Are You a FIRST Chance or SECOND Choice Buyer?

[Confederate]

This is a poorly-worded Title here, but my real question is this: You set some money aside to buy either a PRODUCTION or CUSTOM knife. The day comes and it's delivered into your anxious hands. But something's wrong. Maybe it's dull as a brick, or perhaps the tolerances are wrong. Anyway, you're NOT happy.

Are you inclined to send the knife back for a replacement or would you opt for a refund? Just what sort of policy should we, as consumers, have? Acknowledge that there are a few lemons and see if a second or third knife is any better?

And what if it's a custom knife?

In short, based on your own shopping experience, can you normally expect a second knife to be better than the knife you're having problems with? And how much does a knife have to be off, out of specs, before you return it? Have you ever had an experience where a knife seller didn't want to make a knife deal right? And finally, do problems with one knife tend to sour you on an entire company for awhile?

I'm just curious. With more knives being farmed out to Chinese factories, is quality just an inconsistent, or rare, problem? And how many chances should you give a company to make good on a bad knife?

 

[Guyon]

With customs, communication about expectations is key. The more detailed, the better. If you do your job communicating and the maker does his, you should be happily surprised.

With production knives, it depends on the source. Some businesses will happily take one back if the knife is unused. Other vendors give you a harder time or charge a restocking fee. I consider such policies before I buy.

Some companies handle issues with their knives better than others, and that idea is also a consideration when I buy. I've had good service from Buck, Busse, and Bark River in that regard.

 

[archieblue]

I think it depends on how big your hard on is for the design. I usually do a LOT, and I MEAN A LOT of homework before buying a knife, and I have never been taken my suprise. ...yes even with Striders... he he he. I would not give more than one chance. If a knife came back a 2nd time with a problem, I would first talk to the dealer (should be as good as new or better, right??), and if they would not do me right, I'd talk to the company. It seem s to me that honesty is honesty, and most folks are willing to look you in the eye. Every company I've dealt with has been square so far. I'd be happy to give any recommendations of those makers/dealers if needed as well.

I don't buy knives that are not made "in house." ...and I never will. HYPOTHETICALLY, If you do, you've agreed to buy a product of convenience, not quality. Sometimes, you may get quality, but you paid for convenience, hoping for quality, and sometimes you lose the gamble. If you got effed, don't take that path again. BUY USA, BUY "in house."

 

[udtjim]

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me TWICE, shame on me.