StevenSiegel

Hi, It has been tanned a second time with vegetable extracts . This changes the character of the leather in many aspects. The leather is being sold under the tradename of California Double Tanned Skirting. The leather can be ordered through me or directly through Wickett. I will be happy to explain the differences in very extensive detail if you wish. I can be reached at siegel.leather@gmail.com

Because it is not the SAME leather. Please do not post things that are untrue.

There are now only 2 days left in our Sale of Sales which includes US Vegetable Tanned Leather, Brass Hardware, Chap Leather, Metallics and even an opportunity to purchase and re-sell. Can be viewed at http://www.siegelofca.com/fridayspecial/112910/121410c.htm

Received 2/14/11 Just wanted to say, I haven't had any issues with your company on the two orders I have made. That said, I commend you for your public offer to make things right. I only order about 4-5 hides a year, but based on my experiences, I am certainly willing to order from you again. BTW, the Happy Cow (slaughter free) leather is very nice, and is making some really nice wallets. Thanks, A

Received 2/15/11 People need to understand that it is not what happens in business it is how you react to what happens in business, send the specials to me please! I impulse buy all the time! Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry -----Original Message----- From: "Steven Siegel" <siegel.leather@gmail.com> Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2011 09:38:17 To: Subject: We still have specials; sent one out last night. Would you like a copy? ......., could you send me either your telephone number or customer number so we can send you a gift? Regards, Steve -----Original Message----- From: Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2011 6:38 AM To: siegel.leather@gmail.com Subject: I had minimal purchases from you being just a little guy, always had great luck with the product that I got from you. I really did look forward to the Friday specials! ……………………………………………….. The Friday specials def got me to buy stuff that I didn't need too! everything was always accurately describe. I can tell you're making an honest effort, and I want to start seeing the Friday specials again!(Not sure why they stopped?) -A

RWe have received over 3,000 views to the posts regarding our company's level of service, some positive and some not. Customer service is something that I take very personally. We have added 3 well-seasoned employees to our staff. In the last couple of weeks we have received many complimentary emails and I would like to share them with you. Our business was built upon our ability to VERY ACCURATELY describe the leather which a customer would be receiving, particularly for bargain lots; ending up with many pleased customers. We always guaranteed our descriptions by offering free return freight to let the customer know that we were shopping for them, not just to get "rid of whatever was on the shelf". Currently, we have an incredible sale going on. It includes leather, solid brass & chrome on brass buckles FAR below wholesale value and Lexol products at such low prices, that someone who was industrious could probably buy from us and re-sell to the local equestrian shop and turn a profit. The link to our special is : Some of our customer comments are included in the following emails.

After this, I will not be checking this board at all. 1) I specialize in leathers and it is very EASY to come by garment horsehide. As it is not a stock item, we would only purchase it for a customer if the quantity purchased was economically viable.. Perhaps this was not clear to you in my response. I tried to be polite by answering you. I am sorry that you have decided to have taken your private question & my response to a public forum to ADD TO THE HATRED THAT HAS BEEN DIRECTED TOWARDS ME.

Someone by the name of Sarah called (re:Web) for me and was put on hold and we lost the call. Sarah, please call back!!!! Thanks, Steve

Please email me as requested above. I would like to send something along to you. We had a great conversation and you gave me some good advice.

Hi, This is Steven Siegel. The MOST important thing to me has been honesty and ethics in business which should translate into good customer service and good value for money spent. I would like to hear from ANYONE who has had a customer service issue with our company at ANY time in the last 100 years (I'll even take responsibility for my grandfather... He took care of me). Email me (do not call) with a BRIEF description of the issue and customer number/phone number so I can research the account TO siegel.leather@gmail.com 1) If the issue was resolved satisfactorily, I will send you a free gift, either some Sedgwick Leather Care or a skin of Leather or some Hardware (tell me which you prefer) OR 2) If the issue was NOT satisfactorily resolved, I will work out a solution which should make ANYONE very pleased with the resolution. To me, this is NOT about MONEY/BUSINESS, it is about taking care of the people who put their trust in us when they ordered and were disappointed for whatever reason. Best Regards, Steven Siegel, CEO Siegel of California, Inc

Sir, No one is holding anyone hostage. (Please see my other post) My Bible would encourage people to find peace with their fellow men. (With all due respect to the Lord, I am as guilty as the next person of not following this advice.) Peace brings unity, strength, love, health and prosperity. Dnn't you agree? Regards, Steven Siegel

Hi Bryan, The reason for dropping the advertising was because we were NOT servicing this clientele the way that they should be serviced. It was not retribution. I do care about y'all, it's just that we are not the company for many of you. I was not the one to make this a public issue. I have been bashed on 3 different threads for the last few months from this board. Some of the comments were EXACTLY RIGHT ON, but there were so many that were nothing but hateful; like the fellow that said take me off your mailing list, but, refused to give us the information to find him. To me, that is just spiteful and in poor taste. The other leather companies that advertise on this board are set up much better to service y'all. And as far as support of the :"industry" many of you know that we have given away 100's of thousands of dollars of leather for FREE to help others. I wish y'all well. Best Regards, Steven Siegel, CEO Siegel of California, Inc

HI I find it particularly disappointing that Leatherworker.net (through Johanna) has turned this into a public issue. She has chosen to not disclose to y'all that the request to edit the previous posts was originally HER idea, not mine. Well I am sure there are some of you who have made up your minds and some of you who have not yet formed an opinion. I am sure that most of you expect people to do what they say they are going to do. I do also. I have email trails of promises from Johanna which were not kept.. There are a plethora of unkept promises. This is a vendor issue. I joined this board to exchange information. I have donated 100's of thousands of dollars of leather over the years to so many people. So maybe some of those people are on this board. However, this is consuming too much of my time, which does affect customer service. Y'all take care. Steven Siegel

Hi, This is Steven Siegel. Your refund was issued on Thursday according to our records. Please accept my apology. Your refund should have been issued earlier. You are absolutely correct and should have had an earlier resolution. On Thursday, I had an experience with a vendor that I had been trying to reach for weeks. I received an email on Wed to call the vendor on Thursday. I made 6 calls to the vendor with no success. When I sent the vendor an email to tell them that I had been trying to reach them and could not, I was called a liar and delusional. I sent them a copy of my telephone records to show the 6 calls made. I do care about my customers. That is the reason that we offer free return freight. But, when we overpromise and underdeliver, it is not good for anyone. Again, I do apologize for the delay that you incurred. Regards, Steven Siegel

Good Day: Growing up in this business, I would always get the definitions of Plivers and Skivers mixed up. I would frequently find myself asking my Uncle Jake, innumerable times to explain the difference. For my benefit, and hopefully for some of y'all that have the same problem that I do in remembering the difference, I would like to memorialize the differences: Pliver: The leather is dry split after being tanned or dyed. It includes the epidermis and may include the corium. It is most commonly produced on chrome leather. Skiver: This leather consists of the epidermis only. It is split after liming, before being tanned. It is usually vegetable tanned. The most common uses are for book binding and shoe linings. The logical conclusion is that Genuine Skivers are more expensive than Plivers. I hope you all have a great weekend. Regards, Steven Siegel, CEO <B>Siegel of California, Inc<BR style="mso-special-character: line-break"><BR style="mso-special-character: line-break"></B>

If you're not in Hazard County can I ask you a question about halters? (My wife is from NC and has lots of kinfolk in Democrat, outside of Weaverville, told me to watch what I say to anyone from Hazard County)

Sounds like a good solution to me for leather which is of this substance.

One of the older methods of removing "wrinkles" or smoothing the grain involvied a glass slicker to lay down the fibers. But, the leather was moist at this point. Think of the leather like a shirt which is wrinkled. It takes pressure and moisture to remove those "wrinkles". If you choose to go this route, the fibers will need to be moistened. How much? Depends upon thickness (substance) and the tannage. If it is vegetable tanned, you will need to be more careful about wetting the leather back as the vegetable tannins can be washed out of the leather. If you choose to moisten the leather, you will also need to take into account any finishes which are currently on the leather. This project of removing the "wrinkles" could be exasperating. I dont' know if this has helped at all ... but if you care to discuss further either post here (I'll answer if I see the post) or email me at siegel.leather@gmail.com. I'll try to help with ideas, if I can. Good Luck Steven Siegel

Hi, If you can send a picture for "pattern" and indicate selection (patten size that you need to cut; e.g. for trim or for full shotgun chaps,etc ) and quantity that you need, we may have it in stock. Regards, Steven Siegel siegel.leather@gmail.com

Hi, This is really nice. I live in California, which isn't the Middle East. I do travel a lot and have had interaction with many different cultures. I don't know if you are allowed to identify the country, but,,,,,, Just give them a lot of Love. AND don't talk about politics or religiion. (They may have dietary restrictions for religious reasons which you may want to check out through your Church) There are probably a lot of people on the board that can give you more concrete ideas. Best, Steve

Hi Clair, They are located in Los Angeles. This is one of the areas of our country where there seems to be a "demand" for anything with the name "eco" attached. I don't know if they use less water. I don't know if all of their pigments are "metal-complexed" free. However, I would expect that their effluent is well-treated, especially since they are in Los Angeles. The vegetable tannery in Kentucky with the pollution problems had to do with how they treated their effluent. I guess someone could email them and ask them how their vegetable tanned leather differs from other vegetable tanned leathers and see what you receive for a response. Regards, Steve

HI Terry, This is interesting. I don't claim to have more smarts than you. But, Vegetable tanned leather uses more water than other processes (if I am reading the BLC guidelines correctly), So, for the "eco" crowd this becomes a concern. The byproducts of vegetable tanning (only the tanning process) can be converted to harmless products. (By anyone's standards) However, to the best of my knowledge there is only one SuperFund Site still associated with the tanning industry in the US and it's a vegetable tannery located in Middlesboro, KY. The byproducts of mineral tannages have to be concentrated and dumped in a designated area. They cannot be converted to a "harmless" product.

For holsters, horse strips (not cordovan) is commonly used and makes beautifulholsters. We offer 2 selections. The #2 selection should be fine for your application. It is priced at $6.00/lb (delivered, minimimu order $75). This is a wholesale price which is only available to commercial users or with a wholesale membership. Regards, Steven Siegel 800.862.8956 or siegel.leather@gmail.com

try copy and paste into your browser... should work fine

A Quick Summary of the Policies of Siegel of California, Inc a) Wholesale Supplier of Leather. For the last couple of years we would sell to the general public at the same price as our wholesale accounts. We have recently changed our policy and require a membership in our Wholesale Club (like many other vendors in this industry) in order to purchase at wholesale prices. b ) No Hidden Fees. Prices include free freight to anywhere in USA (There are exceptions for specially priced merchandise) c) We are not manufacturers. This means that we have no interest in "creaming" selections for our own production AND we do not compete against our own customers d) We act in your best interest. Our customers are extensively questioned about their requirements. If we feel that we can meet their requirements we accept the order with the unheard of guarantee that we will pick up the leather for FREE if it does not meet their requirements. (See below for further details.) If you wish to read more...... Mission Statement Siegel of California is more about serving the customer than just earning a living: the secret of our success since 1917. Pricing Free Shipping on orders of $75 with No Hidden Costs, and unconditionally guaranteed. Leather Baron of California Third Generation Leather Merchant Reprinted from Old Santa Ynez Day Newspaper 1996 Meet Steve Siegel, owner of Siegel of California and a third generation leather merchant whose roots are tied to the leather district of Boston, Massachusetts. The M. Siegel Company was started by his grandfather in 1917, and today is still one of the oldest remaining merchant trade families in the United States. That leather district of Boston was, at that time, the center of trade for the entire world, and anyone wanting to deal with anything in leather or other goods (importing or exporting) would go to the South Street merchants. Steve's grandfather would buy the processed hides and then turn around and resell them to manufacturers for anything that required leather. "Excess leather at that time was even sold for fertilizer, and shipped to Florida to fertilize the orange trees," stated Siegel. A huge exporting business was also developed by M. Siegel, and leather was shipped to such areas as Cuba, Lebanon and other parts of Europe. Leather Siegel's is the oldest Leather Merchant Family in the USA, established in 1917 and through our nearly 90 years we have developed extensive relationships worldwide. We have always been in the same business. We did not start as a shoe shop or a leather maker and re-invent ourselves. We are the Real McCoy and the best at what we do; sell and source leather at its appropriate and best value. We also have the technical expertise to produce virtually any leather that is currently or was formerly produced. We know how to accurately evaluate a piece of leather. Steven Siegel holds a graduate degree in Physical Chemistry. He worked with his grandfather, uncle and father in this business during school breaks, summers and holidays in the family business that was located in what was unquestionably the world wide center for leather; the South Street district of Boston, MA. At one time or another, Siegel's has done business in virtually every nation. Siegel's inventories over 100 stock lots at all times We can source virtually any leather. However, at this time, we will not carry/sell exotics or American Bison We can provide Military Spec Leather We can provide and do stock Genuine Mechanical Leathers Lowest Leather Prices: We pride ourselves in having among the lowest wholesale leather prices. Our catalogue is our wholesale price list; and our wholesale pricing is available to everyone with a resale license or a wholesale club membership. (Please see "Ordering Information," on page 9 for information on how to become a wholesale club member.) Where not stated, additional discounts are given for larger volumes. Unconditional Guarantee: We have the best guarantee in the business and we back that guarantee up with action. Our intent is to act as your onsite purchasing agent to meet your needs. Accordingly, we have a couple of very unusual policies that are a reflection of this "code of ethics". For most orders (exceptions can be larger, negotiated priced items) we pay freight in the "Lower 48" for orders over $75 which are being shipped via UPS. We allow you 10 days after receipt to give us a call if the leather does not meet your expectation and we will send a UPS call tag to pick up the leather with no freight charges for you!!! (We reserve the right to modify this policy for special orders and special pricing negotiated via phone) Our policy can most easily be summed it in a few ancient words, "We try to treat you, as we ourselves, would expect to be treated under the same circumstances." Siegel of California is Strictly a Wholesale Supplier: We don't process our leathers in any way and do not compete with manufacturers. When suppliers are also manufacturers, they have the advantage of keeping the best skins for their production. Purchasing from manufacturers/suppliers could actually help your competition. Protection of Industry Standards: We are leaders in the protection of our National Security Stan-dards. We always represent and denominate the leathers accurately. You can trust that our English Bridle is the genuine article from J & E Sedgwick in England. Expert Witness Work- CV of Steven Siegel Steven Siegel is the third generation of the oldest Leather Merchant Family in the USA, established in 1917 in Boston, MA. Through our nearly 90 years we have developed extensive relationships worldwide. We have always been in the same business. The leather district of Boston was, at that time, the center of trade for the entire world, and anyone wanting to deal with anything in leather or other goods (importing or exporting) would go to the South Street merchants. Steven Siegel was trained in the leather business from an early age; starting in the 1950's. He typically worked school holidays and summers in the family business. Steve's grandfather, Morris, who started the business was his mentor as well as his father and his uncle who were also in the business. The business on South Street when Steve grew up and learned the trade first hand, represented on the "Street" virtually every important tanner and merchant in the USA. There were over 100 companies on the same street, each with anywhere from 1 -10 million of leather in stock as well as the agents for most tanners in the USA, and representatives for other aspects of the industry. There was even a Boston Hide Exchange where hides were bought and sold on their future value. The business model as developed by Steve's grandfather consisted of buying processed hides and reselling them to manufacturers for anything that required leather. M. Siegel developed a huge exporting business as leather was shipped to such areas as Cuba, Lebanon and parts of Europe. Steve's father, Harold Siegel, has a BS degree in Chemical Engineering, specializing in rubber chemistry which has many similarities to leather chemistry. Harold was famous for bringing the company to the next business phase due to his particular knack for evaluating and developing specialized leathers. From Steve's father, a lot of technical experience and creativity was passed. Steven Siegel has an extensive background in the physical sciences including some of the following: Research assistant at Tufts New England Medical Center working on an artificial heart program under the guidance of Dr Harry Soroff (cardiologist) A.B. Boston University, Mathematics, research in an Organic Chemistry group working with Adamantane (a viral inhibitor) M.S. University of California, Davis, Physical Chemistry, thesis " Optically Detected Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of Some Biopolymers", research director, Dr August Maki Steven Siegel formed a similar Leather Merchant business in 1979 in Santa Barbara, CA. Built customer base from zero, to current base of approximately 15,000 accounts. In the past 30 years, Steven Siegel has traveled worldwide, in many countries inspecting, examining, testing, comparing leather strengths and developing leather for a wide variety of applications using the skills and methodology developed over 50 years, all the time increasing his knowledge of the trade. Some of the highlights of the specialized leathers, which Steven Siegel has developed or sourced, are: Archival Book Binding Leathers specially tanned per Mr. Siegel's specifications to last many generations. These leathers required the skills, methodology developed over a lifetime of experience in the family business, educational background and extensive evaluations, examinations, comparisons of leathers to direct a tanner to modify his techniques to meet Mr. Siegel's requirements. These leathers have been used in such places as: The US Library of Congress Harvard University Columbia University Stanford UniversitySpecialized mechanical leathers for the equestrian trade. The proper selection of these leathers required the skills, methodology developed over a lifetime of experience in the family business, educational background and extensive evaluations, examinations and comparisons of leathers Some of the highlights of these applications are: Tack for winners of 12 Kentucky Derbys Specialized leather for trick riders in Las Vegas, NV World renowned professional polo players such as Memo Gracida, Sebastian Merlos, and other names upon request Military Spec leathers such as: Leathers used in anti-gravity suits for US fighter pilots Some of the endorsements, which Steven Siegel has been given, are from: NY Mounted Police Department; "…we've tried leather from everywhere else, but only Siegel's can give us the quality that we desire…" Bo Derek, actress Ramon Becerra, trick rider and horse trainer to the stars, telephone number on request Miscellaneous accounts of note: Walt Disney, leather for "Pirates of the Caribbean" Leather for Custom Saddle for President Bush Leather for Custom Saddle as birthday president from President Reagan to his wife Nancy Casa Fagliano of Argentina, famous custom boot maker with clients such as HRH Prince Charles of England Craft Restaurant, NY award winning architectural design for use of our leather Exclusive supplier of J&E Sedgwick of Walsall, England supplier of Genuine English Bridle In summary, the sum of a lifetime of experiences gained from his grandfather, father and uncle, the educational background in the sciences and years of examining, comparing, and evaluating for strength and other appropriate properties gave Steven Siegel the unusual and extraordinary leather skills and methodology, which he possesses today and uses in the leather industry