jet3534

To give kudos to companies that have delivered, I have prepaid on holster orders from: 1) Fist; 2) High Noon Holsters; and 3) El Paso Saddlery; and got what I ordered when they said I would get it. All three of these companies make high quality products.

CT-Mike

I am surprised that it took 4 pages for someone to recommend Kevin at K&D. When you call to place an order or ask questions, Kevin answers the phone and is always willing to take as much time as necessary to answer your questions.

I knew that there was a 14-16 week wait at the time I placed the order, but I am perfectly willing to wait (12-14 weeks to go) for a handmade custom holster at a very reasonable price.

There is a very long thread over at xdtalk.com concerning the Dakota Defender, and Kevin is very active in the thread answering questions, responding to complaints, etc.

Customer service like that is a rarity, and I have no problem paying a few dollars more for a quality product and service.

SOLOLUCKY

I can say when i talked to Gary Brommeland his service and communication was top notch for me. My Maxcon & mag pouch came as stated and I am very pleased.
Just one mans experience from one maker, but for me he was an excellent service provider.

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R1

This is mine. That is yours.

Lets keep it that way.

taggart

It's an interesting thing about business. I've heard time and again how one must be prepared for failure AND ALSO success. I can imagine these talented leather crafters starting up a little business and doing great at first. Then comes the word of mouth and possibly some successful advertising and the orders come flooding in. I can say, it can seem pretty daunting. Plus, the rise in popularity of CCW permits, and it's the perfect storm.
I don't pretend to know everything about "leather works", but I do know a little bit about business and a lot of the time, this seems to be the case.
Just an observation and my 2¢.

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Taggart Snyder
Man about town...

Rexster

I know a custom knife maker who had to stop taking orders, because demand exceeded his ability to have any hope of reducing the backlog. E-mails were arriving in such numbers that it would take hours to reach and answer each new day's deluge. He would honor his price at the time the order was placed, only to see a newly delivered knife offered on Ebay for a huge mark-up. So, he stopped accepting orders, rather than let things spiral further out of control. Yes, it caused much consternation, and some would not take no for an answer. He would be a a knife show, and people would try to stuff checks in his pocket. Just a few cents' worth from the other side of things, and this particular maker is not the only one who has become more secretive over time, and stopped taking orders.

tabsr

When I called to order, spoke with Josh Bulman. Gave me good advice on the holster needed and helpfull, very nice guy. Never trust Paypal and order directly. My card will not be charged till shipment, Bulman policy. Apparently, becoming a bad guy for making a quality holster and in demand.

As I told Josh, Hope I receive it by my 65 birthday this December 20 as every month not year counts after then.

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"Politicians and Bureaucrats, depend very much on the complicity of their victims, and like criminals, are flummoxed when we don't play the victim role."

JerryM

The two holster makers who have delivered for me in the general time frames promised are Sparks and K&D (Kevin Manley.)

The single most important thing to me in dealing with others is that they do what they say they will do. Yes quality is extremely important, but I am not willing to tolerate promise after promise and none kept. No one is that good, and there are some that do what they say.

I also realize something unforeseen can occur. I and others understand those problems. However, a constant string of those makes me think they are just excuses, and not acceptable in the long run.

As far as I am concerned, I am a customer. It is the responsibility of the business to anticipate reasonable delays and problems, build them into the system, and when he makes an estimate stick by it except in an emergency.

Tony's and Kevin are the best I have dealt with, and both make real quality products. I might add without trying to harm anyone, that the maker that in my own experience with his holster, is maybe the absolute best made so many excuses and took so long that I would not deal with him again just for that reason.

I think that there are some craftsmen in the various gun related businesses that are superb craftsmen, but very poor business men. They take on more than they can handle, and promise what they cannot deliver.

I like the way DelFatti does it on his site. His waiting period is much too long for me, but he is a very ethical and honorable man, a superb craftsman, and at least one knows pretty close to what he can expect. One can therefore make a decision as to whether he is willing to wait. He will be pleased with the product when he gets it. I am just not willing to wait over a year for anyone's holster, but I do not blame others for waiting for some who have long waiting periods.

But, promises that are just to placate the customer are totally unacceptable. I also think it is dishonest.

Regards,
Jerry