Jim Hrisoulas; Not Good.

Danbo

Danbo

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Nov 28, 1999
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Some of you already know this story, but I just got an update that I feel needs to be told to the masses.

On 26 February 1998, I called and talked to Jim Hrisoulas about making me a nice, carry size bowie. He was very friendly and suggested the knife be made out of Vasco wear, since edge holding was of high importance. I am sure of this date as I still have the fax transmittal slip showing a successful receipt of my drawing. When I asked him how far backlogged he was, he replied "It will be ready in 6 weeks". That was the last time I heard from him. Several months went by and I called him and got no answer. I left messages on his machine and got no repies. This I tried on and off for a couple months until I finally just stopped thinking about it. I didnt really think about it again until I was surfing around on Swordforums one day and went to the makers links and saw his website listed as one of the recommended makers. This got me curious again, and I sent him an email inquiring as to the status of the carry size vascowear bowie. No anger, no threats, just a simple inquiry as to the status. This email was sent in July 2000. His auto reply email sent me a message that said if I dont get a response in a week to send the message again. I let a couple weeks go by and resent the same message again. No response. After no response since the second resubmission in August, I sent another message yesterday. Finally, last night I get a message that says the following: "Mr. Unger: In regards to the bowie in vascowear, it was made. You never responded so I sold it...I no longer do custom work due to time constraints.."

Excuse me? No response? This man did NOT inform me that any knife was done, and I have the same address and phone number as always. I doubt if this knife was ever made, but even if it was, he should have told me it was done. If he just got too busy to make the knife, or lost my order, he still should have told me this also. I just replied back that I hope he does not treat all his potential customers like this.
sorry to vent, but I just thought the people on Bladeforums would like to know how he treats potential customers. I have talked to several people, and I am not the only one this has happened to. At this time, I would say to stay away from this guy. I'm just glad I didnt send him any money up front!



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Danbo, soul brother of Rambo
 
Hi Danbo, thanks for the info. I am very surprised as I always thought he had a good rep. Yes, be happy you didn't send any cash.
I would be very interested in any others experience with this maker. Wondering if this is the norm for him or one unfortunate situation.

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Dave (Phil.4:13)
I Can Do All Things Through Him Who Strengthens Me
Lifter at work: www.profitness.com/Profiles/profileDaveAbramson
 
But if this is the way he treats customers, maybe he will be soon. I'm surprised but it's right to warn others.
 
Hello:

I have been lurking on and off of these forums for a few years now, sometimes I post, but to be in any way fair to Jim, I know for a fact that he has had close to $10,000.00 worth of items that people have ordered and never picked up. I see him almost on a semi monthly basis, if he said the piece was done. I'd say it was done. I myself have ordered a few things from him..got them all no problem.

It was these bad orders that caused Jim to stop custom work. He simply cannot afford the time to waste on folks who order and are never heard from again. That and the nasty eye injury he sustained early last year that put him way behind..No time to do anything except get caught up.

Say what you want about this or that, he IS cantankerous, set in his ways and well...that's all fine and good. But I'd say if he said the piece was done, it was done. If he said he couldn't get ahold of you, I'd say he couldn't.He trys I think two or three times and then gives up..Something he should change but that's his way. It's a sad case of events that you trash someone who doesn't read this board and you all join in, wishing him out of existence, without giving him the common decency of being able to voice his side.

I have seen what he calls his "deat beat" pile, which are orders filled and never picked up/paid for. Some pretty nice stuff in there.

Vegas Vic
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">It's a sad case of events that you trash someone who doesn't read this board and you all join in, wishing him out of existence, without giving him the common decency of being able to voice his side.</font>
Click to expand...

I gotta tell you Vic, Jim sounds like he has every opportunity to "voice his side." As Danbo said:

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">When I asked him how far backlogged he was, he replied "It will be ready in 6 weeks". That was the last time I heard from him. Several months went by and I called him and got no answer. I left messages on his machine and got no repies. This I tried on and off for a couple months until I finally just stopped thinking about it. I didnt really think about it again until I was surfing around on Swordforums one day and went to the makers links and saw his website listed as one of the recommended makers. This got me curious again, and I sent him an email inquiring as to the status of the carry size vascowear bowie. No anger, no threats, just a simple inquiry as to the status. This email was sent in July 2000. His auto reply email sent me a message that said if I dont get a response in a week to send the message again. I let a couple weeks go by and resent the same message again. No response. After no response since the second resubmission in August, I sent another message yesterday. Finally, last night I get a message that says the following: "Mr. Unger: In regards to the bowie in vascowear, it was made. You never responded so I sold it...I no longer do custom work due to time constraints.."</font>
Click to expand...

As you seem to know Jim personally, why don't you direct him to this thread where he can personally respond to Danbo's concerns.

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Kelly
My Custom Knife Collection

Member NCCKG, SCAK, and AKTI

Deo Vindice
 
VegasVic,
I think you're missing the point of this forum. People come here to relate their experiences so that others can avoid the same fate, or at least have some knowledge of what to expect should they choose to enter into a deal with a certain person.

Danbo has been a member of this forum in good standing for well over a year and I can't imagine what his motivation would be to invent this story, especially when you consider the rational and non-emotional manner in which he presented his case.

You know, it's possible that everything you and Danbo have said here is true. But if Mr. Hrisoulas attempts to "contact" people in such a way that you would never even know the attempt was made, then that's something I certainly want to know about before placing my order. And by your own admission Mr. Hrisoulas is "cantankerous" and "set in his ways". Well, thank you very much for letting me know that as well, because BFC is chock full of outstanding makers who go out of their way to make sure that their customers are completely satisfied with every purchase. And I vote with my wallet. (See, this forum really does work afterall
smile.gif
).

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Semper Fi

-Bill
 
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