Has anyone ordered or received an order from Eric at HBE leather?

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Now I'm concerned

I was trying to be patient while waiting for my holster from HBE. I figured he was perhaps a little behind schedule. The real problem is that I don't remember how long he said I would have to wait to receive it. His website said 4-8 weeks, but I think he told me 8-12 weeks (he definitely didn't give me an ETA of longer than 16 weeks).

Anyway, I placed my order on March 2nd. I paid by credit card, and my records show that he did in fact draw payment from my card. I called him about three weeks ago and left a message inquiring about the status of my order. I then called him again about two weeks ago and left a similar message. I have not heard back from him. I did not try emailing him yet though. It's been about 14 or 15 weeks since I placed my order, which is still close enough to the time frame to not be unduly concerned. My only concern (until now) was my fear that perhaps my order had been misplaced or forgotten, which is why I had called Mr. Larsen to check my order's status. I hope he is all right. Maybe he is on a wonderful vacation somewhere. At this point, if everything works out, I would continue to do business with HBE Leatherworks. I am not angry, but I am growing nervous.
 
out of curiosity i googled the name and found the website. his name is the same as my first grade teachers name was. makes me wonder if its the same guy.

sorry, my post is very pointless.
 
I placed my order January 3. At that time he said 12-16 weeks. At 14 I e-mailed him and got a "pretty soon answer". At 18 I called him, got a "yours is almost to the top of the list" answer, and I have now sent e-mails 2 weeks ago and today with no response. I'm REALLY nervous now (especially in light of the fact that I told the wife that the custom made holster would be soooo much better than anything I could buy in a store in order to get the pursestrings loosened...)
 
I just sent an email to Eric Larsen at HBE Leatherworks expressing my concerns and notifying him of this thread at THR. Hopefully I get a response soon.
 
Oh no!

Fat 46,

That is not comforting news. Why on earth would someone so behind as that continue to take on more orders without at least being up front about the time line? Well, maybe he's optimistic about his efficiency. He did tell me that it would be longer than the 8 weeks stated on his website. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt that he truly believed he could do it in 16 weeks. Perhaps he has had some bad health or urgent family business that required much of his recent attention. If at some point he realized that he would be missing his deadlines it would have been a nice courtesy for him to have taken the time to notify his customers.
 
I ordered leather from Eric a while back and I would say that what y'all describe is out of character.

I hope the fellow is alright. Maybe he has more work than he can satisfy.
 
I bought a holster from HBE a couple of years ago. I did have to wait quite a while (around 12 weeks, IIRC) to get my holster. This was, to the best of my recollection, right around when Eric started his business. You'd hope he would have improved his turnaround time.

It's a great holster, though.
 
I run HBE's site, he had me update the welcome message on his site earlier this year, to say:

Dear Customers,

Good day and hope the New Year has been a blessed for you as it has for me. This is a brief letter to let you know the *how the hell?* is the shop and HBE Specialty LeatherWorks. I know some of you are concerned about me being behind. Let your heart not be troubled*.K? I do apologize humbly and professionally. During the month of Dec. I had bronchitis, my first time like this, and the fumes literally made me sick while in my shop. I*ve done my best to answer emails with you having questions, I believe my spam filter may have killed some of the replies*not sure.

I am moving my shop again at the end of this month. This will help me in a situation to get caught up more quickly as Ill have less distractions to deal with on a daily basis and can concentrate more on my business.

My apologies to those whom are late/past there speculated ship date. If you contact me and we can work out a realistic ship date*Ill throw in a free mag holster for your patience or give you 25% off of your next order. It*s the least I can do.

All of my clients who trust me with their leather work, I am humbled by all of the business I*ve gotten lately. Sincerely, Im so blessed*and look forward to getting you your stuff. Please be patient and call me if you have any questions of any kind.

Sincerely,

Eric Larsen
H.B.E. Specialty LeatherWorks.​


His Cell: 801-916-9248 10AM to 8PM Mountain Time
 
Fat 46, I am in the same situation as you. Ordered the first week of January. 4-5 weeks ago I got an email stating I would get my holster in "a couple of weeks" Oh well, it better be as good as I have heard. He told me his spam filter is holding a lot of his mail back, Hmmmm. Well I will just keep waiting. When I talked to him at order time he was very helpful and seemed like a great guy.
 
FWIW, Eric had posted on hipowersandhandguns recently about his delays. IIRC it had to do with moving and some other family issues. But someone on the Makarov forum over on Gunboards posted this same type of thread the other day and his just arrived, so Eric is indeed still shipping holsters.
 
Long Time

I just received mine the end of March. I ordered Spt 1st, 2005 and was quoted 14 weeks. It was well over that. It was worth the wait though, it is one beautiful holster. I got the COM3 with shark trim and loops.

I know he has had health and personal issues that have interfered. It happens to all of us. He'll take good care of you, I am sure. I would order again, but will prepare for a long wait. It feels good to have a quality custom holster, no doubt. Something I will treasure for sure.

Good Luck!
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Hey XD, that is my holster. Not really but I ordered the same one only for a 1911 commander. It is a different color holster but same trim. It looks great just as I had been hoping. Thanks for the post, it is very encouraging. :rolleyes:
 
Actually, that looks like the one I'm waiting on too, but mine is for a Commander length 1911, in Cordovan, with sharskin accents.
 
Humbled and ashamed of myself...........

Hey guys.....its been months since I checked out THR.....sorry for that!

Heres a letter thats going on my website for all of you....hope this explains everything............

Shoot well and god bless!

"This is to let you all know where Im at currently and frankly this is probably one of the hardest things Ive done.
I am behind by a fair amount. I have some holsters that are as far out as 7-8months due to circumstances in my shop, mold rework, materials that are just not that easy to get anymore etc. That happens in the world of holster making from time to time.

But thats isnt the reason for most of the tardiness. I dont want to sound like Im making excuses for anything because I feel like thats a cop out and dont want to come across that way! Frankly, Im not like that, most of you who know me know that to be fact! Anyway, on that note.... here goes.

Things have happened in my life lately that have frankly, blindsided me. My beautiful, sweet wife and kids are now no longer in my life, at least not as they were. I recently got divorced, like many of you have and it has taken its tole on me in a way I didnt and couldnt expect. Its screwed up my production times and the communication with my customers. I cannot apologize for this enough....you all have my personal and professional "IM SO SORRY!" For what its worth, its from the heart!

It pains me greatly to come on the internet and say....."Ive been screwed up because of this, but Im getting better!" I dont air my dirty laundry....but when I took on this job, which I love more than anything Ive ever done, I became a "more public" figure than I had been in the past. Now, where I got my business started and kept it going, on the internet, is where I must state the facts of my situation.

Please, please dont take this as Im making excuses for my being late with your leather and being slow to answer email....that is simply not the case. I am simply letting you know what is going on in my life and business and asking for you patience, faith and most importantly your on going support. I want to keep making holsters for a living and giving you guys some of the best leather I can make!

I am still making holsters/leather to the best of my ability! Im averaging 12-15 a week and will get my back log caught up within 2-3 months. At that time, I should be back to my quoted production time......

If you have leather that is behind....please contact me...Id love to talk with you.
Emails are getting caught up slowly so if you want a quick answer, please call me.

Thank you for your patience, support and understanding and God Bless you all.

Sincerely,
Eric Larsen/HBE"
 
Eric, you have my support. I am in the same situation right now and I know how priorities seem to change even when you try to do the opposite. Take your time. I would rather have a true HBE holster rather than one that was made on the catch up. Take care.
 
Mr. Larsen,

Thank you for your honesty. I am terribly sorry to learn of your present family situation. You have my condolences as well as my ongoing support for your business. Take your time. I will wait patiently for an HBE cordovan with shark skin trim holster for my CZ P-01 with matching magazine holster.
 
Thanks for the update. It must have been extraordinarily difficult to write. I, too, will be waiting (not sure how patiently...I'm like a kid on Christmas morning when it comes to new toys).

Good luck
 
Eric's good people. Moreover, I have a HBE ComII and it's my favorite rig. Well worth the wait.

Eric - sorry to hear this. Seems like just yesterday I was reading about your upcoming nuptials on the CZ forum. Been there, done that, buddy, and it sucks. Take care....
 
Eric:
I received your email response last night, sincere thanks for your understanding. All things considered, the status of my order isn't a problem as far as I'm concerned - just get to it when you're able and I'm sure it'll turn out fine. With a bit of luck, my financial situation will improve in time and I'll be able to place a few more orders with you for all that C&R stuff I'm drooling over... how about a tuckable COM 3 for a .303 Enfield? :D

Hope you find the strength and faith to guide you through this difficult time in life. Best wishes and a prayer for your well being.
Jack
 
Eric, I'm sorry. Hope things work out, even though under the black cloud it can seem so far away.
I still need to get a COMIII from ya, when I get my pennies together!
Guys, if you need good gunleather, and can wait for quality, buy HBE - we have a few here, and they are awesome rigs. My wife won't wear any other rig than her HBE COMIII for her RAMI.
 
I have 4 holsters from Eric,he's a good guy and you will be pleased with the holster.I waited longer than stated on all of them,except one he had already built and had for sale.Best wishes for ya Eric.Joe
 
Eric,

I'm sorry about your current situation. My wife read your post and expressed her sympathy. She still appreciates your excellent customer service in getting that Christmas present (COM III) built and shipped so quickly. Take care,

--usp_fan
 
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