Change In Policy At JK Knives

JK Knives

JK Knives

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I`ve always shipped knives when the customer has been notified that they are done, and confirmed they are sending payment. This will no longer be the case. From now on, when I notify the customer that I am starting on their order, I will be requesting that payment be sent. That way when the order is ready to ship, I will have the payment. I am currently waiting on payments for 6 different orders, while the customers already have their knives.
 
Good luck. I'm still waiting to be paid for something I sent out to a friend three years ago. I don't send anything without first receiving payment anymore, friend or not.
 
Can't blame you John, I was surprised that you shipped my Hudson to me before payment had been sent. I think most would agree that this is a very reasonable request. Hope everyone gets caught up and the new policy will help you focus more on knives than on collections (which I'm sure you don't enjoy).Trevor~
 
Just browsing the new posts so forgive me if I'm intruding. For me though, I wouldn't send 100% payment in advance. Just like you have been screwed by customers not paying, customers have been screwed by not receiving knives. I think it says a lot for a maker to say "pay me when it's done, then I'll ship it"
Stomper said:
I`ve always shipped knives when the customer has been notified that they are done, and confirmed they are sending payment. This will no longer be the case. From now on, when I notify the customer that I am starting on their order, I will be requesting that payment be sent. That way when the order is ready to ship, I will have the payment. I am currently waiting on payments for 6 different orders, while the customers already have their knives.
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I can see why you would feel that way Mr. Clean as I have read many horror stories of customers waiting for years and never seeing the items they paid for. On the other hand, I might guess that you've never dealt with Stomper as I would have complete confidence that he will hold up his end of the deal. Then again, a new client would not have the benefit of past dealings and the confidence they inspire......maybe a downpayment system in lieu of full payment would keep both parties protected to some degree?
 
Mr. Clean, have you been screwed by John? No one else has. But he's waiting on payment for knives he has already delivered.

Logic indicates he is correct to go with his new policy. I don't know of any custom maker who sends knives on partial payment. Some even ask for payment before the knife is built.
 
Maybe a downpayment? If that's how much you trust the maker, I think you should find another to deal with.
 
Mr. Clean said:
Just browsing the new posts so forgive me if I'm intruding. For me though, I wouldn't send 100% payment in advance. Just like you have been screwed by customers not paying, customers have been screwed by not receiving knives. I think it says a lot for a maker to say "pay me when it's done, then I'll ship it"
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Since the time between when I notify the customer I`m starting their order and the time it`s ready to ship in generally one week, I don`t think it`s asking too much for payment to be sent then.
 
On the other hand, I might guess that you've never dealt with Stomper as I would have complete confidence that he will hold up his end of the deal.
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I believe this statement would indicate my level of trust in John. I have no need to find another maker until he ceases to produce knives.
 
I can vouch for John. I send him the full payment when he says he will be buying materials to make my knife. Never give it a second thought.
 
JOHN SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD WAY TO DO YOUR BUSINESS:thumbup:AND IF YOU DONT GET PAYMENT FROM THE 6 MAYBE WE COULD HELP ? JOHNS ONE IN A MILLION. DON B
 
Stomper said:
<snip> ... I will be requesting that payment be sent. That way when the order is ready to ship, I will have the payment. I am currently waiting on payments for 6 different orders, while the customers already have their knives.
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Hi Stomper -

A sad but not unexpected consequence of sending your work out to dishonorable people under an honorable gentleman's agreement.

It is sad to say, but you just cannot deal with people in a trusting way in today's world.

You tried. I'll continue to send payment exactly when you want it sent. :thumbup:



Mr. Clean said:
Just browsing the new posts so forgive me if I'm intruding. For me though, I wouldn't send 100% payment in advance. Just like you have been screwed by customers not paying, customers have been screwed by not receiving knives. I think it says a lot for a maker to say "pay me when it's done, then I'll ship it"
Click to expand...

Hi Mr. Clean -

I can appreciate that you have read that some people have been taken by unscrupulous knife "makers" in the past.

However, I would ask you sincerely, how many places that sell anything, knives or not, will send you the goods before expecting payement? Oreck?

I want to make the point that we in America almost always pay up front for goods - particularly custom made-to-order goods. At the very least, your credit card gets charged right before the goods ship etc.

Perhaps the answer is to send payment for the materials in the form of a deposit, then balance sent after seeing pictures of the knife as posted here by Stomper.

With Stomper, I would gladly send him the money when I ordered the knife if that is what he needed me to do. Stomper is an honorable man. ;)

best regards -

mqqn
 
Sounds like a good idea John. I'm in on that and will send $$ before. Your work is worth it and I know your business ethic.
:thumbup:
Now......If we were talking about lighting jeans on fire for comedic effect...........

:D:D:D
 
Stomper said:
I am currently waiting on payments for 6 different orders, while the customers already have their knives.
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And this is sad by the way.
Thieves? At least contact him. I'm certain if you had a financial problems John would work with you.

:thumbdn::thumbdn::thumbdn:
 
Dudes! I've never been taken by Stomper for sure. I wouldn't expect Stomper to deliver me a knife without having funds in hand, likewise I wouldn't expect to send payment without a knife being ready. IMHO, both are bad ideas. The people who are comfortable with this likely have dealt with him before, and that's cool!
All I'm saying is that it might push potential new customers away and that possibly a deposit system might be better.
Imagine if this was a General Discussion post and a user says "I'm going to buy a custom knife and the maker wants the money all up front, delivery is supposed to be a week". In the past, we'd all tell them that's a bad idea.
Just something to think about Stomper!
 
John is the only custom knife maker I have had any dealing with, but reading some of the other hosted sites, hearing feedback, and observing some apprehension on both sides, I appearently got very lucky! Mr. Clean, I think you sound reasonable, and you don't appear to be fired up against knifemakers, I think you just heard our "protectiveness" of John because he is such an great, honorable, guy to deal with.
 
True.
John's the type of guy that if he said hey send me the $$ and in 2 weeks I'll send you the knife I would without hesitation.
Character and reputation go a long way.
 
i was surprised he wouldnt require a deposit, if i were a knife maker i would ask for at least a quarter of the price before i start on the order. I honestly hadnt even considered ordering from john till i realized what a great reputation he has on this forum, and now that i have dealt with him i understand how he got it

i think its a smart decision you have made as a business owner to do this and i dont see how it would affect sales at all
 
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