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Linville Knife & Tool Hi-tech folder false advertising
- Thread starter WValtakis
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2003
- Messages
- 31
I started making knives in 1972 and have honestly represented myself and my knives since then. I have had unpleasant experiences with two "wackos" in 34 years. One wanted to trade an Indian blanket for a knife and was horribly offended cause I refused his offer. And then along came Wacko Valtakis. This dude is a supreme conman and has made liberal use of adulterated "truth" and many of you guys have taken it in with great gusto. None of your astute readers seem to be asking why he is going to such lengths to try to malign a good product or our business ethics. He was sent a knife (not a kit) and took it apart and then complained of a mar on the handle under the clip ! We sent him a replacement knife per his request....he had turned down a refund. He requested another refund after receiving the second knife and this was sent on receipt of the return. Loud screams ensued with all sorts of threats and this customer isn't "right", he is wacko ! He is complaining about a $60 knife with a hand ground and finished AUS-8 blade ! We'll be at the SHOT show in booth 9811 or at the NY City Show this coming weekend. We'll have a good selection of our knives and kits for sale and you can judge for yourself as to how we do business and the quality of our work. Caution though.....if you threaten us and our livelihood and spread lies about us we won't be nice and may even offer to help you find another place to play.
So the name calling wasn't enough for you so you thought you'd throw in some threats too?
If the general public knew how you handled an unsatisfied customer with a legitimate complaint I doubt you'd still be in biz. :thumbdn:
If the general public knew how you handled an unsatisfied customer with a legitimate complaint I doubt you'd still be in biz. :thumbdn:Tim,
I am not into buying kits from you (or much at all anymore) and don't know Valtakis, however, I don't think he is the problem here.
First, your e-mails to him did lack professionalism. Were you provoked? I don't know. However, once something like that happens, a customer goes from trying to understand if a mistake was made, to believing intentional fraud was committed. Maybe not fair but human nature.
Second, and you may get pissed at me now, but your marketing does explicitly state Ti bolsters and liners. You have admitted that the bolsters are "T6 aircraft aluminum", or at least that you believe them to be. WValtakis posted pictures of a magnet sticking to a "Ti" liner. Reading what went into getting him the second knife, I could see a mistake being made and a SS from a proto-type (could explain the script on the blade) getting shipped, but by attacking him, and not explaining, it looks intentional.
You are both very close to this, but he should be allowed to bring the issue to light. You appear to be fixated on if he got his refund. He appears to be trying to let others know about the material used. That is what needs to be answered, most don't care if it was a $5 - $60 - or $600 knife. It appears that the materials promised in that knife were not delivered. That is the question that I think you should address.
Was it a mistake?
Did you not get Ti, but believe you did?
Were all those that purchased this knife made aware as soon as you knew that parts advertised as Ti were not really Ti?
These questions get to the trust issue. Mistakes get made all of the time, how you handle those mistakes makes all of the difference.
--Carl
I am not into buying kits from you (or much at all anymore) and don't know Valtakis, however, I don't think he is the problem here.
First, your e-mails to him did lack professionalism. Were you provoked? I don't know. However, once something like that happens, a customer goes from trying to understand if a mistake was made, to believing intentional fraud was committed. Maybe not fair but human nature.
Second, and you may get pissed at me now, but your marketing does explicitly state Ti bolsters and liners. You have admitted that the bolsters are "T6 aircraft aluminum", or at least that you believe them to be. WValtakis posted pictures of a magnet sticking to a "Ti" liner. Reading what went into getting him the second knife, I could see a mistake being made and a SS from a proto-type (could explain the script on the blade) getting shipped, but by attacking him, and not explaining, it looks intentional.
You are both very close to this, but he should be allowed to bring the issue to light. You appear to be fixated on if he got his refund. He appears to be trying to let others know about the material used. That is what needs to be answered, most don't care if it was a $5 - $60 - or $600 knife. It appears that the materials promised in that knife were not delivered. That is the question that I think you should address.
Was it a mistake?
Did you not get Ti, but believe you did?
Were all those that purchased this knife made aware as soon as you knew that parts advertised as Ti were not really Ti?
These questions get to the trust issue. Mistakes get made all of the time, how you handle those mistakes makes all of the difference.
--Carl
I forgot to add above. Although I think you handled the e-mail wrong, esp wrt the threats, others I know and respect have stood up for you here, so you see the thread of I believe this was a mistake.
But again, you are the only one that can answer how it happened, and if the owners of the units sold have been appraised of any differences between the knives they bought and the ones they recieved.
--Carl
But again, you are the only one that can answer how it happened, and if the owners of the units sold have been appraised of any differences between the knives they bought and the ones they recieved.
--Carl
WValtakis appears persistant or dogged, but he doesn't strike me as a "whacko."
No, he is complaining about components advertised as being Ti not being Ti.
Will there be signs prohibiting the possession of magnets in the area?
Doesn't look to me like you're doin' yourself any favours here, Mr. Britton.
I like the pre-emptive threat. Gets that awkward new vendor/client communication off to a good start.
As a comparison:
I recently purchased a $600 ($40 shipping) piece of consumer electronics from vendor via website. This equipment was off a new production run from new facility. Received a defective unit and was on phone with tech support and higher on the first day. New unit was sent out that day, next day air. Received new unit, which worked, but In my opinion, not as expected or advertised. Explained my issues to company and asked for shipping costs to be refunded wich they agreed to the following day.
At no point was I treated as other than a valued customer, and this was my first contact with them. I will have no problems buying other proudcts from this company, and would recommend their products as appropriate.
- Joined
- May 9, 2000
- Messages
- 29,205
Tim, you haven't addressed the issue. Is the knife made of the materials you advertise, or isn't it? If not, why not?
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2003
- Messages
- 211
I think he has addressed. I heard the (lack of an) answer loud and clear.
Britton, answer the damn titanium question!
By the way, I'm coming to the fairgrounds show Thanksgiving weekend. We'll see if you have an answer then, a**hole.
"...try to malign a good product or our business ethics."
Your definition of a good product and ethics is obiviously different from everyone else.
Alvin "the animal" Hartnet
(long time lerker but this s**t has really pissed me off)
By the way, I'm coming to the fairgrounds show Thanksgiving weekend. We'll see if you have an answer then, a**hole.
"...try to malign a good product or our business ethics."
Your definition of a good product and ethics is obiviously different from everyone else.
Alvin "the animal" Hartnet
(long time lerker but this s**t has really pissed me off)
- Joined
- May 29, 2004
- Messages
- 25,390
Just wanted to post something short to say that WValtakis had his access limited at work recently, (this site not being allowed) and as such, he will be responding shortly, but that he hasn't just dissapeared.
Thank you.
~~Wife~~
Thank you.
~~Wife~~
I wonder how he did at the show in NYC this weekend? Table was full from what I saw Saturday.
This explains what exactly? That the knives are lousy or Keith posts alot? Seems like we forum members are not worthy of a response despite that we consider this OUR livelihood and don't particulary care for smarmy answers and fact dodging.
If we don't seem to matter, than I can say with no doubt I won't buy any of his kits or customs after what I've seen here. After all, we as a forum are only 73,212 members strong. Make that 73,211.
That's my nickel. Take it as you will.
This explains what exactly? That the knives are lousy or Keith posts alot? Seems like we forum members are not worthy of a response despite that we consider this OUR livelihood and don't particulary care for smarmy answers and fact dodging.
If we don't seem to matter, than I can say with no doubt I won't buy any of his kits or customs after what I've seen here. After all, we as a forum are only 73,212 members strong. Make that 73,211.
That's my nickel. Take it as you will.
Cougar Allen
Buccaneer (ret.)
- Joined
- Oct 9, 1998
- Messages
- 77,076
Attachments
- Joined
- May 9, 2000
- Messages
- 29,205
Coug, how fitting.
Not to drag up an old thread but this is pretty damn ironic to me.
Did a search on "andodizing titanium" and saw this thread , not more than 30 minutes ago I was sitting on the john , reading Dec Blade for the umpteenth time and reminding myself how much I want one of those Linville K&T kits on the cover , hell limited edition of 600 and it's on the cover of Blade , sure to be a collectors item of sorts coupled with the fact that I love putting knife kits together.
I stared at the photos imagining what sort of embellishments one could add since there is titanium "edit-oops" involved.
I have bought a lot of far cheaper knife kits (folders) and granted I got lessor materials than titanium "edit-oops" (the blades are Aus8) but never did I receive one with that many mars on the knife as WValt did.
Considering I pay a little under $20 I probably would not complain about and just fix the mar myself but for a kit of this supposed magnitude I can see why WValt got so bent.
I mean it was on the cover of Blade and mentioned quite heartily in the article , so it has to be good , right ?
If I chose to view this as an outsider I would see a customer who did not get what he/she expected , not only was it not what it was advertised to be but it was marred to boot. I would want a refund or a replacement and would expect a friendly (on all parties involved) exchange.
I see that Mr. Montgomery's question still has not been addressed , so until I can see some sort of explanation for the mix up in materials I will hold off on my purchase of this kit which was going to be a Christmas gift (completed and embellished) for a good friend.
Todd
Did a search on "andodizing titanium" and saw this thread , not more than 30 minutes ago I was sitting on the john , reading Dec Blade for the umpteenth time and reminding myself how much I want one of those Linville K&T kits on the cover , hell limited edition of 600 and it's on the cover of Blade , sure to be a collectors item of sorts coupled with the fact that I love putting knife kits together.
I stared at the photos imagining what sort of embellishments one could add since there is titanium "edit-oops" involved.
I have bought a lot of far cheaper knife kits (folders) and granted I got lessor materials than titanium "edit-oops" (the blades are Aus8) but never did I receive one with that many mars on the knife as WValt did.
Considering I pay a little under $20 I probably would not complain about and just fix the mar myself but for a kit of this supposed magnitude I can see why WValt got so bent.
I mean it was on the cover of Blade and mentioned quite heartily in the article , so it has to be good , right ?
If I chose to view this as an outsider I would see a customer who did not get what he/she expected , not only was it not what it was advertised to be but it was marred to boot. I would want a refund or a replacement and would expect a friendly (on all parties involved) exchange.
I see that Mr. Montgomery's question still has not been addressed , so until I can see some sort of explanation for the mix up in materials I will hold off on my purchase of this kit which was going to be a Christmas gift (completed and embellished) for a good friend.
Todd
- Joined
- Sep 30, 1999
- Messages
- 4,229
Keith's question wont get answered.
I have another question. And yes, britton, it's a question not an accusation, though if you like, go ahead and sue me, it's spelled David Abramson.
Is it true that a few years ago, until you were spoken to by other knifemakers and the Guild, that you were selling folders made from kits at shows but failing to let the customers know they were made from kits? Think carefully before you answer because I was told this by 2 former officers of the Guild and very highly respected knifemakers themselves.
Again, this is a question, not an accusation, maybe they were wrong.
But I do remember seeing folders on your table at the NY show a couple of years ago without any signs, though I dont know if they were kit knives.
So what's the deal?
And what's the deal with the attitude? The knife world is very small and it's hard to recover from bad decisions like calling customers names or having a swelled head.
Anyone remember Lynn Griffith?
I have another question. And yes, britton, it's a question not an accusation, though if you like, go ahead and sue me, it's spelled David Abramson.
Is it true that a few years ago, until you were spoken to by other knifemakers and the Guild, that you were selling folders made from kits at shows but failing to let the customers know they were made from kits? Think carefully before you answer because I was told this by 2 former officers of the Guild and very highly respected knifemakers themselves.
Again, this is a question, not an accusation, maybe they were wrong.
But I do remember seeing folders on your table at the NY show a couple of years ago without any signs, though I dont know if they were kit knives.
So what's the deal?
And what's the deal with the attitude? The knife world is very small and it's hard to recover from bad decisions like calling customers names or having a swelled head.
Anyone remember Lynn Griffith?
