Do you know why people prefer leather goods? Why these products are pricier than other similar goods?
Well. The first thing is sophistication. They are refined. Leather goods are of the best quality.
You can use them for a long time than you imagine. So, a large number of people prefer leather goods.
But at times, it is tough for them to find the right item. Amid hundreds of brands and varieties, it is easier to be a victim of cheating, or not getting the genuine product. You may get deceived.
And this is happening around. Your story of getting smarter may turn into a horror one.
Thus, it is the best idea to get some pre-ideas. If you get the ideas, at least you will have the right product. It will help you prevent falling victim to marketing gibberish.
Here, you will get some precise ideas about buying leather goods. So, let’s check them below.
Types of Leather
The very first thing is that you need to check the type of leather. In most cases, the leathers are not refined. But sold at a higher price. The marketers make it established that their products are the best ones. However, you need not fall into the trap.
There are three basic types of leather used:
- Full-grain leather: Made from flawless hides, it's durable and develops a rich patina over time. Calfskin handbags are prized for their fine quality.
- Corrected-grain leather: Uniform and smooth, with a surface finish applied. Some hides have their natural grain sanded off and an artificial one stamped on.
- Suede or split leather: The soft, velvety interior of the hide. Popular for handbags and backpacks.
Experts recommend getting products from full-grain leather. The key benefit is that you can use the leather for a long time. There would be no issues at all. But the other leathers are not that durable.
Skip bonded leather goods
Besides, you need to skip getting the bonded leather goods. They are, in fact, of no use. The sad story is that you will not be able to use those for over a year. Such products will develop wrinkles. No wonder if you discover some unusual marks.
Experts term such leathers as scrap. Using chemicals and other materials, they are made weaker. Because of their low-longevity, experts do not prefer those.
However, you may get the products in markets in plenty. And those are cheaper as well. But the best idea is to skip such leathers. In the end, you may not get the return on investment.
Check the leather smell
Almost everyone has an idea about the leather smell. It smells natural. There is no artificial smell. When the leathers are chemically treated, they lose the natural smell. And for the chemical treatment, they also lose their quality as well.
Therefore, it is best if you check the smell. If you get the natural smell, then it is okay to get it.
But, if the smell is not up to the mark, skip it. Make sure the smell is natural. Otherwise, you may not have the best use of the product.
See the tanning
The leather tanning process is another indicator. You need to know the leather tanning process.
And this is the other reason that affects the price. Usually, there are two types of leather tanning processes. They are – vegetable tanning and chrome tanning.
In the first method, the leather is tanned in an eco-friendly manner. Though the name suggests, there are no vegetables applied here. Rather, the process is natural.
On the other part, chromium and other chemicals used for tanning in the second process.
Besides, the vegetable process is a bit lengthy. So, the price of such leather goods is a bit more. On the contrary, chrome-tanned leather is highly available in the markets. In fact, they consist of the majority portion of the markets.
Origin of the leather
At the same time, the origin of the leather is another issue. When the origin is from a European belt, you can rely on the product. When the leather is from a developed country, be assured it is good. When the leather is from such countries, you can easily trust it. As they process the leather goods with care.
But if the origin is from an unknown source, you need to be careful. When the source is not identified, you cannot get the certainty. Besides, the manufacturer needs to be reputed as well.
They perform the best actions to make the leather goods durable.
Thereby, it is important to know the origin of the leather goods. You can also make some internet research to know the key aspects of the place. It will help you get mental satisfaction too.
Product features
Most people do not care about the features of leather products. Instead, they are
happy with the product alone. But this is not a smart idea. You need to check the product features as well.
As you are spending your bucks, you have the right to know the features. Experts recommend checking features like weight-bearing capacity. Also, you should check the strength of the stitches on the goods. Check if there are any loose corners in the product. Or, how the style is impressive than other similar products.
If it is a bag, check the handles. Also closely check out how the buckle(s) is and if the locks are working fine. For the straps, you must check them too. Make sure they are durable, flexible, and adjustable.
Color matters
As a newbie in leather item buying, you need to mind the colors too. There are several common colors like brown, black or light brown. You have to get the one that suits you most.
Besides, you need to be careful about the use of the product in environments. Accordingly, get the one that suits you most.
Leather thickness
When you want more durability, the leather must be thick. Generally, thin leathers are not up to the mark. They may also get damaged even with the slightest scratch. But the scenario is the opposite for the thick leathers.
Therefore, you should check the requirements. Also, the purpose of the use is another matter to care for. You cannot use thick leather items all the time. Carrying those is a hassle too.
Thus, you need to remain careful about the matter.
Mind the price
Price is another aspect to consider. At times, you may need to bargain with the seller. Not to worry if any brand charges you more. They will never cheat you. It is about their reputation. But you need to bargain when you move for non-branded products.
Check the price. Compare it. And then decide.
