West Coast Armoury Official Update:

[SirBrand]

West Coast Armoury Official Update:

Duke Phelan and a couple others told me that folks were getting out the pitchforks and torches here so I stopped in to give an update. It'll probably be a couple months before I am back again to read anything.

So, what’s new? Well about half of the back ordered items have been cleared, but still leaving about 30 left. I haven’t updated the website, which is still up, but just functions as a gallery. There are no items up for order/sale because I have ceased doing retail.

So, as for items on order, yes I am still way behind. Yes, it’s my fault and poor practice, I know and I’m not going to pretend it’s not all my fault. Will you get your stuff tomorrow? Probably not. In the next 6 weeks? Probably. Why 6 weeks? Well we’re finally losing the house I so desperately tried to save, so the house and shop will be getting packed up.

So what happened? About last August our mortgage went up substantially and I was faced with the choice of letting the house foreclose or take the money from the shop, just about all, and divert it to cover the ever expanding gap. Well about last August/September was when things started heading south without enough money in the shop to keep the materials flowing, equipment repaired and bills paid. So times started slipping. Over the next several months it got worse and worse to where I was months behind schedule. Starting in December I fell ill and after that had reoccurring health issues. Finally went to the Doctor last month, first time in 20 years, and found that I had a pretty bad infection that would reoccur every few weeks, knocking me flat for 4-7 days, when my immune system would drop from the stress levels. So a 10 day regimen of antibiotics and trying to avoid stress at all costs leaves me now illness free for over a month.

So yes, I suck for not responding to emails and queries. I’m broke, losing the house, working and trying to clear folk’s orders on the side. I don’t get 60 hours a week in the shop anymore. Armouring is part time only now. I’m supposed to be trying to avoid high stress levels, so yes I’ve been avoiding the email box. Stress and severe depression can brutalize a man's psyche. Not cool, not professional, just survival. If I had funds for refunds then I would do that, but I don’t. So all I can do is keep finishing out the orders as I can.

It’s very disappointing to be in this position, where I lost my first armoury after 9-11, worked hard to clear that up, then rebuild over years the business reputation and provided some of the best sport gear around, only to tank it again. My fault entirely. I took everything from the biz to pay the $3300 a month mortgage when I should have just walked away from the house back then. Lesson learned: Don’t rob from your future to pay for the present.

Just for clarification, West Coast Armoury is/was a sole proprietorship DBA under my name, not part of Lancaster Inc., which I used to register all web domains. Lancaster Inc. is currently a shell and is in suspended status just because we could not afford the $800 yearly franchise tax just for a placeholder. When we have use for it in the future we may revive it, however we’re considering an LLC due to its flexibility.

So what’s going on now? Well I’m taking some time away from my other work and going to substantially increase the shop time for the next 6 weeks. In that time I will be working on attempting to clear all of the back orders while working on wholesale agreements with Windrose and Icefalcon as well. These are great guys so if you want to get gear made by me keep checking in with them. After the back orders are done I still DO NOT plan on getting back into retail armouring. That should save me about half the emails to my inbox a day. I may create an occasional piece for my family/close friends, but my focus will be on my wholesale clients.

Overall it’s a sucky situation, I know that. You folks want your armour and it’s taking me forever to do it. It’s not right but it’s not intentional either. Just poor decisions and some bad luck on my part. But how many armourers have fallen like this? Many. Most have disappeared entirely, leaving a lot of people hanging. I’m not disappearing. I’m still here, just transitioning the business to something more manageable (wholesale), trying to get caught up on your orders while at the same time trying to deal with some incredibly difficult issues in regular life.

Now I’m not going to say it’s going to be all fixed tomorrow, but it’s getting better day by day. Even with the news day before yesterday that we’ll be losing the house, while somewhat disappointing it’s also a relief to finally be done with it. Motivation and freedom can be found in the strangest places.

So give me till the weekend to clear my head and clear out the inbox so I can actually see new messages. Send me an email this weekend and let’s see if I can’t manage to get things back on the right track.

-Brand

[ETC]

Man, I wish you had the money to give refunds and be done with it all. That alone would reduce your stress a ton. It sounds like you have other worries as well but 30 peices to worry about all the time cannot be good for you. Good luck, I have seen your work, your truly a talented Armourer but putting on it the backburner would do you a great service.

Best of Luck

ETC

[Vitus von Atzinger]

Isn't such honesty refreshing?

[Atherbridge]

Honest, timely communication is worth many months' delay in delivery.

I wish Alchemy Armory would do that.

[Nissan Maxima]

Sorry to hear your bad news.
I want to mention that I gave a pair of your aluminum gauntlets to one of my guys as a prize and he was thrilled with them. If you make those as part of your wholesale biz I will buy more of them.

[Randwulfson]

Hey Brand,

I don't know if you will check this, but here goes. I am truly sorry that you and Nuala are losing your home. I wish it had worked out better for you and the family.

Go ahead and take your time on my order because I am laid up for at least 6 weeks after my surgery. I had my ankle rebuilt like your brother George did years ago. It's got to be better than it was before the surgery.

I would lik my gear before Sept Potrero war though so if we can shoot for a delivery date sometime before then that would be great.

Good luck and God bless.

[Hanlin]

Thanks so much for the update.

I am truly sorry to hear about the troubles, and wish you the best of health and quick and hopefully good resolution to the house thing...

I'm sure you'll find my email as you sort through.

Best of Luck to you!

Hanlin
who remains hopeful that he will be able to fight great weapon at Pennsic ...

[Irishbull44]

Isn't such honesty refreshing?

I was going to say something along those lines but Sir Vitus beat me to it.

Take care and be well,

Brogan.

[Daithi' ua Conri']

As one with a long outstanding order I must say thank you for the honesty and the update. Not to sound snarky but this is all I really needed. To know that you have not simply dropped off the face of the earth is extremly helpful and comforting both as a customer and as someone who feels strongly for you in your time of need. I will send you anouther e-mail towards the weekend to get it where you need to see it and hopefully things can be worked out. Best of luck and health to you and yours.

[maxntropy]

Brand:

The man with true courage is not the one who never falls, but the one who faces their fears, admits it openly and honestly, confronts it, does what it takes to right wrongs, and continues onward to face their other fears.

I am glad to see that the bravery and strength of spirit I've seen in you for the 18 or so years I've known you has grown to true courage in the face of adversity.

Few are the souls I've known who can honestly proclaim they have neither faced adversity nor depression, though many are those too weak to openly face these realities and deal with them as men.

I am glad to see you are amongst the former, my friend.

Best to all my friends in Caid, and just keep moving forward!

Max Von Halstern

[Al Arslan]

I have been in the SCA for some 17 years. Joined when I was 16 and fought light weapons which is now gone. When I turned 18 my first helmet and body armour for heavy was made by Brand and served me well for several years. Back then his helmets werent as flashy and his body armour consisted of mainly brigandine. But it was some of the best and sturdiest armour Ive had. If his wholesale armour is even half of what he was currently doing he will be doing us all a service. Keep your head up Brand Ill always remember you as a King of Caid!!!

[Duke Icefalcon]

We are going to try to keep you busy with wholesale orders, my friend. Sorry to hear about the house. Now let's work toward getting you and your family back on your feet.

Ice

[twoswords]

Sorry to hear about your personal situation, that does truly suck.

Also, thanks on the situation update, it is good to hear that you are still around. I can only wish you the absolute best!

[Joseph]

I really look forward to being able to pick up a pair of your gauntlets from Icefalcon. Best of Luck to you in the next few weeks.

[Armoured Air Bear]

while I do not have any armour from you, I would just like to take the time to say thank you. thank you for such honesty and willingness to do what it takes to get the job done.

may other armourers look up to you in your ways of honesty and motivation.

Aaron