COMPLETELY Disappointed! The name says Billy Cook

But what I just found out is that what I thought was a Billy Cook saddle isn't. :( Well, it is, but it isn't. I know, that makes no sense at all.

It's made by another company in Greenville, Texas instead of by Billy Cook out of Sulfur, OK. I don't know weather to be angry with my girlfriend who sold it to me or thankful.

Granted I'm getting it for a steal; regardless, but try replacing a Blevins buckle and calling the Original Billy Cook Saddlery in Sulfur, OK and they tell you it's not one of their saddles. *shrugs*

Oh well.. thanks for letting me vent. *kicks the dirt*

~Kerri & Pete

Yes you have to be very careful with the Billy Cooks.. I have the Longohorn here (used), and its beautiful.. but we've received on consignment saddles that have the billy cook stamp on it, and not only are they not the original billy cooks, but they are "knock offs" or "seconds", with twisted plates, odd markings, etc... Coming from another store in VA. Yuck....

The ones in Texas are Billy Cooks but they are made by illegals. Billy Cooks just got busted and paid a heavy fine for hiring over 40 illegal workers to turn out those saddles.

The older ones made in OK are made the right way but that shop is gone. Billy Cook sold his name to the factory in Texas and oversees it.

That is the way I understand it.

Iridehorses I've heard the same thing. I won't buy one now.

That stinks. Should have done your homework before buying it young lady! Luckily it sounds like the saddle is still what you needed which is good.

Not sure how much of that is true, but I found out by contacting the Billy Cook shop in Sulfur, OK, so they are very much still in business in OK.

~Kerri & Pete

You are very much right. However, I knew my girlfriend bought NOTHING but the best and I believed her.

And yes, so far, it's a super fit for both Pete and I and we actually rode in the rain the other day. LOLOL

~Kerri & Pete

I bought a cheap (second hand) coach purse one time....I was really disappointed when I found out that it was a knock off.

But then I realized that I wasn't the sucker that paid full price for the new thing and it made me happy! Besides, I always figured that if someone didn't like it they could buy me a new "real' one!!!

I guess moral of the story is that you learned to do more research but you still ended up with a saddle that fits and you like!

Aw, that stinks. :( But hey,you're lucky it fits!!

Ok, here's the deal. The one in OK is Billy Cook - the original. That is the saddlery that had the problem with the illegals. He paid a very hefty fine for that and it was only a few months ago.

The one in Texas is his name as well but not in his control. He sold the name.