Pause to CK Early Reserves

I liked the lottery system one of his competitors used for a few drops this year. For some reason they abandoned it. It was honestly the only way I had a shot at a GEC drop compared to people using bots to buy knives, or had won the typing speed competition in high school.
 
I went in as “sure” right away on one and it should be getting here Friday. This particular reserve was not like a GEC drop that opened and closed within minutes. This one stayed open for a long time and people had plenty of opportunity to change their status over time. He also stated within $5 by my account what it would cost. You would think those that were in as sure would have kept their word. That’s too bad. The early reserve was the only way I was able to get many GEC knives.
 
killerloop said:
Latest update from thread on CK Early Reserves from Mike and team :

The Early Reserve for the lionSteel Beerlow had less than a 50% completion rate (honoring the "Sure" commitment). Thus, at this time we are pausing the entire system on new products until we re-think what is best for us and our customers.
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So sorry for this Mike. I'll gladly pay a deposit if I'm on a list in order of deposits received. I'll also pay in full if I can be assured I'll receive one with an estimated delivery date. Mike's Early Reserve system is great, so I also agree that any "Sure" that bails out gets suspended for six months.
 
Sorry about this for Mike. It would be nice to hear an explanation from the no-shows. I hope he is somehow made whole. I noticed that the knives in question are not even for sale at CK, or at least I couldn't find them, as I was thinking of buying one if the price was decent. Maybe he will post them later. I'll keep checking.

That having been said, the Early Reserve was useless for me. I never once managed to get a knife from him. So I won't miss it.
 
I finally signed up for the current notification system earlier this week as I’ve missed out on all the hot releases recently, and this happens!!!🤬 At least my ebony beerlow, which I reserved with a “sure”, should be here on Friday or Saturday. I’m ok with putting a small deposit down for future early reserves. Putting a little skin in the game often helps people remember to do the right thing.
 
That is too bad, I have used his system to get several GECs. The non payers need to get their act together!!
 
The Amazing Virginian said:
Sorry about this for Mike. It would be nice to hear an explanation from the no-shows. I hope he is somehow made whole. I noticed that the knives in question are not even for sale at CK, or at least I couldn't find them, as I was thinking of buying one if the price was decent. Maybe he will post them later. I'll keep checking.

That having been said, the Early Reserve was useless for me. I never once managed to get a knife from him. So I won't miss it.
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The knives are up, I bought one earlier. Lion Steel CK01 page, handle options.

It's not just this instance, I spoke with Mike at the rendezvous. He gets dressed down by angry customers every early reserve drop, it's ridiculous. It's just a knife.

SMH.
 
Jiki said:
The knives are up, I bought one earlier. Lion Steel CK01 page, handle options.

It's not just this instance, I spoke with Mike at the rendezvous. He gets dressed down by angry customers every early reserve drop, it's ridiculous. It's just a knife.

SMH.
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Thanks! There are so many Lion Steels there, I must have missed it. I'll check it out. And that sucks that he got a load of crap from folks just because they did not get a knife from him that they wanted. I agree with you - its totally ridiculous.
 
Those who didn't follow through should lose the option to select Sure for all future reservations.

A future option could be to require a non-refundable deposit at a set amount to go towards the knife being reserved. If anyone fails to follow through with their order, they forfeit the deposit.
 
If you don't pay up- you get removed if you marked Sure. I was on the reserve for this one for the horn and paid up. Sad to see it go.
 
It is still a race. But Mike has also done some lottery draws that have allowed me a couple of thrills I would not have had otherwise. I am thankful for that.

I should also note…lottery draws without a markup. Another seller puts a premium on their draws due to administrative time involved. Don’t mean to dip into the buying process here. Just a tip of the hat to an asset to the community.
 
I wonder if some were ever lost in spam folders. I got kicked off of the "sure" list, or capability, at some point and I have no idea which "sure" I didn't actually buy. Best I can think of, I did a "sure" on something where I wanted one of 2 options, but didn't know which, and did sure for both knowing I only wanted 1. No idea at this point, there's very few knives I "need" so badly that I want to buy as soon as they're released anymore anyway. Most of them, for me, were just to let me know if something was available and I would decide when it was actually available if I wanted.

The email I got from Mike stated the move had as much or more to do with Mail Chimp's political righteousness BS than the lack of fulfillment.
 
CallMeDave said:
This is why we can’t have nice things.
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😄 If I had a dollar for every time I heard that as a kid, or for that matter, said that as a parent, I might be able to afford a GEC on the secondary market, which is where most of us will have to look if the reserve system ends. I don’t know anyone that wants that. It’s simple folks, “sure” means “sure.”
 
bikerector said:
I wonder if some were ever lost in spam folders. I got kicked off of the "sure" list, or capability, at some point and I have no idea which "sure" I didn't actually buy. Best I can think of, I did a "sure" on something where I wanted one of 2 options, but didn't know which, and did sure for both knowing I only wanted 1. No idea at this point, there's very few knives I "need" so badly that I want to buy as soon as they're released anymore anyway. Most of them, for me, were just to let me know if something was available and I would decide when it was actually available if I wanted.

The email I got from Mike stated the move had as much or more to do with Mail Chimp's political righteousness BS than the lack of fulfillment.
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Mike sent out a separate message on his notification system stating he was stopping the early reserve system for now, due to only 50% of people following through on their Sure reservation for the Lionsteel Beerlow.
 
afishhunter said:
When I was part owner and manager of a retail liquor store, and a convenience store, if there was a special order, we collected a non-refundable security deposit equal to our cost with shipping, balance of the full retail price due when it came in.

If for whatever reason the person who ordered it didn't come in and complete the deal, it went on the shelf. Since we already recovered our cost, it didn't matter how long it sat on the shelf.

Perhaps Mike could/should collect a non-refundable security depost to cover his costs when ordered/a "firm" commitment to buy (same thing in my book) is filed.
"People" are less likely to flake if they have funds they can't get back invested.
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A difference because it's online ordering rather than b&m is the FTC's mail order rule applies (there's a sticky on the forums somewhere about it). That adds ways buyers can back out that he has to offer. If the original ship date is delayed, he has to ask customers if they want to back out for a full refund, and if they don't reply at all, a refund has to be issued.

As long as there are no delays your way would work though
 
knife_fan said:
Mike sent out a separate message on his notification system stating he was stopping the early reserve system for now, due to only 50% of people following through on their Sure reservation for the Lionsteel Beerlow.
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Ah, makes sense. So it wasn't the 50% for all of the reserves, just that one. I'm sure that it was trending down throughout the years.

Stinks as I liked the easy view into what was coming and the notifications when it was finallh available so I didn't need to keep tabs on things I was interested in.
 
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