Working for Tandy

[Hidemechanic]

I only scanned most of the answers(my head hurts) but people rolling there eyes because you work for Tandy is like giving the guy that pumps your gas a hard time for high prices. Yah, I'm from Oregon we don't pump our own gas yet.

Anyway, I think the answers to the poll might be somewhat different depending if you are a hobbyist or you do volume work or work that requires that which Tandy may not offer. I think the answers would be different between the two catagories might not give an accurate sence of the intention of the poll, but maybe it wouldn't be that big a deal.

Like was said, a jobs a job.

I think I make more money doing what I do then do those who may look down their noses at me for it. I don't know cause I don't know anybody that gets pait to look down their nose at what I do. I gave up trying to change other peoples minds.

If I could make a good living with bennies and ret. I'd work there.

GH

[BillB]

GH,

At my age I have to look down my nose a everyone since that is where my glasses have come to rest.

LOL

8-)

[wolvenstien]

Yah, I'm from Oregon we don't pump our own gas yet.

I don't know cause I don't know anybody that gets pait to look down their nose at what I do.

Side note.... is it a state law thing? I have heard that some stated require the fuel to be pumped by "qualified" person....

I used to work as a cable contractor.... very nasty dirty work crawling under houses and up poles all day. I had a lady customer ask me once how much I made, when i told her I made over $80,000 the previous year I saw her actually falter and almost drop what she had in her hands.... It was fun...

[Hidemechanic]

I also meant to add that I think every one's idea about Tandy is going to be mostly based on their perception of their experience with their local store. The fella that took his 80? yo mother to Tandy and had an outstanding experience will think highly of the company.

Whereas, I may have a low opinion of the store I may go to because they may have prioreties that have more to do with making sales rather than customer service.

Same as Radio Shack. Some shops have employees that enjoy electronics and helping customers find what they need. Others just have saleman that don't care what you need and just want to sell you something. I don't expect most HAM operaters to go to RS because they don't offer what they want anymore(not that they did much).

Quality of each store is going to depend on the franchisee. So Me Thinks,, GH

[Billy P]

Hi everyone, I've been following this for a bit and just want to add a couple of thoughts. I am far from being very good at leatherwork. I go started about 1974 because of an old fart at Mrytle Beach S.C. He was doing Mystrey Braided bracelets and wouldn't show me how to braid them. I went and learned on my own, and have loved it ever since then. He and I did become friends that lasted until he passed away about 1981. I have some Crafttools from Tandy from 1974, some that arre earlier than that, plus I buy all the new ones I can affford on my Disability checks. The quality has changed some over the years, but a lot of other things has had the quality go down too. If anyone knows where a person can get the stamping tools, that Tandy sells, that are of equal or better quality, for the price that Tandy sells the their stamps for, then where are they at. I can't find them on the interenet. The closet Tandy to me is about 65 mi., which makes it about 1 to 1 and 1/2 hours away from me. shoot If I live close enough I'd work there for free just to meet other people who have the interest in leather that we/I do. As tough as it is sometimes maybe we need to be really thankful for all that Tandy Leather Co. has done for out craft over the years. I know that some of their quality is down, I also know that some of the prices are up, but with out them a lot of us can hang up doing leather work. I can't get a wholesale/resale # because of being on SS Disability and they tell me I can't even volunteer to feed a dog at the dog pound, they say if I can do that then I can do productive paying work, LOL, ain't they smart people. anyway got to go eyes are crossing, I'm gonna hug my Chihauhau and fuss at the wife. She making me eat a piece of homemade Pinapple cake with no sugar, just nutra sweet, because of my diabetes. Love her to death, she's my babe for ever. Bye for now Billy P

[Froghunter]

OK...my turn....

I DO work for Tandy. For about 8 months now. I am training in the Orlando Store under the manager and will hopefully be getting my own store very soon.

I gotta tell ya I am proud to be associated with this company. It is run by individuals that haven't forgotten what "Customer service" really means. And they do care about the employees as much as they do the customers, which in the retail world is VERY uncommon. One of the things that really struck me is the prevailing idea to always make the customer happy. We all know that this is a foreign concept in most stores.

I am 41 years old and this is my retirement job. I am looking forward to the chance to work and do something I love to do in my tarnished years! By the way, this is my first retail job.

Now to answer a question I know is burning in all of your chests, do I use Tandy exclusively for product? Absolutely NOT. I am a business owner and know the value of suppliers and shopping around. I am not stoopid! However, with that being said, for the most part, Our stores offer most everthing the hobbyist, serious leatherworker, and even business owner can utilize. And it is a great place to meet other crafters, both hobbyist and professional, to learn from, bounce ideas off of...whatever.

I hope we are around for a good long time!

If you have never been to a Tandy Store I challenge you to find the nearest one and visit, meet the Manager and employees, take in some of your stuff and share a cup of coffee and some ideas. Maybe even volunteer to teach a class. You probably won't get money in return, but just knowing you are doing what you can to further the craft and teach some noob how to lace, dye or run a knfe line, is very rewarding!!!

If you are in the Central Florida area, stop in and see me.....I'll buy the coffee!

[wildrose]

Side note.... is it a state law thing? I have heard that some stated require the fuel to be pumped by "qualified" person....

I used to work as a cable contractor.... very nasty dirty work crawling under houses and up poles all day. I had a lady customer ask me once how much I made, when i told her I made over $80,000 the previous year I saw her actually falter and almost drop what she had in her hands.... It was fun...

It is, I think. I'm in PA now, but just across in Jersey, you're not ALLOWED to pump your own - it says so right on the pumps, actually it says it's illegal! I think that's a bit pathetic myself...

[Froghunter]

It is, I think. I'm in PA now, but just across in Jersey, you're not ALLOWED to pump your own - it says so right on the pumps, actually it says it's illegal! I think that's a bit pathetic myself...

The Oregon law is actually in place at the bequest of the citizens. It is voted in everytime it hits the ballots. Most people would rather pay a few cents a gallon more and not get gas on their work clothes, or have to get out of the vehicle on a cruddy day.

Plus in the smaller towns, the feel of the "old time" SERVICE stations is alive and well! I actually enjoyed it when I lived there! I am a native!

[richclickerdies]

tandy in ft.worth on 820 is always out of everything , an most of the people are smart azza

[ClayB]

The poll wouldn't take my vote either.

I would consider working for Tandy if I didn't have to reloctate, do book work, or deal with grumpy customers. If it weren't for Tandy, I would have never gotten into leather work, so I feel I owe them. I think they have some really great people working for them too. I hope they are around for a long time. People complain, and maybe they have a reason, but I think that Tandy is working on the problems. They are working on improving the Craftool line. They came up with new dyes and finishes that will be legal to use in the future. I have been using the Eco Flow dyes and the more I play with them, the more I like them. They also now have some better quality leather. It costs more, but it's there if you want it. I just ordered a side of it from Clay Miller at the Rapid City Store and hope to get to try it out this weekend.

I don't think anyone that works for Tandy has anything to be embarrassed about. If there was a store near me, I would be really temtped to see if they'd hire me.

Tandy has an advertisement in the last issue of the Leather Crafters and Saddlers Journal saying they are now hiring. To apply, contact Tandy at storeops@leatherfactory.com