Orders are getting on my nerves

Fiddleback

Fiddleback

Knifemaker
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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 19, 2005
Messages
19,708
Well, once again, I've got a large handfull of ordered knives finished and can't get e-mail responses from the orderers. Over half the knives this time have not responded in three weeks to at least three e-mails. This is getting rediculous. I'm very understanding of financial situations in todays economy, and don't mind selling the knives if someone can't take them. I've never tried to force anyone to take a knife. But to just make me e-mail you again and again is complete and utter bullshit. I have bills too. I got laid off also.

I refuse to take funds up front, as I am not a banker, and don't want to have anything to do with being responsible for someone elses money. It is the fastest way to kill a knifemaker's reputation, and puts the maker in a weak position WRT impatient order placers. (Who eventually, at least 50% of the time don't pay anyway.)

I am temporarily suspending order taking.
 
I don't blame ya' dude! I can't even begin to imagine how frustrating that must be!
 
Doh! Folks really should feel beholden to go ahead and pay for a custom order when it's done, even if it hurts a little. At worst, they should hit you back with an email explaining things so you can turn around and sell it to the next guy - but keeping their end of the deal is best! Sorry to hear you are running into a few bad apples.

So....whatcha got? ;)
 
Listen, if any of y'all ever can't afford to pay for a knife for whatever reason, just let me know. I'll sell it to someone else, and we can all go forward as friends. Maybe when you're better off I can make one for you.

Folks can't eat knives. Don't hurt yourself paying for one of mine. But please. Let me know so I can sell it and pay my bills too.
 
I know exactly what you are going through. I even email or call the customer before I start to confirm they still want it, or if they want any changes made to it. A week later, when it`s ready to ship, I can`t get ahold of them!
 
I don't know what's so difficult about keeping up with one's commitments. It has to be maddening for somebody trying to run a business. That said, I doubt you'll have any trouble unloading them if the bums don't come through. Now, if I can get my checkbook to stop cowering in the corner, I'll go check the for sale section... :foot:
 
It's just not right. Customers love to complain when they can't get their knifemaker to communicate, but they want that maker to get their knife done -- like, stay in the shop and work. Who's got time to play phone tag with someone who doesn't want to play along? It's really discourteous.

Anyway, Andy, just as you know taking money up front is a bad move, taking orders can be just as bad. It locks you into commitments instead of being free to focus on making more and better knives. You know what sells. Let your dealers sort these people out.
 
Now wait a minute...don't abandon taking orders because a few guy's Dad's didn't teach them to follow through. I can see that it IS extra trouble, but it's really cool to be able to float a custom idea past you to see if it has merit and then anticipate seeing a one-off Fiddleback creation. I know I have several orders on file with Andy now, and I can't wait to see what they look like if he gets the time to experiment with them a little. If Andy has to streamline by cutting out custom orders, I understand - but I hope it doesn't come to that. Maybe lower the tolerance level a little? Two emails and 1 week to get back and claim a knife, or it's up for grabs? Whatever you have to do is fine, I just hate to get distanced from such a cool bladesmith! :)
 
Sounds like it's time to come up with a new policy for your orders. Something like, "If payment arrangements aren't made within 10 days of knife completion, the knife will be put up for sale to others." :)
 
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Vege-Taco said:
Sounds like it's time to come up with a new policy for your orders. Something like, "If payment arrangements aren't made withing 10 days of knife completion, the knife will be put up for sale to others." :)
Click to expand...

Thats a pretty good one. Maybe thats a winner idea.
 
About the only other thing I know to do, is to go the way of Busse or SRKW...make so many and offer them for so long a time. Then offer something else, etc...

Sorry about you getting the shit stick, Andy.

No excuse for that type of behavior.
 
Vege-Taco said:
Sounds like it's time to come up with a new policy for your orders. Something like, "If payment arrangements aren't made within 10 days of knife completion, the knife will be put up for sale to others." :)
Click to expand...

That's a million dollar idea right there. I'm sending out an email now to all my folks to this effect!

Edit: I just sent the email out. Everyone gets 10 bidness days to pay and claim their knife. I think that's a fair time frame.
 
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Join the club Andy. I hold a knife one week after the individual is notified it's ready to ship, if I don't receive payment, it goes up for sale.
Scott
 
I try not to be impatient and bug the makers because I've been busy before too.

I also try to have the money ready when the time comes.

I do this because I'm trying to think from the makers viewpoint.

Thinking from a customers viewpoint if the knifmaker can give the customer some ballpark figure as to when the knife will be ready it will help the consumer have the funds at the time the knife is ready.

I usually have the money to pay for a knife or I don't order it. However some knifemakers have sent me running to the bank or spending money I had planned for something else when they give me no idea of when it will be ready and then I get an email out of the blue saying "your knife is ready and it's this much" .

I think knife buyers have the responsibility not to bug the maker with endless emails and asking for updates and to pay on time.

I think knife makers have the responsibility of giving a ballpark figure and if they really have very little idea of when it might be ready when they DO start working on it a heads up to the consumer is a good idea so they will at least have some time to gather funds..

That's all!:thumbup::D
 
I second Vege-Taco's idea...everybody is on the same page.... Might discourage some people from ordering but that better for people like me that are waiting for orders!! :)
 
hollowdweller said:
I try not to be impatient and bug the makers because I've been busy before too.

I also try to have the money ready when the time comes.

I do this because I'm trying to think from the makers viewpoint.

Thinking from a customers viewpoint if the knifmaker can give the customer some ballpark figure as to when the knife will be ready it will help the consumer have the funds at the time the knife is ready.

I usually have the money to pay for a knife or I don't order it. However some knifemakers have sent me running to the bank or spending money I had planned for something else when they give me no idea of when it will be ready and then I get an email out of the blue saying "your knife is ready and it's this much" .

I think knife buyers have the responsibility not to bug the maker with endless emails and asking for updates and to pay on time.

I think knife makers have the responsibility of giving a ballpark figure and if they really have very little idea of when it might be ready when they DO start working on it a heads up to the consumer is a good idea so they will at least have some time to gather funds..

That's all!:thumbup::D
Click to expand...

I see your point. I do try not to pressure folks to pay right away. I just need word back.
 
You are lucky that the Blade Show is close and you can sell the knives that you cannot get hold of the people who ordered them.You should be able to pay the bills after the Blade Show if all goes well.
Thanks,
Michael
 
I am looking forward to checking some out at the Blade Show and I'm sure that others feel the same way. You shouldn't have any problem selling your excess inventory.
 
Sorry to hear that Andy. From the buyer's point of view, order are fun. I like the time limit idea though--no reason for you to have to jump through hoops to get someone else to honor his or her obligation.
 
Part of the reason I like having the blade for making my sheaths is because I have collateral - they tend to get back to me QUICKLY then.... ;)

TF
 
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