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Showing 1 of 19 conversations about:
Silverhead
46
Apr 14, 2015
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http://www.grbj.com/articles/81596-at-bros-leather-its-in-the-bag Yeah, China and India. No thanks. Although people are clamoring constantly about how much they love supporting Saddleback, another 'good feely' company that outsources their leather procurement and item creation outside of the USA. The price is decent enough on this bag for what it is, but I can't stand these companies that try hard to look American and are nothing of the sort.
IanAnderson
2590
Apr 14, 2015
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SilverheadYou're absolutely correct that these bags are made in India; we try to make this clear in the description page, even though we don't have to.
So here's my issue:
When I source products, I can focus on small artisanal shops that make products in the US, but their items will be much more expensive. These prices are completely justified given the differences associated with changes in location and materials. However, when I do this I get negative comments about pricing being too high (see this active drop for an amazing shell cordovan cardholder: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/guarded-goods-shell-cordovan-card-holder/talk)
Alternatively, I can focus on products that are made overseas but are competitively priced and offer a good dollar-for-dollar value to you guys. But when I do that, I often get slammed with comments like the ones above (even though we all own tons of products made overseas).
So my questions is this - what would you like to see? Massdrop always has been and always will be run by the community, so I want to know what you think. If you want a $100 bag made in America out of Horween harness leather, I can't help you. If you want a bag that offers impressive value at $120, you're in the right drop. If you want an amazing made-in-America bag that retails for $1000, let me know and I'll make the phone call, but understand that if we don't sell any I'll be in trouble.
So here's my issue:
When I source products, I can focus on small artisanal shops that make products in the US, but their items will be much more expensive. These prices are completely justified given the differences associated with changes in location and materials. However, when I do this I get negative comments about pricing being too high (see this active drop for an amazing shell cordovan cardholder: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/guarded-goods-shell-cordovan-card-holder/talk)
Alternatively, I can focus on products that are made overseas but are competitively priced and offer a good dollar-for-dollar value to you guys. But when I do that, I often get slammed with comments like the ones above (even though we all own tons of products made overseas).
So my questions is this - what would you like to see? Massdrop always has been and always will be run by the community, so I want to know what you think. If you want a $100 bag made in America out of Horween harness leather, I can't help you. If you want a bag that offers impressive value at $120, you're in the right drop. If you want an amazing made-in-America bag that retails for $1000, let me know and I'll make the phone call, but understand that if we don't sell any I'll be in trouble.
tx.b
76
Apr 14, 2015
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IanAndersonMaybe, a good balance between reputation (brand value) and price. I like the Tibolt drop (I didn't back it as I've already had the Tibolt) since Mr. Fellhoelter is well known for his work/service. 20% off was good enough, although it was still higher than what I paid for at his KS run.
I guess Japanese shell cordovan isn't bad, but I still love my Horween shell products better.
I guess Japanese shell cordovan isn't bad, but I still love my Horween shell products better.
brucered
31
Apr 14, 2015
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EdgarSaddleback is the big one people look too, but there are plenty of other great leather makers... Koch come to mind for bags. Satchel & Page appears to make some nice looking stuff and I think they have even been featured on MassDrop.
brucered
31
Apr 14, 2015
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IanAndersonThis bag is said to MSRP at $200. For $200, this bag appears to be overpriced. Even you didn't claim it's a good value at the MSRP of $200, which shows very little confidence it the quality of it. So you are basically saying unless it hits the lowest price, it's not worth it.
The items MS is offering should be good quality products, regardless of the price. The incentive should be for people to get top quality stuff, for cheaper then they can on sale or from elsewhere.
Using inflated MSRP's seems to be the norm on here lately and most stuff can be found elsewhere, immediately for the same price or $2 less and in hand in a week.
The items MS is offering should be good quality products, regardless of the price. The incentive should be for people to get top quality stuff, for cheaper then they can on sale or from elsewhere.
Using inflated MSRP's seems to be the norm on here lately and most stuff can be found elsewhere, immediately for the same price or $2 less and in hand in a week.
IanAnderson
2590
Apr 14, 2015
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bruceredI sort of understand what you're saying, but you're making some awfully bold claims if you've never even handled this item. I have this bag at my desk and have no reason to believe that the stitching would fall apart in a month.
brucered
31
Apr 14, 2015
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IanAndersonYou asked if people want a $1000 bag and I get your point too, this is not in that league. It's not that people want a $1000 bag, but we may want a $400 bag for $250. That seems to be in the ballpark or what type of discount I am seeing on larger ticketed items. Looking at the pics, not handling it, I can't make definitive claims.
So, if you were to take a poll, get Saddleback, Koch and S&P for people to vote on. Get their REAL MSRP or selling price and then get a significant reduction, people would be happy.
That's how I see it. I hope this bags works out and people are happy with it.
So, if you were to take a poll, get Saddleback, Koch and S&P for people to vote on. Get their REAL MSRP or selling price and then get a significant reduction, people would be happy.
That's how I see it. I hope this bags works out and people are happy with it.
IanAnderson
2590
Apr 14, 2015
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bruceredFair points. For reference -
Saddleback refuses to do any wholesale selling, which I'm fine with since I'm not a big fan of their product (IMO price is too high considering it's chrome-tanned leather, mass-produced in Mexico)
We've worked with S&P and other similar small brands in the past but the drops have been unsuccessful because nobody was willing to spend $200-300 on a leather bag, even a good one. I may try again but it's hard to work with a vendor again after they get complaints from Massdroppers about the high price.
Saddleback refuses to do any wholesale selling, which I'm fine with since I'm not a big fan of their product (IMO price is too high considering it's chrome-tanned leather, mass-produced in Mexico)
We've worked with S&P and other similar small brands in the past but the drops have been unsuccessful because nobody was willing to spend $200-300 on a leather bag, even a good one. I may try again but it's hard to work with a vendor again after they get complaints from Massdroppers about the high price.
brucered
31
Apr 14, 2015
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IanAndersonThanks Ian and it's too bad people aren't willing to spend the extra $50-100 and get one...I have a feeling they are well worth it.
I also agree with your point on SBL. Overkill in terms of how rugged it is, too pricy and even they are outsourced from what I understand. I missed out on the S&P and a few others when I was looking and ended up with a Filson, so I'm good for now.
Much appreciated for taking the time to reply and hear me out.
I also agree with your point on SBL. Overkill in terms of how rugged it is, too pricy and even they are outsourced from what I understand. I missed out on the S&P and a few others when I was looking and ended up with a Filson, so I'm good for now.
Much appreciated for taking the time to reply and hear me out.
SteveP
8
Apr 14, 2015
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IanAndersonFrom reading some reviews, Saddleback is also intentionally tanned to make it look like worn leather very quickly. Some of their marketing is hilarious, does anyone think they will still be around in 100 years to back up their warranty?
Does anyone out there actually own this bag and can tell us what they think?
Does anyone out there actually own this bag and can tell us what they think?
brucered
31
Apr 14, 2015
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StevePI've never handled one, but from what I've heard and read from reliable sources and online acquaintances, they are made like tanks...too heavy for EDC, too many buckles, too many ring loops etc.
And other the hand, some people swear by them. After reading some of their marketing ploys and stories about him running down and criticizing people publicly in airports about their knockoff bags, I have zero desire to own one.
And other the hand, some people swear by them. After reading some of their marketing ploys and stories about him running down and criticizing people publicly in airports about their knockoff bags, I have zero desire to own one.
Calebcan
31
Apr 14, 2015
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IanAndersonGet the good value overseas made products.
All this whining about products that aren't made in the US and companies that make it seem like they're based out of the US while they are actually not is ridiculous. I am fed up with all of it. Just because a product is sourced overseas does not mean that it has inferior quality. Now, I do admit that there are low quality products that are made overseas, however there are low quality products that are made in the US! Whether a product is made in the US or not has no real affect on the products quality! Only getting supper expensive products from the US that are supposedly "high quality" because you don't want to buy "low quality" products from other countries isn't patriotic, it's anti-capitalistic! You know what? Being anti-capitalistic is anti-American! Stop screwing up the free market americans! You're going against everything the US stands for!
Be a good capitalist and buy great value products. If those products happen to be made in the US, great. If they don't, too bad. It's how the free market works. You can't get the benefits of the free market without being part of the free market.
Be pro-Capitalism, be pro-American.
All this whining about products that aren't made in the US and companies that make it seem like they're based out of the US while they are actually not is ridiculous. I am fed up with all of it. Just because a product is sourced overseas does not mean that it has inferior quality. Now, I do admit that there are low quality products that are made overseas, however there are low quality products that are made in the US! Whether a product is made in the US or not has no real affect on the products quality! Only getting supper expensive products from the US that are supposedly "high quality" because you don't want to buy "low quality" products from other countries isn't patriotic, it's anti-capitalistic! You know what? Being anti-capitalistic is anti-American! Stop screwing up the free market americans! You're going against everything the US stands for!
Be a good capitalist and buy great value products. If those products happen to be made in the US, great. If they don't, too bad. It's how the free market works. You can't get the benefits of the free market without being part of the free market.
Be pro-Capitalism, be pro-American.
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