New Orleans Tandy Store

[wildrose]

Glad to hear all went well with resolution! I do have to agree that there are times (not all, though), that my own attitude upon entering the store affects how I feel about the service. I've been in retail long enough to know there are some customers that walk in the door in a bad mood. Even then, I feel the store has the burden of providing excellent service. That's what they're there for, after all.

[Kevdbry]

Shane,

I've been shopping at that Tandy store for MANY years now and have NEVER incountered HALF of what you are claiming!! Prices are what they are, YOU should be very aware of this. You buy the leather, make an item and sell it.....for PROFIT!!! Do you think Tandy will sell you something without there profit margin? YES, prices do go up and NO, Tandy does not have to tell you about it. You will find out on your next purchase. And why is it taking you 2 hours to drive from Baton Rouge to New Orleans???? I make that drive every weekend (from Baton Rouge) and it only takes me an hour and 15 minutes, driving the speed limit. Not assuming anything about your driving habits, but thats not Tandys fault.

As far as the "same bug bit, scratched" leather you tried to buy......you as well as everyone else on this site knows that you have options. If you don't like what you see, you have the option of buying somewhere else. It's called a free market society!! You make holsters, well, I'll make sure I buy my holsters from someone who's not complaining about the leather at Tandy!! I've purchased my leather from several different sources and trust me, Tandy notices. Not to making excuses for Tandy, but they did change tanneries because of the quality of leather was decreasing at an incredible rate. BUT, in the meantime, they have literally thousands of hides in their warehouse that need to be sold. So, they will sell those FIRST before putting out the "good stuff", to recoup their money. If you don't like the conditions of the leather, again, find another supplier.

As with the employees there, yes, that store has had some issues, just like any other business. Kristin is not the manager but she is one of the most knowledgable employees I know!!! When she quotes you a price, there is no mistake, that's the price. Ross is currently the new store manager and he is a great guy, I met him this past Saturday. The "attitude" you received was NOT attitude, it was someone doing business with you and not bowing down to your request and from what I've read, it pissed you off. All I can tell you is.......Cry a river, Build a bridge, and GET OVER IT!!!!

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.

[Mijo]

Kevdbry, I find your post in this thread to be inflammatory and condescending. Shane was simply expressing his experience and was kind enough to follow it up with how Tandy attempted to reconcile the situation. Shane brings up valid points in his posts, i.e. pricing has changed since his last visit and there's a discrepency between the in store price and what's listed on the website. Shane has every right to post his negative experiences with a vendor, other members have also done the same. I've also noticed a general lack of good customer service from my own local Tandy store (with the managers not the sales people) and I no longer utilize them for supplies unless I'm in a bind. You have a right to refute Shane's opinion, but at least do it in a civilized manner w/o inciting a flame war.

[Spinner]

Kevdbry, I find your post in this thread to be inflammatory and condescending. Shane was simply expressing his experience and was kind enough to follow it up with how Tandy attempted to reconcile the situation. Shane brings up valid points in his posts, i.e. pricing has changed since his last visit and there's a discrepency between the in store price and what's listed on the website. Shane has every right to post his negative experiences with a vendor, other members have also done the same. I've also noticed a general lack of good customer service from my own local Tandy store (with the managers not the sales people) and I no longer utilize them for supplies unless I'm in a bind. You have a right to refute Shane's opinion, but at least do it in a civilized manner w/o inciting a flame war.

I was thinking the same thing. When someone's third post on a forum has more flames than a bonfire, all I see is "Troll" and the rest of their post is fodder.

Edited July 11, 2011 by Spinner

[Art]

Kevdbry,

You should be using the Tandy in Tucker (aka Atlanta). Much shorter drive than New Orleans. We like to hear when someone has difficulties so we can try and turn it around. Some folks are too shy to call TLF in Ft. Worth and complain, but there are those of us who will let the powers to be know that someone is having problems. That's why Leatherworker.net is here. It is hard enough keeping your own family towing the straight and narrow, imagine trying to keep track of 100 stores all over the country. Believe me, everyone on the train wants to know when you have a wheel off the tracks.

Art

Shane,

I've been shopping at that Tandy store for MANY years now and have NEVER incountered HALF of what you are claiming!! Prices are what they are, YOU should be very aware of this. You buy the leather, make an item and sell it.....for PROFIT!!! Do you think Tandy will sell you something without there profit margin? YES, prices do go up and NO, Tandy does not have to tell you about it. You will find out on your next purchase. And why is it taking you 2 hours to drive from Baton Rouge to New Orleans???? I make that drive every weekend (from Baton Rouge) and it only takes me an hour and 15 minutes, driving the speed limit. Not assuming anything about your driving habits, but thats not Tandys fault.

As far as the "same bug bit, scratched" leather you tried to buy......you as well as everyone else on this site knows that you have options. If you don't like what you see, you have the option of buying somewhere else. It's called a free market society!! You make holsters, well, I'll make sure I buy my holsters from someone who's not complaining about the leather at Tandy!! I've purchased my leather from several different sources and trust me, Tandy notices. Not to making excuses for Tandy, but they did change tanneries because of the quality of leather was decreasing at an incredible rate. BUT, in the meantime, they have literally thousands of hides in their warehouse that need to be sold. So, they will sell those FIRST before putting out the "good stuff", to recoup their money. If you don't like the conditions of the leather, again, find another supplier.

As with the employees there, yes, that store has had some issues, just like any other business. Kristin is not the manager but she is one of the most knowledgable employees I know!!! When she quotes you a price, there is no mistake, that's the price. Ross is currently the new store manager and he is a great guy, I met him this past Saturday. The "attitude" you received was NOT attitude, it was someone doing business with you and not bowing down to your request and from what I've read, it pissed you off. All I can tell you is.......Cry a river, Build a bridge, and GET OVER IT!!!!

[Kevdbry]

Mijo,

You are absolutely correct......he does have the right to express himself and his experiences........and so do I. Tandy has a way of correcting issues and its not through this forum. Its through their management staff or coporate office. From his post, all I heard was a lot of wining. Sure, even I have had bad experiences, but instead of crying about it on a forum, I went straight to the problem and fixed it there. Why involve all these other people in your personnal issues? This forum is (or was) designed for individuals who love working with leather in all facets of the industry. To share ideas, questions and successes with leather. Not a crying post because of a bad experience. If you feel that my statements were inflammartory and condescending, then you will understand, that's how I deal with winers, I stop the wining and nip the problem in the bud.......no more problem or wining. I'm a straight shooter, I don't hide behind forums to make myself heard. If I have a problem, I go straight to the source, not to an online forum so others can feel my pain. Any questions?

Kevdbry, I find your post in this thread to be inflammatory and condescending. Shane was simply expressing his experience and was kind enough to follow it up with how Tandy attempted to reconcile the situation. Shane brings up valid points in his posts, i.e. pricing has changed since his last visit and there's a discrepency between the in store price and what's listed on the website. Shane has every right to post his negative experiences with a vendor, other members have also done the same. I've also noticed a general lack of good customer service from my own local Tandy store (with the managers not the sales people) and I no longer utilize them for supplies unless I'm in a bind. You have a right to refute Shane's opinion, but at least do it in a civilized manner w/o inciting a flame war.

[Shane in Baton Rouge]

Hi all,

I suppose that he did not read the whole thread before posting.

I forgive him, the manager at the store made things right with me and took the time to explain the price issue on the leather.

He honored the sale on the Damascus knife, and I ordered it.

I will patronize the store again because of the solid way he treated me.

His own post indicates problems with past employees.

I was only sharing my own experience, not attacking anyone.

I was, am and will be a customer because Ross took the time to explain the price issue.

The person that waited on me did not.

The leather was purchased at a price that has made it difficult to sell.

The last Manager apparently extended me a discounted price on it because it was a slow mover, but he didn't tell me about the favor he extended. I am grateful for it now that Ross explained that to me.

Ross recalled the same batch and type of leather at the store where he formerly worked.

The fact that Kevin knew who waited on me, while I did not is instructive.

I enjoy this forum and have learned alot here. Certainly didn't mean to offend anyone, but felt that it was appropriate to share my experiences.

Both the not so positive at first, but also the very positive and professional resolution of it.

My post was made here only after my emailed attempt to contact a manager went awhile unanswered.

Shane

Edited July 11, 2011 by Shane in Baton Rouge

[Kevdbry]

Art,

Again, free market society. I wasn't aware that I "had" to use a particular store location. Plus, I live closer to the Chattanooga, TN location than the Tucker store. PLUS, because you brought it up, I'm working in Baton Rouge and have been doing so for many years now. As far as someone being shy about calling the Ft Worth office, I understand that some people do not have the back bone to call about an issue and can hide behind forums. If there are wheels of the track, just tell THEM, not everyone else who don't want to hear about the crying. As you can tell, I don't sugar coat things. Read the reply I sent to Mijo and that should explain things, no sence in typing it twice.

Kevdbry,

You should be using the Tandy in Tucker (aka Atlanta). Much shorter drive than New Orleans. We like to hear when someone has difficulties so we can try and turn it around. Some folks are too shy to call TLF in Ft. Worth and complain, but there are those of us who will let the powers to be know that someone is having problems. That's why Leatherworker.net is here. It is hard enough keeping your own family towing the straight and narrow, imagine trying to keep track of 100 stores all over the country. Believe me, everyone on the train wants to know when you have a wheel off the tracks.

Art

[rickeyfro]

Jeez Kev, looks like most of the crying, whining and attitude in this thread is comin from you buddy. Chill out, go kick a puppy or somethin to make you feel better. "No sense in typing it twice" Hell Im sure most of us woulda been happy without you typing it once,

Art,

Again, free market society. I wasn't aware that I "had" to use a particular store location. Plus, I live closer to the Chattanooga, TN location than the Tucker store. PLUS, because you brought it up, I'm working in Baton Rouge and have been doing so for many years now. As far as someone being shy about calling the Ft Worth office, I understand that some people do not have the back bone to call about an issue and can hide behind forums. If there are wheels of the track, just tell THEM, not everyone else who don't want to hear about the crying. As you can tell, I don't sugar coat things. Read the reply I sent to Mijo and that should explain things, no sence in typing it twice.

Edited July 12, 2011 by rickeyfro

[electrathon]

Shane came on here expressong valid concerns, some of which were rectified by the new Tandy manager. Kevdbry come on with only 3 posts ranting like a lunitic. Most of what he is saying would only make since if you do not think about it. It truely sounds like Krvdbry has some sort of personal intrest in this. Not sure what, but hard to believe anyone rational would post what he did.

Shane, hope things are better now. There is a new manager, possibly some of the issues that were created in the short time the last one was there can be fixed. And yes, all Tandy stores are supposed to be selling from the same price lists (this can be confusing, there are more than one).

Aaron