I am displeased to announce that Shades of Grey is gone

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All Forums >> [Community Discussions] >> Bondage Gear and Apparel >> I am displeased to announce that Shades of Grey is gone

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I am displeased to announce that Shades of Grey is gone - 4/26/2007 8:50:18 PM

EgosumDominus

Posts: 136
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It was a sad event.
20 Years or so of offering Dallas the products that could not be found any place else.
Like real quality.

Not the shit sold in Deep Ellum.

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RE: I am displeased to announce that Shades of Grey is ... - 4/27/2007 8:55:49 AM

Elegant

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Sad. So very sad.

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~Slave To Master Archer

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RE: I am displeased to announce that Shades of Grey is ... - 4/27/2007 9:13:15 PM

EgosumDominus

Posts: 136
Joined: 12/8/2005
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Yes it was my friend.
I was down their today to visit. Picked up a few of my things and talked.
Johnny has been a good friend for a long time. He is good caring people.

But he is healthy, happy and has friends. So all is not lost.
I would not be surprised if his name pops up again in the near future.
Very smart person.

And thanks Elegant for responding to my post. We made peace in the privacy of our own communication. It means alot to me.

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RE: I am displeased to announce that Shades of Grey is ... - 4/28/2007 9:24:43 PM

EgosumDominus

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Last day to sell is Sunday. I personaly plan on gifting a restraint set to Shades as a good bye gift. And I am sure it will be a good deal to the person that spots it first on this sunday the 29th between 12 noon and 6pm.
In addition they still have a fair amount of goods for sale, at great prices. And that includes workable pieces of leather, and other affordable items. They also have some great bar like fixtures that are about 6 foot long by 2.5 feet...wish I had a pool. They would be great for backyard parties, or work benches.

Dominus

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RE: I am displeased to announce that Shades of Grey is ... - 4/29/2007 6:38:45 AM

lacenleathergirl

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Oh wow, Shades of Gray is my favorite store! What happened? Why did they close?

lace

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RE: I am displeased to announce that Shades of Grey is ... - 4/29/2007 9:41:21 AM

EgosumDominus

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The store was sold, and mismanaged. But since it wasent fully paid off, Johnny has to clean up some of the mess. Hence the liqudation of inventory.

Sad for us as well. We were their top shelf restraint/gear supplier. We did their custom restraints work, and have an extensive line we sold through them.

Now the retail selection in Dallas is reduced to low quality gear, unless we open up a retail store, or MR S moves in.

If you get a chance...go by there before 6 pm...thats when the close the doors forever.

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RE: I am displeased to announce that Shades of Grey is ... - 4/29/2007 5:21:48 PM

lacenleathergirl

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Thanks for the explanation. That is really a shame. They were a wonderful store and Johnny was a good guy. I'm sorry to see them closing.

lace

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RE: I am displeased to announce that Shades of Grey is ... - 4/29/2007 11:47:31 PM

BootBlackBlast

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wait a minute doesn't leathermasters have a shop in the dallas area? Now I haven't been to their shop here in San Jose but I've heard good things about them. But it is sad to hear that Shades of Grey is closing.

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RE: I am displeased to announce that Shades of Grey is ... - 4/30/2007 6:31:59 AM

Stranger1

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Very sad news indeed............especially considering how many places carry the most deplorable and shoddy gear..........Very bad news when a decent shop closes.

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RE: I am displeased to announce that Shades of Grey is ... - 4/30/2007 7:28:38 PM

EgosumDominus

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I agree...very sad. Now the only places to shop in Dallas are the porn stores or leather masters, not much difference. And its all the same low quality imported type junk.
Mass produced for the uneducated consumer.

Being a custom leather goods maker I tend to keep an eye on who is selling what.
When I went to leather masters I was really felt ashamed that they were making that kind of thing in the states. I love this country and it almost felt like an insult.

Had a customer visit the shop today and pick up several items. They said they needed a flogger for tonight but were very dissapointed in all of their stock. Said the floggers felt like toys and were cheap...hmmm...not my words.

I will always do well in this business, and most likely not open a retail store, but I hope someone with taste will. First one that does in Dallas will get GLM products, if they so desire. Policy is only one retailer per city. Europe does not apply to this rule...Sorry about that Jo.

Good news is that Leather Forever in Houston will carry the GLM line as well as Second Skin in New Orleans, and I hope Johnny will be there to play a part.

We say good by...but hello to new opportunities in life.

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RE: I am displeased to announce that Shades of Grey is ... - 5/2/2007 12:26:42 AM

BootBlackBlast

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Sorry to hear such bad things about LeatherMasters. I've heard nothing bad about them here in the Bay Area. Maybe they will reconsider their inventory with Shades gone and start carrying more quality products as well. Griffin is your stuff in the Bay Area yet?

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RE: I am displeased to announce that Shades of Grey is ... - 5/2/2007 5:10:40 PM

EgosumDominus

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Hello BootBlackBlast.
No not yet. Houston, New Orleans, Dallas. Vegas is in the works as well as London.
I hope to get into the Bay area at some point in time. We were to attend the last leather function in April with Shades of Grey but I got pulled away on family business.

But the business plan is to target Europe first. We have quite a few clients overseas. And the strength of the Euro makes GLM a great deal.

I want to say that there is a place for leather masters on my opinion.
Selection is a good thing.

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RE: I am displeased to announce that Shades of Grey is ... - 5/2/2007 7:36:38 PM

Nyckname

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quote:

ORIGINAL: EgosumDominus
Had a customer visit the shop today and pick up several items. They said they needed a flogger for tonight but were very dissapointed in all of their stock. Said the floggers felt like toys and were cheap...hmmm...not my words.

You lost me there. Are the floggers at Shades junk, or the floggers at Leather Masters junk?

'cause I've made most of the floggers for both stores for years. I haven't sold any to Shades since Johnny sold the store, but I thought he left them so well stocked that I just hadn't bothered to contact them.

I changed the style I was selling to Shades so that they wouldn't be carrying the same line.

cheers

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RE: I am displeased to announce that Shades of Grey is ... - 5/2/2007 9:31:43 PM

EgosumDominus

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Joined: 12/8/2005
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The quote refers to what one of my customers said about the floggers at leather masters. He did not like them. And thats his opinion. I doubt that all of the floggers they sell are made by the same person or company. So who knows.

If you are the person I think you are, and Johnny has told me your name, ( but I will not say it on a posting due to respect for privacy) not bad work. Uniform and consistant in plating. Nice colors in leather, and overall nice work.
It looks very professional to me. But I am not talking about handling the product, or its use. Or most important the weight or balance.

The floggers were a slow seller in the end. Way to over priced by the person that Johnny sold the store to, as well as Griffin Leather And Metal product.
Nice shit, big price dont mean sales.

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RE: I am displeased to announce that Shades of Grey is ... - 5/3/2007 7:28:04 PM

Shanghaid

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Joined: 5/6/2006
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quote:

ORIGINAL: EgosumDominus

Nice shit, big price dont mean sales.

Yeah, tell me about it. I'm an American living in China. I handle sourcing and QUALITY on stuff made here to be used in the States.

Yes, in China, stuff is cheap. Yes, they can make most anything. Yes cheap typically means CHEAP! The time I spend at a factory directly affects the quality of that factory's goods. It keeps me busy.

The qualiity of your stuff really shines in your online e**y store. My toybox is pretty full but I'll pick up some of your stuff next time I'm Stateside.

Thanks and keep on making quality stuff.

SH'd

<disclaimer: if you bought something made-in-China and it broke, I didn't audit it and it's not MY fault!>

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RE: I am displeased to announce that Shades of Grey is ... - 5/4/2007 6:07:15 PM

EgosumDominus

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So you are quality control...that was my title for years in the IT business.
I was the guy that would show up, and all the techs would try to go on break.
Even the other supervisors would split...loved that business.

Your disclaimer is great. I like a sense of humor.
If you ever need anything, contact me direct. I will cut you a deal.

And thanks for the input. Its a point that many dont understand.

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RE: I am displeased to announce that Shades of Grey is ... - 5/4/2007 8:12:29 PM

Shanghaid

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quote:

ORIGINAL: EgosumDominus

So you are quality control...that was my title for years in the IT business.
I was the guy that would show up, and all the techs would try to go on break.
Even the other supervisors would split...loved that business.

Yeah, everyone loves the seeing the quality guy coming. The only person more disliked might be a time-study engineer looking to cut the piece-rate.

Hell, your own CEO doesn't even like seeing the QC VP/manager/whatever approaching- it's never *good* news.

I try to help the factories operate more efficiently with what they have. I assist them with lean manufacturing, process flow & the like. The factories don't hate me - once they get to know me. I make them understand that better qualiity = less rejects = more profits for them. I also understand the culture so I'm not a wanker <shrug>

I do sourcing too and because I oversee production, I don't hook folks up with bad suppliers.

quote:

Your disclaimer is great. I like a sense of humor.

Gots to have humor

quote:

If you ever need anything, contact me direct. I will cut you a deal.

Will do. By email. Thx.

Let me know if you need anything from China.

quote:

And thanks for the input. Its a point that many don't understand.

I know what you mean but it's a simple concept that many people don't consider. Qualiity means you spend more but the goods last. You add rhinestones and that'll inflate the cost but not necessarily the qualiity. Quality is tangible, no matter the product. You can feel/smell/taste good quality stuff and recognize it's worth. It's innate to humans (see; Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance). Costume jewelry is light and throw-away. Tiffany jewelry has heft. It *feels* better and is. A custom-made knife, a good steak, a high-end TV/computer/auto. You can touch these things and just *know*.

You make good quality stuff - and it shows. When I started, I had restraints my sub would break. Not good. Me - not happy, her - not happy. I spent more and they were better - for us both. We both appreciated their aesthetic and solidness. These were only OK. Your stuff looks remarkable.

OK, this is waaaaay off-topic so I'll stop rambling. Email me if you need anything.

Cheers from China,

SH'd

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RE: I am displeased to announce that Shades of Grey is ... - 5/14/2007 12:22:14 PM

MistressBastet

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That was a shock to find this thread. I lived in Dallas off and On for about 4 years. I loved the scene. And I loved Shades of Grey. I am sorry to see it go. When I use to go in there, they were some of the nicest people ever. That was a big deal for me being female and actually being treated nicely. (Lets just say the person I was with at the time Not so nice) But I will always remember Shades.

Yes, its sad when people don't want to pay for the hand crafted quality of things. I would rather spend the money on one well crafted hand fit weighted and balanced flogger then 50 pretty ones.

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