Whatever you do, Do Not Order from N.J. Sekela!

[Elias Peck]

I just wanted to post a reminder for anyone that is looking for reenacting gear to avoid N.J.Sekela AT ALL COSTS!!!

On November 7, 2019, I ordered a Type II Federal Forage Cap from NJ Sekela, costing $99.99 (not including shipping). Despite being charged immediately, I received no word on the order for almost a year and a half until I asked for an update on April 22, 2021. I received no response to my email.

On January 15, 2022, I sent an email asking for my order to be canceled. I received a reply from a woman named Lisa, stating "Why don't you hang tight...we are working on ones, with a new tannery. The leather is due any day now. It has been a nightmare on both sides, with shut downs and delays. We are excited to have these pieces coming together. I can guarantee that you will be very happy with it."

I replied: "Thank you for the response. My address has charged since I made the order in 2019, and it will change again in April of this year. My current address is:_______ Please update this address for my order. If I do not receive the item by April, I will need to cancel my order, since I do not know what my next address will be." Again, I received no response.

On April 6, 2022, I sent an email stating: "Hello, I would like to cancel this order, since it has been two and a half years since I ordered it, and my address has changed. Thank you!"

Lisa responded: "No, this is almost completed and due to ship on Saturday."

I responded: "Please update my delivery address, as it has changed since I made the order more than two years ago. It is now: If the order does not ship on Saturday, I want to cancel the order." Once again, Lisa did not respond.

On April 9, 2022, I said: "Did the hat ship? If the answer is "No", then I would like to cancel the order and get a refund, please. Thank you." No response.

On April 11, 2022, I said: "Please cancel this order and refund me. Thank you."

On April 12, 2022, I said: "Please cancel this order and refund me."

On April 13, 2022, I said: "Please cancel this order and refund me."

On April 14, 2022, Lisa said: "I have to let Nick answer this directly. I can't make this decision. He will contact you later today. For what it is worth, paypal changed to a new shipping program called "Shipstation" which has no appreciable improvement on what they had before. It costs MORE than the previous one, and, after trying to get this to work for several days, discovered that it is NOT compatible with our computers. We only have one Windows 7 machine, which means that we have to create the labels at home and print them out at the shop. Ebay labels work fine, without any issue whatsoever. I will let Nick get back to you on the other issue, but I wanted to appraise you of what is going on."

Despite Lisa telling me that Nick would contact me THAT DAY, I never heard from him.

On June 29, 2022, I said: "I'm once again asking you to cancel my order. Please cancel my order and refund my money immediately. I feel that there has been plenty of time for you to do so."

On July 1, 2022, I said: "Please cancel my order and refund my money immediately."

On August 18, 2023, (yes, over a year since my last email) I said "Am I ever actually going to receive a refund? Its been almost four years since I payed for the hat."

On August 19, 2023, I was FINALLY refunded for the hat.

 

[captaindrew]

That's a shame, not the only horror story I've heard about him unfortunately. If you'd still like a top notch forage cap contact Greg Starbuck at Kepi Nation on Facebook. I've bought a few caps from him and he's the best in the business in my opinion for what that's worth for both quality and customer service.

 

[Jamieva]

Windows 7? That was 15 years ago!!!!

I would leave them a google review.

 

[Elias Peck]

That's a shame, not the only horror story I've heard about him unfortunately. If you'd still like a top notch forage cap contact Greg Starbuck at Kepi Nation on Facebook. I've bought a few caps from him and he's the best in the business in my opinion for what that's worth for both quality and customer service.

Thanks for the recommendation! I will check them out.

 

[Elias Peck]

Windows 7? That was 15 years ago!!!!

I would leave them a google review.

Yes, that was surprising to me, too.

 

[JackADriscoll]

Better business bureau can also be a friend

 

[Doc_Ralph]

I just wanted to post a reminder for anyone that is looking for reenacting gear to avoid N.J.Sekela AT ALL COSTS!!!

On November 7, 2019, I ordered a Type II Federal Forage Cap from NJ Sekela, costing $99.99 (not including shipping). Despite being charged immediately, I received no word on the order for almost a year and a half until I asked for an update on April 22, 2021. I received no response to my email.

On January 15, 2022, I sent an email asking for my order to be canceled. I received a reply from a woman named Lisa, stating "Why don't you hang tight...we are working on ones, with a new tannery. The leather is due any day now. It has been a nightmare on both sides, with shut downs and delays. We are excited to have these pieces coming together. I can guarantee that you will be very happy with it."

I replied: "Thank you for the response. My address has charged since I made the order in 2019, and it will change again in April of this year. My current address is:_______ Please update this address for my order. If I do not receive the item by April, I will need to cancel my order, since I do not know what my next address will be." Again, I received no response.

On April 6, 2022, I sent an email stating: "Hello, I would like to cancel this order, since it has been two and a half years since I ordered it, and my address has changed. Thank you!"

Lisa responded: "No, this is almost completed and due to ship on Saturday."

I responded: "Please update my delivery address, as it has changed since I made the order more than two years ago. It is now: If the order does not ship on Saturday, I want to cancel the order." Once again, Lisa did not respond.

On April 9, 2022, I said: "Did the hat ship? If the answer is "No", then I would like to cancel the order and get a refund, please. Thank you." No response.

On April 11, 2022, I said: "Please cancel this order and refund me. Thank you."

On April 12, 2022, I said: "Please cancel this order and refund me."

On April 13, 2022, I said: "Please cancel this order and refund me."

On April 14, 2022, Lisa said: "I have to let Nick answer this directly. I can't make this decision. He will contact you later today. For what it is worth, paypal changed to a new shipping program called "Shipstation" which has no appreciable improvement on what they had before. It costs MORE than the previous one, and, after trying to get this to work for several days, discovered that it is NOT compatible with our computers. We only have one Windows 7 machine, which means that we have to create the labels at home and print them out at the shop. Ebay labels work fine, without any issue whatsoever. I will let Nick get back to you on the other issue, but I wanted to appraise you of what is going on."

Despite Lisa telling me that Nick would contact me THAT DAY, I never heard from him.

On June 29, 2022, I said: "I'm once again asking you to cancel my order. Please cancel my order and refund my money immediately. I feel that there has been plenty of time for you to do so."

On July 1, 2022, I said: "Please cancel my order and refund my money immediately."

On August 18, 2023, (yes, over a year since my last email) I said "Am I ever actually going to receive a refund? Its been almost four years since I payed for the hat."

On August 19, 2023, I was FINALLY refunded for the hat.

Thanks … I will add them to my boycott list. My beef is with a CW eye wear company is "too bad …so sad… if a customer makes a mistake it's fatal." At least I now I have eye wear for a while.

 

[SethJ]

This was something that I unfortunately needed to see. Not that I intended to buy from them, but one of the reenactment companies I know still recommended NJ Sekela. This should be what I need for them to remove it from recommend sutlers.

Sorry you had to endure that, but I suppose you eventually got the money back, and that's mostly what matters.

 

[captaindrew]

This was something that I unfortunately needed to see. Not that I intended to buy from them, but one of the reenactment companies I know still recommended NJ Sekela. This should be what I need for them to remove it from recommend sutlers.

Sorry you had to endure that, but I suppose you eventually got the money back, and that's mostly what matters.

The guy has been around a long time and makes a good product IF or WHEN you ever get it. That's been the problem, his costumer service has a lot to be desired. If you ever come across any used stuff made by him I wouldn't hesitate though.

 

[44thGa]

The Depot is carrying a lot of his stuff now. You can get the same items without the wait.

 

[Jack7171]

I got burned for over a year by him for a pair of brogans,,,I went to his shop, he measured my feets, traced them out, was all smiles and hand shakes, made me pay 100% upfront, but he came highly recommended so I didn't bat an eye,. He promised the shoes in 4 weeks since business was super slow, after 11 months of no replies,,"Lisa" FINALLY sent me a very nasty, mouthy email about my bring impatient and if I wanted garbage to buy from China, but if I wanted custom shoes, I needed to be a bit more patient as they were dealing with a new supplier. A month or so later, shoes show up, in a size 10 box, made in China, the tag inside the shoes was size 10, yet I am a 13,, he swore they were custom made by him but he used an old box he had. They weren't even close,,,, I told him I was on my way and he better be at his shop when I kick the door in. He agreed to a refund but only after he got the shoes back via shipping. 4 months or so later I got my refund. The entire nightmare lasted close to 2 years.

 

[Chalmers' Division]

Sorry to hear of this. Will certainly be mindful.

 

[OhioBlue16]

I would avoid him, and honestly the depot as well. There are plenty of others out there that don't treat people the way NJ Sekela does. Honest Sutler, W&W, South Union Mills all will make a better piece and not string you along for years.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

I would avoid him, and honestly the depot as well. There are plenty of others out there that don't treat people the way NJ Sekela does. Honest Sutler, W&W, South Union Mills all will make a better piece and not string you along for years.

I ordered a canteen from The Depot and it came quickly and seems to be a good product(I haven't had a chance to use it yet). I understand Sekela but why avoid The Depot?

 

[SethJ]

I would avoid him, and honestly the depot as well. There are plenty of others out there that don't treat people the way NJ Sekela does. Honest Sutler, W&W, South Union Mills all will make a better piece and not string you along for years.

I've ordered my trousers from the depot... and plan to continue ordering from them. Could you perhaps expound on your problems with the Depot so we can understand what you mean.

 

[7thWisconsin]

That´s a shame. Nick has been a major player in historic reproductions for over 20 years. It´s sad to hear that things are not well with him, and that it´s impacted his product.

 

[OhioBlue16]

I ordered a canteen from The Depot and it came quickly and seems to be a good product(I haven't had a chance to use it yet). I understand Sekela but why avoid The Depot?

I've ordered my trousers from the depot... and plan to continue ordering from them. Could you perhaps expound on your problems with the Depot so we can understand what you mean.

Ill expand on that in saying don't buy Sekela items from the depot. I said avoid the Depot as really the majority of their line is just Sekela products. That and almost everything they offer can be gotten slightly cheaper directly from their makers. Yes it is in stock now, which is nice. But I can just order directly from someone like C.A. Davisson for leathers

 

[Cornpone and Molasses]

I just wanted to post a reminder for anyone that is looking for reenacting gear to avoid N.J.Sekela AT ALL COSTS!!!

On November 7, 2019, I ordered a Type II Federal Forage Cap from NJ Sekela, costing $99.99 (not including shipping). Despite being charged immediately, I received no word on the order for almost a year and a half until I asked for an update on April 22, 2021. I received no response to my email.

On January 15, 2022, I sent an email asking for my order to be canceled. I received a reply from a woman named Lisa, stating "Why don't you hang tight...we are working on ones, with a new tannery. The leather is due any day now. It has been a nightmare on both sides, with shut downs and delays. We are excited to have these pieces coming together. I can guarantee that you will be very happy with it."

I replied: "Thank you for the response. My address has charged since I made the order in 2019, and it will change again in April of this year. My current address is:_______ Please update this address for my order. If I do not receive the item by April, I will need to cancel my order, since I do not know what my next address will be." Again, I received no response.

On April 6, 2022, I sent an email stating: "Hello, I would like to cancel this order, since it has been two and a half years since I ordered it, and my address has changed. Thank you!"

Lisa responded: "No, this is almost completed and due to ship on Saturday."

I responded: "Please update my delivery address, as it has changed since I made the order more than two years ago. It is now: If the order does not ship on Saturday, I want to cancel the order." Once again, Lisa did not respond.

On April 9, 2022, I said: "Did the hat ship? If the answer is "No", then I would like to cancel the order and get a refund, please. Thank you." No response.

On April 11, 2022, I said: "Please cancel this order and refund me. Thank you."

On April 12, 2022, I said: "Please cancel this order and refund me."

On April 13, 2022, I said: "Please cancel this order and refund me."

On April 14, 2022, Lisa said: "I have to let Nick answer this directly. I can't make this decision. He will contact you later today. For what it is worth, paypal changed to a new shipping program called "Shipstation" which has no appreciable improvement on what they had before. It costs MORE than the previous one, and, after trying to get this to work for several days, discovered that it is NOT compatible with our computers. We only have one Windows 7 machine, which means that we have to create the labels at home and print them out at the shop. Ebay labels work fine, without any issue whatsoever. I will let Nick get back to you on the other issue, but I wanted to appraise you of what is going on."

Despite Lisa telling me that Nick would contact me THAT DAY, I never heard from him.

On June 29, 2022, I said: "I'm once again asking you to cancel my order. Please cancel my order and refund my money immediately. I feel that there has been plenty of time for you to do so."

On July 1, 2022, I said: "Please cancel my order and refund my money immediately."

On August 18, 2023, (yes, over a year since my last email) I said "Am I ever actually going to receive a refund? Its been almost four years since I payed for the hat."

On August 19, 2023, I was FINALLY refunded for the hat.

What a horrible experience. You had a lot more patience than I would've had. Have you looked into Dirty Billy's in Gettysburg on Baltimore Ave?

 

[johan_steele]

My own experience was quite positive though almost 20 years ago. He's always had issues with getting product out the door in a timely manner but I've never known of issues with the quality or authenticity.

Unfortunately, for quality and authenticity one pays a premium in price and time.

 

[Jack7171]

My own experience was quite positive though almost 20 years ago. He's always had issues with getting product out the door in a timely manner but I've never known of issues with the quality or authenticity.

Unfortunately, for quality and authenticity one pays a premium in price and time.

I heard exactly the same thing prior to ordering from him,,that his stuff was high quality, well made, attention to detail,,but slow. Slow I can deal with,,I understand materials can be hard to get. When I initially ordered,, HE gave me a specific time to meet him at his shop,,because he was so slow, he was not open with any set hours, and only went to the shop when something needed to be made or by appointment. I was at his shop 5 minutes prior, he never showed. 30 minutes later, I finally asked the used car guy in the shared parking lot, if he had been there. The guy kinda rolled his eyes. I finally got a hold of Nick, and he barked that he had just put a can of soup on the stove, and I was going to hafta wait till after he eats. Meanwhile a baby was screaming in the background, I could barely hear Nick. I agreed to wait,,then a woman called me back and asked me if I made it a habit of calling shop owners on Sundays. I explained that HE gave me the time,,it wasn't MY idea to go on Sunday, NICK set the appointment. After Nick arrived almost an hour later, he apologized saying they had a new baby at home and things were hectic. He seemed kinda old for that, but I didn't question him. Inside his shop, it stunk so bad I was gagging. He had a dog cooped up inside who shat everywhere, and there was dog hair on every piece of fabric in the shop. It was an absolute disaster,,**** everywhere, uniform pieces on the floor, mostly empty shelves,,and he ripped open a used bag, had me stand on it in my socks, then traced my feet, on this used McDonald's or KFC bag. My family said it was definitely a hidden camera gag skit that was going to be on the internet because no business operates this way. We all laughed at home because we could still smell his shop in our clothes. We didn't laugh for long though.