Ella's Lead - I won't presume to be unbiased, as I love their leads almost as much as I love Becca, Ben, Ophie, and Luke. I can provide a balanced, honest opinion, however.
I've always been impressed by the quality of the leads. I had an issue with one being clamped improperly, and I was sent a replacement the next day. They have held up exceptionally well, and I have both new and "pre-loved" Ella's Leads. The one that I use the most I ordered right when she started her business, and is my go-to for hiking and daily activities - it's still in great shape and hasn't been discolored or damaged.
I had mixed feelings about the collars for a while, because after seeing one of the first batch in person, I wasn't impressed with the placement of the studs or how well they held up. I've watched their work over the last few years was impressed with the looks of them, so I ordered a plain collar and lead for Middie earlier this year. Becca made them out of a new batch of bridle leather she received; and I can't even describe how beautiful or well-made they are. My boyfriend - who has worked with leather for the last 10 years - even commented on how nice they are.
For anyone who may be considering ordering a collar from Ella's Lead who is uncertain about the quality after reading conflicting reports from half of the forum,
I'll offer this: My personal recommendation and as many detailed photos of the collar and leads I own as you want. There were some miscommunications on appropriate leather types and possible QC issues a few years ago, but that's the past. The products Ella's are making now are absolutely fantastic, and all of their recent customers will verify it.
I have a 40-lb dog who used to bust tie-out chains, and I'm happy to share how great they look and how nicely they have held up to his antics. If you are in the DC area, I'll even bring them to you in person if you want to order some but have doubts.
Collar Mania - I've had two "bad" experiences from CM, but still wholeheartedly recommend them. On one of my first orders I received a collar that had a tear in the fabric. I emailed Lisa and she immediately sent me a replacement and told me I could keep the damaged one. When I told her I was going to donate it to rescue instead, she responded with "GREAT! I'll send you some more collars to give to them." I received my new collar with three more to donate to rescue.
How awesome is that?
My next "bad" experience was on a custom order. The embroidery that was supposed to have been done on the collar wasn't there - I received a beautiful collar, but not with my dog's name on it. I emailed her to ask what happened, and she immediately apologized and gave me a gift certificate for more than the collar had actually cost. :yikes: After that I ordered a few more collars. She went so far above and beyond anything I expected or asked from her that I am still a bit speechless.
I have close to twenty collars from CM now, and Lisa did so much more than she should have to make things right both times there was an issue.
I can't even begin to recommend her enough to all of you. I will always buy, love, and recommend Collar Mania not only for the superb craftsmanship, but for the impeccable customer service. She's created a lifelong fan.
Best Friends Fashions - Are they still around? I have two collars from them, and while they are dress collars rather than playtime or daily collars, they are priced inexpensively for such high-quality collars and I recommend them. The owner is super nice, too!
J Dog - I didn't find that the leather or stitching held up well on my two collars and one lead from them. People here recommended it, but my experience was "meh" at best. Add to it that my orange collar actually showed up as a soft fawn leather instead of the safety orange it was advertised as and I don't recommend them.
2Hounds Design - I have three harnesses and four or five collars from them. I originally was impressed with the quality--if not the uneven stitching--of the collars I ordered from them. The deep chocolatey brown collar I ordered years ago to match my brown lead turned out to be a bright orange pattern. When I sent them pictures and told them I was happy with the everything except for that bit, the response was:
Hi Stefanie,
Your Middie is absolutely stunning! I would love to add her picture to my website with your permission!
Thanks!
Alisha
I let it go and figured it was a mistake. When the third harness I received was absolutely sub-par quality in comparison to the first two, I called to let them know. I did not ask for a refund or exchange, I just explained that I was disappointed in the drop in quality from my previous harnesses.
The nylon was super thin, it was only partially lined in velveteen, and it was uneven on the chest straps by an inch. My dog is symmetrical. My understanding of dogs is that most of them are, in fact, symmetrical; but I was assured that
"there is a very slight unevenness in the way that the harness is constructed." After sending detailed photographs with measurements and explaining what was wrong with it, she insisted upon replacing the collar. I was reluctant to exchange it for another because she insisted that her dog harnesses were supposed to be uneven, but she insisted on providing me with a replacement.
After her last email verifying my address, she didn't respond to further emails and never sent me the replacement harness she promised.
TL; DR: When I stated my unhappiness with the quality of her products the response I received over the phone was that she didn't believe me and wanted pictures. When I sent the pictures, she told me that the harness was normal. Instead of admitting to the mistake and moving on, she defended the thinness and unevenness and insisted that the harness was made identically to my previous one - even after I showed her proof that they were not.
I do not recommend them any longer due to this experience.
