Dealers???

mykulmorris

mykulmorris

Joined
Jul 8, 2007
Messages
1,690
I don't know exactly where/how to go about this but... If I "knew this guy" who wanted to sell more knives and was looking for the help of dealers, what's the best way to go about it??? Does anyone here do that?
Suggestions??
-Michael
PS.. You can send me a PM if you wish to be kept anonymous...
 
I think dealers will generally contact you..,but i could be wrong.i've had several contact me to ask to carry my knives.i think it'd be great,but..... my broke ass cant afford to shell out 20-25% to them :o wish i could as i think it could make dealings much easier.

maybe just ask a few,if you'd like them to display your knives.you'll get excellent pics,advertisement etc.
 
Michael, dealers usually contact the maker from what I know of the system. You may be able to talk to them and send them pictures or samples to generate some interest. Understand that dealers are looking for makers that are in current demand or are on the rise. There's not much business sense in them carrying a knife that noone knows or aren't seeking out (not saying noone knows you,) or is very similar to something they already have in stock. Make your knives, sell them and get that "buzz" going about Michael and they'll come to you. Usually at that point you really don't need them unless you just don't have time to market the knives yourself. The last consideration, it's been mentioned already, is it worth the 20-25% cut in revenue to have a dealer sell your knives? You're going to have to make 25% more knives to stay profitable.

From personal experience, lots and lots of sales isn't always the greatest thing in the world. You're going to die making 40 of the same knife. I've been on that road, it's hell for the artist. I'd rather make a little bit on a knife that I really enjoyed than to make a lot on something that I hated every stinking minute I forged, ground and finished.

Make MICHAEL'S knives, treat customers as if you're a clingy, insecure girlfriend, give them more than they expect and you really won't worry about sales.

Just my experience over the years.
 
I have an exclusive dealer who is Bob Glassman His web site is customknifegallery.com
I know you can contact him direct although I did get started with him when he was good enough to send me an email. Certainly anything you arranged with him would be confidential but I believe he most often follows the same conditions for most all makers he lists. He is honest and friendly and I'm sure treats everyone the same which is with respect. As with all dealers he does expect your work to be of a certain caliber before he will take you on as a client. Sales are very slow right now. Bob has several folders of mine listed. Check them out. Frank
 
Michael , ask TecSek about dealing with a dealer and his experience and as Will said , you will lose the enjoyment being a production line maker . I've been asked and won't do it . If a dealer likes what I have for sale already because he believes he can make a profit from the price I'm asking , well then so be it . If he would like a little more of a discount I may consider it or may not .
 
Yup. If you're going to do it, do something like Arizona Custom Knives or Virtual Knife Show are doing where they offer you a little section and what you send them is what they sell. They will do consignment and outright purchase I believe (depending on the maker). Or you can go another route and talk to local gun shops, surplus stores, etc. and see if they would like to either purchase or consign your knives in their venues. As Jack said, in my deal I just didn't have the time nor desire (after making the same thing over and over).
 
Will,that last quote is priceless!! and very true :thumbup: i get butterflies everytime i send a knife out..,wondering if its what the customer expected.
 
I have three "commercial" partners now but it is a bit unusual in that everything is barter trades with my knives for top end stone - jade, agates, dinosaur bone ect.

That is how I get such incredible stone and it shows when you see the stone I use as compared to what stone you can buy elsewhere such as on the 'bay.

These dealers then collect and sell my works - ususally for a heck of a lot more than I have ever sold one for.

I also agree with Will... I really do not like even doing "custom" orders, especially if I am using their knife. I prefer to do "requests" for a specific stone on a specific knife I have in my inventory. That way if they do not like how I think the combination should look I can just sell the knife on the 'bay or my web site. Funny thing is I can't remember ever having to move a "requested" combination.....
 
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Well Michael I am going to shoot you an email of a dealer whom I think you should talk to. He is a Michigan guy and is very helpfull and friendly. A few things to think about though.

No one is going to try as hard as you will when it comes to selling your knives.

If you want to get knives out there in retail stores and on dealers tables it may end up meaning you have knives just sitting around.

You seem to produce alot of knives of the same patterns and that may make things easier.

Add more content to your website and start getting some some links out there on the web. I would bet that if you could get higher ranking on the search engines you would see alot more bussiness.

take care.
 
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