Fiddleback Friday 1/24/14

Fshnfool said:
As an official "Senior Citizen" and admitted computer Tyro, I am curious to know something. How is it that I get the Official "Fiddleback Friday" post from Andy and there are already 20 guys with requests for their picks before I even get to the end of the list of for sale knives (less than one minute) It's not a huge deal as I was just looking today but this has been happening more and more lately If you can contribute a response that's not a Smart assed post, I'd be interested in hearing some thoughts on this!
Click to expand...

I only got into the shark pool a few months back. I used to feel the same way that you did. I have studied the comments and actions of the some of the Great White Sharks in the pool. As a result I have gotten faster.

Here is my list of advice:

1) Have a plan for one or two specific models and/or features you want before the day starts.

2) Refresh. Refresh. Refresh. Refresh. There is is no substitute for the single-minded investment of time when seconds count to get a certain model you want.

3) When the ad is published, do not start reading Andy's introductory summary of this week's offerings. That takes time and you can come back to it after you are done buying.

4) Do not use the roller on your mouse to scroll down. That is too slow. Grab the scroll bar on the right side of your screen and drag directly to the model you are interested in.

5) If you find the one you want, copy Andy's description and drag the scroll bar quickly to the bottom to post a reply. Paste the description in the reply and as few words as possible to indicate "I'll take it" and post your reply. More typing takes time and you will lose out if you type a "Dear Andy" letter that describes everything you like about the knife you want to buy. Just buy it and submit another post later about why you like it.

6) Hit refresh after posting your "I'll take it" to see if you really got it before someone else above you. While your quickly doing that pay attention to what else has already sold. Grab the scroll bar and drag up to your next target and repeat the process.

7) The knives are always posted smallest to largest. The competition is always fiercest for the small models because that is what everyone sees first. Some models like the Bushfinger routinely sell out very fast also. Again, it is crucial to have a plan beforehand to get what you want.

8) Do not post questions to Andy about the knife you really want in the sale thread. That just alerts the other sharks to hurry up and snatch it out from under you long before Andy replies.

9) Don't worry if you missed out this week. There will be more next week.

10) Be sportsmanlike and congratulate the other sharks who got the ones you want. Compliment them on their good taste.

11) One etiquette rule I recommend is no "past-posting." If you saw the movie The Sting, you will know what I mean. In the context of this forum, it means editing an earlier reply post to paste in another knife you want to purchase. I think every "Ill take it" post should be a fresh reply. That will help avoid a lot of confusion about who really got what and what is still available.

That is all that I have to offer. I have been fast and lucky enough to get three beautiful knives this month by using these steps. I wish you all luck getting the ones you want in the weeks to come.

Thanks,

Phil
 
Last edited:
Phil, that should get moved into it's own thread. Good info there. Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Second that -- couldn't have said it better myself. Know what you want, have a backup, do the obligatory read ahead on fotki, execute... Get knife you want on FBF, drink cold beer, savor in your victory, repeat weekly as needed.
 
wjt1981 said:
Second that -- couldn't have said it better myself. Know what you want, have a backup, do the obligatory read ahead on fotki, execute... Get knife you want on FBF, drink cold beer, savor in your victory, repeat weekly as needed.
Click to expand...

Repeat as needed? That's every week. More like repeat as often as wallet and marital bliss allows.
 
I think there were 23 knives this week. 5 were gone in about 3 minutes, then a total of 9 in about 9 minutes. That's not that terrible. For me, the hard part is catching the initial post quickly, then trying not to post an "I'll take..." on something that is already gone. Throw in a few "nice scores" or "beautiful batch" or what have you, and now your digging through pages to find out what's up. That increases the challenge, especially for new people. Last week was my first try and I got zilch. It took a bit to figure what was even happening. In a way, it adds to the fun after you work through the frustration. It's an interesting sales model.

What I learned is mostly what's been posted already. You need to know what you want going in. It's like shopping on Black Friday: there's no browsing or considering. Snag what can. I spent the last week reading reviews, comparing specs, combing through posts etc. I went in with first, second, and third model choices. Had to be tapered. Handle material and color was inconsequential.

It's noteworthy that the models that go quickly do so everywhere. Meaning, if you buy it and it's not quite right, it'll likely go just as fast in the flea market or exchange. And there is also the outstanding guarantee.

Hope that helps in some way. :)
 
I have been trying to purchase a bushfinger for 2 months now and by the time i figure out whats what, one of the same 5 guys snags them. How many fiddlebacks do you guys have? I wanna play too. Sorry if I sound bitter, but I am a little.
 
Last edited:
2014 0123 011 – Sneaky Pete (Model Standard), Stabilized and dyed (brown) curly Maple over natural canvas with a blue g10 pinstripe, Tapered Tang, Convex on 1/8” thick 3D Spalted 01 steel - $315
if its not sold Ill take it... andy let me know for I dont have time to look through them all
 
fourteeners1669 said:
I have been trying to purchase a bushfinger for 3 months now and by the time i figure out whats what, one of the same 5 guys snags them. How many fiddlebacks do you guys have? I wanna play too. Sorry if I sound bitter, but I am a little.
Click to expand...

Give me a call next week. The # is on the website. If no one answers right away, we're all at the machines. Keep trying. I'll make sure you get a BF. We have one held back with GITD green yark micarta scales from Shadetree. If thats not your gig, I'll let you have one out of next week's stuff. 3 months is quite dedicated. I hope the knife lives up to the wait!

Immiami said:
2014 0123 011 – Sneaky Pete (Model Standard), Stabilized and dyed (brown) curly Maple over natural canvas with a blue g10 pinstripe, Tapered Tang, Convex on 1/8” thick 3D Spalted 01 steel - $315
if its not sold Ill take it... andy let me know for I dont have time to look through them all
Click to expand...

You got it!!! Thanks!
 
Sorry it's been 2 months, Fat fingers, but it seems like a lifetime LOL. 8 Fridays now I have sat in front of my computer all day waiting for my chance with no success. Just part of the game I guess. I bought a KE Bushie from another site and it's the best knife I have ever owned. Thanks for the opportunity Andy, I own a lot of knives, all users I'm not a collector and the Bushie is by far the most used, never leaves my side. You do fine work sir.
 
You can also try putting a WTB in the Fiddleback Fleamarket thread. You never know. Someone could be thinking about moving a Bushfinger that fits your bill.
 
thurin said:
Repeat as needed? That's every week. More like repeat as often as wallet and marital bliss allows.
Click to expand...

Yeah you have a point there! When in doubt one can grease the skids with shoes/hand bags/jewelry as needed to have the significant other keep a blind eye to the sometimes weekly home deliveries from Cummins GA.. :D
 
Yeah trying to get the knife you want is crazy. I have been trying to get a bushraptor for some time now and do not think it is going to happen. In the process of looking I now also want a scorpion. With my job there is no way for me to monitor the forum all day. Hoping I will get lucky one week.
 
Man, I love you folks support. Thank you! Go check out the Law of the Sharks thread. There is a lot of useful information in that thread that can help.
 
Andy... this batch was to die for. The bushboot, runt, sp, and the camp Nessy all blow me away. Hope it stays cold down there if that's what caused it :p
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top