverbial corner? I would like to think that it is really an indication of a more macro-level issue with the economy since we find ourselves in a spiraling recession that smacks of depression on the horizon and that we, as customers, can't put out that $300 dollars for a quality jacket, driving our vendors to search for needed employment and support for their families.

Well, maybe it something else. However, I surely hope we are not approaching the dusk of a great era of quality and a great hobby. Will we have to resort to producing our own goods, as the our Revolutionary compatriots do? Will the price of quality goods sky-rocket again when there are vendors only producing two or three items a month (supply and demand - Adam Smith)? I will soarly miss Mr. Daley even though I bought all of his items second-hand but even that will dry up eventually. We've lost so many and I salute those that have dealt with our ravenous appetites and instant gratification demands. Good luck and best wishes.

Your thoughts?

[coastaltrash]

Re: Is this the last drum roll?

I think the instant gratification that is sweeping the new movement in the authentic hobby is what destroyed most vendors. There are people who expect a frock coat to be personally made and at their door step within a week, seriously. When I was making items I had one person email me after 10 days from the time I got his money claiming if he did not get his pants he would file mail fraud charges. Guess what he got within the time of his demand- his money back. Now I do this part time, so I can afford to do that, but the vendors who only have this odd hobby as a source of income get my applause.

We have 3 hat vendors in this hobby today. Two I refuse to buy from anymore, so when the 3rd quits I know I'll personally be in a tight spot unless the 2nd generation steps it up.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Is this the last drum roll?

Hallo!

IMHO...
Likely, not at all.

In looking at "Hobby" and "Vendor" history over the past thirty years we can see several things at work... Such as a cyclical pattern of rises and declines. For example:

1. The mega-rise of the CW Community for the 125th Aniversary Event Series and the decline aftrewards, only to wax and wane several times. The rise of the "Authentic Movement" circa 1996-2002. Etc.

2. The rise of the vendor/maker and the decline of the kitchen top/do-it-yourself individual making his own uniform and gear. The evolution of "James Clothiers" and "New Columbia" into the Rademaker, Childs, Daley, ************, etc..
The rise of the 3, 6, 12, 24 month custom order era.
The rise of the "Hoffman" business model of instant "in stock" sales versus "custom order"
The seeming approach of a return to "custom order" business models.

3. The rise of new makers such as, but not limited to, Eddings, Nolan, Hock, White, Wambaugh, Haines, Warheim, Duvall, etc, etc.,

4. The rise of "EBUFU" movement with events with unit specific impressions calling for a "golf bag" approach of what is on one's closet of multiple uniforms, weapons, and gear.

5. The rise and decline of the "Authentic Movement" in terms of actual numbers of "C/P/H" type lads who already have a closet full of uniforms and are not "heavy repeat customers."

6. Economic forces such as employment recession, cost of living, devaluation of the U.S. Dollar versus say the Euro, cost of gas, rise of turnpike fees, etc., etc.

7. Normal "hobby" patterns of "interest" bleeding off "samo-samo" activities- as what happened to the Rev War after the Buy-centennial ended in 1981, the the CW when the
125th Anniversay events ended in 1990, etc., etc., drifting into "other wars" such as WAr of 1812, WWI, or WWII.

8. "Normal" interest and Bang-For-the-Buck saturation and burn-out for ANY hobby or interest after 1-4 years of "samo-samo" places, sights, sounds, and people.

9. The rise of the Glowing Screen and on-line boards and fora that enable folks to be "involved" at the Keyboard Kampaigner level which can reduce the desire to go play.

10. An "aging, "graying," and "heavying" demographic of a maturing hobby-base competing with other wordly interests for life, bang, money, and time returns for younger folks.

11. A narrow perspective view/experience of history and trends for some lads who have only been around a year or three and are rightfully "caught up in the moment" as things change around them.

Others' mileage, and distances marched, will vary...

Curt

[mslaird]

Re: Is this the last drum roll?

Excellent points Curt,

I believe that there will most likely always be a demand for these services. As long as those who possess the skills to produce the necessary materials pass on those skills to others, the ability to produce the goods will remain. Another thing that I have noticed since joining this forum and reading the countless posts is the individual interest of the many that are right now learning to produce the goods as well. Some of those will undoubtedly go further with production and operate business part time or some full time. I don't see the withering of the vine, so to speak. Rather, I see that some will stop and we will lament that loss but others will step into that place and the hobby will continue on.

[guad42]

Re: Is this the last drum roll?

Curt,

As always your comments on this forum are great and well thought out. I enjoy reading what you post because of its perspective.

Compared to most of the folks that post here I am relatively new to the more progressive campaigner approach to reenacting. I grew up in Northern Arizona, and as far back as I can remember I had wanted to get into reenacting. In the early and mid 90s I carefully saved money (when I had it - I was sixteen or seventeen) and purchased my first goods from friends and Jarnigan. We only had one real quality unit up in Northern Arizona at the time, an Artillery Battery, which I joined and for about a year went to events with.

Then comes college and the early years of a career, which for most people means borderline poverty. So I fall out of the living history hobby for several years, and when I am finally able to come back, there is a new era.

I do not refer to the progressive campaigners of the CW community, rather the broader picture, specifically the rise in the WWII hobby. I was told that WWII reenacting was really the new thing and that it was great. Well, it was, and is not - great. For a younger generation that has grown up with video games, instant gratification, and movies as the only portal to history, WWII can satisfy. For those with any connection to history or a love of it - well, look elsewhere.

So, I get back into CW and man, what had changed in some ten years or so. Jarnigan is toppled as the common man's one stop for quality and authenticity and replaced by myriad handmade shops with unquestionable efforts and great products - and greater prices. But, the prices are fair considering the quality, research etc. But I will admit, when I was 23 and I realized that I was looking at 280.00 for a solid RDII, I was initially surprised.

I think the fundamental issue though is the manpower that may eventually come into our hobby. Fewer and fewer younger folks who came into this hobby with a love of the history (in my time we can thank Ken Burns, Glory and a few other pop cultural influences - plus a love of history).

I think a lot of younger people are more and more enamored with the WWII and other modern conflicts because they can affordably outfit themselves, go bang away all weekend like thier favorite video game character, and call it a day. There is the possibility that few of them (with limited expendable income) can rationalize spending the kind of money for the high quality CW goods. I think fewer and fewer appreciate this era and the details, especially then they would just as rather go fire blanks and be in "their own movie".

This hobby needs youth - fast. No offense, but the WWII hobby is sapping this one.

For you younger campaigners reading this, you are the proud exception (plus I'm only 28). Plus, perhaps things in the east are different. This is just my experience.

If more and more quality suppliers fade away, we will be at a loss.

Sam Dolan

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Is this the last drum roll?

Hallo!

Yes, I may have left one off... that being the evolution of some makers/vendors going a little something like this.

Long ago, in a Galaxy far, far away....

I need/want a particular garment, a Widget Depot jacket.
I track down a surviving Widget Depot jacket, observe it, fondle it, inspect it, measure it, photograph it, analyze it.
I have some skills and talents, and make an exacting Three Tier Concept reproduction/copy of it when it was new/in use.
I wear it to the next event where my research and documentation shows the unit I am portraying had Widget Depot jackets.
I generate interest from one or two pards who "want one," and pester me to make one for them. I agree to make them for the cost of the material in my spare time evenings or weakends..
We three were them at the next event.
We generate interest from four or five more lads, who pester me to make some for them. I make them for the cost of the material, and I make them in my spare time evenings or weakends.
We seven or eight wear them at the next event.

Private Heinrich's Widget Depot jackets become the authentic rage, first for friends and acquaintances, then for strangers.

I decide to go into business, charging materials plus a dollar or two an hour "wage" because I love to sew and help out the "Hobby" so it is not about money.

Private Heinrich's Widget Depot jackets become the rage, and then the standard for jackets. I do well by word of mouth, and from the parking lot of events.
I create a web site, and my web site's e-mails and PM's fill, my e-mail fills, my phone rings 20 times a night when I get home from work. My supply of Widget Depot fabric and buttons goes out of business. I find a new supplier. Orders turn into backorders.
I sew 4-5 hours a night, five days a week, and 12 hours a day on Saturday and Sunday for months and months as the back-orders go from 1-2 months to 1-2 years just based upon available physical time and no "life" other than sewing and no "life" other than for customers particulary family or me.

Customers, especially those not of the Custom Order Generation, and who look for a garment 1-3 days after they placed the order- swamp the e-mails, PM's, and phone calls. I come home from work to find 20-30 phone messages, 50-100 e-mails and PM's.
I promise the Moon with Good Intentions and Best Intentions, but with 400-500 back orders, I can sew until 2012 and not clear all that I have taken in. And if I respond to every e-mail, PM, and phone messgae (I don't answer the phone anymore), I have no evening sewing time. I stop communicating to sew, package, and mail instead.
I have taken money 1-2 years ago that I spent on materials for current jackets, and I do not have money to complete my more recent orders now that I have cut-off new orders to 'Catch up.' I take "short-cuts' to speed production,a nd cut corners to get jackets done.
Orders back log, complaints, threats of criminal or civil suits, and hate mail and hate
e-mails flow.
I am miserable physically and mentally.

This is a purely fictional representation as to why I am not a business man. Any similarities between any real persons, real buisnesses, and any real events, past or present, is strictly coincidental and unintentional.

And of course, others' mileage will vary...

Curt
Not a Businessman but deeply thankful to those that are and do it well on my behalf in bringing me wonderful products Mess

[crabby]

Re: Is this the last drum roll?

Excellent points Curt,

I believe that there will most likely always be a demand for these services. As long as those who possess the skills to produce the necessary materials pass on those skills to others, the ability to produce the goods will remain. Another thing that I have noticed since joining this forum and reading the countless posts is the individual interest of the many that are right now learning to produce the goods as well. Some of those will undoubtedly go further with production and operate business part time or some full time. I don't see the withering of the vine, so to speak. Rather, I see that some will stop and we will lament that loss but others will step into that place and the hobby will continue on.

The big problem with this is, when you do get someone to step up to the plate no one will buy their goods - it is an unknown to them. We find this out quite often. We now have a seamstress who sews quite well, does extensive research and she has trouble getting her items sold. We have potential customers see items on our site, they ask who made the item and since it isn't one of the current big names they say thanks and move on or they see an item at an event, they love it - then ask who made it and they drop it like it had been infected with the plague!

So with all of the "we hope for others to step in", do we really give them a chance? (To all established vendors - do not take offense, just an observation)

Just call me Crabby

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Is this the last drum roll?

Hallo!

An interesting question and problem...

How does a maker or vendor "crack that nut?" What business model, market strategy, and market penetration strategies work best in our varied CW Communities?

As a customer, my experiences go something like this.

After several years in the Hobby, a nasty mutiny self-destructed my forty man unit at the end of the 125th Anniversary Events at a time when "we" were starting to move from our 1986 Jarnagin standard for everything, to Charlie Childs.
When I was cajoled, pestered, pressured, drug back into the CW Community in 1996, the World had changed, most everything I had was "dated" and needed replaced, and as the "Authentic Movement" grew each year, there were "new makers" of interest.
Through a combination of insider friends' word-of-mouth, and the new Internet boards, my first uniform purchases were two sets of Charlie Childs' RD jeans jackets and trousers kits sent off and sewn by Chris Daley.
Then, through a combination of word-of-mouth, the new Internet boards, and Tim Sheads' little cubby-hole upstairs "S & S" shop in Gettysburg, I was able to view, try on, and buy Nick ************ wares.
As Childs, Daley and ************ wares started to get harder to find and orders to back-log, I either learned via the Boards, or discovered on Tim Sheads' racks, new makers like Eddings, Nolan, Blunt, and Hock. Plus Skillet Joe Hoffman's model made it far easier to access initially ************ items but also other up-and-comers.

With a certain amount or level of "knowing what I wanted/needed" and what "I needed to see in the products," the learning of "new talented makers" and the ability to examine their products "in the flesh" was a great advantage.
AND, thanks to Sheads' business model, and walk-in shop, I could examine garments and gear IN PERSON, for myself- purchase them instantly (paying the percentage mark up in exchange for that service as well as not having to wait months or years for back orders and hoping the sizing fit...).

And as old makers declined and dropped off, or old makers business models changed, and new folks appeared... I stayed with ************ and Daley because I knew their products, and I used Tim Sheads' S & S as an "in person" opportunity to examine, try on, and buy talented newcomers' products.
Yet, some newcomers like Trans-Mississippi, Wambaugh & White, Richmond Depot, etc., I had to trust the "on line" chatter and recommendations to take a chance.

IMHO, and not being a businessman I believe it is VERY hard for a talented maker or vendor eyeing the "C/P/H" or "H/A" segments of the CW Community to "break in."
Part of that I believe is that the C/P/H segment does not go to C/P/H events with buying clothing and gear in mind. If for the simple fact that many/most C/P/H events are not overflowing with vendors, and many/most H/A events less so- except for possibly a parking lot sale or an order delivery.
And F/M/C events often have lads who are not interested or have Mental Pictures that do not demand or need the so-called "High End" uniforms and gear. At the last M/C event i was at, I believe the only sale of High End wares were the Richmond Depot made RD jacket and trousers a Newcomer I took there bought.

So, I guess this can be a Catch 22 for a maker or vendor. One needs for folks to be knowleldgeable enough to see that what they are about to buy is "worthy" of purchase, OR (as is more often the case) they are dependent upon their own or unit mates'/leaders' knowledge of what ias good to buy and why, OR they rely on the analysis and recommendation of on-line Boards and Fora (which often trickles down to "Designer Labels" for certain established names because many folks do not want to know WHY an item is correct, just that it IS correct.).

I am sure that there are many folks "out there" with knowledge, skill, and talent to make most excellent reproductions, and some are. But getting their name and product into the
either the upper end of the larger C/P/H Segment or the smaller H/A Segment is hard.
And harder yet in an economic period or recession and decline, where a lad's choice might be wear the jacket he has and use the $300 he saves for gas for the next event or two.

Others' mileage will vary...

Curt

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: Is this the last drum roll?

So with all of the "we hope for others to step in", do we really give them a chance? (To all established vendors - do not take offense, just an observation)

Excellent quote, sir. You really captured my thoughts with this while I read the thread.

I have been involved with this hobby (mainstream and progressive) since March 1997. From January 2003-June 2007, I was stationed in Germany (and then deployed to Iraq for 14 months), when I volunteered for Army service. So, you could say, I was locked into a "time warp" with respect to this hobby.

I remember the late 1990s-2003 when Jarnagin was the word on everyone's lips that didn't want "skinner row" junk. ************ was on the rise then too as well was Joe Hoffman, where I lived, at least. When I came back to the progressive hobby in May-June 2007 (but not the most ideal of areas to do it for quality events- New England), I still thought those were the names for quality gear- be all and end all.

Lucky for me, Mr. Rose showed me the path for many of these newer quality vendors and by getting re-involved with the AC forums, I got spun-up on what I had missed for the last 4 years in regard to the refining of what quality events were and who was now making the quality gear. Some were old names and some were new names, as were some of the events. I felt like I came out of a "black hole"- as I did with much of American pop culture. In Germany and Iraq, sometimes news didn't travel very much or at all.

So, when I came back to this "new" hobby, I saw much progress in regard to research and vendors' wares. "Quality events" seemed to have taken a new level of realism and the progressive community became its own hobby with its own personalities and sponsors of quality events. I noticed focus on these events and focus on what was "accurate equipment" became better as new research has showed itself, even in the span of 4 years. Leads on research are pretty good for our era right now, I have noticed.

All-in-all I think the progressive hobby is doing as well as it can at the moment, I have faith- the ideas of progressives (even though numbers might have dwindled at quality events) have gained steam. I went to two recent "carpe eventas" in August here in New England and I observed mainstreamers (although still pretty bad) are now becoming heavily-influenced by progressives showing-up to their events.

Now, not all of them are positively responsive to progressives "rubbing-off" on their impressions, but many are becoming more open to the ideas of quality events and quality equipment. Could this be the reason for our quality vendors being swamped with phone calls and e-mails for orders and their ultimate demise in the business? I think so in some cases. We don't have to "convert the masses" forcibly, but when you are wearing a highly-detailed and researched kit, then someone in the mainstreamer-side of the hobby is bound to notice.

But hey... When people know you have a great product, they will flock to it- mainstreamers as well as progressives. Too bad there couldn't be a large factory for quality repros, but that would take the heart out of the situation there, I believe. But if it could happen... hmmm.

Just by being progressive, the mainstreamers that care about the hobby of "reenacting" in-general, are beginning to realize their mistakes and many have begun to either make their mind up to not care about farbism or get their impressions more refined with quality equipment- whether or not they are attending quality events on a regular basis (which, I think, is a bit harder for people like me who live in areas where main quality events are usually nowhere near).

I'd love for numbers to be up for all quality events, but wouldn't that become a logistical/organizational nightmare that might take the fun out of a progressive event for all? I'd rather have a dedicated small amount of people than a large amount of people that don't care at a quality event. So be it.

I do believe we quite wrongly don't give new vendors a chance and therefore, more established vendors get swamped with orders. So, let's be more democratic about the process and critically review new vendors here on the AC (like the Watchdog once did effectively) and if they pass the grades of educated opinion, then give their products a chance. Perhaps this would relieve the burden upon already-established vendors with the new competition?

I know profits might decline over this scenario for established vendors, but I have heard established vendors say they'd rather make 10 spot-on coats of wonderful construction than compromise on quality with 20 coats of the same type made not as well. Craftsmanship must be paid for and this attitude isn't dead amongst progressive hobbyists. But, as a vendor once told me, unless you can make a full-time living as a vendor, then it will have to suffice as a "part-time job making of limited quantities only"-type of interraction with the customer.

I think the dollar's fall has impacted the procurement of original materials as well as vendor's costs right now tremendously. It was hard enough for me to live in Germany with the dollar/euro exchange rate never mind a quality vendor trying to obtain proper cloth for their items from England with the pound/dollar rate, for example.

When the buying power of the dollar comes back up (which it eventually will- it has to in the cycle economically), fads with the other periods of reenacting come down participation-wise, and the Iraq War comes to an endpoint (people don't like war-related subjects in bad times as well as actual deployments of our fellow reenactors), then we will see a "rebirth" happen in the progressive hobby... but be careful what you pray for here... ;)

But at others choose to leave the business/hobby, others will step-up to take their place, and for them, we need to be fully encouraging. That is, unless we don't want to have new vendors/hobbyists join their ranks. Change will come and we (vendors AND consumers) need to be welcoming and open-minded, but never compromise on quality- for items OR events.

In our hobby especially, "tunnel-vision" is a bad thing. I feel many of us are suffering from this now, unfortunately. We see low numbers at quality events and fleeing/limiting-stock vendors, but have we ever objectively examined as to why? I feel these are contributing factors:

-elitism of progressives (or perceived such even when there really isn't) as a whole can be a turn-off to mainstreamers
-good producers become over-taxed in their workload and shut-down
-dollar/economic concerns by the consumer (naturally at this time, but only temporarily)
-due to lack-of-competition/material cost prices get rather high for quality gear (no dig against quality vendors who have outstanding stuff... I've heard some of your pain on here.)
-price of gas (a big one- do I afford that coat or buy gas to actually get to the event to use it?! See also Curt's response above on this... so true sir.)

Quality events being held only in the areas near where they were fought can be a contributing factor for events' numbers going down. This limits people getting there by expense (It cost me over 300 bucks to get to Outpost, but was well worth it!), and much of our favorite tramping grounds are getting bought and developed like mad. Perhaps we can encourage new portions of the hobby by having quality events in various regions of the country? The money from such attendance can be used to be donated to battlefeld preservation anywhere or for any particular preservation project no matter where we do the event.

Trust is a very hard thing to establish with a vendor, so it isn't earned lightly. The reason why an established vendor is established is because they meet quality criteria in the general opinion. Now, optimally, we should study originals and make up our own minds as to who should be the "authentic" vendor, but not everyone has access to a relic room or even an original item to do so. That's why we rely on pictures in books/online and friend's opinions heavily. This is about the only way to do it for most, I guess.

So...

Is this the "last drum roll"? No, absolutely not. Be happy, everyone. Life ain't so bad and neither is our shared-interest. So long there is someone that cares about a quality event or quality items, then we have a progressive hobby. Just wait till the 150th...

Other than that, I'm ready for W64 and seeing ya'll there. I've got a Otter Creek tin drum canteen, Tim's Thaxton Box, and Todd Morris infantry coat on the way for next season... I already have ************, Duvall, and Robert Land items in my kit.

Pardon me if I digress from the intended spirit of this conversation... but it all has bearing on one-another eventually, I feel.


Merry Christmas- Johnny Lloyd

[lazarus]

Re: Is this the last drum roll?

Wow, great points and I would have to agree with most of what has been said. I've only been involved for around fifteen years and I've seen so many vendors and suppliers come and go. Some good and some bad when it came to quality, service, and actually enjoying their jobs. I understand that things change and the birth of new and talented vendors; however, I guess I've enjoyed the one's I've grown to trust, as John suggests. I also agree that we have to make room for a "probationary" period for new blood but this process isn't usually determined by the many but usually by the few. While I've always checked the forum and the Watchdog for opinions on purchases, I believe those well-respected and admired few do more to dictate business than others. I also believe that some of us, me included in the beginning, think that if a vendor is supported here, then it must be quality reproductions, and we know that is not necessarily true in every case.

So, I'm enjoying the dialogue and like hearing from people that have actually been in the active and now not-so-active status of production. Patrick brings up a good point, who will step up? Who are we willing to give a chance to as a "probationary" run? Could it be one of those supported bully buys if they pass a set of standards to boost their support? Just some thoughts.

Cheers!

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: Is this the last drum roll?

As a follow up, I actually LIKE when approved/quality vendors I have dealt with send me e-mails or advertise on here about new items or special deals... it makes me aware of what they have for sale or something new I might not be thinking of for my kit.

It's one instance where I DON'T mind advertising... ;)

-Johnny Lloyd

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Re: Is this the last drum roll?

I think that the more things change, the more they stay the same. In the last decade, there has always been those "in" vendors who've made great stuff, but there has always been those individuals who, for whatever reason they chose, made great stuff but not necessarily as a business. That is still alive and well today - on both fronts. The Approved Vendor program is just one small tool to use when evaluating the quality of goods or services, and I won't start up the same old talk on that subject, although I greatly use this service to help in making informed decisions on things to buy. Now with all of that said, there are still some great formal vendors out there, some approved and some not, but for everyone of those formal vendors, there are several folks out there making some incredible goods, but stay on the down-low so as not to experience the same problems that vendors get into about speed of service, backorders, hurt feelings, etc. In a way, I'm one of those guys on the bubble- I've thought about expanding my part-time efforts to something more, but I've learned some lessons from the best . I'll keep on making stuff, some of it going to approved vendors and some I'll sell myself, some I trade for things I need, sometimes I'll make some money and sometimes I'll break even. I also think that there are several folks out there who have all the ability, talent, and desire to be approved vendors but are scared off by what they see can happen when life isn't perfect. The internet and the AC Forum can be fantastic for giving a brother a start and shoutout when good, authentic goods are being made, but it can be that double-edged sword and can chop a head off at the neck. I'm going to keep trying to make the best things that I can, I'll appreciate those who have looked at and liked my work, I'll keep taking constructive criticism, as that is how I'll get better, I'm going to patronize only those with the same or higher standards as my own, and I'll keep my ear to the ground when that talented "unknown" branches out with some good stuff. No, I don't think this is the last drum roll for higher quality goods and services, maybe just a speedbump in the evolution of top shelf gear procurement.

[Gallo de Cielo]

Re: Is this the last drum roll?

I think in some ways we are letting the dish run away with the spoon. Are there fewer folks in the ranks? Yes. Are those that remain older and fatter? Perhaps. Have we become "spoiled" with on-demand buying in our hobby, influenced by on-demand in real life? Yes. Has WWII reenacting sapped some men? Maybe. Certainly the real-world military has.

That said, I've seen more interest in recruits of late- young kids at the college age. I've also seen a fair number of guys who have warmed the bench and been largely in mothballs for the past few years getting back in.

The "golf-bag" approach that Curt speaks of has some advantages though- it means many of us probably have no lack of loaner equipment to help out guys with. Sure, my expensive gear has had the heck beat out of it but lads, why spend the money if it never gets used or if it means we get half the men we could at events? Additionally, the boards also provide a means of traveling in a more intelligent manner- carpooling, etc to save expenses. It also helps to coordinate when and where events will happen with less over-lap.

Some folks get panicked when a changing of the guard occurs. As students of history we should be a bit less worried over such things. Familiar names will pass. New leaders/makers/influencers will take their place. I think there's a little too much wringing of the hands on some folks' part.

The other point that I think has been overlooked is that the hobby, however large or small it is, can only buy X amount of fine sack coats, frock coats, etc. I think in some cases the market is super-saturated with goods. Most guys have one of darned near everything. Not-so-subtlely undercutting that are far too many fools who post gear for ridiculously low rates. The trend is to price it low, excessively low, and within hours begin lowering the price as though there's a race to see how big a hit one can take on the item.

Anyway, these are my thoughts.

[mslaird]

Re: Is this the last drum roll?

The big problem with this is, when you do get someone to step up to the plate no one will buy their goods - it is an unknown to them. We find this out quite often. We now have a seamstress who sews quite well, does extensive research and she has trouble getting her items sold. We have potential customers see items on our site, they ask who made the item and since it isn't one of the current big names they say thanks and move on or they see an item at an event, they love it - then ask who made it and they drop it like it had been infected with the plague!

So with all of the "we hope for others to step in", do we really give them a chance? (To all established vendors - do not take offense, just an observation)

Just call me Crabby

I agree completely. I have seen the exact same mentality infect other areas besides our hobby. I remember that I was encouraged to undertake a career in art that was based on reputation. I responded to the encouragement that though I love to do the work I do not have the capital to wait until my reputation is known enough to keep me in business. It is a sad thing because I know there are many out there who do excellent work that are not respected as is their due. I hope that they do not give up and keep plugging away so that we will all be able to see their hard work pay off for them.