Damaged Pekuro Lufwaffe Visor Cap

[BrianH]

Hi guys,
My first post here on the forum, and I wish it were a more positive one. I received my first Third Reich visor in the mail today: a Pekuro Luftwaffe Officer's visor that WAS in mint condition. When I saw the package, I thought "that box looks kinda small for a visor". Well, it WAS. When i opened the package, I was sickened to find that the cap had been jammed into the box diagonally, with the ends of the bill taking all the stress. To make matters worse, it looks like the packer pushed the hat in there (it's a tight fit) by pushing down on the visor bill, which is probably where some of the damage came from. This is a shame. A beautiful piece of history that survived a world war has been ruined through sheer ignorance.

I gently put the hat partway into the box to give you an idea of how I received it. More damage pics to follow.

Regards,
Brian

[Engelfeuer]

Honestly unacceptable
People that sell this stuff should know better!!!
Do you plan to try to get your money back?

[BrianH]

More damage photos...

I'm so furious at the disregard for a piece of history right now that my hands are shaking as I type this. Even if this cap is repaired it will never be the same...

Yes, I am getting a refund. The hunt goes on I guess.

Brian

[BrianH]

a few more pics...

really sad...and this is NOT a new vendor, but someone respected who has been around a long time. Unacceptable waste of history...

Brian

[BrianH]

Hi Engelfeuer,
I'd better! I paid good money for a MINT visor, and that's not what I received. Box was not damaged at all either. Just flat-out reckless packing. I've sent photos in an e-mail to the vendor. I'll let you know the outcome.

Brian

[DonC]

Brian, the only solace I can provide is that it looks to me like all the damage is repairable - should the seller prove to be... difficult.

Don

[-Ray-]

Unbelievable! Such an unfortunate lack of judgement. Who ever packed it treated this nice example as it was a crusher. This individual must have been stressed and not in the right mind to do so.

I know your pain. I once received a SF14Z periscope from Germany like this. The postal inspectors/customs partially disassmbled it looking in the tubes for contraband and apparantly just tossed aside the entire left side eyepiece and focus ring assmbelly down to the base since It was missing and just carelessly left the remainder disassmbled. Had to take a hit and sell it off as a spare parts project at a cut.

A lot of mixed emotions here from heart break, sever disappointment, denial transpiring to anger, livid rage and escalation to the point of throwing a rod outta' the side of my head. Imagine what my face musta' looked like?

I wanted blood. It takes awhile to get over these things, but I can still get worked up just thinking about it and would still like to spill some blood.

Tuff break! At least you should be compensated without question.

[Scott C.]

this is NOT a new vendor, but someone respected who has been around a long time.

Name?

[BrianH]

DonC,
I hear ya, it really just needs to be re-stitched and would still make a nice cap. But, that "stone mint" (no offense to THE Stonemint) quality to the cap is gone forever, and it was totally unnecessary.

CIB, you nailed it. Exactly how I feel. i'm heading to the sporting goods store for a punching bag now..

Brian

[BrianH]

ScottC,
I'll hold off on the names unless it becomes necessary to shame them. I hope that won't be necessary. I'm confident they will do right by me. If not, this is the only sale they'll get from me..

Brian

[-Ray-]

DonC,
I hear ya, it really just needs to be re-stitched and would still make a nice cap. But, that "stone mint" (no offense to THE Stonemint) quality to the cap is gone forever, and it was totally unnecessary.

CIB, you nailed it. Exactly how I feel. i'm heading to the sporting goods store for a punching bag now..

Brian

Steer clear of the fire arms section at the sporting goods store hence an easily influenced change of mind

[redjames2004]

Hi Brian, I am very disappointed to see your mint condition Pekuro Luftwaffe officer visor got damaged. I hates to see this hat being squeezed into very small box! I hope that you will get your money back from the vendor who shipped it in that such box. Yes I like the wonderful bullion Luftwaffe insignias! There is a guy from UK who can fix the visor bill on your Luftwaffe visor hat. I always ship visor hats in large boxes not in that such small box!

[stonemint]

This really hurts me to see. You are right, it survived a war, kids, pestilence, the elements, etc for 70 years only to be ruined by simple poor packing. I usually get this kind of packing from Europe, so now I actually ship them the box I want it shipped back in.

Ben VK (who is in England) does a masterful job of restoring visors, if you are going to keep it. Obviously, its value is lessened due to this pathetic packaging job.

For anyone to avoid this problem, I recommend requesting that the seller place a plastic bag over the hat (this avoids friction rubs to the piping); the use of a box larger than the hat; and the use of popcorn or newspaper around the hat. For top protection, have them double-box the hat.

Man, this just makes me

[BrianH]

Hey Stonemint,
Yeah, I thought you'd weight in on this one. Pekuros are near and dear to you I can tell. The comment about "I usually get this kind of packing in Europe" baffles me. Don't we ALL know that these things are somewhat fragile? They're 70 yrs old and not made of the toughest stuff around. I've received other items (not caps or uniforms) from Europe and generally the packing was pretty good. The vendor stated that this cap "was possibly the best Luft visor they'd ever had". Wouldn't you feel obligated as the seller to take just a BIT more care with the really minty stuff? Grr..

Thanks guys for the comments. It's serving as good therapy. I needed someone to vent to who could empathize with me.

Brian

[Jeff V]

Unbelievable! What were they thinking while packing that? Hopefully, your refund goes smoother.
best wishes,
jeff