Advice to Knife Sellers

[Locutus D'Borg]

As someone who constantly looks at the exchange to buy knives, may I offer some advice to sellers to help them move their merchandise. I invite other posters to offer their own advice to sellers. As a seller myself, I sometimes assume people know details about my knives, forgetting that many buyers are relatively new to knives.

1. Please include blade length and other measurements if known. This is important to many people who live in restrictive states. Don't assume because it is a well known brand like a Kirby Lambert that everyone will know the blade length. This also holds for traditionals: not all of us have complete knowledge of all patterns.

2. Please be as accurate as possible in classifying newness. I read one ad where it stated Brand New in Box (BNIB), and went on to say the knife was only used to open a couple of envelopes.

3. Finally, photos if possible. Even for name brands like a CRK Sebenza. Don't rely on potential buyers to research your knife; you may lose a sale. You want potential buyers to salivate over your baby. Buying decisions are often made in the first few seconds - make those seconds count!

Your goal as a seller should be to make it as easy as possible for a buyer to say "I'll take it" based on complete and accurate information.

I hope this doesn't offend anyone. I myself have been guilty of not being as thorough as I could have been. Please feel free to add any suggestions to the mix.

 

[VENI VIDI VICI]

This needs to be a sticky, :thumbup:

 

[RevDevil]

This needs to be a sticky, :thumbup:

Hve you read the existing ones? Most if not all is covered.

I wrote this a while back too, available through my blog:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/entry.php/90-How-To-Trade-Knives-and-Gear-Successfully

 

[VENI VIDI VICI]

Hve you read the existing ones? Most if not all is covered.

Oh...

 

[Locutus D'Borg]

You can remove it, Mod, or we can consider it a reminder.

Hve you read the existing ones? Most if not all is covered.

I wrote this a while back too, available through my blog:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/entry.php/90-How-To-Trade-Knives-and-Gear-Successfully

 

[SaintlyBrees]

As someone who constantly looks at the exchange to buy knives, may I offer some advice to sellers to help them move their merchandise...

3. Finally, photos if possible. Even for name brands like a CRK Sebenza. Don't rely on potential buyers to research your knife; you may lose a sale. You want potential buyers to salivate over your baby. Buying decisions are often made in the first few seconds - make those seconds count!

All points are good ones, but this one hit home. Twice in the last week I have seen knives for sale in the traditional sales area that had my interest but didn't have pics. I'm not going to "guess" at what that specific knife looks like, even if I am familiar with that particular model. I want to see what I am buying and that is not only reasonable, but should be expected by the seller. In these cases, I just moved on.

Great reminder thread.

 

[SidTheMuss]

This isn't ebay, I like to see pics of the actual knife I'm interested in purchasing. Not a stock picture cause "it's close enough". Great post, all great points/advice

 

[miltmaldo]

Description to me has to be right on . I once bought a knife that said used . I figured it was used , some scratches on the blade maybe even dull . But when I received the knife it was like a bell . I mean the knife had so much play on it when opened it . I was upset that the person did not post the the description better . I blamed my self for not asking so know when I buy or trade I always ask for description .

 

[benchwarmer380]

Well said and reminders never hurt. Heck they're needed sometimes.

Oh and what's a sticky?

 

[magnumb]

Great post and reminder to all members........such advice never gets old.

No doubt an oversight by many and unintentional, the blade steel is oftentimes not stated in many of the sales posts. I've never gotten the runaround from any seller when a friendly pm is sent inquiring as to the steel used, but it is a deal breaker for many and no big deal for others. I am of the former group and if my 'take it' finger gets real itchy while viewing a new offering, the last thing I want to do is have to take the time and effort to ask what steel was used. While awaiting the answer to this particular question, I have missed out on a few knives that I would have been proud to have called my own. Not whining as these knives no doubt went to members just as deserving and thankful, but it would be helpful if all the info was initially available.

Almost forgot......the same goes for the blade edge, ala, FFG, convex, saber...yada, yada. Sure, some are obvious, but like the OP so rightfully and so forward thinkingly suggests, no one should assume that each interested party is as experienced at such things as many others.

We all forget............such is life. No worries, it's gonna happen, but a well thought out list of knife specific materials/lengths and so on, could easily be reviewed prior to submitting any item for sale. Much like your elk hunting 'check list'......and boy, has that come in handy over the years. I'll take Charmin over going shirtless for the rest of the day.......anytime.

YMMV...............

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Oh and what's a sticky?

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/699-FEEDBACK-The-Good-The-Bad-The-Ugly!

Look at the threads at the top of the forum list, marked Sticky and with a colored background. Whether or not anyone posts to them, they "stick" at the top.

 

[benchwarmer380]

Sorry, sarcasm doesn't read well through text, but thanks Esav for being on top of things regardless.

They are there for everyone to read yet remain invisible to the masses.

 

[Locutus D'Borg]

Thanks to all for the positive comments.

 

[1SHOT1KILL]

Mental note made...

 

[Circle10]

I really like to see quality pictures. They don't have to have AR15s or 1911s in the background but should at least be clear and show all sides of the knife.