Ever deliver and not receive payment?

WalterDavis

WalterDavis

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Nov 23, 2005
Messages
1,841
I try to be pretty laid-back with my knifemaking. I don't run on a super tight schedule, and I don't expect my customers to, either. I always try to give them plenty of notice before a knife is finished, as I know what it's like when money's tight. With people I know I've never worried about letting them have the knife on the honor system, but I think that's going to have to change:thumbdn: The last two knives I've made for people I know (not well, but face-to-face), I've apparently gotten taken on. One I didn't know well, but since it was a gift for her brother, it never crossed my mind I'd lose out. The other was for a guy at work-he wanted a WSK type knife, so I made one and cut him a great deal on it, but for 2 months now it's been 'next week, next week'. I work on a DOE site, so collecting my $$ the old-fashioned way is out of the question:grumpy::D

Ever happened to you? Got any coping strategies that'll help me:p (Don't suggest beer, I can't afford any 'til I sell a knife to a paying customer:foot:) I'm really trying to not let it get me down, and I don't plan on turning into a dickhead to previous buyers, but dang...sure is frustrating!

Thanks for letting me vent, and I'd sure like to hear what everyone else has done in similar situations!
 
I never expect to get a knife from a maker before payment, just like I wouldn't expect to receive merchandise from Wal-Mart or anywhere else before payment. I always try to keep the agreed upon amount in "escrow" if you will until the knife is completed and this has served me well. Sorry for your troubles bro, but payment before delivery is the way I would go. Just my 2 cents......
 
Yeah, from now on it'll go something like this: "Sure is pretty, ain't it! And it can be all yours for one low payment of ..." :D
 
WalterDavis said:
Yeah, from now on it'll go something like this: "Sure is pretty, ain't it! And it can be all yours for one low payment of ..." :D
Click to expand...

Sounds like a good policy to me brother! Keep plugging away, they will eventually cough up the cash just to stop hearing about it.
 
There was a time when I dealt in the same manner...on the honor system. That ended when I sent $800+ worth of knives to an individual, who assured me that he would send me payment as soon as the knives arrived.

After a month I tried to call...the phone had been disconnected. Next I sent a certified letter, which came back to me "not at this address". I never saw the individual, the knives again, nor did I ever get paid.

From that point on no knife leaves my hands until I have payment, plain and simple.
 
I have delivered a couple before payment. I have been taken once by a supposed good friend, designed a couple of different knives for him and he got 4 knives to "sell for me". He moved and I Never saw any payment. Not only did he stiff me on the knives a few years later there was a write-up in Blade Magazine of someone making my design and marketing it for him. Now I do not accept payment until the knife is done and a photo approval is received. Then I expect payment before I send the knife. I have sent a knife to a really good customer when they say the check is in the mail. But not as a regular practice.
 
We have close to 1000 customers - and 2 overdue accounts - which we hope will come around. We're pretty happy to have 998 honest customers - and 2 that probably are just trying to work things out.

Having said that, I've been cheated twice by members of these forums - so I have to say that I'm a little gun shy from people that want payment first.

I guess I can see things from both sides.

The take home message here is that in our experience, 99.8% of people have been honourable. Thanks to all of those.

Rob!
 
A guy I knew wanted a knife (more a cleaver/axe) for bush work, when I finished it, he was on his way to Afghanistan for 6 months in a week but I dropped it off to him at work anyway, I figured at least he would have it when he got home. I'll pay you thursday (payday). No prob.. he sailed on sunday.. 8 months later (6 month trip, vacation time etc) I saw him again. "I broke it last week"... He explained what happened and where it broke. I told him to bring in whats left... I left it in the tree and don't know where it is.. I wrote this one off and wont be selling to him again. From now on it is cash in hand when they get the knife or they dont get it. I have had people try and give me money ahead of time but I wont take that either. It puts too much pressure on me I think.
 
i never send a knife without payment since the customer is the one who pays shipping if they want their knife. i wish i followed the same method last year when i sharpened 30 knives a week before blade show last year when i was helping a guy out. i got took for a good ammount of money.
 
for the guy at work , I would at least let everyone there know he is a flake . Maybe he will pay up from embarrassment .
 
I never send the knife without getting paid first. It's just bad business. The only exceptions are long time customers who have proven themselves trustworthy.
 
Gotta get paid first. I think the knife community populated with good folk, but it can be hard to pay for a knife. Can't eat knives. So keep your knives till they pay, then send the knife.
 
I remember about 15 years ago, when online auctions were just beginning. There is a reason Paypal is still in existence today. Never pay by cash, never accept a check. Never send a money order. Credit card is the only way to go in such situations. Paypal makes that easy to accomplish, even if they do suck! I'm not a paypal fanboy, my paypal address is paypalsucks at dsmrepair.com. I've been screwed by them before, and it took me 6 years to get my $200 from them. But, I've never been screwed by a customer or auction when I've used paypal.
 
I got burned twice and then decided to type up and an email as a purchase contract. The following is an excert from the payment option of the contract I use when someone wants to purchase a knife from me.

Method of payment options:
1. I will take Paypal instant payments. If unfamiliar on how to do such a transaction, use the following steps in red.
My email address is as follows: ........................
Paypal Instant payment transaction steps
1. Log in to your PayPal account.
2. Click the My Account tab.
3. Click the Send Money tab.
4. Enter the required information and click Continue.
5. Review the information and click Send Money to complete your transaction.


2. I will take Paypal credit card purchases.
My email address is as follows: .......................


3. I will take a money order or checks however; you must be willing to let the money order or check clear my bank before I will ship merchandise. In the past I have encountered problems with money orders and checks so they must be verified by the bank, this normally takes 3-7 days working days.
If you choose this option, make funds payable to.
Insert my mailing address
Upon my receiving your money order or check, I will notify you I have received it. I will deposit and upon bank clearance will ship out and notify you of shipment to your address.
Please email me to let me know funds are on their way, that way I don’t worry about them being lost in the mail!


If you choose to make payment by Paypal, please notify me by email, so I can watch for it to be posted to my account.
Once transaction has been verified, I will notify you and shipment will be made. An email will be sent out to notify you shipment has been made and name of carrier, as well as estimated time of delivery.


I think it just makes things clear, YOU AIN'T GETTING THE MERCHANDISE TILL I GET THE FUNDS AND KNOW THEY HAVE CLEARED!
In this day and time I don't think thats being anal just safe!
 
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I have had to wait for payment, but have never got burned. I don't think twice about repeat customers. I ship immediately upon the I'll take it. All others must show payment either through paypal or Int'l M/O. I do take personal cheques but the item won't ship until the cheque clears.

No money upfront and no delivery dates is the way to go, too.

Rick
 
I've got 3 letters for Buyers & Makers, C O D!
Collect on Delivery is what I've learned form being burnt in the past. this makes everyone feel safe and satisfied.
 
HUNTER32 said:
I've got 3 letters for Buyers & Makers, C O D! ...this makes everyone feel safe and satisfied.
Click to expand...

C.O.D. !!!!!!! Yikes!

First off, is not an option for international shipping unless you are willing to tack on $40 to your selling price. Second, it creates more hassles for both the buyer and seller. I would not want someone sending me something that was COD.

Rick
 
Payment first is all I would recomend as a maker or expect as a buyer. We have bills that need to be paid same as everyone else. I did how ever let a guy make payments for his knife. I have no problems with this. Last payment sent, knife ships out. So far I have been lucky and pleased.

Paul
 
I never ship out a knife until payment is recieved.
Scott
 
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