Can you trust Amazon and others

I’ve never had a problem with Amazon on a knife purchase. This includes ZT, Spyderco, Medford, Hoback, etc. I just check out the seller’s record and volume first to be sure they’ve earned a good rep. Plus most come from brick and mortar stores.
 
Well, I have 3 stores selling knives here where I live.
Some premium shop with inflated prices (where Cold Steel knives cost up to 50% more than in CS distributor store).
Then you have Cold Steel distributor store which has same prices as webshops with benefit of not having to pay the shipping if you buy in the store.
Third store sells... Gerber, M-tech, unbranded chinese things, and other such stuff.

So, it's a no-brainer for me to stick to Cold Steel here.

1. I know I'm not getting a fake.
2. I'll get my knife right away (no shipping).
3. I get to hold it in my hand before buying it.
4. If there is ever any issue with the product - it's much easier to get refund or replacement.

If I'd buy knives online then I would most likley buy from local reputable webshops.
I'd also check the reviews and/or trustpilot.
I can't see myself spending money on a knife that has to be shipped from another continent, especially if the deal looks too good to be true or anything like that.
 
The internet is wide, worldwide... So, why would you buy from a conglomerate that sucks the juice out of international trade instead of buying from a person doing honest work somewhere in the world ? My spontaneous answer is : No. I believe in real people standing behind their products. This includes retailers with a stellar reputation of caring for their customers. The dividing point is not the price, it's the care for the customers. I'd pay some more dollars for that, no doubt.
 
EMN said:
I was more interested in Amazon because of the youtubers affiliation with it bc I felt it flew in what my understanding was to stay away. I've always been ok to spend a little more to shop at the local hardware store etc. That extra money is worth peace of mind and support.
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I generally don't buy knives from Amazon. But for the common stuff or up to medium dollar, I see little problem. I have been trying to buy more from retailers when I can. The price is usually a bit higher but I like to support the brick & mortar businesses when I can.

Generally if the price is too good to be true, it is probably a fake or Chinese repo of some sort.
 
In my experience, Amazon and eBay both are good to go. You have a robust consumer protection policy on your side, and fakes are usually clearly obvious (or at least the pics should usually make them obvious). Get something you didn't order or have it not match the description? Easy return. You can afford to take a risk with something that might be too good to be true, because they'll refund you with no questions asked.

I'm not sure why everyone is so scared of those sites. I've had issues with poor QC coming from established brands even after I asked them to check my knives before shipping them. Anything can go wrong with any seller.
 
If it's an affiliate link it's likely sold by a legitimate merchant/the company itself/amazon, in which case it should be okay. Usually you can spot fakes by just the price alone, if it's too good to be true it most definitely isn't. Another concern with Amazon is c-words buying real knives, replacing them with fakes/paperweights, and returning them. Returns to Amazon are often not checked and most fakes can pass as real at a first glace even if they did. As long as the seller is legit or it's Amazon directly you shouldn't have issues rectifying any problems. That being said I hope Amazon and the likes rot in hell. If you want to support a creator, toss 'em a $20 via Patreon or whatever platform they are using for tips/donations. It will go much further than the 5-10 cents they get from the knife you purchased.
 
There's another issue even if you're buying a brand that's not likely going to be fake because they only sell on Amazon, you can't really go by the balance of reviews because Amazon algorithm will block legitimate reviews purchased through Amazon because it detected so called suspicious activity - which has no bearing on the fact that you bought it through Amazon and it still doesn't allow the review. (I had that message come up more than once and a zombie reply from a rep saying I have not spent at least $50 in the last 12 months - I have spent far more on knives alone) When there's a small number of reviews the ratings and issues presented in the context of the specifics will be skewed, and just think that policy will preclude an expert such as those on this forum to post a review of that knife if they are not submitting it through their own purchase and account even though they know knives far better than the random customer, so detailed editorial reviews are out in that case because you know they are not likely to rectify that issue. Also I emailed Kansept to see if the particular Amazon store is truly theirs, they didn't bother to reply.

So while it's possible to get a bargain on Amazon there are not only issues with getting fakes but the reviews, information from real people reflects a distorted picture at least some times. Best read between the lines and then even when one does get a deal you've probably spent a good amount of time doing real research not limited to their platform so it's just exchanging your time for the savings which may not be worth it for some.
 
I assume your question of trust is in context of buying knives. I would say you cannot trust Amazon, but can trust other reputed knife dealers. Organized retail crime, where stolen goods are sold at an Amazon storefront, are a real thing. So the knife you just purchased from Amazon from a third party seller, may be legit, but can be stolen (there is no way to say either way with certainty). Counterfeits are another headache with Amazon. Typically with a Prime membership, you will be made whole, but its just another stupid hassle.

For knives, I continue to stick with reputed dealers, and avoid Amazon.
 
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