Custom knife dealers- what do you expect?

[Lorien]

Let me start off by saying that I have never dealt with a dealer of custom knives, so my experience is limited to buying directly from makers.

I assume the process is fairly straight forward- call or do the internet thing, pay and receive, or if you're a maker, agree to terms and either consign or sell to the dealer.

But is it so simple? Can you put your finger on the subtleties of the interaction?

What qualities and attributes do you look for when you do business with a custom knife dealer? Input from both knife makers, casual buyers and top tier collectors is most welcome here

 

[Blues]

I expect honesty and integrity.

If I ask questions about the knife and its characteristics, I expect to receive honest answers even if those answers reveal a flaw or result in my not purchasing the knife.

If I purchase the knife and find that there are issues, I'd expect the dealer to take back the knife without complaint. If it's because of a flaw that he/she should have been aware of, I'd like for them to accept responsibility and cover the cost of return shipping.

If it's just because the knife didn't trip my wire for some reason, then the freight is on me.

I expect honest and timely communication and a willingness to be of assistance if that assistance is requested.

I treat all dealers as I would like to be treated and assume that they will do likewise.

If they prove to be less than honest or are otherwise unhelpful or drag their feet on taking responsibility then I will never do business with them again regardless of whether they have a knife that I truly long for and can't get anywhere else.

 

[ddd]

I think that buying from a dealer and selling to a dealer can be two
totally different subjects.

Selling through a dealer by a collector or by a maker should also be
regarded as different interactions......

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

 

[schluterc]

I buy from dealers very frequently, in fact the majority of my collection has probably come through dealers, and of those knives purchased from dealers, probably 75% have come from one specific dealer (trying to avoid making this the favorite dealer thread).

If you take away all the extras, at their core, a dealer is essentially a middleman. There's nothing negative about this, a dealer is a middleman just like a department store or supermarket. Hell, I would love to call up Kraft or Kelloggs, whoever and buy direct, cheaper than a supermarket. It can probably be done, but it would be complicated, the same way buying from a maker can be complicated. There's nothing wrong with buying from makers direct, it just generally takes time. You order your knife and wait. Sometimes months, sometimes years.

A dealer may have something you want today, and you can have it tomorrow. As was said earlier, many dealers QC knives before they list or sell them, you can generally be sure you will get a perfect knife. And if you don't, most dealers will accept returns. The better ones will pick up shipping if there is a legitimate defect. Most also do not charge a restocking fee on returns. A better dealer will also the patience to answer all your questions, regardless of how stupid they may sound "where exactly is the lockbar engaging- can you send a picture?"!

Many dealers also have developed excellent relationships with makers and therefore may have access to knives that are otherwise virtually unatainable or sometimes even produce special runs.

So yes, they are a middleman, but they do much more also. I can honestly say that were it not for dealers and the resulting availability of otherwise hard to acquire knives, I would probably not be nearly as passionate about my knife hobby as I am today.

 

[Les Robertson]

Hi David,

I think that buying from a dealer and selling to a dealer can be two
totally different subjects.

Selling through a dealer by a collector or by a maker should also be
regarded as different interactions......

Don't leave us hanging, explain yourself.

 

[canineforge]

I expect honesty and integrity.

A must...and with an updated website, can go a longways toward repeat business. Websites that stay stagnate due to old information can be discouraging to return to very often.

- Joe

 

[2knife]

I have heard one complaint to mention, this from a (MS) maker i respect. Of no longer doing business w/ "Dealer X" because of long delays receiving payment after consigned knives sell. (..not Les)

On the buying end, keeping the website updated.

It would be nice if the big sites, offer a "wait" list (of one or two standbys) if the first sell buyer backs out.
David2

 

[Les Robertson]

Hi David,

Web sites can be tricky.

I refer to mine as the "Pig" as it always wants to be fed.

So as a dealer I have to balance, established makers, up and coming makers and even some makers you have never heard of.

As you know, makers don't always deliver on time. LOL

Consequently 2-3 weeks can go by without any additions and only subtractions from the site.

Then there are those people who want you to keep every knife you sell (with the price) on your site. Sort of a resource document. Of course you then have to balance that against what your site can hold based on your band width.

I could set up an "Archive" for that purpose, but would have to charge for access to those pages. This of course would be met with resistance as many will feel I should provide this information for free.

You would be amazed at how many emails I get that simply say "How much is this knife worth"? No Hi, no thanks, no kiss my ass, nothing.

For those of you who have sent me those emails and are waiting for an answer....you can stop. I delete those emails.

Web sites are never perfect, they are never completely up to date.

As for a waiting list, I offer that for every knife I sell. There is an order form you can fill out (no payment info is required) for whatever knife you would like to be on a waiting list for.

My research has shown me that if someone wants a knife, but are not willing to put their name on a list....they are not serious. The list is a technique to pre-qualify a buyer.

Like it or not there are only so many hours in the day. There is a lot of things going on behind the scenes that require many of those hours each day.

 

[Bastid]

I expect honesty and integrity.

That is all I expect. When you think about it they have makers to keep happy and collectors to keep happy. (anyone who thinks that is easy, needs to think again.)

 

[Les Robertson]

Hi Bastid:

When you think about it they have makers to keep happy and collectors to keep happy. (anyone who thinks that is easy, needs to think again.)

Really, I find that it is always a pure joy to work with makers and collectors. LOL

 

[ddd]

Hi David,
Don't leave us hanging, explain yourself.

Les,

Actually it was the introduction to a few things I though I should get off
my chest, some good some not so good, but I changed my mind....
I decided to leave it between me and those concerned. Better that way.
Sorry about this....

But maybe it will provoke others to give their thoughts?

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)

 

[betzner]

Honesty, integrity, appropriate pricing (we each may have our own definition of this one), the selection I am looking for - these are the drivers. But if the dealer is antagonistic or turns me off somehow, there is no way I will buy from him (same applies to a maker).

 

[RogerP]

Honesty, integrity, courtesy, candor, product knowledge, market knowledge.

Roger

 

[Kevin Jones]

To TELL THE TRUTH.
A modern website that is kept up to date.
I find dealer sites run the complete spectrum; from great to horrible.

 

[canineforge]

Web sites are never perfect, they are never completely up to date.

Those that instantly state that the sale of this specific knife is pending or sold sure come close. I think it is aggravating to inquire about a knife the site states is still available, and it has traded hands days or weeks past.

Many have this capability, many don't.


- Joe

 

[Les Robertson]

Hi Joe,

A problem with the "SOLD" thing is, in my case I offer a 7 day inspection period.

Two days there, 7 days with the client, 2 -3 days if the return it = 11 - 12 days.

Another example is...I want it, next day..I can't swing it....next day I'll take it...payment to follow...sorry I can't take it, next day...Ok I got to have it here is my CC info. So do you go and mark the knife sold...in stock...sold....in stock...sold. You get the picture.

A quick email to the dealer and/or maker is always the best way to check and see if it is in.

Another issue is the amount of knives on a site. Sites range from a few to well over 100. Lots of work to get those knives cataloged, photographed, manipulated, and on to the site.

I know with my site, on occasion I will send the updated pages and one page out of 10 will not update.

 

[Jon Brand]

The absolutely most frustrating thing to me is that everybody selling a knife states that it has "perfect fit and finish". How do people rate fit and finish?? Half the knives I have owned and purchased online were supposed to have perfect F&F and they didn't. I really don't get it. This is where honesty comes in.

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Okay, if I were to purchase from a dealer, or dealers, I would only deal with those that I know have excellent reputations. They would have to have reasonable return and trade-up policies.

Call the dealer and ask about warranty (do they handle it or do they expect you to send the knife to the maker), return and trade-up policies. Being a member of different knife forums will give you an idea of which dealers have the best reputations, but you should always do your homework.

The dealers I would puchase from would do the best job of promoting the makers that they work with. They would take the time to check out a knife before shipping, because I requested it.

 

[Lorien]

a couple of things I really appreciate about a few of the customs dealers' sites I've checked out are, (pricing and service aside):

-an archive which shows previously sold knives
-multiple photo options, so you can see the knife at differing angles
-an interesting and engaging 'about us' page
-'sale pending' notifications
-an effort to create an atmosphere, or environment

I think it's interesting that of all the comments made in this thread, most relate specifically to internet related concerns. I'm sure that there are customs dealers who only have a store front but I have yet to hear of one. It's a changing landscape, that's for sure.

 

[Kevin Jones]

Okay, if I were to purchase from a dealer, or dealers, I would only deal with those that I know have excellent reputations. They would have to have reasonable return and trade-up policies.
Call the dealer and ask about warranty (do they handle it or do they expect you to send the knife to the maker), return and trade-up policies. Being a member of different knife forums will give you an idea of which dealers have the best reputations, but you should always do your homework.

The dealers I would puchase from would do the best job of promoting the makers that they work with. They would take the time to check out a knife before shipping, because I requested it.

By the way, has anyone used a dealer's "trade up" policy?
Just wondering, as I hear dealers speak of them but have never hear of a collector taking advantage of it.