Conference noted::equitation

 I was talking with some folks who went to a big trade show in PA a week+
 ago, and this was a hot topic, particularly among the manufactures of
 popular (expensive) saddles...

 They (manufactures) were very concerned that their product would 
	. be displayed next to, say, Alpo dog food, and/or
	. be heavily discounted

 Supposedly, the manufactures were considering discontinuing letting
 State Line Tack sell their products....


			Makes one wonder...
				-Caroline

    
    Since State Line was bought out yrs ago (buy the Japenese co.) IMO, the
    quality had gone down hill and their prices had gone up - way up!  I
    have not shopped their in a very long time.
    
    I can remember when it used to be a fun trip!  The place was so big and
    they had everything (for the english rider anyway) we would  make a day
    of it.
    
    But in the past 4-5yrs, I have hated everything they had.   The leather
    is poor low grade quality, and they have no colors to choose from
    except for Blue, Green and Red  - BORING!
    
    The best leather around (this area) is from Dover Saddle - but Tripple
    Crown is a very close second.  and what TC does not have, they will
    get.  I also find TC prices very competitive w/ SL.
    
    W/ this new buyout, I am affraid things wont get any better.  Petsmart
    is a good supply store, for certin things (dog food) but when it comes
    to the real prodcut (leather leads, collars, harnesses) etc, the items
    are not top quality! Your getting a low price - but I rather have
    quality that will last me a very long time and pay more, then to have
    my item break, fade or crack w/in a few months.
    
    Im sure SL will do a good business, only due to the horse industry
    being a booming business, but I and alot of people I know don't bother
    anymore to shope their.
    
    Buyout Smhiout
    
    Louisa

    The main reason I go to SL is, and has pretty much always been, they
    have stock.  Most of the local tack shops (in my immediate area) are
    small, and have very limited selection.  Others near me, in comparision
    are:  Parades Acres - who will generally match the SL price, and I do
    use them as much as possible, but they often don't have what I am
    looking for.  PA will order, but I dont' have time to make multiple
    trips. Brindle Ledge - forget it, the selection is nil for anyone other 
    than hunter/jumpers, and the prices are absurd.
    
    To Louisa's point about SL's leather quality - I'd have to agree,
    their 'store brand' is not great.  But if you are buying a name brand,
    SL has no influence on the quality.  I personally have gotten almost
    entirely out of leather tack, preferring biothane and/or nylon and
    a wintec, so I can't honestly say I've shopped for leather equipment
    in a long time.
    
    That said - I have to admit that my most common form of 'horse stuff
    shopping' is done mail order (usually from SL) for routine stuff,
    and a biothane mfgr for tack.  I just plain hate shopping!  But,
    I do think that SL will continue to do well, based on their huge
    selection, still-competitive prices, and growing mail-order business,
    and convienent hours.  
    
    

    My husband and I were are State Line on the previous Sunday to buy
    Ropers (boots) because they had a flyer with a sales
    coupon...Unfortuantely, Women's ropers were $24 more than the men's!!!
    But they don't charge women more!!!!  But that's a whole other topic..
    
    Anyway, the store downstairs looked like they were going out of
    the boot, hat etc. business.  Which is not what I would usually go to
    State line for.  I didn't realize that they might be changing
    "Management"....  

    
    According to a tack store owner I know.  Alot of leather companys make
    what is reffered to as "seconds" and SL is in the habbit of buying the
    manufactures "seconds"  a good example is the corbet line of tack.
    
    Corbet is a good name, but SL tack is "seconds" (at least in the coret
    line)
    
    Gott go (I had more)
    
    Louisa

I do not believe that the there was ever a Japanese buyout of 
State Line Tack.  I thought that the second owner's name was
Steve Day (maybe he is just the President and CEO).   Did PetSmart buy State Line 
Tack or State Line Pet Supply (I think that is what it is called).  The dog, cat, 
small animal store is owned by the original owners of State Line Tack, behind
the Tack Shop. 

If you buy a name brand you can do very well.  They have the cheapest Justin Ropers
& Lacers around.  I wouldn't buy a store brand.

They also have several stores around the country now in Delaware, Texas, etc.

Karen
 

    >I do not believe that the there was ever a Japanese buyout
    
    yes there was.  :-)

	The notice I saw at PetsMart clearly indicated that they bought State Line
	Tack and affiliates.

	I thought that with the last buy out, the tack store and the pet supple
	seperated, so I am not sure who the affiliates are.

	To go along with this, PetsMart will soon be putting in a larger horse
	section in many stores.  If fact their "super" stores already sell tack
	and riding gear.

	If I could take working there much longer, I'd stay to see if I could
	get any deals.  But I've reached my limit.


	dave.