My first experience with Benchmade

[쌍칼잡이]

I recently purchased through the Benchmades website (instead of other outlets) due to the extra options it gives. Anyway, I opted for the USPS shipping (which has 'Will Call' written next to the option. I had the impression that it meant they will call/notify me once the order is shipped etc.), because I do not live too far from their Oregon factory. Anyway, I noticed that I was never given a tracking number for the order. After various amounts of email conversations with them, I was told that the order was shipped and should arrive today. Well, the order never came, and they still have not provided me with the tracking number... so I made another response by asking for it. Suddenly, I get a response that told me they have not shipped my order yet (even though I was told otherwise before) because I chose the USPS-'Will Call' option. They told me that option is meant for customers to pick up the product from them and not meant for shipping...
But the person I was dealing with obviously noticed that my intentions were to have the order shipped, so they asked me to verify some information and claimed that they will send it.

By the way, this experience is not meant to/ does not undermine the awsome products they provide. I just wanted to share my first experience, ordering from their website so that maybe some others can read this and save some time by not opting for the usps-'will call' shipping (if you actually want your order shipped that is).
I wonder how many others have had similar experience before? I wonder if they will clarify and state that the usps option is meant for the customer to pick up their orders on the shipping tab.

 

[jpm2]

Odd that it's listed as a USPS option when they have nothing to do with it.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Will call refers to a method of delivery for (purchased) goods where the customer picks up the goods at the seller's place of business, primarily in North American commerce. It may also refer to the department within a business where goods are staged for customer pick up.

The word "call" is a shortened form of "call for", which means "to come and get", so "will call" literally means "(the customer) will call(come and get)(the goods)."[1] In a linguistic process similar to initial-stress derived nominalization, the first syllable of the noun phrase is usually stressed ("WILL call") rather than the second syllable in the verb phrase ("will CALL").

Why don't they just list it as "customer pickup" ?

 

[쌍칼잡이]

Odd that it's listed as a USPS option when they have nothing to do with it.



Why don't they just list it as "customer pickup" ?

My thoughts exactly. This situation has caused much delay on when my orDer was to arrive originally. To top this off, after the mess was cleared, I clearly asked for a tracking number (for the 5th time) and I still have not received one. Its almost like they are just ignoring the tracking information I been asking. Especially because they have not once clarified if they can or cannot send me a tracking number. They answered all other questions but the tracking number detail... I will try to contact the upper management or someone whose able to inform me about this matter if my order arrives before they send me a tracking number.

Some people might not think its a big deal but due to this mess, being able to tell what process my order is at during shipping can reassure the customers, rather than not knowing what going on (especially when there were mistakes made before that literally dragged the order shipping date twice as long).

So, if any of you plan on purchasing through Benchmades website, steer clear of USPS -Will Call option (if you want your order shipped). I am surprised no one yet have come foward with similar experience. I suppose those who live far from the factory opted for ups (land or air) deliveries. I assume they give you tracking number for that option. Why not the usps? Never had this problem with any other online sources.

Also, my original order day was on the the 7th of Dec. And I was told that it was sent and should have arrived yesterday (11th of dec.). Now, thats 4 days of a period. After I told them my order did not arrive yesterday (few hours after they told me about the arrival date), they said they did not send it due to the option I picked (usps will call option), and said they will send my order today and have it delivered on Monday (14th of Dec.).This means if they send it via USPS, this supposed delivery time frame will only take one day (since they sent it today on Saturday of 12th, and USPS close on Sunday...). Something is not adding up unless they upgraded my order shipping delivery to one day affair.... I have a feeling it wont arrive on Monday. But I will update the matter on Monday to see how the delivery panned out.

(Its technically my fault for not understanding what 'Will Call' meant. I just figured its about them calling me to confirm delivery.)

 

[SPM14430]

I just checked the Benchmade website...

There is no 'USPS - Will Call option', it's simply 'Will Call' with a price $0.00

 

[jumpstat]

I just checked the Benchmade website...

There is no 'USPS - Will Call option', it's simply 'Will Call' with a price $0.00

Looking at the options above, its clear cut that the 1st option refers to customer pickup. Indeed this option requires the customer to call and confirm the time & date of pickup at their factory store. Its good that benchmade has this option if one is within the area. Can really save on shipping costs and risks.

 

[쌍칼잡이]

Upon seeing some of your screenshots, I made another visit to the site to see the shipping section. Let me tell you, my initial purchase was made through my cellular phone. Just like the jumbled letters that you see on my scree shot (#4, bold letters above shipping), the usps and will call were also together before. Either they fixed the issue or it could have just been my phone issue at that time. I would like to clarify that I clearly stated on my first post that my experience was in no way to defame or put down the Benchmade, especially because I enjoy their products. And I see no reason why I, or anyone would lie about such matter.

I can even provide the email contents that I have which shows the conversation I had with benchmade rep (A.J. Vanderpool). Let me know.

 

[dalefuller]

Screen refresh rates on mobile devices of all types are very slow and sometimes don't give an accurate screenshot. That could easily be the cause of the confusion on your cell phone. At any rate, "Will Call" is an old phrase used in quite a few industries in the US to indicate that the customer will call at the designated place to pick up their product, tickets, etc.

Seems to be a simple miscommunication that both sides are trying to straighten out.

 

[hatchettjack]

What did you buy?

 

[쌍칼잡이]

Screen refresh rates on mobile devices of all types are very slow and sometimes don't give an accurate screenshot. That could easily be the cause of the confusion on your cell phone. At any rate, "Will Call" is an old phrase used in quite a few industries in the US to indicate that the customer will call at the designated place to pick up their product, tickets, etc.

Seems to be a simple miscommunication that both sides are trying to straighten out.

Surprise, surprise! Its monday! - the exact day that they told me my order will be shipped (or arrive... )! And guess what, no tracking number yet! Wouldnt you think as a rep of a company who has been dealing directly with a customer through out the mess would at least be kind enough to send the tracking number (since I asked on multiple occasion and even specifically asked to get one when it gets shipped)? Nearly all my responses throughout the mishap contained me asking for one lol...

I have decided that I will strictly stick with Blade HQ when I order Benchmade products in near future.

 

[쌍칼잡이]

What did you buy?

I opted for the engraved coated drop point edge Griptillian with orange color handle. At the moment of the purchase, 154cm steel was only available with coated Griptillian, as the Satin finish came with N680 (which is a type of steel I never owned before... I think).

I planned on also getting one of the APB Assist knife in the Blue Class family as a gift for my neighbor. But I will be purchasing one at Blade HQ (if they carry one). I will end up going to the local blade shop to get it engraved with the neighbors name, even if it will cost more to get it engraved than going through Benchmade website.

 

[Bobby3326]

Anyway, I opted for the USPS shipping (which has 'Will Call' written next to the option. I had the impression that it meant they will call/notify me once the order is shipped etc.), because I do not live too far from their Oregon factory. .

Ok so you selected will call (a service for locals to pick up there item)bc you don't live far from their factory ...why didn't you just go pick it up then?

 

[Skimo]

knifeworks can handle your engraving needs.

 

[쌍칼잡이]

The order arrived today. They were kind enough to send it via UPS (I assumed it would be USPS). I now see that they meant they sent it on Monday (making it a 1 day shipping). And I did finally get the tracking number, but the order arrived front door by the time I saw the response with tracking info.
I realize its the Holiday Season and they must be super busy. Anyhow, I am glad everything came correct (even the engraving on the back of the blade). It also came with a pouch.

 

[쌍칼잡이]

Ok so you selected will call (a service for locals to pick up there item)bc you don't live far from their factory ...why didn't you just go pick it up then?

I live in another State. What I initially meant was that this order came from an area which is alot closer than where my other knives came from. And again, I found out, due to my phones refresh rate, the shipping options were blurred together at the initial time of purchase.

 

[쌍칼잡이]

End result is that I have changed my mind about Benchmades Customer Serivce. I am now a firm believer of their service. Although the intention of this thread was to share my first experience of purchasing a product directly from their website, it dwindled down to chaos (minor misunderstanding and my own personal fault), which in the end has been sorted out. I would like to clear the air of any animosity which I might have portrayed in my previous posts towards Benchmade, and will be looking foward to future purchases from their website. If any mod feels as this thread lost its course, please close it down if the need arise.

 

[dalefuller]

All's well that ends well. Thanks for letting us know how it all turned out.

 

[쌍칼잡이]

All's well that ends well. Thanks for letting us know how it all turned out.

Not a problem. As I have stated before, I throughly enjoy Benchmade products. I would not have felt right to leave a wrongful impression.
Most of the early response/ updates that I made were shortly after conversing with the reps, so I admit that it was carried out with emotions attached. I will be more patient next time should such similar incidents arise.