Ethics of Circle P (Vandine)

S

SPryor Knives

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Nov 19, 2000
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Okay let's get what we can in the open about this possibly unscrupulous purveyor. I'll start with my very first impression which has had a ring of accuracy. I first saw him on the scene a few years ago when he joined an email list with an attitude. I thought then that he was trouble, but after knowing him for sometime knew it, and then went on to believe that he would sink his own boat...again accurate it seems.
He soon started bullying me into letting him "represent" the knives I make, and those I carry from another maker's operation. I buckled and agreed, until I soon saw that this was not one I wanted representing us. After one bad deal through Circle P (the only bad deal we'd had) we cut our losses and pulled everything.

I have been lead to believe that he has bullied others into this same "representation", and even though these makers wanted to cut ties for obvious reasons, P still collects their names on his site just saying that they have nothing to offer at this time.
A couple years back he tried pulling some stuff in the Paltalk discussion group that served no purpose other than to insult our intelligence, and oust him from *that* community.
This brings up another point..he contacted me awhile back and when I mentioned that he hadn't visited the paltalk room for quite some time, he stated that his computer wouldn't handle the program. I view that as yet another insult to whatever intelligence I may have...this guy is supposed to be a computer consultant:rolleyes: , , and I did paltalk on an old 16meg windows 95 system for a long time, and I'm just an old hick.
I just mentioned his name in the paltalk room and got opinions ranging from "P's an *A*hole" to P's a moron", but nothing redeeming.

I also have reason to believe he is somewhat on probation in some email lists, and had his moderator powers taken away in other forums due to bullying others.

Disclaimer; this is just the way I remember my dealings with P, so please just view this as the venting it is.

I look forward to the recollections of others, be it makers, or buyers.
 
Steve,

I don't recall bullying you, I do remember you sending me a box full of knives so I could take pictures of them for my site, the deal was the deal and I feel bad it worked out the way it did. I too would like to know what makers think I bullied them onto my site, I have no trouble taking them off if they don't want to be there. I'm just a guy trying to make a living like everyone else. I left paltalk was not banned, afaik I am not on probation on any email list, I am on only 1, and as it is a private one I would rather not discuss that on a publuc forum.

I'm here, not going anywhere I love to get email so anyone wants to email me and discuss this I am willing to listen.

I am getting tired of you (Steve) always talking sh*t about me, you don't know me or what I am about. I can be overbearing and I tend to go for what I want but you have gone out of your way to make things hard for me, I don't think one bad deal is worth the grief you have given me.

About the Paltalk, why would I want to get on a forum where everyone has a bad opinion of me to hating me? Why would you want me back?

As far as I am concerned this thread is another of your attempts at smearing me and my business, it appears that the previous thread was sufficient as the number of views (1300+) would show.

Anyone who wants to discuss this with me I have posted my email address and usually am by my computer, I closely monitor my email.
 
It was only "one bad deal" because I had already seen "what you were about" and cut our ties immediately. Yes, you are overbearing and do go after what you want...relentlessly! Hey, remember when the Paltalk knife discussion room was started and you tried to get another one going elsewhere, and trying to affiliate it to the CKD forums..? Just a gentle reminder...you came off with the same old "oh, I didn't mean anything by that". And you have the gaul to say "you've never bullied anyone". Boy, I do hope the others see it clear to share their experiences. I fail to see why you can't understand my frustration, when my worse knife deal yet was somehow then mysteriously tied to circle p.

We did not, and do not want you back in the paltalk room, as you were veiwed then, as you are now...a virus.. I guess I just wanted to see yet another reptilian excuse. I see no other explanation for that one, except admitting a falshood. But guess you don't "recall" telling me your system wouldn't handle it either.
 
I think what hurts most is all the people who I considered my friends and the many successful knife buyers I have had not one of them have come forward to say I have dealt with Paul and it went well, guess they don't want to be seen as "on my side" that makes me sad.
 
I recall Trace Rinaldi saying you got one of his knives and went off putting his name on your "makers list" he did not ask nor agree to this. and he resents it today.

not to mention the pile of $hit you are in right now regarding Neil Blackwood and his CC card...yeah, I know....its all a coincidence....

:rolleyes:
 
<< ..afaik I am not on probation on any email list, I am on only 1, and as it is a private one I would rather not discuss that on a publuc forum. >>

Hmm, afaik this is at least one of the things your on probation for. Hmm, guess ya don't recall that either. Sheesh!
 
After reading the other threads my only question is, why is viper5192 - circle p knives not banned from bladeforums?
 
Dave, I would say that the reason is the moderators here are waiting to see proof; and not just accusations; that Paul has done all the things he is being accused of. Maybe I need something to hit me right between the eyes, but I don't believe in condemning someone without due cause.
 
Another stupid witch hunt.

I have bought maybe a dozen knives from Paul, some from his own collection, some on consignment and some from makers he represents. No problems at all. Better than that, great service and even a transatlantic phonecall once just to make sure things were going okay.

I also know and like people who do not get along with Paul at all. That doesn't make Paul or those people bad, it just makes them people.

Roger
 
Ok, maybe the buyers side of CP is a bit more positive, I've not seen that side of it. But am in constant conact with makers that do not have positive experiences. I have had more than one tell me since this thread started "that he hound, hound, hounded them" with pm's and email. Even had one tell me today he will no longer visit forums that P frequents..for that very reason. And Roger dude, wake up..this is not a witch hunt, nor is it "stupid".
 
Steve, I suppose I should clarify my comments.

I think this is essentially an issue between you and Paul. Nobody else knows the issue and probably nobody cares.....so everyone brings their own alternative issues to the party.

The trouble with threads like this is that they soon take on a momentum of their own, like the 'other one' referred to above. Nobody comes out of these threads well, the two parties involved, the rubber-neckers, the sh1t-stirrers and the sh1t-throwers.

So I'll also come out of this thread somewhat less happy than when I joined in. Should I have kept quiet? Maybe, but then so should everyone else.....

Roger
 
Well I have an opinion.
This stinks.And it does not belong on a public forum.IMO
 
You're correct in saying this stuff stinks, but sadly mistaken that it does not belong in a public forum. Although I don't visit GB&U ever til now, thought that's what it's all about, my bad. I will drop this for now, but don't want to hear one word about someone getting burned by cp, or anybody for that matter.. because some believe it should all be kept private and out of the forums. What's funny is that this stink seems to follow cp around because he uses these forums to hound people..relentlessly. I believe that's exactly why he had moderator powers stipped in another forum. So private for now, until I see the snakes head pop out from under another rock.
 
I have delt with Paul in the past. The transaction went off smooth and I have no complaints. I Have even sent him another to sell and will untill he gives me reason to do other wise.

I do feel to had started this in another forum and not GBU was in poor taste and this hole thing should be locked and handled in e-mail.

Paul may be pusshy but thats not a bad thing. I have alot of friends who are A-holes but I dont hold that agenst them, nor will I hold paul being pushy agenst him.

just my .02

Otha
 
I have dealt with Paul in the past. Very smooth transaction. He sold an expensive knife for me. Got his cut. Sent my money. No problems. I would not hesitate to deal with him again.
 
Although I have not done a great deal of business with Paul, the ones that I have done have gone smooth. I also got a lot of good feed back concerning my knives from him while at the Blade Show in June. Until I get proof otherwise I will continue to do business with him.
 
Thanks guys, the kind words are very much appreciated, makes me want to go on, was having my doubts ther for a while. Glad to know that I still have a few people who think well of me. I work very hard to keep going.

Steve has hounded me for a very long time always waiting in the wings for me to make a mistake or perceived mistake so he can pounce, and he does quite often. He did it even while I was representing his work. :rolleyes: In the past I have been overbearing when I was interested in makers, it did cost me moderator at another forum, I no longer do so.

As for makers being on my site who don't want to be, I have always and will always remove any maker who no longer wishes to be on my site, as soon as they ask me to remove them. As a result of the other thread a few makers asked me to remove their names from my site which I did, no begging, bullying, threatening or haranging.

I think it is time to move on, I myself need to get back to my business instead of having to spend all my energies defending myself against people who don't know me to one person who is blatently trying to put me out of business. Biz is bad as it is, not sure how it can get any worse but am sure all the negative publicity it can't help.

Am very sorry to have brought this to the forums, I was just trying to participate and get some advice.
 
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