Wow, that is weird... I went to Steve and Sons today with my boot and a zip I didn't really like, and he said he had the OE style zipper right there and that he'd change it out for $22 - I have a stub that says Feb 2, so I guess we'll see how it turns out then. I walked along George feeling pretty good about all this so far - remembered I have a credit at The Final Chapter used book store, looked in the bakery, remembered how much I like their crusty rolls, thought about going in to buy some, remembered that they never have any fresh ones that late in the afternoon, smiled at their NO CELL PHONES sign, and went whistling on my way...
Postscript: and now it is February 10th, and the boot has been picked up - today, a week later than scheduled - but it has a zip that looks very much like the original YKK, seems well sewn-in, and cost exactly what he said it would. I rate the transaction as highly satsfactory. I also got that same vibe off George Street again, where the businesses are run by people and not corporations, and their individual personalities count for something. Five stars - Joe Bob says check it out.