It's hard to justify buying from a local shop.

V

Valmak

Joined
Aug 9, 2017
Messages
42
I can buy the same knife from an online retailer for usually a lower price and not pay sales tax because the online stores are located in a different state. The knife arrives in a few days in front of my door step and I can handle it and easily return it if I don't like it. Also, the knives have probably never been taken out of their box before unlike the ones you buy at a store which have probably been handled a few times. If the price was only about 2% more I could justify it but paying 10% more or higher just doesn't make any sense. Knife stores need to figure something out like making a deal with the knife companies so they can offer competitive prices if they want to stay in business. Anyways, that's my two cents.
 
There is a knife store here in Los Angeles that has a huge selection but I've also noticed their prices are a tad high plus I'm paying L.A. County sales tax. I generally don't buy more expensive knives here.
 
Sometimes it is worth holding a knife before you buy. Hell, sometimes you'll buy a knife you weren't really interested in until you held it. In cases like that, I'll pay extra to support a mom and pop, otherwise if I'm at a big box I'll find it online.
 
I live in Canada, we don't have many brick & morter knife stores here. Due to the size of out country, shipping within our country is expensive, and shipping from the US is extremely expensive and not to mention duty fees. I would like to be able to feel knives in hand before I buy, but I never have that option. Online vs retail stores having the option of buying in person, or online is a really nice luxury. Don't take it for granted, you will miss them when they're gone.
 
I’m in NJ and there is not one single knife store anywhere around me.
If there were, they would get 90% of my business........IF prices weren’t ridiculous and the service was good.
I think it’s worth a few extra bucks to be able to ‘test drive’ before you buy.
Joe
 
I like to be able to handle a few examples of the knife I am looking to purchase, especially from companies with known spotty qc records. Also in Canada with that crazy border it helps if the knife is in Canada before you buy it. So for these reasons I am so lucky to have my local store. I consider any additional cost to be the price of their excellent service.
 
I find it worth it to pay the small mark up at a local place. My guy will make it right if there are issues and I have been able to look at several of the same model to pick out the one I liked best. Also, being able to see it and handle it is worth a lot to me. Many knives which I thought I would love I didn't love when it was in my hand. Yes, I could send it back but time is worth something also.

My guy has good prices and treats me right. Now, if the prices are stupid high and they are a crappy shop then yes, I would drive on.
 
I buy both ways online and brick and mortar. I like to be able to handle a knife before I buy it so I'll go to a shop near by to see if they have or can get the knife I'm interested in. I really like to support local stores in our area so 10% over online and sales tax isn't really a big deal or a big wallet hit. Online shopping which I do use at times is nice and easy but agian 10% and sales tax isn't going to break a face to face deal on a knife if it did I shouldn't t be buying a 100 or 200 or 300+$ knives.
 
The only store near me that carries knives is Cabelas. Not exactly a mom and pop shop, and the prices are full retail.

I'd love to support an establishment where I can feel the knife and see before buying but I'm not going to spend $90 on a standard Delica....

Actually there is a gun shop called Hoffmans near me and they have good prices on knives. Maybe 5% higher than internet. I do buy there a lot.
 
Our major local shop is within $5 of Blade HQ when you work the exchange and it's got good stock, and you can handle stuff.

I"m not adverse to buying online since they don't have all the brands I like but I do try to support the local guy. In this modern age I can't see a knife shop surviving by overcharging. A gun shop or camping store maybe where the knives are a secondary item bought by non-enthusiasts out ignorance perhaps but places like that will usually overcharge on everything.
 
I understand. I love to go to Bass Pro Shops here in town and look at their knives but the price difference between them and online places is huge. I wouldn’t even mind paying an extra 10% but a $50 knife on the internet will be $80-$90 and that’s just too big of a difference.
 
I would happily pay 10% over online pricing to support a local knife store. It’s worth that to handle the actual knife I’m getting.
 
Lucky to have a store who sells online as well. Prices are pretty much the same as the online sellers.

Tax doesn't bother me. Death and taxes. And knives.
 
palonej said:
... and the service was good.
Click to expand...
I have a shop near me ... and this is not the case. Which is baffling to me. What the hell do they think they are offering to me as a consumer? It's not a better price and it's barely more convenient.
 
I wish I had a local shop and if the markup was only 10% plus tax I would support them. Sadly I would have to drive hours each way to even find a shop. I am online only but not by choice.
 
Small grocery store vs Walmart; it was nice having them around (yeah, I'm old enough to remember) but the price difference was WAY too much. :eek: I would like to support them but times do change-not always for the better for everyone but $ is $ and brick and mortar is another dying breed; sorry. :(
 
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