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JK Knives

JK Knives

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Mar 6, 2001
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Although I hate to do this, I believe I will be starting to ask to receive payment from first time customers before shipping knife. I really can`t afford to not get paid.
 
Hi Stomper -

I think that is a reasonable request before ANY transaction. Once you have posted pictures of the knife then we know you have spent the money on your materials.

Any reasonable buyer will not only agree to that stipulation, indeed will even EXPECT that.

I hope this does not mean you have had a bad experience.

best regards -

mqqn
 
John - Just my opinion for what it's worth... I'd say that a deposit for first time buyers, to cover materials, would be better incentive. I think 30%ish would be reasonable. If purchasing from a knifemaker for the first time, if I wasn't sure of his business practices, I don't think I'd pay in full until I received some sort of shipping notification that the knife was on it's way. Every transaction I've had with makers, except one, has been relatively uncomplicated and smooth. Not all are as prompt or communicative as you are John. It's one of the reasons (besides the really tough knives) we keep coming back to you. Taking a deposit for materials for first timers would show a little trust on both ends while providing you some protection.
 
I agree with Jason on doing a deposit, but hey, either option is reasonable.

~Noah
 
I think it's a good idea personally John.
After someone has bought a knife or two from you, you know who sends the payment and who is a regular customer.
It's a good business security idea to start with until you know someone.
:thumbup:

At minimum I think you should take a non-refundable deposit.

Covers your personal expenses.
 
I have bought several knives from you John and I have no problem with you waiting to ship mine until you receive my payment. Receiving payment before shipping isn't a personal thing, it is just a smart business practice.
 
JCavSD said:
John - Just my opinion for what it's worth... I'd say that a deposit for first time buyers, to cover materials, would be better incentive. I think 30%ish would be reasonable. If purchasing from a knifemaker for the first time, if I wasn't sure of his business practices, I don't think I'd pay in full until I received some sort of shipping notification that the knife was on it's way. Every transaction I've had with makers, except one, has been relatively uncomplicated and smooth. Not all are as prompt or communicative as you are John. It's one of the reasons (besides the really tough knives) we keep coming back to you. Taking a deposit for materials for first timers would show a little trust on both ends while providing you some protection.
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Covering materials is fine, but what about when the knife does ship, then I don`t receive the rest of the money?
 
Stomper said:
Covering materials is fine, but what about when the knife does ship, then I don`t receive the rest of the money?
Click to expand...

That certainly sucks. I hope it isn't a common occurrence.

My wife has her own business and when a new client doesn't show up for an appointment it's money down the drain. Very annoying, but I think she just looks at it as part of the cost of doing business. Her other patients ultimately end up paying for it.
 
Stomper said:
It`s starting to look that way.
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear that! :mad:
My opinion is have all knives paid for before they ship. I would imagine most of your repeat customers would understand and not take offense. I know everything else I buy I pay for BEFORE it ships to me.
 
Stomper said:
It`s starting to look that way.
Click to expand...

That sucks.:mad: I hate it when people don't keep their word, and a decent trustworthy guy like you gets burned.

If the scofflaw is in the CT,RI,MA area and you want/need any legwork done let me know.:mad:
 
IMO, if someone would argue this and say no thanks and/or give you a hard time then maybe that's not the kind of customer you care to have anyway.
 
Stomper said:
Covering materials is fine, but what about when the knife does ship, then I don`t receive the rest of the money?
Click to expand...

That's theft pure and simple. It's also crude.

I'm not sure how far you want to follow though with it but you could go civil.

It basically ruins it for anyone else because you must now protect you and your family within your business.

I would say you need to take at minimum materials cost as a down payment.

Shame.

:thumbdn: for thievery.
 
The consensus as I understand it, from several discussions on this question in the Custom & Handmade forum, is that a knifemaker can get himself in a bind by taking payment in full, or even a large deposit, before starting the knife. Legitimate deposits would be for special materials requested by the customer.

It becomes too easy to take those deposits and commit to making too many knives, and the backlog grows. Eventually, the knifemaker is catching up on commitments he made before a few years of inflation make the knife costlier than the original price quoted. And the deposits have long been spent.

But no knifemaker should ship, unless to a VERY good friend or customer, before full payment is made on the knife once it is completed and boxed up ready to ship.
 
If any customer ends up having received the knife and doesn't pay for it, at a minimum you should post the story in the FEEDBACK / GBU forum to be sure the thief's days of dealing here on BF are over.

There are also experts over there who can guide you in notifying the authorities -- police, Postal Inspectors, and so on. We had one young thief who returned knives when someone here tracked him down and contacted his grandmother.
 
If any customer ends up having received the knife and doesn't pay for it, at a minimum you should post the story in the FEEDBACK / GBU forum to be sure the thief's days of dealing here on BF are over.

There are also experts over there who can guide you in notifying the authorities -- police, Postal Inspectors, and so on. We had one young thief who returned knives when someone here tracked him down and contacted his grandmother.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
The consensus as I understand it, from several discussions on this question in the Custom & Handmade forum, is that a knifemaker can get himself in a bind by taking payment in full, or even a large deposit, before starting the knife. Legitimate deposits would be for special materials requested by the customer.

It becomes too easy to take those deposits and commit to making too many knives, and the backlog grows. Eventually, the knifemaker is catching up on commitments he made before a few years of inflation make the knife costlier than the original price quoted. And the deposits have long been spent.

But no knifemaker should ship, unless to a VERY good friend or customer, before full payment is made on the knife once it is completed and boxed up ready to ship.
Click to expand...

I would not take any payment untill knife is ready to ship. The way I currently do it is to email the customer a week before I start to make sure they still want the knife. If the answer is yes, I make the knife then notify them it`s ready to ship. I`m going to give him another week, then it`s off to GB&U.
 
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