This Art Form Is Going Straight To Hell

[fredk]

I made enquiries in that direction - answer was a big No. Not even if they were free to them

[Northmount]

On 5/27/2020 at 10:38 PM, Sheilajeanne said:

May I suggest this thread be moved to Leatherwork Conversation?

Moved

Tom

[Sheilajeanne]

Thank you, Tom!

[Handstitched]

G'Day, 

my 2 cents worth, but due to the increase in the price of opinions, its now  5 cents worth   

This is an old story, but I have only bought from Tandy when there are specials , as in, when they are actually cheaper than my other  regular suppliers. But got so frustrated with their ' club discounts' .  You'd see a " special" , you click on the item....with 3 different prices !!! Total let down !!   They did away with that. Wholesale?  B2B ? forget it !!!   But now there isn't a Tandy outlet  in Australia .  They should have opened up in  the CBD Perth  Western Australia( not the east) .  They might have done a little bit  better.   While Tandy have done great things getting newbies interested   in the art of leather over many years,  their business model sucked !! 

I'm happy to teach this dying  art . I'd have customers come to me  asking me if I'd teach. More than happy to for free . They can come to my workshop, they can use my tools and leather scraps etc.  They are full of enthusiasm,  I'd give them my contact details....thats where their interest ends, they never follow up  .  Thats when I get  a little bit  p*ssed off !!  I had to educate a  few young high school kids at my stall once as to where leather comes from ... I was gobsmacked !!!!  One of my school excursions  at that age  was going through an abattoir . (old  Albany abb.  for you west Aussies) .  Can't say I haven't tried. 

On 2/15/2020 at 7:53 AM, terrymac said:

Now if they would just bring Neatlac and their top of the line leather, I would be a happy camper.

Hear hear !! Love to see Neatlac return    Substitutes are no match. 

On 2/15/2020 at 5:14 AM, chuck123wapati said:

Thank modern gubment education! Young folks just aren't being taught to use their brains,

I second that !!! Everything here in Oz is all based around mining & construction,agriculture, real estate ....or sitting on ya butt in a office.  The ' traditional '  trades don't ever get a mention. 

 

On 5/27/2020 at 4:18 PM, chrisash said:

People on this forum most likely hobby or self employed making such exotic items like Belts, Wallets, Card holders and the odd bag and doing the same things time and time again with some variations.

That would be me   It started as a hobby, but now  a business. Making not just regular items, but assorted custom leather goods that can't be bought in a regular shop or online , but also sticking to traditional ( Al Stohlman)  methods. 

That'll be 5 cents please !! 

HS 

[philg9]

I dont think Tandy has the same standing here in the UK or if it has it doesnt show on my radar.  I remember once I had a look at their website,  lasted all of two minutes and left laughing.  Folk who are serious about their hobby or job use Abbey saddlery.    

[fredk]

I think that is a very condescending statement

[AzShooter]

I'm just getting back into leathercrafting and have been ordering a lot from Tandy.  I search for their ads and have gotten some good deals.  I've ordered some items and have gotten a call saying I could get a better price if I upgraded. I stopped in today and was wearing my Air Force hat.  Without asking they set me up for a 10 % discount for being ex military.  All I had to do was show them proof.  I didn't ask for the discount but they  volunteered it.  That was nice.

They just reopened some of their stores in Phoenix.  The salespeople are very helpful.   I have a lot of questions when I brows the store and they are always answered. I'm also finding that there are other sources on line were I can get some better products.  Cost from these retailers is much higher than Tandy but some are items that I thing I will need in the long run.  Example, my rotary punch broke.  Tandy only had their cheapest one in the store so I ordered on line and found one with replaceable screws at a good price.

[roo4u]

sadly this country has gone away from children learning crafts from their parents.  we are an instant gratification society now.  few are willing to spend the time it takes to learn to do something when they can have it in 5 mins drive to store.  it is not the same quality of course but they dont care.  im a braider and its only been recently that there is an interest in teaching the craft to make sure it doesnt die.  whereas in other countries like argentina children learn to braid as early as possible. 

[DebHop]

In my home town, (SW Virginia) , the Tandy shop closedown back in the 80’s. The next closest Tandy is 200 miles from me. 
We do have a local saddle shop, but unless you need horse gear - owner says “look on the internet”.   
All but a few shoe/leather repair shops have closed. One shop in business for over 40 years had to close. The owner tried to find someone to learn his craft, offered to GIVE the business to, but couldn’t find anyone willing. Sad...

unfortunately, I am at the mercy of the web for all my tools and materials.

and fortunately;  I have places like this forum - to learn from so many talented and generous folks.

 

[Handstitched]

@DebHop Its sad to see so many leather outlets, cobblers etc. closing down.  I hear of old saddlers , cobblers,  leather workers  etc.  retiring or passing away, but no-one in their families are interested in continuing the trade.   I have a very  old Tandy listing showing all the leather outlets , resellers etc. across Australia ,  there were so many, but now they're all but gone. Tandy opened up  in NSW  here in  Oz a some years ago, and they have gone too now. 

Theres only one outlet of leather & tools in Perth now , my supplier, approx 3hrs away from me, where there used to be several outlets years ago.  But most of my hardware is purchased online from the east. 

All the ' olde'  traditional trades' are disappearing  . Sad . 

Thank God for this forum & the people on it, I've learnt so much   

HS