I ordered a Hideaway knife and . .

[Levon]

. . it has never arrived. Emails to HAK are rarely answered. I called once, and though I got an apology and a promise, no knife has arrived.

I checked old threads here, and it seems this has been going on with folks for - a long time, maybe years -! That's not right.

The person at HAK says that they are swamped, and apologizes. But, does HAK say that to delay, so you'll not complain to PayPal until after your 45 days are up? After 45 days, you can't complain.

The model was supposedly in stock!

I feel totally disrespected.

How does a place stay in business doing that?

What are your experiences?

 

[Appletz]

Yeah, there was a thread earlier this week about them :/ Sorry you are having a bad experience.

 

[crunky]

After reading complaints from others about HAK, I would go ahead and file your Paypal dispute. People play with the Paypal rules like that all the time, this world is full of scumbags.

 

[Dorito Monk]

If you paid with paypal, file a dispute before the time limit is up.

I made the mistake of taking a seller's word that my item was 'on it's way' once and I was out some serious coin in the end. Don't let some dirtbag take your money.

 

[Levon]

Anyone buying anything, from anyone, and paying with PayPal, should remember one thing:

You have 45 days of protection from PayPal, so beware of delaying tactics, apologies, promises, etc.

 

[moonwilson]

HAK seems to be a lot like Strider, in that if you're not a regular member on USN, you can go to hell as far as they're concerned. An odd customer service philosophy, but it must be working okay for them.

 

[Levon]

I suspect they are afraid to say to people: you'll have a long wait. Afraid they'll lose the sale. BUT! "Honesty is the best policy." a wise man said.

I think I'll contact the Better Business Bureau, and Attorney General's office of consumer protection. Down in Florida, where HAK is.

 

[audiboy711]

Poor customer service will keep good customers away. Hope they make things right for you.

 

[GigOne]

If it's listed as available and you don't receive your order within a week to ten days. . . .file a PayPal dispute. Simple.

After seeing the number of complaints of "I didn't receive my order," dealing with this outfit, run. . . .don't walk!

 

[Levon]

You know what strikes me most about dealing with Artemis Weapons, aka Front Sight, aka Hideaway Knife? It is that they assure you it is on the way, and it never comes. Other times they assure you they will mail it tomorrow, yet weeks go by without it. The most blatant . .

Do they think we are stupid?

 

[Ritt]

The drama of hideaway knives goes back to 2008. Search the GBU for hideaway. Same shit, different day.

 

[Chief Engineer]

Unless there has been a major change, a mail order company has 30 days to either ship, or offer refund. This, as far as I know, is a federal law.

 

[Levon]

Thanks Chief.
I think HAK needs to redo the way it does biz. It could make up hundreds of knifes in the most commonly needed sizes, and have 'em ready. Sure, there are drawbacks to that. But, there are drawbacks to the way they do it now. Like alienating customers, and cultivating a bad reputation.

I guess they want us to read between the lines, and accept their delays and false promises, as something they have to do because of some supply system issues they have. But, many folks are going to feel cheated. Many will wonder if the knife will ever come.

Who wants to save up for something, anxiously await its delivery, only to be disappointed every time they check the mail?

Too much suspense and limbo.

 

[CWL]

The drama of hideaway knives goes back to 2008. Search the GBU for hideaway. Same shit, different day.

You're off by about 3 years.

BTW Front Site has been gone for years, it's William that you'll be needing to chase down for a refund.

 

[Levon]

Maybe the Florida Attorney General will have a talk with him.

 

[EarlFH]

HAK seems to be a lot like Strider, in that if you're not a regular member on USN, you can go to hell as far as they're concerned. An odd customer service philosophy, but it must be working okay for them.

So you have had that problem with them, too? I met them at a gun show, and I had a brand new Chris Reeve Sebenza, with one of the leather sheaths they make, that I didn't care for after I got it. One of them,(I never knew which one of them it was, by name), wanted it, and they offered to send me one of their knives, "that was in heat treat" that I would get right away. It took me six months, and several nasty phone calls, to finally get it. Their excuse was always, "well one of the active duty people really needed it, so we couldn't send yours", Or, "they had to go out on a secret mission with the SEALS, and could make one for me."

 

[s.c.]

I ordered at least four HAKs (from William) several years ago without a single issue. It's unfortunate that people are still having problems with them; when I ordered mine, it seemed that William was really trying to fix Frontsite's mess and the company seemed to be moving forward, especially with the introduction of the utility models.

 

[jujigatame]

Best bet is to buy one on the secondary market from a trusted dealer or individual. It may be harder to find and cost more but you save yourself all the headaches and dishonesty.

 

[CWL]

I ordered at least four HAKs (from William) several years ago without a single issue. It's unfortunate that people are still having problems with them; when I ordered mine, it seemed that William was really trying to fix Frontsite's mess and the company seemed to be moving forward, especially with the introduction of the utility models.

William has been with HAK right from the beginning.

 

[s.c.]

William has been with HAK right from the beginning.

I'm aware of that, but I thought that it was a woman that went by the name of Frontsite that actually owned it, and then later William took it over.

Anyway, it's unfortunate that it went downhill...again. I had nothing but great experiences with him. When I got my first one, it was a tad too large and he was very accommodating in getting me the right size. He sent me several aluminum trainers of various sizes to let me try out to get the perfect fit. I liked the trainer so much I asked to purchase it and he told me to slip some cash into the package when I returned the other trainers. Shortly after, I ordered several more utility HAKS without any problems. All this occurred in 2007, I believe.

edited to add: I'm not trying to persuade anyone to go ahead and order from him. It seems that there are plenty of known issues with HAK. I just wanted to share my experience.