How do you feel about bargaining?

Steven Roos

Steven Roos

Joined
Jun 29, 2002
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I thought about this when I read about the offer of $45 for a $300 knife in the knife show stories thread.

What do you think about bargaining, like at shows? As a knife user, I want the best blade for the lowest dollar, so if I can get a deal, I'll go for it. I have bought all my production knives well below retail, excepting a couple.

However, as a knifemaker, I know how much work goes into a custom knife. In some ways, I think it is a bit disrespectful to the maker to ask them to lower their price for you. If you don't think their knives are worth what they ask, maybe you shouldn't buy them. If enough people feel this way, the maker might have to reconsider his prices.

Once I set my mind on my Rinaldi Enigma, I went back to Trace's table and bought it straight away at his asking price. Considering the demand for his work, I'm not sure if he would have even bargained with me, but as I have said, I think it is disrespectful.

What about you?
 
Agree 100%. If I was buying a production knife or even a second hand custom off a dealer, you can bet your ass that I am going to dicker. Reasonably of course, and not to insult their intelligence. Case in point, picked up an early 70's Bill Bagwell stag hunter for a whopping $50 from a gun dealer. Talked him down from $75. Obviously he didn't know what he had and neither did the guy who traded it in.

A custom maker selling his own wares is another story. I would not insult them by offering them less than what they were offering it at. I also hate the guys that come back at the end of a show and go around scouting and making lowball offers to the guys who didn't have a good show. Total lack of class IMO. Of course if the maker offers a reduced price, that is fine. Also I think trying to work out a deal on a multi-knife purchase is OK as well.
 
Well, I must admit that I have attempted to haggle once at a knife show, and the maker wouldn't budge. I kinda felt like a fool for doing so, but there was two other knives that I was looking at for about the same price. I ended up buying it anyways, and the guy probably thought I was a dick. Oh well. I think the astute maker/dealer can spot the internal conflict, and will sometimes make an offer. I would accept under those terms now. Otherwise, you have to do your homework, and know about how much it should cost and what you are willing to spend. I however, have no problem haggling with the guys at gunshows... some just don't know what they have at times.
 
As a collector, I have never asked a maker for a reduced price. If I want it and the price is acceptable, I buy. If I can't afford or don't agree that the price is appropriate for a knife, I just don't buy, but I will definitely compliment the maker on the knife.
I did have a well known maker offer me a reduced price for the last knife he had at the show after the show was closed, but I won't ask for a reduced price on a handmade knife from the maker. With a secondary market knife, dealer or such at a show, I might try to deal, but I really like to meet and buy from the maker if he is at the show. I do look at the dealers' knives at shows because they may have one that just is perfect to buy and the maker may not be at that show, or may not have any left of a particular style. I definitely check out dealers sites as well as makers sits on the internet regularly.
As a maker, I have been asked to deal on a price by a potential customer, but not very often....and usually if it is requested, it is stated something like, "I can't avoid asking if you can help me on the cost a bit." While I feel that I price my knives appropriately,
I have alot of considerations before answering that question (how long has the knife been in inventory, how much interest has been shown, do I have any similar knives left, What is the margine between material cost and overhead and the sale price requested,How sincerely and courteously has this customer treated me..I don't want any conflict or contention at a show with anyone for any reason, Is this a repeat customer, etc.) :D
 
For custom knives, I feel that bargaining is an insult to the maker. They've put a whole lot of time, work, and money into a knife, and they (almost) always ask a fair price for their work. If I can't afford it I just pass. Besides, if you try and bargain, someone else will just come along and pay full price anyway.

Market values seem to dictate prices, and very popular makers command top dollar. While those just getting started have great deals on knives.
 
I've had makers offer a reduced price on a couple of occasions. Unfortunately, always on pieces that I was admiring but not interested in purchasing. However, I would never attempt to haggle with a maker -- like Mr. Fraps, if I can't afford it or don't think the knife is worth the asking price, I just don't buy it.
 
You guys have made some good points here. I like the courtesy.

I've mentioned this before and it bears repeating. There is little distinction between 'haggling' and 'bargaining'. Both involve the customer making up a price that suits them. As a seller (no matter whether you're a knifemaker or car dealer), you will bristle at this, and it is usually distasteful in our field.

But.... Getting a product at the best price available is NOT a bad thing, it's simply a good buying strategy. It depends on how you handle it.

I use these six magic words: "What's the best you can do?"

If you are polite and ask this question there is much to be gained. First off it is not a statement that belittles the maker's work. It leaves the quality characteristic completely alone. You aren't saying it's not worth $XX.xx. Secondly, it shows you are on the verge of making a purchase. There isn't a seller out there who doesn't want to complete a transaction somehow. You are showing them you are a serious player. Lastly, and this is a BIGGIE, you are putting the power of the transaction back into the seller's hands. At this point THEY are making the call and whatever they say will be offered with their satisfaction.

I have used this strategy numerous times, and have never been disappointed. *Most* times the seller CAN do something to push this through. Good for both of you.

Also, I don't think it too out of line to use this approach, *especially* later on in a show. At this point the knives remaining on a maker's table are still there for a good reason; either the quality isn't competitive, or the price is out of line for this work. Same difference. Sorry, but that's reality.

Those knives that stay on the table at a fixed price will most likely re-emerge at a lesser price if they don't sell anyway, so the maker may as well take the signal and do the 'best he can'. :) Bargain or haggle? Not me. Ask appropriately--you may be surprised.

This works for me in any number of situations. Not unique to the knifeworld.

Coop
 
I don't haggle, the price on the piece is as low as I can go but the customer is free to ask as long as they do not take offense when I refuse to haggle. Believe it or not some people can't believe it when I tell them that I don't haggle and end up offended.

This is the internet world, when the customer comes to your web site you have one chance to make the sale so it is necessary to put the lowest price possible on your work up front. The same internet people go to shows and often have done their homework beforehand and know that a certain knife is priced at $250 on the internet and want to know why it is on the table for another price so the internet price and the table price have to match regardless of the cost of attending the show.
 
I have only been to a few shows and have only bought a couple of knives at these shows. At no time did I haggle about price, because I thought the knives I purchased were a great deal without a discount.

As Coop pointed out, there is nothing wrong with asking "What's the best you can do?". If the maker can't go lower he/she will tell you so, if they can, you save a little. However, I think haggling is inappropriate.

When it comes to ordering a knife from a maker, I will point out what I want and then ask for a price. At that point I decide if the price is something I am willing to pay. I never haggle. At that point haggling would be telling the maker that you don't think he gave you an honest price, and I certainly would never insult a maker that way.
 
As I am still a beginner, but quickly learning :) , I had the experience at my first custom show where I asked for a reduced price when the maker asked for cash, with me making the assumption that it's an off-the-books purchase that would benefit both parties. I sort of felt like a dick and would not do that again.

I said, well, here's full price and then the maker took five dollars off. It was nice of him, but I still felt like a dick. Then, I wound up getting more knives from him at later dates, remembering his largesse during my faux-pas.

Edited to add that it was at a custom knife show in CT last year!
 
Hey Coop,
I think your post was right on. There is a big difference between offering somebody half of what they are asking for a knife, and asking them If they can do better on the price. It is smart on the buyers behalf. It is polite, and the odds of offending someone are very small. I work in sales, and I at least have a tendency to give better deals to the more polite customers than the ones who Haggle, and are rude.
Kyle Fuglesten
 
Very interesting thread and I have gleamed some knowledge from all of your posts. As a maker who attends a few shows, I really hate to dicker with a customer over prices. On the other hand I am there to sell my knives and make some money. I have taken to putting a little sign on my table stating the average price of materials per knife and the average manhours. This I think, with a little math ability from the customer, shows the customer cost per hour for my time. If they still want to haggle, I just ask them if they would work for less or could make the knife for less. I charge about half of what I was making in the real world. When you cut your price for one customer, you might alienate a past customer who paid you full price.
Ken (wwjd)
 
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