My Wc Experience

[dickf]

Let me start by saying that I don't do a large amount of holsters and gear per month. I'm not a big-time holstermaker, and I definitely don't measure my success by quantity. I don't buy 10+ sides at a time - I buy 1 at a time.

With that, I've been using Springfield Leather for my source fo Hermann Oak leather for a while now. Kevin always seems to know what I'm looking for, and the leather I get is top-notch. Plus, Springfield has other things to play with like shark, horse, etc. A few months ago I decided to give Wickett and Craig (WC) a try - you know, just to see how they compare.

The allure of using WC was that I was buying direct from the tanner, and they would split it to 8oz even for no charge - plus, they 'holster' the leather for free. My first side took 2 weeks to come in. When it did, it was as limp as a wet noodle. It was absolutely good for nothing to me, albeit very pretty leather. Evidently, it was split too thin and wasn't holstered. It went back. After 2 more weeks of waiting, I got what I ordered the first time (I had to be refunded, then charged again, it it matters). Man, this leather was gorgeous and firm. I made several holsters from this side and they all turned out great. On Dec 21 I ordered again from Glenn and was advised that it might take them some time to get it to me because they were busy. He quoted me a week to ship it out. Fine with me. A week and a day later, I hadn't been charged yet, so I called. I was told it was going out this week. I called again on Jan 9th and was informed that it would be going out that day or at the latest, Wednesday. I cancelled my order yesterday because ti was still somewhere in the tannery. At no point were any of the sales staff really concerned, and the only time they did anything fast was when I wanted to cancel my order. Wickett and Craig has amazing leather, but their customer service is piss poor. I guess I'm just a small fish in a big pond to them.

Right after I got off the phone with WC, I called Springfield, placed an order, and a few hours later got the tracking number via email. <-- This is service. Springfield has always made me feel like they want my business, and actually care about the customer. Thanks, Kevin!

Edited January 13, 2012 by dickf

[JoelR]

Sorry you had a bad experience with Wickett & Craig. I use there leather exclusively and have never had anything but a good experience with them.

[Eaglestroker]

Dick, sorry you had a bad experience. I started with W&C per recommendation and have used nothing but since, haven't had any issues. This has only been 5 sides over the course of a year as well. Springfield is still a top notch supplier and I use them for a lot of my supplies, quality stuff at an affordable price and quick shipping to boot.

[Art]

Big manufacturing companies tend to run their inventory low in December to keep it off their balance sheets, then have a large order for delivery in January to ramp up production. You probably got behind a few of these Big orders. I seldom order anything for January delivery for this very reason.

They are pretty good folks up in Pennsylvania, but small or large, they probably service every fish in order. I can't say I have ever had a problem with that, I am deep enough in stock and small enough that I am not concerned with "just in time" supply strategy.

Art

I guess I'm just a small fish in a big pond to them.

[dickf]

Big manufacturing companies tend to run their inventory low in December to keep it off their balance sheets, then have a large order for delivery in January to ramp up production. You probably got behind a few of these Big orders. I seldom order anything for January delivery for this very reason.

They are pretty good folks up in Pennsylvania, but small or large, they probably service every fish in order. I can't say I have ever had a problem with that, I am deep enough in stock and small enough that I am not concerned with "just in time" supply strategy.

Art

While your explanation could be the reason for my experience, I was told different things about when it would ship. I assumed that telling me that it would ship out the same day or within the next 2 days meant that they had information about where it was in the process. After all, they had 3 weeks to get an overstock side to me, and still couldn't ship it when they said they would. Like I said, I love the leather and everything about it. If I could actually get it, I'd still be using it. Too bad.

[awharnessshop]

Ive had good luck with them, I was ordering bridle sides, they finished beautiful but had a softer hand. For some things this was good but for others not so much. They sent me out the sample cards, and a bigger chunk of the "Show Harness" Ive been buying the show harness now and really like it. At Weavers auction I bought a dozen sides, some "Show harness" some "Work Harness" and for the most part it's good, obv. the leather at the auction wasnt the best they offer!

One thing about them that blows my mind is the Color names! They have all these differnt tanages, and then they will have some common names, but they're not the same color! Med. Brown in bridle isnt Med Brown in Harness, or Show harness! Colors are confusing for me anyways! Dark brown or black! Other then Color, the sides seem to run a bit light in weight, not a big issue, they're consistant! and the leather finishes off beautiful! Harness, Show harness, bridle, Work harness... I dont care what they call it, but they're who I call!

-Andrew

While your explanation could be the reason for my experience, I was told different things about when it would ship. I assumed that telling me that it would ship out the same day or within the next 2 days meant that they had information about where it was in the process. After all, they had 3 weeks to get an overstock side to me, and still couldn't ship it when they said they would. Like I said, I love the leather and everything about it. If I could actually get it, I'd still be using it. Too bad.

[Shooter McGavin]

I ordered a couple of sides of their " tooling/holster/carving" leather a couple of months ago. They sent me skirting. When I called they could not tell me what the differences were. WUT???

The skirting has worked out pretty well for me, but still, it's not what I ordered, and was never asked if the skirting would be OK for me.

[usmc0341]

I think I'll stay with Springfield Leather. Every time I order they have great communication and are just an all around great company. If it ain't broke I ain't gonna try to fix it!

[Rayban]

I experienced a bottle neck of sorts around Christmas time myself at W&C....I just chalked it up as a learning experience for me....I'll make sure I don't need to order too close to Dec. for now on.

I love the leather and the folks there have been very generous with their time with me, so I wouldn't think of throwing them under the bus publicly.

[dickf]

I experienced a bottle neck of sorts around Christmas time myself at W&C....I just chalked it up as a learning experience for me....I'll make sure I don't need to order too close to Dec. for now on.

I love the leather and the folks there have been very generous with their time with me, so I wouldn't think of throwing them under the bus publicly.

Again, I also love the leather. Their leather would be my first choice and I made some incredible holsters with it.

Under the bus? No, that was my experience, and the title of this thread. I waited 3 weeks to get something I was told would take 1, and I still never got it. Do you do business like that? If you did, could you fault anyone for telling others?

Like I said, maybe I'm a small fish in a big pond and my experience was an isolated incident amongst everyone else. That doesn't mean that it didn't happen and can't happen again. Perhaps I'll roll the dice again someday, as it was great material.