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In the course of what I do, I see quite a bit of what people call "lead time". You know, somebody says "hey, look at what I did with your pattern!" or "check out my ...", etc. Granted, there's gonna be a bit of time in anything not straight off the shelf. And I try to keep it 'first come, first served" (though I admit, I've thrown a black holster into the works ahead of a tan one since I was already doing black and had black thread in that machine). But if I can't get to a guy within about 6 weeks, I'm referring them to another leather crafter. And I mean one who can do the work, at a fair price, in the time requested (they do exist!). But lately I see a lot of lead times 12 or 16 or 20 WEEKS. Now, each his own, and what a guy does with his money is rightly none of my business But 16 weeks? You realize that's like... oh... 4 MONTHS. For a simple belt or holster? Not this guy. I'll give a guy 4 weeks... if I know the guy I might even go 6 weeks. Beyond that, no. I use THE best leather available in the states and I have references (I mean, real people, not some who "partner" with me by trading likes n tweets). So I can't think of anything they would be doing that would make it "worth it" to wait months for such simple projects. In fact, beyond 6 weeks, you aren't "reserving a spot", you're giving that guy a no-interest LOAN Now, I understand that some projects involve considerable time. I wouldn't expect a custom saddle by next month, nor would I wait by the window for a large quantity order. But for a belt or holster, or even a belt/holster SET,... seriously, unless it's coming from Elvis -- I aint waiting MONTHS.