Yes, this.
Ella's Lead hasn't only been accused of copying Paco Collars, either. There are other companies out who feel their designs have been stolen as well by Becca.
If I have a poor experience with a company and someone asks for opinions on said company, I want to help them make the best decision they can make. I work in accounting. I don't want people to spend their hard earned money on inferior products. Be a wise consumer. Read reviews.
My experience with Ella's Lead was so terrible I would never order from them again. It's a shame, too, because I have a rope lead from them I really like.
Wow, just, wow.
I came on today to post about Kaiden's birthday. I really haven't been active on Chaz for the last couple years or so, for a variety of reasons.
Clicking on new posts, I see Ella's Lead collars mentioned. I read through it, wondering if the BS from back then would be mentioned...... seems it has.
Jessie, you whined and complained then, Becca gave you a refund. You're still posting the same pics as you did then. Back then I said that I felt there were tool marks showing that didn't match the process of applying the conchos. Can you simply not just say that you had a poor experience and leave it at that?
Just so folks know, I've done leatherwork as a hobby for 15-20 years, but it's mostly repair stuff on horse gear. I'm also a tool and die maker by trade. I know the process, I know what tools will or won't do what as far as marks go etc.
As far as accusations of theft, design or otherwise, those are just that, accusations I've been reading. IMO, some folks are crossing the line in their statements from opinion to accusation. I have no clue what collars or designs are being discussed, and really don't care.
However, when people start to cross a line, regardless of WHO is on the other side of it, I get defensive.
Anyway, my personal experience with Ella's Lead has been great, Kaiden, my JRT, is really, really rough on collars, and the one that he has is still standing up pretty good after constant wearing for over three years, and daily swims/splashes etc in the warmer months. I'll likely order another identical one to it sometime soon, just because it seems to suit him.
As far as a collar choice, if you aren't sure what you want, talk to them. They offer lots of options, and I've seen complaints on here from folks that ordered something (sometimes against the advice of others) and then became really vocal about it not meeting expectations. Even then, EL will step up and refund, even when IMO they often shouldn't. Sorry, but if I buy canned cat food at the supermarket, expecting dog food, I shouldn't be pissed when it turns out it's cat food should I??
There have been a couple times when conchos were lost off EL collars here, I think every time has been during a dog fight, and you can see the tooth marks left in the leather. This isn't a quality issue though, it's a dogs beating the he!! out of the collar issue, and anytime we asked for replacements, they arrived shortly without issue and I re-installed them.
When we lost Kat, Ben and Becca, having met her and Dekka on their stateside tour, went a step above and beyond, and sent us a package (not collars, but other stuff) as a way to say they were sorry about our loss. To me, that was a very personal touch, that they didn't need to do, but showed they cared.
I have no experience with any other custom maker of leather collars, so can't say good or bad of any of them.