Henry Rifle Forums

I bit the bullet and hopped in the truck for errands today. Lowes, Grocery Store, and the "local" Tandy Leather. I say local, but it's an hour and ten minutes from me. Meh, as local as it gets. I could order the stuff on line, but then I couldn't ask questions face to face and get advice. So, I took the stuff I bought the last time, and the tools and goodies my daughter sent me, and headed out.

When I got there, I waited til the guy checked out the two folks in the store... it's a small well stocked shop, but usually not that busy in the middle of the week. Which is why I chose a Tuesday. First we went over the stuff I already had, and I told him what my plans for leather working were. He was the same guy who had helped me on my last visit and remembered I was going to make a sheath or two. I told him they had turned out better than expected.

I gave him a list of the things I was considering.... his first action was to cross off MANY of the things I had on the list. You don't really need this, this, this ... or this. And this, ... Check out the same thing at Harbor Freight when you get a chance. Half the price and same quality.

Then we started on the stamps for accenting the leather. Yes, No, Yes, No, Yes. You have one like this, only smaller and you won't use this one much. Yup, this you'll use a lot and that one... I'd go with this instead. With what you are doing you might want to add this one, and this and this.

I pushed the walker down the aisles and we went over what I could use, and what I had at home that would work. THIS will be on sale next month.. I'd wait if you don't mind coming back into town.... ... and then we'll have the better cutter blades back in...

Can you ask for better service. Once I was done, I was able to add some extra leather and still come in well under budget due to the things we have completely cut out... and then he carried the stuff out to the truck. THAT is how you make sure folks buy from the local store. (Well, sorta local...) Rather than buying on line. When you take the tool off the shelf and show the old fat guy how to use it, and a few tricks on how to use it better.... you have a customer who will come back.

Tandy is my favorite craft store.
Always helpful.

Marine, you said it. That's how to do customer service right. I don't think our Tandy is still open. I like that he told you to go to Harbor Freight. I doubt the home office would though.

It is a good way to build customer loyalty. Thanks for sharing that story. I'm going to look up our Tandy store and see if it's still open. (I haven't been there in ages}

Dave, I looked on the Tandy website and did a Search by Zipcode. Of the four of five in our area... (that's a WIDE use of the phrase) this one was the one that was closest. I called, and they had moved from the large location that was about 50 minutes away, to a smaller strip mall off the main drag, 70 minutes away. Still worth the drive because I wanted the face time. Worth the drive both times. I knew it would be when I talked to the guy on the phone the first time.

Yeah, I'm thinking that Corporate might not LIKE some of the advice the folks at the front lines are giving, but if they are smart, and look at sales, they'll let them be.

I haven't seen a Tandy Store in decades. Aren't they part of Radio Shack?

I stopped back in Tandy on the way to the Airport to pick up Miss Tina on Tuesday, I wanted a couple tools and a roll of tracing film. $30 worth. I was way early for the Airport, but Tandy is on that side of the county and only 1/2 hour or so from the airport... I planned to hang out and get some advice, ask some questions, pick up some pointers.

I did find out that Tandy is part of Radio Shack, they would prefer the guys push for huge initial sales and push the kids working the stores to sell memberships with that first sale... but these guys know what works. There store doesn't stay packed, but has a steady flow... and solid customer base, and they are loyal.. to the store.

Ah... asked advice, discussed techniques, and added a few more things than planned, but nothing I won't use or need. I'll make the drive back when I need more... rather than order online. Loyalty.