New Orleans Tandy Store

[Shane in Baton Rouge]

Hi all,

I made my second 2 hour each way to the Tandy Store in New Orleans today. I picked out the same bug bit, scratched 8-9 oz veg tan half shoulder that I bought about 2 months ago for 3.99. I was able to get some nice black holsters out of the last one, being careful of my layout, avoiding the flaws.... It was heck to mould, but turned out to be very stiff and durable when finished.

I picked up a bottle of pro dye and went to check out, having never been asked if I needed help after being in the store for 10 minutes. I noticed there was a new manager, and I believe that she was the clerk who rang me up. She told me my total was 140 dollars. I told her, no its just the half shoulder and the dye. She said the half shoulder was 8 and a half square feet, and 10.99 a square foot. I told her to please recheck the price, as there was fine quality finished black double shoulder in the back of the store for 7.99. I also told her that the same piece of leather was 45 dollars 2 months ago. She shrugged her shoulders and said "prices go up".

I also asked her about the osborne 4" damascus knife that had been on sale for 49.00 in the last circular I got. She said $149 dollars, and she didnt know anything about it ever being on sale. She didnt look happy to be working there, and she certainly wont ever have to worry about having to wait on me again.

I told her to cancel the sale on the leather, paid for my dye and left. Once home, I visited the Tandy site, and found NO black 8-9 oz cowhide that sells for 10.99 or even anything above 7.99. I dont understand why she wouldnt even take the time to double check it for me. I sent an email to the manager via the Tandy website, and I have not received a response as of 3 hours later. I understand that its a big company, and there are many fine, engaged managers around the country, but this store may be in trouble if this attitude towards repeat customers continues.

I will buy online from Tandy dealers for my unique items such as certain unique conchos, but my business will be done with several of the tried and true suppliers that I found advertising on this site. I wont visit the New Orleans store again. This is my own experience, and I am simply very disappointed that in this economy, that an employee would basically run off a customer with poor attitude and service.

Shane Evans

Evans & Sons Gunhide.

Baton Rouge, La.

Edited July 6, 2011 by Shane in Baton Rouge

[wildrose]

Shane, thanks for the feedback. I've dealt with Tandys that had great staff...and others not so great. I guess it's a sad fact of life for any chain of stores.

[RMB Custom Leather]

I had the same kind of problem with a nearby Tandy’s so I just started calling a Tandy's that is about 2-1/2 hrs from me and having them ship it to me. With the price of gas you will break even just having them ship it especially if you get better service also. Give the Raleigh's NC Tandy's a call and ask for Aubrin, if you don't mind let him know I sent you. They respond to email really good for me so far

Here is the numbers

Tandy Leather #148 - RALEIGH-148

Manager: Aubrin Rhem

raleigh@tandyleather.com

6514 Old Wake Forest Rd, Ste 130

Raleigh, NC 27616

USA

Phone: 919-981-0021

Fax: 919-981-0024

Toll Free: 888-812-0010

Store Hours:

Monday-Friday: 9am - 6pm

Saturday: 9am - 4pm

Sunday: Closed

[TwinOaks]

Or, contact the store in Hoover, Al and talk to Chance. He's one of the good ones, and a pleasure to deal with.

1845 Montgomery Hwy S. #215

Hoover, AL 35244

USA

Phone: 205-982-4490

Fax: 205-982-4493

Toll Free: 800-936-3214

[King's X]

The Tandy store in Austin run by Dennis Guerra is awesome. My understanding is that he ships orders all over the country. When I am there he is constantly taking phone orders and putting boxes together. Give them a try.

On a side note, I would give Springfield Leather or one of other sponsors a try. I personally know that Springfield will want to know what your application is so they can connect you with the right product. Their button is listed above in the banner.

Good luck and sorry you experienced this. Good luck.

[Spinner]

I second King's X suggestion of SLC, all of the ladies that answer the phone are pleasant to deal with and I've never been unhappy with an order or price with them.

As for the leather, why not give Wickett & Craig a try. Even their 8-10 oz overstock veg tan is better quality than 95% of Tandy's best hides and it runs $107 for an entire side. With shipping to CA (from PA) I pay about $130 and they'll split it to a lighter weight for free if you ask.

[wildrose]

I've met Aubrin in person, and both in shop and via phone have had good service there. I also really like the Charlotte, NC store.

[radar67]

I visited the New Orleans store on Jun 25 and had a very different experience. I spent close to 5 hours in the store (my second visit) and had several people with me. The staff was very friendly. Both ladies were sales associates, as the Manager was no longer with the company and the new manager had not arrived yet. I do most of my ordering by phone, but Kristian knew who I was the second she heard my name. The other young lady was new to the store and was still learning her way around, but was very friendly.

I purchased 8/9 oz double shoulders for $4.79 sq ft. I made several other purchases and everything was the same price as listed in the catalog and online. The only damascus knife I have ever seen at Tandy is the Al Stohlman brand and it sells for $149. They did offer a round knife for $49 in the last flier, but it was not the Damascus knife, it was the standard Al Stohlman knife. My first trip to the store, I had the same good experience. The previous manager spent a great deal of time with me on that trip.

I think many times, our individual attitude affects how we are treated when we enter a place of business, at least that has been the case for me.

[Shane in Baton Rouge]

I visited the New Orleans store on Jun 25 and had a very different experience. I spent close to 5 hours in the store (my second visit) and had several people with me. The staff was very friendly. Both ladies were sales associates, as the Manager was no longer with the company and the new manager had not arrived yet. I do most of my ordering by phone, but Kristian knew who I was the second she heard my name. The other young lady was new to the store and was still learning her way around, but was very friendly.

I purchased 8/9 oz double shoulders for $4.79 sq ft. I made several other purchases and everything was the same price as listed in the catalog and online. The only damascus knife I have ever seen at Tandy is the Al Stohlman brand and it sells for $149. They did offer a round knife for $49 in the last flier, but it was not the Damascus knife, it was the standard Al Stohlman knife. My first trip to the store, I had the same good experience. The previous manager spent a great deal of time with me on that trip.

I think many times, our individual attitude affects how we are treated when we enter a place of business, at least that has been the case for me.

Well, a new manager just called me on the phone. Like new this morning. He was great. Answered my questioned. Stated that there had been a mistake and I placed an order. The knife WAS half off, and the black leather was actually TWELVE DOLLARS a foot. Ross knew the product because at his old store they had to sell it for half off. (still too much)

Ross was great, and made things right with me.

I WILL make another trip down to shake his hand and spend some more money.

[King's X]

That is outstanding news!