MAP pricing: Has it affected your buying habits (i.e. buying less, switching brands, etc.)?

Was looking at the Benchmade Bushcraft knife---wound up buying 3 Bucks(a Reaper and 2 Mesa's) from Walmart for less money

Quantity has a quality all its own

Did buy a discontinued 520 for reasonable money----the 940 is the only BM I might even consider at MAP pricing----otherwise I've pretty much moved on from them----BM was at one time my favorite company----not any more.
 
It's really hard because you have companies like Kizer who are selling what is often a superior product. Say what you will about the politics. If it was American made it would be twice to three times the price.
 
Really hasn't made a difference to me one way or another.
I really like buying Benchmades, one of my fave companies, on the Exchange. With their excellent CS I usually send them in for a tune up and I get back an almost brand new knife.
If I see a model I'm in love with and cannot find one second hand, I'll spend the cash and buy it new.
JMO
Joe
 
K.O.D. said:
It's really hard because you have companies like Kizer who are selling what is often a superior product. Say what you will about the politics. If it was American made it would be twice to three times the price.
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There are a lot of people that just won't spend money on a knife that is made in China, though. Regardless of the quality, the principle of supporting an American company is more important than quality of the product for those folks. I have seen some knives made in China that look terrific, but I just cannot drop the cash on them, regardless of the materials used (that is just me though). My buying as slowed down a lot since prices have spiked. I actually switched to firearms for about a year or so instead of knives. That is where my money has been going and no so much on knives. But I am getting back into the swing of things.
 
palonej said:
....I really like buying Benchmades, one of my fave companies, on the Exchange. With their excellent CS I usually send them in for a tune up and I get back an almost brand new knife. ...
JMO
Joe
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They have been one of my favorites also. But, I am at the point that when I look at a new knife, I have to ask myself if am I getting more knife than what I already own. If the answer is yes, then I ask if it is worth the price. Most of the time it is not.

I would like a Ritter Grip but, I own a D2 Griptilian, another in 154cm, plus a Volli. Do I really need a Ritter?
 
Benchmade used to be one of my two favorite knife companies. Now I don t even have an interest in their products. Too expensive for the quality. Is good customer service really that expensive?

Many of the new Spyderco knives are very expensive as opposed to the old standbys like Manix 2, Endura, and PM2. And most of their new knives seem to be made over overseas. With the strong dollar currently, that should translate into lower prices. But not at Spyderco recently. It s a shame.

I agree with the above members that knife prices seem to be higher than ever for the product received. And inflation doesn't t explain the increase. Neither does an an increase on quality.

Maybe my knife buying passion is cooling.
 
The pricing for most of these things is crazy if you ask me. My newest knife is/was a waved Endura. Bought it in October of 2015.
 
RevDevil said:
There are a lot of people that just won't spend money on a knife that is made in China, though. Regardless of the quality, the principle of supporting an American company is more important than quality of the product for those folks. I have seen some knives made in China that look terrific, but I just cannot drop the cash on them, regardless of the materials used (that is just me though). My buying as slowed down a lot since prices have spiked. I actually switched to firearms for about a year or so instead of knives. That is where my money has been going and no so much on knives. But I am getting back into the swing of things.
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I have quite a few firearms, and am content. Since mid 2015, my knife buying has slowed drastically. Even buying and selling. I got married in July 2015 and my (now ex) wife refused to pay any bills, so not only did my knife and other hobby buying cease, but I went into debt. For the first time in 37 years of my life, I had to use a credit card extensively.

Now, with no job, happily divorced, and living at home, I am using my disability to pay things off. I'm going to sell one of my cars, which will pay off the other car.

Since August of 2015, I've sold roughly 15 knives, and bought 2. I got an additional two as gifts; Southern Grind Spider Monkey and Matt Bailey model 2 flipper.

My birthday was the 5th and I had looked at using some of the money for a knife, maybe rebuy one I wish I hadn't sold. Then I saw the prices. Much of the production knives I had pined for previously went up considerably. I couldn't justify it, as I also needed new prescription sunglasses. So I bought a slipjoint for $50. My first.

Saving my money for a ZT 0808, hopefully it won't be too much more expensive when I finally have the money.

Regarding Benchmade, great CS doesn't forgive poor QC. A member here (I forget who) said it best. If you make it right, you won't have to "make it right."
 
Like many have said, its more of the price increases then MAP thats keeping me from ALOT of knives. Which is a real shame. Ive been wanting to buy a couple sogs (because it's been awhile) and some benchmades, but they are way to expensive then what they were and what you get imo.

And i have seen the map effect the brick and mortar store i used to go to. And they hate it too. It hurt their sells and helps the big guys (opposite of what it is suppose to do). And like the owner said(roughly) "i buy a knife from a company, i should be able to price it the way i want". Which is true, its their property so let them run their store and prices the way they seem fit. That was his advantage before, now everyone might as well go online and not leave the couch to get their knives.
 
Sigsog226 said:
.... And like the owner said(roughly) "i buy a knife from a company, i should be able to price it the way i want". Which is true, its their property so let them run their store and prices the way they seem fit. That was his advantage before, now everyone might as well go online and not leave the couch to get their knives.
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MAP pricing.... minimum ADVERTISED price. He should post a sign "ask me about a price?" The store can technically price it lower, just not advertise it that way.
 
Thats a good point, and some brands he does do that with. But some companies actually dictate what he can sell them for.
 
One GEC dealer mentioned to me that I should just call if I am interested in a particular knife. I can work with it a bit if we talk. Also many dealers give "free shipping" and if you are buying in person, you are saving them any shipping cost.
 
Insipid Moniker said:
As far as I know both Benchmade and ZT have made it the policy not to sell to dealers that sell below MAP and Spyderco may have as well.
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yep, while i dont know......it sure seems that way. from the multiple of dealers who are at the same exact prices for the most part minus discontinued and odd ball exceptions.
 
ZT for sure, and i believe benchmade as well. ZT threatened not to sell to him again. He used to sell everything at about 70-75% of retail give or take. That way he knew he could make money still, save customers money, and make alot of return customers.
 
Insipid Moniker said:
As far as I know both Benchmade and ZT have made it the policy not to sell to dealers that sell below MAP and Spyderco may have as well.
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Advertising below MAP or selling at a lower price when a customer asks? Because there's a big difference. The former is standard practice for enforcing MAP, while the latter is much less common and would better be termed a "price floor" rather than MAP.
 
I dont mean any offense to bm or zt btw. Dealers can always choose to not sell their products if they dont like the way choose to do business. And i guess im talking more about fixed pricing, more than map.
 
Sigsog226 said:
I dont mean any offense to bm or zt btw. Dealers can always choose to not sell their products if they dont like the way choose to do business. And i guess im talking more about fixed pricing, more than map.
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while the terminology we are using may be wrong its basically the same thing for the most part. one can argue all they want but in the end its basically legal loophole price controlling/fixing attempts, just done sneaky.

people can like it and pretend its all fair and square etc if they want, i refuse to like anything that isnt a true free market system. i wont fall for tricky but legal retail language bouncing all around what is basically legal price controlling/fixing attempts.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Advertising below MAP or selling at a lower price when a customer asks? Because there's a big difference. The former is standard practice for enforcing MAP, while the latter is much less common and would better be termed a "price floor" rather than MAP.
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Pretty sure it's the latter. That's why all the, "Call us for pricing," "discount codes," and, "add to cart for actual price," seems to have vanished. Those gimmicks all used to be quite common, but you don't see them anymore.
 
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