Anyone ever deal with Harlen.Shaw?

Taking your ball and going home isn't the best business decision imo.

Too many people have been burned and have learned paying upfront doesn't always end well for the consumer. It's nothing personal by any means, just on the list of something to be aware of.

Putting a none refundable payment down would lesson the chances of you ending up with personalized product you can't sell and it would make customers less gun shy at the same time.

This is a great community of people that all share an interest in the very thing your wanting to make money on. Maybe have a beer and cool off a bit before writing this place off:)
 
I would echo the sentiments of Danbo and RiverRat- there are many outstanding craftsman selling their knives here, and a lot of knife knuts who support them. I certainly don't think you should give up on the forum so quickly.

Whichever format and/or forum you use, best of luck to you!

'Ho
 
Sorry for getting worked up earlier, just got a little upset that people where airing their thoughts and assumptions about me without ever speaking to me first. But I went for a walk and am better now :-).

As for bladenoobie1's question on whether or not I would refund everyone's money if something happened and I could not deliver on time, yes I would. Although, that is you taking my word for it. When I accept someone's money for a order I place it into the bank account an don't touch it till I deliver the knife. I always offer a full refund anytime I fail to meet the delivery date I said I would make. Also I hold onto the money just in case the customer is not happy with how the knife turned out and wants their money back. I do not take the money so that I can afford the materials, but to make sure they are a serious buyer.

I usually just deal with people locally and most people get to see my work first hand and some even come check out my shop before they place an order. But that is not possible here, so I just guess I'll prove myself over time.

As far as my offer went, I was offering an 80$ discount to pay up front. I thought that this would have gone differently than it did, lol. I stated the no later than date that they would have shipped and I would have returned all the money if I did not fulfill the orders. What I did not want to do was take a small down payment to reserve an already low price and have to spend the first few weeks tracking down the remaining money and making multiple trips to the post office. Then have the possibility of having unfulfilled payments and deciding when they should lose thier money for not paying in time and having to deal with the fallout from that ordeal.

It seemed that if everyone paid up front I could just make one trip to the post office and get everyone thier knife at the same time and end up with a bunch of happy customers.

Apparently, it does not matter whether you are a well known maker or a new maker asking for money up front is a huge "no-go", since no one can be trusted here and that is sad. Unfortunately, this would be the only way I would be able to offer this kind of discount to so many people. I post these up for sale when they are complete and ready to ship. At least after all of this I will have one happy customer, JayGoliath, hopefully he will have some good input for you on my knives.


Thanks
Harlen
 
I understand your concern, but as a custom knife maker that's starting new on this forum, people don't have a gauge on what's your knives are worth, so when you say you have a sale people don't necessarily see the discount your providing. So to people viewing your knives, it just looks like everything said on the thread minus the sale. Also its not like no one can be trusted here -- there are reputable custom makers that people feel confident in paying money upfront for as stated earlier in this thread. Hopefully later JayGoliath can give some feedback on your knives later. Throughout this thread you seem like a very honest person, but only time can test that. I look forward to seeing you as one of Bladeforums' reputable knife makers. :D
 
harlen.shaw said:
since no one can be trusted here and that is sad.
Click to expand...

REALLY??

In addition to the many trustworthy forumites I have dealt with I have purchased knives from no less than 15 talented and trustworthy makers.

Maybe you should have taken a longer walk, Mr. Shaw!

'Ho
 
Harlen, I'm an 80 year old sheath maker and I've been on this forum for quite a few years. It's really a great place, but you do have to become acquainted and that is a two way street. I understand your reasoning for the pricing structure as you posted it originally and given that I ship something almost daily, I understand multiple trips to the post office, etc.

Now here is the part you'll have to take on faith.....no one here dislikes you, distrusts you, or wishes you anything except huge success. If you will spend a little time reading the Good, Bad and Ugly forum (this one), you will get a little better insight into how folks think the way they do. (I have to insert here, that many times the problems are self inflicted, but that's still another story).

The point is, I believe you are a good and honest maker, and will continue to do so until you prove differently. Please put all this behind you and start fresh, and join us and prosper.

If I can help you at all with sheaths, just let me know, but I am not able to do Kydex if that would be your choice. I am also at your disposal if you need technical help in making your own leather sheaths. Again, Welcome!

Paul
 
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IdaHo,

Sorry, I'm still coming off the wrong way. I'm gonna stop digging my self into a hole now, lol. Just going with the flow now. I'm glad everyone said thier piece and gave me thier input. Thanks for the support. I look forward to working with everyone here soon, and showing you my work.

Thanks
Harlen
 
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Thanks sheathmaker I will definitely keep you in mind when I need a leather sheath. I've had a few requests before, now I know who I can look to for sheaths.
 
I'm not going to say much but i'm in awe after watching this video:
[video=youtube;_hb57srJzu0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hb57srJzu0&feature=plcp[/video]

Harlen,please wear a boot at least.
 
Jay,

Glad you liked the video.

I just want to point out to everyone that a lot of alcohol lead to the filming of this clip. I know how dangerous it could have turned out and if it weren't for my wife and buddies insisting that I leave it posted I would have taken it down as soon as I sobered up. I have a new HD camera now and will post better quality videos in the future.

Thanks,
Harlen

Harlen
 
I hope you understand where everyone has been coming from, Harlen.
There was no ill intent that i can see, but an effort to put in perspective for you why people feel as they do about paying up front for this type of thing. They are a bit gunshy...and rightfully so. There have been plenty of makers beforehand that have come by to take money and produce nothing, some of them have been pretty notable makers too, whom neednt have ruined their reputations in such a manner.

Anyways, it's good to see that things have worked out and that you will be staying. Good Luck!
 
Harlen, I wholeheartedly agree with Karda. When I first signed up here (only several months ago) I was a bit hesitant about buying knives from people I didn't know. I even got nailed with an infraction simply because I didn't take the time to read the rules and feedbacks. The folks here turned out to be friendly and eager to help should you have a question about something. I hope there are no bad feelings over this. You came on quite strong and it raised red flags. I've met many new makers and have bought several knives from them with more on order. I have found the forumites here to be very helpful. Most are classy people that share the same passion we have and have a good time. Stick around for a while and you too will find the same things I did. Take care and good luck. Tony
 
No bad feelings, time to move on. I really don't want to spend anymore time on this thread than I already have. I will let my work speak for itself for now on. I did not mean to come off "strong" just confident.
 
Pretty impressive video! Jay, I hope you let us know how you like the knife when you get it.
 
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