My Wc Experience

[Bobby hdflame]

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.

I, for one, am glad you posted your experience. I like to know when members on the forum have problems. Sometimes it sounds like people can be a little too demanding, but that doesn't sound like it applies in your case. You were pretty patient but don't tell me something is gonna ship and not follow through. I'd rather hear the truth even if it's going to be a while. Then I can make an informed decision as to whether or not I want to wait or cancel.

I'm in the process of buying a new Cobra Class 24 from Steve at Leather Machine Co. just because of what I've read on this forum. I've purchased from Springfield also, but not any leather yet. However, after reading about your experience, I'll be trying some leather from them soon. Thanks!

[Go2Tex]

I've been using W&C for years, mainly for their drum dyed skirting and for the most part have been fairly satisfied. Occasionally things go wrong but they always are very good about making it right. Of course, this take time and time is money. I waited for several weeks for some brown skirting last year. I forget how long it took, but it was very unusual for them. I don't know if it was the change in ownership a few years back or what, but I've noticed a change in the quality of the leather. It's not as consistent. I started noticing raw untanned areas which never happened before. More fat wrinkles, too. And the price just keeps going through the freaking roof! That's probably the devalued dollar and government over-regulation.

My biggest complaint about W&C is their phone answering system. Instead of just connecting you to the next available sales person, they give you all their extentions to pick from and you have no idea who is actually even in the office. I want to talk to a live human being, tell him what I want and get some indication of which century I can expect to get my order. How damned hard is that?

Right now I'm looking for some really premium latigo. Not that flimsy veg tanned stuff, but the waxy, retan firm stuff Weaver used to sell. Their Chahin is ok but not quite as nice. I tried their Hermann Oak latigo for some tie straps, and I had a long time customer actually send it back to me! She had noticed the difference right off the bat. Not good.

[Rayban]

I've been using W&C for years, mainly for their drum dyed skirting and for the most part have been fairly satisfied. Occasionally things go wrong but they always are very good about making it right. Of course, this take time and time is money. I waited for several weeks for some brown skirting last year. I forget how long it took, but it was very unusual for them. I don't know if it was the change in ownership a few years back or what, but I've noticed a change in the quality of the leather. It's not as consistent. I started noticing raw untanned areas which never happened before. More fat wrinkles, too. And the price just keeps going through the freaking roof! That's probably the devalued dollar and government over-regulation.

My biggest complaint about W&C is their phone answering system. Instead of just connecting you to the next available sales person, they give you all their extentions to pick from and you have no idea who is actually even in the office. I want to talk to a live human being, tell him what I want and get some indication of which century I can expect to get my order. How damned hard is that?

Right now I'm looking for some really premium latigo. Not that flimsy veg tanned stuff, but the waxy, retan firm stuff Weaver used to sell. Their Chahin is ok but not quite as nice. I tried their Hermann Oak latigo for some tie straps, and I had a long time customer actually send it back to me! She had noticed the difference right off the bat. Not good.

Sounds like legit complaints to me...am I safe to assume you've shared these things with the powers that be @ W&C?

[K-Man]

Chris: I've read/heard of experiences like yours from other folks here. Not a good thing in my opinion that that could happen. I only use H.O. now, and have found their customer service, and that of their outlets I've used, to be quite good.

Go2Tex: You might consider the folks at ALD in KY. I've seen some of their latigo and also have a small sample pack. I'm just around the corner from you - just north of Karnes City, along 80. Give me a shout if you want to stop by.

Edited January 22, 2012 by K-Man

[Go2Tex]

Chris: I've read/heard of experiences like yours from other folks here. Not a good thing in my opinion that that could happen. I only use H.O. now, and have found their customer service, and that of their outlets I've used, to be quite good.

Go2Tex: You might consider the folks at ALD in KY. I've seen some of their latigo and also have a small sample pack. I'm just around the corner from you - just north of Karnes City, along 80. Give me a shout if you want to stop by.

Thanks for the invite. I will definitely have to do that. Would love to see your shop and talk leatherwork.

[Scary Leatherworks]

My 2 cents. I have used WC twice and I love their leather. I do agree they are slow in the shipping but I just plan for it and wait. I too am a small fish but they treat me right. I just figure if I want a quality product I have to wait for it the same as the people who order a briefcase from me have to wait 2+ months. I say don't give up on them just know ahead of time it takes 2-3 weeks for leather no matter what. But I also really like Springfield Leather and are always a pleasure to do business with

[Bobby hdflame]

Chris: I've read/heard of experiences like yours from other folks here. Not a good thing in my opinion that that could happen. I only use H.O. now, and have found their customer service, and that of their outlets I've used, to be quite good.

Go2Tex: You might consider the folks at ALD in KY. I've seen some of their latigo and also have a small sample pack. I'm just around the corner from you - just north of Karnes City, along 80. Give me a shout if you want to stop by.

I really appreciate reading about actual honest experiences from forum members. So far, I've only bought leather locally. I have purchased some other supplies like Kydex from Springfield.

Sometimes, long time members of forums use abbreviations that leaves us, with less experience, in the dark. Could someone share with me what these mean, or point me in the direction of a chart that has them listed?

Here's the ones I need help with: H.O., ALD.....I figured out what W&C is. That one was easy!

[K-Man]

Bobby hdflame: Sorry about that. ALD = American Leather Direct - leather tannery in KY. H.O. = Hermann Oak - leather tannery in MO.

[dickf]

My 2 cents. I have used WC twice and I love their leather. I do agree they are slow in the shipping but I just plan for it and wait. I too am a small fish but they treat me right. I just figure if I want a quality product I have to wait for it the same as the people who order a briefcase from me have to wait 2+ months. I say don't give up on them just know ahead of time it takes 2-3 weeks for leather no matter what. But I also really like Springfield Leather and are always a pleasure to do business with

I don't mind to wait at all. I mind when I'm told one thing and something different is actually happening. If it is going to take 2-3 weeks, then tell me that. Don't tell me it will ship in 1 week, and then 3 weeks later that it's still somewhere in the splitting department. You know?

I also didn't order after I ran out - I ordered in anticipation of running out soon. If they would have given a more accurate timeline, I would have ordered from Springfield AND Wickett and Craig...and this thread wouldn't exist!

With that said, it's pretty amazing the differences between the two leathers and I can see why using 1 for different types of holsters is beneficial. They're both great.

[Bobby hdflame]

Bobby hdflame: Sorry about that. ALD = American Leather Direct - leather tannery in KY. H.O. = Hermann Oak - leather tannery in MO.

OK, Thanks for that info. Now, I know who to Google to find out more about them. I figured that Googling ALD would have been a shot in the dark!