Boxes and labels, am I being unreasonable?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Heirphoto

Heirphoto

Feedback: +65 / =0 / -0
Joined
Jun 13, 2007
Messages
1,430
More than once I have bought knives making sure the box was included and received them missing the label. These were both Spyderco knives, a brand heavily cloned although neither of these models had known clones. I asked this question on a FB group and it immediately raised the authenticity question so once again has me concerned.

What do you guys think? I worry that should I resell the knives I will have a hard time as collectors seem to put a lot of weight on labels and boxing, particularly with Spyderco and even Benchmade.

Big deal on not a concern?
 
Who are you buying from?

Dealers who sell to collectors (should) understand that collectors (usually) like to get boxes with their knives. A dealer removing a label is kind of shady and would make me wonder. If it's an eBay deal, then it's anyone's guess. Sometime the seller just doesn't have the ability to match the knife with the box. It might be an inherited collection that's being sold off, or the sale of a large lot bought to get to a few wanted items.

One of the knife brands I collect has a long history of complicated model numbers, and I love to get the right box with the knife, especially when the new knife has a scale material I hadn't identified before. I'd rather get no box and continue working on identification than the wrong box that just adds to the confusion.

In any event, I think that if I was worried about the knife and got an unlabeled box that I'd try to return the knife. If the box was described as having a box, it's reasonable to expect that it's the right box, i think.

Everyone's been burned at one time or another. It's easy to be suspicious.
 
I don't know a whole lot about this subject since I don't collect these brands, but it seems to me you answered your own question-
"should I resell the knives I will have a hard time as collectors seem to put a lot of weight on labels and boxing, particularly with Spyderco and even Benchmade." If this is what the collectors want it will be harder to sell and of less value than if it had the needed items. If that is what others want to make a complete set, it is also what I want, or to pay less, no matter if I collect or am a user.
 
Last edited:
I buy mostly to use but a good percentage gets weeded out before I actually start using them. On these resells I hate to take a hit or worse not be able to sell at all.

In one case the box had no label at all and no explanation as to why other than the original owner bought it on Massdrop. he very kindly took the knife back. Second deal was one of the many I have had here on BF and has what looks like a dealer generated label but no original one and seller was not the original owner either so we do not know what dealer. Knife is a beauty but the missing/replacement label just worries me.
 
Do you request pics of the label? That way you can either research the part number to see if it matches the knife, or if there is no label you can pass and move on.
 
jlauffer said:
Do you request pics of the label? That way you can either research the part number to see if it matches the knife, or if there is no label you can pass and move on.
Click to expand...

It has a non-Spyerco label stuck to the box where the Spydie label should be as well as several layers of clear tape. Has a printed model name and blade length, a bunch of letter which are probably a sellers stock code, etc.... like something a reseller or pawn shop might do but not a Spyderco label for sure. Original label was removed. Seller said included box and I would not expect it to have anything other than the correct label.
 
Heirphoto said:
It has a non-Spyerco label stuck to the box where the Spydie label should be as well as several layers of clear tape. Has a printed model name and blade length, a bunch of letter which are probably a sellers stock code, etc.... like something a reseller or pawn shop might do but not a Spyderco label for sure. Original label was removed. Seller said included box and I would not expect it to have anything other than the correct label.
Click to expand...

Was just wondering in general. Since this has happened a couple times, moving forward asking for a pic of the label may help avoid some of this. When I sell a knife with its box, I always provide a pic of the label too.
 
I usually post pics of labels as well, especially on mint pieces where I think a collector may be interested but sometimes the number of pics is limited so I posts mostly details of the knife, centering and lockup. I do however always mention if there is box damage or wear if any is present. If the box is like new I simply say with box.
 
To answer your original question, I don't think anyone would say you are unreasonable -- as a buyer you get to decide what condition of the knife is acceptable, so that's that.

With experience, both as a buyer and a seller, I can say with certainty that original box with original documents certainly has value -- at the very least some guarantee of authenticity, if not material/money. And yes, collectors will frown upon or simply pass your knife if it does not have correct papers and matching box.

As a reminder, it is prudent to request pictures of box/label to have an assurance that the box is matching and original (many sellers will note something like "original box").
 
This is just my 2$, but if your talking about sub $200 knives, I don't think most people give a damn about the box. If you are worried about selling them & are willing to let them go at a loss, send me a pmail and I'll buy them from you. In my experience any buyer who wants to bust my chops over something like a box on a $100-$200 knife is going to be a pain anyway. Don't deal with them. Life is too short
 
betover said:
This is just my 2$, but if your talking about sub $200 knives, I don't think most people give a damn about the box. If you are worried about selling them & are willing to let them go at a loss, send me a pmail and I'll buy them from you. In my experience any buyer who wants to bust my chops over something like a box on a $100-$200 knife is going to be a pain anyway. Don't deal with them. Life is too short
Click to expand...

Hence me asking if I was being unreasonable rather than starting a thread to bust anyone's chops.
I do appreciate everyone's opinions.

My issue has been resolved with the knife

Thanks guys
 
I'd say it is unreasonable to expect your definition of what you want to be the same as what the seller is offering. If you care very much about a particular aspect in buying a knife, you had better ask about it.

That said, if the knife I am selling has a box with a label, I picture it to avoid any confusion about what the buyer is getting.
 
I either post a box pics as well if I have enough liberty with the number of photos allowed or at least describe any box damage or issues if I am limited. It was mainly concerned as Spyderco is cloned so much any odd or missing labels tend to raise red flags.
I know to ask now after getting two shady boxes/labels in one week, neither with a good explanation. Never had a questionable box before this in maybe 8 or 9 years in the knife hobby so never though to ask before.
Thanks for everyone's input on this.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top