Bad Business, Foolish Company

[SNAFU]

I think that Jerry is a master business man and knife maker. He does really great for only being conscious and sober 2 hours a day.

 

[on_the_edge]

Okay, at 0400 hours, I feel like trying the fuzzier, softer, kinder, gentler approach.

Icy27, we could debate what we think is best for Jerry, the company, his knives, aftermarket share, etc. for hours on end. But it really is simple. We are all in the same boat here. Look around. We feel your pain. We ALL want more INFI. What if you could have it today, but fit and finish was not that good or the heat treat was bad? My guess is that you would choose to wait for however long it took to get it right.

If INFI grew on a tree or came in a can, we'd all have it. Of course, there is more to Busse than just INFI. Warranty, design, construction, etc. These things take time. There is no guarantee that the next Busse knife will be out today, tomorrow, or even next month. But when it finally does come out, you can bet your butt on one thing: Jerry has done everything possible to get it right the first time. That is priority #1.

FWIW, other companies do the same thing. I am a BRKT fan and have been waiting for the Bravo-1 to come out for what seems like forever. But Mike Stewart will not put it out until he is 100% certain he has it right. I say :thumbup: . Fallkniven is due out with a new H1 in 3G. This is a limited production of 200 pieces, and is much anticipated. Well, again, Peter isn't going to put it out until it is good and ready. :thumbup: :thumbup:

So sit back, chill out, have a beer, watch the game, mow the grass, keep hitting F5 like the rest of us, or do whatever to pass the time. It will be here soon, probably in about 2 weeks!

 

[Briggz]

I read through all of the threads and found them very informative, entertaining and laughable. I just wonder if Icy will ever bother to repost and address their comments?

 

[bigdog]

Jerry could change to some cheap stainless steel, outsource them to some Pakistani company, sell them to Wallmart and flood the market with trash. He could sell millions. The Desert Terrorist Bitch, with celluloid handles, could sell for $19.95 and plenty for everyone. Everyone could be a Hog.
I'm sure the loyal collectors would be pleased.
Take your time Jerry and don't sacrifice the quality - even if it takes 2 more weeks.

 

[Eric Isaacson]

I find it interesting that these complaints often come up on the Busse/Swamp Rat forums, yet I didn't ever read any of them on the Schrade or Camillus forums. Go figure, Busse is still in business and Schrade and Camillus are in bankruptcy (or close)

Schrade and Camillus seems to have taken Icy's advice and made their knives in mass, now they aren't making knives at all. Anyone who owns a Schrade or Camillus doesn't have any customer support, no warranty, no ability to buy any knives(new knives or old at retail)

Hmmmm, seems like Jerry's business model is better afterall

 

[westllen]

Eric, my thoughts exactly, thanks for putting them in words

 

[DocAndry]

You know what, . . . those are all things I like about Busse Combat Knife Company. Go figure.

I'm with you Athame...

I remember, I used to really like Polo pants, would drive hours to get some.

The minute I could get them at Sam's Club, I couldn't care less!


It's the UN-availability of these things, and the unquestioned premium on quality, that keeps the fire burning!

Microtech did exactly what's being asked for here, just ask their collectors what they think of their new, widely available knives versus the old stuff!!!


DON'T CHANGE A THING, JERRY!!!

I've hungered for so long for ANY products anymore that care more about the pride of their craftmanship than the number on a register line. That's exactly the way I practice medicine, and exactly what I look for in those who make any products that I'll ever be passionate about!!!



Doc Andry
(Working Hoglet!!!)

 

[randucci]

I think icy27 is just another screen name for Jerry so he can divert our attention away from the Busse Combat website being down and release the FOLDER!

 

[mymindisamob]

Dammit................... I was busy working to make enough money for INFI.................. then I went out to play with the INFI I have, and I almost missed out on the fun of my HOGgish brethren cutting down trolls and Busse slander.

I have one thing to say to anyone who doesn't like the way things are done in Jerrys universe....................................SO!

 

[TurnerIII]

As I said, bad business.

Well in the end it is Jerrys business and I think he is doing just fine. Actually this approach helps maintain the price structure (including the secondary market) which makes his products more valuable.

Just look at how the more mass produced knives hold (or do not hold) their value. I mean who cares if you get one of those - as the company will continue to flood the market with more. And should you get a tiny scratch on a mass produced knife it is about over as far as value - but Busses hold their value despite use. And that makes it a much better value to me. :thumbup:

 

[idahoskunk]

and besides that, amy is cute and jerry's fun to drink with

 

[TurnerIII]

and besides that amy is cute and jerry's fun to drink with

Ok that too!
And not only is Amy cute but she is fun to talk to.

 

[Dennis in MA]

OH LOOK! here comes five of the lead grinders now!

The grinders are a Yes tribute band?

 

[Rat-30]

And should you get a tiny scratch on a mass produced knife it is about over as far as value - but Busses hold their value despite use. And that makes it a much better value to me. :thumbup:

You mean *THIS* is worth something? Anything? :thumbup:

 

[Cutshaw]

Not really... send it to me and I'll dispose of it for you.

 

[foxmd]

You know...I can understand your sentiment Icy ...but i think you're attributing the symptom to the wrong diagnosis. I don't think it's an economic issue so much as a psychological one. Some folks don't enjoy the 'thrill' of pursuing a Busse. But once you get that first one, you want another. At that point, you are a collector and half the fun of collecting is the aquisition. I'd bet that most of the people complaining don't have a Busse yet and don't have the cravings to balance out the frustration.

Having said that, I must say I am also a bit frustrated with another knife company that has been 'stringing' its customers along regarding a new line of knives(dirty rats) I would already have one (or more) if they were more available I can honestly say that my interest in them has waned a bit and my collecting eye has turned in another direction. So in a sense, they may have lost some business due to the wait.

Now don't get me wrong. I completely agree that it is their companies and they are TOTALLY in control of their collective future and obviously have succeeded thus far....but it does seem illogical to incite resentment in people who want to give you money

By the way, DocAndry, I 100% agree on your philosophy on the practice of medicine. I was a paramedic for 8 years and am now a med student and I fully intend to put quality first in my practice. One doc I work with has a little speech he gives his patients who complain about wait times. He tells them that if they want a doc that will get them in and out of the office in 15 minutes then he is not the doc for them... but if they want his undivided attention for as long as needed, they are in the right place.

His method must work...they keep coming back. Kinda like Hogs

 

[idahoskunk]

"The last thing you want to do is to re-engineer the core workflows to such a degree that hardly any employee can follow it, or document it. Especially with small businesses, where routines are sometimes entrenched, knocking over the sacred cows all at once can be disorienting."

especially when your drunk.....

 

[tsiloics]

I bought my first Busse in 1999, and I've been watching this nonsense unfold ever since. Don't jump to the conclusion that what you see here is a complete representation of Busse's business model, and certainly don't fall prey to the idea that Busse cares about you aggrivation level - that just comes with the territory.

Accept it for what it is and participate to the extent that you see fit. It's actually kind of fun to have things hang in the balance.

This is simple first-year economics stuff...

Great product in high demand... but never enough supply. They sell out consistently, and then stop production even though they still have orders pending!

I understand the desire to maintain the mystique surrounding their knives... but Busse is not maximizing their profits. And they're aggravating people like me who would gladly pay them money for a great knife.

In the end they'll lose market share when people will "settle" for something they can actually get their hands on. And the secondary market for Busse knives doesn't put any money in Busse's pockets.

It's bad business.

 

[RVO3VOM]

OH LOOK! here comes five of the lead grinders now!

ROTFLMAO!!!!

Skunk - Thanks for the laugh. Very stylish jacket you've got on there.

 

[howlin wolf]

can we say "sour grapes"?

I knew we could