What Do I Need To Buy When I Go To Tandy, Leatherwise?

[Studio-N]

Thanks for the reply... We have 2 Tandy's here... The manager of one was telling me today that he was ashamed of the quality of leather that they have been getting lately... He told me "Honestly, we don't have anything that you want here."

Not a smart move for a manager of the evil empire to talk down about their products. They have a very paranoid management structure, and if what you say is true and it was

repeated here on this public forum, they will probably replace him for it.

Edited July 14, 2013 by Studio-N

[IngleGunLeather]

Tandy just needs to start being a distributor for HO, plain and simple. It's a better product and for some it's more convenient to drive to the local store and pick what they need. I know I would have given them more business if that we're the case.

[Curley Fryes]

When I'm making something to sell, or just want better quality at lower prices, I go to Springfield not Tandy. Lower prices if you're a Gold member.

[doubleh]

I am fortunate to have two sources for my leather working supplies in the same town. Tandy's and S & D Trading Company. S &D sells only Herman's Oak leather and that is where I go. I don't even know where the Tandy store is located.

I quit buying from the old Tandy company long before they folded because of the quaility of their leather and the fact it was always sold as one thickness more than it actually was. From things I have heard and also read on the internet things haven't changed with the new company and I'm not interested in checking them out.

[Jeff L]

Tandy has become the "walmart" of the leather world. You certainly don't go to walmart to buy anything of quality... Seems to be the same with tandy also.

[WinterBear]

Well, I can get some nice leathers there still for a comparable price (just not the veg tan so much), and it's nice to pick out leathers in person--for this, Tandy is my only option, there is nothing else that will deal with a small hobbyist within a 4 hour radius unless I wait until the sellers come in during CFD, at which point I'd pay premium prices for anything from a vendor there. And Tandy, even if the quality has gone down hill from past years, is still a good place to get kids interested in leathercrafting. The simple knife pouch, bracelet or belt made at summer camp or during a workshop is often a kid's prized possession or memento. It may be a Walmart of leather, but sometimes it's what gets people started.

[Steve75]

I think it should be clear that a production leather shop needs something much more durable than that which a hobbiest uses. As has been said by others on this forum, Tandy fills a niche no one else seems willing to fill. A person just getting started or toying with the idea of leather working needs affordable tools to learn with.

[EquusCustomLeathers]

I don't see why Tandy couldn't carry both grades of leather..maybe the cheaper stuff for new people that are learning, and a higher grade for pros. In all honesty, I do like their more exotic leathers, and upholstery hides, but their tooling leather leaves something to be desired..

[IngleGunLeather]

Concur with Tandy having its purpose. When I lived in San Diego the Tandy shop was 30 minutes away. I bought most of my supplies and tools from them and I have no complaints about them. They were convenient. On the other hand when I started using HO I always had to order it. It is very nice for a beginner to walk in not knowing what he/she needs and be able to see a product and ask questions. For that I think they do a real good job.

Edited July 16, 2013 by CountryTrash

[Colt Hammerless]

Jeff L,

I'm surprised W&C quoted you that much for shipping. I bought an 8/10 oz. skirting back (20 sq. ft.) and they shipped it to me in AZ for right about $20 if memory serves. It certainly wasn't $40-50. Springfield's very good about shipping as inexpensively as possible.

Paul