Would you prefer they go out of business? What about the possibly hundreds of ‘poor saps’ working for them losing their jobs?
Yes, that’s true. Nonetheless, see my previous response.
In DLT’s case, the materials for blanks were bought up front, because Stewart’s credit was shit, he was cash only with his suppliers, and apparently he had no cash for supplies. Apparently DLT made the decision to work with BR in this way to protect a big chunk (possibly as much as 20%) of their annual sales. Beyond that I don’t know what the arrangement is/was for the finished products. If they were smart, under these unusual circumstances, they’d pay the remainder as the units are sold. But who knows. They’re still left holding a crapload of product, which is never a good situation for any business, and at the very least are out what they paid for the blanks.
Somewhere I read that it’s more like 13,000 BR knives that DLT has in stock. No idea how many of those are too fugly to sell, but that’s a risk dealers themselves take even on a good day.
Actually I don’t feel all that sorry for those collectors. It’ll be unfortunate if the value of their collections goes down the toilet, but that’s always a risk in the world of collecting anything. The integrity of this company’s owners has been in question for decades along with evidence of his crooked practices. Serious collectors should be making themselves aware of these situations before they start dumping big bucks on any company’s goods. The information has been out there on Mr. Stewart; if they chose to ignore it, that’s on them. I’m more concerned about the hundreds of employees of the retailers who had no say in their companies’ involvement with this or any other maker, nor knowledge of the shenanigans going on, who will be out of jobs if these retailers go under. With the volume of sales they’re going to be losing, that’s now a very real possibility. Again, I don't care so much about the managers who decided to get into bed with the Stewart’s, but I do care about the poor grunts working for them who are scraping by from paycheck to paycheck.
Nothing personal taken. Everybody’s entitled to their own opinion, and you’ve stated yours quite civilly.
Shouldn’t the dealers and collectors have the same standard?
I mean if the collectors should be smart enough not to buy from a company with a bad reputation, shouldn’t the dealers be equally as smart?
Do I want those dealers to go out of business? No
Do I care if they do? No again.
I seriously doubt if there are hundreds of people involved here.
I’ve been laid off 4 times in my 43 year career. You move on. Each time it was a level next step ( once) and a step up the other three times.
You dust yourself off and move on.
I worked for a guy that did the exact same thing. Little 4 person art studio in the middle 90s. Ol’Bob ran up bills all over nyc. He spent as much time in court as he did the office. Couldn’t buy typography, photostats or art supplies in manhattan. He ran up bills and didn’t pay them at all the shops.
Tried to send me for art supplies
“I’ll pay you back”
“Can’t you use your credit card?”
Then he started with “I’ll pay you Monday” on Thursday. Or “Don’t cash this til….”
It got to the point where I d sit on his desk and demand my salary. Hung up his phone when it rang. Offered to go through his pockets to find the cash “that we both know you have”
Then I told him and his partner ( a nice guy, great artist & rubber mat) that I’m not coming in until I get paid.
I stayed home he, started paying.
Then one day they skipped. Unlocked the front door and it was empty.
Still owe me over 2K in 90s money.
Chalked it up to a lesson learned.
See the parallels?
Buying the art supplies would have only put me deeper in the hole. Same for not taking my paycheck on time.
Instead of helping postpone the inevitable, I recognized the warning signs and made a plan. But they beat me to the exit.
The last thing I’d want to do is finance someone who can’t get supplies cuz he doesn’t pay his bills.
I also think 20% isn’t all that big. 80% of the business is big.
You tip 20% right?
Some how the numbers don’t add up or the info is bad. 9 guys at br cranked out 13,000 knives for just one supplier? Equal amounts for the other?
I don’t know. That doesn’t add up. Maybe I missed something. Don’t know, don’t care.
Thank you for your civility as well.
