Eric Larsen and HBE Leather Problems - Page 4

Pete · June 15th, 2007, 12:33 AM

Bruce, I wanted to say some of the same things but didn't want to go against the flow of forgiveness here.
I agree that it is just too much bad luck to be believable, I too followed this as it unfolded on THR and here.

Eric has my sympathy, but if I were him I would refund everyone and close the business. For whatever reason he has problems running this particular business, many people fail at small business ventures, admitting that and cutting your losses should be accepted.

Good luck Eric, do the right thing.

BruceGibson · June 15th, 2007, 01:10 AM

Thanks, 0.02. It's just gotten to the point where someone has to say, "Whoa."

My hat's off to Bumper and the crew here in recognizing a major problem. A well known military academy has a saying, "We will not lie, cheat, nor steal, nor tolerate among us anyone who does."

It applies in this situation.

Herknav · June 15th, 2007, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceGibson

A well known military academy has a saying, "We will not lie, cheat, nor steal, nor tolerate among us anyone who does."

I wouldn't say it's exactly "well-known". I remember having to explain to more than a few people what it was. Folks seemed to think it was some sort of vo-tech.

But, your point is well-taken. (And, it seems there may be more to the story than I'm aware of.)

DeerNut · June 15th, 2007, 06:57 AM

I was poised to order an HBE GS Tuckable when I started reading about problems with delivery. Looks like I'll have to go with my second choice for now, but when Eric gets caught up and back on his feet I'll be first in line to send him $100 for a holster. I have done a lot of research on concealable leather in the last few months and his designs and work just look phenomenal. I don't see anyone else doing what he has done. It is obvious that leatherworking is his passion and I find it hard to believe he is fabricating all these bad luck scenarios so he can sit on the couch and watch Oprah all day. He has obviously had some hard times and will rebound. I would hate to see that much talent fall out of the leathercraft business. I would suggest a business partner and 3 apprentices. Hang in there Eric - I hope to have some HBE leather someday.

JIM

QKShooter · June 15th, 2007, 09:11 AM

I just want to add a little bit more to this thread and then I'll shut up.

It should be made public knowledge that Combat/DefensiveCarry has really tried HARD to allow this entire situation to reach some sort of a fruitful conclusion for our members who have merchandise that was paid for but, never was never received.

We have deleted entire past threads that members have opened up for the sole purpose of flaming and complaining about HBE.

We have deleted individual posts that were personal attacks against Eric & HBE.

I personally have defended him and his reputation (as being a "stand up" guy) here on DefensiveCarry - and on one other forum (which shall go unnamed)

I was forced to ban a member that posted a "complaint thread" about Eric that I promptly deleted.
My deletion of that thread caused the member to get extremely "bent out of shape" and his reaction was to blast me in a Private Mail and I was then forced to send him packing.

Our members have been amazingly forgiving and patient and understanding. They have (for the most part) held their temper and kept their emotions "in check" and have just basically waited and waited and waited some more...for their merchandise.

Even NOW they are displaying the best in human compassion and understanding.

Some were forced to spend double money to buy temporary holsters because they had firearms that they purchased for carry but, could not (obviously) carry them without a holster.

What I want to see is some of our members get a little bit of preferential treatment and finally get their stuff.

Some of our members that placed orders with HBE only placed those orders because our forum moderators, administrators, and and "more seasoned VIP members" always gave Eric & HBE a huge "thumbs up" concerning the impeccable quality of his work - and I personally feel slightly betrayed at this point in time.

I do not normally highly recommend a person and then have that person turn around and (intentionally or unintentionally) shaft people out of their hard earned money.
As an assistant administrator I feel like part of the integrity of this forum has been somewhat taken advantage of and compromised.

Through all of this if HBE gets back on its feet again our members are understanding enough that they will place new orders.
So I am hoping that Eric gets it together again.
He is an ultra talented craftsman.
He is one of the best.
I also believe that he is basically a very good person.
I believe that part of his problem has really been bad luck and that part was due to a terrible depression.
Depression is a serious thing and just telling somebody to "snap out of it" does not work. That's for sure.

You DO have friends here Eric and you do have people that will help you get your business going again.

The one thing that will help me feel better about all of this is for some of our members to post that they got their holster.

When Eric does finally get back into the groove, I'll place an order with him.
I'll be one of the first to help him get rolling again.
I can always use another incredible holster.
For now though I would like to see some past customers (specifically OUR great members) get some long overdue satisfaction.

That is how I honesty feel about all of this.

Eric Larsen · June 15th, 2007, 09:27 AM

Wow....Bruce. First off thanks for your brutally honest feedback. The past year and half I have had ALOT of **** hit the fan...but can say honestly, to you and everyone else here that most of the problems I encountered, I created by my attittude.

Everything that happened to me...honestly happened to me... cant explain it and dont even want to try to. But my attitude of caring about my business and my work was simply not there....I can blame it on divorce, flood or what have you and they all did have an effect on my work, but the simple fact is....for whatever reason...I had reached a point of just no caring like I should for what I did or how it affected my customers. No excuses or expanations given. Some of the problems I encountered were plain and simple ignorance of what I should have been doing, when I should have done it and how it is done properly.

I dont know what will happen to HBE after this....until I can change everything I do in my business...except make holsters themselves....I wont do anything. I wont do this to me or anyone else again. It was posted on a thread on another board that the master craftsman who do this kinda stuff should take a basic business class. Right now, looking back, I couldnt agree more.

I have a chance to make it right with all of you guys and will....and it will take some time. As stated before...Im calling each of you back and making your stuff..right now thats all I can do.

And just for the record...yes, I lied about shooting myself. Simply out of embarressment. According to alot of my customers, Im supposed to be some sort of "expert" when it comes to CCW, guns etc....what kind of "expert" shoots himself?

shoot well and thanks again....
God Bless....Eric

sass20485 · June 15th, 2007, 10:00 AM

Hope it all works out for you Eric.

BruceGibson · June 15th, 2007, 10:34 AM

Eric,

My intent wasn’t to kick you. My intent was to try and give you a wake-up call. Sometimes a kick is the only thing that works. I don’t think anyone here is trying to throw you down the well.

I don’t have an order pending with you, but I do admire what I’ve seen of your work. My interest in this is economic. I draw customers from the same pool you, and other custom leather artisans do. When customers order from me, it’s a leap of faith. If I let them down, and don’t fix it, I set a bad example. They’re less likely to trust others in the same business. In other words, it doesn’t matter who pees in the pool. No one else is going to knowingly swim in it. What you do, and how you treat your customers, directly affects me, and everyone else that produces custom leather.

Take care of your customers, the people who have a vested interest in you. The people that took the leap of faith and gave you their money. Don’t be concerned with what I think. If you take care of your customers it clears the water for the rest of us.

Gary Brommeland · June 15th, 2007, 11:42 AM

FWIW, I spoke with Eric last night. He is now working a regular job and cannot always answer his phone during normal business hours. He has given his word to me that each and every voice mail that he receives will be returned within 24-48 hours, WITH NO EXCEPTIONS.
Please feel free to contact me if any of you have further difficulties in communicating with him. Thank you.

Gunnutty · June 15th, 2007, 06:44 PM

I have an order with Eric. As a matter of fact two of them. Eric I will work with you in any way I can but I do need some support back from you. We are friends here on this forum and friends help each other. However friends also try not to let friends down. Just let me know the status of my order, that is all I ask.

June 15th, 2007, 01:10 AM	#32
BruceGibson Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Northwest Florida...The "Redneck Riviera" Posts: 805	Thanks, 0.02. It's just gotten to the point where someone has to say, "Whoa." My hat's off to Bumper and the crew here in recognizing a major problem. A well known military academy has a saying, "We will not lie, cheat, nor steal, nor tolerate among us anyone who does." It applies in this situation. __________________ "He who is silent is deemed to consent." www.GibsonGunleather.com

June 15th, 2007, 06:57 AM	#34
DeerNut Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 30	I was poised to order an HBE GS Tuckable when I started reading about problems with delivery. Looks like I'll have to go with my second choice for now, but when Eric gets caught up and back on his feet I'll be first in line to send him $100 for a holster. I have done a lot of research on concealable leather in the last few months and his designs and work just look phenomenal. I don't see anyone else doing what he has done. It is obvious that leatherworking is his passion and I find it hard to believe he is fabricating all these bad luck scenarios so he can sit on the couch and watch Oprah all day. He has obviously had some hard times and will rebound. I would hate to see that much talent fall out of the leathercraft business. I would suggest a business partner and 3 apprentices. Hang in there Eric - I hope to have some HBE leather someday. JIM __________________ Jim Heffelfinger Wildlife Biologist and Author of "Deer of the Southwest" http://www.deernut.com Last edited by DeerNut; June 15th, 2007 at 07:12 AM..

June 15th, 2007, 09:11 AM	#35
QKShooter Assistant Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Off Of The X Posts: 23,481	Addition I just want to add a little bit more to this thread and then I'll shut up. It should be made public knowledge that Combat/DefensiveCarry has really tried HARD to allow this entire situation to reach some sort of a fruitful conclusion for our members who have merchandise that was paid for but, never was never received. We have deleted entire past threads that members have opened up for the sole purpose of flaming and complaining about HBE. We have deleted individual posts that were personal attacks against Eric & HBE. I personally have defended him and his reputation (as being a "stand up" guy) here on DefensiveCarry - and on one other forum (which shall go unnamed) I was forced to ban a member that posted a "complaint thread" about Eric that I promptly deleted. My deletion of that thread caused the member to get extremely "bent out of shape" and his reaction was to blast me in a Private Mail and I was then forced to send him packing. Our members have been amazingly forgiving and patient and understanding. They have (for the most part) held their temper and kept their emotions "in check" and have just basically waited and waited and waited some more...for their merchandise. Even NOW they are displaying the best in human compassion and understanding. Some were forced to spend double money to buy temporary holsters because they had firearms that they purchased for carry but, could not (obviously) carry them without a holster. What I want to see is some of our members get a little bit of preferential treatment and finally get their stuff. Some of our members that placed orders with HBE only placed those orders because our forum moderators, administrators, and and "more seasoned VIP members" always gave Eric & HBE a huge "thumbs up" concerning the impeccable quality of his work - and I personally feel slightly betrayed at this point in time. I do not normally highly recommend a person and then have that person turn around and (intentionally or unintentionally) shaft people out of their hard earned money. As an assistant administrator I feel like part of the integrity of this forum has been somewhat taken advantage of and compromised. Through all of this if HBE gets back on its feet again our members are understanding enough that they will place new orders. So I am hoping that Eric gets it together again. He is an ultra talented craftsman. He is one of the best. I also believe that he is basically a very good person. I believe that part of his problem has really been bad luck and that part was due to a terrible depression. Depression is a serious thing and just telling somebody to "snap out of it" does not work. That's for sure. You DO have friends here Eric and you do have people that will help you get your business going again. The one thing that will help me feel better about all of this is for some of our members to post that they got their holster. When Eric does finally get back into the groove, I'll place an order with him. I'll be one of the first to help him get rolling again. I can always use another incredible holster. For now though I would like to see some past customers (specifically OUR great members) get some long overdue satisfaction. That is how I honesty feel about all of this.

June 15th, 2007, 09:27 AM	#36
Eric Larsen Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: WoodsX Ut Posts: 769	Wow....Bruce. First off thanks for your brutally honest feedback. The past year and half I have had ALOT of **** hit the fan...but can say honestly, to you and everyone else here that most of the problems I encountered, I created by my attittude. Everything that happened to me...honestly happened to me... cant explain it and dont even want to try to. But my attitude of caring about my business and my work was simply not there....I can blame it on divorce, flood or what have you and they all did have an effect on my work, but the simple fact is....for whatever reason...I had reached a point of just no caring like I should for what I did or how it affected my customers. No excuses or expanations given. Some of the problems I encountered were plain and simple ignorance of what I should have been doing, when I should have done it and how it is done properly. I dont know what will happen to HBE after this....until I can change everything I do in my business...except make holsters themselves....I wont do anything. I wont do this to me or anyone else again. It was posted on a thread on another board that the master craftsman who do this kinda stuff should take a basic business class. Right now, looking back, I couldnt agree more. I have a chance to make it right with all of you guys and will....and it will take some time. As stated before...Im calling each of you back and making your stuff..right now thats all I can do. And just for the record...yes, I lied about shooting myself. Simply out of embarressment. According to alot of my customers, Im supposed to be some sort of "expert" when it comes to CCW, guns etc....what kind of "expert" shoots himself? shoot well and thanks again.... God Bless....Eric __________________ If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice..........Rush Last edited by Eric Larsen; June 15th, 2007 at 09:45 AM..

June 15th, 2007, 10:34 AM	#38
BruceGibson Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Northwest Florida...The "Redneck Riviera" Posts: 805	Eric, My intent wasn’t to kick you. My intent was to try and give you a wake-up call. Sometimes a kick is the only thing that works. I don’t think anyone here is trying to throw you down the well. I don’t have an order pending with you, but I do admire what I’ve seen of your work. My interest in this is economic. I draw customers from the same pool you, and other custom leather artisans do. When customers order from me, it’s a leap of faith. If I let them down, and don’t fix it, I set a bad example. They’re less likely to trust others in the same business. In other words, it doesn’t matter who pees in the pool. No one else is going to knowingly swim in it. What you do, and how you treat your customers, directly affects me, and everyone else that produces custom leather. Take care of your customers, the people who have a vested interest in you. The people that took the leap of faith and gave you their money. Don’t be concerned with what I think. If you take care of your customers it clears the water for the rest of us. __________________ "He who is silent is deemed to consent." www.GibsonGunleather.com

June 15th, 2007, 12:33 AM	#31
Pete Ex Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: USA Posts: 2,572	Bruce, I wanted to say some of the same things but didn't want to go against the flow of forgiveness here. I agree that it is just too much bad luck to be believable, I too followed this as it unfolded on THR and here. Eric has my sympathy, but if I were him I would refund everyone and close the business. For whatever reason he has problems running this particular business, many people fail at small business ventures, admitting that and cutting your losses should be accepted. Good luck Eric, do the right thing.

June 15th, 2007, 10:00 AM	#37
sass20485 Distinguished Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central FL Posts: 1,937	Hope it all works out for you Eric.

June 15th, 2007, 11:42 AM	#39
Gary Brommeland Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,426	FWIW, I spoke with Eric last night. He is now working a regular job and cannot always answer his phone during normal business hours. He has given his word to me that each and every voice mail that he receives will be returned within 24-48 hours, WITH NO EXCEPTIONS. Please feel free to contact me if any of you have further difficulties in communicating with him. Thank you.

June 15th, 2007, 06:44 PM	#40
Gunnutty Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arkansas Posts: 1,177	I have an order with Eric. As a matter of fact two of them. Eric I will work with you in any way I can but I do need some support back from you. We are friends here on this forum and friends help each other. However friends also try not to let friends down. Just let me know the status of my order, that is all I ask. __________________ We will be much better off when we learn to deal with things as they really are, instead of how we wish them to be!

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