All That Is Survive! Knives, Post Here Reopened

[McVeyMac]

+1

Reality is Survive! Knives are not Benchmade or Spydeco with a warehouse stocked full of product sitting on shelf's ready to ship in 2 days.

When it took four to five months instead of three to receive my RMJ hawk (prepaid) I had no red flag or bankruptcy thoughts.

When it states 4 months and it takes 8 or more without any communication from the manufacturer, I conclude that this is poor customer service. As I have repeatedly stated, I do not mind the wait. If it will take a year, then tell me it will take a year. If it is delayed due to crap happening, tell it is delayed and why. This is all that I ask. I do not want a Survive knife to turn into a Benchmade or a Spyderco. But when we pre-pay, and Guy misses the mark by over 100% on delivery, then an explanation is in order to the customers who's money he is working with.

 

[chambelona59]

When it states 4 months and it takes 8 or more without any communication from the manufacturer, I conclude that this is poor customer service. As I have repeatedly stated, I do not mind the wait. If it will take a year, then tell me it will take a year. If it is delayed due to crap happening, tell it is delayed and why. This is all that I ask. I do not want a Survive knife to turn into a Benchmade or a Spyderco. But when we pre-pay, and Guy misses the mark by over 100% on delivery, then an explanation is in order to the customers who's money he is working with.

I agree that communication skills are key to any successful business.
What model of Survive Knife did you order that was more than 8 months ago?
Have you thought of asking for a full refund if the wait is turning out to be far more lengthy than what the site informs potential customers it may be?
Have you never been contacted back by Survive K. after leaving one or more messages on their answering machine or had your inquiries answered even once via email?

As previously mentioned, I pre-ordered and paid for a 4.1 M-390 and received it in 2½ to 3 weeks and the company was not new or unknown back in July.
Which does not mean that can be expected with every order for every customer.

Just reading the web site rider:
"The average lead time for delivery is 9-12 weeks but sometimes delays do happen."
"For that reason, we would advise you not to place a pre-order if you absolutely need it for an upcoming birthday, holiday or trip."
In other words, anyone that may have a problem waiting 12 or more weeks, should think twice about pre-paying and placing an order.

My point re: Benchmade/Spyderco is they have several hundred workers producing everything in house with product ready to ship within days.
Guy's company probably has less then 10 people working (on site) for him.
Survive Knives scales, fasteners, sheaths, steel etc., to my knowledge come from several various sources which if at any point in the chain things may happen to one or more of them, delays will happen as the site says.
Perhaps the site should re-word the time advisory from "9-12 weeks" to "4-8 months".

If people have actually been waiting now for "8 months or more" with absolutely zero communication returned via phone or emails, for peace of mind it may be better for someone to request a full refund.
As to the word "bankruptcy" which was mentioned several post back, I find that to be highly improbable.

 

[ridnovir]

 

[McVeyMac]

I agree that communication skills are key to any successful business.
What model of Survive Knife did you order that was more than 8 months ago?
Have you thought of asking for a full refund if the wait is turning out to be far more lengthy than what the site informs potential customers it may be?
Have you never been contacted back by Survive K. after leaving one or more messages on their answering machine or had your inquiries answered even once via email?

If you would have read the thread, you would know that I ordered the GSO 10 back in April when Guy was approximating an August 15 delivery. It is December 23 as of this writing, and no GSO 10 as of yet. I have not sent Guy or Ellie emails regarding it. Guy has posted in his newsletters production updates, but all of this has been covered in this thread. Additionally, I have received no communication from Survive as a preorder customer regarding this knife.

I own 5 GSO knives and am awaiting 2 more. I am one of Guy's biggest fans. The purpose of my comments here is to point out where Survive needs to change in order to become an exceptional company that will be around for a very long time.

 

[McVeyMac]

Guy's last newsletter stated the GSO 10s were expected to ship last week. Has anyone received theirs yet?

 

[ridnovir]

Guy's last newsletter stated the GSO 10s were expected to ship last week. Has anyone received theirs yet?

Well this newsletter was a few weeks ago but I still have not received mine (pre-ordered in August)
I am waiting for 3.5 as well (which is supposed to be done before X-Mass)
My 4.1 was delivered on time
My 6 was a long wait (4 month over the quoted delivery date)
Guy should not give the due dates that he cannot keep because people get antsy
He should also post the production updates on FB or this forum or by email more often (ones a month would be nice)
Moreover, he should update his site to remove the deadline dates which have been long passed - looks silly and unprofessional

 

[willythekid]

The only thing that is professional about Survive! Knives are the knives themselves... which of course is the most important. If Guy's knives were so-so this company would have been gone a while ago. It's a shame Guy can't take a minute out of his day to update the status of the knives his customers have paid for.

 

[Skrapmetal]

The only thing that is professional about Survive! Knives are the knives themselves... which of course is the most important. If Guy's knives were so-so this company would have been gone a while ago. It's a shame Guy can't take a minute out of his day to update the status of the knives his customers have paid for.

As a counterpoint, if Guy's knives were only so-so they wouldn't be in such high demand, and Survive! wouldn't be so backlogged and overwhelmed. Which means they wouldn't have these delays.

 

[willc]

I can see everybody's point and concern here.
Right now I have paid for 3 knives and am waiting also.

But if you don't want to wait for these knives buy them from dealers as they get them or find something else.
These wait times are no surprise and I am pretty sure Survive would refund your money if you are tired of waiting.

I am ok with waiting for what I believe to be a superior knife at a decent price.

 

[Sulaco]

Yep, I'm still waiting on my 3.5 (ordered in September) and my 4.1 (ordered earlier this month). I have my 6.0 though and am fine waiting on the others. I believe the latest update on the 3.5 is hopefully January. Not sure on the 4.1's. Mine is one of the ones with a smooth spine in 3V.

 

[Skrapmetal]

Looking more and more like I'm gonna get a free t-shirt with my order for the 4.1 with no thumb jimping. That's okay.

Just got a shipping notice this afternoon, so either they are sending me a second shipment of drop loops, or this is on its way. Before Christmas, too.

 

[UffDa]

Ding Dong! The GSO 4.1 that I ordered on 12/6 was just delivered. Oh well, I didn't want a t-shirt anyway.

FYI. My order # was 811. I assume that means my knife was the 811th one made.

 

[other memory]

Ding Dong! The GSO 4.1 that I ordered on 12/6 was just delivered. Oh well, I didn't want a t-shirt anyway.

FYI. My order # was 811. I assume that means my knife was the 811th one made.

Jimpless version or the in-stock coated version or the in-stock factory second?

Reductionist "I got mine"! posts aren't informative without important details.

 

[Skrapmetal]

Jimpless version or the in-stock coated version or the in-stock factory second?

Reductionist "I got mine"! posts aren't informative without important details.

I'm guessing jimpless. He ordered the day before I did, and mine is shipped out now too.

 

[other memory]

Did they notify you? Or did it just show up? I'm not far behind uffda. I haven't seen mine.

 

[Skrapmetal]

Did they notify you? Or did it just show up? I'm not far behind uffda. I haven't seen mine.

I received a shipping notification on Friday, and another today. I was expecting one drop loop for a 4.1 sheath; I ordered two but they screwed up and only sent one, so they said they would get another sent out quickly. So that was one of the shipments, but the only other thing I had coming was the jimpless 4.1 I ordered on the 7th so one of the two notifications must be that.

They have fired off an email letting me know what I ordered had shipped every time they've sent me something so far, so you should get an email I think.

 

[Skrapmetal]

Posted to facebook:

The GSO-10s latest release will feature enhanced handle ergonomics, larger lanyard opening and a thinner edge profile for even better bite. This run will also feature an improved sheath, with a more flared opening and full length drainage channels. The first batch of sheaths just arrived, so we'll be getting those preorders packed up and shipped as fast as we can

So those of you who have long standing pre-orders will hopefully get yours soon. Sounds like maybe it was a sheath production delay that held them up.

 

[UffDa]

I'm guessing jimpless. He ordered the day before I did, and mine is shipped out now too.

Jimpless.

Did they notify you? Or did it just show up? I'm not far behind uffda. I haven't seen mine.

I was never notified. It just showed up.


Just a little comment about people complaining about lack of communication. Consider how many knives they are making and shipping. Consider how much time it takes to read and
and answer each email. There is a pistol-smith I know who has a policy about emails and phone calls. He gives you an estimated date that your handgun will be done. He states that
if there will be a significant delay, he will contact you. If you call and pester him, your gun goes to the bottom of the pile. Every minute that he spends on the phone is minute that he
is NOT working on guns.

 

[Glenn Jones]

All I know is that I was lucky enough to pick up a GSO-4.1 in 3v when they became available for a short time last month. It arrived a few days ago and my wife grabbed the package when it arrived, wrapped the box, and placed it under the Christmas tree. Talk about a wait. It has been a few days now and I am dying to open that package. I can understand those who have been waiting months. I haven't coped well after only a few days. One good point though - I live in Australia and we only have a matter of hours now before it is Christmas Day and I get to open my presents!

 

[james terrio]

This is what happens when small firms build a lot of "buzz" fast and over-extend themselves, and over-promise, and pull in money before they have product to ship out. It's happened time and time again, and it always ends in heartbreak.

Sucks to be Guy or any of the people that have sent him money...

I hope it works out for all of you, but I wouldn't hold my breath.