Knife pricing seems odd.

[ginshun]

Why is it that if I go to 5 differnt sites to look for a specific Benchmade or Spyderco, I find 5 different prices, but when you get into higher end knives like CRK's and Srider's every site that carries them has virtually the same price?

Is it just a volume thing, where some places buy tons more from BM or Spyderco so they get a better price form the factory, while with CRK's and Striders there are only so many that are made and the factory charges all the places the same wholesale prces or what?

Not that its the most important quetions, I just found it odd, and was wondering about it.

 

[ahgar]

I think you're probably right. As in any commodity volume makes the difference. You take an internet sight that sells a lot of spyderco's and they're naturally going to get a better deal on them than someone who sell's mostly case knives. And of course you take a monster like wal-mart who sell in huge volume and you come up with a $40 native which costs probably $60 anywhere else. I think you also are correct when you said that when you're dealing with a custom maker, say stryder, then there are only so many knives out there and the maker has more control over the price. When looking for knives you really need to compare prices from several different places but also remember a low price isn't good if the customer service sucks. Personally I'll pay a little more for good customer service and a business that has good word of mouth. sorry about the lapse into business 101. later, ahgar

 

[Vivi]

I've found myself supporting local shops that have knowledge and friendly staff rather than buying from online vendors who offer slightly lower prices. I've been changing in this respect, I feel that's more important than saving a little bit of my money.

 

[ginshun]

I've found myself supporting local shops that have knowledge and friendly staff rather than buying from online vendors who offer slightly lower prices. I've been changing in this respect, I feel that's more important than saving a little bit of my money.

I would probaly do that too if there were any local knife shops anywhere near me. I don't feel at all bad buying stuff from respectable online dealers though. New Graham, AG Russell, True North Knives, ect.

I don't feel at all bad for buying from them and saving a good chunk of change as opposed to going to Gander Mt.

 

[Vivi]

I hear ya. Gander mountain has some jacked up prices. Mini-ambush for 65 or 60$ here I think it was. Mini-pika was 40$ or 35, something like that.

AG Russel seems like a respectable and informative dealer. I don't think I'd mind buying from them. New Graham has a good reputation here so I'd feel pretty sure about them as well.

 

[Cougar Allen]

CRK & Strider & some other small manufacturers sell directly to a few authorized dealers, who are bound by agreement on pricing. If a dealer breaks the agreement he won't get any more knives. (That is legal. Laws on price-fixing are somewhat complicated....)

Spyderco & Benchmade & other large manufacturers sell to distributors who sell to wholesalers who sell to dealers. Under the circumstances it would not be practical (or legal, oddly enough) to enforce any pricing agreement.

 

[Nimick]

I hear ya. Gander mountain has some jacked up prices. Mini-ambush for 65 or 60$ here I think it was. Mini-pika was 40$ or 35, something like that.

find the expensive stuff that gander's trying to lose. chances the clearence price of $60 will come up 39.99 on the register. happened to me once or twice:thumbup:

 

[Lenny_Goofoff]

You have'nt seen our local prices! Import taxes, of course, but vendor's greedy, too. What's good, discontinued models are still there. Lil'Temperance for $225

 

[Kaizen1]

I can't complain about my local store, Tadgear's the best of both worlds.

 

[brownshoe]

Pricing is just another reason not to buy a CRK knife. They get together with their select group of dealers and do not allow any discounting. This assures maximum profit for all players. In return CRK controls the number of dealers to a select few. I've been told it's not price fixing because it's not a price fixed between manufacturers, but a pricing agreement between retailers and a single supplier. If CRK's knives didn't sell as well as they did, there'd be no arrangement.

The few times dealers have discounted their knives, word got out and CRK took action against the dealers. From what I've been told, the only break you'll get on CRK products is postage and somtimes sales tax, most smaller dealers will not charge shipping or tax on CRK products if you ask.