Connect with your social network account

[Cale]

Before I even ask the question I know that the ultimate answer is "what ever the customer wants and is willing to pay for", but, What are the factors that you all base the choice to use leather or vinyl on a project?

Example: You have customer with a 1988 Honda Civic that wants you to customize the interior. They mentioned leather but in your mind you know the car never came with leather and the leather will probably be worth more than the car is probably worth anyway. Would you sell them the leather anyway or try to sell them on the less expensive vinyl? Would it even be considered ethical to even charge top $ on such a job?

What are your reasons for using either on any vehicle?

[Susy]

@Cody
If my customers ask for 'real leather ' I always give them the price. Then i give them the price of vinyl and show them what it would look like...

[Susy]

They usually choose the vinyl

[Cody]

I way in a few different things. I often listen to cues the customer gives me. Before they really decide they often through out clues like, I want it to look cool I want this and this, but I have a budget in mind. Or I don’t want to spend a whole lot.

Like @Susy said I often tell them the price of hides and how much they’d cost for the job at hand.

Another thing is, if it’s really custom, and I’m questioning my ability, I try to talk them into vinyl. If I screw up and need more, I’m happier to pay out of my own pocket for vinyl than leather.

I don’t question the car or whatever it’s going into too much without knowing the history of it. I’ve had a few cars that honestly weren’t worth the money to anyone else. But the sentimental
Value to them was priceless.

But yes the customer essentially knows what they want. Whether we agree or not. If you can push add them nicely into something better suited for their price. Always have samples of the vinyl you’d recommend. Often times they feel it or see it in person and they choose that over the leather.

Hope this helps

[BigRig]

@Cody, I dont have a sking machine or neddles for leather. No more leather options

[BigRig]

and my eyesight is going I keep tying words wrong my god!

[John]

Hey @Cale Great questions!
First thing I want to bring up and I hope everyone that reads this will take this to heart and learn from my past mistakes. It does not matter if you are working on a $1million Ferrari a $200 honda. Your time and skills are just as valuable for either job. You should not adjust your prices based on the value of the project. Its the customers choice to spend the money on their project and not your obligation to work for less because they want to fix up a car that inst super valuable. This is something you will come across a lot and its important to learn not to sell your self short. Ive lost a lot of time and money learning this lesson

For leather VS vinyl I usually tell the customer that leather will typically add about $2000 to the cost of the job depending on the quality they chose. Most of the time they end up going with vinyl.

[Cale]

@John I had a lady this week telling me that a shop quoted her $1,000 to redo her leather seats in her Accord EX-L. I thought that it was a little low. I told her for that price she needs to question the type and quality of the leather as well as if it was a kit that they were pricing her or something hand made.

But, I have also had a few people ask me about adding leather seats to their vehicles. One of which has the dreaded side air bags. Since this part of the car industry is new to me, what I think that I am asking is how to inform customers on the pro's and con's of the two materials? Something more than just price.

[John]

Gotcha, Yeah that is low. Youll get a lot of people saying things like that trying to get you to lower your prices. You did the right thing explaining to her the possible quality differences.

Well this is just my opinion so take it for what you want. Leather has been ingrained in peoples mind fro 100s of years that leather is related to high quality, luxury and durability. This was true for a long time but in my opinion the technology of most man made fabrics has surpassed leather. Most quality vinyl these days will last as long or longer than leather. So in my opinion it comes down to the smell and feel of leather. Some people just love the smell and feel of a leather interior because it screams quality and luxury to them. 99% of people can not tell the difference between quality vinyl and leather. Its really if the customer wants to spend the extra money for the smell and feel of leather.

[Cody]

@John said it best. Most people won’t be able to tell the difference with good quality vinyls. Anymore car manufacturers say leather interior, but really just the faces of the seats are leather. The boxing and backs are often matching vinyl. Most consumers see this and think all leather. This was brought up in a lawsuit recently when someone found out it wasn’t all leather. But I agree it’s just in people’s heads anymore that it’s superior. I choose vinyl myself cause of cost mainly. One thing that help pursuade myself is clean up. Most daily driver cars see a lot of fast food, candy, snack, etc. it’s way easier to clean and maintain with vinyl. So if they have small children, pets, or you can just see their upkeep isn’t up kept. Go for that factor. Maintenance.

[DEH]

I guess you could always hog ring a scrap piece of leather to the bottom of the seat to get the "smell"

[BigRig]

@Cale,

I dont do anything nice, clean or fancy. This question is pure utilitarian and what the outside enviroment is going to be bringing to the material and the temperaturs it will be subject too. I usually look at how much grease and dirt the existing seating is showing. I would think leather would be way more comfortable in some enviroments but not practical either. How the airbag research going?

[Cody]

You could also offer vegan leather like some auto manufacturers have started offering. I’m not
Joking, it exists. For the people that fall into the hype of this and think they are doing the world a favor. Vegan leather is a PVC material, or as we like to refer to it....vinyl

[BigRig]

@Cody, that was very useful information thanks man. I never bothered to look at why it was called that and would have never figured it out.

[Cale]

Vegan Leather

@John I can relate to what you said because I associate leather as being better myself. But, after being in the industry over or 30 years I know that in reality there are minimal differences in the longevity of the two materials. But that smell, it is an amazing scent and triggers the brain to think high quality and prestige.

But, maybe I will start selling that "vegan leather" @Cody .

[Cody]

@Cale buy a hide of leather and wrap the vegan leather in it, let it sit a few weeks and offer the authentic scent also lol. Sorry if anyone is vegan. I don’t mean to offend.

[Cale]

[Cale]

I will say this, these leather samples smell sooooo good!
The vinyl? Not so good.

[Susy]

@Cale wrap your vinyl samples in leather 😅

[Cale]

Ok, @Cody and @Susy both have mentioned wrapping "materials" in leather to get the scent, So, I am assuming that it really works. I may have to try this technique that you speak of.