The Buffalo Leather Store--Not A Good Experience

[lws380]

I have ordered a few times from the Buffalo Leather Store. First time I got 2 hides and all seemed OK.

The second time I got 3 hides and one was total junk and had to be returned. It has several holes in the middle of the hide, which made it useless for the projects I had. I got a store credit for that hide.

I also figured out at that time, I was charged not by the sq. ft., but by the hide. When I questioned that, I was told they charge by the hide and the average hide is 23 sq. ft. But they also advertise $7.00 per sq. ft. on their website. Every other place I've ordered from charges per sq ft they send me. Apparently, that is too hard for The Buffalo Leather store to figure out, even though every hide is marked individually the amount of sq. ft. per hide. The owner told me it is a web based sell and they can't charge by the sq. ft.

Of the 3 hides that I got on the second order, only one was barely 23 sq. ft. and the other two were 19+ and 16+ sq. ft. So after I do the math I figured I paid a little less than $9 per sq. ft., because it is too hard for them to read the sq footage on the hides and multiply by $7.00. I was given a credit for the difference to bring my cost back to $7. Some hides are over 23 sq. ft. and I guess they charge the same per hide charge. However, with that process, the customers that get under 23 sq ft are subsidizing those that get over 23 per sq ft. That is not fair in my eyes.

I recently ordered 3 more hides and the one was total junk, so I returned it. Still waiting for a refund, but I'm told by the owner that he does not know how to do the refund and needs to talk to his accountant, even though they have had the returned side for a week now.

When trying to contact via email or phone about the returned hide, communication was zero on their part for a week. would not return emails and not answer at 2 different phone numbers. One number has a voice mail, but it is full, so you can't even leave a message if you wanted at that number.

They seemed to ship the product quickly when you want it. Unfortunately, you may be paying a pretty higher percentage in cost for what you get. Also, it appears that in my last 2 dealings, it is a crap shoot on the quality you might get. And God forbid you want a refund, as they have apparently not figured out how to do that yet.

Based on my experiences, I would pass on The Buffalo Leather Store. I can get the same thing much cheaper at the Hide House and they have apparently figured out how to charge you for the exact amount of leather you purchase, which still alludes The Buffalo Leather Store. YMMV

[Ferg]

Just a heads up: There are a number of leather stores selling hides without stating exactly how many sq. ft. they may contain.

When I buy these hides I enlighten myself as to the average size of which ever animal hide I am ordering.

ferg