Benchmade pricing seems to have changed

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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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I agree with your sentiments, however that's not the actual case here. The prices of the knives are not being raised at the manufacturing level, just at the dealer level. One of the guy's at BladeHQ said that BM won't be making any additional money off the knives with the price increase, they are simply enforcing the MAP pricing at this point under the threat of non-compliance results in being dropped as a dealer. Had the knives raised $5-10 at the manufacturing level I think everyone here would be more than happy to pay an increased price to ensure that BM keeps their doors open and makes a profit as costs increase. But, the problem here is that they are simply forcing the larger dealers to follow MAP pricing and not offer any discount to their consumers. And that lack of discount doesn't result in a small increase to the current prices, but a 25% increase across the board.

The change is likely for one of two reasons.
1. Smaller dealers are getting upset that they can't compete with the big boys and BM is getting a lot of complaints and headaches.
2. Benchmade has decided that offering "discount" on their products is detrimental to the long term perceived value and overall health of their offerings. Sadly I lack a firm understanding of marketing practices to really delve into this topic as it is the more interesting discussion.

Like many of you I would be most interested in hearing the specific reasons from BM. Even if we don't like the answer, understanding is the first step to acceptance. Or if they want to back-peddle on this policy I think we would all breathe a bit easier.
 
Today I went to the only retailer I know of that's still using the ( secret coupon code ). Sorry but as much as I love my standard mini grip, $80.75 is a little much imho. An approximately 22.6% increase in less than a week.:eek: Some models have increased approximately 27% just crunching some numbers in my head in less than a week. I have much respect for Benchmade and still believe they make great made in USA knives with outstanding customer service.
I hope we get to the bottom of this and I'm not upset but we may have to call in Joe Friday for some answers. LOL :):D
[video=youtube;mrpiby-piB4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrpiby-piB4[/video]
 
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I did a little price checking on the dealers that I buy from, 25% increase on average. It looks like I now have all the Benchmades I need. After 30+ years in manufacturing, I've noticed that sharp increases in dealer pricing results in lower sales. Lower sales result in smaller quantities needed from the manufacturers. But what do I know? BM makes a great product, and they are a successful business.
 
jhawk66901 said:
I obviously hope that the discounts at some sites continues as it will make it easier to continue buying BM more often. I'm not going to swear off BM knives no matter what the reason is behind the removal of the discounts. It will however change my buying habits in a couple of ways. First, I will probably buy at my local stores more often as the prices are now either equal or better than MAP. In fact a local store is having a Black Friday sale and discounting all their in-stock BM 20% which puts them as good as KW and BHQ after discounts. The second effect is that I will broaden my horizons and try more knives of different brands. I will not abandon BM but this makes it better timing to branch out. If nothing else it might make me appreciate the value proposition of Benchmades even more.
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I must agree with you 100% on your strategy. I too am strong affinity to BMC. The kicker is, I think I can not make myself to buy no Axis lock in folding blade. Yeah, I need to go to BA (Benchmade anonymous) meeting to deal with this withdrawal.

MFL
 
I feel everyone seems to agree on below points.

* We are die hard fan of BM. They make outstanding Quality knives and we all love the products.
* We all like to 'collect' them as end user / consumer. I haven't heard many of LE or EM folks who said 'my dept decided to stop using because BM said xxxx "
* Many of us will still be BMK fans.

So far BM rep has not commented the fact and we have good guess that this year's stock is running low, it sounds like a small halt in running out of stock in MBK on many online retailers.

My guess is that BM may not be thinking the need to increase sale, maintain revenue, but maintain value proposition. Sure, it might affect customer sentiment to say BM is expensive, but when their production resumes with brand new models, they can have good reason to clear stocks and offer new model with capable prices.

It almost sounds like a car dealer, except in this case BM knives are already running low in stock. GPK, BHQ, and many of those are "out of stock" . As jkarp_53 has stated, I'll wait to see until they release new model next year. Too bad, I was thinking of buying many knives for my friend and family...

MFL
 
Yep, the axis lock is hard to give up, I will continue to buy BM, but like anything anything else, moderation will be key.
 
Like the Benchmades but I think it may have been better to wait till after the holidays. I'm supposing this will effect sales to a degree.

Will be interesting to see the "official" statement on this.
 
Seems this new policy went into effect on Nov 18th but BM isn't currently enforcing it.
This may be why some of the larger dealers are still offering the extra discount.
 
This will not effect my BM loyalty, tho it will limit the make/model/quality of the knife I can purchase. I sure hope they deal with this soon as I'm planning another purchase immediately following Christmas and would Like an Emissary. But, at full retail I may have to go with the Rift instead. :(
 
I only have three BM sold in the PX overseas and I like them.:thumbup: I have a Vietnam friend that I just talked too who collects BM and owns a lot, but claims the quality has gone downhill so he has stopped.:confused:
 
I ordered by 581 back in early Nov, and it took weeks to get here. By the time it did, the price had jumped by almost $40 on the site that sold it. That's pretty crazy... It's a great knife, but it's hard to justify 2-4 times the price of a good knife from another manufacturer. Will definitely buy less of their products if the prices stay this high.

It's sad, because I really wanted to get my dad a 586 or 581 to semi-replace the Leek I got him years ago that he has been maintaining (therefore, it wouldn't be a waste to give him a nicer knife).

austonh said:
There is a certain Shoppe on the web that sells Cutlery, they still have the 25% off coupon. I hope that holds, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth when discount codes are suspended. I used to be a massive Orient watch fan, they had a similar system and then decided to remove it one day. I haven't bought an Orient watch since...
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You are my hero. Congrats, BM, you just got some more of my money. Thank you to that site for being rebellious.
 
AfghanWarrior said:
I have a Vietnam friend that I just talked too who collects BM and owns a lot, but claims the quality has gone downhill so he has stopped.:confused:
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What specifically made your friend say that the quality on Benchmades has gone downhill? All models? Since when?
 
How dare Benchmade pull such a stunt on their loyal entitled customers? How dare they discontinue the deep discounts across the board online? How dare they keep production in the USA?? How dare they expect a return equal to quality,after sales service , and CS? Bastards!!!
I will never buy another Benchmade product again.
Really? Who needs to be treated like this?
 
jeffwithaj said:
How dare Benchmade pull such a stunt on their loyal entitled customers? How dare they discontinue the deep discounts across the board online? How dare they keep production in the USA?? How dare they expect a return equal to quality,after sales service , and CS? Bastards!!!
I will never buy another Benchmade product again.
Really? Who needs to be treated like this?
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I'm guessing? This was? An attempt? At sarcasm?
 
RamZar said:
What specifically made your friend say that the quality on Benchmades has gone downhill? All models? Since when?
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I will say in defense of BM he was not clear on what that means in his opinion.:confused: I will say I am no expert in BM, but I have a favorable opinion of them. I do like my Benchmade Sand/OD/Black Griptilians.:D I do have tons of other brands as it just seems like I can find other USA made deals to buy and never BM.
 
eric_j said:
There is a certain Shoppe on the web that sells Cutlery, they still have the 25% off coupon. I hope that holds

You are my hero. Congrats, BM, you just got some more of my money. Thank you to that site for being rebellious.
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Not much longer. He's passing the word that this discount is on the way out. Not sure when yet but it's just a matter of time.

I just ordered what may be my last BM (a 710) from there. I'm simply not paying the regular prices.
 
FWIW I spoke with a dealer today who said he is still able to give out discounts but only on the phone, not website nor email, because the rule is against advertising lower-than-MAP prices but not actually selling the knives lower. That's a bit less convenient but better than the alternative.
 
kreole said:
FWIW I spoke with a dealer today who said he is still able to give out discounts but only on the phone, not website nor email, because the rule is against advertising lower-than-MAP prices but not actually selling the knives lower. That's a bit less convenient but better than the alternative.
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Great info, thanks for passing that along. I'll contact my preferred dealer about this as well. I'm sure email would also suffice.
 
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