Negative experience with H.B.E. Leatherworks

Chance · June 8th, 2006, 09:57 PM

I almost hate to do this. Normally I don't even like leaving a waitress with a bad or no tip for lousy service, but I think enough is enough.

Late last year I purchased my first civilian owned handgun, a CZ 97B .45 ACP. I hung around the CZ boards for a while and decided to work with HBE Leatherworks on getting a holster made up for my gun. I placed the final order for a IWB holster, a decent belt, and a single mag carrier during the last week of December and paid ($229.00) him on January 5th of this year.

On December the 22nd when we were discussing the details he quoted me 14-16 weeks to completion. In late April I sent a quick email requesting an update based on that 14-16 week quote. I got no response. About a week later I emailed again and got no response. About April 22nd I emailed yet again, this time stating that if he didn't feel like responding in private email I could always try posting on a few of the web boards to see if I could get an update that way. Was it a threat on my part? Yup, I don't particularly like being ignored, especially since I already paid in full. Well, our emails must have crossed on the net because I wound up getting two emails from him. First, one with a polite reply stating that my rig would ship in 2-4 weeks. The second email, which I still have, was less polite and told me that instead of threatening him I should have just called for an update. He said that he had an email spam filter problem that had held back a months worth of his mail.

Ok, fine. Well, here I am about 6 weeks past that email where he quoted me 2-4 weeks. Nothing. Not an email or phone call and damn sure no leather for my gun either. A few days ago I sent another email asking for an update. This time I advised him that while my calling might be easier on him, with my current schedule it really isn't for me. I got no response.

So today I sent yet another email. This one asking for my leather or a refund. I ordered a holster and belt in December and it is now June I think I have been more than patient. He quoted me deadlines twice and twice he let them pass without so much as a note. I honestly don't care if his email isn't working. He is running an internet based buisiness, reliable email for his customers to contact him is his responsibility not mine.

I have a day off from work around the middle of next week, if I haven't heard from him by then I'll call and ask for a refund in person. Anybody know a decent leatherworker with a blank for a CZ 97B? I still need a holster.

Bud White · June 8th, 2006, 10:08 PM

Thats to bad try maybe Kdholsters.com .. or

Gary brommeland

http://brommelandgunleather.com/contact.htm
or Mark garrity

http://www.garritysgunleather.com/

Gunnutty · June 8th, 2006, 10:10 PM

Chance, sorry to hear this. I have dealt with Eric a couple of times and have been well pleased. I hope you can work this out. Sounds like you have been very patient.

Gary Brommeland · June 8th, 2006, 10:35 PM

I know Eric to be a stand up guy. I'll give him a call and see what's goin' on.

los · June 8th, 2006, 10:37 PM

I too am very sorry to hear this Chance. I contacted Eric via email and then telephonically about 14 weeks ago about building me a custom (my design) holster for my Kimber Ultra Carry. He agreed to undertake the project and I promptly submitted full payment. He told me then that it would be shipped out to me in about 16 weeks.

He recently contacted me and gave me an update with an estimated time of delivery.

I'm sure Eric has a good explanation for the current situation you both are in. He's a very well respected leather craftsman with Membership on many gun forums and I don't think he would jeopardise his reputation especially if the current situation is one that can be worked-out.

Good Luck.

-Jimmy

QKShooter · June 8th, 2006, 10:50 PM

Well, Chance it sounds to me like you have been a very patient man.

If you paid by major credit card then just call your credit card company up and dispute the charge.

All "on line" transactions are usually 100% guaranteed by the c card company & the money will be paid right back into your account ~ usually within a day or two & then you can just order another rig from somebody else. That seems like the most No Hassle way to get refunded. I always pay for everything "on line" by credit card for that very reason.

Bumper · June 8th, 2006, 11:04 PM

I have to tell you, though, I hate spam filters more than snakes. I get 4 or 5 emails a day from people wanting to know why they have not received their confirmation email. Almost without fail it's trapped in a spam filter. Some people don't know how to manage their filter. I have not looked at what has been blocked on mine in over a year. It's no excuse, mind you, but I can see it happen....

ELCruisr · June 8th, 2006, 11:24 PM

Another reason I don't like e-mail! Most craftsman are stand up guys. They can get swamped and behind though and stuff happens. I'd make the time on a lunch break or something and you'll probably work it all out.

Eric

Mark Garrity · June 9th, 2006, 12:00 AM

Un-anticipated delays do happen, especially in a one-man shop. This is why I do not even ask for a customer's credit card number until their order is finished and ready to ship.
Not my place to go into details but I know Eric has had some personal problems in his life recently which I'm sure is the reason behind this situation. If you notice he hasn't been on any of the forums lately either which is unusual for him.

dr_cmg · June 9th, 2006, 12:02 AM

Chance, your's evidently were not the only emails that were held up. I went to Eric's site last week and dicovered that his domain was up for grabs. Evidently the renewal notice for his domain name was one of the emails that got held up by the spam filter. So part of his time last week was spent trying to get his internet domain name back. I checked several days and the first few times I checked the domain name was listed as available. Then after a day or two it said that the domain was being registered. Later the site was back.

June 8th, 2006, 09:57 PM	#1
Chance Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 34	Negative experience with H.B.E. Leatherworks I almost hate to do this. Normally I don't even like leaving a waitress with a bad or no tip for lousy service, but I think enough is enough. Late last year I purchased my first civilian owned handgun, a CZ 97B .45 ACP. I hung around the CZ boards for a while and decided to work with HBE Leatherworks on getting a holster made up for my gun. I placed the final order for a IWB holster, a decent belt, and a single mag carrier during the last week of December and paid ($229.00) him on January 5th of this year. On December the 22nd when we were discussing the details he quoted me 14-16 weeks to completion. In late April I sent a quick email requesting an update based on that 14-16 week quote. I got no response. About a week later I emailed again and got no response. About April 22nd I emailed yet again, this time stating that if he didn't feel like responding in private email I could always try posting on a few of the web boards to see if I could get an update that way. Was it a threat on my part? Yup, I don't particularly like being ignored, especially since I already paid in full. Well, our emails must have crossed on the net because I wound up getting two emails from him. First, one with a polite reply stating that my rig would ship in 2-4 weeks. The second email, which I still have, was less polite and told me that instead of threatening him I should have just called for an update. He said that he had an email spam filter problem that had held back a months worth of his mail. Ok, fine. Well, here I am about 6 weeks past that email where he quoted me 2-4 weeks. Nothing. Not an email or phone call and damn sure no leather for my gun either. A few days ago I sent another email asking for an update. This time I advised him that while my calling might be easier on him, with my current schedule it really isn't for me. I got no response. So today I sent yet another email. This one asking for my leather or a refund. I ordered a holster and belt in December and it is now June I think I have been more than patient. He quoted me deadlines twice and twice he let them pass without so much as a note. I honestly don't care if his email isn't working. He is running an internet based buisiness, reliable email for his customers to contact him is his responsibility not mine. I have a day off from work around the middle of next week, if I haven't heard from him by then I'll call and ask for a refund in person. Anybody know a decent leatherworker with a blank for a CZ 97B? I still need a holster.

June 8th, 2006, 10:37 PM	#5
los Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Corpus Christi, Tx Posts: 684	I too am very sorry to hear this Chance. I contacted Eric via email and then telephonically about 14 weeks ago about building me a custom (my design) holster for my Kimber Ultra Carry. He agreed to undertake the project and I promptly submitted full payment. He told me then that it would be shipped out to me in about 16 weeks. He recently contacted me and gave me an update with an estimated time of delivery. I'm sure Eric has a good explanation for the current situation you both are in. He's a very well respected leather craftsman with Membership on many gun forums and I don't think he would jeopardise his reputation especially if the current situation is one that can be worked-out. Good Luck. -Jimmy __________________ What we've got here is failure to communicate.

June 8th, 2006, 10:50 PM	#6
QKShooter Assistant Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Off Of The X Posts: 23,481	Well, Chance it sounds to me like you have been a very patient man. If you paid by major credit card then just call your credit card company up and dispute the charge. All "on line" transactions are usually 100% guaranteed by the c card company & the money will be paid right back into your account ~ usually within a day or two & then you can just order another rig from somebody else. That seems like the most No Hassle way to get refunded. I always pay for everything "on line" by credit card for that very reason. __________________ Liberty/Tyranny ___________________________ Ain't That A Shame! Be Happy! *http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OG3u...1&feature=fvwp*

June 8th, 2006, 11:04 PM	#7
Bumper Administrator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 17,340	I have to tell you, though, I hate spam filters more than snakes. I get 4 or 5 emails a day from people wanting to know why they have not received their confirmation email. Almost without fail it's trapped in a spam filter. Some people don't know how to manage their filter. I have not looked at what has been blocked on mine in over a year. It's no excuse, mind you, but I can see it happen.... __________________ Bumper Administrator DefensiveCarry.com Forum Coimhéad fearg fhear na foighde; Beware the anger of a patient man.

June 9th, 2006, 12:00 AM	#9
Mark Garrity Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Phoenix,AZ Posts: 313	Un-anticipated delays do happen, especially in a one-man shop. This is why I do not even ask for a customer's credit card number until their order is finished and ready to ship. Not my place to go into details but I know Eric has had some personal problems in his life recently which I'm sure is the reason behind this situation. If you notice he hasn't been on any of the forums lately either which is unusual for him. __________________ "He who makes things with his hands is a laborer, he who makes things with his hands and his head is a craftsman, he who makes things with his hands, his head, and his heart is an artist." www.garritysgunleather.com

June 8th, 2006, 10:08 PM	#2
Bud White VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Gone from Here Posts: 17,375	Thats to bad try maybe Kdholsters.com .. or Gary brommeland http://brommelandgunleather.com/contact.htm or Mark garrity http://www.garritysgunleather.com/

June 8th, 2006, 10:10 PM	#3
Gunnutty Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arkansas Posts: 1,177	Chance, sorry to hear this. I have dealt with Eric a couple of times and have been well pleased. I hope you can work this out. Sounds like you have been very patient.

June 8th, 2006, 10:35 PM	#4
Gary Brommeland Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,426	I know Eric to be a stand up guy. I'll give him a call and see what's goin' on.

June 8th, 2006, 11:24 PM	#8
ELCruisr VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central FL Posts: 2,071	Another reason I don't like e-mail! Most craftsman are stand up guys. They can get swamped and behind though and stuff happens. I'd make the time on a lunch break or something and you'll probably work it all out. Eric

June 9th, 2006, 12:02 AM	#10
dr_cmg Lead Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 9,593	Chance, your's evidently were not the only emails that were held up. I went to Eric's site last week and dicovered that his domain was up for grabs. Evidently the renewal notice for his domain name was one of the emails that got held up by the spam filter. So part of his time last week was spent trying to get his internet domain name back. I checked several days and the first few times I checked the domain name was listed as available. Then after a day or two it said that the domain was being registered. Later the site was back. __________________ George Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe. Albert Einstein

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