Members ShortBBL Posted December 29, 2010 Members Report Posted December 29, 2010 I have a few holsters that I'm less than pleased with. You know.... a not perfect stitch job....or a finish that you are not pleased with.... oh yeah, and one that really bent my crank.... I made a really nice lined holster for a single action and I always sand the welt edge so the glue grabs good... and yeah, sanded the wrong damn side!! OMG! Was I Teeeee'd off or what? The holster looks awesome except for that dang blooper! So do you guys sell "seconds" at a discount rate or do you cut them up and hide them in your trash barrel? Quote http://www.peterscustomleather.com
Contributing Member Ferg Posted December 29, 2010 Contributing Member Report Posted December 29, 2010 I have a few holsters that I'm less than pleased with. You know.... a not perfect stitch job....or a finish that you are not pleased with.... oh yeah, and one that really bent my crank.... I made a really nice lined holster for a single action and I always sand the welt edge so the glue grabs good... and yeah, sanded the wrong damn side!! OMG! Was I Teeeee'd off or what? The holster looks awesome except for that dang blooper! So do you guys sell "seconds" at a discount rate or do you cut them up and hide them in your trash barrel? Not everyone agrees but I learned many years ago when building homes and doing many decorative items in wood plus other materials, you never ever let anyone have ownership of a screwed up piece of work. That covers freebies or less than normal price points. My .02 ferg Quote
Moderator Art Posted December 29, 2010 Moderator Report Posted December 29, 2010 What? The guy wants a custom holster and wants a discount? He shows it to all his buddies because of the great deal he got, and maybe he points out the flub and maybe not. They'll be coming in wanting a good deal on one of your top notch holsters, or even worse, think you are a ham handed maker because of the obvious flaw you let out. Either way doesn't help. Just my opinion. Art I have a few holsters that I'm less than pleased with. You know.... a not perfect stitch job....or a finish that you are not pleased with.... oh yeah, and one that really bent my crank.... I made a really nice lined holster for a single action and I always sand the welt edge so the glue grabs good... and yeah, sanded the wrong damn side!! OMG! Was I Teeeee'd off or what? The holster looks awesome except for that dang blooper! So do you guys sell "seconds" at a discount rate or do you cut them up and hide them in your trash barrel? Quote For heaven's sakes pilgrim, make yourself a strop!
Members Shooter McGavin Posted December 30, 2010 Members Report Posted December 30, 2010 Agree with the previous posters. I have a totally usable, but not quite up to my standards, subcompact Glock "Avenger style" holster that I made as a trial and error piece. I cut some corners, did some things out or order, skipped a few steps. While absolutely functional, it's ugly and misshapen, and will go no farther than my holster box for emergenmcy use by myself or my wife. Thought about selling it for half price, but that kind of bad publicity isnt worth selling it for 4 times normal price. JMO of course. Quote Zlogonje Gunleathers
Members troop Posted December 30, 2010 Members Report Posted December 30, 2010 afraid i have to agree with Ferg on this one. i would have to throw it in the scrap bin and start again. if i know my blooper is out there i'll never sleep well. there is enough crappy craftsmanship out there. i'm not gonna be one of em. Tony Quote The hand that feeds you also puts the chains around your neck.
Lobo Posted December 30, 2010 Report Posted December 30, 2010 Well, I am ready to admit that I make mistakes from time to time. I still buy all of my pencils with erasers attached, just to keep those handy. I have orders for lined holsters, then my mind goes on "cruise control" in the shop and I produce an unlined holster. I have orders for brown holster, then I set up the dye stations and dip one into the black dye. I have holsters that display some degree of blemish in the leather that may not have been noticed during lay-out, cutting, assembly, stitching, etc, then became glaringly evident upon finish application. I have days that I make so many mistakes that I know it is time to walk away, rather than continue doing what I have been doing. I offer 8 standard models with 4 common options, in 4 colors, for over 90 different handguns. This works out to over 11,000 possible variations. The chances of someone ordering one of my "mistakes" becomes rather remote, given all the variables. So they gather in boxes and on shelves, waiting for the opportunity to generate profit by making a customer happy. Such is life for an old fart with nothing between me and the next mistake than my next random thought! A couple of times every year I hold a clearance sale, offering all of my stock-on-hand at good discounts. These may be perfect, but not as ordered. These may be imperfect, but serviceable. If they are just plain bad I prefer to throw them away. So, I advertise my clearance merchandise with full disclosures of any defects, price these down significantly, and most of them go away to happy customers. Many customers demand perfection, and won't accept less. Many more customers want a good product at a reasonable price, and will accept less than perfection when the product meets their needs and budget. One of the most legendary holster makers of the 20th Century (company name easily recognizable) ran a very successful side business offering his "seconds" at bargain basement prices. Each piece was clearly described so that the buyer knew what to expect. I see nothing wrong with this approach. Yes, I sell my "seconds" and "irregulars", and the majority of buyers are happy to get these products at a reduced price. Quite a few of these customers will place orders for additional products, which is good (allowing me to make additional mistakes, etc, etc, etc). Maybe one of these days I will get it all figured out, stop making mistakes entirely, and do nothing but first-class work every time. Maybe the sun will start rising in the west and setting in the east. Until then I will continue to make mistakes every day, and many of those mistakes will turn into sales while some turn into long-term business relationships that are good for both myself and my customers. Life is just as good as we permit it to be. Don't let an opportunity pass you by. Quote Lobo Gun Leather serious equipment for serious business, since 1972 www.lobogunleather.com
Members Dwight Posted December 30, 2010 Members Report Posted December 30, 2010 A few months ago, I was invited by a friend to bring some holsters, . . . sit at the gun show with him, . . . we'd chat and sell guns and holsters. If I had taken only the top stuff, . . . I would not have had a good day. Most of what I sold was the "not quite perfect" stuff, . . . including one absolutely hideous looking attempt at making a kydex tuckable for a 1911. The guy that bought it, . . . only wanted a holster he could slide down on the bed rail at his house, . . . for a night time gun. I could probably have gotten three times my price if I had marketed it that way. Anyway, . . . I'm in agreement with Lobo, . . . May God bless, Dwight Quote If you can breathe, . . . thank God. If you can read, . . . thank a teacher. If you are reading this in English, . . . thank a veteran. www.dwightsgunleather.com
Members DuaneBallard Posted December 30, 2010 Members Report Posted December 30, 2010 If it's not perfect cut it up and toss it. If only perfect work goes out then your the guy that only does perfect work. Not hit and miss. A few months ago, I was invited by a friend to bring some holsters, . . . sit at the gun show with him, . . . we'd chat and sell guns and holsters. If I had taken only the top stuff, . . . I would not have had a good day. Most of what I sold was the "not quite perfect" stuff, . . . including one absolutely hideous looking attempt at making a kydex tuckable for a 1911. The guy that bought it, . . . only wanted a holster he could slide down on the bed rail at his house, . . . for a night time gun. I could probably have gotten three times my price if I had marketed it that way. Anyway, . . . I'm in agreement with Lobo, . . . May God bless, Dwight Quote
Members Shorts Posted December 31, 2010 Members Report Posted December 31, 2010 I sell cosmetic screws ups. I'm upfront about what and why. I will not sell a functionally compromised holster however. Those do get thrown into the holster box. Quote
Members Shorts Posted December 31, 2010 Members Report Posted December 31, 2010 If it's not perfect cut it up and toss it. If only perfect work goes out then your the guy that only does perfect work. Not hit and miss. You build and sell enough that one's reputation speaks for itself. Quote
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