Taking Money Away From The Small Guy

[reddevil76]

This is a side I received from Tandy. I took several pics, and they ARE representative of the ENTIRE hide. TANDY CAN SUE ME IF THEY WISH TO DISPUTE THAT!!

I am extremely angry now because they have simply not replied to my emails about this. I am fully aware this is advertised as a economy side. But look at it this way, I not only pay for the leather, I have to pay for the shipping as well. Which is about $35. So for every inch that is unusable, not only the leather money goes down the drain, so does the shipping money. And I would have been happy if I can get 10 sq ft of clean leather out of a 24-26 sq ft economy side. BUT THE ENTIRE SIDE???

There was also a $5.59 per sq ft calf veg tan which was advertised as clean carving leather. Clean! It is almost as bad as this economy 3-4 oz side! I was so angry when I saw it that I used the lace cutter to cut half of it into lace simply because I could not stand looking at it. I made a mistake of braiding a couple of cords plus lined 4 wallets. It was a desparate attempt to myself to justify the purchase of it and also to used it so I don't have to look at it. But it was a mistake, because what is not usable, simply shouldn't be used. I ended up throwing away the cords, and then had the wallets returned from unhappy customers, and I threw them away. So I also wasted the HO leather which was used to create the wallet outers and inners.

Before, already I would received one liner brusque replies to my enquiries. Now there is a problem, NO REPLY! AGAIN, SUE ME IF I HAVE SAID SOMETHING UNTRUE!

They give me the feeling that they take overseas customers as easy prey and send the lousiest leather to them as it is more difficult for them to return the leather. But do we pay any lesser than US customers? Should we be treated this way? Is this preying on the small guy to line the pockets of the corporate big wigs?

I HATE TANDY LEATHER FACTORY! Now i just have to go dig out our family book of curses.

I am considering setting up a website just dedicated to showcasing these leather they have exchanged for my hard earned money.

[RMB Custom Leather]

I quit buying leather there awhile ago because you can get it cheaper and better hides at other places. I buy my leather from Zach Whites, Waterhouse, and Siegal's

[reddevil76]

I understand alot of people found their ideal supplier by shopping around. But sometimes, the act of shopping around simply just depletes your entire budget before you could even properly start off.

I did get some H.Oak from Springfield, which is ok, but does not suit my needs. I don't need leather that carves well, but need them to be clean clean clean. Jill from Springfield has offered to send me samples of another leather which is in the same price range but cleaner (import).

I am waiting on the samples right now. But sometimes, these acts from companies like Tandy just zaps the energy out of you. I almost sold my entire set of tools just after receiving this Tandy side. Really felt like I could not just keep taking loans, hoping to make something to pay it off, and then receiving another useless side, and taking another loan to order more.

Maybe you guys are stronger than me, but this shopping for leather just depresses me, literally. Tandy, ironically, has taken the joy out of leathercrafting for me.

[Johnny B]

I understand alot of people found their ideal supplier by shopping around. But sometimes, the act of shopping around simply just depletes your entire budget before you could even properly start off.

I did get some H.Oak from Springfield, which is ok, but does not suit my needs. I don't need leather that carves well, but need them to be clean clean clean. Jill from Springfield has offered to send me samples of another leather which is in the same price range but cleaner (import).

I am waiting on the samples right now. But sometimes, these acts from companies like Tandy just zaps the energy out of you. I almost sold my entire set of tools just after receiving this Tandy side. Really felt like I could not just keep taking loans, hoping to make something to pay it off, and then receiving another useless side, and taking another loan to order more.

Maybe you guys are stronger than me, but this shopping for leather just depresses me, literally. Tandy, ironically, has taken the joy out of leathercrafting for me.

I am lucky to have a Tandy's close by. I actually pick my leather that I want. I recently went thru about 15 hides before I found a perfect one. A whole 6/7 ounce hide with almost perfect leather on every square inch. They sell the economy shoulders that are far from perfect but these make great distressed holsters and sheaths. They also have boxes of scrap leather that I can purchase per pound. I always look in these boxes and purchase leather from them on occasion. Some really nice pieces in there ranging from 2/3 sq feet to sometimes 8/9 sq feet. I once found a piece of alligator, maybe 4sq feet and it cost me like $5.00. Made a couple of holsters and several inlays with it. That one piece made me about $400.00 profit.

Sorry that you have had a bad experience with Tandy. I have been more than satisfied with them but I never mail order from them.

[reddevil76]

Yes, I found that people who told me that they are satisfied with Tandy are usually the ones who walk in and choose their leather.

For the 15 hides you went through, you found only one good one. For the rest, it has to go somewhere, right? Is it the right thing to dump it on us, the mail order customers.

I feel, to be fair, if they have problems selling these hides to walk in customers, they should not just see mail order customers as an outlet for them to get rid of these leather. Instead they should either speak with their supplier, or stop importing these leather, or REPRESENT IT ACCURATELY as covered with insect bites, and not use the word occasional.

As it is, it does not add character to any project of mine but just adds more crap to my scrap bin. If you can call a complete 24 sq ft side a scrap.

I have a customer who mentioned he was interested in picking up leather craft. After giving him some tips on what is necessary to order, I discovered that he is going to the US to study in July. I told how much I envy him as he could actually walk in to a store and pick out his leather instead of sending money across the continent and crossing my fingers hoping I won't be burnt for the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, etc... time.

I should just pick up another hobby.

[Ferg]

Yes, I found that people who told me that they are satisfied with Tandy are usually the ones who walk in and choose their leather.

For the 15 hides you went through, you found only one good one. For the rest, it has to go somewhere, right? Is it the right thing to dump it on us, the mail order customers.

I feel, to be fair, if they have problems selling these hides to walk in customers, they should not just see mail order customers as an outlet for them to get rid of these leather. Instead they should either speak with their supplier, or stop importing these leather, or REPRESENT IT ACCURATELY as covered with insect bites, and not use the word occasional.

As it is, it does not add character to any project of mine but just adds more crap to my scrap bin. If you can call a complete 24 sq ft side a scrap.

I have a customer who mentioned he was interested in picking up leather craft. After giving him some tips on what is necessary to order, I discovered that he is going to the US to study in July. I told how much I envy him as he could actually walk in to a store and pick out his leather instead of sending money across the continent and crossing my fingers hoping I won't be burnt for the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, etc... time.

I should just pick up another hobby.

Sorry for your obvious frustration. I have dealt with Tandy for many years and have had only a few problems, they were taken care of promptly. I have found that the managers of the stores have a lot to do with how much second grade leather you may receive.

Seriously though, if this has you this upset you are in far a lot of disappointment in any business endeavor.

ferg

[reddevil76]

Ferg,

I guess I am being very emotional about it. But I guess it depends on where the individual is in life at the moment.

One year ago, I would have just wrote it off and forgot about it and moved on. Right now, things are just a little different. And ironically, leatherwork was suppose to help me along while keeping me busy. Yet, due to such issues, it has sunk me deeper.

Take a plate away from a diner in Hooters, he might abuse you verbally and call you a crazy. Take the food from the hands of a starving Somali and he might just kill you to get it back.

Dylan

[Billy P]

Hey Dylan, a few years ago, I ordered one of those Craftsman sides in 3/4 oz. When it came it had holes all over it about the size of a U.S. quarter(.25 cent) coin. I called and they said no problem they would send me another one. What they sent was the Tandy Live Oak, most expensive leather they had, plus a bill for another $47.00, to replace that bad hide. They knew that I am on a limited income and only do leather work as a hobby, so that extra cost hurt me too. Since then I haven't ordered much from them. I usually use SpringField Leather, S-T Leather, or Zach White. I do go to the Charlotte N.C. store on occasion, when I'm up that way, but I go in and pick out what I want/need. It wasn't the Charlotte store that did that to me, and they are mostly really good people up there. The other store has good people, but I felt that before they sent me something that cost almost twice as much, they should have called me and let me have the option, to get that or not. Just my .02 worth. Whatever, don't give up, because there a lot more suppliers out there. Billy P

[wildrose]

I have used Tandy 90% of the time for almost 20 yrs now. On occasion, I ordered from Hidecrafters, though it's been a while. I get a business discount from Tandy, so prices make it worth it for me.

I also buy alot of my products from Michaels or AC Moore craft stores. I mention that to show you where I'm coming from. At Michaels, as an example, I will search through 10 wood boxes (made in China, or wherever) to find one good one. But shopping there, I know what I'm in for.

Tandy is much the same: you get what you pay for. I myself have been happy with them the majority of the time. For years, I selected the leather in-store, but now I am too far from a store, and I mail order. The store in Charlotte, NC has been terrific to deal with. They are polite and send me exactly what I ask for. I also had a positive experience with the Raleigh store. Prior to moving south, I dealt with stores in the Baltimore, MD and Allentown, PA area. Was happy overall with them too.

As with any business, there are ups and downs, happy customers and unhappy ones. I am really sorry to hear about your negative experience, because I know about the lost revenue and expense. I would only ask that you either take your business elsewhere, or give them another chance. Take a deep breath and move on - we all have our "learning experiences" - even those that are painful.

[newfiebackflip]

I am in the same boat. Leather suppliers in Canada are very few and far between and the prices are always brutal because they know its either buy online and pay expensive shipping plus shipping time or buy our expensive crap.

So its now come to the point that I am just waiting for my credit card and I am going to buy a few in bulk.