I emailed almost a week ago for info, especially where the products are made, and have not heard anything back. Kind of disappointed.
I also sent an inquiry about the saddles, like gullet sizes, seat sizes, flocking etc. and place of manufacture/assembly; havenât heard back either.
Ok I am leaving Wellington this afternoon. Any idea where the store is actually located?
As far as I know there is no physical store.
3500 Fairlane Farm Road, Wellington. They have saddles,bridles and boots for you to see.
1 Like
So I love the questions people are asking. I think the sooner they are asked, the sooner R2 will know they need to be answered for the discerning buyers.
Just donât expect them to have everything 100% laid out and ready to present yet. If youâve ever launched any type of product, it takes about 200% the work you plan if it goes really, really well, and Iâm sure they are overwhelmed. I do look forward to hearing more, because if there were a high quality and environmentally more friendly option, Iâd be willing to spend as much as I do on leather - but I would have to believe that and it would still have to be nice.
2 Likes
I realize product launch is a bear. Actually commerce itself is not for the faint of heartâŠ
I took a swing by Dressage Connection on my way to Global on my way to PBI.
I use Zilco harness daily at my job. Also synthetic. It is a nuisance below freezing. The Bobby squared vegan stuff seemed lighter weight, and I wouldbe curious how it fares at varying temperatures and humidities. I know my leather tack usually takes me by surprise the first dry fall day when it gets dry and less tacky than during hotter weather.
But I am anti anything that is non-biodegradable. So I would need to see the information on how long it takes for this stuff to decompose b4 I would posit spending $800 for a bridle. And with my bunion-Ized feet I would never by shoes or boots that did not mold/reform to my feet.
The texture of the bobby squared stuff did not seem similar to my (accidentally acquired) vegan faux leather purse. In the air conditioned store it seems soft,light, and a bit grippy.
So you liked it?? I will go there in 2 weeks to look at itâŠ
âLikeâ would be an exaggeration. I will wait to hear about biodegradability. That is really a line for me. âEnvironmentally friendlyâ means nothing. Not to mention I already have a ton of tack.
3 Likes
Will you not tell us where itâs made because of the answers?
My guess is India, pakistan or China. Why tell us where the boots are made but nothing else?
if the company wonât reply to emails how do they expect to have customers?
2 Likes
âCompanies such as Wintec brought out synthetic tack many years ago, but if anyone was going to relaunch the idea repackaged for todayâs market it was the incomparable Robert. I have no doubt it will make a fortune in âWelly Worldââ Carl Hester, Horse & Hound 28 Feb 2019 p54.
1 Like
I saw this line at Global last night and did not like the texture of these at all. It is not a smooth bridle leather texture but instead a grained product that did not look attractive to me.
2 Likes
I saw some at Global this past weekend. I saw one piece that looked like some edges were separating where they were glued. It might not have been that but it looked like it from a first glance. Everything was dusty. The faux leather grain isnât all that nice. It was soft enough to the touch. It was a strange presentation for something that was supposed to be launched with fanfare. I mean, if you want people to like your product, make sure itâs gleaming and doesnât look like itâs broken to a casual passerby, right?
1 Like
I havenât seen these bridles (or other items) first hand, but the photos donât appeal to me either. The material (whatever it is) appears dull and flat. ObviouslyâŠbecause itâs not leather, no amount of TLC is going to improve its texture or appearance. Come to think of itâŠI actually enjoy tending and nurturing my leather goods, knowing my care is extending the long life and contributing to the beauty of the aging process. By the wayâŠI appreciate fine antiques, too
1 Like
I would not spend that much on synthetic tall boots, I need something that will stretch and form to my foot and leg and last long time.
I know the saddles said preorder but how can you preorder if you donât know what sizes are offered. Iâm assuming they want preorders to see if there will be a demand for their product before they actually start mass producing it? Not sure that is the best way to start off, at least have enough inventory to meet initial interest and have your web site updated with good information. Maybe they figure their client base will be more local to their location/store and not anywhere else?
The question of in which country these products are manufactured is not the primary concern I would have. Clearly if the majority of these items were being produced in Germany, Italy, France, or the UKâŠwe would be hearing this proudly and loudly. I believe Otto Schumacher is one of the few companies still making its bridles in Germany. To me it seems more important that the quality control and consistency of production is carefully chosen and monitored when items are being produced in less fashionable locations such as China or India, for instance. I trust that a company such as Passier will protect its brand by choosing the right manufacturer and carefully supervising the outcome so that customers receive a product worthy of the price and in keeping with the companyâs tradition.
One of the earlier posters on this thread mentioned that she had recently viewed the equipment at Global and immediately noticed untidy workmanship as well as poor presentation. LikewiseâŠI, too, had noticed from photos that some cavessons appeared this way. Not a wise way to start.
I suspect these items are not flying off the shelves and setting the world on fire. Bucking the tradition of fine taste in beautiful leather goods is a questionable sell. One high visability spokespersonâs endorsement is likely not sufficient hype
Faux leather is not as eco friendly as people think, so I guess Iâm trying to wrap my head around what the need is or the target consumer.
Leather: Cow eats plants- Leather harvested (cow is typically used for food)- turned into saddle or leather product (uses chemicals for tanning)- rest of cow carcass decays to promote plant growth, leather products break down- process starts again
Faux- Material created (even cord or pineapple needs adhesives)- turned into product- faux leather doesnât break down
Iâd have to read research (real science) on the process and chemicals used to have a good grasp.
Https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2018-05-24/vegan-leather-is-it-a-sustainable-alternative/9774768
No offense- I think it is not as environmentally friendly as people want to believe and is marketing (in general) to the latest fad.
8 Likes
Did anyone do a closeup scroll of the Ebony LV bridle thatâs hanging on the tree, the craftmanship on it is lacking. Ends just cut off, not finished, puckering in the noseband, quality issues I would not expect to see at that kind of price. The other bridles look better and the halter looks nice.
I do nit-pik all tack like this, not just this line.
Is RD and his business partner using their synthetic products for all their riding?
Iâve been trying really hard to be supportive because I am vegan and would love to use non-leather products. However, this post on Facebook today is so flipping whiney. You donât respond to emails. You donât respond to facebook messages. You donât respond to comments on facebook posts. Instead, your stalking COTH and creat huffy posts in response accusing people of not being direct. Hi pot, meet kettle.
Bolding added for emphasis
"Tomorrow, March 12th, ROBERT SQUARED, will be 1 month old! Since launching, it has been a veritable whirlwind with all the usual still that goes along with creating a start-up as well as ongoing refining of our product line. When we had our party, I announced that this All came out with an âideaâ only 7 months ago and so we were calling it a âsoft launchâ, meaning we knew that we were and are a work in progress but are still very proud of all that we are doing and hope that it is resonating with our friends in the Equestrian community.
I would like to speak to some of the critiques we have received, though sadly not directly as we honestly wished for but rather on the forums from other sites. First, regarding the type of grains in the materials uses for the bridles, it was suggested that some think they are too rough and not smooth enough like "real leather. Our bridles are for softer than leather bridles which we did for the comfort of the horse and otherwise feel exactly like the finest schrumph leather. However, the cool thing is that ROBERT SQUARED has the ability to make all our products in literally hundreds of textures and even colors which will fool even the most discerning leather consumer. I will say that I have refined our round bridles, brow bands, nose-bands, reins, and been really working hard on my saddles for the last month as I have been riding in and with all of them. I will be taking ongoing trips to our factories around the world to work with the craftsmen and women, myself, and promise I will not stop until everything in our line is at an unparalleled standard. I have always demanded the very finest of everything for my horses in the barn and myself when I went down the center line. That is goal we have set for ROBERT SQUARED while trying to do something good for animals and our world. I hope our critics will give us a bit of time and a real chance by trying our products to prove it. "
Since apparently the company prefers to stalk COTH rather than respond to direct messages, I will once again ask the only question I care about as a potential consumer: WHAT MAKES YOUR PRODUCTS ETHICAL AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY?
Soft launch or not, this should be so deeply embedded into the business model that it was the first thing on your website and readily available for any interested party.
13 Likes
