I thought as much fellas!!!
and the difference is, that once they soak them, they also "thin" them with a machine, so the client recieves a thin, smooth looking, moist cape............... "professionally" done...
When we do it at home, We dont particularly thin it as neat as the thinning machine, so its just a bit more natural looking , tanned, hide?
i see a few mates sending hides and capes away an getting them back, look different, feel different (thickness) but apart from that they end up Drying out....the same as what im dong..