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

[lightingale]

The Tandy near me (Quebec, Canada) carries "European tooling cowhide"

I like the quality of this veg tan leather, and is close to that from Moore Pearsall, the other local leather distributer from whom Cirque du Soleil buys their leather to make their masks (so I'm told).

[Jeff L]

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

Yep Paul, $40-$50 from PA to AZ plus a $.35/per ft. surcharge that they say took effect May 1,2013.

[Colt Hammerless]

Yeah, I got an email from them about the surcharge back in April. You have me a bit worried about that shipping quote. I've only bought two backs from them so far, and only had one of them shipped. The other one they brought with them to the trade show in Wickenburg (which will be in Prescott next year.)

Paul

[jbossartcustomgunleather]

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." ... I was simply looking for a decent 7-8 oz tooling hide for my holsters... Pathetic. Any idea what Springfield charges for shipping on a hide??? ... I asked Wickett & Craig they told me $40-50 a hide (tooling hide)... Seems a little much to me... But I did get a nice sample set in the mail today... If that whole hide was the same sweetness as that sample, I could deal with the shipping charges....

I use Wickett and Craig only, in fact I now use their drum dyed harness and latigo leathers. They are veg-tanned, and finished with varying degrees of waxes to create durable leather with beautiful deep colors, they don't even require finishing! I've used the carving, English bridle, and belt latigo(my favorite so far) and am going to order some of their harness leather soon. The customer service is fantastic, the shipping is fast, just great overall. The last two sides I ordered were under $400 shipped, but then I am in the same state. That being said, Tandy has been my friend many times when I need some hide and don't have much cash, you can always go to Tandy and walk out with a piece of leather that will get the job done.

Edited July 20, 2013 by jbossartcustomgunleather

[WScott]

Yes Tandy has its place, as does wall mart and the like. Leather work is not a cheap undertaking.

Big Summer clearance sale on right now at Tandy, so will go on my day off but I am not buying leather....unless its real cheap

[Studio-N]

Most of the clearance items here are out. That's usually the case on their clearance sales, just something to help the stores get rid of the discontinued stuff.

[camano ridge]

Your right I went to the nearest Tandy to me and they did not have a single one of the items in that flyer that I wanted including the leather that is on sale they did not even have it in their wharehouse. I was told that if one store some place has an item it goes in the flyer. It seems to be a ploy to get you in to the store figuring even if they don't have what you want they will be able to sell you something. I guess we have gotten off track of the original posters question.

[silverwingit]

Here is a valuable tip for leatherworkers or other craftsmen -- get a State DBA (Doing Business As) License. A DBA is an affordable alternative to incorporating, enabling a small, often one-person endeavor to operate as any other company with accordant benefits and responsibilities. Simply stated, having a DBA means that you have the ability/responsibility of collecting taxes and reporting related income. It also enables you to access discounts at many local and online suppliers and order from wholesale-only companies.

In my State of Colorado, one can register a DBA for one year (or more than one DBA for that matter) online for $25 (each). Having my Colorado State DBA gives me access to an average discount of 10%-15% from Springfield, for example, but more importantly to me, it also enables me to do business at wholesale-only companies like Weaver Leather or Ohio Travel Bag. Further, I can deduct expenses related to the production of my goods (tools, equipment, not expendables like leather) on my State and Federal income tax returns.

Of course you should carefully check your own State's tax regulations or a lawyer if need be. Collecting sales tax seems like a huge step, but it is eased considerably with the computer program, Quicken, which automates much of the process. Only In-State sales need be taxed. Reporting income and tax reporting occurs under your personal Social Security number, under your personal income tax filing. There are no special "Company" record keeping or reporting beyond that.

Long and short, obtaining a DBA is easy and inexpensive, and it allows significant savings and access to companies that only deal with other companies. There is little negative offset, especially since, with only a small investment in the software and time learning Quicken, tax reporting is a breeze.

Works for me!

Thanks,

Michelle

Edited July 22, 2013 by silverwingit