Do you spend more on knives to support local businesses?

myright

myright

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There is a really great knife shop near me. The people are VERY nice and helpful. You could sit in there all day long playing with knives and they could care less. They'd sit and talk knives all day long.

The thing I struggle with is that their prices are not the greatest. I can get knives cheaper online even after paying shipping. I tend to spend the extra few dollars to support them.

For example, I was looking for a stubby CRKT Razel and they are $10 more expensive even after paying shipping from some online places.

I know $10 doesn't seem like much, but it'll add up when you start buying a bunch of knives.

What do you all think? Would you spend the extra money to continue to support a locally run business or save the money online?
 
If it was a few dollars difference for the same knives online, sure. But around here any quality knives are priced sky-high, the sales tax is the highest in the state, and customer service sucks. So [forget] the local businesses...

One example, the Kershaw E.T. at the local sporting goods store, pricetag of $99.99. I stood at the case for five minutes and no one even said "Hi." Ordered from AG Russell for under $58 and couldn't be happier with the decision.
 
Some guy at a local shop helped me out a lot the first time I went. He's really knowledgeable. I bought a DMT Diamond stone for $50 there when I could have gotten it for $30 online. I did it because I thought I was being a nice guy.

Then looking at knives some more... They were selling the bm930 Kulgera for $200 while New Graham and Knifeworks are selling it for $125. That pissed me off, so I'm just going to buy online now. They made some excuse (while it may be true) that, "These companies make us sell it at this price, or else they won't supply us." Screw that; I'm going to be buying enough knives that the $10-15 here and there (and in this case, $85) is going to add up over time.
 
Bob W said:
If it was a few dollars difference for the same knives online, sure. But around here any quality knives are priced sky-high, the sales tax is the highest in the state, and customer service sucks. So [forget] the local businesses...

One example, the Kershaw E.T. at the local sporting goods store, pricetag of $99.99. I stood at the case for five minutes and no one even said "Hi." Ordered from AG Russell for under $58 and couldn't be happier with the decision.
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I would use a kitchen knife in my yard before I bought a knife at one of the big box stores around here. I know exactly what you mean about standing around like an idiot waiting for someone to notice you.

Not to mention we normally know more about the knives and tools than the people that are selling them.
 
THG said:
Some guy at a local shop helped me out a lot the first time I went. He's really knowledgeable. I bought a DMT Diamond stone for $50 there when I could have gotten it for $30 online. I did it because I thought I was being a nice guy.

Then looking at knives some more... They were selling the bm930 Kulgera for $200 while New Graham and Knifeworks are selling it for $125. That pissed me off, so I'm just going to buy online now. They made some excuse (while it may be true) that, "These companies make us sell it at this price, or else they won't supply us." Screw that; I'm going to be buying enough knives that the $10-15 here and there (and in this case, $85) is going to add up over time.
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You make a very good point. $10-15 over 9 or 10 knives will add up, actually it's a whole new knife.

I guess I've got a soft spot in my heart for the local, family run business. That being said, I've bought plenty of knives online.... .
 
No.

The prices at the local sporting goods stores are unreasonably high, and the salespeople are unhelpful at best.

The guy at the sporting goods counter at Wal-Mart acknowleges my presence, and if he makes fun of me, at least he waits until I'm out of earshot to do it. He also doesn't try to charge me list price (or more!).

I'll never spend another dime at the local stores. Anything more than a Buck knife from Wal-Mart I'll get online.
 
myright said:
You make a very good point. $10-15 over 9 or 10 knives will add up, actually it's a whole new knife.
Click to expand...

But that's the problem. Most of the time it isn't $10-15. Most of the time it's anywhere between $20 and $40. That's a BIG problem.

Example:

Delicas online are $50-ish. At my local store, they're $85.
Ti-Lite online is around $40. At the store, it's $70.

Those are just two personal examples...
 
THG said:
But that's the problem. Most of the time it isn't $10-15. Most of the time it's anywhere between $20 and $40. That's a BIG problem.

Example:

Delicas online are $50-ish. At my local store, they're $85.
Ti-Lite online is around $40. At the store, it's $70.

Those are just two personal examples...
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You're right. I cand find simliar examples at my local shop.

The Mini-grip is a perfect example. There are is about a $25 difference there.
 
Well there aren't any knifeshops near my home, so I have to do all of my shopping online.

If there was a shop with only $10-15 difference, I definitely would support their shop if they give great customer service. I think it would be worth spending the extra money if I could be assured of getting the knife and having some sort of guarantee or return policy, and also getting to hold and try a knife before buying it is well worth it!

Small, local, well managed, and good customer service is becoming very hard to find as the Internet and huge retail places take over small business. I always try to support local towns and businesses I can instead of buying foreign or huge retail stores.
 
If it was only $10-$15 and they knew and loved knives, then I'd say yes, but such a store does not exist around here. I once paid $70 for a Kershaw Leek that I could have bought for $40 online . . but that was at a really fantastic knife shop that was struggling and I wanted to support them. The last time I checked, the closest knife shop wanted $400 for a Scagel reproduction that I could get online for $200. That's nuts.
 
Jennifer_B said:
No.

The prices at the local sporting goods stores are unreasonably high, and the salespeople are unhelpful at best.

The guy at the sporting goods counter at Wal-Mart acknowleges my presence, and if he makes fun of me, at least he waits until I'm out of earshot to do it. He also doesn't try to charge me list price (or more!).

I'll never spend another dime at the local stores. Anything more than a Buck knife from Wal-Mart I'll get online.
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+1!

By me, it's also either colossally overpriced, tourist junk, or Walmart--for a very few decent knives. Not really a problem, there are a bunch of respectable websites out there with huge selections that don't rip you off.
 
for me it depends on the knife... if they have a knife for $225 and I can get it online for $200 I will buy it locally instead , however if they have a knife for $40 and I can get it online for $15 they lost a sale.. kind of a percentage thing. T

he biggest knife store near here charges retail + 10-20% on most knives.
I dont mind spending a bit more to keep the $$$ local as long as the service is good , unfortunatley it isn't that good at his place.

There is another knife store in town , but the 2 times I have tried to visit there , both times I waited for 20 minutes past the advertised opening time until I left.

Oh well , my 10 meg cable connection is always on :)
 
I don't frequent brick and mortar knife shops these days.
 
a local shop downtown has great service and a real hands on feel...

the problem is the knives are going for 15-25% over retail! i can purchase the same thing at knifecenter or elsewhere for 30-40% under retail.

if it was a smaller margin id save the wait from shipping and buy it at the shop, but not at those prices.
 
All I have around here is the big box stores. No knife stores. So if I want something good I have to either wait for the Indy 1500 gun/knife show, or buy online. I've done both.

If there was a decent knife store nearby I would go there. But there's not.
 
I would use a kitchen knife in my yard before I bought a knife at one of the big box stores around here. I know exactly what you mean about standing around like an idiot waiting for someone to notice you.
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Sadly, the experience I related was at a small locally-owned store. But yeah I see the same thing at Wal Mart, often a group of potential customers standing around the sporting goods counter with no employees in sight.

Besides, many/most of the online stores where I buy knives from ~are~ smaller privately owned 'local' businesses. Ragweed Forge, Shepherd Hills, AG Russell, Cumberland, and others.
 
Luckily this shop is about 40 minutes away and it is only open 9-2 on the days I can get down there. That alone is usually reason enough for me to buy online.

I'm going to make a trip down there this weekend because I want to get some other knives sharpened also. They called me to let me know they had the CRKT Razels so I'm going to pick one of those up. The price difference isn't huge. I really want to get a new Mini-Grip, but the BMs there are too over priced.
 
I count myself lucky to have An outstanding local knife dealer. He charges Retail but usually gives A discount at the time of checkout. If you pay cash he usually will give you a larger discount.:):)
I buy As many of my knives from him As I can. I don't sweat the fact that I maybe Able to get my knives 20 OR 30 bucks cheaper online.
The Reason for this is CUSTOMER SERVICE!!
1)He took the effort to Remember Me on a first name basis every time I visit.
2)He maintains All my Knives free of charge. Sharpening, Repair and will send Knives in himself for warranty Repair or service.
3) He took the time to learn what I look for in Knives. When I Stop by he will show the latest new stuff that came in.If something comes in that
he KNOWS I may want he puts it Aside to show me before he puts it out for display.
4)If you don't like the knife, bring it Back, Refund or exchange, no problem.
5) He takes trade-ins. Bored with a couple of your knives? Bring them in.
Trade them for something that strikes your fancy !!

Nuff said :D:D:D
 
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Just curious: why do you capitalize everything that starts with an "A"?
 
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