Blem Policy Clarification

H

hollowdweller

Joined
Sep 22, 2003
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In the DOTD thread Yangdu says:

PREVIOUSLY, I HAVE ON OCCASION, AGREED TO SOME TRADING OF MERCHANDISE BUT IN THE FUTURE I AM NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO DO THIS. AS TO THE GUARANTEE OF HI PRODUCTS ALL MERCHANDISE EXCEPTING BLEMS CARRY UNCLE BILL'S WORD AS HE SET FORTH IN THE BEGINNING OF HI. HOWEVER, BLEMS ARE BLEMS AND ARE STATED AS SUCH IN POSTING AND ARE TO BE CONSIDERED AS IS AND FINAL SALES.
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So that means that if I buy a blem with say, a handle crack, and the handle stays fine but the blade bends while I am chopping something with it that I cannot return it right?

I can see that if you get a blem with a cracked handle, and then the handle cracks off that that you kinda knew that it MIGHT happen when you bought it.

However I've had several khuks that had improperly tempered blades and it was really impossible to tell that until you actually used them, so this policy would mean I'd be less likely to buy a blem because of how many blades I've had bend on me during use and stick to non blems.
 
That is a good question, Hollow.

I read it to mean no more exchanges from Blem sales.
I've wondered for quite some time how Yangdu was going to handle rising costs. I think Customs just pulled another whammy on her, too.
I knew she couldn't stay in business with pricing over 5 years old. (?)


munk
 
Perhaps Yangdu can take a coupla good whacks with each blem, before listing? A blem's a blem's a blem ... and I wouldn't care at all about aesthetic stuff on such a knife. But I would hope for good utility on them.
 
Hopefully the warranty will still apply to functional problems, like a bad heat treat. However, a case like hollow gave with the handle cracking off on a blade that was sold as a blem, with a cracked handle, obviously shouldn't be replaced. Maybe Yangdu can weigh in with a final answer.
 
Blem = DOTD :confused:

Or are only those DOTD considered blems that actually have something wrong with them, like a crack in the handle et cetera?

Keno
 
Also posted under DFTD where the blem issue was raised. What do you think about this?
Yangdu,
I'm glad you said something about returning blems. You are correct, a blem should not be considered a normal sale under the normal guarantee. That is how it should be, and we all understand that you need to make a living.
In order to keep that policy and protect yourself, you might want to consider mentioning that a knife is a blem in the ad. Sometimes it is a little unclear what is a blem and what is not. For instance:
20" 27 OUNCE SIRUPATI BY KUMAR. PRETT GOOD KHUKURI. FEW SCRATCH ON LEATHER SCABBARD. TAKE IT HOME FOR $80 YBB.
Is this a blem? The knife does not have any problems, but the sheath does. Hmm. Does the guarantee apply? I don't know.
How about:
20" 27 OUNCE SIRUPATI BY KUMAR. *BLEM* PRETT GOOD KHUKURI. FEW SCRATCH ON LEATHER SCABBARD. TAKE IT HOME FOR $80 YBB.
Now there is no possible way that I can come back later and ask for the guarantee to be honored. Everybody remains friends, all is well.
Just a suggestion, for what is is worth.
 
richardallen said:
Blem = DOTD :confused:

Or are only those DOTD considered blems that actually have something wrong with them, like a crack in the handle et cetera?

Keno
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That's a good question. I took it to mean only blems.
 
I think:

"HOWEVER, BLEMS ARE BLEMS AND ARE STATED AS SUCH IN POSTING AND ARE TO BE CONSIDERED AS IS AND FINAL SALES." Yangdu

That's the deal. Sales site sales are warranteed; Blems, by definition, are "seconds" and flawed, thus carry no warrantee. Still a better warranty than the vast majority of other firms selling anything.

Biggest problem I see is for Yangdu herself, how is she to identify the blem that was sold with a scratched scabbord or now polished-off rust, from a Yangdu best buy? Will it be marked, or etched in some way before it is sent off to the buyer?

For us? We know we are getting a heck of a deal and that the failure rate is so small as to be beyond consideration.

Finally, I am positive that H.I. will always be honorable in its dealing.

No worries.
 
I wonder, and this is just me wondering out loud, if this policy is geared toward the "try it and if you don't like it, send it back for something you do like" crowd. That is to say, those that by a $65 blem BAS and email Yangdu saying, "You know, I think a 15" AK would REALLY fit me better. This one is too light. May I trade it in?" Well, what if Yangdu does not have a blem 15" AK? She'll have to trade up and send out a perfect knife that she could get double the money out of for a knife that someone felt a little wishy-washy about. This is where I could see blem sales being final. I would assume that hidden defects would still be covered. Whether you pay $150 dollars or $62, if the heat treat is bad and the blade ripples or snaps at the edge, well it's not a good deal unless you are skilled enough to fix it (which most of us are not).

Like I said, this is just me harboring a guess. Also, I want to make it clear that whatever Yangdu decides to do, I personally will not stop buying HI as funds allow. In over 35 blades from HI I have only had 2 fail on me (well three is you count that 15" AK that some barbarian brute from WI was able to break in a week..golly!;)). Of those two blades, both were just too hard at the edge. They probably could have found a life beyond me or even with me if Yangdu had not been so steadfast in customer service (You really are a very nice Lady, Yangdu:)). As a matter of fact, one of them did return to me with a new lease on life;)

At any rate, a little clarification will probably go a long way, and whatever Yangdu decides will be just fine with me and I'm sure all the other regulars.

Jake
 
Yangdu had a good method with one I asked to return (the first one ever) instead of another knife she gave me credit towards another purchace. I think thats very fair for both sides.
 
Steely_Gunz said:
...geared toward ... those that buy a $65 blem BAS and email Yangdu saying, "You know, I think a 15" AK would REALLY fit me better. This one is too light. May I trade it in?" ...
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(Snicker of agreement.) If the BAS (or whatever) isn't quite what you'd expected ... too bad. Maybe it's a bit pointier, or blunter, or heavier, or lighter, or "choppier," or ... Maybe you don't like a Ganga's heft after all ... or you wonder if that gap between the bolster and handle's maybe a bit too big ...

It's sold. Unless there's a hidden fault (e.g. bad tempering) Yandu's under no further obligation. I've bought sacks of stuff like that over the years ... but I've bought it.

...whatever Yangdu decides will be just fine with me and I'm sure all the other regulars.
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What Jake said. This is a good place. We need to keep it so.
 
We are on the honor system with blems- not turning them in.

I have a question, though: what about blems or DOD from years past? Are these not warranted?

munk
 
Steely_Gunz said:
In over 35 blades from HI I have only had 2 fail on me (well three is you count that 15" AK that some barbarian brute from WI was able to break in a week..gollyJake
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I don't know how many I have. WAY less than 35 maybe 10 or 15? So far the only failures (other than horn handle cracks) have been 2 Ganga rams that had blades that rippled on oak, an AK bowie that had an edge roll on hard pine, an 18" AK whose handle cracked off(wasn't a blem) and then the same knife also had a section out of the too brittle (I assume) edge chip off. Of all those I only have sent the 15" BGRS back.
 
What I want to know is... what does Yangdu do with Khuks that have a bad heat treat and other things that SOME OF US know how to fix?

Bladesmith Specials? Cream of the Cr#p? With a lil work you can soften an over hardened edge, or harden a soft blade.

I would love to get a cheap HI blade even if I have to re handle it or something. Her seconds are still better that the OTHER guys firsts.

ETA: I get all tingly thinking about rummaging through a box of Misc khuks with different problems.... I can't imagine her spending the Money to ship them back to Nepal. She could send them to Koster to fix... then sell them as Premium Koster Khukuri Mods!
 
Ok, now I feel like a total shi! a$$.
Two days after HI receives my delivery, which contained an unused item with note asking for an exchange for item that was in stock of equal value that is a BLEM/second with a truer edge, this policy statement is posted.
I did not request a refund because I believe in the HI product. So much so that my oldest son may have to fight me for my Balance model.;)

Maybe a coincidence, I don’t know. Regardless, I feel compelled to sincerely apologize if I have had any part in creating undue frustration or difficulty.

It was not returned for the horn shrinkage that was clearly identified in the DOTD description, I could not have cared less about that feature. That’s why I bought it regardless of the blemish.
Yet, the blade edge did exhibit (probably rare) alignment deflection from side to side that I felt would increase the likelihood of glancing strikes and or blade trajectory changes after entering/passing through material under full force swings. Safety concern.

All said and done, I will be buying from Yangdu again.

Best regards to HI and all the kamis.

The only easy day was yesterday.
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.
 
Lizzardbone,

Many years ago I recieved a couple bad blades. Bill made good, of course, and in fact, taught me something about statistics; it is not uncommon for a single owner to experience several culls, while the majority of owners never have one.

Anyway, I sure as heck wouldn't blame yourself.


munk
 
Some companies who sell "seconds," perhaps most, mark them so they are not mistaken for first-quality pieces.
 
I have had a couple of blades with small forging lines (or cracks?) near the tip. I have always just reshaped the blades and kept them.

One was a Bura sirupati that I later gave to my daughter, and the other was a Sgt. Khadka balance. I didn't care for the balance of the "balance" - but would not think to ever ask for a replacement - if I could fix a problem.
Personally, I have always stayed away from cracked handles. I could certainly replace one, but I wanted my Hi products to remain Nepalese.
I don't feel confident in my carving skills and ability to reproduce a handle that would be authentic in form.

If I bought a knife with a little rust on the blade, and I have, I would be very upset if the knife failed an initial test and the blade proved defective.
This has never happened, but a little rust made my Bura BGRS a great deal.
 
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