Approved Vendors List query.

[JohnnyFrost]

Hello All,

My name is Chris Collins, I'm Australian and I seek to slowly assemble an authentic Union Private impression, starting with 62nd NY (Andersons Zouaves).

I'm thinking a NY Jacket with Kerseys, plus a lined sack coat, though expecting anything more useful than "Jarnigans aren't bad" from most local 62nd NY members is optimistic at best.

My key question is regarding AC approved vendors. Currently I see a great deal of discussion recommending vendors for particular garments or accouterments, some are even active participants at AC yet many don't appear in the approved vendors lists. CJ Daley and Chas Childs, who both receive a great deal of positive press, yet aren't there.

Is this a case of particular vendors loosing accreditation, or a perception of conflict of interest? Or are some vendors considered so well entrenched as purveyors of quality goods that they need no such accreditation?

Your guidance will be most welcome.

Chris Collins

[Dan Wambaugh]

Re: Approved Vendors List query.

Chris,

I think a more fair assessment would be that the list of approved vendors on this website are those who have chosen to support the forum financially in return for advertising space, and whose quality, authenticity, and customer service are up to the highest standards in this hobby. In County Cloth's case they have decided not to support this forum and have not applied to become an approved vendor. In CJ Daley's case he took a full time position at a historical park and asked to be removed as he would not have the time to devote to his garment business. Rarely has a vendor been forcibly removed from the list, but it has happened.

I will disagree with Eric that some of the approved vendors might lack in quality and authenticity, as the list of AC approved vendors is the largest collection of makers that have made a commitment to authenticity ever assembled. You will not find a Jarnigan or Falls Creek on that list for that very reason. However, approval does not mean that a rubber stamp is put on all of their products as the "best available". Some products an approved vendor makes will be better than others, and no one makes the best of everything. And that runs true for authentic vendors who have not applied for vendor status on this forum. In other words, vendor 1 might make items A, B, and C best of everyone, and vendor 2 makes items X, Y, and Z better than everyone else. Vendor 1 might be an AC approved vendor and Vendor 2 might not, but simply because vendor 2 doesn't have the AC approved vendor tag on their website doesn't mean that their products are inferior, but because vendor 1 does means that his own copies of item X,Y, and Z are up to the standards of the authentic community, just not necessarily the best ones available.

The bottom line is that while you can put an excellent impression together just shopping the AC approved vendor list, it is not the end-all shopping guide. The only caveat I will leave you with is that when you decide to make your purchase you do so from a legitimate business and not someone just sewing for beer money. In this country small businesses pay a 35% tax rate, which means one out of three dollars we earn after expenses go to the government, which is why a sack coat that takes a day to put together costs $185.00 instead of $120.00. This is also why the AC bans sales of brand new products by individuals for retail purposes and many events do likewise.

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Approved Vendors List query.

Thanks, Dan, for that explanation. The AV program is a two way street:
First, the vendor must choose whether or not they want to participate. Just like advertising anywhere else. Then, the AC determines whether or not the vendor meets the criteria for participation.

For those interested in knowing the rules and more details, go check out the site FAQ, or click the link below to go right to the AV program info:

Approved Vendor Program

[Matt Woodburn]

Re: Approved Vendors List query.

One more thing that I will add is that an Approved Vendor on the AC also must have a great business reputation; fair dealings, good customer service, does what they say they are going to do. There are some brilliant makers out there that have asked to be Approved Vendors, but in addition to having a reputation for making an item which is almost indistinguishable from an original, they also have a reputation for not returning emails or phone calls, have a drug problem, don't ship when they say they will, etc. That kind of vendor, no matter how wonderful their products, doesn't cut it here.

[Fred F. Griffin]

Re: Approved Vendors List query.

I do use the AV list and have been more then satisfied with the quality, authenticity, and customer service. I have also encountered vendor(s) from the AV list that fit into the " don't ship when they say they will" catagory. That being said, I will continue to use these fine vendors and recomend them to my pards. The other(s) Not Happening!
Fred F. Griffin

[JohnnyFrost]

Re: Approved Vendors List query.

Well, thank you Gentlemen, I hope I didn't make you folk repeat anything that can be found in FAQs or similar. I'm generally happy to "absorb" as much wisdom as I can here rather than post, but sometimes you've just got to speak up.

Cheers.

Chris Collins

[Fred Adolphus]

Re: Approved Vendors List query.

I'm interested in becoming an approved vendor to sell books and Confederate caps. How do I get the approved status? Please help!
Fred Adolphus

[JimKindred]

Re: Approved Vendors List query.

Send a PM to Paul Calloway.