steveb leatherworks: the blather

 

I love people.

I especially like crap talkers who take advantage of the privacy the interwebs allow (well not really, but read on).

But first let me share the foundation of this rant..

Not surprisingly, on occasion, I peek at Craigs List for leather working tools that folks are getting rid of. A lot of times, someone will find a box of stuff in their basement, post it on Craigs List, not knowing what they have. Sometimes, I’ll reach out and contact them to get the skinny on the deal, and sometimes wind up buying or finding homes for the tools. It all depends.

Because I am one of the very few “findable” leather craftsman on the East Coast, I’ve been called by folks asking me to find homes for stuff, and Ive had folks want to sell me stuff. More often that not, folks simply  want to get rid of the things and finding a good home for them makes them feel like they’ve put a dime in the karmic piggy bank. I am happy to oblige, because I love the craft and want more folks checking it out – and having access to tools is a start.

But, most of the time, what i find is junk, plain and simple. If things sit, especially in damp basements  – they rot and rust. About a year and a half ago I got a call from the widow of a saddle maker who asked me to come and clear out her husbands shop and find homes for the all the stuff.  As it turns out, most of the material and supplies were trash, I wound up taking to the dump for her. No money changed hands, and I wound up giving a lot of the tools away, as i didn’t need any of it (I am already well tooled up for my needs). I still have more of that stuff to offer to all of you, but it surprisingly takes time (a lot of it) to organize things like this and to give it away..ha!.. and I am time challenged….

So yesterday I see this ad on CL offering “leather work tools” – the lister boasts he’s got the Premiere selection…so I contacted them, letting them know that if they were of the mind to ditch the stuff, I’d help them out and find homes for the tools. Conversely I also shared that if they were looking to “cash out”, I wasn’t their guy.

This is what I wrote:

If your looking to cash out, I’m not the guy….. 

I am often called when someone has tools they don’t want, I find them good homes.

I don’t pay much, but I find tools homes that will use them, important only if you are a leather craftsman 

Regards

Steveb

So, this is what I get from the “seller”…..

I used to be a antique tool dealer and put stuff on eBay. I know exactly to the penny what they are worth which is around 4600.00. I know what I paid and I don’t know what cash out means but your a total bullshitter. I would vhave taken 2500.00 and you could have made a tidy profit. I know the deal, and you probably don’t have 2500.00. if I sold them to you cheap they would be on eBay in a day. I’m more of a tool guy than you will ever be.. go bullshit someone else

 loose my email Mr I find them good homes. What a bunch of crap. I’ve been a dealer over 20 years an never heard a dumber story in my life. I can tell ou the exact year of any woodworking tool and what its worth just from a photo. My god. I own a cabinet shop chump, I use more tools than you will ever see. You insulted me and tried to guilt me. I would love to meet you face to face so I can laugh in it.

Sent from Windows Mail

(figures, he’s a Windows user…haha)

Sadly, this is what happens when a “professional tool guy who knows what he’s got” meets up with a person (me) who has no interest in anything other than getting tools in the hands of folks that want to learn Leathercraft. Guys like this  are the people that wind up offering mediocre “vintage” Craftool stamps for $10 apiece on ebay to rookies, when the knowledgeable  crafter knows for the most part they’re worth less than half of that. When i first started out, I didn’t know squat, and learned the hard (and expensive way) and I had a few people like this character take advantage of me, until i learned better.

For the record, these days I support the finest toolmakers in the craft whose tools cost DEARLY. As my work has gotten better and my commitment to the craft has strengthened, I’ve made the hefty investment in quality tools.

As those who know me can attest, making money off of selling leather work tools is of no interest to me, its not my game, its not attractive to me, the reward is tiny for the effort expended, and I have more fun giving stuff away than selling it (and luckily, I can afford to).

Its pretty funny (sorta) when people flex their keyboards and get bold behind the cloak of anonymity.  Its also pretty telling when the hate and bitterness explode from them like a balloon losing air. Its also a reminder to all of us, that on the interwebs you simply never know whom you are talking to, so always be nice and respectful. Why? because you just might find yourself in that “oh so” awkward situation where you get to deliver, in person on the promise, (or is that a threat): ” I would love to meet you face to face so I can laugh in it.”.. Oh boy!

I didn’t bother responding to my new bud, the professional tool seller, because whats the point? Its not worth explaining, its not worth the hassle or stress. Some people are just haters, because thats what they do  – hate – and its not my job to fix ’em. Thinking on it, I have a feeling he’s filled with pissed-offedness from the frustration of selling tools piece by piece…lol

With all of this said – I still do have leather craft  tools (stamps for the most part)  to give away and if you are starting your leather craft hobby and are looking for things to get you going on your way – let me know,

Leather crafters > If I have what you need, I am happy to send it your way, for the cost of postage…..
Conversely, If you have tools that need homes and don’t know where to go, give me a ring……

Peace out!

steveb