Tandy

[Hank Rugerman]

And before you ask..I am in no way affiliated with These guys...other than I spend my money there...


Had a real good visit today at a local Tandy store..had to pick up some supplies..

Tandy had gone through some major changes with the...we'll only sell on the internet routine to finally going bancrupt.
I found out today that the "Leather Factory" had bought out Tandy...according to the folks behind the counter

I was offered...through a program..wholesale prices by joining the "club" for a $35 fee...

Once joined, I immediately recieved a $10 coupon back on my purchases.

Part of the program is, every month you get one stamping tool free...figures up to about $98 return at the end of the year.

You also recieve a 20% to 40% off of the tagged price..

I saved enough on my purchase today to more than pay for the membership fee..

I have used Tandy for several years..and glad to see them coming back...they are working hard at it and it shows...I would suggest that if your'e in the market for something like this..it may help

[Evil One]

I too just joined their club... and will be going to their leather working classes.
Maybe one day I will be able to make my own gunleather. 


Evil

[Hank Rugerman]

Evil,

What kind of classes are you shooting for...The working or the stamping?

[Dalton Masterson]

You gents are lucky to have one that close. I have to drive almost 4 hours to hit the one in Omaha. Love going tho. I am also a wholesale club member, although I dont take advantage of the free stamp thing unless I am in the area. The Skiver newsletter always has some good tips in it too. DM

[Hank Rugerman]

I guess one part that set me back was I had been doing business with them for a while..today was the first I had heard about being in a wholesale club....

It was quite evident that they wanted the business..stock was good, leather was top grade..the people were working hard to help..they were telling me all about the comeback....I hope they do.

Maybe they will open more stores and you won't have to drive as far...we can only hope..

[Evil One]

Mainly the working, as I am more of a minimalist kinda guy.
I am currently in Holyoke Ma and drive to the Hartford CT store.


Evil

[Slowhand Bob]

They also have a seperate 'Buisiness' price structure with its own price catalog and sales flyers.  They require only a state sales license to qualify.  I live about two hours from the closest store and usually would only make the drive for a critical or large leather order.  I have gotten some really beautiful leather from Tandy BUT feel one must hand pick it.  Within their top 'Live Oak' brand I find that a roll of five will consist of two to three hides that are as good as anybodies while two or three hides will have no buisiness in that grade.   Now, if you can keep a secret I will let you in on something.  Every store manager I have found will let you have the roll price on less than a roll and this also applies to the 'pack price' on individual stamps and most other Crafttools.  Over the years I have found the Craftools to be a mixed blessing, some being a hidden bargain and others little better than ballast.  The saddest part is that overall quality seems to have declined BUT I'm no great fan of the line put out by the top name in the tool buisiness either.  There are a couple of very high priced brands that can be bought with confidence, sight unseen and Nolan has done a good job of rating them on here in the past. 

[Hank Rugerman]

Hey..Slowhand..thanks for sharing...

You know I find it almost, unsettling that the craft and art of times gone by, is all but non existent for a lot of folks. The ability to gain and work leather..at one time was a major part in ones life...

It's a liitle on the sad side that these types of businesses are few and far between. I do believe that due to CAS and other similiar venues, these have helped perserve our heritage (to a point).

Just look at the amount of folks on here (this forum alone) that are tryng leather work "for the first time"

I say to all of those folks that are even remotely able to start and work through a project..go for it...

It can be frustrating to not see in your hands, what you have in your mind....I know...don't let the fear of this stop you, and by all means don't dispair if it does not stand up to the quality that you want...try again, and use the info that you have gained for the next project...it WILL get better..

Here's a tip for folks "thinking bout it"..go to a store...like Tandy and get yourself a small project...say like spur straps or cuffs..do that project first...(a lot less cost if it doesn't turn out) then move on/up to that gun rig.

have fun....

[Whiskey Creek Adams]

Good thoughts and sage advice Hank!!!

[Hank Rugerman]

Thanks Whiskey...

[Pitspitr]

You gents are lucky to have one that close. I have to drive almost 4 hours to hit the one in Omaha. Love going tho. I am also a wholesale club member, although I dont take advantage of the free stamp thing unless I am in the area. The Skiver newsletter always has some good tips in it too. DM

Jerry does a great job of phone orders though. He's always been very helpful and If I order before the mail goes out, I have the order the next day. I just joined the club a couple of weeks ago and saved enough on the order to pay for the membership.

[Texas Lawdog]

I guess that I am sorta lucky in that Tandy is HQd in Fort Worth, Texas where I work.  They have a Leather store on the west side of Fort Worth on old US 80 HWY.  I don't have time for the leather projects for about another year and a half, when I retire from the Sheriff's Dept in Ft Worth.nnI will have plenty of time then.

[Cherokee Bodie]

Have a Tandy shop here in Orlando about a half hour drive from me. Joined the club about a week ago.
Cherokee Bodie

[Hank Rugerman]

Well hopefully these will become more prolific and folks will have more opportunities to explore their....heritage...

[leatherman92]

I am set up as a leathr shop @ tandy and get 30%-50% off everything I buy.but you have a tax permit