I'm sorry that I have to speak up publicly but my experience with this company was and continues to be an absolute nightmare.
I hired Concept Leather Company to replicate 2 pairs of leather pants. 2 copies of each so 4 pants in total.
Concept Leather Company was referred to me and naturally I followed up. We first spoke on the phone on Dec 22nd. 2022 and once the entire scope of the project was clear (including the firm deadline) we agreed to proceed.
*The deadline was firm because these pants were for a band that was leaving to go on tour and as such we could not be late. This was made very clear. She understood and confirmed it would be fine.
I drove out to their store in Acton on Dec 27th 2022 and met with Zina (owner and whom I'd been speaking to on the phone) and presented the project to her in person. I even brought counter samples for her to copy in full. These were pants that we had already made but now needed 2 more copies of each one.
Upon reviewing both of them she made it very clear that this was a very straight forward project and that she'd have no problem at all with the timeline or the production of said goods. She showed me the machines she'd use, made it clear that she'd have others assisting her and that I shouldn't worry as it was every day normal stuff for her.
She gave me an estimate, I accepted and I gave her the leather needed to complete the 4 pants which I purchased specifically for this job.
As she started working on this I repeatedly asked for visual updates but none were ever provided. I was however given all sorts of excuses as to why she couldn't. Then the calls from her side started with equipment breakdowns and problems with the leather and issues getting this and that....but still never once a progress update. Then the deadline came, and went....3 times she moved the delivery date and still offered nothing but excuses.
In the end not only was she late but the pants she made were abysmal. In all my years working in the leather industry I have never once been presented with such terrible work. Crooked lines, complete and total lack of symmetry, wavy raw leather edges, made up panels that had nothing to do with the design, the butt was so lopsided on one of them that no human could wear them, the hardware was falling out of them when she presented them to me and to be quite honest she dumped the pants in my office and when I proceeded to inspect them and ask about all the inconsistencies she quickly agreed that they were horrible and then said "Yea, I'm gonna go"...up and left. I was speechless.
I was literally looking at leather garbage. I hate using that word but the work is beyond terrible and 100% unusable. Nor can I recoup the leather. It's all wasted.
Simply put....she took my leather and made garbage out of it. Basically I purchased that leather and she destroyed it.
Not only did I loose the contract for whom the pants were for but I'm out of pocket for the leather I gave her.
She admitted to me that the work was terrible, that they were not wearable, acknowledged that she was late...then still proceeded to invoice me for it. Yes you read that right.
I now have no choice but to sue her for breach of contract in an attempt to recover all of my losses.
Yes, she has told me in writing that she'd refund me the cost of the leather but has since stopped answering my emails, blocked me on social media and does not take my calls....so no, as of this review she has not refunded me for the cost of the leather.
I am sorry but I cannot at all in good conscience recommend Concept Leather Company nor can I keep quiet.
I have proof of every single claim stated here and will continue to update my review as the court date is announced.
Again, I hate having to do this because by all accounts Zina does appear to be a nice lady but she completely ruined this project and now refuses to do the right thing.
Nevertheless, she'll be able to state her side of the story in court. read more
