Wicket and Craig salesman

[jrny4wrd]

Which sales person do you work with at Wicket and Craig and what is it you like about them? 

[MADMAX22]

Think Ive worked with most of them, not a issue with any of them. I usually know exactly what I am ordering ahead of time so there isnt much conversating. Tell them what I want, give them my info and wait for delivery. Anyone of the sales staff have readily answered the few questions I have had on that rare occasion.  

[JLSleather]

Don't think it matters, though it may be a plus to try to get the same person each time you order.  It's easier for them AND you if the person you talk to is familiar with the way you want the order handled... saves the trouble of explaining what you want to the next person.

 

[Red Cent]

".....the way you want the order handled."

 

Say what!!!

Shopping for leather is a roll of the dice. You never know what you will get. JLS, I went back to a leather supplier and thought, maybe, I will get some good stuff. Spongy again. Tried twice to order from W&C and both time was told they were shut down and could not/will not ship for a few weeks. So I trek back down to Ramseur and hand pick a couple of sides, a cheap double shoulder, and some other stuff.

Now I see where you are returning HO leather. Holy.............!!

Having said all of that, have you seen the sales that Tandy has going on? Might make a trip to Raleigh.

 

[JLSleather]

Hey, Red

When I say, "the way you want it", I'm referring to the fact that if I deal with largely one person, then he would know what weight or combination of weights I want, etc.  I've got some W/C in teh past I wasn't happy about, but also some BEAUTIFUL leather. 

But the HO I've been less than pleased with was from somebody OTHER THAN Hermann Oak.  I swear, I've seen "B" grade hides that look like they were ddragged down a gravel road on the grain side.  Spongey, uneven thickness, soft spots, thin spots, discolorations, scratches that span the hide (one was so bad, I had to scratch my head for a bit to get three belts out of it).

Basically, I can only blame myself.  The first time, maybe even twice... you didn't know. But keep going back (to anybody) after that... and it's no longer THEIR fault entirely. 

As a rule, I try to get my leather from HO or W/C from the tannery.  But occasionally, like this week, I run short on some weight, or drum dyed color.  And I've tried MOST of the suppliers discussed around here at least once.  Goliger has sent me good leather -- and some not so good.  SLC has sent me some decent leather -- and some I couldn't believe they even bothered to ship.  A couple sides from Weaver were SO bad I have never asked them about leather again.  And RJF.. once was enough.  I didn't even send it back.. just laid it on the floor for the dog to be sure I'd always remember it.  Shoot, I've even picked up some good leather at Tandy on occasion (I used a LOT of their Royal Meadow carving leather over the years... which of course discontinued now).

I "get" it... leather isn't flawless.  Even "A" grade from the tannery got SOME marks / blemishes.  But I've never needed to return leather from H.O.  Still not "flawless", but at $9/ft (backs, not sides) if I pitch a little out I can take it   Because $9 is not $12 or $15 (translation 33% and 65% markup).

If I could work that out, I'd ONLY buy leather that I can see myself.  But doesn't usually work out that way.  

My recent threads weren't about leather quality so much as disbelief that anyone would pay $15 - $18 per foot for leather that doesn't even CLAIM to be top of the line.  A guy kin do what he wants with his money, but i don't get it.  STILL, the intent is not to badmouth any supplier, so much as to INFORM the new guy that there's no need to pay that much.  You and I know that, but lots of folks (particularly here) may not.

I'm willing to accept the possiblity that I'm talking to myself, though.  I've told people where and how they can find good leather for markedly UNDER $10/ft.  I've even offered to let go of some great leather that I'm LOOKING at for my cost... but - guy's gonna do what he's gonna do

 

 

[RockyAussie]

Are you talking to someone JLS? ..........Ha Ha That's all the point on coming to this forum.

[JLSleather]

Maybe would have been easier to just say "Call Matt".  People still wouldn't do it, and I would have saved the time writing that post

 

[jrny4wrd]

This is the thing. I don't quite know how they work their bulk prices in so I am completely ignorant to the fact. You get something from Herman oak and they tell you how much you need to buy to get it at said price. With wicket and craig you have to tell them exactly what you want so they can tell you what they will discount. Almost like there is no said list of rules they go by. I mean, I guess it could get difficult if someone was to order a mix of different tanages and we are pretty fortunate that they even go out of their way to sell us singles. I may be projecting because I know I am a little guy but I always feel like they are "in the air" with time frame and such that I wonder if they just take a guess because Im really just a small guy and a waste of time to check. Again, it may just be me. Its pretty hard though when u are not a retailer but rather a craftsman because the finances are not always a month advance of ordering. Plus, its rare I even know what weight I am going to need. Since I make so much different stuff. Again, I'm not trying to put them down because I am certain us small guys are a pain in their ars. I guess its just a matter of getting up the dollars to get bulk so that you can figure in the time frame better. Being new to them I am testing out their stuff slowly. Is there a salesman there that works with leather though? You know, someone whom can answer questions without sounding like they are guessing? 

[Red Cent]

As JLS points out, the sales manager is Matt. First name on the list at W&C. Good luck.

 

http://wickett-craig.com/tooling-holster-carving-pricing/

 

 

 

[MADMAX22]

15 hours ago, jrny4wrd said:

 You know, someone whom can answer questions without sounding like they are guessing? 

Have you talked to them? 

So ya go on a forum to ask others about there "opinion" on the knowledge of a sales person? Everyone is different. Some guys that order leather probably think they know more then  the guy that has worked at a tannery his whole life, others may barely know what veg tan is. 

I personally think you should just call and place a order if you want. There advertised prices are less then any other retail price. If you have the cash to place a large order then you should be calling and arranging the price and shipping anyway. 

I have personally dealt with atleast 2 of the 4 listed sales ladies/men and Matt. I called, told them the 4-6 different hides in what thickness I wanted, gave them my info, got leather within 2 weeks. Oh and the leather is always much better then any retailer I have tried. 

Edited July 29, 2016 by MADMAX22