Buy a nice knife, put it back in the box, take pics and sell it .......Why ?

C

clockman

Joined
Jan 14, 2009
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Why are we seeing more and more members buy a knife, usually a nice 1, inspect it and put back in the box. They take pics later and sell it..............

I know some guys buy a knife just to make a buck, lots of $$$ sometimes on limited ed. knives and sprint run knives.

I'm seeing quite a few Southard's fs that are lightly used or lnib. These guys must know from the specs on the knife if they will like the knife and wany keep it.........

I like certain types of knives. I buy or trade for knives I quite sure I'll like and won't want to flip soon or trade/sell 4 hours later( I saw 1 on the fs forum

last nite). Why not send it back to the dealer you bought it from. All members that sell soon after they buy a knife have to pay for shipping costs.

They aren't even breaking even.

I think I know some of the reasons guys buy a knife and sell it within a week or so after they buy it.

Why do you think some members are doing this more and more lately ?
 
I think it's just the way it is.....no one really has any extra money laying around, maybe they just dident like knife, or just needed some quick cash....

-niner
 
Maybe they didn't like the knife for some reason....

If it's a sprint run they flip them for a quick profit...
 
Sometimes they get a good deal and can sell for way more.
Sometimes they just don't like it and let it go.
Sometimes unexpected things come up and they have to sell.
Sometimes people just like to check out new knives and once they do, they let them go, so they can check out the next knife.
Sometimes something they like better comes up.

All kinds of reasons.

I use all of my knives and have certain likes and dislikes so I don't normally end up flipping them like that.
Sometimes I do trade though even if I don't really want rid of the knife, because I find something I like better or something I may not have a chance at later on.

It's just a part of the whole knife thing I guess.
 
To feel the knife in hand and see if its a good fit. To see if it is love at first sight and touch. If it isn't, then selling for a slight loss (or even profit in some cases) is no big deal, as I consider calling it "renting" the knife.
 
I think it is about gratification from buying stuff. People like the feeling when they get the new object that they wanted. So that is very common and not limited to knives, not at all! It is just easier to sell new knives than new shoes or shirts and the amount you loose when you resell it is not as significant as with a new car or a house.
 
I've done it with a few knives. It normally happens with knives I can't hold in my hands and see in person first. Some knives look great and seem like they will fit what you are looking for while looking at pictures online but when you get it in your hand it either doesn't fit/look like you thought.
 
If I see a good deal that is hard to pass...If I know my resell can at least cover all or even generation positive cash...I just buy it first...I remember this particur case where I bought 2 knives

1 sog flash 2
1 BM grip 557

For $60 shipped...

I end up selling the flash for $45, take $5 for shipping...so I bought a BM for $20 buck...

But once I held the BM I knew I'm keeping it. The flash I feel I can sell it

I all depends....
 
It's the same for me too there are no knife stores near me so I can't hold in hand till I buy it. I'm on the search for the high end knife that's the one for me. I don't have the cash to buy all of them at once so I've been trying them one at a time and trading them to try the next.
 
I've noticed quite a few Southards in the X selling at a loss.

I am in no way bashing the knife or people who own one, but it makes me wonder if it is living up to the hype.
I'm gonna hafts ta sell a few more knives so I can pick one up.
 
I would love to have a large collection but cannot justify have a large quantity of expensive knives, the majority of which I probably would not carry. In a way flipping is the way i collect. I get to try a variety of high quality knives without the investment of a large collection. It also has to do with finding a good deal and snagging it or finding a rare piece direct from a maker that instantly increases it's value on the secondary market. All of these things contribute to the "hobby" and keep me interested. I usually keep and carry them for a couple of weeks at least before selling them so I can get the feel for them.

It is getting harder to let go of certain pieces and lately the knives I want are beginning to get more expensive and harder to find so I expect that this cycle that I go through is going to start slowing down significantly. Right now my collection consists of: Les George ESR (custom all titanium - snagged direct from Les himself), Wilson Combat Eagle (purchased for $365 used, 2nd one that I have had), R. Laconico EDC (awesome value of a knife), and a couple other misc knives worth $100 or less. I have gone through 3 hinderers, 3 other georges and a number of other knives including Reeves, spyderco's, benchmades, busses and others.

Now if I could just find a Southard custom...
 
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I'll do this if I don't like a knife...Fastest rebox was spyderco tenacious.
 
I do that on occasion with some of my other hobbies. With knives, it's like the roach motel here, they check in but never leave. Of course I buy cheaper knives, so it's easy to justify keeping it, and I think that is part of my plan.
 
It's still a Democracy is it not?

Anyone can buy, sell,re-sell as they choose.It is not pandemic to the knife community,I see it with timepieces,pens,what have you.

Basically,I steer clear of the obvious such as a rash of Hinderer's after a show appearing on the market.Like Shiny Bolster,it's a "Roach Motel" situation with me

as well,although a recent change of circumstances will force a massive sell off. There you have it, priorities can change overnight and leave one without choice.
 
I know I'm guilty of this but the reason behind it is that more often times than not, I can only preview the knife through pictures and/or videos on the web prior to purchasing. After I finally get it in hand, I sometimes don't like it as much as I thought or would like to and would rather sell it off and continue the hunt than have it hidden away in my case or safe.
 
Everyone has pretty much already stated most of the reasons this occurs.

It all comes down to personal preference.

I personally purchase knives that I know I'm going to like and I always keep my knives.

It's very rare that I will sell one, for any reason.

But to each his own and by having people who are selling knives off gives others the ability of saving a few bucks on the secondary market.

I love the Exchange and you can find some great knives at reduced cost.
 
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