Orders are getting on my nerves

Deposits are a nightmare and the first time you don't refund one to someone (even the non-refundable kind) you will be tarred and feathered.

We have tried selling closeout knives at below cost and saying, "No returns--problems must be dealt with by the maker" but people still pitch a fit and send it back. I am sure it would be the same with a "non-refundable" deposit.

It just doesn't matter how you approach it, it seems like it is no win in a situation.

I say send them all to me! :)
 
operatorTRP said:
Call me old fashoined, but it seems to me that if you don't have the money to buy something now DON"T order it now? The prudent and responsible thing to do would be to save up for 4 months, then order the product when you are ready to pay for it. Not gamble that you will actually be able to save $50/ month and then not make it, and cave on your commitment to pay when the time comes. Sitting on money is pretty easy if you realize it really isn't really your money, it belongs to whomever you promised to pay upon completion of their part of the deal.

("You" being the non paying party, I am not pointing any fingers or wanting to step on toes here; Just stating the way things should be done the right way. Unfortunately alot of people were never taught the "right way" or have just chosen to forget it)
Click to expand...

I'm not disagreeing in principle, but let's say I have a car problem. Why create a hardship by sitting on the money if you don't need to? If I can spend the knife money I have now on my car, and have time to re-save; isn't that better than not buying groceries? Or fixing your car?

Did everyone in the old days pay for their farms in cash? Or their tractors? I bought my education before I had money for it, and I'll probably do the same if I ever buy a house. Not paying for something you bought is crappy, but why is ordering before you wait a year? That just makes it a year longer wait than it needs to be.
 
Fiddleback said:
But to just make me e-mail you again and again is complete and utter bullshit.
Click to expand...

Hey Andy..Now that you've brought it up,

It kinda feels that way from the other end, too. From the Bushcrafter Run thread posts #45-56.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=645123&highlight=koa&page=3

That was the last I heard about the knife. Now I'm not trying to pick a fight with the mighty FiddleBack on his own forum, but I would just like to know why my request/order was ignored/forgotten about. I waited and waited and still no more communication from you. Since that time I have placed three different orders with two other very respected knife makers on this forum and there was not one single problem. One of the guys uses PayPal and the other I sent money orders(I even had a last-minute change with this one and it was gladly done without incident).
With your order I even changed the handle selection (at your recommendation) and tried to feed your ego (read the posts) and it still looked as if you just simply didn't want to make that knife for me. Maybe my post count was too low, I don't know. I am no marketing guru and certainly no master knife maker (actually I'm a lowly pharmacist by profession) but I do know that if a person is going to be in business then they should make the knife or at least tell the potential customer why they won't make the knife. It has almost been a year so I think any accusations of flaming or trolling certainly have no merit. I am not downgrading/challenging the quality of your products or your knifemaking abilities (I wanted to buy one, remember?). I am simply calling you out on an issue that should have been handled long ago--I started to post this under the "Help me sell knives" thread but I let it go. I can't believe that after the way you handled my situation you actually have the audacity to start a thread whining about people ignoring you and worrying about ruining your reputation. From what I have seen, your cult following (no matter how deserving both you and they think it is) has inflated your ego a little too much. No apologies necessary. Just be a man and leave this post for others to see.
 
PharmBoy01 said:
Hey Andy..Now that you've brought it up,

It kinda feels that way from the other end, too. From the Bushcrafter Run thread posts #45-56.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=645123&highlight=koa&page=3

That was the last I heard about the knife. Now I'm not trying to pick a fight with the mighty FiddleBack on his own forum, but I would just like to know why my request/order was ignored/forgotten about. I waited and waited and still no more communication from you. Since that time I have placed three different orders with two other very respected knife makers on this forum and there was not one single problem. One of the guys uses PayPal and the other I sent money orders(I even had a last-minute change with this one and it was gladly done without incident).
With your order I even changed the handle selection (at your recommendation) and tried to feed your ego (read the posts) and it still looked as if you just simply didn't want to make that knife for me. Maybe my post count was too low, I don't know. I am no marketing guru and certainly no master knife maker (actually I'm a lowly pharmacist by profession) but I do know that if a person is going to be in business then they should make the knife or at least tell the potential customer why they won't make the knife. It has almost been a year so I think any accusations of flaming or trolling certainly have no merit. I am not downgrading/challenging the quality of your products or your knifemaking abilities (I wanted to buy one, remember?). I am simply calling you out on an issue that should have been handled long ago--I started to post this under the "Help me sell knives" thread but I let it go. I can't believe that after the way you handled my situation you actually have the audacity to start a thread whining about people ignoring you and worrying about ruining your reputation. From what I have seen, your cult following (no matter how deserving both you and they think it is) has inflated your ego a little too much. No apologies necessary. Just be a man and leave this post for others to see.
Click to expand...

This is yet another reason I do not like orders. There is just a lot of organizing to do to keep them straight. Your order slipped through the cracks. Shouldn't have happened. I apologize for that. Certainly it was my fault. I'm glad I didn't have any deposit from you for sure. I'm not perfect, and I've never said so, and I don't have that in my mind or heart. I made a mistake on your order. It happens. It will again.

I don't think expecting communication when work has been completed, and frustration when the work sits without word-1 is audacious, even in light of the mistake I made WRT you and your order.

Also, personally, I'd appreciate you refraining from calling my customers a cult on my forum. If you have a problem with me, then please take it up with me. Why post this publicly rather than just call me to have me make amends. I certainly would have, and will if you are still interested.

A man I am it seems. Your post stays, and gets quoted.
 
Hey! I'm no cult member! I just love good knives!

Now, if somebody will pass me the cool-aid pitcher, we can get back on topic... ;)
 
I'll gladly join the cult. Can't wait till I have the funds to place an order. I have had a few ideas running around in my head. I'd love to run them by you when my finances are in order, Andy.
 
I can speak from experience order taking can be a pain in the ass. I still do it but it takes alot of discipline to stay on top of your orders. At one time I had an 18 month backlog. Orders can slip through the cracks if you don't stay on them when they come in. Communication is a two way street. If you feel a maker has forgotten your order, then pick up the phone, email or come to his forum and question him about it. We're talking about one guy with God know how many people waiting for their knife.
Andy is one hell of a maker who takes care of his customers.
Scott
 
arden.ferris said:
so are you selling the knives or what? ? ? ;-)
Click to expand...

That's what I'm talking about! If there are any scandi Bow Legged Joe's in that pile of dead-beat buyer knives, then I need to get it sent straight to Talfuchre! He's making two horizontal sheaths for my one BLJ right now, so he could use a new one as a model for the other sheath.
 
Andy?

You're fine.

AneutralizerAnim1.gif
 
I appreciate y'all not piling onto Pharmboy. You guys are the best. I'll try harder to make sure that no one else gets dropped.
 
The knives that are left from no-shows are a Ladyfinger, guardless wearing Osage, and an Osage Woodsman.
 
Woodsman left over you say? Well I did just email you asking about a Woodsman or a Hunter. Do you have a picture and price to go with it? Hit me back....
 
Sorry to hear about the unneeded bs. Definitely a pain to make a knife which uses up raw materials and costs you your time, to only have the buyer disappear. The good news is you know at least one person likes the knife/handle combo lol. A little better than putting a batch together for a show or KSF in a way.

I kind of like the idea of having random batches made though. I really want to order one of your knives, though have no clue what wood I'd get and on what knife. Having a predetermined set of knives to choose from helps, to me anyway.

And about the posting of private info publicly is a even bigger pain. It winds up being on a snapshot of what happened and only adds to the issue. Has been happening more lately it seems.
 
riz_aaroni said:
I kind of like the idea of having random batches made though. I really want to order one of your knives, though have no clue what wood I'd get and on what knife. Having a predetermined set of knives to choose from helps, to me anyway.
Click to expand...

I agree - all the knives I've purchased so far were from random batches. It's just easier for me to buy something I can see than try and visualize what it might look like.

Maybe if your business becomes even more successful, you can hire a business manager or just someone who can deal with all the details and you can do what you do best...make knives. :thumbup:
 
schmittie said:
Woodsman left over you say? Well I did just email you asking about a Woodsman or a Hunter. Do you have a picture and price to go with it? Hit me back....
Click to expand...

I'm 'Blade Show' slammed right now and have not gotten enough pictures. But this is the Woodsman. Sorry for the poor angle. I didn't take better pics of it because it was an order knife...

bs106_2043-vi.jpg


Raining said:
I agree - all the knives I've purchased so far were from random batches. It's just easier for me to buy something I can see than try and visualize what it might look like.

Maybe if your business becomes even more successful, you can hire a business manager or just someone who can deal with all the details and you can do what you do best...make knives. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

For those of you that like picking from availables, when I get back from Blade Show I'm going to put up a bunch. I won't sell out. The competition there is fierce, and I'm a newb.

facablade said:
Sorry to heard that, put knives available and perhaps I´ll buy one ;-)
Click to expand...

Thanks. There will be plenty avail after the show.
 
I sold 9 out of 20 knives at last year's Blade Show. At the Vegas Gathering for USN, I sold 5 out of 30. So my record of selling lots at shows isn't gleaming. I hope to do somewhat better this year, but I don't expect to sell out.

Remember that I am still a neophite maker with only one year full time. There are makers at Blade Show that outshine me. Makers that have tought me, and helped me learn answering endless questions without holding anything back. This is why I try to give back, and teach others, and have my shop open to visitors, and helpers, and any learner that wants to play with steel.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top