pics - FC LEATHER seat covers for $350/pr - WOOHOO!!!!!!!
06-07-02, 08:39 AM
#76
I guess my question to all this interest is, why don't you go to MazdaSurplus, for instance on a group buy, and buy what he has in terms of the seat covers, both cloth and leather.
He used to be on ebay but gave it up, probably because the covers were selling too cheap. I got my gray convertible seatcovers, backs and bottoms from Mazdasurplus on ebay for about $65 each. Those are factory leather covers in factory Mazda bags. The new leather is incredible. And, if has the pinholes like they came from the factory!
I recently purchased a 90 GXL and had to get a new leather seat cover for the driver's side. I bought that for $120 and that's only the back. But, again, its a Mazda part, the leather is great and the guy comes through. On a group buy, you could split the $50 surcharge between a bunch of people. I actually want to get the rest of the leather interior.
As for the door panels, hell, I make the leather boots and ebrake boots though don't advertise here much anymore. The door panels are easy for me to do. I've already checked that out. I just don't know what interest is out there for leather door panels.
One more point, I think Mazdaformance, an advertiser here, also sells the seatskins.
Why go to a place that smells of fraud when you can get the factory part?
Ralf
He used to be on ebay but gave it up, probably because the covers were selling too cheap. I got my gray convertible seatcovers, backs and bottoms from Mazdasurplus on ebay for about $65 each. Those are factory leather covers in factory Mazda bags. The new leather is incredible. And, if has the pinholes like they came from the factory!
I recently purchased a 90 GXL and had to get a new leather seat cover for the driver's side. I bought that for $120 and that's only the back. But, again, its a Mazda part, the leather is great and the guy comes through. On a group buy, you could split the $50 surcharge between a bunch of people. I actually want to get the rest of the leather interior.
As for the door panels, hell, I make the leather boots and ebrake boots though don't advertise here much anymore. The door panels are easy for me to do. I've already checked that out. I just don't know what interest is out there for leather door panels.
One more point, I think Mazdaformance, an advertiser here, also sells the seatskins.
Why go to a place that smells of fraud when you can get the factory part?
Ralf
06-07-02, 11:05 AM
#77
knowledge junkie
Thread Starter
So how do we the $65/ea OEM seat covers again.
I check mazdasurplus and they don't have jack or it cost $150 for 1 of the needed 3 panels per seat.
I check mazdasurplus and they don't have jack or it cost $150 for 1 of the needed 3 panels per seat.
06-07-02, 12:00 PM
#78
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: fla
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
droptop,
beleive me i checked everywhere i possibly could find and never found any price close to what you got yours for. i even tried to find used. after all my research, osa was a business that i went to that had the lowest price and a good product. this is the important part for you to understand... when i first found osa, i found a place of business. where im originally from if you have a place of business, you are reputable, no worries. i only found the smell of fraud after i came to this website to try to help others with what i thought, and may end up still thinking is a good product that not many know about. if i would have known about the stories before i purchased.....id be posting to you about how much i like my wet okole seat covers!!
as for group buys, ive never seen any actually get done. has anyone actually gotten all the people required on the same page? then got them all to pay up?
my update.....waiting for ups to arrive.ups tracking status is.....in transit
thx
bauer
beleive me i checked everywhere i possibly could find and never found any price close to what you got yours for. i even tried to find used. after all my research, osa was a business that i went to that had the lowest price and a good product. this is the important part for you to understand... when i first found osa, i found a place of business. where im originally from if you have a place of business, you are reputable, no worries. i only found the smell of fraud after i came to this website to try to help others with what i thought, and may end up still thinking is a good product that not many know about. if i would have known about the stories before i purchased.....id be posting to you about how much i like my wet okole seat covers!!
as for group buys, ive never seen any actually get done. has anyone actually gotten all the people required on the same page? then got them all to pay up?
my update.....waiting for ups to arrive.ups tracking status is.....in transit
thx
bauer
06-07-02, 12:04 PM
#79
Note how I said I got mine on Ebay for $65. Please note that I also said I thought he gave it up on Ebay since I think he was losing money (there also wasn't that much interest). I don't know that for sure though. I haven't seen him on Ebay in a while.
As for the prices presently on Mazdasurplus, yes, he has those pieces for $145 or $150 for one. I also think that the backrests are interchangeable or can be made to work with slight modification. (I think he only has right seat bottoms/backrests in stock. Wouldn't a right work on the left but for the some modification? Its a piece of vinyl on the seat side!)
Take into account though that the material as well as shipping is a known quantity. You get the factory leather quality and you get them delivered.
As for the other vendor mentioned, I've heard rumors about him as well.
So you might say you'll file your internet fraud assertion with that FBI site everyone throws around if you don't get your product or get a defective product. Well, it still takes a US Attorney to take cognizance of the case and then it has to be charged and taken to Federal Court. Guess who the fines go to, and its not the duped customers. That is, if the US Attorney will take on the case in lieu of something more sexy or glamorous.
You still have to sue on your own behalf to recover any monies, from the now poorer, sued party.
I guess you could also go the chargeback route with the credit card, but after all is said and done and the vendor disputes your assertions, the credit card company will dump the matter back into your lap as opposed to taking on a matter that is not profitable to them.
All that to say, I'd rather pay a little more and be assured of the quality and the delivery. No such thing as a free lunch!
After some of the fiasco's detailed here, I've become very wary! It could turn out alright, but then again...
Ralf
As for the prices presently on Mazdasurplus, yes, he has those pieces for $145 or $150 for one. I also think that the backrests are interchangeable or can be made to work with slight modification. (I think he only has right seat bottoms/backrests in stock. Wouldn't a right work on the left but for the some modification? Its a piece of vinyl on the seat side!)
Take into account though that the material as well as shipping is a known quantity. You get the factory leather quality and you get them delivered.
As for the other vendor mentioned, I've heard rumors about him as well.
So you might say you'll file your internet fraud assertion with that FBI site everyone throws around if you don't get your product or get a defective product. Well, it still takes a US Attorney to take cognizance of the case and then it has to be charged and taken to Federal Court. Guess who the fines go to, and its not the duped customers. That is, if the US Attorney will take on the case in lieu of something more sexy or glamorous.
You still have to sue on your own behalf to recover any monies, from the now poorer, sued party.
I guess you could also go the chargeback route with the credit card, but after all is said and done and the vendor disputes your assertions, the credit card company will dump the matter back into your lap as opposed to taking on a matter that is not profitable to them.
All that to say, I'd rather pay a little more and be assured of the quality and the delivery. No such thing as a free lunch!
After some of the fiasco's detailed here, I've become very wary! It could turn out alright, but then again...
Ralf
06-07-02, 12:10 PM
#80
Three of us over the internet, mind you, just did the group buy. Take into account that I knew one guy from a club meeting in a neighboring state, but he sent me my share earlier this week.
The quality and price ($20 for the headrest speaker amp, $30 for an entire key set and locks for my GXL, $120 for the leather seat back) was well worth it.
We had a successful and very economical experience! I need to get the rest of those seatskins, so I'm wanting to do another buy! But we all paid on time! I hear what is being said on those group buys.
As for the vendor, OSA, only experience will tell and you Bauer, will be the acid test. Good luck!
Ralf
The quality and price ($20 for the headrest speaker amp, $30 for an entire key set and locks for my GXL, $120 for the leather seat back) was well worth it.
We had a successful and very economical experience! I need to get the rest of those seatskins, so I'm wanting to do another buy! But we all paid on time! I hear what is being said on those group buys.
As for the vendor, OSA, only experience will tell and you Bauer, will be the acid test. Good luck!
Ralf
06-07-02, 05:21 PM
#81
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: fla
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ok another update for you. after wasting my whole day as to not miss the delivery i watched them go by. seems ups tried to deliver to my neighbor whos not home instead of delivering to me. im extremely happy about this..not. anyways ups is calling me back from the local hub and hopefully ill pick it up from them. if not itll wait until monday. argghh
bauer
bauer
06-07-02, 08:50 PM
#82
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: fla
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
here i am again with another update.....drumroll please. go ahead and do the drumroll it adds to the overall effect, go on noones watching......THE EAGLE HAS LANDED...I REPEAT THE EAGLE HAS LANDED we are a go with operation "replace the skins"......my smile is bigger than you know!! i want to thank judy at the local ups hub for letting me pick it up. i gave osa the wrong condo number so when i heard a far away knock at the neighbors door i sat patiently at my computer oh well all is good now. i did spend the last hour at lowes and home depot looking for the elusive hog rings and hog ring tool. i called osa and he is ganna ship me the tool and rings. i wont have time to install until monday so im gonna look for the rings and tool til then. any ideas?
now for the important stuff. the lines and stitching and overall workmanship is excellent. the quality of leather and vinyl is great. it has a more elegant look, very thick and very suptle, lots of padding for soft feel when installed. the facts:
no perforations anywhere, none whatsoever. not even on headrest, i was a little disapointed in that, but i slipped em on the headrests and gave it a listen. the muffling actually helps the speakers not sound so shitty but only about 75% as loud, not too bad, if i cant find a quality way to perf them i will be able to live with it. all of the lines seem to match up very well. one bonus is that each back has a pocket unlike the factory only having one on passenger side. the texture of the seats is a little more high class than the flat oem texture, but again, all the lines and stitching is high quality and in the right places, nothing other than perforations left out. i guess it all rests on me and how good i install them now. anyone out there with tips or advice on the best way to do this i would love your input. the color is extremely consistant...there seems to be a hard plastic on the ends of the covers where the fastening will take place to hold everything in good fashion. the zippers for the headrest covers are sewn in real good and easily zipped so all in all everything seems to be real good for the upcoming install. i dont know how well a two tone cover will look with this setup i guess it depends on how tight the installation is. i only assume i will be doing some stretching for everything, so its hard to say with the raw product just sitting in front of me and i only went with all black. the leather/suede option might be an ok idea but im not realy the one to say!!
so overall im extremely satisfied so far. well see how good i am at putting them in now. i beleive this is the most important and time consuming part of it , to have patience and take it slow, inch by inch.
everyone make your own judgement obviously but for the most part they do exist and are great quality. theres my input so far ill keep up to date as i finish and try to get a buddies digi cam to document the installation..dont know what else to say, i welcome questions if i didnt cover (no pun intended) any aspect of this. so please ask.
bauer
now for the important stuff. the lines and stitching and overall workmanship is excellent. the quality of leather and vinyl is great. it has a more elegant look, very thick and very suptle, lots of padding for soft feel when installed. the facts:
no perforations anywhere, none whatsoever. not even on headrest, i was a little disapointed in that, but i slipped em on the headrests and gave it a listen. the muffling actually helps the speakers not sound so shitty but only about 75% as loud, not too bad, if i cant find a quality way to perf them i will be able to live with it. all of the lines seem to match up very well. one bonus is that each back has a pocket unlike the factory only having one on passenger side. the texture of the seats is a little more high class than the flat oem texture, but again, all the lines and stitching is high quality and in the right places, nothing other than perforations left out. i guess it all rests on me and how good i install them now. anyone out there with tips or advice on the best way to do this i would love your input. the color is extremely consistant...there seems to be a hard plastic on the ends of the covers where the fastening will take place to hold everything in good fashion. the zippers for the headrest covers are sewn in real good and easily zipped so all in all everything seems to be real good for the upcoming install. i dont know how well a two tone cover will look with this setup i guess it depends on how tight the installation is. i only assume i will be doing some stretching for everything, so its hard to say with the raw product just sitting in front of me and i only went with all black. the leather/suede option might be an ok idea but im not realy the one to say!!
so overall im extremely satisfied so far. well see how good i am at putting them in now. i beleive this is the most important and time consuming part of it , to have patience and take it slow, inch by inch.
everyone make your own judgement obviously but for the most part they do exist and are great quality. theres my input so far ill keep up to date as i finish and try to get a buddies digi cam to document the installation..dont know what else to say, i welcome questions if i didnt cover (no pun intended) any aspect of this. so please ask.
bauer
06-07-02, 10:57 PM
#83
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: LongIsland NY
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"i wont have time to install until monday so im gonna look for the rings and tool til then. any ideas?"
Open the phone book, call any upholstery shop they should have them. Putting them on is not so fun but you'll feel good when your done. You really have to pull some parts to get the rods in the seat to meet the rods in the cover. You will see what I mean when you start doing it.
Open the phone book, call any upholstery shop they should have them. Putting them on is not so fun but you'll feel good when your done. You really have to pull some parts to get the rods in the seat to meet the rods in the cover. You will see what I mean when you start doing it.
06-08-02, 01:56 AM
#84
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: fla
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ram man thx for info i knew thered be some unexpected trix. as many people emailed me and posted to the 2 threads im surprised theres no interest here now. i posted the thank god theyre here thread up two, and said all stitching looked good. well i found an old camera with 4 pics left and decided to take 2 pics with the raw seat covers and 2 pics with the important spots stuffed full of towels, side lumbar supports and butt part leg supports. well.....after filling the driver side, right side lumbar support i noticed the stitch guy must have fallen asleep at the wheel for a second cuz it fluctuates about an 8th of an inch maybe a tad more. but, it is noticeable when that area is stuffed full. i doubt that talking to osa will resolve this. i beleive it is only one thing to be said about it ....this is the kind of attention to detail you get when you try to save 400 bucks. if you buy the factory covers from mazda surplus or whatever its about 150 per piece for 4 main pieces, plus 140 for both headrest covers (all mazda oem parts, with no flaws)
isee 3 options:
1. 350 here with some flaws (maybe it gets better when installed but i doubt it)
2. 740 for all skins factory produced no flaws
3. like 675 or something per full seat, all pads and speakers included. brackets, everything right from factory. dont forget to times that by two. rx7 is a 2 seater
my suggestion to all is to not go to the osa covers unless you are willing to get a product that is much much cheaper priced, and about 90% the quality of the oem. im hoping the overall look and feel of the custom install will over ride the disappointment i have in the minor flaw i have found. (anythings better than my shitty torn 12 year old oems right now)
i will get pics from the disposable cam in the next few days. i will scan them and post them here, then i will see if anyone can see the spot im talking about on the pics. i will later install them and see if it doesnt get better.
bauer
isee 3 options:
1. 350 here with some flaws (maybe it gets better when installed but i doubt it)
2. 740 for all skins factory produced no flaws
3. like 675 or something per full seat, all pads and speakers included. brackets, everything right from factory. dont forget to times that by two. rx7 is a 2 seater
my suggestion to all is to not go to the osa covers unless you are willing to get a product that is much much cheaper priced, and about 90% the quality of the oem. im hoping the overall look and feel of the custom install will over ride the disappointment i have in the minor flaw i have found. (anythings better than my shitty torn 12 year old oems right now)
i will get pics from the disposable cam in the next few days. i will scan them and post them here, then i will see if anyone can see the spot im talking about on the pics. i will later install them and see if it doesnt get better.
bauer
06-08-02, 02:34 AM
#85
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: fla
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
overall point of last post is to let any potential buyers who want to buy before i finish install know that i am warning you not to do it yet until im totally done and satisfied cuz im not 100% sure yet!!!!! unless you are willing to take the chance of receiving a not so perfect item at a much cheaper price. it is kinda like putting it on a scale for me. i think it will weigh out close to even ( money spent vs money to get perfect product)
hope this helps
bauer
hope this helps
bauer
06-10-02, 05:19 AM
#87
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: fla
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
gonna post to keep thread alive. i work in the morning and then will begin install on seats. its my first time with any upholstery work. i used to lay carpet and am assuming the same principles are in order. attach to a side then stretch other side , up down right left etc. i think to do passenger side first to learn a little about the idea of it the hte important passenger side install next
ive seen some hondas with nice seats and i realize that the better the seats look, the more horsepoewer ill get. i may put some stickers on the seats after im done to even get maybe 20 more horsepower to the rear wheels. whats a better sticker? msd? moroso? i want my overweight vert to fly after this mod, but of coarse i still want it to look nice and rice. illl try to find a few neuspeed bolts to put on the seats after i reinstall them to get that extra horsepower itll take to beat a 1979 mustang....stock of coarse
just havin a little fun. hehe
bauer
ive seen some hondas with nice seats and i realize that the better the seats look, the more horsepoewer ill get. i may put some stickers on the seats after im done to even get maybe 20 more horsepower to the rear wheels. whats a better sticker? msd? moroso? i want my overweight vert to fly after this mod, but of coarse i still want it to look nice and rice. illl try to find a few neuspeed bolts to put on the seats after i reinstall them to get that extra horsepower itll take to beat a 1979 mustang....stock of coarse
just havin a little fun. hehe
bauer
06-10-02, 10:04 AM
#88
Looking forward to your install as I haven't ventured there yet.
I think, now that you received them, that it could put a few of the issues previously mentioned to rest.
I think its an honest appraisal that you are going to pay more for the factory Mazda stuff. In contrast, here you are getting a product, albeit long delivery time, that may not be perfect, but the buyer is saving some money.
That is not alltogether a distinction that can be easily overlooked.
Keep up the good work and post when you have time!
Ralf
I think, now that you received them, that it could put a few of the issues previously mentioned to rest.
I think its an honest appraisal that you are going to pay more for the factory Mazda stuff. In contrast, here you are getting a product, albeit long delivery time, that may not be perfect, but the buyer is saving some money.
That is not alltogether a distinction that can be easily overlooked.
Keep up the good work and post when you have time!
Ralf
06-13-02, 07:34 AM
#89
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: fla
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ok new update.....i finished installing the driver seat and everything turned out great...yippeeee. it took me about 6 hours for the one seat but ill be able to do other much quicker now that i know whats going on. i had to refurbish the leg support and it works excellent i will post a how to if someone needs me too its pretty easy fix.
my thoughts:
1. it is a pretty simple procedure but very labor intensive, lots of tugging. the quality is really good the covers dont look like lazy slip on covers they are the real thing no doubt about it. they go on extremely tight. the best comparison i can give to the texture is that of a high quality leather jacket. the color is not jet black like the dash and plastic, but it is dark black and matches well. i am pleasantly surprised at how it turned out. soft and suptle real cushy for my butt. lol
as for osa and purchasing this particular item, overall i give it an A-, the bad being a couple minor crooked stitch spots and no perforations for headrest speakers. osa was extremely helpful and instructive to me, even offered to have me drive down for additional assistance. i was pleasantly surprised about this as well. im wishing i spent the extra money for the custom embroidery. it wouldve looked sweet. overall i would do it again for the money, if i had payed 1000.00bucks id be upset though, again its not 100% perfect ya know.
ill try to get some pics soon, but if someone wants to check em out we can get together and you can take a look. any other questions ill happily answer so ask away.
so happy theyre not crappy,
bauer
my thoughts:
1. it is a pretty simple procedure but very labor intensive, lots of tugging. the quality is really good the covers dont look like lazy slip on covers they are the real thing no doubt about it. they go on extremely tight. the best comparison i can give to the texture is that of a high quality leather jacket. the color is not jet black like the dash and plastic, but it is dark black and matches well. i am pleasantly surprised at how it turned out. soft and suptle real cushy for my butt. lol
as for osa and purchasing this particular item, overall i give it an A-, the bad being a couple minor crooked stitch spots and no perforations for headrest speakers. osa was extremely helpful and instructive to me, even offered to have me drive down for additional assistance. i was pleasantly surprised about this as well. im wishing i spent the extra money for the custom embroidery. it wouldve looked sweet. overall i would do it again for the money, if i had payed 1000.00bucks id be upset though, again its not 100% perfect ya know.
ill try to get some pics soon, but if someone wants to check em out we can get together and you can take a look. any other questions ill happily answer so ask away.
so happy theyre not crappy,
bauer
06-13-02, 09:50 AM
#90
knowledge junkie
Thread Starter
Pictures definitly.
BTW - did you get the 2 tone seat covers? That's my plan for the convertible.
Good to know they didn't have perforation for the headrest speakers. I'll have to ask about that.
-- vaughnc
BTW - did you get the 2 tone seat covers? That's my plan for the convertible.
Good to know they didn't have perforation for the headrest speakers. I'll have to ask about that.
-- vaughnc
06-14-02, 10:23 PM
#91
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: fla
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ok another update..bad news is no pics yet.
good news is i did my passenger seat. let me tell you...im not gonna go out and open up my own upholstery shop yet or anything but, a little experience helps a whole LOT. this seat went on so quick and 100 times better looking than the first. i will definitely be taking the driver seat out AGAIN and redoing the whole seat. the difference is like night and day. i thought the driver seat looked semi good and felt ok but the passenger seat.... like comparing apples to oranges.
there are a few tricks to this that i am finding out by trial and error ya know. for example the butt part on both seats, not including the leg supports, the leather is about 3/4 of an inch shorter in width than the oem. i am trying two things if i cant get it good without modification:
1. i kept the factory skins and may make a mold of some kind so i can heat up the new leather and stretch it to be exact. i guess ill fill the old skins with something thats strong and dries hard and fast
2. or i may shave down the factory foam on the sides to match.
each has its positives and negatives, but i want my **** to be nice nice nice.
bauer
good news is i did my passenger seat. let me tell you...im not gonna go out and open up my own upholstery shop yet or anything but, a little experience helps a whole LOT. this seat went on so quick and 100 times better looking than the first. i will definitely be taking the driver seat out AGAIN and redoing the whole seat. the difference is like night and day. i thought the driver seat looked semi good and felt ok but the passenger seat.... like comparing apples to oranges.
there are a few tricks to this that i am finding out by trial and error ya know. for example the butt part on both seats, not including the leg supports, the leather is about 3/4 of an inch shorter in width than the oem. i am trying two things if i cant get it good without modification:
1. i kept the factory skins and may make a mold of some kind so i can heat up the new leather and stretch it to be exact. i guess ill fill the old skins with something thats strong and dries hard and fast
2. or i may shave down the factory foam on the sides to match.
each has its positives and negatives, but i want my **** to be nice nice nice.
bauer
06-22-02, 08:22 PM
#94
Laying Down Rotary Law
Pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
dammit lol
buy a jam cam at circuit city $50
I bought a 88 TII couple of weeks ago
with really really torn up leather seats
if it looks 90% as good as OEM new looking ones I'll drive down to miami and pick up a set
dammit lol
buy a jam cam at circuit city $50
I bought a 88 TII couple of weeks ago
with really really torn up leather seats
if it looks 90% as good as OEM new looking ones I'll drive down to miami and pick up a set
06-24-02, 11:40 PM
#97
Banned
Those looks awsome from what I can see. Does anyone have any pics. I know that GZ91RX7 will probably be interested. PM him with details. As for me, I'm not really in the market anymore. I took care of mine a while ago.
06-25-02, 03:01 AM
#98
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: fla
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
hey
well i kinda thought everyone lost interest so i put taking pics on the back burner. not to mention all this f-n rain weve been getting is really bumming me out. im about to rebuild my driver side window regulator (it broke today)as well but i will try to get pthe pics back in priority.
bauer
well i kinda thought everyone lost interest so i put taking pics on the back burner. not to mention all this f-n rain weve been getting is really bumming me out. im about to rebuild my driver side window regulator (it broke today)as well but i will try to get pthe pics back in priority.
bauer
