Blem Policy Clarification

Regarding Blems----Once put into the Blem Category and sold as is with the most obvious blem posted that covers any and all blems just as is does in other merchandising. However, other than a rust spot or a nick which would be posted I do not sell defective blades in knives or swords so the blades themselves carry the HI Lifetime Guarantee. I hope this answers any questions you may have regarding Blems and will continue to find some great buys in that category.
 
Crystal clear, Yangdu:) This is very fair. Maybe a sticky of some kind for future questions about the matter might be helpful. Thank you so much for all that you do for us.


Jake
 
Now I'm really worried. How is HI going to make money?
Oh well, mine is not to reason, but to consume happily.


munk
 
munk said:
Now I'm really worried. How is HI going to make money?
Click to expand...
I hesitate to say this ... but maybe a jiggle upward in price? Though I had NO money to buy that gorgeous Chit in yesterday's DOTD, it's criminal to ask only $128 for it.

Or if the problem is lower than optimal volume ... let's give some thought to promotion. I shudder to remember that I found HI only by accident and my personal bent to do research. The company didn't jump up and sock me in the nose.
 
Prices will have to come up eventually. I don't understand how Yangdu is keeping them this low. NO price change in how many years?

munk
 
munk said:
Prices will have to come up eventually. I don't understand how Yangdu is keeping them this low. NO price change in how many years?

munk
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Well, all the points raised here were ones I had, both by Hollow and Munk, and were answered beautifully. If I buy a blem with a super glue fix in the handle, and beat the hell out of it and the handle falls apart, I would be an idiot to complain (that has never happened to me yet though). However if I buy it as a handle blem and the first chop the tang snaps (that has never happened either!), then it would kind of fall into the area Yangdu has so clearly outlined. Really fair treatment.

WRT the price, and not to criticize (although I'm sure it sounds as if I am!), but there is no reason to raise prices across the board. Just sell them at their original offering price, assuming they are in demand. The new price for the new models or those by new kamis should reflect current conditions, and older models can be adjusted as needed. In other words, don't sell a new knife for $135, and then within a few weeks be selling it at $85, unless it is damaged in some way. This both lowers the value for those who paid the original price, and generates less revenue for HI.

Believe me, 18" Crows with full tangs will sell all day at $135 or on sale for $125. There is no need to sell them for $100. Was $65 a fair price for the first R5? You're damned right; if a Sgian Dubh sells for a reasonable $75, then $60-$65 for a knife like the R5, that everyone was asking about, is certainly fair. And yet the price for all the new R5's is a bargain basement $45...??? Good for the new guys, hell, I bought a second one in horn myself at that price, but why should HI take a hit?

I feel that I have a good sense, as do many others, of what constitutes a fair price (a current spreadsheet with models and prices does help. :D) and it _usually_ is the price at which the items were originally offered, or within 10%-15% of that figure.

Just my .04 cents worth, YMMV.

Best,

Norm
 
(munk) Now I'm really worried. How is HI going to make money?
Oh well, mine is not to reason, but to consume happily.


Hi does ok because of all of you the fans. A company reputation is in the hands of its customers and the forum is a small sample of loyal HI owners. Some people buy one or two but many of us buy and buy and buy though maybe through the DOD offers but week after week month after month I see so many of the same names. Few companies can say that about their products and its not just the product that created that feeling.

I would answer that question with KEEP POSTING
 
I'm just tired enough to bring this up, again:

Does anyone here truly think a blade from another khuk distributer is going to be 'better' than HI?

If so, I guess you and I depart....paths. Even on my easiest year, I cut nearly a cord of wood with HI khuks. I don't know how many trees I've felled.

I go with the blade that brought me to the dance.

munk
 
for purposes of keeping hurt feelings to a minimum, it would be good if someone could write up a simple, but clearly stated policy, which could be referred to in the DOTDs... something like:

o The HI Guarantee
List what the guarantee is, and isn't... Quote UB... Keep it clear...

o The HI trade-in/exchange program
Explain what that is... Equal item/credit... etc... what is eligible... what
is NOT.

o Blems/Seconds: clearly defined as to what they are, even etched into blade; what guarantees if any apply - like the heat treat/quality shouldn't fail, but if it's bent, super rusted, handle breaks, many defects... whatever. should be clearly stated in ad: "BLEM/SECOND/AS-IS/NO-RETURNS(except...) and list what the blems are. if someone is going to take a chance on a blem, they should know the defects, not just the major one. someone might care the blade is bent even if the major defect is a sproinged handle.

just some thoughts.

bladite
 
I think Bladite's suggestion is good. A sticky regarding these policies would be helpful, especially for first time customers.

I think, even in the unlikely event of the blade of a blem failing, this broken blem should not be expected to be replaced with a regular, non-blem knife.
A similar blem, or another blem of equal or lesser value is more than fair.
If Yangdu has no available blems at that moment, I think it is reasonable to expect the buyer to wait until blems become available again.
After all, the deal on the blems is terrific. If one does not want to wait for an available replacement blem in case of blade failure on such a blem, he/she should buy regular knives instead of blems. The blems, even with this strictly limited warranty are terrific values, since very few HI knives (including blems) do fail, even when used hard.
The prices of the non-blem HI knives are exceptional deals too. Just try to buy similar new custom knives, or to import knives of such exceptional quality, backed by the best customer service and the best warranty at these prices from other companies.

It is no accident that HIKV is such a wide-spread addiction.
Himalayan Import provides the best value in custom knives, knives both beautiful and incredibly tough. :thumbup: :thumbup:
This high quality, both of the knives and the HI company transcendes to the high principles of the HI Cantina too. :thumbup: :thumbup:
We are very privileged to have Himalayan Imports and Yangdu.

Thank you, Yangdu.
 
munk said:
I'm just tired enough to bring this up, again:

Does anyone here truly think a blade from another khuk distributer is going to be 'better' than HI?

munk
Click to expand...

I don't. I don't have blades from every company that makes khukuris, but I have enough for what I feel is a representative sample. I have experienced some spectacularly good blades from all and some from all that have had problems.

I would say as far as the competitive edge here in the US that HI's guarantee and the fact that the postage for returning blades is not so much as compared to international is a definate selling point for me, because they are made under primitive conditions and hand made and you are always gonna have some if they are made like that that are not going to turn out.
 
For a long time, I begged for "rejects" from H.I....I got some a while back...they're still in the box....:foot:...yes, I am ashamed. But, rest assured, they will turn into something sooner or later...:o
 
Related question: If I mess up a handle or scabbard, can I pay to have it fixed or replaced? I've got some blades with nice carved handles, and I doubt I could get them replaced on this side of the Pacific.
 
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