Do makers prefer to sell to dealers or public?

[straightblastpfs]

Kind of an odd question? Here is why I ask...for whatever reason, I would prefer to buy direct from the maker when possible. Gives me a chance to learn a little about the person making the knife, kinda puts a face or voice with the blade. However, I note that some makers are more easily found than others. Two that come to mind are John Fitch and Murray Carter. Really like the work I have seen from both, but finding a # or website on them is not so easy.

The phone can be a pita, no doubt...in any profession. Just wondering if some makers prefer selling to dealers because of this? Thanks.

 

[Peter Atwood]

The dealer is getting a discount but is buying multiples if they are available. The direct customer is paying full price but is not always easy to reach. Six of one half dozen of the other. I think most makers sell direct when they can at shows, out of their shop etc. But dealers orders are great too. Everyone has their place and we all need to eat.

 

[yog]

Put it this way, Spyderco have said that the knives they sell on their online store are at full retail price (i.e. quite a bit more than what retailers will sell them for), so as not to anoy retailers by undercutting them.

There is a much bigger market if a company can get it's wares displayed in hundreds / thousands of shops internationally than there would be from a single onlone store.