5 Reasons I Stopped Taking Orders

james terrio said:
There's a simple solution to weird, crazy, goofy orders that you're afraid you'll get stuck with if the client backs out. Demand a deposit for at least the cost of materials, and explain why. I've done it, the clients understood, everything went fine.

Some folks have achieved a level of success and popularity that allows them to make whatever they please, whenever they bloody well feel like it. That's awesome! I don't have that success yet. I've made custom knives that I wouldn't be seen in public with (downright silly designs, in a couple instances), but I made them to the very best of my ability. I have a family to feed and I'm not in the habit of turning down work. I like to think that keeping an open mind and being willing to accept challenges outside my own preference is helping me grow as a maker and businessman.

Y'all keep turning away customers. Some of us are happy to work for them :)
Click to expand...

My feelings exactly.
 
stabman said:
The main reason I'd go to a custom knifemaker is so that I COULD have input on the design.
Click to expand...

Bingo. When I sell knives I designed, they're the best-performing tools I can make, based on my preferences and skills. When a client orders a CUSTOM knife, I make it how HE wants it.

I almost always have suggestions, it's up to the client to decide if those are appropriate. I'm not making it for me, I'm making it for him and he gets final say. Interestingly, more often than not clients end up saying " well I want something pretty much like this, but do it the best way you feel is right" and that's fun.

One recent job was on a very tight budget... "I want top-quality steel but don't have a lot to spend". I sent out a CPM-154 knife with clean grinds and professional HT, a VERY basic 400-grit finish, no fancy features and a dirt-simple canvas micarta handle to save the client money... it hurt me a little to not hand-polish it properly... but it carries my full warranty, the customer is happy and I put groceries on the table.

C_Maybinidea001.jpg

maybinfinished.jpg
 
Last edited:
Waiting Lists.


I don't take orders anymore, for most of the same reasons Andy points out. No deposits EVER. I have a pricing "guide" on my website to give folks an idea of what they may expect to pay and an approximate wait time (fast approaching a year). If you want a specific knife from me, I will put you on a waiting list and you'll get an email when I have one available. Admittedly, I will take or rush certain requests for various reasons... that is the freedom that comes with working for yourself. If I started taking orders with design specifics and delivery dates on a regular basis, it would affect the enjoyment (and quality) of my work. Sure, I still get swamped and burnt out but it is self-induced and mostly personal "bubble pushing".

I was fortunate enough to be one of those guys who sold out in the pre-show. There were still blades on my table to view and I met with many potential collectors, fellow makers and forum folk. It would have been nice to sell throughout the weekend. I know it must suck for those who try to rush and buy from their favorite maker but I would be a fool to reject a sale, after paying $1400+ on the table, airfare, hotel and cabs... let alone food, drinks and purchased materials.


Great thread... good responses........... well, except JT's, of course.:p


Rick
 
Last edited:
I guess I'm a knife guy and not a people guy. I can certainly see the other side of the coin too, and some of the examples Mr. Terrio has, especially the putting food on the table part. I've just been burned too many times, and I'm naturally an introvert.

I'm all for branching out and trying new things and being challenged, but I can always find challenges and inspiration outside of a customer. For me, too many hands in my work means that it's difficult to possibly develop a unique style of my own. Taking orders means that I'm just doing what everyone wants me to do, which in my world goes against the very essence of being a self employed artist.

It is my belief that good clean work will always find a customer.
 
I don't make pieces I wouldn't be cought carrying. Your brand name is too important to dilute with un sexy knives. I refuse deposits because they've killed great makers careers. Plus, the only customers who want to put in a deposit arethe ones that want more control. More room to push on time scheduling. I just don't make knives I don't think are sellers. I told a special customer with a long standing order at the show that I was not going to make the model he ordered anymore. It just wasn't a sexy knife to me anymore. I asked if he minded choosing a different model instead. He did, and understood. I had the confidence to ask him this because of not taking funds from him on deposit. I think I'd have felt compelled if he had paid $ already.


james terrio said:
There's a simple solution to weird, crazy, goofy orders that you're afraid you'll get stuck with if the client backs out. Demand a deposit for at least the cost of materials, and explain why. I've done it, the clients understood, everything went fine.

Some folks have achieved a level of success and popularity that allows them to make whatever they please, whenever they bloody well feel like it. That's awesome! I don't have that success yet. I've made custom knives that I wouldn't be seen in public with (downright silly designs, in a couple instances), but I made them to the very best of my ability. I have a family to feed and I'm not in the habit of turning down work. I like to think that keeping an open mind and being willing to accept challenges outside my own preference is helping me grow as a maker and businessman.

Y'all keep turning away customers. Some of us are happy to work for them :)
Click to expand...
 
Fiddleback said:
I told a special customer with a long standing order at the show that I was not going to make the model he ordered anymore. It just wasn't a sexy knife to me anymore.
Click to expand...

That's mighty bold. I'm glad the customer chose something else. Personally I'd be awfully frustrated if someone agreed to make something for me then changed their mind later because it just wasn't sexy anymore :confused:

Regardless, you know I admire your work and applaud your success, Andy. By no means are any of my comments meant to be a personal affront to anyone.
 
Great thread. Been an interesting read. I'm going to ask Bob Kramer about how he dealt with the problems he had with a flood of orders for his knives. We all want to be successful, but at what cost? And what would we do if suddenly thrust in to a position where we were getting 20+ orders a day? Could you handle it? What would you say? How could you say no? Very interesting business we are in and this is a great problem to think on.

No answers here. Just working as hard as I can while leaving some time for family.
-M
 
Michael Rader said:
And what would we do if suddenly thrust in to a position where we were getting 20+ orders a day?
Click to expand...

Worry a little less about the bills and the kid, woman, dogs and cats that demand to fed every single darn day! :D

Seriously though, I definitely see your point. There can come a time when it's silly to accept orders you know you can't get to for a year... more stress and hassle for the same money.

Then again, the names Loveless, Busse and Dozier spring to mind... folks who got busy and hired help. I suppose that's a whole nother ball of wax, though.

psycho78 said:
...I can certainly see the other side of the coin too, and some of the examples Mr. Terrio has, especially the putting food on the table part.
Click to expand...

Please call me James. Or JT. Or pretty much anything but late for supper. The only people that call me "Mr." seem to be bill collectors and bureaucrats, it makes me nervous ;)
 
Last edited:
james terrio said:
That's mighty bold. I'm glad the customer chose something else. Personally I'd be awfully frustrated if someone agreed to make something for me then changed their mind later because it just wasn't sexy anymore :confused:

Regardless, you know I admire your work and applaud your success, Andy. By no means are any of my comments meant to be a personal affront to anyone.
Click to expand...

Of course no hard feelings James. I've posted with you for years now. Please always be frank. It felt bold to do, but really, I hate the results I get when I make that model anymore. Its not just a cuteness thing. Its a looser model IMO.

Carl_First_Timer said:
OFF TOPIC:

Man o' man you gotta slow down your gallery scrolling. Maybe add some arrows to slide the thumbnails being shown over.

EDIT: Okay selecting knife type makes it better.
Click to expand...

I'm not a web guy, and really have little control over my website. If you want to look at pictures all day till you go nuts, go to my pic hosting site. There is a link in my signup and contact thread in my forum. THANKS for looking!

Michael Rader said:
Great thread. Been an interesting read. I'm going to ask Bob Kramer about how he dealt with the problems he had with a flood of orders for his knives. We all want to be successful, but at what cost? And what would we do if suddenly thrust in to a position where we were getting 20+ orders a day? Could you handle it? What would you say? How could you say no? Very interesting business we are in and this is a great problem to think on.

No answers here. Just working as hard as I can while leaving some time for family.
-M
Click to expand...

Saying no is really hard to do. But it came down to staying in business, or not for me, so it became necessary. It still hasn't gotten any easier to do. Especially if the caller has no computer skills, and isn't going to succeed in getting my knife through the forums.
 
I know I can be pretty salty sometimes, and I wanted to remind everybody here that what statements I have made here in this thread are for my own personal best interest, and not a bashing on any maker or customer that conducts business opposite of my preferences.
 
I try to work as hard as I can to produce the best possible product. My methods are always evolving. Some items have gotten easier/cheaper while others increase in labor and cost. I still have 8 months in requests with quoted prices and estimated deliveries that I will do my best to adhere to... but like Andy, for me to remain in business I have to change.

Rick
 
Last edited:
I certainly never meant to suggest that my way of doing business is the only way either. And, I respect all of you that posted here as well.
 
fiddleback said:
1. I am not good at it. Seriously, i loose customers taking orders.
2. I have twice or more the overhead (time) in an ordered knife than one i make on a whim.
3. An ordered knife is delivered at next year's skill level and this year's price.
4. Accepting an order quenches a consumer's demand immediately.
5. It takes longer to collect $ on an ordered knife than one i simply make and sell at bf.
Click to expand...


andy, your ole so right bro!!!!
 
Good points Fiddleback.

What I have found, is these guys expect you to jump through all kinds of hoops, from one of their ideas......when it comes down to them following up, and completeing payment, all of a sudden, they aren't that committed.
 
I draw the line somewhere between "not taking orders" and accepting full-blown customer designs, I guess. I will modify one of my designs to suit a customer's needs, within reason, and fit handle materials of a customer's choosing. A ground-up customer design is a different matter altogether, but as it happens, I don't have to turn these down often, because I haven't been approached to do many of them. Thankfully, I'm not buried in a pile of my own unsold blades (knock on wood)!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top