Hopefully The New Enforced MAP Price Will Prevent This!

[harris2]

I like Benchmade knives and have many, but the quality control leaves a lot to be desired. Hopefully, the new MAP prices that are being enforced now will correct this! These pictures were emailed to them almost a year ago and I am still receiving new knives with the same issues/defects.

Look above at the extremely uneven blade edge grinds (see the tips!) on my two 581 Barrages, and both are a little off-center too.

Look above at the uneven darkness, different M390 size, and the lower line of the patent number (one is left and the other is right justified) of the laser engraving on the same two 581 Barrages. It is like this on all my Benchmades, some are dark and some you can barely see the engraving!


I hope Benchmade is monitoring this forum and sees my displeasure. Especially since they seem to have not taken my calls and email seriously because after reviewing these pictures that were emailed to them they said both knives are within Benchmade standards.


ADDENDUM: I have noticed some members read the first post and then post a response without reading all the responses/posts first, so for those individuals I would like to clarify why I made this post. I have added the statements below from some of my responses later in this thread.

Copied from my #22 post
My intent for starting this thread is if Benchmade is clandestinely monitoring this thread they will see that my displeasure with their quality control is felt by others too. Maybe, just maybe they will decide it would be in their long-term interest to improve the quality control of their knives ...and that would make all of us happy.

Please, please, please voice your honest opinion, but don’t let this thread get out of control with disrespectful comments, or off topic statements towards Benchmade that would result in it being locked/closed. Pictures to clarify quality control issues are most welcome. We are trying to respectfully show Benchmade we are not pleased with their quality control while not being antagonistic towards them.

Copied from my #4 post
Benchmade will not receive more money per knife, but the cost to the buyer has increased. Therefore, when a buyer pays top dollar they would expect to have the manufacture sell a knife worthy of the higher price. I have looked at many department store $25.00-$50.00 folders from different manufactures and their quality control (not design or materials) is better than a $100-$200.00 Benchmade. As I had said in an earlier post if Benchmade's quality control does not improve now that they cost more to me I will not buy them anymore.

 

[kreole]

Why would MAP enforcement fix this? Benchmade has already said they aren't increasing their price to dealers, so from that it seems safe to infer quality won't go up (since increased quality control drives costs up a lot).

 

[jkarp_53]

Nothing to do with the MAP process, that lasering on the Osborne is awful. Never mind the uneven grinds...I'd send all them up and demand they pay for shipping both ways. The problem with their QC is nuts.

 

[harris2]

Why would MAP enforcement fix this? Benchmade has already said they aren't increasing their price to dealers, so from that it seems safe to infer quality won't go up (since increased quality control drives costs up a lot).

Benchmade will not receive more money per knife, but the cost to the buyer has increased. Therefore, when a buyer pays top dollar they would expect to have the manufacture sell a knife worthy of the higher price. I have looked at many department store $25.00-$50.00 folders from different manufactures and their quality control (not design or materials) is better than a $100-$200.00 Benchmade. As I had said in an earlier post if Benchmade's quality control does not improve now that they cost more to me I will not buy them anymore.

 

[Redmasta]

Yup, my biggest gripe are the sloppy edges Benchmade puts on their blades. They are abysmal compared to other makers. Nearly every one I own including the 4 I received earlier this month all have uneven bevels and angles that look they were done on a slab of concrete. It not only looks like crap but also gives me hell when sharpening. You shouldn't have to reprofile straight out of the box...

With the new higher enforced prices its honestly become a joke. Charge your dealers higher prices and invest in learning how to put a proper edge on a knife for crying out loud.

 

[harris2]

Nothing to do with the MAP process, that lasering on the Osborne is awful. Never mind the uneven grinds...I'd send all them up and demand they pay for shipping both ways. The problem with their QC is nuts.

After talking to them via telephone and sending email pictures for review, and being told both knives are within Benchmade standards it would seem futile.

 

[jkarp_53]

Within standards? I would not give up. There are a bunch of CS reps there and some are better than others. I would go higher up the food chain.

Take Case, for example. They've been around forever, have re-tooled their lines to come into the modern age and are beautiful knives. You won't find some of the problems we're having with these. Even the Volli I just bought came home off-centered...not by much, but I've become used to poor F&F and as a result my buying them has pretty much come to an end. I don't envy you new guys...things used to be better than this.

 

[richstag]

Why would MAP enforcement fix this? Benchmade has already said they aren't increasing their price to dealers, so from that it seems safe to infer quality won't go up (since increased quality control drives costs up a lot).

If this is true it really rubs me the wrong way.

 

[xxratchetxx]

This makes me a bit nervous. I just ordered a 581 plain edge before the price change (was on backorder). Shipping info says it will be here on the 3rd. If I remember I will let everyone know how the F&F is.

 

[skyhorse]

Hopefully The New Enforced MAP Price Will Prevent This! > Sorry but that's not going to happen. They are factory produced knives and that hasn't changed. Although they have recently adopted the CRK pricing model,you're still getting a factory produced knife. In fairness to Benchmade the response from them about being within standards is pretty much the norm. I've seen the same response from other knife companies in reference to the same issues. If the blade was rubbing the liner,I'm sure they would ask you to send it back for repair.

 

[JNewell]

Why would MAP enforcement fix this? Benchmade has already said they aren't increasing their price to dealers, so from that it seems safe to infer quality won't go up (since increased quality control drives costs up a lot).

Benchmade will not receive more money per knife, but the cost to the buyer has increased. Therefore, when a buyer pays top dollar they would expect to have the manufacture sell a knife worthy of the higher price. I have looked at many department store $25.00-$50.00 folders from different manufactures and their quality control (not design or materials) is better than a $100-$200.00 Benchmade. As I had said in an earlier post if Benchmade's quality control does not improve now that they cost more to me I will not buy them anymore.

Yup, my biggest gripe are the sloppy edges Benchmade puts on their blades. They are abysmal compared to other makers. Nearly every one I own including the 4 I received earlier this month all have uneven bevels and angles that look they were done on a slab of concrete. It not only looks like crap but also gives me hell when sharpening. You shouldn't have to reprofile straight out of the box...

With the new higher enforced prices its honestly become a joke. Charge your dealers higher prices and invest in learning how to put a proper edge on a knife for crying out loud.

You guys are totally missing the point. Benchmade quality will not change with the new MAP policy. However, since we will be forced to pay more for the same quality knives with the same QC problems, we will believe that we got a better knife - just because we had to pay more for it - and therefore both the market perception of Benchmade quality and our perceptions of Benchmade value will both go way up. That is how this is supposed to work, right? :thumbdn: :thumbdn: :thumbdn:

 

[Belly]

I love Benchmade but these issues are very common. I've been buying their knives consistently for about 15 years. Over the past 10, these QC issues are more common. Many people here and on the Benchmade forum don't have issues but my experience looking in dozens of stores shows these issues are common.

I vote with my money. I have purchased half as many as I want because I will not buy if the grind is off, if there is a little bit of play in the lockup, or if the blade is off center. The problem is that Benchmade clearly doesn't care. If they did, we wouldn't have so many examples of the same problem over such a long time. Certainly, they do have decent customer service and they will try to remedy a problem but I no longer buy their products unless they fit my criteria. However, they are still in business, doing well enough to enforce their new pricing rules. Most people either don't care about the little things or don't notice them or they get a good one. All the talk is a bit futile because most people will buy regardless of the issues and the price. Check back in 10 years and see what has changed.

 

[Yo Mama]

Sorry, thought the title of this thread was "More griping and complaining about BMs MAP pricing and loading on criticism about their products". Maybe I'm in the wrong forum ? :foot:

 

[Belly]

I still buy their knives and I really like their designs. The whole MAP/more really doesn't affect me because I never buy their knives online because of their QC problems. I must see it in person first. Because of this I almost always pay full price. My main point is that instead of me buying 3 or 4 a year, I buy 1. I spend my knife money on other companies with better QC.

Honestly though, this obviously isn't affecting Benchmade sales because they are clearly doing fine without me buying more of their products. People will complain about the price but they will still buy. Guaranteed.

 

[Belly]

I still buy their knives and I really like their designs. The whole MAP/msrp really doesn't affect me because I never buy their knives online because of their QC problems. I must see it in person first. Because of this I almost always pay full price. My main point is that instead of me buying 3 or 4 a year, I buy 1. I spend my knife money on other companies with better QC.

Honestly though, this obviously isn't affecting Benchmade sales because they are clearly doing fine without me buying more of their products. People will complain about the price but they will still buy. Guaranteed.

 

[harris2]

I still buy their knives and I really like their designs. The whole MAP/msrp really doesn't affect me because I never buy their knives online because of their QC problems. I must see it in person first. Because of this I almost always pay full price. My main point is that instead of me buying 3 or 4 a year, I buy 1. I spend my knife money on other companies with better QC.

Honestly though, this obviously isn't affecting Benchmade sales because they are clearly doing fine without me buying more of their products. People will complain about the price but they will still buy. Guaranteed.

That is exactly the problem. If I had the opportunity to personally inspect the knife before purchase it would solve the issue. Unfortunately, a lot of us do not have that option. Most stores around here carry only the lower cost Benchmade models. That is why even though I would like to buy more Benchmade knives, it isn't going to happen unless somehow I can see it first or they improve their quality control to be equal or better than other knife manufactures. It's sad too, because I like their designs and the materials they use. It is ridiculous to have to pay shipping costs and the inconvenience just to have Benchmade fix something that should never have left the factory in the first place.

 

[richstag]

History has shown numerous companies fail after they lost touch with their customer base. I'm sure Benchmade will not fail but it's absolutely warranted for a consumer to voice an opinion good or bad.

Sorry, thought the title of this thread was "More griping and complaining about BMs MAP pricing and loading on criticism about their products". Maybe I'm in the wrong forum ? :foot:

 

[jkarp_53]

The problem is; despite best efforts there's been no closure. I know that when I am heard, whatever my concern is becomes less of a worry. And if it's done with genuine interest and partnership, the provider of that service most likely will get and keep my business. That simple "I hear you" makes me feel important and keeps me coming back for more. Makes it easier to walk away from someone that doesn't. Just saying.

 

[Belly]

I don't have any stores near me, which is North of Pittsburgh. There's a small gun store South of Pittsburgh but their selection is really limited. I visit family outside Philadelphia at Christmas and there are a large number of stores there with pretty good selection. I usually get one new Benchmade a year but if they had better QC, I'd buy more. It's really a fascinating scenario - I'd love to give a company more of my money but their lack of availability and poor QC prevents that from happening. If that was my company and I was in charge, I'd be freaking out. I can only assume Less doesn't know or doesn't care. Maybe they have so much money they don't care?

 

[Belly]

And certainly jkarp, there is no closure. Benchmade representives are not present on this site. Again, they must be happy with their current business model otherwise it would change.

People really have the power but obviously not enough people speak with their wallets.