k4mrc Posted August 21, 2007 Report Share Posted August 21, 2007 just wondered how many people use J.R. Leather and like me (who used to use it) and really not as impressed as wholesalers make out? i have used J.R. Leather for 2 - 3 years, ( at least 6 yrs ago) selling it to all my customers with the paper insoles to educate my customers, but quite a few came back to say they were not impressed on the longevity (lack of) that they had had. i also use wares soles and honestly can say there is little or no difference on actual wear! when you then consider cost - J.R. Leather £5-50 per pair wares £2-80 one wonders is it really worth spending the extra? i have talked to various different people in the trade and 2 wholesalers have said almost the same thing but in a different language - one has said that due to the popularity of J.R. Leather soles the tanning company is struggling to keep up - when it first came out the tanning was roughly 9 months, now if it is correct what i was told this has been reduced to less than 6 months. i actually like J.R. Leather looks great when finished - i actually use it on one or two special customers shoes who pay me £10 per pair more than i get on my "normal" repairs, but can honestly say they bring them back in for re-repair about the same as the leather i use. so open to all your expertise and comments - is J.R. Leather really worth it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kobblers Posted August 21, 2007 Report Share Posted August 21, 2007 get ducking k4mrc that's an interesting post, it'd be be good to know what percentage the split is in the responses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithm Posted August 21, 2007 Report Share Posted August 21, 2007 Don the armour dear boy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted August 21, 2007 Report Share Posted August 21, 2007 Wares leather is probably one of the best leathers on the market for the money, but it is not in the same class as JR's. I find them consistantly of excellent quality, and they stick really well with the superb nap, not like some of the wares which can sometimes be a little fleshy or worse, too hard to rough up to a nice surface for sticking. Also the superb Conti-tech heels which compliment the soles give the impression that they have been back to the manufacturers for repair. That is the look I always try to achieve. All high class Shoe repairers should use JR's, perfect for showing of your skills. I do use wares though, as not everyone wants to pay for JR's, If anything I wish there prices were a little cheaper, but as said many times on this forum, You have to pay for quality. Everyone knows JR's are superb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
x minit uk Posted August 21, 2007 Report Share Posted August 21, 2007 I to used to use JRs, and then went on to use wares however I found the wares soles very brittle and they didn't seem to like being stitched, dunno why. I now use mercury leather soles and find these very good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St.Am92 Posted August 21, 2007 Report Share Posted August 21, 2007 i used to use jr's years ago when they first were stocked by rd summers.excellent quality sole but i found wear was no different to other top brands,customers expected them to last a lifetime because of the extra they had paid.in the end i ditched them in favour of ware's,though the quality of these are'nt what they used to be Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kam Posted August 21, 2007 Report Share Posted August 21, 2007 i too used them and a few years ago had problem getting them not make quick enogh was told when i got after that they seem different and did not think were same Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alxfer Posted August 23, 2007 Report Share Posted August 23, 2007 I use JR and tell my customers that it is the best on the market. I offer a cheaper leather for those who do not want to pay the extra. I was disappointed that the quality has gone down in that the nice sole with the logo seems to have more marks and staining that it used to. It also had two price hikes in 1 year recently. Rumour has it that someone has got a new quality leather available at the show. Anyone heard?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh-Candoit (ENG) Posted August 25, 2007 Report Share Posted August 25, 2007 Get the soles that have not been flex treated for the Uk and you have the best of the best, but be warned you need a bloody sharp knife and new bands and ultra sharp trimmers. The best of the best by far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windycity Posted August 28, 2007 Report Share Posted August 28, 2007 i like jr soles but wince at the price but use them when needed, wares gold are very stiff try using the silver the sole will have a few marks onit but has more flex its a shame that jr's cost so much i would rather pay less and not have them in a fancy box will all the pr paperwork. its a shame that some of you have found them to be not so good. but its great that we all like and use a product that is made in england and wares have been around forever, i was once told that all the fussey shoerepairers use these. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted August 29, 2007 Report Share Posted August 29, 2007 Rumour has it that someone has got a new quality leather available at the show. Anyone heard?? Yes I've heard alxfer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jonestheshoe Posted September 14, 2007 Report Share Posted September 14, 2007 I, for one, have used JR leather for many years, probably since it was first introduced into the UK. It is a pleasure to work with, and customers actually comment on the extra wear of the sole. In all the time since it was introduced to me, I have not had any occasion to complain about its quality. I have visited the tannery in Germany, and seen for myself, the tanning process. It is difficult to understand the comment of “the finish peeling off†Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted September 14, 2007 Report Share Posted September 14, 2007 A nice "first" post jonestheshoe welcome to the forum Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh-Candoit (ENG) Posted September 14, 2007 Report Share Posted September 14, 2007 Welcome jonestheshoe, nice name!! I agree, I never saw a finish applied that could come off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted September 14, 2007 Report Share Posted September 14, 2007 I had a few in one batch that had a flaking effect on them, I'm not saying they are a bad product, but they are definatly not as good as they used to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted September 14, 2007 Report Share Posted September 14, 2007 O' and welcome to the forum jonesy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh-Candoit (ENG) Posted September 14, 2007 Report Share Posted September 14, 2007 I don not think that the flaking was a pre-applied finish. but I could be wrong as its a few years since i saw any. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k4mrc Posted September 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2007 jonestheshoe Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 10:29 am Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I suggest that the complaints have originated through price consciousness rather than the quality sorry dont agree with that comment! - as i have always offered a 2 tier service - it is my customers that pay for the quality of materials, it was they the customer who 1st got me wondering on the quality of jr leather, yes that was when they 1st came out, over the years i have still used it (hoping it was as good as a lot of friends said) - but sadly over the years it has got worse (in my opinion )and i am looking forward to the new wares soles that are advertised in cutting edge with the hope that they are better than the wares soles i am currently using. but sorry not price - i have found customers are willing to pay, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh-Candoit (ENG) Posted September 15, 2007 Report Share Posted September 15, 2007 I think personally that jonestheshoe is refering to the fact that for the high price you pay you may be expecting perfection!! and probably quite rightly. However, you will be able to voice your opinions direct to Hans the owner at the exhibition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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