Neutral Experience. Remember to Describe You Item With Some Degree of Accurate Detail

dogman

dogman

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Feedback: +1 / =0 / -0
Joined
Jul 26, 1999
Messages
1,105
I recently purchased a knife from a fellow forumite that was desribed as "New". It was a hand made knife so the dollar figure was not insignificant. When the knife arrived, the blade and guard had minor scratches and the sheath was worn and stained from contact with the blade. The selling price for this knife (we'll call it "R") was still good for a not-so-perfect collectible knife, so I decided to keep it. I sent a cordial message to the seller reminding the individual to portray their knives in a more accurate fashion. I would also like to remind everyone here to remember that we are trusting each other explicitely during our many knife transactions that are basically done in the blind. Knife collecting is a hobby for me, and there is definitely a degree of disappointment when I eagerly open that box and find a knife that is not up to my expectations. I think the feeling is a bit more accute for those of us that collect the hand made/custom knives when the dollar figures increase.

Names are not neccessary here (that is reserved for the chronic offenders
smile.gif
). I have addressed this off-line. I just wanted to remind everyone to save the hassle aggravation and describe it right the first time.

------------------
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
George Orwell

[This message has been edited by dogman (edited 02-08-2000).]
 
No, Jeff, I'm not talking about you
biggrin.gif
tongue.gif
biggrin.gif


------------------
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
George Orwell

[This message has been edited by dogman (edited 02-08-2000).]
 
Dogman, yep I'm in total agreement. I always buy with intent for use, not to dress up my mantle, but I want to put the wear and tear on the tool, not pay a brand-new price for used. I'll tell you that I ordered a megapixel digital camera for the express purpose of showing whatever I might sell, good detail of condition. I bought a knife that was misrepresented as well (and I won't name names either)and it left a funny taste in my mouth too. Underpromise and overdeliver was a credo that I learned, right here on BF.
 
dogman,

This reminds me of few transaction over the past several months since I had joined BF knife buyes/sellers group.

I would have to say almost all of my transactions have gone well with a couple of hitches. I feel that is it the sellers responcibility to TRY to describe it as well as possible. May be we should try to enact a standard 'X' day return period where if the buyer isn't happy they can return the item if it was NOT as described (no buyers remorse due to lost love affair of course....LOL).

I always try to describe it as well as possible. Recently I had two sales where the buyers were not happy with items (one blade not hair pooping sharp, and other with the action being NOT as good as the original design). I offered to buy the items back and pay them for the shipping as well, but both of them kept the knives and mailed them back to manufacturers for repair/adjustments. It still bothered me that I felt like I didn't hold up my end, even though neither party was mad/upset with me. I guess it is a moral thing - it left me feeling guilty.
frown.gif


Another issue would be the function of folders - making sure they lock up correctly, and not fail. We need to double check the liner locks, and even lock backs. Get a piece of hardwood and strike/tap the back on the knife on it (holding the handle such that IF the lock fails you don't cut yourself of course, or heavy gloves - whatever one is comfortable doing). Some people will buy a defective knife with the intention of sending them to the manufacturer/custom maker for repair/replacement (sometimes that takes a while, waiting is a drag....LOL).

Communication is key.
biggrin.gif
Honest is best policy!
smile.gif





------------------
Ray 'md2020'
 

Well put. I"v finished a sale,
where on my part, I belive, while getting
In a hurry,and not writing All the
finer point"s down. communications broke
down. And in the long run is costing me
a Good deal of money, like stated, take your
time keep communications clear to the end.
and if you make a mistake,Honesty is your
best freind. J.D.
biggrin.gif
 
There are some points which might be argueable, such as action, lock up, etc. These might be viewed differently by each individual...I can live with that, but a scratch is a scratch, wear is wear...you know the drill. When I sold the BM Ti CQC7, there was a blemish on the blade that I advertised heavily and took hi-res digital photos to send to prosrective buyers. The person who bought it knew about the blemish and accepted the knife. On the good side, I see very few complaints. We have a high volume of horse trading going on here and the majority of it runs smoothly. We are pretty self-policing, as well. All is good, though. I am going to introduce Mr. Randall to Mr. Buffer and see if I can smooth things out a bit.

------------------
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
George Orwell
 
May be we should try to enact a standard 'X' day return period where if the buyer isn't happy they can return the item if it was NOT as described

There are already laws about that....

The seller is lucky Dogman is being so tolerant about it. I can only assume Dogman is not posting his name because he's sure he won't do it again ... I hope others see this thread and take warning from it. Err on the side of overdescribing wear -- try to make sure that if anything the buyer thinks the knife is better than you described it. You're better off that way in the long run....

High resolution pictures are a great idea if you can do it and it's getting cheaper and easier all the time -- there's probably a copy shop or photo shop near you that can scan pictures for a couple of bucks if you don't want to buy a scanner or digicam of your own.



------------------
-Cougar Allen :{)
--------------------------------------
This post is not merely the author's opinions; it is the trrrrrruth. This post is intended to cause dissension and unrest and upset people, and ultimately drive them mad. Please do not misinterpret my intentions in posting this.
 
Um, maddog 2020, "hair pooping" sharp?! That's some funky blade you got there!

------------------
Don LeHue

Rome did not create a great empire by having meetings...they did it by killing all those who opposed them.
 
HEAR HEAR!!!! I know what the Dogman is talking about!

The very first knife that I purchased on this "Forum" was pimped out as "NIB." I had even asked for specifics (nicks, blemishes, scratches, wear marks, etc.) and was again told that it was in "NIB" condition. I got the newly purchased knife and the blade had a large major blemish on it. The kydex was in, shall I say, less than advertized shape! Hell, box and appropriate paper that normally accompanies a "NIB" knife was "MIA!"


Strongly agree that there should be a "return" period! And truth in advertising!!

Folks, "NIB" means New In Box! Like brand spankin' new condition!!!!

NIB doesn't mean "New?? I'm Blind!"

I've dealt with Dogman and that was immediately agreed upon by both of us! Return if parties not happy!! Our deal turned out sweet on both ends!

But, we'll always have a few that will try to turn a sweet deal into something bitter!

In fact, I bought a blade recently (2 weeks ago) and am still waiting on delivery..... I'm praying that this specific deal doesn't turn bitter!!!!


------------------
GigOne
"Livin' Life - Full Throttle"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I don't suffer from insanity. I enjoy every minute of it."

[This message has been edited by GigOne (edited 02-14-2000).]

[This message has been edited by GigOne (edited 02-14-2000).]
 
My feeling is there should always be an unconditional satisfaction guarentee between the buyer/seller(traders) or whatever the transaction entails. If either party is not satisfied for any reason the transaction should be null and void with no hard feelings. I always give it in my transactions and expect it in return and have found that 99.99% of the time it is no problem. In the .01% of the cases where it is not agreed to by the other party I have adopted the motto; If they won't agree to it, don't do it.
Rs
Don
 
Cougar,
You have nailed this thing right on the head.I had a similar post a few months ago and had a similar suggestion.I would like to see a manditory 48 hour right to return rule put onto the forum rules,and FAQ`s.This would be upon receipt of the knife in question by the purchaser.Anyone who gets called on this and do not respond could lose their priveleges to sell knives here. Spark,
waddya say?It would make things easier on us who do a lot of exchanges.
David

AKTI#150
 
Sounds like a good idea. In all my past selling transactions, I've made it a policy that the buyer actually see and "handle" any knife I send them, and only if they are satisfied with it, I THEN deposit they payment. I wish all transactions occured this way (though I've never bought anything that was less than satisfactory to me). It would be better for bladeforum camaraderie.

Felix
 
I recently had a trade experience with a forumite that wasn't entirely painless. I traded a NIB knife for a knife advertised as being in "very good condition". The end result was that our definitions of "very good condition" apparently differed pretty dramatically. I viewed scratches and gouges on the handles, blade play, plus significant dirt accumulation as being less than "very good". We resolved the difference amicably (he sent me some $$), but this really pointed out to me how vague descriptions can be for knives that are somewhere between NIB and unusable.

Is there an "official" definition for the various terms used to describe knife condition? If not, maybe coming up with some sort of standard way of describing quality would help smooth these transactions.

-Brett


------------------
brett@rahul.net
www.rahul.net/brett
 
Since this thing is still floating around, I will give an update. The individual never responded to my personal e-mails. If they ever post a for sale again, I will warn everyone. If not, I don't see a need to elevate this any higher than to mention it here.

------------------
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
George Orwell
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top