Help me out here guys...

[Daniel Koster]

Here's the deal:

I ordered a tapered spindle a while back from a major knife supply shop. I also ordered some buffing wheels and asked for wheels that would fit the tapered spindle. (at the time, I was quite unfamiliar with tapered spindles - had no idea what to get)

In the mail, I get an assortment of buffing wheels, all but one having 5/8" openings - which were wayyyy too big for the spindle. They would zip right up to the top and then when I would apply a little pressure, they would "glance" sideways...

Called the supplier to complain. They said they'd send out a wheel I could try out and a plastic bushing (had no idea what this was either). My understanding was that this was "a courtesy replacement" - which other suppliers have done. Nope.

In the mail comes a nice pinhole buff (which is apparently the only thing they had that would work - they had nothing smaller than 5/8") and the plastic bushing (which I now know is for fitting larger buffs to smaller arbors - worthless on a tapered spindle)...and a nice bill along with it...

Frustrated, I put everything in a box except for one buff I had soiled already trying to get it to work on the spindle. I including a polite but angered letter and sent it back - on my dollar.

A month passes...memory fades. One day, it hits me - no word back yet - so I make a phone call. "Oh...ok. We'll process your refund."

In the mail yesterday comes a refund for the buffs they sent the first time (minus the one I spoiled). No reimbursement for the shipping costs I paid 3 times to get this straightened out....I had to nag them about it...not even a friendly "we-want-your-business" attitude...

This is a supplier whom I had previously thought to be "above the rest" in terms of order speed and accuracy. If they had only screwed up once or twice, I'd just let it slide (heck, I screw up that much myself). But having to "babysit" this for a few months only to end up with 2 buffs and a plastic bushing for about $80 is kinda aggravating.

So what's a nice guy like me to do?


And what's the deal with the rotten customer service when I had never had a problem with them before? (**** happens, I know....but over and over again?)


I didn't post this in GB&U because I'm not interested in naming names...just aggravated and want to know if this is "standard treatment" for everybody else, because if it is, I'll just shut up.

Dan

 

[Sando]

Dan,

That's the pits. Every knife supplier I've worked with has been wonderful.

If you bought a set of stuff (like spindles and buffs and all) you obviously intended to use them together.

Sending a bushing for a tapered spindle shows they have hired staff that's a little short on training.

I have to believe that's what's going on. If you get a hold of the owner, I'm sure he/she would like to know and clear it up.

If it IS the owner, get a refund and move on. And please let us know.

Steve

 

[Mike Hull]

Knowing who the supplier is, just might save some other unfortunate soul from getting the same bad treatment.

There are a few A-holes doing bad business, and counting on people not wanting to make waves to enable them to continue these practices.

My take on it is, if you won't name them, don't bring it up in the first place.

 

[Steve Hayden]

Dan,
A good jewelry supply house will know exactly what you are looking for, both for spindles and buffing wheels.

<www.riogrande.com> is a good one, they have more stuff than you can imagine, and will send catalogs.

 

[Steve Hayden]

I had to stop and look up the link, but this is a good local (for me) supply house for small metal working/jewelry supplies:

http://www.metalworks.com/

I got my heat treating oven from them and a bunch of spindles and wheels of all sorts.

 

[Chris Crawford]

Sounds like Texas Knifemakers Supply to me. I've had a similar experience with them. However, for the most part I've had good service, and I will continue to use them unless it happens again. -chris

Chris Crawford Knives

 

[Daniel Koster]

The reason I hesitated is that the other 20 times I've used this outfit, everything went smoothly. The company is K&G. In fact, the reason I had used them so much was that I had grown tired of the other knife shops.

I've never had problems with Sheffield's, Jantz, Admiral's and Discount Abrasives. The others, I have all had problems with and I'm talking about the "Big 5" - the ones you see at Blade.

I wasn't able to get through to the owner. I figured writing a letter would get their attention - apparently not.

To be perfectly honest, I get mix-ups in my supply orders probably 1 out of every 4 I make. From incomplete orders, to broken items, to delayed processing to flat out being overcharged double. I'm tired of it. I feel like it's almost worth it to pay extra just to know that I'll actually get what I want, when I want it.

By far, the best has been Admiral - who "accidentally" sends me more steel than I order - fast. The worse so far has been TKS - and I don't mind saying that. I've had more screw-ups then I care to remember and returns were a hassle. I had to haggle the owner over the phone for an hour over a few weeks to get him to believe that they had given me 1 bar of steel but charged me for 3.

I just want to know, should I move on, or give it another shot? I'm the forgiving type, but I tend to let myself get walked on sometimes...just having one of those moments, I guess...

 

[Wild Rose]

Whenever you don't get satisfaction from any kind of supplier one of the best recourses is to contact that companies local Better Business Bureau and/or Chamber of Commerce.

 

[Mike Hull]

Originally posted by pendentive
The reason I hesitated is that the other 20 times I've used this outfit, everything went smoothly. The company is K&G. In fact, the reason I had used them so much was that I had grown tired of the other knife shops.

...

Call, or email Ken McFall. He's the owner, and a very responsible person. He will get to the bottom of this, and see you're treated right.

Send him a link to this thread at the same time.