Has Anyone else had problems with "Blade Bandits" or Charles Vickery out of Tampa Fl.

Hi guys,
my first post on the forums, and also a gripe about Blade Bandits. In mid October tried to purchase Microtech Metalmark with plain edge and stonewash finish from them. Dropped an email, paid by Paypal and the fun has started. Instead of promised immediate shipping, for 10 days I was hearing excuses like: "it's already boxed", "Knife is shipping today, sorry , we are backed up over 100 orders!", "going right away", etc. After some time I've received Click-N-Ship notice that label has been printed, but for couple more days it showed nothing ("USPS was electronically notified...."), I asked them again, what's the problem, got answer (actual quote): "I handed it to my Favorite lady at the post office, she takes care of me, its looking like she did not scan it into the system!". By that time I've already started thinking that this is a scam and started checking out if such company existed, no luck. So I've filled the Paypal claim and got the best mail message from them (actual quote, if needed I can provide a screenshot of the email): "Let me be clear, I have a friend who works Disputes at Paypal and I will be turning all information over to him.".
 
Rugboy said:
Goldie, guess what?


Blade Bandits
Just sold the Barry Gallagher Custom Folder, thank Blade Gallery for buying that piece off of us! It sure is gorgeous!
Like · · Share · 16 hours ago ·
Click to expand...

Actually I bought that, still have not received it. Nor has he given me a tracking number.
 
I have been doing business online for 10 years and have hundreds of successful transactions under my belt. I understand that small businesses are not perfect and it takes a LOT of wrongdoing to get me going. This is the first negative review i have ever written about a company.

I placed an order for a microtech with Blade Bandits that showed in stock 12 items over a month ago, called the owner to confirm and he said he has it on hand an i will get my order within 2-3 days. Long story short the guy who runs this Blade Bandits is a straight up crook, of course the knife was never shipped and he had a story for everything. It was always "will ship tomorrow" or "its microtechs fault" etc... Over a month later and no refund and he doesn’t even have any knives in stock. I consider myself to be a very easy going person and a simple refund or just plain honesty would have saved the whole situation but this guy is just one excuse after another. Buyer beware.
:thumbdn:
 
I have been doing business online for 10 years and have hundreds of successful transactions under my belt. I understand that small businesses are not perfect and it takes a LOT of wrongdoing to get be going. This is the first negative review i have ever written about a company.

I placed an order for a microtech with Blade Bandits that showed in stock 12 items over a month ago, called the owner to confirm and he said he has it on hand an i will get my order within 2-3 days. Long story short the guy who runs this Blade Bandits is a straight up crook, of course the knife was never shipped and he had a story for everything. It was always "will ship tomorrow" or "its microtechs fault" etc... Over a month later and no refund and he doesn’t even have any knives in stock. I consider myself to be a very easy going person and a simple refund or just plain honesty would have saved the whole situation but this guy is just one excuse after another. Buyer beware.
 
Sorry to hear about the problems with the e-tailer. That's why I usually buy from Amazon or other known sites.
 
Well the search shows hundreds of complaints on Andrew who runs this store. Obviosly i will do a chargeback with CC but also for others burned by him you can call his local police department (813) 231-6130 and file a report. They wont get to it for a few weeks but they will process it and if multiple complaints a filed Andrew will have some problems.
 
Ok guys after making a few phone calls everybody that has been ripped off by Andrew/Bladebandits needs to contact FBI internet Crime division and his local PD. I spoke with dispatch at his local PD and basically once they get a few complaints they will assign somebody and he will get a knock on his door. Just on this forum there are at least a hundred people this guy has ripped off, even of 10 people call Andrew might spend the new years eve in less than comfortable surroundings.
 
So I was searching online for the new CRKT Redemption that was featured in a recent issue of Tactical Blades magazine. I happened upon bladebandits.com, and they said, "WE JUST GOT 3 OF THESE IN THIS WEEK, FIRST SITE ON THE NET WITH THEM!" I've looked on CRKT's website and I can't even find it there, so that got me thinking that maybe something is off. I then messaged their FB page, and I got an immediate response, "Yes, we have 2 left at this time! Great knife! Bad to the bone!"

Then I searched bladeforums, and here I am. I'm glad I didn't buy it. Thank you!
 
I've had a similar experience with Blade Bandits, I ordered a ZT0301 in mid Sept. and the only thing i have received so far has been one excuse after another from Andrew; "I shipped it out last week, must have been lost in the mail, will send another"(never supplied a tracking number after requesting one many times) "Getting a huge ZT order in on Monday, will send out then", "Have 2 in stock but running out the door to Knife show, will ship asap when i get back", "sorry, been out of the state for awhile dealing with family stuff" among many other excuses over the past 3 months.

Has anyone ordered from these guys and received their order months later?

So far i have filed a complaint with the Florida ZT sales rep but he didn't seem to know much about them. I think i will take longshot7 's advice and file a complaint with the TPD and the FBI internet crimes div.

Unfortunately, I paid with a check so i don't think there is a lot i can do to get my money back, if i don't receive my zt i'll mark it up as a $200 lesson learned.
 
placed an order on Dec 17, 2012 .....as of today no items have arrived...
I got this email from them only after I sent in an inquiry*
Hello,

Your order is in transit and shipped with the regular post office. You should receive it from your mailman around Tuesday. Thank you.
Tatyana
Customer Support, Blade Empire Corporation
tatyana@blade-empire.com
www.Weapons-Universe.com

tuesday....as in this tuesday past...which was Jan 8th!

NEVER
AGAIN!
 
Hi BF I'm glad I found this great post. I was about to order a MT Combat Troodon TC from the bandit. Looks like I won't be doing that unless I want to fight for my money back. Too bad for them if more people like me find this thread. I'm not much of a social network guy but I wanted to help out the guy whom took great care of me this past Friday with my first MT purchase and pass on some hopefully helpful info regarding how more people can see the bandits bad business practices.

First the gentleman who took EXSEPTIONAL Care of me. On Friday the 11th I found Razor Sharpe Unlimited (David) because I was interested in a Zombie Tech. So I called right away. It was quite late so I left a message to find out the call actually went to Dave's personal line and he was sorry he didn't answer. That's awesome CS. I woke up that morning to a call from Dave and before I could call back he called again telling me he would hold two of the knifes I wanted. After putting the order in with him he updated shipping in about two hours. Again Awesome CS. So I want to let everyone here know he has a little selection of MTs including a few Zombie Techs as of Friday the 11th. Move fast I may call and hoard them myself LoL. Here's his website and you will have to call him to order and Dave's very nice to talk to.

http://razorsharpunlimited.com/microtech.html

Lastly if the unhappy want to get the word out to people outside the forum about the horrible CS at the Bandit site you can leave feedback here

http://www.bbb.org/west-florida/business-reviews/knives-custom/blade-bandits-in-tampa-fl-90126964

As you will see it is the BBB and you can leave complaints and quickly change that B to an F and change the Bandits future of ripping people off. You know he takes your money and holds it till you ask for a charge back and invests it. He's getting rich off buyers just by having the money invested.

So I hope this helps

Peace
 
Only 3 likes on facebook and definately cannot be trusted. What's also intriguing is he will also has a consignment. Probably going to take your knife too.
 
Sorry I didn't find this thread sooner. I too have been robbed by the Blade Bandilts. They are liars and will tell you just what you want to hear. They have not shipped me my knife after more than a month nor have they refunded my $298. I'm just glad it wasn't more money.
 
I can see Bade Bandits are Banned from Blade Forums. A better punishment would be to crash their web site. Any expertise out there?
 
Bigdondon said:
I can see Bade Bandits are Banned from Blade Forums. A better punishment would be...
Click to expand...

I'm afraid not. We do not condone this retaliatory behavior. It would also be wise for you to suggest or recommend such things either. If something along those lines did happen, you could end up in some problems and no one wants that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top