FAQs
Trust me, I asked this too before I started making it. Leather is an expensive raw material, even when purchased in bulk hide form (as we do). For some context, our Italian aniline leather costs over $250 per metre, making it more costly than even upmarket fabrics like silk or cashmere. Individual hardware components can cost anything from a couple of cents (such as rivets, when bought in bulk) to upwards of $10 for a single buckle - and that's just the basics we're currently offering. That all starts to add up very quickly.
More importantly, though, it can take hours to days to make a complex harness from scratch, not to mention the time spent designing, researching, sourcing materials for, photographing, and advertising a product. Leatherworking tools are many and sundry, and they're not cheap - I use hundreds of dollars' worth of tools and consumables just to make the most basic of collars. Mass-produced leather products are only able to be so cheap compared to craftsperson pieces because someone, somewhere along the line, is not being fairly compensated. Moral of the story: it's always capitalism.
What are your lead times?
Lead times, or how long it'll take for you to receive your order, can vary, but I ask that you expect at least two weeks before your order is shipped out. Since all items are made to order, there's a process that needs to be completed:
- I do my hardware runs on Mondays, which covers all orders made that week.
- I then make all items in a particular workflow, but the number of orders is (obviously) highly variable, so this could take anywhere from a single two-hour sitting to several days (I'm a student with a job besides Judas Leather, so I've got other stuff taking up time!)
- I prioritise orders chronologically, so if five people ordered the day before you, that's five orders I need to finish first. If I'm experiencing high traffic, I'll be putting announcements on the website and on Instagram.
- I do my best to ship out orders as they're finished rather than waiting to finish them all, so as soon as your order is done, it's on its way to you!
If I think it's likely to be more than two weeks before your order is shipped, I'll let you know via email as soon as possible. If you're keen for more updates the whole way through, DM us on Instagram or get in touch via our contact form!
I don't have a tape measure - what should I do?
Since leather fitting isn't quite as precise as other materials, you can afford to be a little rough with the measuring - use a piece of string and a ruler! Twine, a thin belt, anything flexible enough to wrap around yourself and thin enough to not distort the measurement will work. Mark the point you measured to using a bobby pin, blue-tack, or just your fingers, then measure up to that point with a ruler. If you need a hand, get in touch!
What's your refund policy?
We currently do not accept refunds; all purchases are final. As everything is made to order, we don't currently hold inventory, but we will likely begin doing so if orders become more regular. This means that you have plenty of time to double-check measurements, your upgrade choices, etc. during the making process, and I urge you to reach out via DM or contact form if you think you may have made a mistake or want to change something as soon as possible!
If we send you the wrong item in error, the measurements are completely wrong, or there's some other legitimate mistake that's been made, please get in touch and we'll fix everything up for you. We are not responsible for damage that occurs in the postage process, or for lost parcels.
We do, however, accept repairs! Depending on the severity, there may be some cost incurred (i.e. if hardware is damaged or the entire item is best replaced), but small fixes are complimentary and all you need to worry about paying for is sending it our way.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes! I'm in the process of setting up our international shipping rates, so if it currently says we don't ship to your country, get in touch via the contact form - chances are, it's just not set up yet, and we'll sort it for you ASAP.
Is there nickel in your hardware?
Yes, all of our silver rivets are nickel-plated, and in the case of collars and harnesses, this nickel can come into contact with your skin. Get in touch via the contact form to see if we can arrange something different!
Do you/will you offer vegan leather products?
Not until I can source vegan leather alternatives that are not plastic, no. I do not use PVC, PU, or any other form of plastic to make my designs. There are advancements being made in using all sorts of plant based materials to make leather substitutes - like mushrooms and corn husks! - but they're not yet commercially available, nor are they currently comparable in strength and lifespan to leather. Maybe one day!
I can't afford your products right now, but I want to support! How do I do that?
As a growing business, word of mouth and social media promotion are our best friend! Already, so much of our customer base has come from Friends of Judas (real-world friends who were around when we first got started) hyping us up and spreading the word. There are definitely things you can do to support us if leather isn't in your budget right now:
- Tell your friends about us!
- Follow us on socials - interacting with and sharing our posts helps them reach more people.
- Give us recommendations via our contact form or DMs - we'd especially love to hear from you if you know a market/event/venue in Brisbane that would suit an in-person Judas Leather stall.