World Upholstery Discount? Alternative Leather Supplier? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ssk831 · #1 01-08-2015, 05:35 PM

I'm about to order a new 268 Red Leather interior for my '73 Coupe. I had a supplier offer a discount for GAHH, but when I got the color sample, it was the wrong red. A more pink/lipstick 269 Red Pebble with a larger grain than 268.

Turns out World Upholstery can make the correct red. Was quoted $1875.00 for front seats, headrests, back panels, and armrest in leather. $1710.00 for the rear seat. After labor, it would be a $4000.00+ interior redo. Wondering if there is a known discount rate through them or anything like that.

If anyone knows of a different supplier that could make 268 Red at a competitive price, please let me know!

n10 · #2 01-08-2015, 05:45 PM

Dang that a lot of $$$

The only advice I have is be careful if you think of GAT. https://www.germanautotops.com/

The guy is really nice but his cuts are usually off by almost an inch. I got a carpet kit from him and had to send a few pieces back due to sections either being too long or too short. He fixed them but it was still a pain

ssk831 · #3 01-08-2015, 05:51 PM

I literally just got off the phone with Jon, owner of GAT.

His price is very competitive. Closer to $1500 for all the materials. Claims his sourcing and work is similar to World Upholstery. I'm moving back to Orange County next month, going to visit his shop to check out material and see if their 2050 Red is a close enough match. Still very open to other options.

n10 · #4 01-08-2015, 06:09 PM

After everything was said and done, the carpet I got looks pretty nice and does the trick for me. I don't know about his leather work...(that sounds funny)

I would give him another shot due to price and nice guy'ness if I needed. If you were to actually be there and close to him it may make a smoother transition. I had to send a bunch of pics his way and mark up the backs of the carpet pieces of where it didn't line up to fix.

Graham · #5 01-08-2015, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssk831

I literally just got off the phone with Jon, owner of GAT.

His price is very competitive. Closer to $1500 for all the materials. Claims his sourcing and work is similar to World Upholstery. I'm moving back to Orange County next month, going to visit his shop to check out material and see if their 2050 Red is a close enough match. Still very open to other options.

I had very bad experience with that guy. Carpets were a disaster. Wanted me to ship bad ones back (from Canada!). I had to have them recut and re-edged myself. No compensation. He also goes by Quality Tops and Interiors or something like that on eBay.

World Upholstery has been around for ever and is an honest supplier. There are a few others too. Why deal with the sleazy outfits just to save a few $$. OK, I know, I did. But learned the hard way.

vandor · #6 01-09-2015, 07:32 PM

Have you tried calling GAHH? Top notch quality. From what I hear the Classic Center gets stuff from them.
I know their Fiat convertible tops are excellent quality.

Shortsguy1 · #7 01-09-2015, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vandor

Have you tried calling GAHH? Top notch quality. From what I hear the Classic Center gets stuff from them.
I know their Fiat convertible tops are excellent quality.

Yes, that is where the OP started. If I recall, they didn't have his exact match even though it was listed on their website. Here is some background:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/vintage-mercedes/352523-new-red-leather-gahh-interior-my-280c.html

C.Doner · #8 01-12-2015, 09:23 PM

I used G.A.T. for my 280sl r107. I did not have any issues. Fitment was not perfect, but I was able to work with it and it came out very nice. A good upholster can make a bad seat cover look very nice. If I had used World Or GAHH it may have been easier and a little nicer but I personally saved a lot of money going the discount route.
It depends where you want your vehicle to be in the end. Do you want a perfect restoration or just a really nice car to ride in. If the latter then GAT will suffice, but you may need to compensate for their somewhat less than perfect craftsmanship. I think in the end the price difference is worth a little hassle for fitment. It is a lot of dough.

ssk831 · #9 02-12-2015, 06:22 PM

Went ahead and ordered through GAT. Since I'm close I can deal with any adjustments or imperfections. Will have installed pics by the end of the month.

ssk831 · #10 02-25-2015, 02:01 PM

Dropped off the car at Burbank Upholstery this morning.
$1500.00 for all the leather through GAT. Front Bucket seats, seat backs, headrests, rear bench seat.
$800.00 for install and minor seat repairs (I have already stripped the old upholstery and removed seats from the car)
~$500 for the front seat pads from GAHH.
Add a one day uhaul trailer rental and gas, just shy of $3000 to redo the interior. Saved at least $1200.

Car will be ready Saturday.

Graham · #11 02-25-2015, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n10

Dang that a lot of $$$

The only advice I have is be careful if you think of GAT. https://www.germanautotops.com/

The guy is really nice but his cuts are usually off by almost an inch. I got a carpet kit from him and had to send a few pieces back due to sections either being too long or too short. He fixed them but it was still a pain

I had similar problem with him (John Oganesyan) The carpet set was a complete disaster. And in my case, he did nothing to correct the problem. I had to recut and try and make the carpets fit myself.

I would stay away!