Banned from Benchmade!

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Keep in mind, also, that Benchmade's products are widely counterfeited and perhaps your Chinese supplier _thinks_ he's making blades for Benchmade when he's really making blades for the charming copies you see all the time on certain auction sites.



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Chuck
Balisongs -- because it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!
http://www.balisongcollector.com
 
Mike - If you do get through to Benchmade, I'd like to hear what they say, both about China and whether or not you're banned from their forum. If you are banned, I guess we can consider that their answer to your offer
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Jason aka medusaoblongata
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"Paradise lies in the shadow of swords." - Nietzsche
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">According to a factory in China, they have been making parts and blades for Benchmade for years. Is this true Benchmade?
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Given your latest statements to Benchmade with regard to all of the unfair price controls, etc., this comes as a surprise to you? Or that it is somehow unfair to you that BM has responded in this manner?

The way you worded that was an accusation and not an attempt at clarity. It has the appearance of wanting to smear them and not enlighten yourself about your Manufacturer in China, etc.

What you did was potentially devastating to BM's reputation and business. When it is done in this manner, I see no other way for them to react quite frankly.

 
Well Don:

Let me say for the record that Benchmade's poor customer service (trade customers not end users) is legendary and that their hatred for internet dealers is even more famous. They are one of only two companies in the industry that has actually done something intended to hurt my business directly. I thought Mike's tone toward a company like that is pretty restrained. My tone with them would be intolerable. You can understand why I've never read or posted to the Benchmade forum.

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Fred
Knife Outlet
http://www.knifeoutlet.com
 
Fred,

I understand, and with all due respect, regardless of their unfair pricing, unfair treatment or hatred of Internet Knife Dealers, that does not have a whole lot to do with this Thread. That is more in line with what Mike posted with regard to those issues, don't you think?

The reason I posted about Mike's "attack" on them for screwing Internet Dealers is very simple, from their point of view, Mike is peeing on their Internet Rug...so, it stands to reason that Mike dropping a bomb about alleged Chinese Parts on knives that boast a label of, "100% Made in America," on the heels of a veiled threat at legal action against them looked like a direct and deliberate smear campaign.

Then, to start a Thread about it like you are sitting at the desk, scratching your head as to why you were banned is almost perfectly ludicrous. Don't you think Fred?

It is clear why he was banned. He went over and slapped them a couple of times and they are tired of being slapped.

As to their Internet Dealer "hatred," I would like to see all unfair price controls lifted entirely. That would not only benefit you and Mr. Turber, but anyone wishing to purchase a Benchmade Product at a nice price instead of an artificially inflated one.

Fair enough Fred?

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"You are no more armed because you are wearing a pistol than you are a musician because you own a guitar." ~Jeff Cooper
And the same goes for a knife...
And, I'm a Usual Suspect.
 
Dang! Just when I was becoming a born-again benchmade man. I sure hope the company doesn't go totally bonkers before I get my hands on one of those new BM 721s.
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Hoodoo

I get some pleasure from finding a relentlessly peaceful use for a combative looking knife.
JKM
 
Don,

I was not contemplating at all why I was banned, I am certain your assessment is correct. This thread is not going the way I intended and it was an error on my part to post it in such a manner as to create a stir. The company in China claims to be making parts for Benchmade and not the knock offs. Les was mentioned by name and I was floored when I heard this. I am not the first company to hear of this.

What Benchmade has done to distributors and dealers (namely Internet dealers) over the last few years is beyond the normal scope of protecting the integrity of a brand IMHO. I have a huge amount of respect for the company & their products. Fred and I have first hand knowledge of this and there are not many kind words that I can think of right now. I speak to Les and Roberta at each show I attend. I am cordial and have never created a scene at their booth. I ask Les every time I talk to him if he will change his stance on Internet dealers and each time I get nowhere. That is fine as he can run his business as he sees fit. It is when it affects mine and Fred's business that we become a bit vocal.

Maybe one day I will tell the ENTIRE story and the emotions that leak out behind this will make more sense.

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Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
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All of that fecal matter about "protecting the integrity by charging more..." is just that Mike, fecal matter. Les and all others like him are actually hurting themselves more than they are you and Fred.

You see, they would sell more knives if they gave Dealers free reign in the matter.

The MSRP is not "MSRP" when they do this. That is, "Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price." All too often, you can replace "Suggested" with "Demanded."



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"You are no more armed because you are wearing a pistol than you are a musician because you own a guitar." ~Jeff Cooper
And the same goes for a knife...
And, I'm a Usual Suspect.
 
Don:

I agree to some extent. I think Mike probably shouldn't have raised the issue he did where he did it in the way he did it. My point was that it is very easy for Mike, me or any other internet dealer to get pretty hot when the subject of Benchmade comes up. Since Benchmade won't communicate with us there aren't many avenues for getting questions answered, either. I was only explaining that, given what I know in the background, Mike was pretty civilized about his comments. I don't make many comments about Benchmade because it's hard for me to stay civilized when I do so.

Reality is that Benchmade can do what they want. They can run their business as they see fit. I'm not suggesting otherwise. Where they cross the line is the point at which they take action designed to hurt someone else's business who is not a competitor. I'm not suggesting they succeeded at hurting my business and I'm pretty sure I've never hurt theirs. But they tried and, for that, they made an enemy. As you may know, they've made all kinds of enemies in the trade. Their choice. They'll be OK because they make good products and we'll be OK because Benchmade represents a manageably minor percentage of our business.

Somehow I think bowing out of this thread is the thing to do. Mike, I hope you get reinstated. Take care all.




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Fred
Knife Outlet
http://www.knifeoutlet.com
 
Good idea Fred.

I saw Howard at the Shot Show and was hoping to see you as well. Guess I missed you. I was hoping it was you that snapped that pic of me and a certain someone at the CFI booth. Boy that was a fun one to try and explain
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Anyway without going into the explicit details and history here no one will truly understand what we are talking about. In my case is is not me bitching about what I can;t have, it is me bitching about what I had and was taken away from me that I can't get back. I was mislead, lied to and scammed to the tune of several hundred thousand $$$.

OK I am getting pissed again, sorry guys this thread ends right here, right now. Time to take my medication
smile.gif


(Medication = Going downstairs to beat the **** out of my Wave bag)

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Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
Show Your Support -Visit Our Sponsors - Click On The Banners!
Visit www.onestopknifeshop.com
Sales from 1 Stop Knife Shop help support this site!
 
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