I typically try to buy locally to support local business, but I have an issue. My local shop sells the blade $50 to $60 more for the RC4 and RC3 and $90 more for the RC5. That is only really part of the problem. I understand they have overhead that online dealers do not. The problem is I think they may have been dishonest and I don't like dishonest. They told me there prices are set at that level because they are contractully bound to those prices. I have since spoken to others that tell me that is not true as ESEE does not regulate pricing with maybe the exception of the new HEST folder. The local shop has been informative so I want to pay them back by buying a knife. The possible dishonesty is an issue and the difference in price is quite a bit. What would you do? Where have you bought online?
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Buy local or online?
- Thread starter Capt R
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ESEERATFAN
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I have no choice but to buy online. I've had great success with Dale at The Knife Connection.
Probably a good thing for me that there isn't a local ESEE dealer.
Probably a good thing for me that there isn't a local ESEE dealer.
I'm in Houston and I didn't know there were any shops in the area that even carried ESEE's. I always try to support B&M stores but there's no way I'm going to pay $50-90 more for a knife when I can get them way cheaper online. You're saving $50-90, get free shipping, and don't pay tax.
They have to make their money but I'm not about to get raped on something I can wait a few more days to get in the mail.
They have to make their money but I'm not about to get raped on something I can wait a few more days to get in the mail.
Probably a good thing for me that there isn't a local ESEE dealer.
Same here!!
My local knife shops only stock the old Ontario RAT models. When I asked why, they told me it was because they could buy them cheaper.:thumbdn: Apparently they have no experience with the quality of ESEE knives.ON TOPIC: Buy online!!! Screw your local dealer who has lied to you about how they have to price their knives. I know times are tough for local businesses, but when they try to tell you something like that for you to understand their pricing, that would do it for me.
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Try going to Specter firearms on spring cypress on the other side of 249 by the Wal-mart.
Tell them the Shotgunners sent you.
Tell them the Shotgunners sent you.
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Oh, and welcome to the forum!
I'm right down the road in Spring, most likely work in your neighborhood from time to time.
I'm right down the road in Spring, most likely work in your neighborhood from time to time.
Sorry to go off topic but you're in Houston too? Sweet! I sent you an email the other day about having a HEST sheath made for my duty belt. Can't wait to see what you come up with.
Back on topic..
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Whew, I know the little guy has to make it and it's tough owning a business but....
I always try to support local gun shops but when they're telling me they're only making 15% on a gun and I can buy it online retail for 30% less either they're full of it or need to buy online themselves.
At those knife prices, I'd buy online then buy other smaller stuff from the little guy over time.
I always try to support local gun shops but when they're telling me they're only making 15% on a gun and I can buy it online retail for 30% less either they're full of it or need to buy online themselves.
At those knife prices, I'd buy online then buy other smaller stuff from the little guy over time.
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I buy ammo there. I stopped by there recently. Their prices were comparable to the other local shop. I don't feel guilty not buying there since I already support them with several other purchases in the past. Maybe i will mention Shotgunners and see what happens
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$10-$15-$20 extra to get it local is agreeable IMO. I woulden't be able to hack an extra $90 for a knife or anything else for that matter. That local dealer can either compete, or he can be one of those guys with a hundred dust cover knives in his display, his choice.
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They have their prices set that high huh?
That's disappointing. We've worked with them through the process of becoming dealers (the Mrs. has anyway). Good guys there though. We spend alot of time there just BS'ing.
Have to work on that.
That's disappointing. We've worked with them through the process of becoming dealers (the Mrs. has anyway). Good guys there though. We spend alot of time there just BS'ing.
Have to work on that.
They did say they would work with me when I was ready to buy, but I seem to rember they were even a little higher than the other store, so not sure how much he would move on the price. $15 - $20 - maybe even $25 difference is manageable, but whn I figured I could get the Izula online for the difference If I bought the RC4 online, online purchase looked really attractive.
Mrs.Shotgunner11
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They might not realize who Shotgunners are. Tell them Katie or Mrs.S (both names they know me by) sent you.
Buy online
Knife dealers in my area are dishonest too. They sold my buddy a "combat grade" sword of some type that bent when he tried to slice a 2L bottle of water. I usually buy from them its there is a 10-15 dollar difference but no more then that. Its a sad day for the US and Canada when small businesses try to cheat to compete with the big guys. I guess a lie is easier then customer service..
Not to mention every online dealer has a house/storefront somewhere and are therefore somebody's locals lol. But hey if you want to throw money at someone, where do I sign up?