Hey guys!!
I write this review mainly for the Spanish colleagues who may be reading this...
I am totally boiling with this people!!
Instagram: @artebarcelo
Facebook: Arte Barcelo (Córdoba, España)
Ok, so at the beginning of may, after to break the tip of my awl, I decided that it was a good opportunity to get some new awls and casually I found these guys in IG. Pictures, videos, demonstrations.... it looked like a leather artisan selling also some nice awls and tools. I said to myself, "why not to try with a new supplier?" .... and that was my BIGGEST MISTAKE!
I placed an order by email stating my exact needs, was confirmed they could make that order so I advanced the money (SECOND BIGGEST MISTAKE). It was supposed to be ready by the end of that week, so I was very happy. Ok.... ALMOST THREE WEEKS after, I was still waiting for my order, pushing, asking and claiming what had happened - at this point, I must say that if I didn't ask, they said absolutely nothing....
Millions of excuses and some days after, I got my order shipped and received it the 27/5. My surprise when opened the package: the awls were not even similar to what I had ordered! They were much bigger, the blade was wider, not with the shape I had requested, the finishings and polishings were AWFUL and also, the blades were not straight at all. I regret not to have kept the pictures to post here, you can not imagine my disappointment.
I informed to this suplier that I didn't want them and requested the money to be refund against the return of these tools. After that, all was silence, excuses and no intentions to solve things, to refund my money, and I haven't received even an email or phone call to say "apologies". Nothing at all. They filled me with excuses related to "health (oncologic!) problems", or "my boss doesn't pick me the phone", or "I thought that my boss transferred the money already", "I also want to finish with this issue too" ... blablabla. Awful situation, and of course, they don't say anything if I break their balls. I am still waiting for their feedback.
I didn't finished: Yesterday I posted a comment in one of their IG pictures. What they did? they deleted it and blocked me! so this last attitude showed me that they have, at this point, stolen my money. I reported the situation in some leathercraft groups in FB, I was deleted in one, and in another they had the bad face to reply with a repulsive sarcasm. They are totally disgusting!!!
So, at this very moment I consider my money lost, I have at home 2 awls that I will try to fix and see if I can use (although they are quite big and uncomfortable to use for me). I am totally disappointed, I should have never moved and tried new suppliers like this. Ok, I did learn the lesson.
Just be aware of this people if one day you see them on IG, don't exchange anything with them, they are totally fraudulent.
- Maru
@Maru Tuchi Thank you for sharing this! I never heard from them (or him) before but now I know to watch out.
By sharing our experiences here, we can arm ourselves and the leather community against these kinds of rogue people and companies.
@Maru Tuchi I'm really sorry to hear that happened to you.
What really bothers me is the reaction of your facebook groups! Whatever the case, your review is very much welcome here.
I may be wrong, but taking a look at the account, it does seem to be just the one guy, I doubt there are more people involved in his business. With the amount of time involved in making a hand made awl, outside of China and large production facilities, no one would make profits from selling 25 euro awls - or maybe he's retired.
The red flag is that he has one video of him stitching without an awl, and no videos of him stitching WITH an awl. It appears he is making a tool for a skill he likely doesn't have, again that could also be wrong, but if you sell a product - where's the demo?
You will not get through life without getting burned, it is how we lean and adapt. This may be an expensive lesson for you, but it may save you making a more expensive lesson later on, think of it that way. Now you are wise!
You saw a man, making hand made awls, at a decent price - and in Spain! You can see why you instantly connected with his products. Next time you will buy logically.
Remember, if you want to buy something and you are unsure, post it here for us to take a look, we are always here to help.
Thank you for your review, it means we can avoid bad sellers and it helps us as a community.
If you haven't listened to my podcast about looking for good tool makers and avoiding bad ones, listen here.
I used the hard way (like you) to never buy from anyone that doesn't have a proper websop or who doesn't invoice (not "request money") through Paypal. Because, when using Paypal, you can ask for a refund for your invoice.