Lets talk GEC!

It's 50/50 if the use an EO notch, so one of us will be happy lol. I prefer the notch because it's easy to open the knife and fits my hand well.

Somehow feels like a lost era with the 85's and 15 barlow in the regular production schedule. Mike used to run the 85's as an SFO for CK. I miss those.
 
For the record, @EngrSorenson does NOT speak for me! (Yes, I know you were just being facetious EngrSoreson, but I have read similar comments that appeared to be sincere.) Why anyone would want to pay higher prices just because flippers exist is beyond me!

If all dealers begin to "mark 'um up " to whatever price they want, then count me out for good. Some dealers are doing that now, and they will never have my business again. I will remain loyal to those who do not.

And please stop with this foolish notion that certain dealers are only jacking up prices to hurt the flippers. That is like killing the patient to slow down the disease. People can rationalize whatever they want, but do not do me the "favor" of charging me more to protect me from flippers. I can avoid them easy enough by not buying their knives! Dealers should not gouge good honest customers on the pretext of slowing down flippers!

I am only one customer. Maybe others are willing to pay more just because dealers can get it at this moment in history. Time will tell, but I certainly hope that everyone has a long memory. Circumstances will change. They always do. When that happens, I expect the flipper dealers will be the ones left holding the bag. Flipper dealers are risking long term viability for short term profits.

I can handle frenzied drops, email alerts, early reserves, and the rest. But I will not tolerate flipper dealers. That is where I draw the line. How pathetic is it to beg someone to sell you a knife for double or triple retail, and then thank them for the privlege?! Some dealers have not gone over to the dark side yet, but you can see they are inching closer and testing the waters. They need to know we are watching, and there will be a price to pay. Flipper dealers are taking advantage of us, and we should never forget it.
 
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The current market for GECs is rather absurd - why people are content to pay the prices that are being demanded is a rather annoying marvel.

If I cannot get a GEC at a reasonable price, I will no longer buy GECs - it is as simple as that. The prices that some of these knives bring is in custom territory and as nice as some GECs are, they are most certainly not customs. In fact, a big percentage of the GEC knives I bought at retail last year had a number of issues that I am not used to seeing on a GEC (blade wobble, poorly inlet shields, and subpar finishes).

Even the TC I just received has the poorest F&F out of my rather modest assortment of other TCs. A functional knife that will make a terrific user but it is most certainly not worth what people are willing to pay for it. It truly is a knife that is reminiscent of the old Barlows - a functional and sturdy working person's knife that is a wee bit rough around the edges.

I will continue to buy as long as it continues to make sense but, with how things are trending, folks like me are going to be driven out of the market and that is rather disappointing.
 
Leslie Tomville said:
For the record, @EngrSorenson does not speak for me! If all dealers begin to "mark 'um up " to whatever price they want, then count me out for good. Some dealers are doing that now, and they will never have my business again. I will remain loyal to those who do not. And please stop with this foolish notion that certain dealers are only jacking up prices to hurt the flippers. That is like killing the patient to slow down the disease. People can rationalize whatever they want, but please do not do me any favors by charging me more to protect me from flippers that I do not have to do any business with whatsoever.
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I tend to agree with Greg here. If dealers mark them way up, flippers will just charge more. I think the dealers need to stick with the recommended rates from GEC, so things don't spiral more out of control than it already is. It is a free market, and dealers have that choice. We just know who to be loyal to as we watch greed start to sink its teeth in...
 
GEC is experiencing the Rolex phenomenon.

Fixed production - check
Reserve Lists - check
Insane Market Demand - check
Grey Market Prices Skyrocket - check
More Flippers Enter the Game - check
Dealers Raise Prices - some have done this already
Dealers Consider Past Purchases/$$$ spent with them to allocate allotment/VIPs only - ??? nearly there?

Once the easy money and demand leaves the market, it should cool.
 
GE Jr said:
If GEC makes Barlows for say, the month of February (or any 4 week stretch), what would that be...about 2000 knives? Maybe put a dent in the drought?
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I wish they would do something like one different knife per month, as many as they could make, or even just one different type every other month.
 
Just got an email from a dealer saying the upcoming TC might be very limited because of past trends. He also mentioned that dealers are selling for a lot on the auction site and he in turn will need to raise his prices as well.
 
GE Jr said:
If GEC makes Barlows for say, the month of February (or any 4 week stretch), what would that be...about 2000 knives? Maybe put a dent in the drought?
Click to expand...

but that might only scratch the surface of the fan base. Say that covers the collectors in America, which i doubt, there is still the international fan base.
 
NewBlades16 said:
Just got an email from a dealer saying the upcoming TC might be very limited because of past trends. He also mentioned that dealers are selling for a lot on the auction site and he in turn will need to raise his prices as well.
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curious who that might be...
 
rpstrimple said:
GEC is experiencing the Rolex phenomenon.

Fixed production - check
Reserve Lists - check
Insane Market Demand - check
Grey Market Prices Skyrocket - check
More Flippers Enter the Game - check
Dealers Raise Prices - some have done this already
Dealers Consider Past Purchases/$$$ spent with them to allocate allotment/VIPs only - ??? nearly there?

Once the easy money and demand leaves the market, it should cool.
Click to expand...

I believe we ARE there, if some of the recurring shots in these threads are to be believed. :D
 
knife_fan said:
Same here. Sounds like another dealer I might be avoiding in the future.

Now I'm curious how many dealers are lying to customers saying they have no reservations left, and are just flipping the knives on eBay.
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Wow, that is fairly egotistical that the owes you a reservation in the first place. The reservation is a courtesy and a special service provided by some dealers. I like it but certainly don't expect it.
 
I never said anyone owes me a reservation. I said I'm curious if there are dealers lying about having filled all their reservations, but instead are just listing them on the bay to make a profit without ticking off their customers.
 
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