Benchmade Company Question?

From what I have heard, Benchmade is operating at maximum capacity and employs 2-3 times as many employees as Spyderco.

Hopefully they will move some of those many employees to quality control, which has been seriously lacking recently. Very surprising considering the statements they make about the quality of their products.

There are not any stores locally that carry them so having to order online is not a big deal for me and using a coupon code is pretty simple.

Knifeworks seemed to have figured out the simpliest way to deal with the issue with the coupon codes, and fortunately KW is a great vendor. However, if you wish to use other vendors it requires emails or phone calls to check prices. Annoying for the buyer, but something that costs the vendor money.

I am NOT a BM basher. They do some things very well. Their customer service is outstanding.
I really want to love BM, but the decline in quality control was already putting me off and this latest nonsense of trying to control advertised pricing just plain annoys me.
 
I am fortunate - my local pusher keeps a good supply of B-Ms. I have been able to fondle the new Lum knife - the 741 Onslaught. It looked like 'my kind of knife' in print - but I overlooked the thin blade, too thin for me. I also thought it was S30V or M4 - but, no, it is 154CM - another ho-hum - to me. Nicely made, great hand fit and feel - fine assembly - great quality - just not for me. They made me a great price, too - they can sell, like Surefire and others, at LEO prices - or, in my case, good longterm customer prices. Find a B&M store in your time zone - it's worth it. You can see & fondle the newbies.

They don't make good ones any more? Wow.. didn't know that. Last year's 760BK LFTi must have been a big mistake... it sure is a winner! I don't like Tanto blades, but, once I picked mine up at the pusher's, I laid it down only to write the check. The Gold Class 525-81 and the Marc Lee 150BKSN - what functional works of art! Yeah, I miss the Rukus family dropped last year - and the Skirmish family dropped earlier. Sure happy I have mine! The perennial favorite - AXIS Lock equipped 710 - is still there - great user. They are pricey - but generally great example of American knife production (You may call it 'cutlery' - they are knives to me!). Find a B&M with some stock!

Stainz
 
Like every other MAP pricing set-up this one is going to raise prices on both the primary (some dealers won't give a discount, misinformed buyers won't know about the ability to get a larger discount etc.) and secondary (sellers will want to sell for higher prices to make up for the higher initial price paid) markets while offering no increase in functionality or benefits of the product.

It's a move only the logic-blind end user would support.

A $150 dollar knife from Benchmade is going to be similar to a $150 knife from Spyderco in materials, fit, and finish for the most part.

Only problem is that now, in order to get that Benchmade for $150 you have to either call/email several different retailers to find out their non-MAP bound price or find out a discount code for a certain site. Otherwise that Benchmade is going to cost you -15% MSRP, no compromises. Whereas the Spyderco knife can be had for $150 without having to engage in any inefficient rent-seeking behavior.

In fact they have expanded their capacity and are moving all their production to the US.

Except for all those pesky "HK" models that are still made in Asia. What a silly company. :rolleyes:

I no longer find Benchmade knives interesting and will refrain from purchasing them in the future. I will also do my best to inform other buyers of their poor business practices and try to steer them to a more customer-focused manufacturer. :thumbdn:
 
The MAP thing has been used by other companies, and it has resulted in federal lawsuits by the Federal Trade Commision.
 
Benchmade is a great company hands down. I once pulled out my Endura to so off my awesome knife and fellow knife fan pulled out a 710 and stopped the show.

The internet has change the way we buy products. The way companies produce, wholesale and retail products is different these days and Benchmade has made changes to respond to the times. I live in a city that has seen many cutlery stores close due to unfair competition and someone should do something to stop this trend.

I can honestly say that Benchmade's pricing policy has defiantly encouraged me to purchase knives at my local brick and mortar store. And to all guys that go to a store to feel knives and turn around and go purchase them online, stop and think about the guys trying to make a living selling those knives that store. Thats what Benchmade did.
 
Benchmade is a great company hands down. I once pulled out my Endura to so off my awesome knife and fellow knife fan pulled out a 710 and stopped the show.

The internet has change the way we buy products. The way companies produce, wholesale and retail products is different these days and Benchmade has made changes to respond to the times. I live in a city that has seen many cutlery stores close due to unfair competition and someone should do something to stop this trend.

I can honestly say that Benchmade's pricing policy has defiantly encouraged me to purchase knives at my local brick and mortar store. And to all guys that go to a store to feel knives and turn around and go purchase them online, stop and think about the guys trying to make a living selling those knives that store. Thats what Benchmade did.

How's that boot taste? :foot:

Being a great company and making great knives are not the same thing. Benchmade may do the latter from time to time but they are not acting like the former very often in regards to their customer base.

Benchmade has attempted to stop the widespread changes brought about by internet commerce. They're not being progressive, they're taking a reactionary stance by trying to maintain the status quo. For whatever reason; brand valuation/identity, price ratios or some other nonsense. Adapt and overcome, don't try to hit the brakes and stop everyone else from advancing. Maybe knife stores don't work as a business mode? Certain industries struggle for a reason, the proper response is to adapt and find out the best way to get your product into the customer hands while keeping them happy. Not punish your customer base in an attempt to cling to outdated practices that may not be effective anymore.

I live in a city without any cutlery shops. I guess I'm not good enough to own Benchmade knives. :rolleyes:
 
I live in a city without any cutlery shops. I guess I'm not good enough to own Benchmade knives. :rolleyes:
Poor you! I guess you're not good enough to own any knives, if that's your reasoning.
Benchmade knives are still sold online. But only by those retailers that have an actual stores. They cut off drop ship sellers. And that's a good thing.
 
I wouldn't mind the whole minimum advertised priced thing if the minimum advertised price was actually competitive with other companies. It seems like a lot of companies set these huge MSRPs that no consumer in their right mind would pay and then retailers knock off about 30% to actually sell them... If Benchmade set the MSRP lower, retailers (and consumers) wouldn't have to jump through these hoops.
 
This is quite the complex issue really... I see strong points from both points of view. Yes it is nice and convenient to order from huge online retailers and pay as little as possible for the same product however I do think that saving brick and mortar stores is also a very good thing. Its funny really how people complain all day long about how all industries are moving overseas and that America is losing all of its jobs but when someone actually stands up and does something about it they don't get the support that they should. This is actually an extremely brave thing that Benchmade is doing and they are doing it all at once. They're moving ALL they're manufacturing to US soil AND implementing this new MAP policy. It really is a great thing for helping our fellow american jobs however it could be argued that they are moving forward with these new business changes too quickly. My honest opinion is that it is a good thing that will help many a budding cutlery store however it also may well decrease the sales from uneducated online knife buyers. Good luck in your quest Benchmade!
 
Poor you! I guess you're not good enough to own any knives, if that's your reasoning.
Benchmade knives are still sold online. But only by those retailers that have an actual stores. They cut off drop ship sellers. And that's a good thing.

Other companies do not actively target on-line retailers with policies aimed to cut them out of the brand. Apparently I'm good enough to support other companies who don't strive to become a monopoly who can set the price and dictate terms to their dealers.

They also cut off stocking internet dealers without storefronts, so in a sense they did hurt small business, but it was okay with you and a bunch of other posters because they were just non-storefront internet sellers who were being greedy and selling at a price point that was possible due to their more efficient operations. :rolleyes:

They're moving ALL they're manufacturing to US soil AND implementing this new MAP policy.

No, they're not. They just did some creative shuffling and moved a lot of their red class knives (the ones made in China, formerly made in Taiwan) under the "HK" brand name. Still have quite bit of production taking place outside the US. I wonder how long before we start seeing knives with 9cr18mo steel "manufactured" in Oregon. But don't let me stop you, keep taking that press release as gospel. :thumbup:
NEW Benchmade HK knives, guess where they're made?
 
what i was refering too above was that i am on a fairly limited budget and benchmade, who i considered to be a pretty good company, i have 3 benchmades. but out of a collection numbering roughly 20 knives, thats a decent percent. the MAP has bascially put the pricing out of my affordable range, my money will go to kershaw spydie emerson etc...my opinion btw...
 
You can gripe and moan all you want, but they are still one of the larger knife companies turning out knives at full capacity and increasing that capacity at the same time.

If sales start to fall then they will adjust the policy or stores will figure out a way to sell them cheaper. They already have with the coupon codes and stating to call them for competitive pricing. If you can't pick up the phone or punch in a coupon code then maybe you shouldn't have sharp pointy objects in the first place.

What's done is done and if getting an ulcer from worrying about it so much is what you want to do I could care less. I can still buy the knives I want at essentially the same price as before. If you can't do the same then it's your loss if there is a knife you like. I'm not "logic-blind" and in fact it sounds like it might be the other way around if you can't figure out how to purchase the knife at a competitive price.

You could have bought a dozen Benchmade knives at a good price in the time it has taken to sit here and bash on Benchmade.
 
They already have with the coupon codes and stating to call them for competitive pricing. If you can't pick up the phone or punch in a coupon code then maybe you shouldn't have sharp pointy objects in the first place.

That's the wrong way to look at it... Why should we have to do that to find out the price of BM knife? I find that unacceptable. Like I said, I believe they are putting a HUGE dent in their sales by doing this phone call bit. I'd be willing to bet that most would do what I do:

"Oh, interesting knife. Price? 'Call 1-800-jump-through-hoops to ask us what the price is.' Hmm, nevermind, let's see what Kershaw or Spyderco has..."

What's done is done and if getting an ulcer from worrying about it so much is what you want to do I could care less.

Then do it :p

(The saying is "I couldn't care less)
 
Benchmade is a great company hands down. I once pulled out my Endura to so off my awesome knife and fellow knife fan pulled out a 710 and stopped the show.

The internet has change the way we buy products. The way companies produce, wholesale and retail products is different these days and Benchmade has made changes to respond to the times. I live in a city that has seen many cutlery stores close due to unfair competition and someone should do something to stop this trend.

I can honestly say that Benchmade's pricing policy has defiantly encouraged me to purchase knives at my local brick and mortar store. And to all guys that go to a store to feel knives and turn around and go purchase them online, stop and think about the guys trying to make a living selling those knives that store. Thats what Benchmade did.

I could sympathize for those trying to make money selling knives in stores, but it is only more logical to go for cheaper prices and that happens to be online. It seems these days thats the way to go. I have to admit feeling a knife in a knife shop is amazing and it's great to talk to people in person about a shared interest, but when it comes down to it I am paying anywhere from 25-60% more than online. I purchased a Kershaw Composite Leek way back for $43 shipped NIB online. At my local knife shop the same Kershaw Composite Leek was displayed for $99.99 before tax! Who in the right mind would spend over double the amount for the same knife? I want to support a Cutlery Shop as much as the next guy, but not when I can be getting 2 knives for the price of 1.
 
but they are still one of the larger knife companies turning out knives at full capacity and increasing that capacity at the same time.

They already have with the coupon codes and stating to call them for competitive pricing. If you can't pick up the phone or punch in a coupon code then maybe you shouldn't have sharp pointy objects in the first place.

What's done is done and if getting an ulcer from worrying about it so much is what you want to do I could care less. I can still buy the knives I want at essentially the same price as before. If you can't do the same then it's your loss if there is a knife you like. I'm not "logic-blind" and in fact it sounds like it might be the other way around if you can't figure out how to purchase the knife at a competitive price.

You could have bought a dozen Benchmade knives at a good price in the time it has taken to sit here and bash on Benchmade.

So? Does being large and popular allow them to engage in poor business practice that snubs their customers? Do you have a source for these manufacturing numbers? I'd really be interested to see the data your working with.

Here's an example for you. I want to buy a Spyderco ZDP-189 FRN Stretch, I want to spend as little as possible in order to maximize my purchasing power.

I start Firefox and hit up the following websites to check the price:
Knifecenter: 128.95
Newgraham: 106.18
CutleryShoppe: 91.75
Yourcornerstore: 91.78

The variance between the most and least expensive is $37.20. That's huge! The savings alone could buy me another knife, imagine what happens when you multiply these savings by 2, 3 or 4 knives! All told, looking up the prices took me less than 5 minutes.

Now, imagine having to call four different retailers to get the best price for a Benchmade. Different time zones, lunch hours, call volumes and different salespeople who may or may not be privy to the discount. My time is not free and I do not relish having to spend an addition 10-20 minutes calling around to find a decent price, for every Benchmade knife I wish to purchase for the foreseeable future.

People who are saying how easy it is to call and get a price have obviously never worked the phones in a professional sense. There's a reason online ordering and email exploded so quickly, ordering or price negotiating by phone is time consuming and inefficient.

Coupon codes? Ha! Go over to Knifeworks and punch in that simple coupon code. Before you get to see the price you need to fill in all you ordering information including Ph# and email address. Takes at least five times as long.

I'm not even sure what you're trying to say with that last part? There's no two ways about it, ordering a Benchmade through an online dealer just became significantly more expensive and time consuming. And this just plain sucks. I am shocked that we have so many here who champion this change, following some sort of blind allegiance to their chosen manufacturer. It sucks and I'm not going to do it. :thumbdn:

Who in there right mind would voluntarily support increased time and money waste? :confused:
 
If you want the knife you will find one at a good price.
If you want to whine and complain about the troubles of procuring a good price you didn't want the knife in the first place. Simple as that.

If I'm spending $100+ on a knife I don't mind spending extra 5-10 minutes doing research.
 
Ah, nice to see that any disagreeable sentiments are denigrated and dismissed as "whining."

Why, we should all be so lucky to bow before the feet of the greatest manufacturer of this century! I feel so lucky to even be able to buy their knives! I wish I could pay even more for them!

:rolleyes:



But in seriousness, if I were to want a Benchmade knife bad enough(perish the thought!), I'd just spend the time I would have spent buying from a Benchmade supported dealer looking for the knife on the secondary market where I can get it for even cheaper and minimize the return to the manufacturer. There has yet to be a model that hasn't been offered for sale on the BF exchange or elsewhere within my time in the hobby. Arbitrage is a wonderful thing. :thumbup:
 
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