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Am I right to feel annoyed? (long)

dsvirsky

dsvirsky

Joined
Aug 2, 1999
Messages
1,910
Late last year, I contacted (by email) a moderately well known knife maker (his name and work show up in the knife magazines now and then). I told the knife maker that I owned one of his knives and would really like something about the same size, only with x, y, & z features and asked for price and delivery time estimates.

The knife maker quoted a very reasonable price and a very quick time frame for delivery (“The delivery time is 1-2 weeks, maybe quicker.”) and told me to let him know if I wanted it. The next day I sent an email telling him that it sounded good and included my phone number in case he needed to get hold of me. I also asked a question about the planned blade shape.

No response.

The next day I sent another email, since I had forgotten to mention a detail about what I wanted for the knife.

No response.

The two weeks passed without any word from the knife maker. I called him on the 21st to ask how my knife was coming along and to let him know that I would be out of the country the following week. He said he had about a day’s work left on the knife – just some minor finishing up. I asked him if he could hold the knife until Feb. 1 and he said sure (actually, he sounded relieved).

So I sent my credit card information to him, along with my address and went on vacation, looking forward to receiving my new knife this week. In my email message, I asked him whether he shipped UPS or USPS.

No response.

As of today, I haven’t received anything, haven’t heard from the knife maker, and my credit card hasn’t been charged. Now, if the knife maker had quoted a delivery time of 4 –6 months, that would’ve been just fine, but he said 1 –2 weeks. So part of me says, “where’s my knife?” while the other part of me says, “it’s only been 5 weeks since your ordered it.”

I guess I'll call him again today and find out what's going on, but as the subject line asks, am I right to feel annoyed?
 
Five weeks isn't really that long...however, if I were you, i think I would have felt better if I was told it would take longer to begin with rather than expecting it within 2 weeks.
 
Ditto brandon and since he didn't charge your card yet IMO you really have no reason to be annoyed, sorry but that's the way it goes in Hasbro!

James
 
Originally posted by brandon
Dave, 1-2 weeks "knifemaker time" usually means 6-9 weeks real world time.;)
Click to expand...


:p :confused: :grumpy: ;)


I know Dave's not talking about me...... he mentioned having a knife apear in a knife magazine now and then:rolleyes: :D
 
I am surprised that a moderately well known knifemaker would be able to give a delivery time of one or two weeks. It is my guess that he was being overly optimistic. There are makers that give unrealistic delivery times because they feel that if they give an accurate date the customer will think that it is too long and will lose interest. As far as I am concerned I would rather a maker add a month or two to his/her estimated delivery date. I have had makers tell me that they have no idea when they can make my knife, but that when my name comes to the top of the list they will contact me. This does not dissuade me from putting my name on the list. In fact, I appreciate the honesty.

If I were you, I would be annoyed. Not as much with the fact that it has been five weeks when you were told one to two, but with the lack of communication. I absolutely hate when makers don't keep me informed about what is going on. There is no excuse for this kind of behaviour. Personally, I feel it is a show of disrespect and it has caused me to cancel orders.

Give me an honest estimate of a delivery date and keep me informed about how things are going. I understand that unforseen problems can arise. That only becomes a problem if I am not informed about what has happened. As long as I am kept in the loop, I can accept any reasonable delay. I believe that most of us are the same way when it come to this.

Annoyed? Yep, I'd be annoyed.
 
I'm with Keith:
No response
No response
No response
Click to expand...

THIS is what is annoying you. Of course you have every right to be annoyed at being disregarded. The knife can take month's longer than expected and that would be ok, providing you were informed regularly.

I hope your vocal conversation with him netted a better outcome. Somehow email is impersonable and folks can let items needing responses to fester in the inbox. Heck, I have done it, as we all have. But not continuously. The REALLY good makers--the one's who get the admiration from all their clents, are those who are attentive to this. As I am now working with clients on photo's and knives, I am making SURE I am right up front with folks.

And then again, patience is something that is in short supply in this age...

Coop
 
Keith, Coop --
You are both dead on the money. I don't care that it's been five weeks; when I sent my initial inquiry, I was expecting to be told that it would be at least a few months and was completely amazed to hear 1 to 2 weeks (but hey, anything's possible).

I'm annoyed that he doesn't answer my email and that he didn't take the opportunity when I called him to say something like, "Gee, I was way too optimistic about that delivery time. Is this going to be a problem?" My answer would have been, "No, just give me a call when we're about 30 days out, so that I can be sure to have my money together." As things stand now, I have to keep those dollars tied up, because I don't know when I'm going to need them to pay for this knife -- with a realistic delivery estimate, I could be buying another knife now, while budgeting for this knife at a future date.

I wasn't able to get hold of him today; got the answering machine and didn't feel like leaving a message. I'll try him again next week.


db -- No names. He hasn't charged my credit card, so no blood, no foul.
 
dsvirsky,

Go to the ABS site or Fisk's and get a copy of Jerry's book on Business Skills for the Knike Maker; have them mail it directly to the maker of subject. I have a maker who has given me the run a round for a year now...NEVER SEND MONEY FIRST! (lesson learned) Thought he was a friend.

Anyway, I will become his worst nightmare if I have to. I will travel the 2000 miles to appear in court and then I will let it be known on every knife and sword forum there is, not to mention... never mind.

I will GO Far for a Principle.

Anyway, from what you have told us... smile:) IT COULD BE A LOT WORSE!
 
IMHO, you're still within the reasonable doubt time-frame. Some real unexpected things can come up with family, health, ect. so maybe something's up that can't be anticipated or predicted. There's a good chance that the knife will turn out as expected or better and an almost zero % chance that you'll get screwed.
Some makers aren't the best communicators. I'm pretty good with the communication, myself, but you definitely wouldn't want me making a knife.
 
I feel for ya Dave. I have been in a similar spot before, heck I'm even wondering if it is the same maker! It irked me then and still does to this day the fact that I received smoke screen replies to simple questions and got some plausible, yet frustrating excuses. I would have been cool with anything as long as the communication was there. I eventually got my knife, about 2 months after I was told I would... and I prepaid! Never again on that! I was still excited when I received the knife, but it was more anticlimactic. I hope everything goes well for you with yours. The down side of this... and makers take notice... I will not buy one of his knives again, even though I had planned to. Big lesson there.
Mongo
 
One more thing! IF or WHEN (who knows)I recieve the knife, it will be sold ASAP! I DON'T WANT "HIM" IN MY COLLECTION!

Thanks for listening... I feel better now.;)
 
Brandon's words were right on in most cases, but there have been times when I have been surprised. Now days a few extra months (in a couple of cases a year or two :D)) does not make a difference (to me).
What is important to me is honest communication. If that does not happen I would take Darby's route.

Goes back to the thought that the knives in my collection are not just knives.
 
Neil I've always been impressed with how well you communicate throughout the process! You make knife buying a joy.
 
Brandon,

Thanks! But I'll be the first to admit that I have some skeletons in the closet as far as late deliveries. I usually don't ask for payment until the knives are ready to ship though! For me, making knives is the easy part. I always feel like I'm walking a tightrope between focusing on the knives and deliveries and keeping up with the business end of things. How makers can take orders and DEPOSITS for knives over a year or two out is beyond me!! As a one person operation, I don't have the bookeeping capacity to do that:confused: My hat's off to those that can ;)


Neil
 
Dave,
The no response thing kinda sucks. Definately, he should keep in touch with you if you need questions answered. However, the wait ain't so bad. 1-2 weeks really does mean a lot longer when it comes to getting a knife done just right. Especially one that may be a design of your own and not that of the knifemaker. I am pretty bad when it comes to delivery times, I really try but it isn't easy being part time and having the other daily responsibilities in life getting in the way of knifemaking. KNifemakers really do want to satisfy their customers and deliver on time but life gets in the way sometimes. I wager you'll hear from this fellow soon enough and he'll get your knife to you. Knifemakers have a reputation to uphold as well. Take care, good luck.....RDT
 
I have a knife on order that was to be delivered in 9 months and it has now been 2 yrs. . The key is that the maker has communicated with me and my answer has always been the same , take your time and make me a knife when ya can . I just need to know a little ahead of time so I am sure to have the money aside for it . With 4 kids and a wife I have to hide money for dads' toys ;) .

A long the same line I have folders on order from Coop and Striper28, here on the forum . Both men have been super with the contact this time and in our other deals and for that reason along with their emense talents they have a devoted customer . This is what will make or break a knife maker over time in the regular market . Makers who are highly saught after sometimes get just a little to big for their pants , as we say in the south , and a good kick square in the ass from customers is usually all it takes to get their attention .

Darby, If ya don't get your money or knife , wait for a show and walk up to his full table of customers and talk loudly about the situation , and to everyone you see at the show . Bet ya get his attention . And after that wear out five key boards posting on every forum from here to hells own highway . O.K. , rant off , I'll go take my pills now and settle down :p
 
What annoies me is seeing people come here and bitch about makers, and say the maker will never be in there collection, or I'll never buy from him again,etc. Then they will not name this maker and let the rest of us know who it is. This does nothing as far as improving the maker or helping a fellow knife buyer. Thanks alot guys. And yes I have had 1 bad dealling, his name was Allan Blade and I have posted as much after/during it.
 
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