[Webshop/Store Review] Arte Barcelo (IG & FB)

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