lance22

I'm getting a lot more reserved in the holsters I suggest to others. My list used to be long but now it's short.

I'm more open to mass produced holsters that I was formerly.

Some of the Kydex makers that used to be custom are going with injection molding and this is why they can crank them out so fast. Some still do custom thermoformed kydex but that number grows smaller because they can't keep pace. This isn't to say that I'd ever touch an Uncle Mike [shuddering] but I think comp tac has gone mass production and everyone still likes them. But, even in the custom world - Dan Hillsman, BearClaw Holsters, RM and others still get their orders out relatively fast compared to leather - and I suppose the gripes aren't about kydex makers, anyway.

Leather - I used to 'diss Galco and Bianchi but these days it doesn't seem too bad to walk into a store and walk out with a Galco. Granted they aren't as nice but at the same time they're not all THAT bad. Milt Sparks, K&D and others still run a pretty tight ship so I can't 'diss them but it's harder for uninformed or casual gun owners to know 'the lay of the land'. As a rule of thumb - if you can find a 'start up' custom holster maker who does great work you will probably get a good product in a reasonable time. UBG is a good example of that.

' nuff said.

Pitmaster

Maybe the solution is that a 50% deposit be put down by the buyer with full payment due when holster is completed and ready to be shipped. This gives the leather craftsman some funds to keep supplies and the incentive to complete orders.

I've made two purchases from Black Hills Leather and am pleased with the service I've received.

__________________
Pitmaster

HELGA: Where are you going?
HAGAR: To sign a peace treaty with the King of England.
HELGA: Then why take all those weapons?
HAGAR: First we gotta negotiate...

rodc13

I have to agree. And, just as holster-makers don't like to be painted with the same brush, I don't particularly appreciate the broad strokes used to characterize customers.

When I was promised a holster in 20 weeks (by a "premium" craftsman), I made no attempt to contact the maker untill 1 month after it was due. At that time I was told they had a few problems that put them 6 - 8 weeks behind, but mine was going right onto the bench in January. At the end of January, was promised 4 weeks. In mid-March, I was promised 3 weeks. At the end of April, I was promised mine would be in the very next batch, about a week out. At the end of June, I was promised 7-9 days.

I haven't emailed or phoned since. I decided to be patient and understanding of all the troubles, but the messages blaming customers for all the delays just ring hollow. Some holster-makers, like del Fatti, for example, have the posting on the website, which gives you a general idea of when yours might be done. Automated messages or auto-response emails could also be used. Craftsmen do this all the time and at least give some type communication other than petulance at the temerity of customers to wonder about their order and all the broken promises.

I've considered cancelling my order, but in a way, that would just let them off the hook. I've been waiting for an order that's a year late. I honestly don't consider 5 emails in a year and a half to be "badgering". Am I that bad to just want what I paid for? Or, barring that, to be given some realistic expectation of when I could expect it?

I've got to commend Eric Larsen for at least taking personal responsibility. He hasn't tried to blame anyone else (like his customers) for his difficulties, even during a very trying time for him.

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Cheers,
Rod
"We're paratroopers. We're supposed to be surrounded!" Dick Winters

Ray Blodgett

I will not go into detail except to say I have orderded from the following and found all to be responsive to Phone & Email contact.
My holsters, belts etc. delivered right on time & some earlier!

1. UBG
2. Fist
3. Mika
4. Simply Rugged(great revolver holsters)
5. High Noon Holsters

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LIVE FREE OR DIE

T. Kanaley

Not trying to butt in here, but I'll add this little tidbit and then I'll fall back into read only mode.

Our stated backlog estimates have been pretty accurate thus far, but as a further service to our customers I've decided to follow Matt's lead and as of mid September our customers have been able to visit our site and receive updated backlog information off a link posted on our home page. It's not the perfect solution, nor does it address individual orders, but it does give people a general idea where their order stands in the scheme of things . We also post our projected backlog estimate on new orders, so the potential customer knows where they stand before they even make the phone call to order.

It really doesn't take much time and I can update the site as needed during the time of day I usually answer email. If it saves the customer a little anxiety, then it is worth doing in my opinion.

Anyway, carry on.....

T

__________________
Milt Sparks Holsters, Inc.
www.miltsparks.com
Second Best is not an option

Piglet

rodc13 wrote:

I would not consider cancelling my order either, not because I'm worried about how the maker would feel, but simply because I'm dying to see my holster!!! When you've been waiting for an item like that for so long, the desire only increases with time. Money really isn't the object to me; it's getting the satisfaction of finally receiving a top-of-the-line piece of leather from a renowned maker, something that really stands out in the crowd.

I'm willing to put up with a lot to get that satisfaction.

T. Kanaley said:

Thank you very much, it is wonderful to see such a positive and helpful response from your outfit. Much appreciated.

stevep

Thanks for all the input, i just got off the phone with paypal and they stated there is nothing they can do UNLESS more than my one claim is filed against Bulman for not sending out the holsters if you used paypal to pay for them. If you have used paypal and have not received your merchandise from Bulman please take the time to file a resolution with paypal and they will address the problem and possibly stop allowing him to be a paypal merchant. the lesson I learned 'do not use paypal for anything that cannot be shipped and received in 45 days"

whw

Thanks for the feedback. I will give at least one or two of them a try.

whw

Gunnutty

Glad to see Simply Rugged on your list. Have just ordered a holster for a 44 spcl and it is already in the mail. Looking forward to checking it out. Very good communication and super fast shipping.

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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!

huntemup

I would like to throw out a thumbs up for Nate (UBG). I have a gun that is very difficult to find a custom holster for. After hours of googles and endless links I couldn't find a custom holster maker that had a cast of my gun to mold a holster from. I e-mailed Nate to see if he had the cast or could get one. He did not have it:( He knew of a direct competitor of his that had the cast and could make the holster I was searching for, and e-mailed me the link to their website. Not only did he respond to my question quickly (overnight), but he also willingly handed my business to a competitor with nothing to gain for himself. That is what I call professional customer service. Kudos to you Nate! You and your work are top shelf, and my friend you have earned a future customer. The very next time I need a holster for a more common gun, you will be the one I give to my business to. I am currently in the market for a Springfield 1911 and when I save up enough to get it, I will be getting ahold of you to craft some leather for it. Thanks for helping me out Nate, you are the Man.