Who has the biggest back to the land, stuff catalog

[FarmboyBill]

I know Cumberland General Store used to be the biggest some 25 yrs ago, but i think theyre nearly bust now, so whos the biggest nowadays? Lehmans?

[ruby_jane]

I'd have to say Lehman's, and it's been a while since I've gotten a Cumberland catalog...

[farmerpat]

I used to love to get both of their catalogs, but unfortunately, Cumberland was even more expensive than Lehman's (possibly why they're nearly bust now?)...Lehman's is NOT cheap, by any means. I hate to say it, but I use EBay ALOT, and have found alot of items on there at one tenth the price of Lehmans. Can't really think of any other companies offhand that would fit the bill for you....Anyone else out there know of any?

[Tracy Rimmer]

I've been cheated so many times on ebay it's not even funny.

I've ordered from this Canadian company many times -- always had absolutely top rate service, and their prices are great:

www.berryhilllimited.com

Good luck

[Pelenaka]

Is doesn't really answer your question but this method has helped us in stocking our homestead. Utilizing reference material written before 1920's that has drawings and descriptions of tools along with the method of use.
Sear Roebuck catalog from 1902, any good homesteading book written say pre 1920's.
With these we are able to name that whadacallit on ebay, or at a tag sale, or even curb shopping. In a few cases even going so far as DH making one from scratch.

Lehmans was to be a honeymoon desination for us but now I'm looking at an energy fair in Pa. Last item bought was that huge canner simply because noone else carried it. DH bought me the canning lid holder as a Christmas gift. Otherwise their catalog is mostly just a pricing guide.
One item I would love to buy new is a cowboy bathtub which was carried by the old Cumberland Store. Visions of the tub infront of a woodstove ... now that is soaking,lol.

~~ Pelenaka ~~

[moldy]

FBB - not sure what you're looking for, but for canning supplies/lamps/ kitchen items, I go to the general store in Yoder KS. If you are ever up this way, it's a great place to try out. Also Glen's bulk foods just west of Hutchinson on hwy 50 is an awesome stop.

[TNHermit]

I live about 5 mile from what was Cumberland General Store. They priced themselves out of business. I think someone in Alphretta Ga was trying to put it back together again there but haven't heard anything

[Cabin Fever]

We've given our business to Jack's Country Store.

[Bonnie L]

Websites are nice, but you can't take a computer monitor to bed. I love perusing catalogs - wish books - curled up in my bed - not in our cold "computer corner".

Seed companies seem to be the only ones that regularly send out free catalogs.

[Bonnie L]

Originally Posted by Cabin Fever

We've given our business to Jack's Country Store.

Good heavens! I've been to Ocean Park! My parents bought a sand dune in the area from my crazy uncle. I never knew the store was there.

[Pigeon Lady]

http://www.wisementrading.com/index.htm

I got a hand wringer from them. Sent it to DH for father's Day when he was in Iraq. He was stationed way out in the dessert with no amenities. It was a big hit with the whole platoon. The skin on their hands was shot from wringing out uniforms after washing. Wisemen had the best price at the time.

Pauline

[Lowdown]

We spent a LOT of money with Lehman's in the late 90's. Bought 2 fireplaces, cook stove, oven and several thousand worth of misc. items. Bought one of these "drill your own well" kits. It did not work at all, even when you filled it with water and screwed a handpump on, it didn't work.

We were up that way doing a trade show not long after. I asked for a little help regarding the well kit. This guy working there LAUGHED HIS BUTT OFF- "oh that won't work in Georgia, not with your clay, HAHAHAHAHA" I got a little tee'd off at this point and said "well why the heck didn't you tell me that when I ASKED when I ordered!"

They are EXTREMELY overpriced and that little bit of "service" (as in getting your cow SERVICED) was enough for me. We visited the store 3X before that, they were NEVER helpful nor even friendly on ANY of the visits.

[de Molay]

How many here remember the Whole Earth Catalog's?

I do. I think I've got nearly all of them that were published, but for one or two. Man, you could spend days dreaming over the things. I spent so much money over the years ordering books and other stuff they listed.

We are way apart in our political views, but they were just too dang valuable for that to matter much.

.....Alan.

[jd4020]

I have bought items from Lehmans and have been pleased with them. I also have the Cumberland catolog--an old one. But I too use it as a price guide. When I'm at the thrift stores and estate auctions, it helps a great deal to know what the prices for retail are. That way I don't over bid. Like the apple butter stirrer I bought for $2.50 at the auction rather than over $100.00 in the catolog. (and yes, we do make apple butter outside in a pot over the fire)
Love dreaming over the catologs.

[woodsrunner]

Cumberland is back in business. Due to a highway expansion they lost the building and had to move. Google them and you'll get the website. Lehmans is very over priced. I bought Pelenaka a waffle iron on ebay for christmas. Same as the one in Lehmans catalog, and it was new. The seller was a store based on a campground somewhere in the midwest. I paid 20% less from this seller with shipping than Lehmans wanted pre shipping costs.

Also as my better half said above. My 1902, 1908, & 1927 Sears catalog reprints are the best reference material I have. I find something in those old wish books we might want and google it. 9 times out of ten I can find a current manufacturer for alot of that stuff. Sometimes it has to come from eastern europe or central america, but, you can get it.

Still my greatest joy in life is pulling something out of a old building, junkshop or hedgerow, tinkering with it and making it like or nearly like new again. Most of the household stuff made for our grandparents generation and before was made to last forever. Much of what you find in old buildings and junk piles didn't get there because it didn't work anymore. It got there because it became unfashionable or because farm operations outgrew the items ability to produce.