eBAY Hilarity

M

Mercury

Joined
Jul 16, 1999
Messages
151
This is just too good to NOT post. I was on eBAY looking around under the search keyword "Benchmade" and look what I found. Just in case you need to see it for yourself to make sure this is for real (it might be shut down, so get a move on), go here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=138277015
Here is a cut and paste of what the seller wrote under the "Description" section for the item:

These REAL looking pics of two awesome switchblades can be yours for only 20.00 each. These two pics usually retail for up to 50.00 each. The one longer one in the pic is a copy of a benchmade that sell for 150.00. These two pics may be printed in color or black and white. E-mail me for your preference. IF these knives were REAL they would be made of stainless steel and have blade lengths of 3 1/2 inches and 3 3/4 inches. You will love these PICS i guarantee it. FEEL FREE TO EMAil ME WITH QUESTIONS!!!!!

psycho_sidd@hotmail.com or goto

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON THESE PICS!!!

Shipping is 4.00 for one of the pics due to the weight.

E-mail me on shipping prices for more than one pic.
This price covers priority shipping with insurance.

MAKE SURE TO EMAIL ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS!!!!

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Well, you heard the man... Make sure to e-mail him if you have any questions! *REMOVED*. I personally can't stand rendition knives (one is of a BAD rendition of what looks to be a Rocket, one is a BAD rendition of the Spike), but to actually think the eBAY watchdogs will get thrown off by the whole "PIC" thing is utter nonsense. I am still laughing... Hey, I wonder if the guy is a member of BladeForums, I would love to hear his personal (*REMOVED*) explanation of this one.

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Robert Joseph Ansbro

If it can be written, or thought, it can be filmed.
-Stanley Kubrick, 1928-1999


[This message has been edited by Mercury (edited 29 July 1999).]
 
Am I reading that post correctly ? Is the seller actually trying to sell the pictures
smile.gif


Dark Nemesis

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All the knives in the world go round and round, round and round, round and round...DAMN, one of them took my wallet !!! :)


 
Heh heh. Anything to get around ebay!

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Dances with lemmings


 
Mercury,

I 100% agree that you have the right to express your opinions.

However....

You broke my rule about personal attacks. Calling someone a moron on my forum will not be tolerated. Regardless of his actions and whether or not you agree with what he is doing, please do not call him a moron. I would suggest that you edit your post and express yourself in a more exceptable manner.

I simple rewrite will get the same point accross without resorting to personal attcks.

Thanks.

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Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
www.wowinc.com

 
I actually just took a look at the FAQ; Sorry about that. I didn't realize I was actually attacking this individual, but in hindsight (and with the help of the FAQ) I realize I probably was. Okay, I was. Sorry. But, I mean, come on, what about *REMOVED* and *REMOVED*, so that *REMOVED* until *REMOVED* and then *REMOVED* ;-)

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Robert Joseph Ansbro

If it can be written, or thought, it can be filmed.
-Stanley Kubrick, 1928-1999
 
Oh, that is to funny... the picture thing.

Thanks for pointing that out. Y'all have made my day.

Chuck
 
Mecury,

Have fun but just not at others expense.

I understnd your message and in my position I sometimes find myself not being able to respond like I would like to. So the best thing is to get your point accross in a "politically correct" manner. Man I hate that word
smile.gif


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Best Regards,
Mike Turber
BladeForums Site Owner and Administrator
Do it! Do it right! Do it right NOW!
www.wowinc.com

 
What a great diet! Show a picture of a knife to picture of a slice of cheese cake.

This guy is no *REMOVED* but a conceptual artist.
 
Gee, if the pics cost that much, just think how much the real knives would cost. Too rich for my blood!
wink.gif




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Ron

Is that thing shar...OW!
 
Ya' know, I found the same pictures at another site but at a much lower price. It' pays to shop around! I won't give the link because I don't want you "collectors" to buy them all up on me......HA....

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Clay G.
www.balisongxtreme.com

 
I hate those cheap knockoff pictures! If I got one it would be a "real" Benchmade picture! Or a Microtech picture! Maybe even a video! That would be cool!
 
It's nice to know there are other people out there who truly dislike rendition knives. And, at least for me, above all else is the dislike of rendition SWITCHBLADES: If there is one kind of knife I want to be the absolute best quality it can be, it would have to be of the automatic variety. I mean, no other knife (and certainly no other folder) type has as much riding on it's quality machining and superior fit. Save maybe the super tactical type of knife that was built to see blood above all else, I can imagine no other kind of knife where quality is an issue as much as it is in an automatic. I got my Benchmade Auto-Spike a few months ago, and I simply can not say enough about it. It is smooth, fast, STRONG, and lives up to the ideals of the high quality automatic knife like no other I currently have. Also, what about the notion of the automatic being made specifically for a person with AFO status? Certainly no rendition company can say that a real law enforcement carrier would carry a crap automatic folder as a side piece, it's not logical. It's like taking a zip-gun instead of a Glock or a Sig as a police firearm. Rendition autos are made for all the wrong reasons, and I wish Benchmade and others whos designs are stolen would take more initiative in squashing sellers of the things, not mention putting the makers of knives like the "Pocket Rocket" and "Florida Spike" out of business.

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Robert Joseph Ansbro

If it can be written, or thought, it can be filmed.
-Stanley Kubrick, 1928-1999
 
Thanks for the opinions guys. It's nice to know that i have created such a discussion here on BladeForums.com
I have a question as well, Everybody is knocking me for selling "rip-off" knives or rendition knives even though i also sell the real versions as well. Now why does this site and knife forums look almost exactly alike? Sure there are subtle changes but there are also subtle changes on these "knock off knives" as are there similar Tv's, computers, microwaves, cars, guns, stereo's, photo copiers, tennis shoes, AUCTION SITES ( ebay and gold's have a striking similarity), let's see what else?
Airplanes, Radar dectecors and the list goes on and on. How many of you are also members of Knife Forums as well? Isn't one a copy or rendition of the other. Go see for your self. http://www.knifeforums.com
I dont think so this world is driven by competition. There is a fair market place for The good quality name brand knives as well as the cheaper quality more affordable and also quite useful knives. You cant tell someone they have to buy a $119.00 smith and wesson auto just because they want a switchblade thats like telling someone if they want a car they have to buy a lexus. My point? Not everyone can afford a lexus so they buy a yugo, not everyone can afford a smith and wesson so they buy the cheaper version. Is it is as good of a knife? Probably not but that is an opinion that is made by the person who buys the knife. I have not had one complaint from person who has bought such a knife. Are they to be judged for buying such a knife as i am for selling such a knife? Another thing people act like these companies making these rendition knives are taking food out of the respective other's mouth yet both knife makers are hardly missing a meal. I feel no need to carry on any further i only wish i knew that i was the topic of this conversation a little earlier. Hopefully everyone will read my reply here with an open mind before they are quick to nail me to the cross which seems so easy for so many people to do. By the way people did really like my switchblade pictures i happened to sell 7 of them from that particular auction. I got the idea from another fellow E-Bayer who was successful in the same endeavor. I think switchblade laws are ridiculous. They date back to the 1950's. Who the hell cares how a knife opens. A knife is a knife there are many knives that can be opened just as quick as a switchblade yet they are completely legal. A switchblade can not be misused any more than a number 2 pencil could.
And for the record im not selling to minors (photo i.d. copy required) and i sell a hell of a lot more things than switchblades. I sell guns, martial arts weapons, self defense products etc. Switchblades just happen to be a hot seller. As stated above i also sell real Smith & Wessons(good prices too.$70.00 ea. 4 styles) and soon Real Benchmades and Boker's. I look forward to hearing any advice, comments, and opinions any members happen to have in the future.
 
Heheh... A Lexus isnt a real car..... its a rich mans toy.....
wink.gif
 
Just one point, Suncruz. I created KnifeForums.com, and BladeForums.com. Yeah, they are similar, but in many ways they are light years apart....

Anyhow, as long as you are responsible with what you are selling, I personally don't have a problem with what you are doing.

Spark


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Kevin Jon Schlossberg
SysOp and Administrator for BladeForums.com

Insert witty quip here
 
Very well said Suncruz,
There is a market for all types. Alot of people can't afford to spend $100 - $200 for a knife. If they want to spend less, that's their business. And if you want to sell the less expensive brands, also that's your business. Supply and demand. Alot of knife people that can afford the more expensive knives, look down on the people that can't afford them. They laugh at the people that buy United or Frost Cutlery. Yes, I must admit, I too have become a knife snob at times. Lets not forget our roots and remember that a knife, is a knife, is a knife. I own a few $10 - $20 knives up to $200 - $300 knives and I love them all the same. Let's all stick together. Good luck in your endeavors!

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"May you live in interesting times"

AKTI - A000389
 
I'd like to play devil's advocate on this one.

Does design matter? Is it worth something? Do people pay money for a specific design?

If the answer to those questions is no, then there is clearly no reason to copy another knife. If people aren't paying for a particular design, why not make one up instead of taking someone else's?

If the answer is yes, then clearly stealing a design is taking something of value that belongs to someone else. You can say "well, it looks different than the original" but you aren't fooling anyone; people buy it because it doeslook like the original. The design is what sells the knife, and the design belongs to someone else. Therefor you are stealing from them something of value, and doing double injury because you may also have lessened their sales.

What makes this such a disgusting crime to me is that initial design is the easy part You only have to do it once and it's not very hard. I design knives every day. So there is nothing to stop these manufacturers from designing and tooling up to make their own design with nearly the same ease that they tool up to steal someone else's. The fact that they choose to use someone else's is testimony to the fact that A) they have no moral regard, and B) there is some inherent value to the design (see above), a value they intend to steal.

There is another issue which Suncruz and I have already butted heads about. Even when this sort of theft goes on in other industries, thieves know better than to use the original manufacturer's name, because it is trademarked property more easily defended than a design. Smith and Wesson may have copied the Glock Line with their Sigmas (which they paid for in court, hint, hint), but their ad campaign didn't boldly state "Great Copies Of Glock Pistols!" Suncruz will find that the original manufacturers of rip-off knives are smart enough not to mention the parent designs by name. It is left to dealers, who might be small enough to avoid prosecution, to make this final step and call it a copy. Which he does unabashedly, and I wish he'd stop.

That's my $0.02

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-Drew Gleason
Little Bear Knives
 
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