Do Buyers Really Just Not Care?

[Cyberthrasher]

So say what you will, if this guy knows his audience, he is selling some.

But, he isn't selling any.

[dirtclod]

He's sold 12 things and has feedback for two of the things pictured.

Edited November 16, 2013 by dirtclod

[hornm]

I blame it on video games and rock 'n' roll....

But seriously. This is the "disposable generation" that we're dealing with. They probably wouldn't know what to do with something that was actually made to last. Similar in a sense to the keeping up with the Joneses (hope I stated that right) mentality. Something new is going to come out here soon that you'll just have to run out to get so that you can be just like the rest of the herd.

Just keep in mind that "our" target audience are those few people around that still know what a quality item is. When I say "our" I mean your since I haven't made anything yet that I would be comfortable having someone give me money for.

Horn

[electrathon]

I haven't made anything yet that I would be comfortable having someone give me money for.

Horn

We are working on that. Are you coming tomorrow to Tandy?

[benlilly1]

I'm usually on here for learning and seeing some of the fabulous works. If I see posted photos with "what do you think?" and I know the work is not that good I usually don't comment. If someone is asking for help and wanting to learn I'll give my 2 cents if I can but I won't say it's good if it isn't.

I have a story that I may share later that keeps me on my toes with leather working. I'm usually my worst critic and I'm always striving to improve. Which reminds me, I need to get back to work!

[hornm]

We are working on that. Are you coming tomorrow to Tandy?

Yup. I need to find my strap cutter and get some of that latigo cut if you can still split it for me.

I have a story that I may share later that keeps me on my toes with leather working. I'm usually my worst critic and I'm always striving to improve. Which reminds me, I need to get back to work!

I hope to hear that story sometime. I've really liked what I've seen of your work.

Horn

[electrathon]

I have a story that I may share later that keeps me on my toes with leather working. I'm usually my worst critic and I'm always striving to improve. Which reminds me, I need to get back to work!

Striving to improve and being your own critic is why you do good/better work. Continuous improvement is the goal.

Yup. I need to find my strap cutter and get some of that latigo cut if you can still split it for me.

I will bring in the splitter if you are bringing the leather.

[chiefjason]

Sometimes the buyer just wants something that will do the job. I've sold 2 holsters recently that had set in my garage for months. One had a bad spot in the leather show up after dying. Or more likely, I missed it until I dyed it. Customer saw it and bought it for a training class. Said he would beat it up far worse that weekend. Next one was built for a bull barrel gun, but I got the inside dimensions out of whack and the front sight would catch inside the holster. The guy that bought that one had a shorter, non bull barrel. Gun drew just fine. I cut them a deal on the price, they got what they wanted, and I turned inventory into a little money. I've got another one that a buddy saw today. He wants me to finish it for him as a second.

Sometimes the customers needs don't fit our ideas of what they need. So I always keep those seconds around for people to look at. I won't ship one out. But if someone looks at it and is fine with the issues, then we both part ways happy.

And most folks have no idea what we look for in work. I'm such a holster snob anymore I annoy myself. Most people don't even look at them hard.

[OdinUK]

I guess you get what you pay for. Its my opinion that most folk in this disposable society want it cheap and don't have an eye for detail or don't care. Thank goodness there are folk who do appreciate a quality hand made item and are willing to pay for it. I'm one of those guys

[Red Cent]

"There are a lot of leatherworkers that do very poopy work, on here too." Boy, that is going to make us newbies paranoid.

ChiefJason, I agree. I have some hanging in the shop that I won't ship but they are very functional . I won't sell them until I get better. I recently made a couple for some paying friends and the response was great. Makes me feel a little better.

My first ones were terrible but I didn't know how bad they were. Between Cas City and here, the bar is being established. One step at a atime.