Diamond J Knives, What happened to them?

ArchAngel said:
I also apologized for being such a doubter. I guess it is in my nature, but I should use more restraint. :o
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I agree with the last few posts, the deal hasn't been closed yet, you still have every reason to question seller. Hopefully your knife arrives in perfect condition and you can put all this behind you. However, the same isn't true for many of the others who've posted in this thread with concerns.

Gastonknife said:
BS meter is going off the charts.
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On the 18th of this month Dan said he would get the box out with Gertrude and again have a tracking number for me on Sat the 20th.
Still no word from Dan not and it's the 24th.:yawn:
I do not know what is happening in Dans life but I did start a PayPal dispute on the 15th of July when I realized that the 45 day period one has to file a dispute was drawing near and I had had no word from Dan. The dispute was later escalated to a claim when the time had arrived that I had to escalate or the dispute would close. Today I got an e-mail from Paypal saying they had decided in my favor and would credit my account with funds I assume are taken from Dans account. If funds are not available from their account, they will somehow be repromanded and I will be screwed, I guess.
I feel I have been lucky over the years and have never before had a BAD deal. Too bad this was my first as their knives are sweet and I hate to see it all go sour.
I assumed Dan would get on the forum and give us some word, but he has not been here since the 4th of August, and has not posted since the 25th of July when he appologized and stated he would not let that happen ever again.:rolleyes:
I will attempt to contact him tonight but do not hold out much hope for a good resolution. Oh well what more can we do? The next move is Dans and I hope he makes it good for all of us involved.

So far reasons for not getting knife
1. Difficulty with sheath Idea I had.
2. Grandfather died
3. Shipped to wrong address
4. Box and sheath damaged at FedEx spot he brought it to.
5. Hit by a drunk driver and was in the hospital
6. e-mailed as his voice was still a problem after the accident and could not talk to me.
Inbetween each of these reasons was a large gap in communication where I would call and e-mail with little or no replies.

We Will See what happens next since tomorrow will be a month to the day since Dan told us this would never happen again....................................................
 
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Los Angeles said:
You know what destroys a knifemaker each and every time? Taking deposits.

Some of the finest knifemakers in the world make thier customers wait years before completing orders. Waiting a long time comes with the territory, especially if your getting something special.

The entire relationship goes to crap when money is exchanged before the knife is completed.

Collectors, don't give advance payment or deposits. The risk is always greater than the reward.
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What's even more mind-boggling about this is that the knief was complete and pics were posted of it in the Exchange section of this forum. All Dan had to do was get the sheath together and ship it.
 
I too haven't had any communication, and unfortunately can't dispute it with paypal. I did request my money back, saying they could put the knife up for sale here and then send me the funds, I think that is a bad idea though since at this point I'm not sure anybody would buy from them. there is of course the principal involved, but for me right now the money is important. The drunk driver thing sucks ass, but there are two of them, even if the brother can't make the knives he could be in contact with people.
 
Dago Red said:
I too haven't had any communication, and unfortunately can't dispute it with paypal. I did request my money back, saying they could put the knife up for sale here and then send me the funds, I think that is a bad idea though since at this point I'm not sure anybody would buy from them. there is of course the principal involved, but for me right now the money is important. The drunk driver thing sucks ass, but there are two of them, even if the brother can't make the knives he could be in contact with people.
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I am sorry to hear that you may end up out all that dough with no recourse.
I have called Dan a few times. It goes to auto answer and I get no return calls.
Not good, thats for sure.
 
Dago Red, did you pay with your credit card? If so, maybe you can disputer it that way. Many have a much longer dispute window.
 
I always had total confidence and am not ready to throw in the towel, but I also might be out $300+. Lesson learned either way and I do hope that all is well (aside from the money). Of course, I could go on and on about my own personal sob-stories like losing my mother and mother-in-law fairly recently within 6 months of brutality all while losing most of my business, but somehow finding the money to buy a knife that REALLY caught my eye, but then I'd be a dick so I won't go into any of that.
 
Someone once posted some signs to be weary of with a maker. I tried to find it again but cannot. It listed communication errors, multiple excuses etc. Anyone remember seeing it?
Was pure gold and wisdom. Seems to fit this. My observation only.......... don't care if anyone likes or dislikes.
 
I hate to see them go down like this but I have emailed them a few times with no response, it seems compared to a few of you I lucked out, I am only out $80 as I did not want to pay the full price up front. It was supposed to be a downpayment for some extra materials they did not have on hand to make my knife. I am going to give them a few days before I totally write them off. I do hope they can some how make it through this since they seem to be nice guys and make nice knives.
 
mrbear said:
Someone once posted some signs to be weary of with a maker. I tried to find it again but cannot. It listed communication errors, multiple excuses etc. Anyone remember seeing it?
Was pure gold and wisdom. Seems to fit this. My observation only.......... don't care if anyone likes or dislikes.
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There have been a few threads running over that same ground. Definitely, once the sob stories follow one after another, it's a bad sign. You have to wonder if this is the unluckiest knifemaker ever, or someone who has lost control of his life and can't own up to it or stop the self-destructive behavior. Lack of communication is the ultimate sign.

Of course, there are some who really do have serious life cycle events and keep on working and taking care of business anyway.
 
I think that's worth quoting in full into this thread. Note the heavy warning about paying in advance:

Kevin Wilkins said:
As someone who makes their living making and selling knives, I really hate reading some of the horror stories on this and other forums by folks who have been ripped off when buying - or trying to buy - knives online.

Bad experiences by buyers are BAD for the knife industry and there's hardly a professional Maker out there today who could survive without internet sales.

So I thought I'd put down some tips and advice for buyers to try and help them avoid getting ripped off or having negative experiences making online knife purchases.

First off: The VAST majority of Makers, Dealers AND Buyers are honest, hard working people who would never rip anyone off. Just wanted to say that right up front. But the few bad apples, as the saying goes...

Now the Tips:

1. It's been said often but here goes again. Use EXTREME caution when paying upfront for ANY knife that is not in stock and ready to ship as soon as your payment arrives. Paying for a knife upfront before it's been made is the best way to end up out the money and with no knife and no recourse. It is totally reasonable to request a photo of the actual knife be emailed to you BEFORE sending the payment. Beware of anyone asking for payment for goods they don't have in their possession. Knifemakers are usually "financially challenged" and it's easy for the Maker to end up running in front of a financial snowball they can never escape.

2. If asked to pay a deposit on a knife you order, make sure to get a written, signed contract from the Maker containing all pertinent info specifying the knife AND a fixed delivery date for the knife. Make sure the contract specifies that should the knife not be ready on the date promised in the contract, the Maker will refund the deposit immediately. I know a lot of folks are leery of any deposit - and with good reason - and unless there are extenuating circumstances like engraving or special materials, etc. stay away from deposits unless you're 100% sure of the person you're dealing with.

3. Do an online search on anyone you're thinking of doing business with BEFORE you do business with them. If the Seller / Maker / Dealer has an online history of problems you should reconsider having any business dealings with them.

4. If the deal looks TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE it probably is! One scam that is run constantly on the forums goes like this:
Maker offers a pretty good knife at price that can't possibly cover their costs in making it.
Makers sells the knife and sends it out. The buyer posts ecstatic praise and pics. (The Maker may even send out a couple of the knives.) Then the Makers sells THE SAME KNIFE 10 more times and receives payment from the buyers who all think they'll be getting their super cool super cheap knife real soon. They never do. Then the excuses start. "My dog died" "My car died" "I can't work now" "My new dog died" You've read 'em all same as I have.

Typically when the online outcry gets too loud the Makers sends someone on the list a knife. This usually quiets the mob of ripped off buyers some as they think, Oh, maybe I'll actually get a knife. Don't bet on it. The Maker took a $200 knife and sold it for $50 to 10 different buyers, only one of whom actually gets anything. See how the con works? When the heat finally gets too hot, the Maker takes an online powder and disappears. Unbelievably several Makers have managed to reincarnate themselves and run this con multiple times.

I'm sure there are some other scams and cons out there too. Maybe some other folks will offer their tips here too.

And THANK YOU to all the honest customers who continue to place not only their trust but their hard earned cash in the cutlery market. With a little common sense and reasonable caution, you won't be disappointed!
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That info is very true and worth reading and heeding.
I felt safe as I was buying another knife for sale on the makers for sale area, and I had dealt with Dan before and all went smoothly.

As an aside, I got a confirmation from my credit card company today stating that PayPal had credited my card the full 250.00 that I had paid Dan.
I called Dan right after that and informed him of the credit and that if he still wanted to sell Gertrude to me that he would have to call me and work something out. ie send me the knife and upon arrival I would resend monies to him. If I heard nothing, fine. Situation over and I get to move on with nothing but a bad memory of the deal. I will end up giving negative on I Trader to them also.
I hope the others that have sent money get their money back also.
I feel lucky that I did.
Good Luck All!!
 
Los Angeles said:
I think that's worth quoting in full into this thread. Note the heavy warning about paying in advance:
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But how would have that helped the OP in this case? The seller had completed the knife and posted pics of it in a for sale thread. It's a nice looking knife, too.



ETP: OP, I'm glad you were able to get your money back. I had similar situation a few years back where PP couldn't get my money back.
 
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Lone_Wolfe said:
But how would have that helped the OP in this case? The seller had completed the knife and posted pics of it in a for sale thread. It's a nice looking knife, too.
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True. But this thread has grown to include several members who the warning could have saved. The thread is also being read by many more people, and the advice is very VERY good for anyone to read, in my opinion.
 
Los Angeles said:
True. But this thread has grown to include several members who the warning could have saved. The thread is also being read by many more people, and the advice is very VERY good for anyone to read, in my opinion.
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That is true, and hopefully people take note and save themselves a lot of grief.
 
I wanted to post back that I did speak with Dan last night. I hope he won't mind me putting a little more information here. The accident was very bad, head on from a drunk driver at 40mph (that driver did not survive) and both he and his brother are fortunate to be alive. Dan had developed a blood clot and was in the hospital again which is why I hadn't gotten replies yet. I apologize for my last post, it was premature and I should have found out more before getting worked up. Dan is making things right with me and I'm glad he and his brother both survived the accident. I'm sure once they are both fit again they'll be rocking and rolling.

Red
 
Hopefully they'll all be OK and I'm glad that my knife isn't their top priority right now. My $300+ and knife aren't even relevent, but I'll post about it if it arrives one day. Best wishes to the Stowe's and hope all is well or heading in that direction.
 
Gentlemen, we will all have a better idea of what's going on shortly. Meanwhile I just got an email myself, in response to my asking Diamond J what's up. Here it is.

I apologize for my absence Ed.
My brother and I were in a head on collision with a drunk driver. I was badly injured in the accident, broken ribs, major concussion, minor surgery. Was released for two days last week, then had to go in for major surgery to remove a forming blood clot. Was just released from the hospitol yesterday. I plan to be back to knife making in a week. I will be responding to all my customers emails between today and tomorrow. Thank you for letting me know about the concern. Please let the forum members know what's up. I can't get out of bed for a couple days to use a computer.

Thanks again.

Dan stowe
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