Money Upfront?

[Ferret]

I've given deposits before and have one knife due at the end of the month which required no deposit but now, for the first time, I've encountered a maker who wants the whole amount upfront, in advance...should I be cautious or is this pretty common? TIA

 

[JOCKO]

Ferret,
In my opinion this is not a standard way of doing bussiness. I've been collecting handmade knives since 1976 and not one knifemaker has ever asked for the money up front. I know I will never send full payment
up front. A word to the wise,but then again it's your money!
JOCKO

 

[Paracelsus]

This is NOT common. I think it is a bad sign unless you have requested something to be made that is very very different from the maker's usual work.

Have a look at this recent thread involving a lot of Makers discussing this issue, and how they do business:

Deposits on custom orders thread

Paracelsus

 

[Ellis]

Dave Ellis, ABS, Mastersmith here. I have been a maker since 1987 and a collector/dealer for over 20 years,it is NEVER a good idea to pay over 50% up front!!
Deposits are fine but too many fine knifemakers are lousy businesspeople!Offer a 25% deposit and if they insist,go up to 50% down,if they insist on 100% up front,I would pass and let them know why. Feel free to contact me.
Dave Ellis, ABS, M.S. http://www.mastersmith.com

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[Gus Kalanzis]

Don't go more than a deposit to show you are serious. Unless the maker is a trusted friend or you are asking them to use unusual or expensive materials. If that is the case, work something out so that you are not taking big bites out of the makers cash flow.

On a kinfe that is a makers design that they are known for I have never had a maker ask for anything more than a token deposit and most don't even ask for that.

The other side of the coin is a one of a kind knife that may take a lot of effort and might take a while to sell if the buyer backs out. That one should be with a maker you trust and that trusts you. A pay as the work progresses might be the best answer there.

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" The real art of living is too keep alive the longing in human beings to become greater versions of themselves." Laurens Van der Post.
In memory of James Mattis

 

[Darrel Ralph]

Deposits for special order knives I can see but on the model and day to day knives I dont take deposits anymore.
This just makes more stress and paperwork.




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Web Site At www.darrelralph.com

 

[Ansoknives]

When you say up front...is that before he even starts on the knife?...I do not take deposits...I do however require to recieve full payment before I ship the knife. I usually accept payment when the knife is 90-95% done to avoid unnessesary waiting. I have never had any problems with this.

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Jens Anso, jens@ansoknives.com
(check out my homepage)
Ansoknives.com

 

[Ferret]

Thanks for the responses...I did figure that it was unusual. It surprised me as the maker (DeVilliers) is reasonably well known and the knife is pretty standard (although stretched half an inch). I don't think he'll disappear on me but I do think it weird that my money has to be in his account before he'll start work.

 

[Ferret]

Perhaps I sounded like a goose in my emails?

 

[Paracelsus]

Maybe he mistook you for a WEASEL, ferret

 

[Ferret]

That's stoat-ally understandable.

 

[TOMBSTONE]

This doesn't seem reasonable to me, I would try a different maker if he declines 30-40% deposit.100% deposit doesn't sound kosher to me. imho

 

[PhilL]

Ferret, may I ask, how long is the wait on this knife, and is this his standard practice?

 

[Ferret]

Phil, I think you may have cracked it...his turn around time is only 6-8 weeks, so I guess by the time a deposit arrived it would be pretty much time to send the balance...in other words, he asks for the whole lot to make things easier on us both.

 

[PhilL]

Ferret, it may also have something to do with the fact you're in Australia.

 

[Ferret]

Phil, the thought crossed my mind but the other customs I'm getting are from the US ie I'm still "offshore", plus Andre is in SA and would be used to overseas customers. Nevermind, will forge ahead when I get the $ together

 

[Gary W. Graley]

From down under, I guess you'd prefer
your Money OutBack?

G2