Benchmade pricing seems to have changed

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skyhorse said:
It was Benchmade's new policy and not the retailers. The one I talked to was less than happy, they did this before the holidays.
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Yep, I just stopped by BlaseHQ today and they said the same thing.

Just ordered a 581 at the discounted price. Will probably be my last BM for a long time.
 
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Like others, if this is true then I am probably out of Benchmade collecting. But as long as I can buy what I want from a good dealer at a reasonable price, then I'll still buy Benchmades. We all have opinions that work for us and mine is that almost all Benchmades are overpriced - for me - without the discount. Raise the bottom line price for me and I'll not buy. That hasn't happened - yet. My favorite Benchmade dealer still accepts discounts.

My philosophy is that there are many more knives out there that I want to buy than I can afford from a large number of mfgs. So I go through a little process to determine which knife to buy and which knife to leave. Price is a significant part of that process. Really then, it is no big deal if I have to stop buying from Benchmade. They are not the only mfg in the business that I like to buy from. Instead of buying a particular Benchmade, I'll buy a Spyderco or GEC or Buck or other knife that appeals to me when I have a few $$$ burning a hole in my pocket. Fortunately, I already have several Benchmades so I am good to go. There is no Benchmade that I just must have.

Other people will feel differently and continue to buy even though the knife is now selling at a higher price point. That is just fine. To each his/her own. Like L2bravo stated in this post, "The product is only worth what the market will bear." We'll see what impact this move really has on their bottom line and how many people will vote against BM's new policy with their wallet and what effect that really has - if any. Economics in action. ;)
 
Benchmade can do whatever they want. Their company, their policy. But don't use increasing costs as an excuse. Companies like BladeHQ, GP, etc are presumably selling much higher volumes than other companies since they are discounting the knives well below MAP. They are also, again assuming, buying the knives at a much lower prices from Benchmade than other distributors since they do sell such volumes. I would guess BM isn't going to see any increase in revenue from this move unless they are increasing the amount they charge to the distributors, especially since the volume of sales will undoubtedly decline some. I would hope their reason, if there is one other than just "our policy," is to level the playing field for brick and mortar stores. Who knows.
 
It kind of sucks, but its not the end of the world.

I was wanting to buy the 755mpr;but, like others mentioned, I can find other knives to pass the time with.

For now the only knife I own with a butterfly on it is my mini-grip. (which is awesome btw)
 
I wound up calling Benchmade this morning and explained what info we're looking for on Blade. After the call was routed was only able to leave a message on Charles Darby's phone in the sales dept. Have not yet had a response; If I get one I'll pass whatever comes along to y'all. We do have a holiday tomorrow, who knows if he's even working today. :rolleyes:
 
jkarp_53 said:
I wound up calling Benchmade this morning and explained what info we're looking for on Blade. After the call was routed was only able to leave a message on Charles Darby's phone in the sales dept. Have not yet had a response; If I get one I'll pass whatever comes along to y'all. We do have a holiday tomorrow, who knows if he's even working today. :rolleyes:
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Thanks Joe.
 
Simple update: I would ask you guys to be patient and not make any decisions based on information that might be right or wrong. I received a call from one of the sales reps at Benchmade concerning upcoming changes to the dealer structure and was told there will be an official statement offered, certainly not this week, better next. The exchange was brief and again, simple. I explained the lack of responses to our posting, (and the ensuing buzz) needed to be attended to PLEASE.

I mean if the prices are going to be higher and you want backups GO FOR IT...dealers still offering discounts would naturally love our business. But would also ask, in lieu of someone actually in the know, please try to be kinder to your fellow enthusiasts here. Word in statement form is coming. :cool:
 
thanks for the update. Good to know that they will be releasing an official statement; guess we'll just have to wait and see what it is. I'll shut up now until I actually read what it says.
 
Ya know, the more I think about it, the more I think I have changed my mind. I mean, they make kick butt knives that are ONLY made in the USA. They will replace your blade if it is defective. They will install a new blade for a nominal fee ($25) if you just want your current blade replaced. When it goes in for a reblade, they replace all the screws, put a new clip on, new springs, and lube it up. They do have an amazing product. They could stand to make the blade a bit sharper than they do but that's not a big deal. I have never once had a problem with their warranty service and I've owned closed to 80 different Benchmade knives.

I don't WANT to pay more for something I already like. I do however understand that times are changing and labor is not any cheaper, and neither is fuel for transporting goods. I don't know how the company is doing internally so I really shouldn't judge. I also know that I didn't like the Red class that they used to have and I'm glad they took a stand and scrapped it and now make everything in the USA.

I guess, the older I get the more I understand and appreciate what it takes to stay in business for a long time.

When it comes down to it, this is my hobby so I'll just have to save a bit longer if I want a particular knife. Not what I want but, as the Rolling Stones say, "you can't always get what you want".
 
jhawk66901 said:
I would hope their reason, if there is one other than just "our policy," is to level the playing field for brick and mortar stores. Who knows.
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When they last enforced their MAP pricing and disallowed publicized discounts, it was for this very reason -- to help level the field for the B&M-only stores. The problem with that is this: every B&M-only store I have visited tends to be a gun store or archery shop that slaps a MSRP price tag on the knives. Not MAP, but MSRP. Why in the world would I buy at MSRP if I know there is MAP available elsewhere... with or without an unpublicized discount code??? At the same time Benchmade implemented this, they also required all retailers to have a storefront. If they sold online, they had to have a B&M storefront as well. So, how is this going to help the B&M-only stores when those stores tend to shoot themselves in the foot by charging MSRP?
 
loonybin said:
When they last enforced their MAP pricing and disallowed publicized discounts, it was for this very reason -- to help level the field for the B&M-only stores. The problem with that is this: every B&M-only store I have visited tends to be a gun store or archery shop that slaps a MSRP price tag on the knives. Not MAP, but MSRP. Why in the world would I buy at MSRP if I know there is MAP available elsewhere... with or without an unpublicized discount code??? At the same time Benchmade implemented this, they also required all retailers to have a storefront. If they sold online, they had to have a B&M storefront as well. So, how is this going to help the B&M-only stores when those stores tend to shoot themselves in the foot by charging MSRP?
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I've been in a few gun shops that sell at MAP and am lucky enough to have two locally (one of which I will be visiting Friday b/c they have an additional 20% off). Sadly though you are right. It is much more common for them to sell at MSRP. I've even had a few argue with me, telling me that they have the lowest prices you can find on BM.
 
Just ordered an 810 from KW with the discount code and plus weekend sale discount.If BM does enforce the MAP policy then I will purchase other brands.There are many alternative choices for me to choose from.More choices than the expendable money in my account could buy.
 
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If this change in pricing/policy lasts, I suspect certain Benchmade product lines will suffer more than others. In particular, I think that there will be a decline in purchases of the Griptilian series. Before the change, a standard grip might cost anywhere from $70-$85 online. Now they are around $93-$110. Better knives are availuable for that amount of money than a knife with a Valox handle and partial liners. Perhaps this will lead to product improvements.
 
Obamacare... I wondered that too. I guess its possible, but I really hope thats not the reason. I also can't stand that "leveling the playing field arguement" because it seems like when ever someone says that, they are just trying to get away with charging the consumer more $$$.
 
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David Lowry said:
Ya know, the more I think about it, the more I think I have changed my mind. I mean, they make kick butt knives that are ONLY made in the USA. They will replace your blade if it is defective. They will install a new blade for a nominal fee ($25) if you just want your current blade replaced. When it goes in for a reblade, they replace all the screws, put a new clip on, new springs, and lube it up. They do have an amazing product. They could stand to make the blade a bit sharper than they do but that's not a big deal. I have never once had a problem with their warranty service and I've owned closed to 80 different Benchmade knives.

I don't WANT to pay more for something I already like. I do however understand that times are changing and labor is not any cheaper, and neither is fuel for transporting goods. I don't know how the company is doing internally so I really shouldn't judge. I also know that I didn't like the Red class that they used to have and I'm glad they took a stand and scrapped it and now make everything in the USA.

I guess, the older I get the more I understand and appreciate what it takes to stay in business for a long time.

When it comes down to it, this is my hobby so I'll just have to save a bit longer if I want a particular knife. Not what I want but, as the Rolling Stones say, "you can't always get what you want".
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David, this is pretty well my stance as well. Am I pissed off, that they might raise prices for the long haul? Certainly yes. Do I think that you are able to get one of the best in the business? Without a doubt. So I too will keep riding, until I feel it is too far out of hand. Hopefully, they will rectify this situation.
 
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