Dan Koster for the bad.

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naccibobacci

naccibobacci

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I am reporting Dan Koster to this forum's "Good, Bad and Ugly" for refusing to make good on paid for knives and for missing deadlines without communicating any explanation over a two year period. In November of 2009 I traded my Beaumont Industries KMG, several accessories, an Adam Michael MAP arm and a custom built stand for a specific amount in shop credit. The entire transaction has been frustrating but Koster and I struggled to the point where our deal can be finally completed with Koster delivering me two Bushmaster Elites. I ordered these knives over a year ago and though Koster repeatedly tells me that he is on it he never follows through. I'll press him for a delivery date, he'll give one then simply not deliver the knives. I have every single email, 68 of them, from the begining of our business transaction that shows time and again Koster not keeping his word.

In June of 2011, 7 Months after I placed the order for the Bushmasters, Koster posted this thread in his forum: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...veral-more-knife-runs-up-and-coming-next-week
which stated that he was taking orders for several more knife styles. I had read in a previous complaint on Koster in the Good, Bad, Ugly where he clearly stated "For anyone looking for an outlet to vent your frustrations to me, my knives, my customer relations and so on...you are welcome to post in my forum - where you will get a prompt response. I do not lock threads, I do not squelch discussion, no matter how squeamish it makes me feel." http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ience-with-Koster-Knives?highlight=Dan+Koster
So I did, I posted and asked him why he was taking entire orders on several knife styles when he refuses to deliver my last two knives as promised. Please keep in mind that I took this step only after attemping unsuccessfuly to resolve this issue through several emails, PM's and phone calls. Koster promptly erased my post, locked the thread and squelched discussion.
Also, several months earlier KnivesShipFree.com posted a thread on Koster's forum:http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/825109-a-Few-Koster-Knives?highlight=knivesshipfree
where they showed over 80+ knives that they just recieved from Koster. This made me suspicious, as Koster is telling me that he is working on my knives but never coming through he does delivers 80+ to KnivesShipFree.com


On October 4th, 4 months later, I emailed Koster to give him my new address and ask once again ask what was going on with the Bushmasters. Koster did not respond. On October 7th I wrote him again stating: "Dan, I'll wait two weeks for a reply to this message, granting there may be a solid reason you do not reply. After that I can only believe that you are attempting to brush me and our business deal off. I have moved. My new shipping address is:************** Like we have discussed several times before we agreed to swap my Beaumont industries KMG, several accessories and custom stand for ****$ in shop credit. Two Elite Bushmasters in Desert Ironwood are needed to wrap this deal up. Where do we stand on this?" Koster responded: "I did get your new address. I will have an update for you Mon/Tue." On October 11th Koster wrote: "I have one finished and one waiting for glue-up. It is a tapered tang and I have to go 30 miles to a buddy's shop to use his fixture to do it right. I do plan on going soon - just not something I can up and do any ole day - especially with me teaching. Dan" The same day I responded: "Dan, give me a timeframe when I can expect these knives in my hand. I, like you, want to wrap this deal up and move on. At this point I need a date to hang my hat on." On October 13th Koster responded: "End of the month, Dan" The end of the month came and no knives but I did recieve an email from Koster which stated: "I worked on the knives on Friday (which was the 28th of Oct.) and will finish it up this week ( which would be by the 4th of Nov). It is now the 16th of November and no knives and no word from Koster, I have sent Koster several Emails, a PM and a telephone call, none of which were returned.

Not surprisingly on Koster Knives Facebook page for November 11th 2011 Koster writes: "Nearing the end of a very full week! Working on a large order for KnivesShipFree today." https://www.facebook.com/pages/Koster-Knives/270161979664249 This second large order for Knivesshipfree.com was placed on May 13th of 2011, over 6 months after I placed my Bushmaster order. as shown by post # 54 by OKBOHN from KnivesShipFree.com where he writes that:"We have just ordered a bunch more too, so keep checking in. There will be more!" http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...-Koster-Knives/page3?highlight=knivesshipfree How does Koster justify this?

My position is that Koster's word is no good cut and dry. He tells me he will deliver my knives but never delivers them, he does not respond to phone calls, PM's and emails then when I am able to pin him down he makes excuses, promises to deliver the knives then once again does not come through. Now, as I suspected, he is working on a large order of knives that was placed 6 months after mine. All of my dealings with Koster from here on out will be made public in this forum untill I get my knives. Nacci.
 
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I was on one of his waiting lists for over a year, so I sold my spot in line for the deposit amount. The person that I sold my spot in line eventually turned around and sold it again. It's frustrating when you see a new waiting list (or several) pop up for another run of knives after you've already been on a waiting list for over a year. I think he definately likes to overload his plate. I'll end by saying his knives are excellent.
 
Below is what I wrote about Dan last year. While I have never known him to stiff someone (though I don't know everything that goes on around here), he has not been blessed with good communication skills nor the ability to get things done in a timely manner.

Here's my post from last year, which sort of mirrors your experience:

"I have several of Dan's knives, but he does have a prob with communication. I raised this with him once, and he seemed genuinely surprised that people had this perception of him. I think it was the Bushmaster pre-order list, and it literally spanned 3 calendar years. And I was #1 on the list. Told him that regular updates and quick responses to emails were a requirement of good customer service, and that we weren't getting that.

I personally don't place Dan in the "bad guy" category, and I've never known him to stiff anyone. But communication is definitely hit or miss with him, and thats a big deal when you are dealing with a stranger on the internet. BIG deal, especially when you have paid up front. Its enough of an issue that I won't be doing any more pre-orders with him, and probably no more orders period.

Again, he's not a bad guy in my book, but someone who does not make the effort to engage in good communication. And it doesn't take much of an effort to spend 15 minutes every day responding to emails and PMs to keep everyone happy. My experience only."

Link.
 
Boy, this sure rings a familiar note.

With so many reliable Makers here why even bother with one that has problems delivering, whether it's poor communication or some other reason?

And why, why, why would anyone pre--pay for a knife?
 
wolfmann601 said:
Boy, this sure rings a familiar note.

With so many reliable Makers here why even bother with one that has problems delivering, whether it's poor communication or some other reason?

And why, why, why would anyone pre--pay for a knife?
Click to expand...
Amen
Yeah,a deposit ? What for ?
 
Wolf to get on the list for a fine knife. Since Dan has been selling to dealers, it seems like the "lists" started long ago have been ignored. Promises of completed product but no updates or action. I have been on his EDC list for over a year with a expected completion date date of FEB 2011. I know that all I have to do is ask for a refund and I would get it in a couple of weeks, but this has happened on 90% of the time on the five knives I have from him. Now in this day and age I find it BS. He has changed his policy in June to no longer require a deposit, but with all of the outstanding "lists" one would hope that he clear out the back log before going full bore on mass markets. I really like his knives, but lack of communication, OP's original complaint, seems to be the way of business with Dan and I am tired with it. Martin
 
amflud said:
.... I'll end by saying his knives are excellent.
Click to expand...

Only until there is a warrantable issue with one of them. Then, the owner will be without said excellent knife for a considerable period of time, even if he/she acts to address the issue immediately.
 
I have no dog in this fight......but I'm wondering if Mr. Koster is overloaded, how's he gonna do that k9 knifething with Mr. Krein? Or is that already not happening, and Mr. Krein just hasn't updated his website?
 
I am sad to see this.... again. The "mea culpas" sounded sincere last time but apparently all they did was take care of the squeaky wheels.

He has his fans, no doubt. I would guess those would be the guys that he delivered his product to on time. For me, I would be undone if I knew he had blown me off for more work, ignoring his promises and commitments to me. Especially taking into account the length of time described by nacci.

No doubt we will see another lengthy post laden with excuses and near tearful apologies for being a flawed human being.

I still wouldn't be over the idea that he is taking large orders for new products and delivering them long after my contract was struck with him.

The last big dust up with this guy posted in GBU was the reason I didn't bite on a knife he was taking orders on a series or two ago. Great knife... but when would I get it? And if this is the part where he actually wants to get your money and he treats you this way, as pointed out above (when there is no financial motive) what in the world would happen if you had a warranty issue?

Yikes.... plenty of good makers out there that take care of their business without excuses. I would certainly do what I needed to do to get out of your arrangement.

Robert
 
just hoping the refund check of his clears the bank ... check tomorrow when I go.
I will never deal with KOSTER ever again ... he tells outright LIES to end conversations... I know that.
Sorry anybody else is having problems with him ...
too many GOOD HONORABLE KNIFE MAKERS OUT THERE ... too many to deal with him.
I got the good indication he was dead broke when he said he needed a couple of weeks to get
a refund together...
 
... I really got the feeling he was chasing the dollar , any way to get money in... coming in.
If he already had your money as in my case or in the case of a "trade" where no money is coming to him
... he blows it off and keeps chasing his almighty dollar.
I looked at his build list just for his Messmuk knives ... the deposits and payments in full ... just for ONE MODEL OF KNIFE.
then got an email with his asking for a couple of weeks to get 210 dollars together for a refund.
tells me he is broke and is in NEED OF MONEY coming in , so deals and trades or in my case , money spent 4 or 5 months earlier ...
takes a back row seat for his builds and such ...
Hope you get the final knives on your "deal" soon Nacci' ... sucks he is jerking you around. not right ... at all.
Tomorrow if his check did not clear my account , he can deal with his local sheriff or LEO.
He proved to me he is not to be trusted... first time you have to chase or beg somebody making a dollar off you , you need to find
somebody else to take your money. Big mistake these self employed people make is thinking they are the BOSS...
MISTAKE ... THE CUSTOMER IS THE BOSS... and pays the bills.
 
Sad that I am reading this same problem again, I think maybe just anyone that wants one of his knives buy from KSF when it is available an forget any lists what so ever , that will insure prompt delivery
 
Zackly Bow ... what I concluded... he makes such a fine knife ... great workmanship
too bad it is not reflected in being able to play in the sandbox with others.
He just cannot deal with people ...
he needs a business manager... with a whip.
 
i myself see no need to take money in advance to make a knife unless the customer wanted something special for the knife like handle material which in that case i would have the customer get what he wanted and send it to me.

i have only taken money 1 time in advance for a knife. i tried to give it back but he reminded me he was a lot bigger than i was and strongly suggested i keep it :D.
 
Just so others reading about this know what an embarrassment to the business of knifemaking is all about- this taints all of us, and I feel that the existence of his forum in light of his constant bad dealings is a negative to BF as a whole.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/762671-Dan-Koster-Knives-Never-Again?highlight=Dan
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/705765-Need-a-recommendation-from-Dan!
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...uy-Canvas-Micarta-3-8-quot-thick-sheets-12x12
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/675290-Question

(some referenced in the thread below)


Good reading from makers and owners alike about how the business of custom knifemaking should be honored.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ustom-Repair-Replacement-timing?highlight=Dan


It sickens me every time I hear this isn't going away, and neither is he.
 
woodysone said:
Wolf to get on the list for a fine knife. Since Dan has been selling to dealers, it seems like the "lists" started long ago have been ignored. Promises of completed product but no updates or action. I have been on his EDC list for over a year with a expected completion date date of FEB 2011. I know that all I have to do is ask for a refund and I would get it in a couple of weeks, but this has happened on 90% of the time on the five knives I have from him. Now in this day and age I find it BS. He has changed his policy in June to no longer require a deposit, but with all of the outstanding "lists" one would hope that he clear out the back log before going full bore on mass markets. I really like his knives, but lack of communication, OP's original complaint, seems to be the way of business with Dan and I am tired with it. Martin
Click to expand...

Fine knife Makers generally do not need your money up front. Knife makers who depend on pre payment to buy materials are the ones that get in trouble. When you pre pay and that pre payment money is spent in full prior to the delivery of your knife it can be "troublesome" to get a timely refund.
If you need to prepay in full to get on a Makers list I would suggest you check his/her "record" to insure The Maker in fact delivers on time and can make "instant" refunds via paypal should you request one. I would be very wary of even paying a deposit, they are not necessary unless special materials are asked for.

Why would one need to wait a "couple of weeks" for a refund?
 
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jbmonkey said:
I have no dog in this fight......but I'm wondering if Mr. Koster is overloaded, how's he gonna do that k9 knifething with Mr. Krein? Or is that already not happening, and Mr. Krein just hasn't updated his website?
Click to expand...
that brand partnership ended a long time ago, it's only Krein AFAIK
 
naccibobacci - Your knives are glued-up. I will finish them and mail them today.

Glad we could speak over the phone to get this wrapped up to your satisfaction.





Say whatever you like, folks, I've never cheated anyone out of money and I have always delivered knife orders.

There are thousands of posts on my forum from customers that are very satisfied with their transactions and with dealing with me.



Note for moderators: This is a personal issue between myself and John Yannacci. There is no need for bashing on knifemakers about taking deposits (which I don't do anymore, btw) nor is there any need to allow any further trolling.


Dan
 
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Stating your past indiscretions that are a recurring theme not addressed, constantly ignored by you is not trolling, and I for one am sick of your attitude when it comes to your issues. Guess what- it matters not how many are happy with the HUGE amount of issues that Always seem to be following you. My statement is not trolling, it is my opinion. Grow up and fly straight and issues like this won't come to light because they won't be issues. Do you really expect the community to shut up when you consistently abuse your customers in this manner.

BTW- telling us to shut up and referring to your customers as trolls and spammers WHEN YOU ARE IGNORING THE PROBLEM (as you consistently do- proof is posted here) is part of the problem: QUIT BLAMING OTHERS FOR ISSUES OF YOUR DOING.

And don't think I will stop providing links to get it out there what you do, it is my right as a caring member of this community to give the bad- besides this isn't your forum where you can close the threads you dont like.

FIX YOUR BUSINESS FIRST!!
 
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