Negative Experience with Koster Knives

Status
Not open for further replies.
Svashtar said:
Dan, you say it's sent Monday and I don't need to follow up. We're good. I'll look for it in a few days, and thanks for responding.

Norm
Click to expand...


He hasn't kept any other arrangement you two have agreed upon, why are so so quick to trust him now?:confused:
 
Old 12-14-08, 12:44
Daniel Koster's Avatar
Daniel Koster Daniel Koster is online
Knifemaker

Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: NW Arkansas
Posts: 37
Default
20D here.....looking to upgrade to the 5D MkII soon!!


Dan

_______________________________________________________________________



you should refund peoples deposits before buying $2700 cameras.
 
Trolling, trolling ... who rattled your cage? Two gentlemen came to an understanding, in public. Let's see how that plays out before grandstanding.
 
I have read this thread with interest & am glad to see that it has been reopened. I see nothing you have said Norm that is out of line. Also, you are not alone.

It is a shame it came to this to begin with, but sadly... I am not suprised.

While I do have comments, I will post them after I have had time to think them through completely.

I hope Dan will look at what is said here with an open mind and closely consider what is said. :thumbup:

And yes, I do have a "dog in this hunt".

Back later............ ;)
 
ah, tis good this is going to work out.

would have been nicer to see the fabled blade take form and see the light of day, it would have been spectacular. mmm, koa!

i've more than a few of Dan's blades. very worthy, good work. i was lucky to not have to wait very long on any of them, and they're keepers :) i am reminded however to followup on a sheath issue, but that's between me and Dan :)

people have been saying "never do a down payment". while that's generally very good advise, the only time i'd not follow it would be for a very special material that had to be ordered (or provided), or a base project requiring some kind of starter money... beyond that though, nothing further, crisp timelines, and glory at the end. never say never :)

svashtar: i'm sure there's a WSK with your name on it out there. they come up for sale, and perhaps someone will take it upon themselves to offer you one for a fair shake. i know you love your "khuks" and this one is a fine knife by a fine maker.


Bladite
 
OP, Your comments seemed fair enough, sorry it worked out that way for you but it happens. Daniel said he would send you back the money so that should be the end of the deal, done.



As far as Daniel goes, there have been a few complaints about timeliness but he has always sorted it out. His knives have gotten better every year and he has gone from a backyard maker to business man and pro maker. There is always growing pains with any expansion, the good news is he himself has figured out how to improve things and in the end that will mean more customer satisfaction.



Daniel, Hope you have a great Christmas and best wishes in 2009.
 
Why always people wait a year, two or more, to begin questioning false promises?
If you order something, not to mention pay a deposit, and it is not ready when promised, it is nonsense to wait longer, as the deal is void and you should demand your money back immediately. If a maker refuses to give your money back, use legal action.

If maker can't honor his promises, don't make business with him. Preferably let people know about his attitude to your order (even though it seems on knife forums not adoring and excusing knifemakers is a form of blasphemy).

You could hardly stay in business with such practices in about every single branch, why should knifemaking be a "special" one?

Do you think business law is there for nothing?


All of this is meant in general, not focusing on D. Koster, but also not excluding him.
 
****This is a general comment

Huugh I agree if there has been little contact but if a Maker is telling you that the knife is out at heat treat, the knife is being ____, the knife is almost done and the knife is almost ready to ship etc., one holds on. Afterall, if he did not want the knife he would not have ordered it.
Finally, after hearing all the reasons and excuses for delays, the buyer gets pissed and GB&U has a new thread.
Only until and after the buyer is absolutely certain he will never see the knife or his deposit does he even think of Business Law as a remedy.
 
I have had mostly good experiences with Dans work and knives. Most I've got were delivered in an amount of time I expected.

The only less than positive experience was when I sent him some scales to put on a knife I was buying and he changed the design of the knife.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=552849

When I saw the design was changed I wanted him to keep the knife and to buy another with the original design, which had the plunge line closer to the handle.

He said he wasn't going to make them like that anymore so I went ahead and took the knife. When I got it it also had a chipped place on the blade where it looked like it had bumped into some other blades after it was sharpened.

Then on the next batch he went back to the plunge I liked:(:thumbdn: I sort of feel like that if you are going to change something on a knife then people who ordered the original design should be made aware of the change.

I love Dans blades. I think a lot of his current difficulties is he's essentially making production blades but has not farmed out enough of his production process in order to do QC or communications with customers.
 
Last edited:
Mike G said:
It is unfortuante to hear this, but it has been said in this thread, and on the forums numerous times.

DO NOT SEND A MAKER ANY MONEY UNLESS YOU HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED IT IS READY TO SHIP.

Too many newer makers run into trouble when doing this, and again, it has been well documented on these forums. I understand the thrill of ordering a new knife, and while a deposit may seem like it is ok, it should send up a huge red flag that the maker is using the deposit dollars to buy materials. This is a very poor business practice at best.

Buyer beware.
Click to expand...

I hope all take this advise.


I also didn't think that was much of an excuse or apology from Dan. I am glad the OP is getting his money back, but it shoudn't have took this thread, or the amount of time that was taken to do so.
 
Sometimes makers get in a little over their heads. It appears that this is the case with Dan. It's the makers that figure out how to get out of that predicament that are able to continue. Those that don't end up with a bad reputation. I'm confident that Dan is one of the makers that will get things figured out.
 
Keith Montgomery said:
Sometimes makers get in a little over their heads. It appears that this is the case with Dan. It's the makers that figure out how to get out of that predicament that are able to continue. Those that don't end up with a bad reputation. I'm confident that Dan is one of the makers that will get things figured out.
Click to expand...

Me too. As for the troll post :rolleyes:, Dan has given his word publicly, on a forum he cherishes and where he has his own subforum to market and sell his knives. The money is as good as in the bank as far as I'm concerned.
 
hardheart said:
two moderators commented on it 13 hours before you reported it
Click to expand...


No need to keep commenting on Shaldag's post since he was only trying to do the right thing and nothing of value is being added by piling on here.

Let's just wait and see if this gets resolved and then move on. Thanks.
 
Keith Montgomery said:
Sometimes makers get in a little over their heads. It appears that this is the case with Dan. It's the makers that figure out how to get out of that predicament that are able to continue. Those that don't end up with a bad reputation. I'm confident that Dan is one of the makers that will get things figured out.
Click to expand...

I agree in totality Keith, I think you have nailed it!!

Thankfully there are hundreds of Makers who have it figured out.
 
Check is in the mail - along with the firesteel - sent Priority Mail today.

:thumbup:



Glad to see I can be the backdrop for commentary on custom knifemakers and placing orders.

;)



Norm knows me - we go back a while....he says the money is in the bank. I don't see any reason to bring it up again. I'm certainly sad that this couldn't have been worked out behind closed doors...especially since I already had the check ready to go...was waiting for weekend sales to trickle in to cover it. Anyway, I have my reasons why I waited...and don't feel compelled to air it publicly.


Norm - I'm glad we could work this out...you should know you are always welcome in my shop - no sour feelings here.

:thumbup:


Dan
 
Again, to those that have expressed support, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.


This has no bearing on my "current orders"....or future orders.

This goes back so far it's ridiculous (again, Norm, I apologize).

Many things have changed....The biggest change being catching up on (or refunding) these old orders so I can "move ahead" with current production. I know I'm going to have to take it in the pants on a few of these...and am willing to see it through.

Dan
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top