In Reply to: Leather Jacket ?????? posted by Doobie Bagus on Monday, 14. March 2005 at 02:14 Bali Time:
You're right to be a bit concerned about zips in Bali, there are both good and bad, but there are a lot of other things that are not so obvious.
I think it is the golden rule in Bali (and most other places too I suppose) that that you will get only the quality that you pay for.
A good leather jacket, bum length, good skins (not goat which stinks like you wouldn't believe when it gets wet) that are cut in the right direction for each panel in the jacket, colour-fast dyes and well matched colour through all the skins that will go into the jacket, good lining, again cut in the right direction, quality thread (not thin fishing line), brass zips (not brass plated or plastic), decently cut and carefully fitted to your size and shape will cost you about Aus$120-150.
You can get such a jacket from many leather workers (don't try cloth tailors for leather wear or vice versa) in any of the tourist areas. Sanur/Kuta/Legian etc are probably a bit better than Denpasar/Ubud etc.
At all of these shops you can also bargain very hard and get a jacket for less than Aus$100 - but it will be of very much inferior quality.
You take your choice and you pay your money - but don't complain afterwards.
Many posters will recommend their favourite supplier to you and this is a good indication of just how many shops you can choose from.
Our favourite is Dolphins Leather in Jl Sahadewa in Legian where we have been happily returning for many years (about 12 I think) and never been disappointed with the quality or the price.
Check the archives of this Forum for maybe a dozen other recommendations.
Have a great holiday.