This will be my first post and I found a similar post not too long ago with the exact same details. I contacted Richard Derespina about purchasing one of his knives back in July 2015 and he quoted about 2 to 3 months and requested that I pay in full upfront. I had previously bought a knife from him and had no issues so I figured sure why not I trust him, big mistake. Here is the history.
richard derespina <derespinaknives@yahoo.com>
7/11/15
to me
Thanks Adrian, but I stopped taking orders in January. 2 year wait list is too long for most. All I will have available right now are a Model 3 and an Enso. Let me know if either of those interest you.
Thanks!
Rich
richard derespina <derespinaknives@yahoo.com>
7/12/15
to me
Hi Adrian,
So after we communicated I went through my stock and guess what?.... I do have an extra 4XL. It would take about 2 to 3 months since it's partially done. So if you want it, it's yours. The total cost shipped priority and insured is $525. You can choose between black, black & od, Camo, black and orange or Black and gray handles. Let me know asap. If you're ready to go ahead please make payment to
derespinaknives@yahoo.com and in the Comments section please detail your order like so:
Model 4xl with (color) handles with(without?) back edge serrations
To which I jumped at the chance and paid in full. 4 months later got this:
On Nov 4, 2015 10:57 AM, "richard derespina" <derespinaknives@yahoo.com> wrote:
I will ship end of this week. I have about 130 knives to ship this week which will include your Model 11. The Model 4 will follow soon. Sorry for the delay.
Thanks
Rich
Then 3 months later This:
richard derespina <derespinaknives@yahoo.com>
Feb 11, 2016
to
Hi All,
This is a long overdue update on the current work load. Some of you are past due and some of you are soon to be due for your knives. Currently I enjoy a lot of popularity. However, as a one man operation and full time Father I am often backed up. Such is the case right now. I have delivered approximately 100 knives since December, yet I have several hundred more to plow through. I deeply appreciate your patience and understanding. Having such great customers is truly humbling as I know how lucky I am.
There was a time when I could more easily respond to each and every one of you individually. Sadly, that is changing and I must start doing more mass emails like this to address everyone equally. I get too many emails from old, current and potential customers every day. This becomes too much communication, typing, etc and that takes me away from work. Taking me away from work, only delays the delivery times further. One of the reasons why on my website I had to specify that ETA's changed based on a myriad of factors.
Without completed knives in hand, I will keep doing these mass emails. When your orders are completed or near completion you will receive communication from me individually. As well as a picture of your knife.
Please continue to be patient and bear with me. I promise to deliver although I am late. As well, no one is forgotten in the hustle and bustle of my work. There are a handful of you that will be addressed ASAP after this email, separately to discuss finalization of your work and any other issues pending.
For those of you who missed out on the first Production run of the Model 10, there will be another run starting this Spring. I am awaiting the delivery estimates now. Initially they were set for mid Spring to early Summer, but this may change plus or minus one month or so. These will again be in D2 steel, with Black and OD G10 handle choices. Black Kydex and teklock belt clips. A great and reasonably priced package. Thanks to those of you who were able to purchase and help sell out the lot. I will be doing another Pre Order list once I have an ETA on the entire run. Watch the Derespina Knives facebook page and my website for updates on the Pre Order list.
Thank you again for your continued patience, you have my utmost gratitude. I hope you've had a great start to the New Year!
Sincerely,
Rich Derespina
Notice the dates. We are now in October almost November still nothing. I paid $525 full in good faith and got jacked. I have been sending repeated emails to this man since last year July to this current date. I have already contacted PayPal but they say they cannot do anything because its more than 6 months. I am fed up and want a full refund. The other post on the forums is almost word for word. Oh I have a spare pay full price and then he disappears. This is the other post with the same bad info on him --
Bad - Where in the world is Richard Derespina? Let the buyer beware.