Are custom slip joint maker's payment policies reasonable?

I know the maker too.....I am placing an order with him next week. He asked for full payment upfront and I will honor that request.

Best Regards,

Mark
 
I just put in a order a few months ago with a custom slip joint maker that frequents the exchange . He is a popular maker from Mexico I believe I gave him 1/3 down . I still have not received my order but I am sure it's coming along. I see no problem with a partial deposit but there is no reason to get full payment really. I mean they say the hardest knife to make is the one that's been already paid for. Personally I take $50.- bucks down to place a order no matter what . That's my policy and it works for me. Weeds out the knife dreamers. But if the guy has a reputation of delivering and you really like his work you have to accept his policy. Good luck I am sure you will find a guy that will deliver on your term if you look hard enough or maybe right above .
 
Master Po, once told me, as I was snatching the pebble from his wrinkled hand; "Never pay up front for a custom knife". :)
 
I would never pay for a knife upfront, regardless of the maker.
 
Would the maker please be named so that all are in the know and can make informed choices prior to going into business with him? If he is well established it should not be a big deal and the secrecy is quite frankly annoying!
 
Naw not cool man, he or she has a policy and this chap hasn't even done business with them. Let those two work it out in private or not, only seems fair to me. I believe Waterford wanted some advice, got it and now can best make an informed decision. Go with the original maker, at that makers policy, find someone else and strike a deal or otherwise take care of business in e-mails or PM's I reckon.

Why smear someone when nothing has taken place but initial contact?
 
Steps said:
Naw not cool man, he or she has a policy and this chap hasn't even done business with them. Let those two work it out in private or not, only seems fair to me. I believe Waterford wanted some advice, got it and now can best make an informed decision. Go with the original maker, at that makers policy, find someone else and strike a deal or otherwise take care of business in e-mails or PM's I reckon.

Why smear someone when nothing has taken place but initial contact?
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How would that be smearing the maker?
Your logic sounds cool, but has no merit.

Naming names in this scenario would be like saying Walmart takes American Express, but the Coffee shop doesn't. No smearing, just stating a fact of doing business with a particular entity.
 
My policy is full payment up front.
You don't have to order a knife from me, that's your choice.
But I think it is fair since my time getting the knife out is about two months, not over 90 days.
I was burned a couple times by customers and that pretty much why I ask for full payment.

Some of the replies here are misleading, most all makers get full payment before a knife is shipped.
I have VERY good back up also incase something did happen to me, that the customer would be taken care of on their money.

Have a great day!
 
T.A.DAVISON said:
My policy is full payment up front.
You don't have to order a knife from me, that's your choice.
But I think it is fair since my time getting the knife out is about two months, not over 90 days.
I was burned a couple times by customers and that pretty much why I ask for full payment.

Some of the replies here are misleading, most all makers get full payment before a knife is shipped.
I have VERY good back up also incase something did happen to me, that the customer would be taken care of on their money.

Have a great day!
Click to expand...

Thank you for your reply. I have no problem with someone who requires payment before hand if the turn a round is that soon. Most makers are so caught up even when the knife is complete and you pay it may take a week or two for them to finally ship it out.

If you had your books backed out 6 months then I would have an issue with it. But as a small businessman myself I know overhead and capitol are always at war, and you need to do what is necessary to keep food on the table.
 
Thanks Todd. I can certainly understand why you choose to work the way you do. And as you say, people can decide whether or not to work with you based on their own comfort levels.

T.A.DAVISON said:
Some of the replies here are misleading, most all makers get full payment before a knife is shipped.
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Absolutely agree here.
 
Stuff happens, people get sick, people die, loose their lease, they get kicked out of the house by their wife...anyone with some years on them knows what I mean.

Paying up front is good protection for the maker.
Paying when made is good protection for the buyer.
Payment before shipment is good protection for both the buyer and the maker...unless the maker is asked to make something that can't be readily sold or requires expensive materials.
 
Don't pay up front. If the makers require such, move on.

There may be a reasonable deposit if expensive materials are desired for the knife. Gold, gems, MOP, ivory, etc. It may be reasonable for a deposit for strange customs etc. Payment for a completed knife that needs names or other personal info would be ok.

The pay before completion model causes too much grief, and conflict.
 
I've bought many customs, and have never been asked to pay one cent upfront, nor would I if asked to if a normal order.

I think paying upfront is fine if one odered an add on that would make the knife hard to sell if something did come up. The knife in my avatar for example. It has my mother's birth and death dates stamped on one liner, so no one else would want that. I wasn't asked to pay anything upfront, but I would have in such a case.

If it is a normal order a good maker will have no trouble at all selling the knife if something did come up.
Just post it up here, and someone will be happy(and lucky) to get it with no wait time, or just contact a buyer on down the waiting list and they may be happy to get a knife sooner than they thought.
 
T.A.DAVISON said:
My policy is full payment up front.
You don't have to order a knife from me, that's your choice.
But I think it is fair since my time getting the knife out is about two months, not over 90 days.
I was burned a couple times by customers and that pretty much why I ask for full payment.

Some of the replies here are misleading, most all makers get full payment before a knife is shipped.
I have VERY good back up also incase something did happen to me, that the customer would be taken care of on their money.

Have a great day!
Click to expand...

Your knives in the for sale section never stay there long. #1100 lasted about 6 minutes before someone said he would take it. I can't imagine your knives sitting there unsold. Just my opinion.
 
Fanglekai said:
Your knives in the for sale section never stay there long. #1100 lasted about 6 minutes before someone said he would take it. I can't imagine your knives sitting there unsold. Just my opinion.
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:thumbdn: Did you eat a lot of paint chips when you were a kid? SMH.
 
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