Definitely suggest Allan / MercTailor. His stuff has been almost bullet-proof, and the quality for the price is fantastic. The only way you'll find something cheaper is off-the-shelf low quality knock-offs, and you'll end up hating it. Go with Allan.
Sampf, if you retain nothing else, you should always-always-always keep this in mind: you get what you pay for (except for Allan, he charges less than he should, but he's the exception, not the norm); go on the cheap and you get cheap, usually ill-fitting and unattractive armor. Take your time, do it right like the song says- getting well made and fitted armor takes time. You could of course rush it if you have the funds...would be nice, actually.
Which reminds me, I have a set of MT blackened pauldrons w/besagews, elbows, knees and greaves I have to put up on ebaY.
