My experience with Gary Brommeland:
On September 12, 2005 I ordered 3 holsters, 1 mag pouch and 1 belt the first day Gary opened shop in TN. He had been closed for business due to moving from FL and setting up a new shop. This was 2 years and 4 months ago. This was LONG before leather supply issues and LONG before he developed a less-expensive line of leather. He promised delivery in 4-6 WEEKS, which was end of Oct., 2005. Here is a
post I made at the time, which confirms my facts. Mine is the 4th post down.
He said he would charge my card when the order was ready. To my surprise it went through the next day. I let it slide because of his reputation here and elsewhere. I figured if he charged it 4-6 weeks early, no big deal.
For 2 years, 4 months, I've watched reports of others getting their work ahead of me. I know my order was in first because I got him the very FIRST DAY he opened shop. I have been ahead of every order filled. Something very wrong about it. This is way beyond the run-of-the-mill "is it done yet" situation.
Finally in March 2007 I received a partial order--I got 1 holster, 1 mag pouch, 1 belt, 1 promise to have the rest out in "2 weeks," and a promise of extra gear. So far nothing, except this PM promise to have my order finished by October, 2007:
"Originally Posted by Gary Brommeland
Hi Robb,
Thank you for your extreme patience. I do truly appreciate it.
I will have the balance of your order out to you by the time you are back in "computer range" with the possible exception of your pocket holster for the J-Frame. We have some design work yet to do on them, and that is a very time consuming proposition. I will do my best to get it taken care of too, but may end up having to refund your money on that one. I'll let you know how it goes. Thank you again."
I told him if the pocket holster was a problem, don't let that slow the order (even though it is a listed item on his website.
One of the reasons something feels so wrong about the situation is that Gary kept taking orders even when he had some 2 years old that he had not filled, and then has been filling the newer orders first.
Gary said good leather was scarce, and that he was completely overbooked by too much for too long, and then got inundated by emails. Even taken at face value, my order predates any of those issues. I also have understanding for his current health situation. Yet again, that is a recent development and doesn't explain ALL of the orders getting filled ahead of mine.
I also have seen him expanding his business into flashlights, Wilderness belts, and getting set up for a training camp--all the while claiming he was getting slammed with orders, and that he was "doing his best" to get them made. Opening new business ventures is "doing his best?" That still doesn't explain the poor judgment in filling in orders backwards. At first I contacted him by email once every 2 or 3 months. Never took up his time by phone, and always polite. In the past year though I've only sent a few, the one in March thanking him for the partial order, one PM in October when he promised my order by month's end, and one PM in November asking about the order, which he ignored.