Pearls before Swine

[ousanas]

If a gas station near me sold Spyderco's I'd make that my exclusive fill 'er up place.

Even if gas was $3 a gallon.







Okay, maybe not at $3 a gallon. :foot:

I'd still fill up at $3.00 a gallon, at least my company van on the company card.... I'd just go in and buy the spydies with my own card

 

[Phil Elmore]

Ah, but you see, you can't work up a good case of moral outrage over a gas station. Unless it's a Citgo.

I get so tired of the constant railing against Wal*Mart. Commerce is voluntary. If Wal*Mart's infamous "predatory pricing" really is a tool of the Retail Satan, people whose communities collapse because the festering doom of Wal*Mart grew in their midst have no one to blame but themselves. Wal*Mart can't MAKE you shop there. They can't send commandos to your home to kill you if you refuse. They don't have that kind of power. It's a frigging store.

 

[zenheretic]

Ah, but you see, you can't work up a good case of moral outrage over a gas station. Unless it's a Citgo.

I get so tired of the constant railing against Wal*Mart. Commerce is voluntary. If Wal*Mart's infamous "predatory pricing" really is a tool of the Retail Satan, people whose communities collapse because the festering doom of Wal*Mart grew in their midst have no one to blame but themselves. Wal*Mart can't MAKE you shop there. They can't send commandos to your home to kill you if you refuse. They don't have that kind of power. It's a frigging store.

You must not watch South Park.

now now zen, shiny footprints remember...

The Jack Burton Award is just brimming with Prestige.

 

[fp_tourist]

I just finished watching that episode. South Park hit the nail on the head.

 

[jill jackson]

I go to Walmart to get motor oil, because it's cheaper than any auto store in my area.
I can't see that Auto Zone is morally superior enough over Walmart to pay more for their motor oil.
Dog food is cheaper at the farm supply store so I go there to buy dog food. (motor oil is outrageous there) I don't have an unlimited amount of money to waste, a store wants my business they need to price the same items as cheap or cheaper to get it.

 

[Phil Elmore]

I can't see that Auto Zone is morally superior enough over Walmart to pay more for their motor oil.

Now THAT is a good quote!

 

[Let It Bleed]

First, I wasn't here 3 years ago and have no clue who Jack Burton is nor the inclination to find out. Why the outrage? I'm sorry that I upset you so with my ignorance of all things Spyderco. If only obnoxiousness were as easy to cure.

Second, with proper reading comprehension, it was clear that I was neither attacking Wal-Mart nor Spyderco. I even chose to use “discount store” where I could, but to my knowledge Wal-Mart is the only discount store that I’m aware of that sells Spyderco. I don't see the world in absolutes, but it must be a very comfortable place to live. So far the only righteous indignation that has been expressed in this thread is from the knee jerk Wal-Mart defenders who are as blind to reality as those who blame Wal-Mart for everything.

Third, this is a discussion forum and except for release dates and actual knife reviews, it is all fairly superfluous. I am always entertained by those who take the time to point out how others are wasting their time.

Fourth, the question was posited to elicit opinions and hopefully the reasoning behind those opinions. Vitriolic invectives and pat answers are neither persuasive nor enlightening. The fact that 3 years have passed simply makes the analysis retrospective instead of prospective. Therefore, if you would prefer if the question were posited: did Spyderco’s collaboration with Wal-Mart injure their reputation as opposed to will Spyderco’s collaboration with Wal-Mart injure their reputation, then so be it.

Fifth, there is no right or wrong answer. It is unrealistic to try and quantify something as indeterminate as reputation. There is a reason why people would state that they would buy a Spyderco even from a gas station. It’s because the Spyderco name has become synonymous with quality. My high opinion of Spyderco has not been diminished by their availability at any discount store either.

It’s not my fault some are determined to read into something that which is not there so they can get on their soapbox and cast derision on those who disagree. However from my posts, it would be impossible for anyone to discern my opinion regarding Wal-Mart other than the fact I find shopping there to be personally exasperating. It would also be clear that I hold Spyderco in very high esteem. I simply wondered what others thought about the possible ramifications, if any, that may derive from Spydercos being associated and sold among cut rate knives. It’s a valid point that as long as Spyderco maintains a high level of quality there will always be a loyal customer base.

And finally, it was simply a question. So, lighten up Francis!

 

[James Y]

I do not think the fact that the Native was once sold at Wal-Mart will negatively affect Spyderco's image. I personally never saw a Native on sale at any Wal-Marts, but even if I had, I might have associated that one model as having been available at WM.

The fact is, the majority of people out there are not knife connoisseurs. A relatively small percentage really care about knives or their manufacturers or go on knife-related forums; and if they buy one for work or such at all, will buy whatever they think will work well for their job and/or appeals to their sense of aesthetics. In addition, they must feel that the price is reasonable.

If WM sold a good Spyderco or any quality knife that interested me at a lower price point, I'd probably get one there. I don't love WM, and I have to drive a little ways to get there, but I do occasionally buy some things there at a great price and don't regret it. At one of my area WM's, there is a small Asian cinema DVD section where I've found a few good but hard-to-find Asian movies for a little or far lower than I'd find otherwise. I just wouldn't expect good customer service there if you need to see a particular knife or get one unlocked from the display hooks.

So no, having once had a relationship at WM did not hurt Spyderco IMO. Like it hasn't hurt Leatherman, Gerber, Buck, or Kershaw, which are the main brands offered there now.
Jim

 

[zenheretic]

It’s not my fault some are determined to read into something that which is not there so they can get on their soapbox and cast derision on those who disagree. However from my posts, it would be impossible for anyone to discern my opinion regarding Wal-Mart other than the fact I find shopping there to be personally exasperating. It would also be clear that I hold Spyderco in very high esteem. I simply wondered what others thought about the possible ramifications, if any, that may derive from Spydercos being associated and sold among cut rate knives. It’s a valid point that as long as Spyderco maintains a high level of quality there will always be a loyal customer base.

And finally, it was simply a question. So, lighten up Francis!

First no one is outraged, it's not my fault some are determined to read into something that which is not there so they can ask questions they already know the answers too.

Second, Jack Burton, to not know Jack Burton is to not know yourself. Getting to know Jack Burton would be 10.8x more productive than starting this thread.

Third, even if you weren't here when this was all hashed out, ad nauseum, it really doesn't matter as they haven't been in business together for what a year or so.
Obviously, Spyderco's reputation survived any insult being associated with Walmart well enough to seduce good customers such as yourself.

So finally, it is a reply and Shirley you said there is no right or wrong answer.

 

[Let It Bleed]

So finally, it is a reply and Shirley you said there is no right or wrong answer.

True, but an answer can still be obnoxious.

Your latest reply also contains a contradiction, see if you can find it.

And Pooh sighed and he thought for a long while.