Shepherd's Flock Of Townshend, Vermont, Producers of Shearling Slippers, Sheepskin Ear Muffs, Shearling Hats, Sheepskin Mittens, Lambskin Gloves And Other Fine Warm Products For The Family.

LOOK MA, NO ADS (STILL WE RESIST THE TEMPTATION)

We are doing the Facebook thing now. Join us for some fun, become a fan. No, no big discounts like the "Big Boys" give you. Just a little fun if you add to the page. Life is short and we all need a little fun or the occasional laugh.

WE ARE JUST PLAIN INCONVENIENT AND DARN PROUD OF IT!

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Let's get this straight. Shepherd's Flock® does not keep any serious customer information on computer. None, zilch, nada! Okay, we know that is a bit inconvenient but convenience has its price. Driving a car has its price. Buying cheap Iphones/computers has its price. Dreaming up ways to earn mucho money without working has its price. For every convenience one pays a price and sometimes that price is far larger than the effort that has to be put forth otherwise. We don't keep your info on computer for your own protection. No matter how much security a company has in place there is someone out there who will find a way to "hack" it. So, a little inconvenience just might save you from a lot of hassle down the road. Besides, in a growing number of cases, while we may not be able to pull your last order or your credit card number up with the touch of a button, we actually might remember you because of the old computers (called a brain) we were born with. That seems much more valuable in a society where you are really reduced to a batch of numbers most of the the time.

You stumbled on our little site because you were looking for sheepskin slippers, some other sheepskin product, or even some totally unrelated stuff. Just what does our intro have to do with that pair of slippers or ear muffs you are looking for? Nothing at all or maybe everything depending upon your outlook. A recent Google search for "sheepskin slippers" (yes, done in quotes) revealed 198,000 results. (Note that the number keeps changing so this won't be entirely accurate. As of this posting the number has risen by 30K over what it was just 2 weeks ago.) We understand that not all of those 198K pages are actually trying to sell you slippers but we know most are, either that or they are selling ads and trying to get you to click on a link from their "boiler room". Point, you can buy your item(s) from thousands of companies all over the world. Why should you buy from us, especially when it is such a cumbersome process?

To begin with, Shepherd's Flock® is not, technically, an Internet business. It was born in concept in 1977 with a $500 loan from family for a sewing machine and a few bucks out of our pockets for a bag of pieces. We sold our original creations at flea markets here and there as we tested out patterns and our merchandizing skills. We officially posted our "shingle" at the beginning of 1978. In the early days, we were like so many others in VT and NH, small cottage industries that developed around a major raw material supplier, AC Lawrence Leathers, Shearling Division, in Winchester, NH. We were "on the road" up to 25 weekends a year meeting people face to face as we scratched out a living. A recent discussion with a friend of ours on the Sheep and Wool circuit revolved around the US "soft goods" raw material industry and all of the cottage industries that would spring up around that one raw material power house in a particular region. Woolen mills, cotton mills, tanneries, etc.. Wherever they existed there were many "independent" individuals who managed to find a way to make a living based on the local raw material producers. All of those people, like ourselves, are the forgotten statistics when it comes to the loss of our manufacturing base. The USA has not lost its creativity or its "know how" but starting any kind of small consumer goods production company is next to impossible since all the raw materials have to be imported these days.

Shepherd's Flock® is and has always been a shearling products "cottage industry" in Southern VT, USA. Fortunately we knew what we were doing back then (and had "freakin' good" credit) when the local supplier went "out of business" so we just shifted our raw material business to others who were well outside of our region and even the USA. Regrettably, all but one of those US sources and many of the European and Canadian sources have fallen victim to "globalization". In our business, "globalization" simply means "China" though we do deal with one firm in Mexico.

Since the very beginning, we focused on what we believed was the best way to do business with people and we have not changed the basic philosophy in all these years no matter how awkward it might be for ourselves and you. Seems we might have been doing things right though as we watch folks scramble to catch up with us, PR wise anyway. "Give people a good product at the fairest, realistic price. Try to treat every customer the same way you would treat your closest of friends and don't let visions of enormous profits or greed make you stray from your basic philosophy." That is something one simply cannot get from the large firms. Cutting corners will lead to trouble eventually. Just ask BP. Don't you just love the millions of dollars they have spent on PR recently?

So, as you look at all those sheepskin slipper/products retailers/sources, you have to keep one thing in mind, Exactly what do you want your purchase to really mean in a "global" yet personal way? That is when we stand a fighting chance, especially against the "power houses".

For example:

Do you want to communicate with an individual about your potential purchase who actually knows more about the item(s) you are interested in than someone who just sits at a telephone in some country and all you can do is guess about their whereabouts?
Our answer: We do it all, answering the phone, cutting and sewing your order, packing your item for shipping not to mention bookkeeping, website maintenance, ordering supplies, sometimes complaining about the quality of our raw materials, etc. We also give you a serious "Frequently Asked Questions Page" and a tour of our "Factory" in case you doubt us. We are quite "exposed". No secrets here.
Do you enjoy wasting your time on the phone either going through endless prompts or waiting on hold for "the next available whatever/whomever"?
Our answer: No phone system, no answering machine, and when you call we simply say "HELLO" when we pick up the phone (which happens to be right here in VT). If we are out, just simply call back in a bit. Yes, that is distressing but we bet it is not as bad as waiting on hold for an hour.
Do you want someone who will actually tell you that you will not likely be pleased with what items/styles they have to offer and who will actually do everything they can, realistically, to refer you elsewhere?
Our answer: We are happy to refer you elsewhere even before you call us about a purchase and we have established a list of competitors for our visitors just to be nice. Really, just to be nice! But, we will tell you if we do not think we can offer you what you are looking for or if we do not think you will be pleased with what you might get from us. This does actually upset people. Seems to us, honesty is the best business tactic there is. But, that is such a pain in the "a" for so many people. Hmm, while people complain about our honest method of business, they are just as likely to complain about the crooks in this world. We just can't win.....
Are you really interested in the world economy and wish to avoid those who don't play fair just to enrich their own pockets and/or maintain political control over the populace?
Our answer: Purchase items that are made in the USA or a variety of long term trading partners whenever you can. No, it is not possible to realistically avoid "Made in China" but a minor shift in buying habits can make a difference. China does not appreciate "awareness" and they call it "unfair". The USA has a wonderful trading relationship with so many countries. Support them, not those who manipulate the system for their own benefit. (We do have to add that we do business with many in Europe and Canada, are quite proud of it and we really like these folks.)
Maybe you would like a real old fashioned "Privacy Policy" that is not full of fine print? Uh, did the local hardware store even have one of these in the "old days"? How about the grocery store?
Our answer: We give you a very simple "Privacy Policy" and also kick in a lot of tips with links to help you regain some of the privacy you have sacrificed for the sake of avoiding troublesome purchases. (That is when you purchase item(s) not after the fact which is a whole 'nother story.) It is a "Privacy Policy" in reverse.

Shepherd's Flock® has always been and remains to this day a two person firm, husband and wife (our two boys are smart, they stayed out of the "biz"). It would be expedient for us to do like so many others, just buy imported goods at the least possible price or, better yet, buy no goods at all until we get an order and then just have the product(s) "drop shipped". However, except where noted, every item that you purchase from us is a result of just two hard working people who continue to earn their money the most bothersome manner. Two people, doing it the same way it has been done for many, many years. The world has changed around us but that is progress. That is okay. We think there remains place in the global economy for a little inconvenience and a little balance.

We make a wide range of basic shearling products right here in good old Vermont (USA). That's right, made right here in the USA although the FTC requires that we put the disclaimer about the use of imported raw materials in our "literature". (Top of page on most every page.) We could choose not to say that our products were made in the USA because, since they are, we don't have to say anything. BUT, if we do say they are made in the USA we have to "qualify" our statement since we "may" use foreign raw materials. (See, we really do do everything, including communicate extensively with the FTC.) What prompted the particular string of communication was how UGG AUSTRALIA® could legally use that name when their goods were coming from China, (like, we really love this link) not Australia, and the buying public was completely baffled, like, totally deceived. So, the result, UGG® etc. was just fine as they were making no official claims about the origin of their goods (all they really have to do is say "imported") but in order for us to claim "Made in USA" status we have to post all kinds of disclaimers. Of course, that has a serious future impact when one's US suppliers keep going out of business and all that are left are foreign suppliers. Maybe we can say, "Still Made In the USA despite the loss of all domestic suppliers."
UGG Australia® is a registered trademark belonging to the Decker's Corporation (who really don't "make" anything) and we have to let you know so they don't sue us like they did to anyone in Australia and New Zealand who dared use the term "Ugg Boots" some time back. We would not want them to think we were making money off of their trademark, would we? If we get sued, we want to make sure the facts support us even if we don't have the money to fight the law suit.. ;)

Such is progress. We see a race in progress here. Do our shearling suppliers and others in the US go out of business before we can actually retire and say we made it to the finish line? Regardless, we will always make our products right here and will continue to support what few US suppliers that we have left as long as they treat us with respect. (Let us get one thing straight. Part of why we are in the position we are now, as a country, is because US firms are just plain arrogant, especially big firms, raw material suppliers or otherwise. But, why not, the Government will just bail them out or create new laws to protect them if they get into trouble.) Our only hope is to do the best we can to prove that products that are made in the USA are still the best you can buy especially when you consider the total picture. (We would give you a link to "Made in USA" stuff but we have yet to find anyone who really does it 100% from a search standpoint.)

We do continue to use, as much as possible, domestic suppliers and US skins, tanned in the USA. These continue to be the bulk of our raw material purchases. Sadly, we know that no large tanner could survive based on our purchases alone and, as a result of the shift of manufacturing to China and elsewhere, our supply line choices are real limited these days. Alas, we have had to source skins from elsewhere just to stay in business and offer you a decent line of products. The only other choice is to simply give up. But, we are also honest about our sources and you can find out where the skins come from for any of our products by clicking here. BTW: Many are more than happy to tell you that their products come from Australian sheepskins but that is a half truth. The raw skins may be Australian but they are likely tanned in China and the consumer products made in China. Buyer beware.

Our product line is not large and complex like the big retailers (who import most everything they sell you at a fraction of what it costs us just for our raw materials) but does range from items like sheepskin insoles and warm shearling ear muffs to a full range of shearling slippers (or sheepskin slippers if you prefer that terminology), with and without crepe soles. We stick to the basics, nothing fancy, no current fashion trends and that seems to have worked pretty well.

All of our products are 100% shearling (aside from stitching, crepe soles etc). Nothing artificial, no polyester, no fake or real fur, and no other leathers. We know shearlings and do not wish to "dilute" our product line with items that we can't possibly speak knowledgably about.

We have been on the Internet since 1995, long before the "big boys" were and before many of them even existed. But, talk about burdensome, we still do face to face business with 10's of thousands of people a year, just like we have done since our beginning. That is such a hassle. Every year we load up our "corporate jet", made by Dodge, (still trying to craft an appropriate image as it would be sooo cool) and venture off to a variety of "real people" venues. If you live in the North Eastern United States, the best way to do business with us is at one of the craft or sheep and wool festivals we exhibit at. We concentrate our time in the New England Region but get into New York State and Maryland once a year. It may be a big physical drain for us but there is nothing more rewarding than working with customers directly.

Regardless of where you live we are happy to do business with you. A phone call, a letter, even an email is all we need and we are happy to ship worldwide as long as there are no custom's restrictions. Cheers to the folks in the UK. You folks continue to be our largest export destination for ear muffs. We call that thinking locally and acting globally since they have such a difficult time finding ear muffs at home. Why not seek out a tiny firm in one of those "partner" countries. We are here to serve.

An additional problem with current accepted buying practices. We don't do the point and click thing nor do we "ship within 24 hours". We are just two people and, since we want to keep making our products in the USA, we have to do things in the slow lane. Massive volume leads to massive greed and, while that may be as "American as Apple Pie" to the corporations, we know what your opinion of them is. :) So, if you must have an item FAST, hop over to our index of competitors and see what someone else can do for you. That's okay, that is why the list exists as we want to give other firms a fighting chance against the giants. Free enterprise!

We post all prices right beside the item descriptions so you don't have to go through 6 pages to find them. Yes, we charge you for shipping and handling but we don't have enough fingers to do the calculations necessary for complex stuff so we just charge between $5.50 and $11.00 for s/h. The $11.00 is our maximum for US and Canadian customers no matter how much you order from us. Why should you have to go all the way through the check out process to find out what the true cost of your purchase is? How much time have you wasted doing that on almost every "shopping" site you go to? And, wait, there is more! WE DO ship to PO Boxes. Yes, we know what it is like to live in a small town in rural America. Aren't you a bit tired of being treated like you are a terrorist by retailers and financial institutions (and we use that term very loosely) because you have a PO Box? We have a PO Box because it is much more secure (for you and for us) than a rural mailbox. What is it these corporations don't understand about life in rural America?

The index below will serve as your initial guide to our offerings. You will find our basic one button "mouse over" menu near the top of every page as well as text links to all pages at the bottom of each page you visit so you can easily find your way around. We aren't complicated, just different. Way too basic for many of our visitors who just can't seem to cope with anything that varies from the "cookie cutter" sites of the "Big Boys". (Does anyone out there have a clue just how difficult it is to be different these days?)

Final words of wisdom for 10/11. Customer service in this country sucks, at all levels. We would like to put it in more appropriate terms but we can't. The problem is, we did it to ourselves. We, the people, let this happen. Join us in our "adaptation" to current accepted practices. Forget about complaining about lousy customer service except in extreme circumstances. It is a waste of your time. Reinforce "good" customer service whenever possible. Stop in the middle of your busy life/lives and call in "management" when a "front line" employee goes above and beyond. Tell management what a fine individual you have had the pleasure to do business with. Better yet, if it is a "corporate" entity, go all the way to the CEO with your praise and carbon it to everyone down the chain. Today's "exceptional" youngsters need your support. Otherwise, it will just get worse and we will have no one to blame but ourselves. And that employee will remember you.

WE WISH YOU ALL THE BEST.

GENUINE SHEARLING SLIPPERS, MITTENS, HATS, EAR MUFFS, AND OTHER SHEARLING (AKA:SHEEPSKIN) PRODUCTS, PROUDLY HAND MADE IN VERMONT, USA
BUT THE FEDS MAKE US QUALIFY THAT SO WE MUST ADD, "USING DOMESTIC AND IMPORTED SKINS."

WELCOME TO THE HOME OF SHEPHERD'S FLOCK®.

GENUINE SHEARLING SLIPPERS, MITTENS, HATS, EAR MUFFS, AND OTHER SHEARLING (AKA:SHEEPSKIN) PRODUCTS, PROUDLY HAND MADE IN VERMONT, USA BUT THE FEDS MAKE US QUALIFY THAT SO WE MUST ADD, "USING DOMESTIC AND IMPORTED SKINS."

WELCOME TO THE HOME OF SHEPHERD'S FLOCK®.

GENUINE SHEARLING SLIPPERS, MITTENS, HATS, EAR MUFFS, AND OTHER SHEARLING (AKA:SHEEPSKIN) PRODUCTS, PROUDLY HAND MADE IN VERMONT, USA
BUT THE FEDS MAKE US QUALIFY THAT SO WE MUST ADD, "USING DOMESTIC AND IMPORTED SKINS."