Still no response to their [email protected] email address.... I've called all of the numbers I know for them and no reply.

::
877-445-2962 & 702-227-0072 are the main numbers
702-576-3906 is Jerry's cell, but it's now forwarded to the main number and goes straight to voicemail every time.
702-588-9583 is Jim's cell and he sends every call to voicemail as well.

I'm confused. If they really wanted to defraud me then they'd probably terminate their phone numbers. However, by ignoring repeated attempts by me to resolve the issue it indicates to me that they do in fact intend to defraud me.

ConsumerAction.gov:
"People who have no intention of delivering what is sold, who misrepresent items, send counterfeit goods or otherwise try to trick you out of your money are committing fraud."

In my case I'm a Texas resident so it was an interstate transaction, but what can I do to get my issue resolved? It's really about the principle behind commerce with integrity for me. Should/can I file a small claims court lawsuit against them? It's not clear to me how to proceed. I'm still researching...

Just spoke with Jimmy at 702-588-9583 at 5:30 PM EST today. He stated another 8-12 weeks, same old song.

Maybe we should just send a Forum posse up there.

__________________
MARK

Go one better, how about we just go lynch'em? There's something to said for good old fashion justice.

Sounds like a couple of guys making holsters in a storage unit.

Finally got a hold of Jimmy last night... apparently they're at SHOT so they've shut production down until it's over because there's nobody there to oversee operations (*sigh*). Jerry (Jimmy's dad) went to Texas and has opened another storage unit (Factory) for military contracts. These boys are gonna git a rude awakenin' if they mess with DOD like they've messed with us civies. Failure to deliver on time with them can result in large contract penalties.

BTW, my order is over 13 months old now and still hasn't said its first word... got the same run-around again that they've blah blah blah and they're blah blah blah and they'll blah blah blah and I should have my holster soon.

I was given the same story . . . or should I say the never ending story

FYI, the SHOT show was in Las Vegas this year (18-21 Jan). The show hours were 8:30a.m. - 5:30p.m. One of the times I talked with Jerry (when he gave me their "operations" phone number), he told me to call after 8:30p.m., because that was when they did their factory work. Makes you wonder how many skilled workers they have (or can keep) that they can just shut down production for 4 days, especially when they are woefully behind in filling orders!? Makes you wonder if its just Jimmy and Jerry doing all (and I do mean all) the work. Production rate seems about right for a very few people to trickle out just enough holsters to present the semblance of a viable manufacturing operation. Even with DoD contracts, things are so bureaucratic that a contractor could take orders and fail to meet delivery deadlines for years before they would be held accountable, if ever.

Anybody get a Lawman Holster lately?

Nope. 13 months and counting.

Quite some time ago, a lengthy thread was posted here discussing Dirty Harry holsters. Several forum members (myself included) spoke favorably about the DH offering from the Ted Blocker holster outfit, as it was the only "authentic" DH holster currently on the market. At some point in the thread, someone purporting to be Jerry Ardolino entered and engaged in a rather bizarre cut & paste barrage covering everything from his Vegas manufacturing operation (that was seemingly invisible) to proprietary holster designs. His posts grew more confrontational until a moderator deleted the "Ardolino" posts and shut the thread. (It may have been Mr. Jarrett, I can not recall).

Exchanging several responses with "Ardolino", I found this individual, whoever he was, to fall somewhere between delusional, disingenuous and downright dishonest. The extended wait times (more than twice other premier holster makers), litany of excuses, and disgruntled customers in this thread seem to outweigh the few individuals who actually received their respective orders. Caveat Emptor sums it up rather well.

You think I should I place my order now for Christmas?

Tech23

Don't know.

Do you believe in Santa Claus?

Google him, Jerry Ardrolino, Lawman Leather. He's ex-Chicago LEO, the founder, Executive V.P. of Lawman Leather and wrote a book Extreme Cop, The Wildest and Most Violent Cop in Chicago's history. Really must be nice people. Company had a couple magazine articles and really sold a bunch at 2009 Shot-Show, I don't know about 2010 show. I read an article about Lawman Leather in American Handgunner last year. The Handgunner article may have stimulated a lot of orders.

The company advertises Nationally and Internationally in magazines so maybe people should inquire at the FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION and Better Business Bureau, along with the VEGAS Newspaper Business Editor if they take your money months or over a year ahead of time, and are really out of bounds with their delivery estimates.

Ex Chicago Cop, Vegas, Business, Violent Book, very interesting story.

Maybe for 2013

That might be optimistic. I ordered mine in November 2009 with a promised delivery of April 2010 and now its February 2011. I'm hopeful I might get mine by my birthday (July) or maybe it will be a Christmas present to myself.

I don't seem to comprehend why anyone would still want to order from this company/gentleman. Even given the "quality" some have said the holster has, in my eyes it just wouldn't be worth the wait.

__________________
SW40VE AF
2000 rounds so far

Every now and then, a very well-made holster seems to ship from Lawman Leather Goods and find its way to a customer who's been waiting a very long time.

I'm one of those customers who's been waiting a very long time--14 months and counting. Given the alternative, I will continue to wait for now. Believe me, you guys will be the first to hear about it when and if my holster does one day arrive in the mail.

I wish I had done my homework (due diligence) before I placed my order. I would have found out the BBB "F" rating, the history of non-delivery of products, and the consistent history of recycled excuses. I even faxed the email order confirmation back to them last month and when I called to see if they got the fax, it was, "uh, no, I didn't see it, but the fax machine is out of paper." I'll call them again next week, which will be 6 weeks after the fax, and see if I need to fax them the order confirmation again.

When Jerry came on this forum a couple of years ago I exchanged some e-mails with him. I was looking to buy one of his holsters. He wouldn't provide hi-res photos of the holster. He referred me to the website which didn't have photos showing the harness. The pics were very low resolution and worthless. He also wanted the money up front by credit card. He wouldn't take a check or money order, wouldn't provide a mailing address. He kept telling me I needed to order then because they were getting orders in all the time and were very busy.

Everything told to me to walk away so I did. I felt like I was dealing with a snake oil salesman. I'm glad I didn't do deal.

dec. 09 i ordered thee holster of holsters. 14 months later nothing but excuse after excuse. i don't know what bto do.

14 mos and i still waiting

Lawmen Leather..
Delivery time...Unknown
Actual makers of holsters when made....unknown
Where is the real factory...unknown
How much is spent by them in gun mags..... unknown
What happened to first holster company...unknown
Why people still buy from them...unknown......Beats me??????
What is lawman's credit rating...unknown
Why do we even care anymore....unknown
Is any one on this blog live in Las Vegas.......unknown
Why does this guy get so many pre paid orders....REALLY UNKNOWN
Why hasn't anybody sued this guy...unknown
Need I say more..................NO, BUYER BEWARE...period

Well said....and

Him getting your money upfront............ PRICELESS!

__________________
SW40VE AF
2000 rounds so far

Maybe it's time to find the mags they've advertised in and send them a letter saying we'll refuse to buy them any more if they continue to advertise for this thief. Boycott solution.

Someone mentioned that they wished they'd done their homework on this company first... I did my homework... when I ordered in Dec '09 I didn't find anything derogatory about them posted to the net. Now there is some. What can you do?

Maybe we could join together and file a class action lawsuit. Any lawyers here that could give direction? Someone else opined Caveat Emptor (Let the buyer beware), but I think I feel better applying Lex Talionis (The law of retaliation). With a class action lawsuit we could subpoena their sales and delivery records and discover just how deep the rabbit hole is. Then it could be leaked to WikiLeaks and the DoD could cancel their order... Lex Talionis.

If I cannot get my monies worth from Lawman maybe I can through the Lawmen here in Texas!

I called their factory number again (702) 588-9583 and only got the answering machine. Its been 2 months since I faxed back to them a copy of the order receipt I had received back in Nov 2009. I'll try again tomorrow night.

From the Clark County Assessors Business Personal Property Records

LAWMAN LEATHER GOODS CORPORATION
4545 W HACIENDA AVE #104
LAS VEGAS NV 89118-1542

Maybe they read their mail.

check the Nevada Sec of State website. Looks like Lawman Leather is a family business of the Ardolinos. Danielle Ardolino is the registered agent: 650 South Town Ctr. Dr. #2059, Las Vegas 89144

I have been waiting 15 mos. for my holster from lmlg. After several attempts for them to make it right, still nothing but excuses. I have contacted the BBB of southern Nevada and still no response from lmlg.

It has been almost 18 months now....still no holster. I have talked with the owner's son many times now. He is just as dishonest as his old man: "you'll get your holster in the mail next week"...."yeah, we just sent it out via U.S. Postal Service"...."you should be getting it in a week or two"....

Well, that has been over 12 weeks ago. Amazing! At this point I never expect to see this holster.

If the integrity of the owner and his son are any indication, then I expect the holster quality would be **** anyway!

STAY AWAY FROM THESE SHYSTERS! Save your money, or spend it on quality, like Sparks or Blocker!

16 months and still waiting. Sold the gun. Anybody want a raging bull 454 8 3/8 holster. 200 bucks payment upfront. You get it when i get it.

I can really empathize with those either waiting seemingly forever, or those getting nothing--including refunds. Not to add too much salt to their wounds, I ordered one in '76 from LMLG, and it arrived in less than 6 months. And what a fine rig it was! Comforable, snugly fitting and capable of carrying that 3 lbs of handgun without too much strain, and for hours at a time.
Slightly off topic, but if you've seen any of those Dirty Harry movies, Eastwood is decidedly NOT wearing the rig very often. Far too many scenes where his fashionable suits fit just too well to have such a large weapon and rig under there. Easier on he the actor, sorta tougher on we the viewers. But let's not forget--it's just a movie...

Try (702) 227-0072..that is the new number on their website and the number I saw on Google Maps for the area, but I haven't found a definitive address on Google Maps for them.

Stinks that a local Vegas store is screwing you all over like this. But definitely not a good sign when a business asks you to send in your payment to a PO Box. Ya, I know it's probably a personal business and they don't want you having a home address and all that, but when they start to screw people over by not giving them their product after MONTHS, then they deserve to be shut down, no matter how good they are.

__________________
Mat - M&P 40c & 40 Shield

Order placed in January 2010. When I placed my order, I was told they were running behind, and so to expect delivery in June of 2010. 6 months sounded like a long time to wait, but I had heard good things and I figured, quality would be worth the wait.

Fast forward to May of 2011. It's been 17 months since I placed my order, and still no holster. I actually spoke with a representative on the phone a while back. He told me that they're running 4-6 weeks behind (still). But he assured me that they're taking every possible step to ramp up production.

He then asked me to re-send my order details, which I did. But where did my order information go from the last time I sent it? And what if I hadn't called?

When and if I do receive a holster, you on this forum will be the very first to know about it. I'll provide pictures and everything as well.

As far as I know, I'm the longest one waiting at this point. Anyone else out there still waiting for longer? Anyone else actually received a holster lately?

....you still must have some measure of trust in this outfit. If it were me, after having waited that length of time, and then asked to resend my order, my statement to Lawman would be...."you have 72 hours to refund my money before I contact the State Attorney General !" What holster could be so remarkable that folks would expose themselves to such BS ?

- regards

If they're this far behind they need to be pulling all of those ads I see in every firearm publication I buy.

I'm not sure why he would he do that. His advertising is his best investment. If he quit advertising how would he be able to get money up front and abscond with it? Seven pages and counting of every excuse in the book. In all fairness there have been a few that did receive a holster from this outfit, only after a ridiculously long wait that far exceeded the quoted wait time. From what has been posted those that have received holsters are in the minority. One forum member posted he has already sold the gun he ordered the holster for and still has not received a holster.

The idea of contacting the magazines that advertise his products sounds like a good idea, but the truth is as long as they are getting paid for running his adds I doubt they care about much else.

Tech23

Ordered my holster in November 2009. Promised delivery in April 2010. Still nothing. I call about every 2 months. Always more excuses and a 4-6 week promise. Does that make me the oldest order outstanding?

To my knowledge, yes. I'm right behind you, having placed my order in January of 2010 with a promised delivery date of June 2010.

So when you get your holster, I'll know that I only have two more months to wait!

I received a letter from Wells Fargo's Credit Card Fraud Protection department yesterday.

They have provisionally approved my claim for a back-charge against Lawman Leather Goods. I have $230 (give or take) refunded to my account, pending a response from Lawman Leather. This ought to be good.... Can't wait to see what response, if any, they have to the claim.

It's really a shame, because all I ever wanted was a nice holster. I don't really want my money back--but I will gladly accept the money back if there is no holster forthcoming. And after 11 MONTHS past the stated delivery date, and having received nothing but a steady stream of excuses, I really feel like there is no other choice.

Kudos to Wells Fargo and Visa for coming in to my defense. I'm just one guy, and pretty powerless against a merchant who decides to just take my money and run. Wells and Visa may catch gruff for being the big guys in the banking and credit world, but they can swing a pretty big stick in defense of their customers too.

It remains to be seen how any of this will shake out in the long run, but I will keep you all posted.

Who's in? Payment up front required for a speedy shipment!!

Tech23

I'm new to the forum. Been trying to find out if others are having the same problem with lawman leather as I am. I placed my order in December 2009. I'm in between you two guys. Nothing but excuses and grief. My credit card company told me I was basically stupid for listening to them and waiting and that now there is nothing they can do to help. From reading this forum it seems bad enough now that there should be a support group for us. I talked with them many times. Talked to the son who seemed nice and very concerned that I get my holster but still nothing. Searching on their name today I noticed another website with a small name change but with the same content on it. Don't know if this means the father and son are separating the company and if so how that effects all of us who have been waiting all this time.
I'll check in to this forum more often and see if there are any ideas posted on what we may all do.

Regards

Ordered my Lawman Leather holster directly by phone from the dad in September 2010 with an April 2011 delivery. At the end of April with no holster, I contacted my credit card company. They had me complete a non-delivery claim form and provide my email receipt from Lawman Leather. My credit card company reversed the payment and credited the purchase price back to my card. Lawman Leather has unfortunately become a long running swindle, stealing from customers $250 at a time. Its too bad because I have two Lawman holsters purchased second hand and they are very nicely made even though I don't particularly like how they fit, but the current owners/management of the product are crooks.

It's a shame the name "Dirty Harry" is now associated with bad business.

Update: To my knowledge, Lawman Leather Goods has yet to respond to the VISA fraud investigation. I have yet to see a Dirty Harry Shoulder Holster arrive on my doorstep either. Lawman Leather Goods may yet reply to the Fraud Report, or may yet deliver a holster. My understanding is that they have another 3-4 weeks to do one or the other in response to the notice they've received from VISA. If they do nothing, I get my money refunded.

It may sounds crazy, but I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that Lawman Leather Goods will be true to their word and hold up their end of the bargain, and finally ship me a holster after all these many months. But at this point--over one year past the original date I was supposed to receive my holster--I've pretty much given up hope.

Rest assured that whatever happens I will keep the forum informed!

Hey,

Can anyone provide me with Lawman Leathers email address and a valid phone number??? I've been trying to contact them....but have had no such luck. Starting to think about contacting my credit card company....

Thanks

PO Box search, post office box lookup, PO Box address people locator - US Record Search

I figured you guys would have banded together by now and been at his PO box waiting for him to collect his loot.

Be funny if this is another site of Mr Ardolino's.

Tech23

You should not wait to contact your credit card company. Do so now.

I just opened a letter from Wells Fargo Dispute Resolution Center. Lawman Leather Good's bank did not dispute my claim for refund of my payment based on Lawman's fraudulent failure to provide merchandise (the Original Dirty Harry Shoulder Holster) that I had paid for over a year and a half ago.

$237.95 has been refunded to my account.

I find it very telling that neither Lawman Leather Good nor its bank disputed the claim of fraud and non-delivery.

Lawman Leather Goods (and BOTH Ardolino's) knew my name, my e-mail address, my mailing address, and my phone number and could have contacted me at any time to try to clear up any misunderstanding. At one point or another, I had spoken to them both on the phone, and had exchanged e-mails with both of them. But clearly there was no misunderstanding: they intended to take and keep my money and deliver no product (but plenty of excuses) until my bank intervened on my behalf. If I had a less understanding bank, or waited much longer to file my claim, chances are that I would be out of luck.

Based upon my experience, here are the lessons learned:
(1) Do not place an order with Lawman Leather Goods for a Dirty Harry Holster or any other product. They intend to take your money and do not intend to ever ship a product.
(2) If you have placed an order, DO NOT hesitate to contact your bank and dispute charges the DAY after the expected date of deliver has come and gone. You do not want to miss out on the chance to get your money back if it already isn't too late.
(3) Buyer beware when ordering a product online. The vast majority of people on reputable forums are honest and good people. Some are not. Make sure that before placing an order you have done your research into the person or company that you're sending money too. Had I paid attention to negative reviews about Lawman Leather Goods beforehand, I would not have been through all this trouble after the fact.
(4) Now I need to figure out where to get a decent shoulder holster...ideally from a reputable maker!

Thanks to everyone else on this thread who's been supportive through the process. If I can be of help or provide advice to anyone else who's in the same boat I was in, just send me a PM.

Hello, I'm new to the Smith and Wesson Forum, having joined on 7/20/11. My experience with Lawman Leather has been positive. I ordered my first Dirty Harry shoulder holster (brown) in June 2010 and received it prior to the end of 2010. It's for a Smith and Wesson Model 29 6 1/2" classic revolver. The holster is great! I liked it so well that when I showed it to my best friend, we decided to order more. In mid-12/2010, I ordered one for him just like the one I received. In mid 1/2011, I also ordered a black "double rig" (to hold two of the referenced revolvers), to be assembled using black chicago screws instead of rawhide. All holsters are for the Model 29 6 1/2" barrel. The holsters ordered in 12/2010 and 1/2011 should arrive soon. I've had the pleasure over the months of speaking with both Jerry Ardolino (the Company's founder) and the President of Lawman Leather Goods Corporation, Jimmy Ardolino. Both have consistently been friendly, professional, customer focused and behaved as gentleman. The quality of that first holster and their treatment of me as a customer brought me back.

Steelboy Magnum Holsters
is the web address to visit for a history of the company, of Jerry and Jimmy, phone #, etc. I called Lawman Leather on 7/20/11, received a voice message, I left a voice mail for Jimmy to call me with a status and within about 5 minutes he returned the call. That's being customer focused.