Finally seeing the other side of Strider

[wjswiger]

Completely agree. I have had....and loved........quite a few Striders...they're all gone......I just prefer knives that have less headaches and better customer service on those rare times I need it.

I have had great success with Sharpies. I don't know why they work, I can only presume there's Graphite in Sharpie ink. Sharpies and pencil are such a close first and second place that the reason to use one other the other is simply availability. YMMV.

Ah Strider knives, I used to own a bunch and accepted that they came defective. I also knew after repair (or two) they would be perfect. As years went on and my knife tastes evolved I sold my Striders and moved towards knives with fewer headaches.

 

[BP Green]

I read that it was because of nondelivery or late delivery issues. No one really knows.

Yep, that's what I heard.

You'd think if that theft story was true, there'd be some sort of investigation on the part of the post office.

 

[BP Green]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KHJLm6WNEv4

I had a bad experience with the only strider I ever bought. brand new, sng cc, lock rock, chica chica chica, dealer purchase, dealer says send to strider, $25 check to strider, $25 insured fedex, (strider says we don't deal usps WTF) I put a letter in the box detailing chica chica chica and asked please don't cap that blade stop (because I read somewhere you could do that and they would not, you can not, they will cap that blade stop) 6 weeks later, I get my sng cc back with a capped blade stop which is all redonkulus, every bit of it. brand new $500 knife, dealer don't want it, $50 to fix it. cheap temp fix. makes me sick, like the design, wish strider would go the way of the Begg steelcraft kwaiken and have reate produce a SNG

I was going to let it go, but I just can't. I've read some weird crap on the webs and I'm used to poor grammar and punctuation, but this one really has me pretty confused.

Seriously dude, what in the hell is "Chica, Chica, Chica?


Edited to add that I goggled it and this is what came up

[video]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KHJLm6WNEv4[/video]

 

[Peter Hartwig]

I guess I didn't make my point very well. It wasn't to try to create some PO theft ring conspiracy theory, but to say they are just trying to protect your knife with the policy.
This is their present statement- I would have to do some real digging to find the original.
FOR REPAIRS OR SERVICE, PLEASE USE UPS OR FEDEX ONLY... STRIDER KNIVES WILL NOT BE RESPOSIBLE FOR ITEMS LOST THAT WERE SENT BY USPS)

Don't forget the $25.00 for return shipping and handling

 

[BP Green]

I

I guess I didn't make my point very well. It wasn't to try to create some PO theft ring conspiracy theory, but to say they are just trying to protect your knife with the policy.
This is their present statement- I would have to do some real digging to find the original.
FOR REPAIRS OR SERVICE, PLEASE USE UPS OR FEDEX ONLY... STRIDER KNIVES WILL NOT BE RESPOSIBLE FOR ITEMS LOST THAT WERE SENT BY USPS)

Don't forget the $25.00 for return shipping and handling

I read somewhere it's because the USPS will leave the packages out at the Strider shop on weekends when there is no one there to receive them. I guess high speed operators don't work weekends. . .

 

[TinyDog]

When one purchases said knife of good quality, and Heavy on the pocket, One would expect some customer service. I have tried almost once of every company mentioned on BF but will never try a Strider exactly because of what the OP mentions..

 

[Bludgeon]

op must have gotten through and got strider repaired since he is not back for more complaints.

 

[Thomas Linton]

Bf, 2010:

checking the usps tracking site, i realized that my knife was still at the post office near strider. I called the post office and was told the knife was there, the address was correct (they knew about the strider company), and that delivery had been attempted twice (once on a saturday and once on a monday) and an attempted delivery notice had been left both times. Usps won't attempt delivery more than two times. No one from strider had bothered to pick up the package and usps was about to return the package to me. I asked them to hold off one more week before returning it so that i could attempt to get someone from strider to pick it up.

I contacted josh lee again and informed him of the situation with my knife and asked him to pick it up. I didn't get a response back from him so i contacted mick stider via pm on another forum. At first he said he would take care of it but the next day this is what he wrote to me:

"its the usps

they are such a pain in our ass.

They always try and deliver on sat when we are not working, then hide the thing somewhere that they cant find it.

It usually ends up returned....and re sent via fed ex or something.

 

[totallynotalion]

I

I read somewhere it's because the USPS will leave the packages out at the Strider shop on weekends when there is no one there to receive them. I guess high speed operators don't work weekends. . .

If strider has caller service from the post office then a call to the postmaster should put a stop to that. If strider does not have caller service then the usps is actually doing the right thing. UPS and FedEx instruct their drivers to never leave packages at the door/loading dock if the business is closed unless the package is scheduled to be delivered on Saturday specifically AND there is someone available to sign for the package. It's not a flawless system for any of the companies mentioned since some drivers are just going to do whatever they feel like doing.

Bf, 2010:

It sounds to me like they didn't have caller service when this^ was posted. These kinds of issues can typically be solved by speaking with the postmaster at the post office in question. I think a company like strider (meaning a company that has a lot of high value packages coming in and out) would benefit from developing a working relationship with the post office. Just my two cents.

 

[Peter Hartwig]

I was doing some searching for the thread I mentioned earlier(no luck finding anything so far), but among the USPS stole my Strider/UPS stole my Strider threads(didn't see any FedEx stole my Strider threads),something came up. If you use one of the cheaper forms of shipping from FedEx or UPS your package will be delivered by USPS. They move it across country then hand it over to USPS for local delivery. I am sure some of you knew this, but thought some might not. If you are trying to avoid USPS then you need to make sure the service you buy does just that, and is handled completely by FEDEX or UPS.

 

[Leftytwogunz]

Lock stick I fixed by using the knife.
A broken blade, loose pocket clip and having one engraved strider all did with no problems. No phone calls, emails, smoke signals, update requests or stalking needed. They prefer FedEx apparently. No big deal. I like FedEx best too, they dont stomp my boxes and always ring my doorbell when they drop off an item.

I still carry my first SMF every day. Old lock "geometry," boring S30V, no lock issues, pivot is tight. It opens, locks, cuts and closes. 6+ years going strong.

My experiences with strider customer service have been fine. I guess it all depends on your expectations. I just wanted a knife fixed, and followed their instructions.
If you prefer to make new pen pals, have deep phone conversations and up to the minute updates they probably are not be for you.
Best of luck.

 

[totallynotalion]

I was doing some searching for the thread I mentioned earlier(no luck finding anything so far), but among the USPS stole my knife/UPS stole my knife threads(didn't see any FedEx stole my knife threads),something came up. If you use one of the cheaper forms of shipping from FedEx or UPS your package will be delivered by USPS. They move it across country then hand it over to USPS for local delivery. I am sure some of you knew this, but thought some might not.

Both of the services you're referring to (FedEx home delivery, and UPS Surepost) are garbage imo and should be avoided. I won't deal with a company/person that only offers one of those services.

In my 13 years in the mail industry i'd say 90% of the packages I had issues with (went missing, package damaged, lost in transit, etc) were sent by surepost or home delivery. That's really bad considering the surepost service is only 4 years old. Home delivery is 11 years old but in my final years in the industry the number of problem packages sent via home delivery skyrocketed. Alternatively, FedEx's and UPS' regular ground services seemed to have gotten better.

 

[Peter Hartwig]

This was the post I vaguely remembered from Josh at Strider, Titled "Sending Knives to us via USPS"(obviously written in a heated moment)
"Don't do it !!!!!The San Marcos post office is the worst post office I have ever had to deal with. They do not re-attempt deliveries (when it is Saturday) They also forget to leave attempt notices. So if we don't get it IT IS NOT OUR FAULT. I don't have 1-2 hours to go to the post office and stand in line then wait 30 minutes while someone "looks for our package" Then they call me 15 minutes after I leave (after waiting 45 minutes) to tell me they found it and come back and pick it up.
We have someone to take packages at our location M-F from 7am to 4 pm. Fed Ex and UPS have NEVER had a issue with delivering packages to us. Just this year alone I have had to help our customers that sent in knives for repair THAT WE NEVER GOT file claims.
This has happened 6 times so far so I would say that there is a thief at that post office. Every time has been a fight with the main guy in charge at this branch. He is ..... and .... also a F....A....H.... (I guess he has been with the post office for a while) The last time I was handed a very light box that I would not sign for and I refused. The last light box I signed for was empty (and taped shut) and the owner had to file a claim.
So...... IF YOU SEND A BOX USPS AND WE DON'T SIGN FOR IT DONT CRY TO US. WE WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT WE DID NOT TOUCH !!!!! "

 

[OnceBitten]

You would think that Strider would just rent a Post Office Box and eliminate the Driver issue. Too easy.


Edit: I bought a new SMF in CPM-154 last December.

The knife had just the tiniest little bit of lock stick, but, that's it. Perfect otherwise. I just found it too chunky for my pocket and will likely sell it, virtually unused/uncarried.

It's too bad, really; this SMF is nicely centered and flies open faster/smoother than any of the ZTs that I had.

 

[Peter Hartwig]

You would think that Strider would just rent a Post Office Box and eliminate the Driver issue. Too easy.


Edit: I bought a new SMF in CPM-154 last December.

The knife had just the tiniest little bit of lock stick, but, that's it. Perfect otherwise. I just found it too chunky for my pocket and will likely sell it, virtually unused/uncarried.

It's too bad, really; this SMF is nicely centered and flies open faster/smoother than any of the ZTs that I had.

Getting even further off topic(customer service)- I personally find the SnG to be a much nicer EDC(good pocket weight and size) than the SMF and the different scales can make a huge difference in liking or not liking the knife.
Back on subject-I like Strider products and I don't think their customer service is terrible, but I can think of a number of simple things they could do to make life easier for both them and their customers.
1st on the list would be a simple sheet with every knife explaining what to expect , break in and the simple solutions for some problems as well as their preferred way to contact them and get service when needed. IMO they must get loads of knives returned for service that only needed break in or a simple DIY tweak(guilty of this myself on my 1st SnG). I got a form of this with one of my knives , but believe it probably came from the dealer(could be wrong, most of my knives are bought on the exchanges rather than new)

 

[Gastonknife]

Both of the services you're referring to (FedEx home delivery, and UPS Surepost) are garbage imo and should be avoided. I won't deal with a company/person that only offers one of those services.

In my 13 years in the mail industry i'd say 90% of the packages I had issues with (went missing, package damaged, lost in transit, etc) were sent by surepost or home delivery. That's really bad considering the surepost service is only 4 years old. Home delivery is 11 years old but in my final years in the industry the number of problem packages sent via home delivery skyrocketed. Alternatively, FedEx's and UPS' regular ground services seemed to have gotten better.

Feel the need to correct your error here. The two services you are alluding to here are UPS Surepost and FedEx Smartpost......not FedEx Home Delivery. Home Delivery is part of the Fedex Ground network and just uses smaller vehicles and delivers Saturday. Customers use Surepost and Smartpost to save money on shipping costs.....ie: free shipping on low cost items etc. The PO is used for the last mile delivery.
No intention here to be difficult, but it concerns me when people make a bunch of statements proposing to be knowledgable and yet do not have a complete understanding of facts/details of what they are talking about.

 

[totallynotalion]

Feel the need to correct your error here. The two services you are alluding to here are UPS Surepost and FedEx Smartpost......not FedEx Home Delivery. Home Delivery is part of the Fedex Ground network and just uses smaller vehicles and delivers Saturday. Customers use Surepost and Smartpost to save money on shipping costs.....ie: free shipping on low cost items etc. The PO is used for the last mile delivery.
No intention here to be difficult, but it concerns me when people make a bunch of statements proposing to be knowledgable and yet do not have a complete understanding of facts/details of what they are talking about.

Yikes! You're absolutely correct, sorry about the mixup! I had meant to comment on smartpost, not home delivery.

 

[palonej]

Smartpost usually adds a day or two on delivery also. When choosing free ship on an order you will usually get stuck with this type of shipping......it sucks. I always spring for the extra $5.99. It's worth it!

I'd really like to hear back from the OP and hear of the outcome. Hate when these threads have no conclusion.

Joe

 

[sting7777]

op must have gotten through and got strider repaired since he is not back for more complaints.

Lol. Wishful thinking. Tore my left biceps tendon and had to have surgery to reattach so haven't been back to the thread. Original number didn't work. Haven't invested more time.

Still no response to my emails and still no LBS.

I did buy some nice Ti ones on eBay and some screws from knife kits so I can just fix it myself.

This wasn't meant to be a bash Strider thread. Just sharing my experience and dissapontment with a brand whose knives I love and own many of.

Ymmv etc etc. I'll post back if they ever reach out.

 

[sting7777]

Also - for those that think the knife was fine and lock stick and blade play is normal etc and I should just wait for break-in etc. it's my oldest strider. None of my others have these issues. The knife needed work. It's better. Still could use a bit more work but really it just needs the original lbs and screw back so it can be used as intended.

Edit: not really since I bought replacements but you get my drift