Stingray

[DaCodaBuchan]

I'm sure there are a few bits and pieces in the archives, but I wanted to start a new conversation. Mainly I have a few questions that have nothing to do with the leather itself, but with the economics behind it.

Springfield sells Stingray. Their prices seem reasonable, and I considered making a few wallets out of it. Then I googled the retail value of Stingray Wallets and found that they are selling for $20-$60.Now unless that X-Large Stingray leather piece that is for sale on Springfield's site at $150 is a lot bigger than the only measurment of 40-45 cintemeters suggests I don't see how this is profitable. I understand that is a retail leather price and I have been told it is usualy sound thinking to half that value for wholesale prices, but even that does not seem profitable considering what these wallets are selling for. My theory is that this leather is much cheaper wholsale, much larger than I am immagining, or that only the outer piece of leather on these wallets is stingray.

Also, can I see a photo of the three sizes of ray sold by Springfield with a ruler in the photo so that I can understand what 40-45 means. Is that width, or length? Head to tail, or fin to fin?

While I am not entirely doing this for money, my goal is to produce a quality product that could someday be worth money.

Any clarification would be much appreciated.

[Rawhide]

Most of those wallets are made from stingray hides from Thailand. Those hides are inexpensive and that's how they can produce them that cheaply. check the ebay prices. Hides are usually 20-50 bucks or so.

[DaCodaBuchan]

Next question. Is there a quality difference?

In the materials, in how the animal is treated (farmed, caught, whatever), is there a difference in appearance, is there a difference in thickness, or durability?

I want the highest quality items, but if nobody else will notice or care then I'm not going to be able to justify the higher price for the goods themselves.

[kevinhopkins]

Hi... The stingray thing is kind of unique... First of all, you don't what to use one of those great big skins to make wallets. The stones are too big, and the skin is to thick. You want to use a very small skin, because that's about the only way that you can sew thru the darned stuff! Those small skins are for sale from us for 14.99 up to about 24.99. As far as quality goes, that's usually related to the tanning and finishing process. The smaller skins are almost always nice, because they're tanned primarily for the accessory market. Usually, the skins for the boot industry are nice too, but they'll be larger, and always more difficult to work with, if you're making accessories. The really big ones are used primarily for bike seats, saddle seats, and the like. It takes a reeeeeaaaaalllly big sting ray to generate those.

We've been offered stingray wallets direct from overseas from 20 dollars up to 100 dollars each. It really depends mostly on the style and quality of the interior. Folks in Indonesia and Singapore work cheap. And sometimes the work is cheap. The good stuff is almost always more expensive tho. I hope this helps a bit!

Kevin Hopkins

[DaCodaBuchan]

I was hoping you'd chime in. I'm still interested in the Stingray. It makes sense to start with a smaller one in that case. I will be ordering some in the next few months.

Out of curiosity, how much do I need to order to get Wholesale prices on small stingray from Springfield?

Edited January 8, 2010 by DaCoda Buchan

[DCKNIVES]

Ostrich market I use alot of stingray, and my supplier "Ostrich Market" gets it from Thailand.Like said the big stuff is thick and hard to use but I really like the small pieces, and I find the quality very good.Dave

[DaCodaBuchan]

I've looked into them. Their prices are reasonable. The colors are interesting. I'll order from both them and Springfield and compare the two. Not for a while though.