Leather BS (aka nashville hustle)

[JazzBass]

I FULLY understand the frustrations expressed here. If you think it's bad in the leather business, try the music business. There are countless hacks, frauds, and amateurs, that are actually ACCEPTED by much of the public as "good". Meanwhile, I'm expected to work for what I made 30 years ago - prices in the restaurants have risen steadily, while musicians are supposed to be happy with whatever they wish to pay . 

HOWEVER ---

Relative to "craft shows" and the like, you have one HUGE advantage - side by side comparison.
I've always believed that if what is routinely accepted as "good" is shown side by side with something that really is, that average people will see the difference. No, they can't say why it's good, but they'll certainly know which is better.

IMHO, the only thing to do is what you, yourself, can control. Do your best work, and price it accordingly.
Sure, we can joke about selling hot dogs, but it's hardly the labor of love that results in a high expression of art.
As hard as it is, try not to get wrapped up in either the amateurs who undercut you, or those who ask similar prices for inferior work. Don't let amateurs dictate how you run YOUR business. Believe in yourself, and the work that you do. No, it's never easy.

...or go buy that hot dog wagon

[JLSleather]

Actually, I wasn't complaining -- actually amused by teh thought that the wife really WAS listening at least part of the time  

Mexican fella came by a while back, wanted to buy an older phone I had advertised.  His buddy, who apparently gets by just fine without speaking any english at all, had a NICE belt on, so I commented on it.  Apparently, he and his friends can get men's sized belts IN MEXICO, tooled and beaded the entire length, for $5 US.    The tannage is different, but many just wont notice or particularly care.  Shoot, if it was $5 I'd wear that belt myself!  Nice belt, made by people content making next to nothing.  

Having said that, I can't work for that.  If, like this guy, I had someone to pay my rent, and cover any medical attention I might need, and any money I make goes straight to my pocket in the form of cash, then I guess I could do that too?  Then I could buy cell phones from americans who got new ones, put them on pay-for-minutes cards, travel back and forth across the border with my cousins bringing 15-20 of those belts over the border once every couple of weeks, to sell for (you guessed it) cash, pitch the phone if I start bringing too much attention ....

BUT, I'm not that guy.  But I AM the guy who thinks that if it's mine, that means I can charge as little or as much as I like.  YOu folks must be the same, since most never ask me what they should charge, I'm guessing you decided it's not up to me (and you'd be correct).

Personally, I'm naturally a sucker for the kids - so I have to watch myself a bit.  When we did those "shows' and "fairs", we would take 25-50 of those little key rings with us.  You know the ones.. little piece of leather with a tandy 3-d stamp, or an initial, folded over and riveted to a key ring.  See folks selling them for $5-10 each.  We GAVE them out... mostly to kids who just wanted to get SOMETHING at the fair - the little folks were happy to get something, the parents were happy the kids were happy, and I got no mustard on a handbag that I spent 8 hours on   Winning all around.  EXCEPT, sure enough --- there'd be that a@@ down the row mad as a wet cat cuz his best seller is being HANDED OUT by that bald guy ....  

I once advertised a "sale" on cutesy.. belts for the little ones.  Advertised as "childrens belts"... mad cheap.  Stamp some leather with a geometric stamp, add some dye or stain and a buckle... no big deal.  Not like full tooling or braiding, right?  Then I got people wanting $35 belts for their "kid", who has a 36" waist ..

But that's true even here. A few times I offered stuff for sale.  Idea was, you get a good something at a good price, and maybe you dodge buying a minimum amount, or it comes WITH something, etc.  But, always resulted in lowball "offers".. I mean lowball as in I would not have the NERVE to even make an offer like that. 

[JazzBass]

Free key fobs - Ah-HA! That's one way to get a little "revenge", and get people to look at your work, instead of the hack at the end of the aisle...I like it! LOL!

[JLSleather]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juNqfxhirBM

Tommy Boy covered this already

 

[NVLeatherWorx]

4 minutes ago, JLSleather said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juNqfxhirBM

Tommy Boy covered this already

 

And that just about sums it up.  Could not have made a better selection to drive this topic home.

[YinTx]

7 hours ago, JLSleather said:

"It took me a long time" could simply mean you're S L O W

I advertise this all the time.  I tell everyone that wants custom that "I am SLOW.  As in months."  So if you need it fast, I'm not your guy.  Only one guy didn't get that.  And I gave him his money back, no problem.  Usually, I don't take any money from anyone until I am done and they have it in their hands and they are happy.

What I don't advertise is that custom work is slow.  Some folks do custom fast.  What I mean is *I* am slow.  

YinTx

aka Slow Draw McGraw

[JLSleather]

I'll take slow over dishonest every time.  But you aren't describing "slow", you're talking about SCHEDULING.  I'm talking about those people who wait 4 weeks to do my order, then want to bill for me the 4 weeks

 

[OLDNSLOW]

22 hours ago, Big Sioux Saddlery said:

I have forever said that instead of trying to peddle leather goods at the trade shows, we ought to have a food booth!  Or beer, at the shows that offer that!

were are from Cali the land of year round farmers markets or craft fairs and the bacon wrapped hot dogs are big sellers from the start to finish. and if one ended at noon and there was an evening one they would pack up and go to the next one, so you know those people were making bank

[YinTx]

On 10/14/2018 at 7:02 PM, JLSleather said:

I'll take slow over dishonest every time.  But you aren't describing "slow", you're talking about SCHEDULING.  I'm talking about those people who wait 4 weeks to do my order, then want to bill for me the 4 weeks

 

Hmm, yeah, gonna hafta be honest here, I'm just dang slow.   But, on the bright side, I don't charge for my pace.  In fact I tend to charge less based on my pace.  Makes em happy anyhow.  I agree on most of the stuff on this thread, I get frustrated with the low end stuff being sold for premium prices.  Had a guy try to sell me some Damascus knives, high end he says, only USA retailer from his custom supplier.  Alas, made in Pakistan.  He seemed to be doin good business selling 3 kitchen knives for $400.  But, somedays I just put my head down, damn the torpedos, ignore the bombs bursting left and right, and trudge ahead... at my slow pace.

YinTx

[ABHandmade]

@JLSleather

@battlemunky

Fully agree with you!

This is my favorite picture on this issue.
The inscription on it "There is always one who makes cheaper"

Hanging on the wall in my office

Edited October 23, 2018 by ABHandmade