"Free" clips and hardware

Popsickle

Popsickle

Joined
Jul 25, 2010
Messages
3,002
so it was recently brought to my attention that companies who send out "free" clips and hardware actually build the cost into the knife price. This is not meant to bash companies who do it, but I'm curious as to what people think about it? We're essentially paying for extra clips and hardware even if we don't need them. Would you rather a lower priced knife and pay for extras or is it better as is?
 
Every company with any warranty that allows for replacements of any part or the whole of a knife they sell accounts for the added expenditure by adjusting the sale price of their knives accordingly, it's not unusual but rather good business. Why should we complain about companies that do good business? It makes no sense...
 
Every warranty service is built into knives. They have to cover the cost somehow.
 
Popsickle said:
so it was recently brought to my attention that companies who send out "free" clips and hardware actually build the cost into the knife price. This is not meant to bash companies who do it, but I'm curious as to what people think about it? We're essentially paying for extra clips and hardware even if we don't need them. Would you rather a lower priced knife and pay for extras or is it better as is?
Click to expand...
I've been telling people that for years now, nothing is actually free. Someone is paying for it somewhere along the line. I like the idea of getting a replacement clip, screws, pivot if I need it without having to buy it. One of the reasons why I love Kershaw/ZT/Benchmade.
 
My opinion is I'm 100% for it.

Not having to take the time, trouble and risk of mailing a knife back for basic user-serviceable repairs is a big plus in my book.
 
I can't imagine that it would reduce the cost of the knife by more than a few dollars. I don't think they're expecting every knife made to come in for service so they can spread the cost out across the production. I'm ok with it.
 
Getting rid of free parts replacement for a warranted knife may save some money, but people must feel a knife is worth the price to bug it so who's gonna be happy ?
 
If I'm swapping parts because I want to (for aesthetic or comfort reasons) or because I lost/messed up the original, I'm fine with paying for them. If there is a legitimate issue, I think it should be covered.
 
It is not just the knife industry. Many industries do it this sort of thing. Very common with eye care professionals. Expect that two or three bucks of the hard earned money you pay for Rx eyeglasses goes to replacement screws, nose pads, etc.. Do you really want the hassle of being charged for all the little things when you go in and have your glasses adjusted/repaired?

Spyderco wanted to charge me eight bucks for a replacement clip. Is that more to your liking?

Clips, screws, and customer service are all part of the reason that I carry a Benchmade.
 
sabre cat said:
Spyderco wanted to charge me eight bucks for a replacement clip. Is that more to your liking?
Click to expand...
Just speaking for myself of course, but yeah. I'd rather pay for my own pocket clips as I need them than have the price of every knife I buy go up to cover the cost of free pocket clips for everyone else. After market clips I've seen retail for around $25. $8 is a heck of a deal.
 
the more I read from yall the more I agree with the point to include it in the pricing. Full service if you will.

My main question was because spyderco doesn't do it. I didn't want to say that up front so I didn't get biased answers for one company or another. I do wish spyderco did this
 
Im not really bothered by the fact that spyderco does not include the clips in the price. First reason is that most their knives are incredible value (pm2 s110v for 150$ i mean thats value!) And secondly well, ive never bent or even damaged a spyderco clip! Ive killed my griptillian clip once, my blur... Well enough times they sent me 5 last time i asked for a clip.
 
kaozer said:
Im not really bothered by the fact that spyderco does not include the clips in the price. First reason is that most their knives are incredible value (pm2 s110v for 150$ i mean thats value!) And secondly well, ive never bent or even damaged a spyderco clip! Ive killed my griptillian clip once, my blur... Well enough times they sent me 5 last time i asked for a clip.
Click to expand...

they do make a strong clip.
 
AlwaysTomboy said:
Just speaking for myself of course, but yeah. I'd rather pay for my own pocket clips as I need them than have the price of every knife I buy go up to cover the cost of free pocket clips for everyone else. After market clips I've seen retail for around $25. $8 is a heck of a deal.
Click to expand...

Yes, and most of them are titanium or some special low production custom design, aren't they? At least that has been my experience with the ones I have seen going for 25 bucks. Also, I doubt the fee added to each knife to cover the cost of replacement clips is anywhere near eight dollars. The difference in price to you is probably pretty low, considering the volume of knives sold.

If a company like CRKT can offer free pocket clips and screws (shipped for free, too), I don't see any reason why Spyderco can't do the same. Considering the price that someone is ask to pay for a quality Spyderco knife, the idea that you have to pay 8 bucks for a clip is kind of insulting. Now, I am not saying that we should expect or be entitled to free clips but, I do find Spyderco's policy at odds with it's competitors.

Oh, and for the record, I have offered to pay for catalogs, clips, screws, etc. that I have received from Benchmade, CRKT, Kershaw and Spyderco but, Spyderco is the only manufacturer that expected me to pay for their services. Gerber even provided parts at no charge.
 
Last edited:
Personally, I see it as a smart way of doing business. Some customers may need warranty work done, others may never send their knives in for repair, either way the hardware and service is there if needed. Folks are willing to pay a high price for a quality product, and having a good warranty and customer service department will help draw business in.
 
if you've ever set the prices for anything as a business, you know that the costs are already built in for many things - whether they are used or wanted.

on the other hand, if the cost was not built in - somebody would be wondering why they have to pay for clips, hardware, warranty style work - and feel like they are getting 'nickeled and dimed'
 
Abuse anybody long enough and chances are they will change.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top