How should Collector Knives sell GEC SFO's

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jsdistin said:
You have to publish the java script here so we can all verify it doesn’t contain the letters s or v and the numbers 9 or 7 anywhere.
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I'm not planning on ordering ;) I'm in Germany so with customs and shipping this would be waaaaaas to expensive
 
cbr1000 said:
Correct. Toms Choice was just a blade etch and tube art for Charlie's Tidioute Barlow. Last one was the Rams head, one before that was another Toms Choice.

In a way I can't describe knife lotteries takes the fun out of collecting... for me personally. Can't you rig a lottery by using the info from a bunch of people you know and have it shipped to their house and pay them back later? Hopefully there is some way to exclude new fake customers.
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If CK has a date for when an account was created in his database you could check for a minimum time. Or at least x orders or so.
 
Which creates the scenario of only allowing previous customers an opportunity to purchase the knife and totally disregards the opportunity to gain business from potential new loyal customers. Anybody with an ounce of business acumen would tell you this is the equivalent to suicide. If it were me (and it’s not) I would be investigating ways to beef up my server infrastructure so that it could handle the mad rush and let the chips fall where they may.
 
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My previous career lends itself to have a bit of experience with servers of all sizes. But above that I have talked to several folks in the field - specifically with what type of server could handle 500+ people hitting refresh every couple seconds or 500+ people simultaneously trying to add the same 4 products to their carts and checkout within a minutes time. It cannot be done for less than 300% of my current monthly costing; and it would be solely for the #77 Barlows and the #15 TC Barlows as the current server is already double the required capacity for all other traffic. So, a solution outside the store website is required.

The Early Reserve System already requires an account on CollectorKnives website - thus requiring such is no different than what has been in place for a long time. Everyone will have the same opportunity, thus there will be no requirement of past orders, etc. But any household caught trying to bypass the system and enter more than once - will be banned from future draws.

I will be looking for and testing a solution over the next few days and sincerely appreciate the understanding and support.
 
Squidman24 said:
Which creates the scenario of only allowing previous customers an opportunity to purchase the knife and totally disregards the opportunity to gain business from potential new loyal customers. Anybody with an ounce of business acumen would tell you this is the equivalent to suicide. If it were me (and it’s not) I would be investigating ways to beef up my server infrastructure so that it could handle the mad rush and let the chips fall where they may.
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Well, I guess with a run like this they'll be gone in minutes; since new customers probably aren't stalking the forums or store they have no chance anyway. With a lottery you can always say "x amount is reserved for people that are new customers" where I'd say x can be much smaller than then total amount of available knives
 
Wow. I got the message last night about the new random draw system. I have to say that I'm severely disappointed.

Since your problem has to do with server capacity, why don't you just use the big auction site? You already use do business on it, so it seems like a natural solution.
 
I'm bummed I will be lucky if I get 1. In the past if someone wanted all the NF barlow cover choices there was a good chance you could reserve what you wanted. Just like the Northwoods - some of them would sit on the site for days. Times are changing. I can't help but wonder how this will impact my current collection and use of NF barlows.
 
Friends with Benefits
I would like some help testing a Random Draw system. So at 4PM Central today (1/30) I will post a link on this thread for our friends to enter a giveaway. The first prize with be an EDC Northfield #773115 Old Tan Sawcut Barlow. Full disclosure: it is marked with an "S" due to a chigger bite on the bolster. There will be 5 runner up prizes of a $10 store credit.
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Mike,

I simply love the idea of a Random Draw. Takes the stress out of purchasing, you win some/lose some. I would also think the same would go for the selling. Let the chips fall where they may.
 
Buzzbait said:
Wow. I got the message last night about the new random draw system. I have to say that I'm severely disappointed.

Since your problem has to do with server capacity, why don't you just use the big auction site? You already use do business on it, so it seems like a natural solution.
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I don't know if this post is serious; but I am not going to a) ask my friends to bid on a current production run, or b) pay the 15% fees that would go along with that.
The only thing we have used eBay for is to run some one-offs over a few weeks last year - it is not an ongoing selling tool for our business.

cbr1000 said:
I'm bummed I will be lucky if I get 1. In the past if someone wanted all the NF barlow cover choices there was a good chance you could reserve what you wanted. Just like the Northwoods - some of them would sit on the site for days. Times are changing. I can't help but wonder how this will impact my current collection and use of NF barlows.
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Quite the pessimist :D These TC and NF Barlow reserves are down to mere seconds these days; those that are consistently fast will not like the draw, but the vast majority that have to pull their car to the side of the road or get out of a meeting will probably appreciate it.
 
knifeswapper said:
I don't know if this post is serious; but I am not going to a) ask my friends to bid on a current production run, or b) pay the 15% fees that would go along with that.
The only thing we have used eBay for is to run some one-offs over a few weeks last year - it is not an ongoing selling tool for our business.



Quite the pessimist :D These TC and NF Barlow reserves are down to mere seconds these days; those that are consistently fast will not like the draw, but the vast majority that have to pull their car to the side of the road or get out of a meeting will probably appreciate it.
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Yup, that's usually me. I make sure I have several different ways to get online within seconds at anytime to get a NF barlow reserve - which usually means I will leave a meeting, pull over if driving... I make sure I have tablets, work computers, cell phones near by. It's somewhat stressful because I carry on like this until the reserve is done, so one positive is I don't need to drive my family crazy with CK reserve pages up at all times - everywhere lol.
 
How You Know You're a Knife Guy: reading this thread makes you really wish you were carrying the one GEC you own instead of what you actually have in your pocket.
 
knifeswapper said:
I don't know if this post is serious; but I am not going to a) ask my friends to bid on a current production run, or b) pay the 15% fees that would go along with that.
The only thing we have used eBay for is to run some one-offs over a few weeks last year - it is not an ongoing selling tool for our business.
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Yes, I was serious. Nobody would have to bid on anything. It could be a Buy It Now kind of deal. I'm just not sure whether you can limit a purchase transaction to a quantity of one. I don't sell on Ebay, so my experience is only as a buyer. As far as the 15% goes..... I have a feeling that people buying a rare pricey knife like a 77 Barlow aren't going to freak out over spending an extra 15 bucks.
 
Buzzbait said:
Yes, I was serious. Nobody would have to bid on anything. It could be a Buy It Now kind of deal. I'm just not sure whether you can limit a purchase transaction to a quantity of one. I don't sell on Ebay, so my experience is only as a buyer. As far as the 15% goes..... I have a feeling that people buying a rare pricey knife like a 77 Barlow aren't going to freak out over spending an extra 15 bucks.
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If I were to buy one: extra price and the bay sure would put me off. +There's no use in it if you already run a Webshop yourself
 
Buzzbait said:
Yes, I was serious. Nobody would have to bid on anything. It could be a Buy It Now kind of deal. I'm just not sure whether you can limit a purchase transaction to a quantity of one. I don't sell on Ebay, so my experience is only as a buyer. As far as the 15% goes..... I have a feeling that people buying a rare pricey knife like a 77 Barlow aren't going to freak out over spending an extra 15 bucks.
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Only way to limit to one is to list each separately. Multiple item listings let you buy multiple items. While using ebay will stop his server from crashing the end result of an immediate sellout will still be there....and at a 10 to 15% premium due to ebay fees.
 
knifeswapper knifeswapper have you looked into "renting" for the release a hosted server with someone like Amazon to temporarily upgrade your capacity?

Perhaps windows for the ordering and do it in various blocks/groups with each having a limit on the total knives available in that window once all windows are done and finally a full open lottery for any remaining product. This would let you offer x number to your top customers, x to 'murica, x to Europe, and x to Australia with either setting aside x for a full open lottery or for what is left. Something of a mix of the ideas you have tossed out.
 
PirateSeulb said:
knifeswapper knifeswapper have you looked into "renting" for the release a hosted server with someone like Amazon to temporarily upgrade your capacity?

Perhaps windows for the ordering and do it in various blocks/groups with each having a limit on the total knives available in that window once all windows are done and finally a full open lottery for any remaining product. This would let you offer x number to your top customers, x to 'murica, x to Europe, and x to Australia with either setting aside x for a full open lottery or for what is left. Something of a mix of the ideas you have tossed out.
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It was a thought; been then I have to re-deploy the ERS and then somehow figure out how to link it back to the store in order to track / notify. Too much work for a couple runs a year.
But I did look into a "vertical scaling" platform that would house what I already have; and they are ridiculously expensive.
I have actually spent some time finding a time slot that works in most places; but am not interested in the thought (or complications) of allocating per locale. If I did that and used my current customer base as a guide it would be 95% US and 5% Europe; although I must admit there are many using re-shippers and I don't know where they are going.
 
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