Recommendation? Over a year, nothing from maker, what would you do?

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jceckrosh

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Ok, so in January of 2017 I got on the books of a maker who was taking his whole booking for the year that day I think. However many slots. A small deposit was required, about 10% of the knife, and that would hold my place in line.

Received a confirmation from the maker, with an invoice for the 10% which I paid. Projected time for my build was August 2017.

Well, nothing from said maker and we have passed the year mark. I did very recently email him, and have received no response. The cash amount was small, so I am not bothered about that as much as just nothing in that time, and no response to my email. I told him in the email I understood I may have just fallen through the cracks, but that I would like to know whats up.

Anyway, figured this was the right place to post it, since it would likely end up here. I haven't mentioned names since it's possible he will still get back to me. I do notice his IG account has been silent since February of this year, so...

What would y'all do? Write it off (and the maker as well)? Keep emailing? Slap yourself for paying the "deposit"?
 
If you've only reached out once, and that several months after the original completion date, then I'd keep trying to get in touch (politely) through several different avenues (email, instagram, facebook, phone; whatever else he has publicized). Maybe if you make your wheel a bit more squeaky he'll give it some grease. At the very least it gives him a better opportunity to respond and make things right. As you said, perhaps you slipped through the cracks. I think it is a good way to perform a service to the knife community as well, since the longer you pursue the issue and either get satisfaction, or don't, then the better able you are to represent this guy to the rest of folks who might buy from him.

I think you are within your discretion to withhold his name or publicize it. If it were me, I'd keep it to myself until I gave more of a push, just in case the situation is an understandable mistake, and not the result of inherently bad policies or practices.
 
Kind of sloppy business on both sides to be honest. If I’m reading your situation correctly, it is now nine months past your original estimate? Why did you wait so long? Hopefully we’re talking a really small deposit.

I’d say give another try or two through each of the contacts you have for the builder, give them at least a week or so to respond (vacation travel season) and then explore whatever recourse you payment method provides. It may be tough since you allowed so much time to pass without communication from your end.

Good luck!
 
Astronaut FX said:
Kind of sloppy business on both sides to be honest. If I’m reading your situation correctly, it is now nine months past your original estimate? Why did you wait so long? Hopefully we’re talking a really small deposit.

I’d say give another try or two through each of the contacts you have for the builder, give them at least a week or so to respond (vacation travel season) and then explore whatever recourse you payment method provides. It may be tough since you allowed so much time to pass without communication from your end.

Good luck!
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Agreed. I could have gotten in touch earlier. I have thought about it quite a few times, but kept giving the benefit of the doubt. But, it's his book and schedule to keep, not mine.

And yes, the deposit was small. I don't expect any payment recourse from PayPal (there is none).

I was also posting this to see if anyone else was in a similar situation with the same maker (meaning the booking date and deposit would sound familiar). And maybe they ended up getting their knife made.
 
jceckrosh said:
Agreed. I could have gotten in touch earlier. I have thought about it quite a few times, but kept giving the benefit of the doubt. But, it's his book and schedule to keep, not mine.

And yes, the deposit was small. I don't expect any payment recourse from PayPal (there is none).

I was also posting this to see if anyone else was in a similar situation with the same maker (meaning the booking date and deposit would sound familiar). And maybe they ended up getting their knife made.
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If you want that information, you need to post the maker's name in the title, otherwise people are just guessing, and that could lead to misunderstandings of multiple kinds!
 
Hard for anyone to say if they are in the same boat with the same maker if you don't tell us who. While I get your hesitation to say who as you are still working toward your own resolution people knowing who will let them know if they have or have had good or bad dealings with the maker.
 
I have to say that I always find this very annoying and I find no justification for it.
I have dealt with several custom makers of which, a couple were exactly as you have described , and others were the complete opposite. ..
I do understand the pressure, delays and timing matters, but can never justify the lack of communication or the radio silence regardless of the cause.
Very well known and respected makers were on timely communication manners and discussions of the built, and I even keep in touch with them after I recieve the knife, that's why I can't understand why others disappear totally despite having some aspects of their social media still on.
That been said... I think you still should wait and send maybe a couple of other messages inquiring about the timing and other specifics, as from my personal experience ( and I'm not saying that this might suit you), the red flags are not up yet.
Also for this time I think it is not wise to name the makers here in public as this is a sharp detour towards an unknown end, but you can name him on private messsges to other fellow collectors here on BF who request to know by PM's as a matter of advice or precaution.
Oh, and one last thing... those who fall in the "pleasant communication "category , never took any amount of money in advance. Maybe they know that their work sells like hot cakes shall you never fulfil your deal with them.
Good luck and best wishes man...
 
why not put the name up ? The thread isn't marked as negative? and it could help the OP as others also on the wait list will see this thread and chime in with their experience. I find it kind of funny when people get screwed and they are afraid to rock the boat and say anything for fear of upsetting the person who screwed them in the pathetic hopes that maybe just maybe they will get what they paid for if they just be a good boy and don't cause any problems. It doesn't matter if you havnt bugged him or sent more than one email. he promised you a knife on a specific timeline/date and then disappeared on you . short of his the reason being his dying there is no excuse.

whoever this "maker" is they are treating you lie a piece of dog crap and walking all over you . you are better off standing up for yourself and to heck with the stupid knife you were promised to get .
 
ponykid said:
why not put the name up ? The thread isn't marked as negative? and it could help the OP as others also on the wait list will see this thread and chime in with their experience. I find it kind of funny when people get screwed and they are afraid to rock the boat and say anything for fear of upsetting the person who screwed them in the pathetic hopes that maybe just maybe they will get what they paid for if they just be a good boy and don't cause any problems. It doesn't matter if you havnt bugged him or sent more than one email. he promised you a knife on a specific timeline/date and then disappeared on you . short of his the reason being his dying there is no excuse.

whoever this "maker" is they are treating you lie a piece of dog crap and walking all over you . you are better off standing up for yourself and to heck with the stupid knife you were promised to get .
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This.
There is absolutely NO valid excuse for ignoring a customer for almost a year.
It always amazes me how some people are hesitant to be honest. The guy has your money for ~ 2 years and went dark on you........screw the mutt.
Name him and I’ll bet more will chime in that are right alongside you in that boat.
Quiet wheels never get attention.
 
Is this guy a full time maker? What's the point of having people on your books if you don't look at your book and follow up with them as they come due?:confused:
 
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Please name him. We can give you more information if we know more info about this maker.
 
trevitrace said:
Does his name rhyme with Dan Koster?
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No.

I'm gonna say again it was a small deposit. I am not hurting over the money. I just wonder if I legitimately fell through the cracks or if there are a lot of people who made deposits and never got a knife. In which case it's as bad as some BS kickstarter. The guy has a forum here, although there has been no activity there since last year, and his FB (and I am not a FB user, so I have limited access there) says he is working on catching up - but that was as of July 2017.

I am not scared to name names, I just want to give him a chance to respond to the email(s).
 
Oh good Lord, identify the maker! If he's a member here, tag him. Regardless, as long as you're telling the truth (and there's no reason to doubt you), there's no reason to keep his name a secret.
 
jceckrosh said:
I was also posting this to see if anyone else was in a similar situation with the same maker (meaning the booking date and deposit would sound familiar). And maybe they ended up getting their knife made.
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Oh, please . . . so, we're all supposed to play the game?? Name him/her or live with it. (or, without it, as the case may be)
 
You gave them a chance. You heard nothing way past due date. What's to wait for a BS excuse if you get a response? Name the maker, maybe that will Kickstart a response. To be honest kinda tired of people having to walk on eggshells so they don't dare offend an over sensitive maker.
Quite frankly it's time these makers pull their heads from their *sses instead of excuses.
 
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Ruzster said:
Oh, please . . . so, we're all supposed to play the game?? Name him/her or live with it. (or, without it, as the case may be)
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I'm not asking anyone to play a game. I thought there was a chance someone would see the dates/deposit % and would be in the same boat.

Maker is Ryan W. Knives.

Anyone else having this issue?
 
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