Knife stores and those who complain about them

[Richard]

Ok, last time im gonna comment on this. Seems every once in a while a few threads pop up on knife stores. The typical seems to be people going in, looking, handling, asking questions (hoping to stump the salesman) and then RUSHING home to make a post about how worthless the store is, and how high the prices are. True, some (not all) knife stores have people that dont know a whole lot, of course that happens in every business. Then of course, people respond with, 'well, if they paid them more...'. So, what if they did? Most mall stores have high prices, because cost of operation is high. They also tend to try and stock plenty of what they sell....they are not some guy sitting at hope with a computer and a few knives in the closet waiting for an email that somebody wants to order a knife. Knife stores give you the chance to handle all ya want. Back to paying them more, even if they did, would you buy from them??? I doubt it. It sure wouldnt lower thier prices any more to pay higher salaries. How many people on here have said, oh, I only go to the store to handle the knives, and run home and order on the net. Those kind of people dont have a clue....you dont support the knife stores, your not gonna have the luxury of handling for much longer. If the sales people are rude, fine, leave. If they are at least trying to help you, then if your not gonna but, STOP WASTING THIER TIME!!!!! I also saw a recent post saying that some sales lady yelled at the guy for moving the blade back and forth. Well, guess what, until you buy the knife, IT ISNT YOURS!!!. I sold knives for a long time. We had good quality knives with terrible blade play. They were the displays, you have enough people over the months, several times a day come in and each yank the blade back and forth, ITS GONNA LOOSEN. Some peoople check gently, some people like to act as though they wanna rip the blade out, either way, if ya havent bought it, ITS NOT YOURS, so stop jerking the blade around. Oh, and when you go in a knife shop, and the sales guy says he like aus6 better than ats34...again, you cant wait to get home and post about what a moron he is. Why??...Is his opinion wrong just because you dont like it? Maybe he knows just as much as you, and he just happens to like aus6 better, thats his right ya know. Oh, and I love the ones where people post 'I asked about the LCC, and he didnt know wtf I was talking about' Big damn deal, so maybe he doesnt have time to check bladeforums all the time. Or, maybe he has other things to do. Maybe, since hes not paid very much he cant afford a computer. How about when ya say, I went to the store and the guy was in a bad mood and didnt help me so he sucks. Then, somebody else posts that they tried to order online at BillyBobs online knives, and he sent a rude email...then the same people that rag on the knife store say that BillyBob is usually nice, maybe he had a bad day, I will still buy from him. Guess a store doesnt get the same understanding, huh?

Think about this, the store I worked at was small, in a mall, and paid about 3000 dollars a month rent (good spots in malls are expensive). We had a manager, a couple of full timers, and a part timer (more people during the holidays). We had a fairly extensive line of knives, plus we kept several hundred knives in inventory so we would have enough of each knife. We had to have insurance of course, the employees and rent had to be paid, so yeah, we could not afford to sell at internet prices of a couple of bucks over cost. What the customer got in exchange, was the ability to come in, spend as much time as they wanted handling every knife they wanted, and actually getting to see in person what they were buying. Try that with a web dealer.

Now, when you start in saying that "knife stores are for handling only, then run home and order online"...you tell me what your gonna do when ther knife store closes its doors for good, huh? You think the online guys will send ya a box of knives to handle and let ya make up your mind before you buy? Try and use a little common sense before ya spout off and make a moronic post!!!



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Richard
icq 61363141
Just some knife pictures
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=110070&a=4518795
UPDATED and REVISED

 

[dogboye]

Gotta say I pretty much agree with you. To be honest, the last few times that I HAVE been able to make it by CK&T, I have avoided handling because I pretty much knew that I wasn't in a buying mood that day, or flat-out couldn't afford what I was interested in. So, when asked if I wanted help, I just declined. When I do actually take up some of there time, I try to buy something, even if it is something small and not a knife. Just to pay for his/her time. Maybe that's a little cheap, too, but I'm trying to be fair.

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iktomi

 

[Brian_Turner]

Originally posted by Richard:
You think the online guys will send ya a box of knives to handle and let ya make up your mind before you buy?

Chris Carlson (Whitewinger) allowed me to do just that!

I happen to agree with you 110% - brick and mortar is expensive, and it's damn near impossible to stay in business when your competition (internet) is working with razor thin margins.




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AKTI Member #A000832

"Sometimes you eat the bear, and sometimes, the bear eats you."

 

[Paracelsus]

Wow Richard! I sure hope you feel better now

Paracelsus

Edit addition: I don't have any common sense, and just realized that this could be characterized as spouting off and making a moronic post. Sorry

[This message has been edited by Paracelsus (edited 10-02-2000).]

 

[sigsauer]

Hi Richard
I must agree with allot of what you said. I do however feel that there are people out there who are willing to work for the less bucks, that do have a fairly extensive knowledge of knives. From the age of 18yrs to 22yrs, I worked in retail stores. Eventually I worked myself up to a better paying position as a manager. At any time I would have been thrilled to take a position working in a knive exclusive store, instead all we had was a small collection of Swiss
Army knives, Gerbers, Bucks, and the rest were cheap pieces of junk. Even though our sellection was small I still managed to make several sales by offering people with no experience a little important information.
The store being a Rite Aid, it had carried several other items as well, which no matter the disinterest in the items I still managed to educate myself. My boss helped me in this aspect as well.
It sounds as though your boss did the same to make sure he had someone who had an interest and would be helpfull to customers. There are however places of business that don't take this effort, they just want someone to be there so they don't have to.
I can also say that living in a small town there is'nt much of a selection plus certain items cost more to be shipped here for dealers such as salt water fish which I also have an interest in. Even though the dealer did have higher prices, they were so courteous and helpful that I bought from them.
Now because everyone did not feel the same way I have to make trips over 90 miles from where I live. If some of these stores had half the business they too would be able to offer better prices and they would not go out of business.


Sorry I'll add my profile in soon, until then it is spab@onemain.com

[This message has been edited by sigsauer (edited 10-02-2000).]

 

[Osbourn]

One more little thing about ignorant clerks. When I was a hardcore comic book collector, (retired, can't afford it anymore)I wanted to get a job at a comic book store. Seemed reasonable to me. I spent almost all of my spare cash on comics, and I knew EVERYTHING about them, so I'd be an asset to a store, and basically pump my money back in, working for a modest employee discount. I never even got an interview. I became friends with some store owners through the years and found out why.
The general gist was that store owners never hire collectors.
1. They intimidate the more ignorant customers with their enthusiasm.
2. They have a job-related skill, which often makes them feel as though they are justified in being paid more, and if they aren't paid more, whether the store can support a higher pay grade or not, they will tend to resent it, which leads to:
3.They have a strong interest in the product, and are put into a position of trust. This is not a good combination when you do not know the honesty of the individual in question, especially when inventory is less trackable in comparison to other types of products.
Knives and comics aren't all that different. Trust me on this one.

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Oz

"I went to one of those so-called 'All you can eat' buffets last night, and I'm on to their little game.
They stop filling up the thousand island bucket after you empty it three or four times."
http://www.freespeech.org/oz/

 

[Richard]

A little Para

...It just gives me the red a$$ when somebody calls the knife salesman a moron because he doesnt know every new model coming down the pike. When I sold knives, I knew of plenty of new models in the works that others didnt. Does that make them morons?? Nope.

I have seen many SAE (self appointed experts) on here say they had an original Spyderco Endura, the ones with the AUS8 Blade. Some dont even know that the original Enduras were G2.

How many people know of the CRKT Handmade line? These were american made, G10, titanum liner Tac folders with D2 Blades. If I remember correctly, I dont think they ever made it to market, but they were in the works, with prototypes made. Just because somebody isnt aware of them, doesnt make them a moron.

Or, how about CRKT/Chris Reeve collaboration. They worked on a Sebenza project. Again, there were a few protos, but I think the project was cancelled.

See, we knife sales people knew a few things. This in no way makes anybody else a moron....but I hope you see the point.



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Richard
icq 61363141
Just some knife pictures
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=110070&a=4518795
UPDATED and REVISED

 

[Jake Evans]

I really envy you guys that have knife stores close to you. All I have is Wally World, and believe me, they don't have much. Every once in a while I cruise down to St Louis so I can hit a real knife store. So what if the clerk is a knife know nothing. The knives are there in front of you and you can see them and check them out up close. I may buy online and do a lot of trading, but I at least buy a knife mag or pick up something so I don't feel like I'm wasting the clerks time. And ya know what? every once in a while I run into another knife nut and make a friend while I'm there. I'm surprised what there are people out there with PC's that have never heard of Blade Forums.. Keep passing the word guys.

Jake

 

[Brian_Turner]

Originally posted by sigsauer:

I can also say that living in a small town there is'nt much of a selection plus certain items cost more to be shipped here for dealers such as salt water fish which I also have an interest in. Even though the dealer did have higher prices, they were so courteous and helpful that I bought from them.
Now because everyone did not feel the same way I have to make trips over 90 miles from where I live. If some of these stores had half the business they too would be able to offer better prices and they would not go out of business.

An excellent example, and one I can relate to. I've had my "regular" fish store owner offer me incredible prices on fish because of my regular patronage, but I insisted on paying full retail because I knew that she couldn't keep the doors open with "cost +" pricing. Unfortunately, there were far too many regulars willing to take her up on her kindness, and she folded.

It's almost as hard to find a good saltwater fish place as a knife shop! But you don't find outdoors/luggage/hardware stores stocking a limited selection of triggerfish to make up for it!

BTW - anyone interested in a 3 1/2' tessalata moray eel? Nasty bastid is monopolizing my 125 gal tank, and no pet shop will take him! He's beating the crap out of my new green moray...

(Sorry for the relatively off topic reply, but NO EMAIL for sig!)

 

[GigOne]

We don't have "knife" stores in Zoo Jersey.

I mean ~ a "real knife store!" Yeah, there are a few "Army/Navy" type stores and a few "gun shops" that carry minimal low end knives. Please keep in mind ~ this is Zoo Jersey ~ the land where you have to have a SS Stormtrooper (NJ State Police) permit to just go into a gun shop and handle a weapon!

There are a few across the border (in Pennsylvania).... No customs.

BM, Spyderco, CRK&T, SOG, etc..... Which by the way, are considered "customs." And the prices are extremely high! Months ago I spent over 2 hours with a store clerk explaining and showing her what a custom was.

"These stores are set-up to rip off the poorly educated consumer, the employees don't know anything and the prices are way too high!"

Sorry Richard.......just had to post this.

And so very sorry that this "recurring thread" irks you so! Not that I really give a ****. And thanks for letting us in on the wonderful inner working of a "mall business." Very educational.

But ya see.....we don't have "knife" stores in Zoo Jersey ~ so I don't have the opportunity to handle too many "real knives." Not even those good quality knives with terrible blade play like you were talkin' bout.

And up until this time.....when I would cross the border...into PA.....to look at the "mall knives" ~ I'd pretty much "look" at their "expensive" ~ "non-custom a$$ knifes!"

The poor young kids that were hired to work the counter are pretty much useless ~ draggin' down that six dollars and some odd cents for doin' as little as possible! And I mean as little as possible! Unless your standing on their head shovin' $20 up their nose!

Hell Richard, you know so much......maybe the knife store that I periodically walk by to window lick will hire ya! With all that piss and vinegar and fire shootin' out your a$$ ~ you seem like you'd be able to make some massive changes to "my" non-local knife store!

But now that I know how it also pisses you off that folks go to these stores and yank the blade back and forth until they get loose ~ I'll be at my non-local mall knife shop makin' their sh@t knives loose! VERY LOOSE!

By the way, Richard. If openin' those "good quality knives" often ~ loosen the blade.... Dem aren't "good quality knives."

Crap Ola.....spoutin' off and make one of those Richard's moronic posts!!!

Oh.....One last thing.....If it really pisses ya off......when one of these threads pop up ~ don't read it!

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GigOne
"Livin' Life - Full Throttle"
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"Happiness is a belt-fed weapon & a Walter Brend Model 2!"

 

[TimmyTheTalkingToilet]

Well I'm starting to be friends with a couple of people at one of the mall stores, and they tell me about some really stupid customers, and then we discuss the mistakes that the customer made and made fun of him. But then I rib them a little for carrying a couple of cheezy hibben fantasy knives, and swords, and we both get a good laugh. But we do discuss some of the new products on the market, and have a good time. Maby I should get a knife there because if I don't soon I think that I might get charged for Loitering

 

[Revvie]

Richard -
You do have a few points - but - I think that there is the possibility that you are missing an opportunity to do some helping here - I've run into a few knife store opperators that were not too knowledgable about product but wanted to learn more - I had a lot of fun identifying MY OPINIONS to them LABELED as OPINION - and sharing the opposing point of view as well... I've also made some friends in knife stores that have a lot more knowledge than they let on - they are selling knives in front of a lot of sheeple - don't forget that - the profit margin grows with every sale not just the high end stuff... I've also got into the habit of identifying the fact that I'm just looking when I come in and not hogging the guy's time when there could be a buyer walking in the door ! - there are lots of things we all can do to make life nicer and still get to drool over those candies we'd love own !

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Don't wrestle with the hogs - they enjoy it and you get dirty !
Jonesy

 

[db]

One thing that really po's me is when I see some hotshot flicking the s h it out of the knives. Then if this person decides to buy a aknife out of the many he has been flicking he wants to check 3 or 4 of them to get one that hasn't been handled. That is if he buys one at all. I say screw the store that lets that happen I aint paying for a knife there.
Btw I have seen this happen a few times

 

[Quijebo]

I hope that Richard here isn't taling about my post...but the guy was a moron..

He had one ordered for HIMSELF and he didn't know it was called the LCC...what kinda person drops $100+ on anything that they dont know alot about...let alone the name of it...

just my 2 cents worth

 

[db]

Quijebo good question. Ask 90% of the knife buyers that. Sh it even BM isn't sure what AFCK stands for.

 

[sigsauer]

Went to this gun show in Reno this weekend and saw that they had several LCC to my surprise. When they asked what I wanted to see, It was of course the LCC. They did'nt know which one it was until I pointed it out. But I really did'nt care that they did'nt know, because I did thanks to the Forum. What I did care about was that they asked me and they let me check them out for my first time since I heard about them here.
Maybe it's me but I don't think I could remember all the models of the knives I carried in a shop either.
I knew this guy once who had a gun shop that he opened because he liked guns mostly revolvers. He did'nt know allot about auto's, but he did appreciate the info I passed on to him, and I appreciated that he at least carried them. The exchange of info was nice like it is here in the Forum.

Thought I'd add something, How many of you know without looking what a Hai Hacho is?
Just curious.

[This message has been edited by sigsauer (edited 10-03-2000).]

 

[eaglehi1]

I don't understand why knife stores don't thiink if volume sales it seems to me that if their prices were more competitive they would sell more knives rather then have them sit around the store. You can deal in volume and make up the differance by selling more. Why can't they do that ??????

 

[Griffon]

Originally posted by sigsauer:
Thought I'd add something, How many of you know without looking what a Hai Hacho is?

A mis-spelling?


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Urban Fredriksson www.canit.se/%7Egriffon/
Latest updates:
EKA Nordic W11, Schrade Lake & Walker, Calypso Jr Lightweight

"I've always been fascinated by Scandinavian knives [...] they're simple, in an advanced way". - Bob Loveless

 

[Strider]

I stopped going to local knife stores because I came to the conclusion that I will never pay $100 for a knife I can get on line for $48. I go to shows to see,play with and buy or I buy on line period. I realize that cutlery stores have to make money to support staff,rent,merchandise etc. But when my local guys sell for almost double and in some cases even more who in there right mind would pay those prices? One example that comes to mind is a CRK&T Urban Shark $62 local around $30 on line. I look at it as do I buy one knife local or order up to 2 or 3 knives on line for the same price? Guess who gets my money. the internet has changed the face of business drasticly and those unwilling to compromise and change to compete are just going to fade away and thats the facts. People comparison shop for everything nowadays and knives are no exception. Maybe certain stores should reavaluate there market position and change accordingly because with on line shopping its only going to get tougher.
Bob

 

[Hoodoo]

Great points Richard. I live around Grand Rapids Michigan and the nearest knife store is in East Lansing. I always look forward to stopping in there when I'm in the area. The original owner sold the place to a guy who doesn't know a lot about knives but he aims to please. Nice people there. Lot's of knives to handle. I always try to buy a knife or two when I stop in. And their prices on Opinels are cheaper than the Internet (he almost sold me a display Opinel that was a foot and a half long, last time I was there

). Also a great place to buy Marbles. Lots of models you just don't see on the Internet. It's called the KnifeTrader, it's on Michigan Avenue on the west end of E. Lansing, if anyone is interested.