Where's my holster? - Page 5

LVLabs · December 27th, 2007, 03:41 AM

John,

You are pretty much right on with what you are saying, but a holster goes beyond just two pieces of leather being sewn together.
The big difference is the quality and attention to detail of the custom holsters and a custom holster is far beyond a store bought holster IMO.
They are hand made and of the big names make the best quality holsters in the world money can buy.

Some may not be able to tell but us custom holster chasers can easily.
Although you are right they both work and do the job, but a custom is the better all around holster.
I have tossed some of the over the counter holsters you are talking about in the trash, where others have been pretty good and have worked fine.

All I know is that it is high time these makers listed in this thread have gotten the beans spilled on them.
It will open a lot of eyes as the trail of BS that has been left behind stinks and stinks bad.

slimjim · December 27th, 2007, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobbW

I have contacted Gary by email/PMs no more than 4-6 times per year. My letters have not been hot headed, nor asking for more than what I already paid for. One of the moderaters here who was privy to them may or may not care to chime in here as to the content of my messages. Some of them were even set up in a private area on this forum. I just sent Gary the following message:

Gary,

I'm writing to ask that you please fill my order. I ordered from you, and you took my money, on September 12, 2005. You gave me a partial order and a promise of 2 extra belts after nearly a 2 year wait. Not good enough. Nobody has waited longer than me. I gave you my money the day you opened your TN shop. Please, no more false representations. All I want is my order. Please add integrity to your process by filling the orders in the order they were received/paid for.

RobbW

Here is Gary's reply:

Robb,
I am cancelling the remained of your order. A refund check will be forthcoming yet this week. I told you before to get off my ass - I meant it.

"get off my ass"? After 2 years, 4 months? Are you kidding?? Apparently to Gary "get off my ass" means not to request an old, paid for holster order in the order in which it was taken by him.

I will post back when I receive his check/letter and then consider the matter closed. Too bad I wasted so much time waiting on vaporware. Shame on me I guess, when the warning signs were there.

I think most would agree in their line of work, one would be out in the streets and on their asses if they treated customers like that. This thread is getting sadder & sadder. Where are all those folks quick to rush to these guys defense now? Maybe now people can understand what has really been going on.

FRT007 · December 27th, 2007, 10:36 AM

Circa 1989, I placed an order with Brommeland after reading an article about him in Combat Handguns. It took him 9 months or so to fill the order; he had injured his back, as I recall. The rig (a Summer Special variation) was really nice - I still have it. He sort of disappeared; then a VERY well-known maker mentioned he was back in business a few years ago. He shipped one order, but renegged on a second. He was a bit snotty when he responded to my e-mail, noting that hurricanes had crippled Florida, and suggested I was selfish for expecting delivery. I never got the holster and simply chalked it up as a live and learn experience.

I do business with one maker who offers several models and belt slot options, but refrains from custom work. I ALWAYS get my stuff in less than eight weeks.

RobbW · December 27th, 2007, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FRT007

He shipped one order, but renegged on a second. He was a bit snotty when he responded to my e-mail, noting that hurricanes had crippled Florida, and suggested I was selfish for expecting delivery. I never got the holster and simply chalked it up as a live and learn experience.

Clearly this leopard has had MANY opportunities to change his spots, but has chosen not to change them. This is the clear and consistent picture that is emerging. Sad the business ethics side has failed considering he has talent as a maker.

I have a lot of respect for Eric Larson. He had his own business problems, but is really stepping up to the plate, when it is difficult, to take care of every last customer through communication and actually filling customer orders.

T. Kanaley · December 27th, 2007, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgrider

2 years, 18 months, 14 months wait! This is just two pieces of leather sewn together. I remember when you could get a full house custom 1911 in 18 - 24 months. And that was with most of the fitting and checkering done by hand. Now it takes years and that's with cnc machining.

Holsters are something that we are going to wear unseen. No one is going to notice the boning or the color or the exotic trim. I have Bianchi, Don Hume, Ted Blocker concealment holsters that I've used for 20 years and they still look and work fine. My most recent purchase was a Don Hume JIT holster that cost me $25.00, new, and no wait. It looks just as good as the Bruce Nelson design that some makers are selling for 85+ dollars plus the wait.

They are taking in more work than they can handle and some of the money they are collecting in advance is used to buy material for the previous order and the rest is sitting in a bank making interest.They are turning a profit, and with the amount of work they claim to have, I'm guessing it's a nice profit. Plus the interest made from advanced money. I don't see them taking any of their profits to invest in the materials. It always the next buyer's money. If they go under the buyer looses, not the seller.

I don't think it's fair that the holster makers should get full payment in advance. I think they should only get a deposit, and the rest on delivery. With the amount of orders they claim to have it shouldn't be a problem for them to sell the holster being made, if the original buyer changes his or her mind, and also the maker still gets to keep the deposit. I believe it's poor business ethics for them as one man shops to take in more work than what they can do in a reasonable time.

And I think the big slap in the face is these guys come to sites like this wanting to be buddies and then crying on our shoulder and giving excuses of why they're behind. After reading these post I wonder how some can sugar coat the behavior of these people, you're being screwed over.

After all that being said,, I do have a Josh Bulman iwb, PDL holster, and a Sparks Watch Six. The Bulman is a great looking piece but who's going to see it? No one I hope. And for an iwb holster, do you need all that boning? It took four months to get it. That was about 2 1/2years ago. For the Sparks holster I paid scalper's prices.

Would I do again? I don't think so. The Bulman design isn't something new. I can get the same design cheaper and faster maybe not with the same attention to detail, but just as comfortable. Who needs detail and boning on an iwb holster. The Sparks Watch Six, what's there to say, it's just two pieces of leather sewn together, and for me, it wasn't worth the wait.

I've satisfied my ego, I won't do it again,

Demand your money back now. Tell them to notify you when they are ready to start on your holster and then send them only a deposit.

Is anyone here so scared to loose their place in line, or scared to ruffle their feather because they worry that they won't get a good holster. What the heck you may get it done sooner if you reshuffle the deck.

I've said my piece, now you all can gang up on me, but please no kicks to the head, John

John,
Since you mentioned charging for orders in advance and Milt Sparks in the same gripe, I thought I'd better chime in to set the record straight.

Except for a couple of conditions which we describe in full on the FAQ on our site, we do not bill the customers credit card until the customers "completed" order is sitting in a box, ready to be shipped.

Approximately 2% of all orders are paid for in advance in accordance to the conditions set forth in our FAQ. But for the other 98%, we get paid only when we finish the job and no sooner.

T

cdwolf · December 27th, 2007, 11:01 AM

Hi Chad, 05-09-07

I apologize for not responding to your email more quickly. I am still answering emails that we received when we were out of town. Gary is making your holster and mag pouch this week. I will be shipping them out along with a Wilderness belt on the house next week. We don't have any leather to make belts out of on hand. We had ordered leather before Gary's mom passed away, and should be receiving it next week. The problem has been getting strips of leather long enough to make a belt out of that doesn't have cuts or unhealed bug bites and bee stings in it. We will stay on top of the belt, and hopefully be sending it out very soon after the holster and mag pouch, but we won't delay them waiting on the belt. I apologize for all of the delays, and that you went for so long without hearing from us after you emailed us. I hate that when other companies do it to me, and I certainly expect us to give better customer service than that to our customers. I will send you an email confirming that I have shipped your order. Thank you so much! Remy Brommeland

Gary Brommeland
Brommeland Gunleather
Holsters Concealment Systems Gunleather Concealed Carry for Weapons
P. O. Box 813, Sneedville, TN 37869
423.733.1779
This was on 5-9-07 I really feel sorry for remy she has always been polite. This was at my 1 year mark

----- Original Message -----
From:
To: gbholsterman@earthlink.net
Sent: 6/20/07 4:16:43 PM
Subject: Re: reply

Last I was told it was being made the week of 05-01, I understand supply problems, but a year. Dont get me wrong i ordered from you because of quality, and i have a friend that has one of your holsters. I just think it would be time well spent updating your customers on their purchases( at least the ones that are 4-8 months late). Well without leather at least you have had some time off,good luck catching up,looking forward to seeing what i have been waiting on. Thanks, Chad

Time off? I average over 70 hours a week in the shop. I am more than happy to cancel your order and refund the charges to your card. What I am NOT willing to do is spend any more shop time on sarcastic emails. Let me know what you prefer. Thank you.

Gary Brommeland
Brommeland Gunleather
Holsters Concealment Systems Gunleather Concealed Carry for Weapons
P. O. Box 813, Sneedville, TN 37869
423.733.1779

Yea, I was a little sarcastic, but I feel that I've earned the right to be a bit sarcastic.
He said that he had no leather.
What does a holster maker with no leather make?
He has had some bad times, but does that turn you into a lier or just bring it out?
If I was Remy I would Quit.
LOL, poor girl having to make up excuses for him.

Ray Blodgett · December 27th, 2007, 12:53 PM

Forgiveness:
I am not a religious man, so my definition of the word is "to look past."
Any wrong done here looks, to me, to be not personal nor out of malice. A mere error in judgment compounded by outside influences. Usually when I have made a serious error in judgment, and there has been a few, all hell breaks loose and all the chickens come to roost - yelling pig pile! (an old NH saying). Yes Gary made mistakes and I am certain he is greatly affected by them emotionally. At some point he saw the light at the end of the tunnel-only to discover it was a train coming. I wish him the very best, but if you cannot just think of all the "I told you so" he is getting from the little lady! That may change your mind. Certainly I will survive, Gary will survive and I am sure all of you will survive, holster or not, so let us all get back to our petty little lives.
YES I do have a horse in this race.
Ray

cdwolf · December 27th, 2007, 01:13 PM

My order is cancelled and gary said he will get me a check in the mail.
Just 18 months wasted.
I'm done with him so maybe that will move some of your orders up.
True it is just business and a holster.
I'm sure we have all had unforeseen mishaps in life.
I wish him the best. Just don't lie to me over and over.
Gary you have had trouble and have alot of friends on this site and throughout the shooting world.
Read Eric's thread, he admits it, and is trying to fix it.
How do you justify being so rude to people that want to buy from you.
He has gotten weary of my insults as stated in his e-mail..
Join the club..the truth hurts.

morintp · December 27th, 2007, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobbW

I have a lot of respect for Eric Larson. He had his own business problems, but is really stepping up to the plate, when it is difficult, to take care of every last customer through communication and actually filling customer orders.

I have a ton of respect for Eric Larsen too. He has pulled himself from a horrible situation, and is making it up to all of his customers. From the way I understand it, with his bankruptcy he's not legally obligated to make restitution to his customers. He's doing it because he feels a moral obligation. That's the best kind of person right there. It's slow going, because he has to use new orders to pay for old orders, but he is making headway and clearing his backlog.

I've been following his story, and I ended up ordering a holster and magpouch a little while back. His TAT for current orders is only 6-8 weeks. I'm sorry to all of you guys that have been waiting longer than me, but the money he gets from me will help him buy the material for yours.

jgrider · December 27th, 2007, 02:26 PM

Quote:

T. Kanaley said
Since you mentioned charging for orders in advance and Milt Sparks in the same gripe, I thought I'd better chime in to set the record straight.

Hello Tony
I'm sorry for the confusion. I should have been clearer. My only reason for mentioning your name or Josh Bulman's was; 1: 2 1/2 years ago it only took 4 months to get my top of the line iwb holster from Josh Bulman, with all the fine boning, but IMHO the good looking boning wasn't necessary 2: The Milt Sparks Watch Six was two pieces of leather with no fancy unnecessary detailing, which was fine with me. I wasn't going to wait, so I was willing to pay the higher price charged by a retailer.
The question I have for all of you is, with the amount of back log of customer orders you guys have, how do you manage to keep retailers in stock?

Quote:

T. Kanaley said:
Except for a couple of conditions which we describe in full on the FAQ on our site, we do not bill the customers credit card until the customers "completed" order is sitting in a box, ready to be shipped.

Approximately 2% of all orders are paid for in advance in accordance to the conditions set forth in our FAQ. But for the other 98%, we get paid only when we finish the job and no sooner.

Wow! That's better then what I suggested. What that says to me is that you use company funds to buy materials. That says a lot about your good business ethics

.

I am not known for my literary expertise, John

December 27th, 2007, 10:36 AM	#43
FRT007 Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: NH Posts: 48	Circa 1989, I placed an order with Brommeland after reading an article about him in Combat Handguns. It took him 9 months or so to fill the order; he had injured his back, as I recall. The rig (a Summer Special variation) was really nice - I still have it. He sort of disappeared; then a VERY well-known maker mentioned he was back in business a few years ago. He shipped one order, but renegged on a second. He was a bit snotty when he responded to my e-mail, noting that hurricanes had crippled Florida, and suggested I was selfish for expecting delivery. I never got the holster and simply chalked it up as a live and learn experience. I do business with one maker who offers several models and belt slot options, but refrains from custom work. I ALWAYS get my stuff in less than eight weeks. Last edited by FRT007 : December 27th, 2007 at 10:40 AM. Reason: Add info

December 27th, 2007, 12:53 PM	#47
Ray Blodgett Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Concord,nh Posts: 85	Forgiveness: I am not a religious man, so my definition of the word is "to look past." Any wrong done here looks, to me, to be not personal nor out of malice. A mere error in judgment compounded by outside influences. Usually when I have made a serious error in judgment, and there has been a few, all hell breaks loose and all the chickens come to roost - yelling pig pile! (an old NH saying). Yes Gary made mistakes and I am certain he is greatly affected by them emotionally. At some point he saw the light at the end of the tunnel-only to discover it was a train coming. I wish him the very best, but if you cannot just think of all the "I told you so" he is getting from the little lady! That may change your mind. Certainly I will survive, Gary will survive and I am sure all of you will survive, holster or not, so let us all get back to our petty little lives. YES I do have a horse in this race. Ray __________________ LIVE FREE OR DIE

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December 27th, 2007, 03:41 AM	#41
LVLabs Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 46	John, You are pretty much right on with what you are saying, but a holster goes beyond just two pieces of leather being sewn together. The big difference is the quality and attention to detail of the custom holsters and a custom holster is far beyond a store bought holster IMO. They are hand made and of the big names make the best quality holsters in the world money can buy. Some may not be able to tell but us custom holster chasers can easily. Although you are right they both work and do the job, but a custom is the better all around holster. I have tossed some of the over the counter holsters you are talking about in the trash, where others have been pretty good and have worked fine. All I know is that it is high time these makers listed in this thread have gotten the beans spilled on them. It will open a lot of eyes as the trail of BS that has been left behind stinks and stinks bad.

December 27th, 2007, 11:01 AM	#46
cdwolf Distinguished Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: MS Posts: 1,488	Hi Chad, 05-09-07 I apologize for not responding to your email more quickly. I am still answering emails that we received when we were out of town. Gary is making your holster and mag pouch this week. I will be shipping them out along with a Wilderness belt on the house next week. We don't have any leather to make belts out of on hand. We had ordered leather before Gary's mom passed away, and should be receiving it next week. The problem has been getting strips of leather long enough to make a belt out of that doesn't have cuts or unhealed bug bites and bee stings in it. We will stay on top of the belt, and hopefully be sending it out very soon after the holster and mag pouch, but we won't delay them waiting on the belt. I apologize for all of the delays, and that you went for so long without hearing from us after you emailed us. I hate that when other companies do it to me, and I certainly expect us to give better customer service than that to our customers. I will send you an email confirming that I have shipped your order. Thank you so much! Remy Brommeland Gary Brommeland Brommeland Gunleather Holsters Concealment Systems Gunleather Concealed Carry for Weapons P. O. Box 813, Sneedville, TN 37869 423.733.1779 This was on 5-9-07 I really feel sorry for remy she has always been polite. This was at my 1 year mark ----- Original Message ----- From: To: gbholsterman@earthlink.net Sent: 6/20/07 4:16:43 PM Subject: Re: reply Last I was told it was being made the week of 05-01, I understand supply problems, but a year. Dont get me wrong i ordered from you because of quality, and i have a friend that has one of your holsters. I just think it would be time well spent updating your customers on their purchases( at least the ones that are 4-8 months late). Well without leather at least you have had some time off,good luck catching up,looking forward to seeing what i have been waiting on. Thanks, Chad Time off? I average over 70 hours a week in the shop. I am more than happy to cancel your order and refund the charges to your card. What I am NOT willing to do is spend any more shop time on sarcastic emails. Let me know what you prefer. Thank you. Gary Brommeland Brommeland Gunleather Holsters Concealment Systems Gunleather Concealed Carry for Weapons P. O. Box 813, Sneedville, TN 37869 423.733.1779 Yea, I was a little sarcastic, but I feel that I've earned the right to be a bit sarcastic. He said that he had no leather. What does a holster maker with no leather make? He has had some bad times, but does that turn you into a lier or just bring it out? If I was Remy I would Quit. LOL, poor girl having to make up excuses for him.

December 27th, 2007, 01:13 PM	#48
cdwolf Distinguished Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: MS Posts: 1,488	My order is cancelled and gary said he will get me a check in the mail. Just 18 months wasted. I'm done with him so maybe that will move some of your orders up. True it is just business and a holster. I'm sure we have all had unforeseen mishaps in life. I wish him the best. Just don't lie to me over and over. Gary you have had trouble and have alot of friends on this site and throughout the shooting world. Read Eric's thread, he admits it, and is trying to fix it. How do you justify being so rude to people that want to buy from you. He has gotten weary of my insults as stated in his e-mail.. Join the club..the truth hurts.