Dan Koster for the bad.

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Daniel Koster said:
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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Nobody cares about the legions of satisfied customers that Mr. Koster has according to his own declarations. It's the unsatisfied customers, and the issues resulting in their dissatisfaction, that are the topic of this thread.

Mr. Koster, I have three questions (non-rhetorical) please:

1. You have stated on multiple occasions in the past to the OP of this thread that he would receive his knives before now. Why should we believe you today when you lied yesterday?

2. Even if the knives are in fact ready and get sent out today, how does that correct your dragging your heals on this transaction yesterday, the day before, the day before that, etc., etc.?

3. As a person who makes his living from his own business, a living which helps to feed your family and keep a roof over their heads, how many dissatisfied customers would you like?

I'll keep an eye out for the answers. :)
 
naccibobacci said:
I am reporting Dan Koster to this forum's "Good, Bad and Ugly"...

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.
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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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Well, thank goodness for this subforum where members can post feedback and not have to rely exclusively on a vendor's subforum to raise an issue and be concerned their message may be edited or ignored by the vendor who also has moderator control there ... which, seems like an abuse to me.

And...

*Patient customers (when they are also your creditors) who have to ask publicly because they are repeatedly ignored privately, for product or refund over a period of weeks/months/years are spammers?
*Other members who voice concerns or experiences are trollers?

:rolleyes:


This went from Bad to include Ugly, imo.
 
I had a negative experience with Mr. Koster.I was on the list for the monster nessie.I paid in full even though only a deposit was required.Mr.Koster said(& I quote) "I'm aiming for May/June on these".This was in January of 2009.I figured cool,5-6 months.
I waited 16+ months before saying the heck with this,I want my money back.
Mr. Koster replied stating he needed a couple of weeks because he just got done ordering materials.I said no problem.
I finally got my refund after 5 weeks,but not before some heated PM's & emails.He took his sweet time sending my money back.
I will never seek out a Koster knife again.I don't care how great they are.Just like "on_the_edge" said,what if it ever needed warranty work done?I'm not going to wait 14+ months like that other poor sap.
Dan,Get a business manager or just deal with dealers,before you have no customers left.:thumbdn:
 
I'm sorry, I had to chuckle when I saw this thread................ I had my own Dan Koster experience once upon a time when I bought a mini-mill from him on here. Paid right up for it, then waited months for it to appear after all sorts of go rounds with him. It left a VERY bad taste in my mouth and, frankly, if he were the last "custom" knifemaker on the planet, I'd buy something at Walmart before I'd patronize him, My sorry tale was covered in this thread:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...w-mini-mill-up-for-grabs?highlight=synthesist

I finally got the mill from him but the whole transaction left such a bad taste in my mouth that I shoved it in the back of my garage and NEVER even set it up. My wife says I have too much money, maybe that's why I did that................ Maybe I'll give that sucker away on here one day, looking at it pisses me off to this day.

Syn
 
Daniel Koster said:
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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In all my time here at Bladeforums, you have been a continued disgrace to this forum and to knifemakers in general.
 
I guess if you take someone's money and fail to deliver, then take months to refund it is not stealing.

It's just using someone else's money for your own needs...........................................

And voicing one's opinion is not trolling, especially when the opinion is based in truth.

You suck as a businessman but many say you are a nice guy
 
Wow,
I have to say that Mr. Koster's attitude is amazing!
I would never buy a knife from him after reading this tread and then he is dumb enough to get on here and express nothing but arrogance.
I can only imagine what it would be like to attempt to deal with a character like that when money and delays are involved.
In checking out his knives - I don't see the big deal. To me they are rather generic and nothing special. Walter Brend is a total and complete butt head too - but
he does at least make something semi unique.
Kostner :barf:
 
I've gotta say, after reading this....I won't be buying any Koster blades.

And the 1 I have, will go up for sale....terrible customer service and communication in this matter. Good luck to the OP, hope you get your blades....and are happy with the product after receipt, whenever that will be :)
 
I have only bought one knife from a maker on this forum. It was JK knives. I bought the knife because I liked the way he did business. If I felt the man was less than scrupulous in any ways I would not purchase no matter how much I liked the item. The essence of the maker is in the knife, and that adds value. I hope Mr. Koster gets caught up, and stops taking orders until he fulfills obligations. Good luck to all who wait, and good luck to Mr. Koster for fulfilling his obligations.
 
JK Knives is one of the BEST guys to deal with... too. thinking about getting another of his knives too ... damm fine blades they are.
anyway
I recently ran into an issue with a very expensive custom rifle and the maker DELETED threads from his section of multiple forums to cover up his actions...
read where Mr Koster deleted a thread by the author of this thread. AHHHhhh that would bother me a lot if it was my forum ... a whole lot.
Read where JTR357 went thru almost ZACKLY the same thing I DID !!! WOW
THINK that almost PROVES a continuing scam going on ...
if he told the truth to POTENTIAL customers ... ahhh it will be 15 months to see the knife maybe 16 but I could really use some money today.
he would have plenty of time to finish the knives he has ordered... but what would he do for $$$ since the money is all spent.
too many good knife makers looking for orders they can FILL a lot faster and without the lies and BS.
Obvious he is doing and saying whatever he can to try and STAY AFLOAT ...
bye Koster... bye.
 
I have no dog in this fight, but I have had similar experiences with other knife makers. In most cases, I believe that it is poor business practices rather then trying to cheat anyone.
It seems that some knife makers are just overwhelmed with the details of running a business when they try to do the office work along with making knives.
 
I absolutely believe this. But, it is not a good excuse. Starting out, there's a lot to learn. Read Shop Talk and see how knifemakers advise each other on how to keep track of the law, permits, zoning, email and phone calls, commitments: what to make when for whom, when to ask for money.

The knowledge is there. Sometimes the help is there. Get good apprentices and free up your own time for business. Get a good wife and she'll run that part of your life with all the rest. :D

If a knifemaker is so busy churning out batches of knives for a list he took names for and for dealers who sell most of what he makes anyway, then he can afford the hired help to keep track of his commitments.
 
I like Dan. I'll keep buying from him and when I do, I expect it to take much longer than the time frame he posts.
I'm very patient. In fact, I have customs from several makers here and the wait has always been 9-18 months. I don't believe Dan would or has cheated anyone.
One thing I noticed from reading his forums over the years is that a friendly request for a refund gets a quick result. An irate email demanding money back, opening posts about it and GBU threads puts a quick simple solution on the back burner. Treat others with a little respect and you will be treated likewise.

His business needs some further tweaking but he has made some strides to resolve the long waits. I'm sure it will further evolve with time. With some patience, you'll wind up with great blade from an experienced knife-maker. His knives are popular for a reason, they are great woods blades. You don't see many of his bread & butter Bushcrafters sold in the exchange.
Something else to consider is that there is a lot of down time when sending out blanks to water jet or HT service as I believe Dan does.Those folks are also backlogged. Makes sense to have another model run going versus sitting around doing nothing until the blanks come back.
I personally don't mind the wait. I can spec out my knife exactly as I want it. If he decides to sell to dealers only, your choice is whatever that batch is wearing.

I want to add also that Gossman Knives and JK Knives are awesome makers here on BFC with some proven designs and there is little to no wait list. Scott even has a few beauties in stock ready to go. He made 5 customs for someone and as far as I know, took no deposit on them. The customer stiffed him and Scott is stuck with them.
Back to the argument about deposits.

Here on BF, there seems to be a desire to buy the flashiest looking blades available from a select few makers. Lots of handle bling and sexy steel lines. How about giving back to some of the other makers here who are struggling. There is more to a knife than eye pleasing options.

JK Knives and Gossman knives are true working blades yet their sales are down and their futures are uncertain. The Gossman Tuskers and the JK Kepharts and Camp & Trail are the best working blade designs I've seen and used, ever! With all the money changing hands here, everyone should be doing well. If everyone would patronize ALL the makers, maybe we wouldn't be reading this GBU thread.
 
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LMT66 said:
An irate email demanding money back, open posts about it and GBU threads puts a quick simple solution on the back burner.
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There wouldn't be irate emails and threads if a quick simple solution was offered to begin with, or if there was no need for a "solution" and the scheduled delivery date was met. But good for you if you are willing to wait years when promised months, and you have no problem dealing with someone who will put a refund of someone else's money on the "back burner" as some petty retribution for an unsatisfied consumer using exactly what is provided for them to communicate problems.
 
Dan won't get any of my business. Ever. I won't even buy a used Koster off the forum either based on principle now either.

UffDa, I understand your comments, but when you repeatedly call the maker and get the "oh yeah, knives are done, I was just about ship 'em routine.." I'm sorry, there is no excuse for that. Either the knives are done, or they aren't. They are ready to be shipped, or they aren't. Don't give me a boatload of crap to make me feel good if the knives aren't ready. And you should have enough experience to give the caller a "reasonable" time frame if the knives aren't done.

To DK, yet another poster has stated his problems and has given sufficient support to back up his arguements. He has every right to do so and this is the correct forum.
 
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