CRK disrespectful to customers?

bhyde said:
No money changes hands with a direct order until a few weeks before the order is to be fulfilled. Then a call is placed (sometimes an email) about payment etc.
What is really strange to me is, people really want to order direct for some reason. Maybe it is semi-custom? Sometimes not, but orders are being filled to dealers every month. Maybe you wait a few months by looking at online dealers to get what you want, but that would certainly beat waiting years.
Just my 2 cents- I have had a few orders direct over the years but don't currently have any.
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This. I don't understand that kind of wait for a production piece.
 
I understand not waiting for a PJ or Zaan. Back in April I joined the list with an order for a large lefty Night Sky. I don't see many of those, so I figured the special order would be necessary.
 
bhyde said:
What is really strange to me is, people really want to order direct for some reason. Maybe it is semi-custom? Sometimes not, but orders are being filled to dealers every month. Maybe you wait a few months by looking at online dealers to get what you want, but that would certainly beat waiting years.
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I’ve placed a couple direct orders as a backup plan in case I don’t get what I want from a dealer or here on the exchange. I’ve been trying to get a Zaan for like 18 months now just haven’t wanted to pay the markup on the exchange and missed the timing on reasonably priced ones and dealers. I also placed a direct order for a forever flag sebenza with a 6 year wait lol. I have notifications set up with a few dealers but they are usually sold by the time a see the email.
 
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I didn't even know about the price increase until I received an invoice for the glass blasting on my zaan. They received the knife on 8/30/22, and I got my email yesterday that it was done. The price was much higher than I expected, so I asked about it, and they said that I defaulted to the new service price by mistake. So for me, they honored the original $30 price. I didn't even have to argue the point at all. I just asked and they said, that's our mistake. I would have paid the new price without raising a stink because I just don't particularly care.

CRK is one company I will not fault for raising prices. Look at the election map for Idaho. They didn't vote for the policies that are absolutely crushing them. If you are unhappy, then go vote.
 
knoagreen said:
I’ve placed a couple direct orders as a backup plan in case I don’t get what I want from a dealer or here on the exchange. I’ve been trying to get a Zaan for like 18 months now just haven’t wanted to pay the markup on the exchange and missed the timing on reasonably priced ones and dealers. I also placed a direct order for a forever flag sebenza with a 6 year wait lol. I have notifications set up with a few dealers but they are usually sold by the time a see the email.
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Same with the zaan. I also prefer to buy new from dealers.
Did just see a tanto of course but I passed on it, not sure who keeps buying/requesting those.
 
I think one of the keys here that I originally misunderstood was that money had changed hands in an "order." It's not an order if money hasn't exchanged hands. It's almost more of a "notify me when this is in stock" situation.
 
BMCGear said:
I think one of the keys here that I originally misunderstood was that money had changed hands in an "order." It's not an order if money hasn't exchanged hands. It's almost more of a "notify me when this is in stock" situation.
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And it is listed on their website that the price can increase if costs increase by the time money changes hands. Anybody look around at prices recently?

This seems real simple.
 
I wouldn't call it disrespectful, although I also understand how someone with a long-standing order probably isn't thrilled. However, I also understand why they need to do this. Materials costs have gone way up. Production costs have gone up. Workers have the ability to demand substantially more money and the costs associated with employment has gone up. The cost of making and distributing a Sebenza today is probably substantially higher than it was 12-24 months ago. If you had already paid in full, then I would understand how it could be considered a bit disrespectful. But, as you had not paid, I think it is more of a bummer but an outcome of the current situation, which CRK has no control over.

Also, of note to respect, CRK has always treated me exceptionally well when I have interacted with them via email or phone.
 
I get that they want to increase their prices and I’m sure it cost them more to produce knives these day but there was certainly some wiggle room at 450$ for a large or zaan. I wish they had honored the prices from preexisting orders. That being said, with the demand they working with, they could have asked for even more and sooner.
 
I don’t think it’s disrespectful, poor business practices maybe, but I have the option to walk
 
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