How long is too long to hold an order

Start a policy of only holding it two months after its finished but don't apply that to past knives or few months whatever.


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I've never held a finished order more than a week or so. But would hold one a lot longer for a real good customer.
 
No contact for more than a year tells me he either has left the building or is no longer interested in your work.
 
OK guys, After listening to your opinions that I value I have come to a decision. I am going to box the knife up this week and mail it to him, I value him as a customer and a friend so I don't want to do anything that would damage that. He has bough the most knives from me as to an individual and I want to show him I appreciate his business. Thanks for weighing in on this matter and giving me many opinions to go by to sway my choice here, Thanks Craig
 
Craig Daniel said:
OK guys, After listening to your opinions that I value I have come to a decision. I am going to box the knife up this week and mail it to him, I value him as a customer and a friend so I don't want to do anything that would damage that. He has bough the most knives from me as to an individual and I want to show him I appreciate his business. Thanks for weighing in on this matter and giving me many opinions to go by to sway my choice here, Thanks Craig
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Great choice. Hopefully all is well and he receives it in good health. Maybe include a note to have him or his wife give you a call, just so you know it's received and all is well.
 
Don't want to derail this thread but Stacy I think I'm the descent of your repaired sword! Sorry don't know my descent's name but I'm sure that's the sword he mentioned in his will! Just kidding but good for you! I've GOT similar stories in my carrier but nothing quite as impressive as yours. Your a good man! God speed! Hope everything works out in all of these instances!
 
Craig Daniel said:
OK guys, After listening to your opinions that I value I have come to a decision. I am going to box the knife up this week and mail it to him, I value him as a customer and a friend so I don't want to do anything that would damage that. He has bough the most knives from me as to an individual and I want to show him I appreciate his business. Thanks for weighing in on this matter and giving me many opinions to go by to sway my choice here, Thanks Craig
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Craig, I would probably try and make sure the guy is alive and well first, but I think it's a great decision to show him some love, and give a reward for his loyalty as a customer.

If the guy fell on hard times, he may simply not be able to afford it, but for whatever reason can't stand to admit that. I understand the sentiment, and I think you couldn't make a smarter decision to give him this knife if that's the case. Good luck, and I hope he's doing well.
 
Yes - hold it for him, at a minimum.
And/or send it to him for FREE with a note saying, "Thanks for supporting my knife business."

(After I posted this I saw Don said basically the same thing.) :thumbup:

HSC /// said:
A 43 knife buying customer? I would hold it for him.
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You're trying to run a business, and business is business. Make a final attempt to contact him, then sell it. If he's moved, died, or just not interested, then whomever is there now is going to get a free knife. It's been a long time since he placed an order with you, and you're trying to run a business. I guess I'm saying he is no longer a customer and you owe him nothing. Whomever wishes to buy the knife will be your replacement customer, so treat them right.

On a side note, I had someone bring in a computer to get fixed and never came back to pick it up. After 6 months I sold the computer. I now have a sign stating 30-days before I sell the computer to cover labor charges. Six years later, the same customer brought in another computer to get fixed. While I was checking them in, it popped up a note saying that the previous one wasn't picked up. I asked them and they had forgotten all about it, but understood that I had sold it and were not upset. I always make at least 3 attempts to contact a customer to remind them that their computer is finished.
 
I had this happen a couple of times with very good customers, a couple of them have dozens of my knives in their collection.

I wound up giving the knives away to them as a surprise and it was the best thing I could do. Everyone goes through hard times and we have each others backs when it gets rough... knife people really are the best.
 
Craig Daniel said:
I have a customer who has bought 43 knives from me to date, He ordered a knife on 12-24-2014 and I told him it would be ready within 6 months and I would contact him when finished. He wanted a sheath with his initials on front which I did, I contacted him with pictures and he said he would pick it up and pay when he got back my way which he said would be about 2-3 months. It is now 16 months later and I have not heard from him, I emailed, Called and left a message without a reply. I have several people wanting the knife but I want to treat the man right because I am a man of my word. What would you guys recommend?
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One last thing I did in a similar situation was I mailed a old fashion Snail mail letter to the address I had and sent it certified mail.

Telling her that the knives were ready and I had not heard from him in a VERY long TIM, Blah Blah, Please cont me etc..

The letter came back as not deliverable, Return to sender. I sold the knives, but if the lady is still on this planet and ever contacts me I will gladly return here $1000.00 or make her more.

I just read that you have his address, A snail mail letter is the way to go and you can ask him to call you, no pressure on the balance. When and if he calls? Then decide if you want to gift him the knife ??
 
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Good move.

Daniel Fairly Knives said:
I had this happen a couple of times with very good customers, a couple of them have dozens of my knives in their collection.

I wound up giving the knives away to them as a surprise and it was the best thing I could do. Everyone goes through hard times and we have each others backs when it gets rough... knife people really are the best.
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While giving the customer the knife can be a good business move, but before I dropped in mail, I'd make sure he's still at the address and is alive. Be a shame to mail the package to an address that has been sold and now has somebody else living there.

Ken H>
 
OK guys, I called him this morning and we have a good conversation. He has had to work a lot out of state and has not been in my area since last year. I told him I was sending the knife today and that it was a gift for supporting my knife business, He said he wanted to pay for the knife but I insisted that it was on me. Thanks a lot guys for the opinions and help you have provided in this situation, I can say I feel like a load has lifted off my shoulders now. After all the knives I have gave away for presents and auctions I am happy to give this one to a good customer and friend.
 
Craig Daniel said:
OK guys, I called him this morning and we have a good conversation. He has had to work a lot out of state and has not been in my area since last year. I told him I was sending the knife today and that it was a gift for supporting my knife business, He said he wanted to pay for the knife but I insisted that it was on me. Thanks a lot guys for the opinions and help you have provided in this situation, I can say I feel like a load has lifted off my shoulders now. After all the knives I have gave away for presents and auctions I am happy to give this one to a good customer and friend.
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Excellent news!
 
Craig Daniel said:
OK guys, I called him this morning and we have a good conversation. He has had to work a lot out of state and has not been in my area since last year. I told him I was sending the knife today and that it was a gift for supporting my knife business, He said he wanted to pay for the knife but I insisted that it was on me. Thanks a lot guys for the opinions and help you have provided in this situation, I can say I feel like a load has lifted off my shoulders now. After all the knives I have gave away for presents and auctions I am happy to give this one to a good customer and friend.
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Very good! It's never a bad idea to create a little positive karma and I've always found that what come around goes around.
 
Tom Lewis said:
If someone had bought 43 knives from me, I would wait and keep trying to contact him before I sold the knife to someone else.
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And for the other side of the equation if I had bought 43 knives from someone, unless he was going to starve without my $, I would expect him to hold it dang near eternally.

That way hopefully it's 43 knives bought and counting instead of just 43 knives.
 
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