Are custom slip joint maker's payment policies reasonable?

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waterford

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Hi,

As you may know, I am currently researching custom makers for my first traditional slip joint knife. What I am finding is some are requesting FULL payment up front for a knife that can take up to 6 months to receive?! Is this common practice
or VERY risky for the buyer?

Thanks!
 
I have never payed up front for a custom knife. I have never been asked to either. Every knife maker I've ever dealt with has always said that payment is due upon completion of the knife. Once they receive the funds, they will ship the knife.

The same makers have also told me that if I am unable to buy the knife upon completion for any reason, they will sell it regardless, so no big deal if something on the buyers end changes.

A lot of the "good bad ugly" threads that center around a custom maker tend to be due to issues with pre-payment and the "due date" of the knife being surpassed.

I wouldn't recommend paying in advance.

Mike
 
Never heard of that before. In my experience most makers don't require anything until the knife is finished. Maybe some require a deposit but not that I have yet run into (small deposit wouldn't seem out of line to me).

Maybe if you're asking for something well outside the norm or something customized such that it would otherwise be tough to sell (personalized engravings for example, initials, etc) then I could see a definite need for payment ahead of time, in some form at least.
 
Well, I certainly do not want to mention the custom maker here on there open forums, but EVERYONE here would know this maker! That is REALLY disappointing.
 
A deposit wouldn't be uncommon. Especially for the first transaction between a new buyer and the maker. But I wouldn't expect a full-payment up front, demand. Just look for another maker if the terms don't appeal. It is their sandbox - they can make the rules, but you don't have to buy from them.
 
That would be my reason for not placing an order with that maker. I have heard of one maker that required a materials deposit once because the knife ordered was so ornate and unusual that he knew it would be hard to sell if the buyer backed out. There are very few reasons that a maker should expect money up front.

Chris
 
For what it's worth, I even had one maker tell me he ships the knife for my inspection, then expects payment. He says he's never been burned.
 
I understand, but this particular maker is one of the most popular and respected makers on this forum! And he is asking for FULL payment upfront!
 
You might offer the maker a deposit on the materials cost. If your knife deviates from the norm, it could be difficult to find another buyer if you chose to back out of the purchase.
 
waterford said:
I understand, but this particular maker is one of the most popular and respected makers on this forum! And he is asking for FULL payment upfront!
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So you said. We understand you. Just try another maker - maybe he isn't accepting many new customs right now and wants to scare people off. *shrug*
 
waterford said:
Well, I certainly do not want to mention the custom maker here on there open forums, but EVERYONE here would know this maker! That is REALLY disappointing.
Click to expand...

Give him a call and chat with him. It may be how he handles first time customers? Otherwise, shoot me an email and I'll fill you in on my experience with the various knife makers. I've been more than impressed with the various makers that I've dealt with.
Robby.penny@gmail.com
 
waterford said:
I understand, but this particular maker is one of the most popular and respected makers on this forum! And he is asking for FULL payment upfront!
Click to expand...

What are you requesting? Is it something very unique and unusual? Are you sure there isn't just a miss communication of some sort? I have to think there is some detail being missed here because that is definitely not the norm.

I too have had a maker send a knife even before I sent payment, but we had done business before.
 
That would be Ken Coats. He was first to reply and is also a very talented maker. Do check his work out and talk to him if you get a chance

Chris
 
waterford said:
I understand, but this particular maker is one of the most popular and respected makers on this forum! And he is asking for FULL payment upfront!
Click to expand...

I bet I know which maker you are talking about. Dont worry. He's good for his word. Or try asking him to split it and see if he'll accept.
 
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