Picking out leather hides

[mojave]

Good day all,

What are some of the things to look for when selecting hides?  I won't to go to the store and pick out my leather.  I have always ordered over the phone and lately received not bad, but fair leather.  The edges are hard and dry, and sometimes a little stiff.  This doesn't happen a lot, but don't like sending it back hand having to wait another few weeks for a new delivery.  I do understand about bites, cuts, etc., its the quality of the leather its self.  I make plain holsters, gun belts and wallets for now.  I am teaching myself how to carve, using Billy Hell's post "25 Rounders.

Thanks Howard