Knife shop prices and products

T

The1trueBeavis

Joined
Aug 16, 2013
Messages
111
Went to a local knife shop today and based on reviews and their website I'd say its the best in my area. Their website said the carry a large assortment of knives including brands like ZT, spyderco, benchmade, victorinox, as well as some "custom" makers. What I really wanted to see is if they had a spyderco delica or endura so I could hold both and decide what I wanted. Walked in and this "outdoors" store had a large collection of fedoras, knick knacks, fountains pens and BB guns. Not pellet guns, BB guns. Now to the knife counter. The custom knives looked ok. Scandi grind, wood handled. They had 1 ZT, big black and tiger striped (I'm not the ZT expert) and 90% of the benchmades were griptilians of all sorts of colors. I didn't look at the prices. They had a pretty good selection of kershaws. Maybe 15. Only three spydercos though. Delica, endura, and a dragonfly. Asked to see the delica and endura and the hipster guy hands them to me. But not without me having to to count down the whoa for him to know what I was talking about. The endura Was the black blade/frn model and the delica was the satin black frn model. I could tell they had been there a while, the endura had skin particles and hair from the last guy I guess. EW! The delica was clean at least. Both had good lockup and felt quality. Put the delica in my pocket and drew it a couple times. Checked the edges and they were horrible! Not rolled or cupped but you could tell someone had used them. They wanted $125.95 for the endura and $120.95 for the delica. Ha! What are you guys experience with knife shops? Is this one just horrible or what? After looking forward to coming here for a couple of weeks I'm thoroughly disssapointed. I understand its a brick and mortar store but should the prices really be that high? I don't know why I mad a post about this but I'm pretty down trodden. What are your opinions?
 
That is horrible. When I see things like this the only thing I can think about is how many uneducated people fall into this trap then blame the manufacturer. I am glad you knew your stuff and didn't purchase from the store.
 
Most of the b&m knife shops in my area are long gone, but when they were still around their prices were always msrp, except for the very occasional sale, which still didn't match online prices. Much like bookstores and video stores, knife stores are going the way of the buggy whip manufacturers, due to online sales. Those who are smart will convert (or have converted) their store to an online one. I do miss hanging out at the local shop, fondling the knives, and BS'ing with the employees, but I don't miss the msrp prices (cheap bastid that I am :D).
 
always full msrp,
And I hate it when I get there and he tells me about the knives like I'd never used one before,
And then I just ask if he has any hinderer ZT's in, and he shuts up a bit and goes to get one.
Last shop had a great selection, but full msrp is something im not willing, or able to work with, sadly.
 
It's what happens when you have brick and mortar overhead costs. Yes, those prices do seem high, but with employers having to pay for health care, liability insurance, and salary you end up with a 125 dollar Endura.

The internet killed the knife store.
 
Sounds just plainly horrible. Asking double the average price of what they are going for is just stupid. Sounds like a no go knife shop for sure.
 
Yo Mama said:
It's what happens when you have brick and mortar overhead costs. Yes, those prices do seem high, but with employers having to pay for health care, liability insurance, and salary you end up with a 125 dollar Endura.

The internet killed the knife store.
Click to expand...

Many of the best, most well-known, largest, and lowest priced online dealers maintain physical store fronts as well, and their walk-in customers pay the exact same prices as their online customers.
I doubt employees of b&m stores earn more or receive better benefits than employees of online dealers; nor do online dealers have lower rent, lower taxes, or lower utilities. Fact is, some businesses have adapted and thrived, and others have died off. It's called "competition" and it happens in every industry and business.
 
I agree Bob, I think many places believe that they will be selling to a smaller market anyways, so they need to keep prices up to accomodate that,
But everyone has the same access to internet prices...?
And I for one, would have bought a Zero Tolerance that day if it was priced similarly to what I can get one online for. I have money in my pocket and a knife in my hand, if i can justify buying it I will, but If their prices suck there is no justification.
 
Another thing is all the prices were on the clips and could you guess how the knives were placed? Yep clip down. The guy at the counter stared me down like a hawk looks at a rabbit. Lol I was just hoping I could find a b&m store that I could go fondle knives in. Not at these prices, there's probably a reason why the knives seemed a couple years old.
 
The1trueBeavis said:
I was just hoping I could find a b&m store that I could go fondle knives in. Not at these prices, there's probably a reason why the knives seemed a couple years old.
Click to expand...

Go to the forum section titled The Good The Bad and The Ugly. Post the name of the town, state, or region where you live; and ask for a dealer recommendation. :thumbup:
 
no such thing as a 100% perfect in this world
so now that you've toyed and had a feel for what's caught your fancy,
it's time to check out the other online deals.
it's no brainer, with the set current shopping patterns
of consumers getting use to everyday low prices and self service cultures.
the customer of today is expected to help himself.
 
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