Mini Griptilian price?

fatheadhill

fatheadhill

Joined
Mar 30, 2008
Messages
1,180
Okay, first off let me say that I'm not trying to bash Benchmade at all. I've been a member here since '08, and don't usually post much(keep in the shadows kind of guy) but this new pricing policy really has me scratching my head...

I was just sitting here playing with my Griptilians(1 of each of the full size versions) and decided I'd check out the mini version since I didn't have one yet. I got on the Internet and went to one of the popular online retailers to check availability. Boy was I surprised!! They're now asking $89+ for a mini Griptilian!!! I didn't even pay that much for any of my full sized ones(except the Ritter). I thought this had to be a mistake or an inflated price from this particular retailer so I checked another..., same price.

I love Benchmade, and especially Griptilians.., but I just don't see how a mini Griptilian is a $90 knife. I'd love to hear Benchmade's explanation of this new pricing policy, and what their purpose is behind it. Griptilians are a good solid American made knife, so I can understand a price that's a little bit higher than similar foreign made knives, but honestly the mini Grip is still a small knife with plastic handles and a mid-range steel. Although I do love the axis lock, which is worth something in and of itself, I just can't justify the price since Benchmade's new pricing policy went into effect.

Benchmade reps, please please please explain the thought process here. I want to purchase your knives, and want to support an American company that makes a good quality product, but this new pricing policy makes it dammed hard to do that. But maybe, just maybe, an explanation will help me understand the situation and help justify the extra cost.
 
You could always pick up a used one in the marketplace. I see them routinely sell for $55-$70 depending on condition.
 
Apparently, BM recently did something concerning their prices and many folks are not happy about it. There's a huge thread on the board here somewhere about it. I've been trying to make head or tails of what exactly happened. From what I can tell, at the turn of the new year, prices went through the roof. I could be mistaken on that. Like I said, I'm still going through the thread about it. Someone with way more info than me will probably chime in.
 
D0nut, like I said above, I've been a member here since '08, so I'm very familiar with BF and the exchange. I've bought and sold on there several times.

This_is_nascar, I'm fairly clear on what Benchmade did, but I don't understand why. Their new pricing policy seems like it's only inflating the price of a BM without added value in the product. No higher quality materials, no stricter QC, just an artificially inflated price. I mean almost $100 dollars for a mini Griptilian??

My OP was merely a plea to BM to explain their reasoning behind what they did in the hopes that a better understanding of what they did and why they did it would help me, and others, justify our future BM purchases at the increased prices. Because, as of right now, I'm not really seeing any new BM's for me in the near future. Which stinks because I've recently become quite a BM fan(~10 Benchmade's purchased in the last year or so).
 
Despite a couple of lukewarm posts from Benchmade in this last week or so, there's been no explanation, anywhere (that I can find) for the decision to abruptly raise their prices (which were raised) and stick it to loyal dealers (and yes they did) just before Christmas. That's the main problem as I see it. If a company prides themselves on quality product backed by good customer service, the experience has become tarnished for many of us.
 
fatheadhill said:
D0nut, like I said above, I've been a member here since '08, so I'm very familiar with BF and the exchange. I've bought and sold on there several times.

This_is_nascar, I'm fairly clear on what Benchmade did, but I don't understand why. Their new pricing policy seems like it's only inflating the price of a BM without added value in the product. No higher quality materials, no stricter QC, just an artificially inflated price. I mean almost $100 dollars for a mini Griptilian??

My OP was merely a plea to BM to explain their reasoning behind what they did in the hopes that a better understanding of what they did and why they did it would help me, and others, justify our future BM purchases at the increased prices. Because, as of right now, I'm not really seeing any new BM's for me in the near future. Which stinks because I've recently become quite a BM fan(~10 Benchmade's purchased in the last year or so).
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I can certainly appreciate that and like you, I'm sure many others would want to know the reasoning. I just got a pre-own 940 that I would have never purchased at the new going rate, based on what I'm willing to pay. I have a 556 Mini Grip that I've had for at least 10-years, but I hardly ever use it. I will get the upcoming 531, because I think it's such a great looking knife. I will probably break down and get a 530 as well. I want the new 940-1, but I don't know if I can justify that cost to myself.

Not being a regular member on this board, can you tell if BM has a presence on this forum like Spyderco does?
 
skyhorse said:
Lol, ya it can be rather shocking to buy a Mini grip one day for $65 and go to purchase another one the next day at close to $90. Could be worse, my 940 went from $138.50 to $178.50 overnight as well. I was born at night,just not last night. Don't hold you're breath for BM to explain this. It's a well guarded secret. ;)
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Damn, that's a 28%-38% price increase. I can't imagine any valid excuse for that.
 
The threads are in this very subforum, and another one in general knife discussion. All the threads went into various angles, they started around November last year.
 
RevDevil said:
The threads are in this very subforum, and another one in general knife discussion. All the threads went into various angles, they started around November last year.
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Yep,for anyone that has just now discovered the 30% price increase it took effect on Thanksgiving as I recall. Just in time for black Friday. I had planned on purchasing several mini grips for Xmas presents but because of the price increase, my money was spent elsewhere.
 
Wow. There's no excuse for that. I am going to reconsider my recent 940 purchase and my pre-orders for the 531 and 940-1. I want no parts of a company that feels the need to rape their customers like this, especially without an explanation.
 
fatheadhill said:
D0nut, like I said above, I've been a member here since '08, so I'm very familiar with BF and the exchange. I've bought and sold on there several times.

This_is_nascar, I'm fairly clear on what Benchmade did, but I don't understand why. Their new pricing policy seems like it's only inflating the price of a BM without added value in the product. No higher quality materials, no stricter QC, just an artificially inflated price. I mean almost $100 dollars for a mini Griptilian??

My OP was merely a plea to BM to explain their reasoning behind what they did in the hopes that a better understanding of what they did and why they did it would help me, and others, justify our future BM purchases at the increased prices. Because, as of right now, I'm not really seeing any new BM's for me in the near future. Which stinks because I've recently become quite a BM fan(~10 Benchmade's purchased in the last year or so).
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Benchmade still makes the same amount of money per knife as they always have. They're just forcing the retailers to charge more.
 
Random Dan said:
Benchmade still makes the same amount of money per knife as they always have. They're just forcing the retailers to charge more.
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... and why would they want to do that? Do they feel a higher asking price makes their product to seem more valuable or something?
 
Random Dan said:
Benchmade still makes the same amount of money per knife as they always have
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Has that been confirmed by Benchmade? I see that statement thrown out there in many of these threads, but other than internet people interpreting Benchmades dealer pricing policy, I can't figure out where this is comming from? Is this just "internet speculative truth"?
 
this_is_nascar said:
... and why would they want to do that? Do they feel a higher asking price makes their product to seem more valuable or something?
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That's my guess. Some think it's some cum by ya fairness level the playing field thing for brick& mortar stores. Imho that logic doesn't hold water because all authorized dealers must have a brick& mortar store and anyone can also set up online sales.
 
jtoler_9 said:
Has that been confirmed by Benchmade? I see that statement thrown out there in many of these threads, but other than internet people interpreting Benchmades dealer pricing policy, I can't figure out where this is comming from? Is this just "internet speculative truth"?
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I was told by a dealer that their cost has not changed.

this_is_nascar said:
... and why would they want to do that? Do they feel a higher asking price makes their product to seem more valuable or something?
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My guess is that it makes it easier for brick & mortar stores to compete with online sales, but that's just a guess.
 
So working in retail, I've sen this before. This may tend to ramble and is all speculation but;

Almost every company that produces a product has 3 prices listed to their dealers; wholesale, minimum advertised price, and suggested retail. Everyone is used to seeing wholesale (what the retailer buys it for), and suggested retail (that inflated number that you usually don't even think of spending). Minimum advertised price (or MAP) is a little more scarce. This is the lowest price the retailer can sell for. It's a contracted price. If you sell for lower, you can lose your dealer status.

Most of us these days think of MAP as a way to keep prices even between brick and mortar and online prices (where we see the difference).

The problem is that this contract works both ways. As a dealer, you are guaranteeing that you won't sell a companies product for below a certain pricepoint AND the company is promising you that your competitor down the street won't be underselling you at that pricepoint.

Benchmade has made a promise to their dealers that if they buy a knife for $75, they can sell it a customer at $100 (prices for example only) and not be undersold by the guy across the street.

They are contractually obligated to enforce the MAP They agreed to and it's kind of shocking that they got away with not enforcing it for so long. It's very possible one of their dealers threatened legal action.

Granted, I'm just speculating.
 
fatheadhill said:
Benchmade reps, please please please explain the thought process here. I want to purchase your knives, and want to support an American company that makes a good quality product, but this new pricing policy makes it dammed hard to do that. But maybe, just maybe, an explanation will help me understand the situation and help justify the extra cost.
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:excitement: Hahahaha, expecting a response from Benchmade; maybe when hell freezes over. They've ignored everyone and have given no reasoning to their recent MAP fiasco.
 
I bought a few when they came out, sold some, kept some now the price is higher then years back but if you pick one up, you still have an excellent warranty. Can't go wrong. Gary
 
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