Reality Check, Please. Tandy Leather Price Doubled.

[dcobranding]

I feel like I need to make sure that my expectations are reasonable regard to quality and wholesale price of raw vegetable tanned leather.

For about a year now, I have been buying (as a Gold member) Tandy's 8-9 oz. European bends for about $80 each. I purchased 3 of these bends about 45 days ago at that price. Today, I learned that my prices went from $80 each to $150 each. I use the European bends because I require super clean stock for the products that I make. The European bends are roughly 30" x 50" with about 10% waste max on the hides that I buy (every 3rd piece in the store is superb quality, and those are the ones I get).

I realize that the drought last year caused some fluctuation in the market, but did prices double within just a few months?

Another issue—which might just be on the local level—is I feel like I have to HAGGLE to get competitive prices. One example: Springfield sells quart Fiebing's for $30 retail, Tandy for $40 retail (elite is $30). Their snaps are like $50 for 100, which I have managed to get for $18/100 on a price match.

I'm getting weary of dealing with Tandy. How can the expect a future if they only cater to the hobbyists?

Am I unreasonable? Please help me if I'm way off here. I really want to be realistic.

[dcobranding]

I forgot to mention that I spent 90 minutes in store looking through EVERY OTHER HIDE in the 8-10 oz, and couldn't find a clean one! Some were somewhat clean, but had serious wrinkles. What's up?

[TomG]

Our local store has had a huge range of quality in specific sides. I bought a couple of Latigo sides that were beautiful. Others in the stack were absolute garbage.

I also bought a couple of sides of their light weight saddle skirting a few months ago and it is almost impossible to split. Almost pulled my bench over trying - and that's with a newly sharpened blade and with the splitter mounted so I pull lengthwise down the bench.

I'm really not sure why it seems to be getting worse. I like Tandy - if for no other reason that our local staff is fantastic (Atlanta GA) and super supportive. I'm about ready to start buying my leather on-line.

[cem]

I've used the European bends in the past if you want sticker shock check the Australian price

https://www.tandyleatherfactory.com.au/en-aud/home/department/leather/tooling-shoulders-bends-bellies/9038-472.aspx

Would love to find out who the tannery is so I could bypass Tandy as I do like the leather for very light natural stuff.

[sheathmaker]

I have been a Tandy customer for various supplies and some leather since 1951. Last Monday will mark my last purchase from Tandy for exactly the reasons outlined above. I have been on the very best price level for years and I was shocked to find Feibing's TanKote @ over $20 quart, Barge Contact Cement $62 gallon, and the Sam Browne button washers at $1.80 each and only available in single pack packaging. I usually buy ten dozen at a trip in the master packs of one dozen. So any way the inflated prices and changes to business methods is enough for me to say it's been fun for many years but now it's over.

Paul

[Chief31794]

Something is going on at Tandy. I haven't used them for leather for years, I do get a few things from them from time-to-time for convenience, but that is probably going to stop. I got a notice in my last order from Springfield Leather that Tandy, out of the blue, gave them notice that they could no longer get distributor pricing so Springfield would no longer be able to resell Tandy supplies at Elite level, they were going to have to add 15% I think it was. I don't care cause I don't order Tandy stuff from them, but that combined with the price increases discussed above seems to indicate that they are changing policies. I wonder how long before they stop giving me elite status for free? I'm a Disabled Veteran Small Business and they've always sold to me at Elite prices. I just have a feeling that they may change their policy on that as well. I've complained about their quality plenty, I started buying from them in 1970 and at that time you could get some good quality stuff from them. I have been buying hardware from them, no tools, no leather, some lining (their pig splits are pretty decent), but I think that is all going to change. Too bad, without Tandy over the years, many people wouldn't have gotten into leather, me included. Oh well, enough ranting, they should just go ahead and move from Fort Worth to China and be done with it.

Chief

[DavidL]

a lot of people are buying tandy because they aren't aware they are being ripped off. Nearly every store in my area is over priced for goods like cameras, electronics and high tag goods compared to online, but by 15-25 percent which is reasonable since they have a huge store, good return policy and I can test it out before I buy. Tandy sells below quality tools for the same as budget high end tools. The fact they are a major shop makes people think their prices are fair.

It could be Tandy is going bankrupt and their trying to jack up the price so people opt for the elite memberships for fair prices. Hopefully they smarten up and just sell online for normal price or keep their prices slightly higher than online since they have a store.

Oh well, enough ranting, they should just go ahead and move from Fort Worth to China and be done with it.

Chief

Maybe the prices will be reasonable since all their tools are made in China and they won't have to ship it to North America.

[Studio-N]

I'm getting weary of dealing with Tandy. How can the expect a future if they only cater to the hobbyists?

Am I unreasonable? Please help me if I'm way off here. I really want to be realistic.

The reality is that Tandy no longer cares about businesses. There is not enough margin in it for them (or so they say). There goal was to make $100 million in sales last year. The only way to do that is

to sell lots of high margin retail. Of course while their retail business is up, their wholesale business is way down for all the reasons stated here.

Our local store has had a huge range of quality in specific sides. I bought a couple of Latigo sides that were beautiful. Others in the stack were absolute garbage.

I also bought a couple of sides of their light weight saddle skirting a few months ago and it is almost impossible to split. Almost pulled my bench over trying - and that's with a newly sharpened blade and with the splitter mounted so I pull lengthwise down the bench.

I'm really not sure why it seems to be getting worse.

Two problems here. one - the dollar is in the crapper. 2nd - Tandy buys the cheapest hides they can find. the only way to get them 'cheap' is to buy the whole tannery run. so you get the good, the bad, and the very ugly which they distribute to the stores. And don't forget you've got foreign manufacturers willing to pay top dollar for the best hides. They don't care because they don't have to pay their slave labor very much. So even though Tandy has lots of money they won't pay the top dollar although they are charging like they do.

Something is going on at Tandy. I haven't used them for leather for years, I do get a few things from them from time-to-time for convenience, but that is probably going to stop. I got a notice in my last order from Springfield Leather that Tandy, out of the blue, gave them notice that they could no longer get distributor pricing so Springfield would no longer be able to resell Tandy supplies at Elite level, they were going to have to add 15% I think it was.

Chief

Yes, all part of their master plan to try to get all of the business. Very few people are getting Distributor prices these days. Not that it matters since sometimes it was only a 5% difference from business/elite. From their perspective distributor pricing brings in a 30% margin, where business brings in up to a 50% margin. I'm sure they think all that wholesale business will shift to their stores.

IMHO, it is my belief that they are trying to shore up the stock so they can sell the company. i think they realize that leatherworking is a dying craft. Excluding manufacturing which is usually large enough to buy direct from the tannery anyway. The average age of leatherworkers is somewhere between 300 and 400 years old (we all know it's true) with many getting too old to do leatherwork or literally dying off. The rate of new leatherworkers is simply not keeping up. And why would it? Leather doesn't have a joystick, so today's youth doesn't care about it. They may get introduced to it as in summer camp, but lets face it they get bored with it fast because it takes years to develop skill and oh wait, the TV is on. So in the mean time, they'll keep trying to milk us for what they can until it's time to dump it. And when that does happen, the new owners will certainly close many stores and ruin what's left.

BTW, I think it's funny that many of the Tandy store staff come to me to have their maker stamps done 'cause they ain't gonna pay the Tandy price!

EVERYONE HAVE FUN. Let's keep supporting the small suppliers. Cheers!

[Hi Im Joe]

The reality is that Tandy no longer cares about businesses. There is not enough margin in it for them (or so they say). There goal was to make $100 million in sales last year. The only way to do that is

to sell lots of high margin retail. Of course while their retail business is up, their wholesale business is way down for all the reasons stated here.

Two problems here. one - the dollar is in the crapper. 2nd - Tandy buys the cheapest hides they can find. the only way to get them 'cheap' is to buy the whole tannery run. so you get the good, the bad, and the very ugly which they distribute to the stores. And don't forget you've got foreign manufacturers willing to pay top dollar for the best hides. They don't care because they don't have to pay their slave labor very much. So even though Tandy has lots of money they won't pay the top dollar although they are charging like they do.

Yes, all part of their master plan to try to get all of the business. Very few people are getting Distributor prices these days. Not that it matters since sometimes it was only a 5% difference from business/elite. From their perspective distributor pricing brings in a 30% margin, where business brings in up to a 50% margin. I'm sure they think all that wholesale business will shift to their stores.

IMHO, it is my belief that they are trying to shore up the stock so they can sell the company. i think they realize that leatherworking is a dying craft. Excluding manufacturing which is usually large enough to buy direct from the tannery anyway. The average age of leatherworkers is somewhere between 300 and 400 years old (we all know it's true) with many getting too old to do leatherwork or literally dying off. The rate of new leatherworkers is simply not keeping up. And why would it? Leather doesn't have a joystick, so today's youth doesn't care about it. They may get introduced to it as in summer camp, but lets face it they get bored with it fast because it takes years to develop skill and oh wait, the TV is on. So in the mean time, they'll keep trying to milk us for what they can until it's time to dump it. And when that does happen, the new owners will certainly close many stores and ruin what's left.

BTW, I think it's funny that many of the Tandy store staff come to me to have their maker stamps done 'cause they ain't gonna pay the Tandy price!

EVERYONE HAVE FUN. Let's keep supporting the small suppliers. Cheers!

I believe we are going to see a resurgence in handcrafted leather goods and handcrafted goods in general. There is a lot of pushback against big generic products and a lot of consumers really want something that is made locally or by hand. I have been to some maker fairs and have seen just a wealth of people making all kinds of stuff. There are a bunch of young leatherworkers out there making great stuff.

Look at guys like Barrett Alley, Blackacre, Teranishi etc...Also, look at guys like Ducjecs from Guarded Goods, the Hand & Sew Guy, etc. etc.

[rlpullman]

Last time I visited the local Tandy store, they had just received over two hundred of the European Double shoulders. Our local Tandy store sells them at $80 each or $200 for three. I always get three. These were very nice, and I was able to find three exceptional ones over 15sf each. We have a new manager, and she does her very best to help you out. I registered my tax number at Tandy, and I get the best prices. At some point I may try to order from Springfield or somewhere else, but as long as the local Tandy manager can provide the quality I like, I will save the money it will cost for shipping. Personally, I like to look at what I am buying when it comes to leather.

[electrathon]

Last time I visited the local Tandy store, they had just received over two hundred of the European Double shoulders. Our local Tandy store sells them at $80 each or $200 for three. I always get three. These were very nice, and I was able to find three exceptional ones over 15sf each. We have a new manager, and she does her very best to help you out. I registered my tax number at Tandy, and I get the best prices. At some point I may try to order from Springfield or somewhere else, but as long as the local Tandy manager can provide the quality I like, I will save the money it will cost for shipping. Personally, I like to look at what I am buying when it comes to leather.

That was at the old price. Look here for the new doubled price: http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/search/searchresults/9038-472.aspx

[BondoBobCustomSaddles]

Chief, like you I am a disabled vet, and have been getting the elite pricing for years, however; I too have been unhappy with the trend Tandy is on and has been for the last 5 years or so. Bottom line, well... that is the bottom line. I have seen this trend of cutting cost, and cutting of the quality down to just what it takes to get it out the door, in many industries, guess that's what they teach in business college these days. Prime example is the lowering of the standards on DV testing of automotive systems and components so that they will just barely meet the warrantee period, (current recalls for GM and Ford as an example). This practice is going on in a lot of the industries, not just automotive. It is a mind set, Like you, I think Tandy is infected with it, and the goal is to make as much as you can fast and get out while the getting is good!

I could list a lot of specific examples that I know of, but; I have been trying to just relax and enjoy retirement and making saddles. If I get started, I won't be able to stop. Suffice it to say, I just sit back and watch it happen with disgust. Guess I've turned into one of those grumpy old cusses JW talked about Tall in the Saddle.

Bob

[Chief31794]

Chief, like you I am a disabled vet, and have been getting the elite pricing for years, however; I too have been unhappy with the trend Tandy is on and has been for the last 5 years or so. Bottom line, well... that is the bottom line. I have seen this trend of cutting cost, and cutting of the quality down to just what it takes to get it out the door, in many industries, guess that's what they teach in business college these days. Prime example is the lowering of the standards on DV testing of automotive systems and components so that they will just barely meet the warrantee period, (current recalls for GM and Ford as an example). This practice is going on in a lot of the industries, not just automotive. It is a mind set, Like you, I think Tandy is infected with it, and the goal is to make as much as you can fast and get out while the getting is good!

I could list a lot of specific examples that I know of, but; I have been trying to just relax and enjoy retirement and making saddles. If I get started, I won't be able to stop. Suffice it to say, I just sit back and watch it happen with disgust. Guess I've turned into one of those grumpy old cusses JW talked about Tall in the Saddle.

Bob

Bob,

First, thanks for your service. Totally agree, although I have a business license and do this pretty much full time, I don't depend on it, it is "fun" money and keeps me busy. I just get frustrated with corporations that forget how they got where they are.

Thanks,

Chief

[HippieLee]

I kinda feel bad about all this but I know you guys are right. I still like my local Tandy store but that's 99% because of the two part-timers there that teach all the classes. I've learned a lot from those two guys and they are not afraid to tell me "Don't buy that here..." from tools to supplies they will let me know if it can be had better and/or cheaper elsewhere. I have love in my heart for them for helping me get started in leather craft but on the other hand I'm not trying to get ripped off.

I was there for a pictorial carving class yesterday and am loving the class and new techniques but I had a look around at the leather and saw a lot of uuuuuugly pieces. More holes and scratches than smooth leather....

I watch videos online by guys like Nigel and Ian and even considering the poor quality of youtube video you can see the leather they have is something I've sure never worked with...I'd probably lose my mind if I got hold of some Horween...

Of course, they do still have some decent stuff - I got a really nice piece of turquoise pig suede (4~5 square feet) for 10 bucks. I'm gonna use it for liner on a peacock-themed cell phone case I'm making for my wife

[Ed in Tx]

There was an excellent example of how Tandy has lost touch with any reality in their last add I received in the mail. They have a new item which they seem to be very proud of, it was a paper poster of

"Cattle of the World" and their asking price was $39.99. The description stated that there was a brief description of the country of origin for each of the different breeds. I thought there must be some sort of printing error when I saw the almost $40 price tag.. I would say that this single item is a clear indication that someone in Tandy upper management is absolutely insane!!!

Seriously now, do they actually think anyone in their right mind is going to pay $40 for a poster?? It is very obvious that Tandy has no interest in serving real leather craftsmen, they are only looking to sell to beginners and people that are not aware of other choice for their leather needs.

[HippieLee]

If that wasn't so sad it would be hilarious! On a side note, is the Grapevine Opry still going? I miss Texas.

[Michael Guest]

In addition to the price hike, I also have issue with the switch away from square-foot pricing to flat rate for all pieces. I don't buy a lot of leather at a time, because I simply can't afford to, so I am always trying to balance price, quality, and quantity (fortunately, for a lot of what I do, I like having imperfections in my leather).

The only reason I go back is due to convenience of location. But I avoid them as much as possible now, which is a shame because I have them to thank for getting me so far along when I first started out.

[cgleathercraft]

The only reason I order from Tandy, which is rare anymore, is because I know I can get my order fast. An order placed on Sunday night will show up at my door on Tuesday. Consistently. An order I placed (July 8th) at another location roughly the same distance away from me has yet to arrive. All the notification I have received is that it has been processed. To me it has become the price of getting decent prices and shipping (lowest at both places).

I'm just a hobbyist at this point but if I ever want to do any craft shows or rely on some of the income I can't, and don't want to, pay for a lesser quality Tandy product at the same price of a high quality product. At the same time I won't always be able to afford to wait a week + for my order to show up.

Honest truth, my hobby has become a huge drain on my income. I have taken to ordering 1 or 2 items a month just to do a project. It gets better as I go along knowing that tools are a (mostly) one time purchase. I have cut back ordering significantly, but not entirely because of prices.

/gripe

[FlHobbyist]

There was an excellent example of how Tandy has lost touch with any reality in their last add I received in the mail. They have a new item which they seem to be very proud of, it was a paper poster of

"Cattle of the World" and their asking price was $39.99. The description stated that there was a brief description of the country of origin for each of the different breeds. I thought there must be some sort of printing error when I saw the almost $40 price tag.. I would say that this single item is a clear indication that someone in Tandy upper management is absolutely insane!!!

I'm with ya about this. I saw it too, and I raised my eyebrow, just like Mr Spock. I guess it's good money if you can get it.

Bob

[FlHobbyist]

The only reason I order from Tandy, which is rare anymore, is because I know I can get my order fast. An order placed on Sunday night will show up at my door on Tuesday. Consistently. An order I placed (July 8th) at another location roughly the same distance away from me has yet to arrive. All the notification I have received is that it has been processed. To me it has become the price of getting decent prices and shipping (lowest at both places).

In a nutshell this is also why I deal with Tandy. I like SLC a lot more than Tandy, but their shipping has gotten slower and slower. It to the point that it takes a minimum of 2 weeks to order and get anything from them. I'm also not too fond of the minimum $12.00 shipping fee from either Tandy or SLC, which is why I go elsewhere if I need anything small.

[HippieLee]

Heck for 12 bucks you can probably drive in to the Orlando Tandy store to pick something up and still come out ahead on gas...

[FlHobbyist]

Heck for 12 bucks you can probably drive in to the Orlando Tandy store to pick something up and still come out ahead on gas...

I've got to try the Orlando store one of these days. So far, I've only visited the Tampa store. Some days in Tampa they are real nice and helpful, and other days it's pretty clear they don't give a #$!$. The distance is about the same, and I don't know why I haven't gone East rather than West.

[DoubleC]

It would be nice if they doubled their quality along with the price but they didn't. We don't have a Tandy here where I live so I've always ordered online. I get 99% of my stuff from SLC and 1% from eBay, Tandy, etc. I noticed on my last order that SLC shipping has gone up but I didn't have to wait like I'm hearing you folks did. I ordered online and it took 7 days to get it but only because of a weekend. I got it yesterday. I get a good discount from them and have usually bought my tandy through them because I still got my discount. I wasn't aware that this had changed. I just bought a new edger and checked both Tandy and SLC and saved 30% by getting it at SLC. At one time Tandy was having a .99 sale on Italian leather and a friend of mine went in and picked it out and the two pieces I got were beautiful. A friend of mine on here ordered a side of it and got red checked. Looked like a freaking tablecloth. They even put a note in it that he could send it back if he didn't like it. But the shipping both ways was higher than the piece of leather. I got in on their sale of calf leather lace at .99 and the first store that the order was shipped to said they didn't have any. I said, "send the order to another store.' DUH. And I got it but the shipping was $8.00 so what kind of deal was that really? Now they'd probably charge 15.00. I feel sorry for new people starting out that think Tandy is their only option.

BTW I didn't knpow we were all 300-400 years old, LOL.

[barehandcustoms]

Funny I stumbled upon this thread today. I was punching numbers last night on a new item to get my per unit cost and noticed something weird. The leather cost were coming out the same as it did for drum dyed Hermann Oak products. I ordered a double shoulder from Tandy over the weekend because I needed it ASAP. I did a SQ ft measurement on the piece I got and this average quality leather cost as much as freaking Hermann Oak from Springfield.

I was shocked because not only was I paying more for less product and quality but I have a membership with Tandy. I don't have one with Springfield *yet*. I will say the double shoulder from Tandy was very clean and showed up after 2 days.

I will just buy Hermann Oak from Springfield if its going to cost the same as imported leather from Tandy with a membership. I hadn't bought from them in a few months because I loaded up on leather awhile back. So the price change kind of caught me off guard. I also got that blue slip from Springfield on my last order stating that Tandy was changing the rules of the game on them. WTF Tandy

I think Chief said it best...

""Too bad, without Tandy over the years, many people wouldn't have gotten into leather, me included. Oh well, enough ranting, they should just go ahead and move from Fort Worth to China and be done with it.""

Edited July 16, 2014 by barehandcustoms

[Hi Im Joe]

In a nutshell this is also why I deal with Tandy. I like SLC a lot more than Tandy, but their shipping has gotten slower and slower. It to the point that it takes a minimum of 2 weeks to order and get anything from them. I'm also not too fond of the minimum $12.00 shipping fee from either Tandy or SLC, which is why I go elsewhere if I need anything small.

I just bought some leather from SLC and there was no $12.00 minimum. It cost me like 5.50 to ship.