Leather Market IV: Slip into Something New
The original “bring and sell, try and buy” leather market returns for the fourth time.
Sam Benger investigates how to get great gear at great prices and why it’s an opportunity to “slip into something new”.
Started in the winter 2012 by a Bristolian leatherman’s e-mail to Leatherwest suggesting such an event, the Leather Markets have rapidly gained a reputation for quality gear at good prices which appeal to a wide section of the leathermen’s community.
With that reputation spreading, the Leather Market now moves to a new venue in the Old Market Quarter. The Retreat in West Street will pay host to the market, where a warm welcome await eager buyers and sellers. Everyone comes for a browse of the items on offer - and not just the clothes! It’s been known for a little cruising to go on - new friends have been made over the piles of leather jeans!
Some new features mark this spring’s market.
For the first time paying by card is being introduced. LeatherWest have invested in on-line payment systems via PayPal This market sees the introduction of a smart little card reader, so you can pay by ‘chip and pin’. You can also pay via the new PayPal app on your smartphone. No need now (like me) the carry lots of cash or rush down to Cabot Circus to the cashpoint - I’ve had to do that once or twice. Another great and handy service!
This spring’s market also marks the beginning of sales of book, magazines, posters and collectibles. LeatherWest report “…a large amount of Tom of Finland books have become available. Seems there is a ready market out there for all things ‘Tom’. People just don’t seem to ever tire of the grand master of leather in art.” There’s even a batch of rare bondage magazines for sale too - a great opportunity to studying some knot skills you’ve forgotten from your Scout days!
In addition, market goers will have the opportunity to get hold of the brand new Tom of Finland Complete Comics of Kake by publishers Taschen on the day or by pre-order. LeatherWest has managed to get a small number of copies at a discounted rate, beating the Amazon price by a pound! “Every book sold raises a few pounds to go into funds to be reinvested in the leather community”, says LeatherWest’s SBerg.
Talking of raising funds, guys will be able to pre-order the forthcoming Tom of Finland stamps by Finland Post, due to be released in early September. The stamps are being offered for pre-sale at £5.50 a pop, a saving of just over a pound than if buying directly from Finland. By bulk buying LeatherWest has managed to make a big saving on postage costs and are passing on these savings to leathermen far and wide. Each sale will raise a small amount which again will be used to reinvest in the local leather community to ensure future events happen.
Sellers are encouraged to book in their items for sale via the on-line form to take advantage of the 10 per cent commission rate. Items booked in on the day attract a higher 20 per cent rate.
LeatherWest say that a steady flow of items are being registered for sale: Muir caps and tall boots (always in demand), biker gear, gloves and gauntlets, Tom of Finland books, some bondage magazines have found their way to the market too (someone’s been clearing out a cupboard or two!) as well as paddles, braces, Sam Browne belts, jackets, and shirts. “It never ceases to amaze us [LeatherWest] the amount and type of gear that is out there. And there’s always a surprise when something very special pops up on the sales list,” said Bristol Uniform (Mark). LeatherWest has produced an early list of items registered for sale - see below for details.
Black Arrow (Tim) says that there’s “…certainly a lot of interest this spring from younger guys wanting to starting building their collection and getting some gear. The Market allows new entrants to try on before buying and therefore avoiding the ‘eBay curse’”.
The eBay curse?…..”You know: looks good, you bid, you win. When it arrives, it doesn’t fit!”. Now that makes sense. Avoid any uncertainty and get to the market to make sure you get a nice skin tight pair of jeans, with no sag!
Also, don’t forget that items for sale that have a “best offer” on them are available in the last hour. This means you can make an offer under the advertised price. LeatherWest contact the seller and if agreed you get the item for your offer. This happens in the last hour only and things get pretty frantic! So, go on make a cheeky offer! You never know!
As usual, drinks will be available at the bar in The Retreat, as well as eats
and hot drinks at the styled “Leather Cafe”. There’s also talk of a Leather Social to hit the bars around Old Market in the evening after the market, ending back up at The Retreat late on. So, looks like a full-on day there men!
Like me, you may find yourself thinking “I’ve got nothing to sell”. It’s always worth popping down to the market and spending a few hours in the company of like minded men. I’ve made new friendships there and then spotted something like a tall pair of boots, whispering directly to me: “buy me, buy me”. So, I look at them. They’re my size! They look and feel great and….go on then…I’ll buy them. Which mean’s one thing, I now have an ‘old’ pair of boots to put into the next market. That’s what I’ll be doing next Saturday. Oh, and I’ll be getting that new Tom of Finland comics book no doubt too! Come and join me there!
Notes:
- For more details, check out the Leather Market page on LeatherWest.com
- To register items for sale go to the on-line form. Items booked in for sale before midnight Friday 23rd May attract a 10 per cent commission rate. Items booked in on the day at the market attract a 20 per commission rate.
- Doors open at midday for bringing in items for sale and setting up. Sales start at 1pm until 5pm.
- For the last hour best offers can be made and will be advised to sellers. If accepted, you get the item below the advertised price.
- Collection of unsold items and packing-up takes place between 6pm-6.30m.
- Please see full terms and conditions on our Terms Page
Links:
See reports of the previous markets:
LeatherMarket III, November 2013 -What to find Gear at Great Prices?
Leather Market II, May 2013 -Event Proves popular Again.
LeatherMarket II, May 2013 - The Great Leather Rummage Returns.
LeatherMarket I, November 2012 - The West’s First Ever Leather Market & Social.
Have you still got your first piece of leather clothing?- September 2012
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