Please Help me Sell Knives

OK. To update. I've re-stuck the Currently Available thread and filled it with the knives I've got in stock and ready to go.

I'm going to put up an order procedure thread too.

I've already got three knives in the hands of the guys at Woodsmonkey.com and their reviews are forthcoming.

I'll get on the site. I have no idea how to do web design, so I've got a lot to learn there.

I've sold over 300 knives. Never had this trouble before. Never had any available for more than a day or so.
 
Andy, I`m having the same problems. You might try an ad in a magazine, my first one is coming out the end of this month. Hopefully that might get to a different "audience."
 
Fiddleback said:
I'll get on the site. I have no idea how to do web design, so I've got a lot to learn there.
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It's certainly a handy thing to know, but not essential if you have somebody that can do it for you.

All you need to do it put a couple of pictures of your knives that you have sitting around up on the "knives available" web page and then tell people how to contact you so they can buy them. Maybe tell them that you can make them custom designs if that's what you want to do.

The trick here is to make it EASY for people to see what you have and how they can get one if they want one. Studies have shown that people will spend a few seconds on a website and if they don't see what they want they'll go elsewhere.
 
I'd suggest only putting one knife in a photo. It is to confusing to look at a photo with 3-4 knives and then read the description and figure out which knife is available and how much it is. It will also make the knife larger in the photo and easier to see detail.

It also stands out that you do not have sheaths but someone else will make one for your knives. I actually see their name more than yours in the thread. Just state at the end of the page that the knives do not come with sheaths but you have some available if needed. You don't even really need to mention where they come from. I'd rather see your sales thread go like this.


For Sale


Woodsman_Logo.jpg


This is the Fiddleback Woodsman. The steel is 01, 5/32" thick. The knife is 10.5" long, OAL is 15.5". This knife is $315 w/o a sheath. A leather sheath will add $25 to the price.
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You could also add a Paypal button to your website, to make it easier to order. Send a couple knives off for reviews from big names in the survival business. Set up a store on eBay.

Instead of a lemon aid stand have your kids sell knives in the front yard.
 
Oh, if you decide to go the magazine ad route, I'll photograph the knife or knives for you for free if you send it to me.(I'll really send them back to you too.):D I have to say magazine ads have a lot of noise competing for your attention though. The ad would have to be outstanding and run for awhile to really get noticed.
 
Thats a good idea Ted. I like that! But, honestly. I have no idea how to take knife pics nearly as well as yours. I think mine are basically passable, and thats a BIG improvement over the ones before I built the light box. But the editing, etc, and I haven't ever figured out how to set the light settings to use a black background.:confused::o:rolleyes:
 
Fiddleback said:
Thats a good idea Ted. I like that! But, honestly. I have no idea how to take knife pics nearly as well as yours. I think mine are basically passable, and thats a BIG improvement over the ones before I built the light box. But the editing, etc, and I haven't ever figured out how to set the light settings to use a black background.:confused::o:rolleyes:
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Your pics are fine. This would work great for displaying the knife.

Bus99-vi.jpg


Your available thread is cluttered and I don't want to work at deciding if the knife I like is the one you are actually selling. One knife, one photo. K.I.S.S.:)
 
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Hang in there Andy. You make great knives. Things is just a bit slow at the moment.

I like the suggestions everyone has made--I think a website with Paypal purchasing options would be a great idea.

Do you hit the knife show circuit?
 
i agree with everything above great advice!

oh and once i get a job ill be all over some fiddlebacks!!! like white on rice!

HANG IN THERE!!!
 
Rotte said:
Hang in there Andy. You make great knives. Things is just a bit slow at the moment.
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Agreed.


Another suggestion: On your website you could put a link to this forum (knife maker specific forums) instead of only the link to the sale section.
 
OT - Andy, I'm curious. Do you have any French Canadian ancestors? Roy is the third most common name in the Province of Quebec.
 
I know on JD that they have knife raffles. I'm not 100% on their rules, but the Stephan Fowler raffles that I look at (And occasionally buy tickets for) always get a lot of attention.
 
Andy I do not know if you alrady look but the Georgia Outdoor News Fourm has some guys intrested in custom knives. Seem to see them sell there quite often. As good as your stuff is I am sure you could sell a few. If I rember right they post them for sale in the Hobby Fourm. I also have a good connection (use to work there in college and still close to owner) with a local outdoor store. We might could get some of your stuff in there.
 
cybrok said:
OT - Andy, I'm curious. Do you have any French Canadian ancestors? Roy is the third most common name in the Province of Quebec.
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Yes. I'm a Cajun, and was raised in Rayne Louisianna. Our people migrated from Canada after the war of 1812 because they refused to swear allegance to the King of England. Louisianna was the closest French territory. My grandmother spoke mostly French, and my dad and his siblings are fluent. I speak it in tidbits.

cddogfan1 said:
Andy I do not know if you alrady look but the Georgia Outdoor News Fourm has some guys intrested in custom knives. Seem to see them sell there quite often. As good as your stuff is I am sure you could sell a few. If I rember right they post them for sale in the Hobby Fourm. I also have a good connection (use to work there in college and still close to owner) with a local outdoor store. We might could get some of your stuff in there.
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I'd love to show some knives to your outdoor store friend bro. My # is 404-519-2787
 
I will second Ted's comments ... all of them.

I've admired his photos for years. They immediately catch the eye and focus it on the knife.

And that's what you want.;)
 
I'm sure you'll be fine, Andy. :)

My Woodsman is my number one used fixed blade these days. I don't do a thing around the kitchen without it. That said, maybe a few more shows? Your prices are very in line with what the general public would expect for your knives. Obviously, those of us that know you know that they are actually UNDER PRICED and worth more than the asking amount. I think that if someone were to actually HOLD one of your knives and then look at the price tag, they'd whip out their credit card in a heartbeat.:thumbup:

Maybe a smaller show with more hands on time with the customers? You could keep them within driving range. I know there was a little bit of noise last month for a show in Louisville, KY. It was mostly geared toward surround artists, but I'm sure other makers made the drive. I didn't follow up on how it went, but I would be surprised if Mr. Hibben did not make the trip:thumbup:

Other than the website and ebay and youtube, I dunno. If I had any charisma at all, I would be more than happy to do a video review on my FB. :o As it stands, all I can do is recommend your knives to everyone I meet.
 
Steely_Gunz said:
I'm sure you'll be fine, Andy. :)

Obviously, those of us that know you know that they are actually UNDER PRICED and worth more than the asking amount. I think that if someone were to actually HOLD one of your knives and then look at the price tag, they'd whip out their credit card in a heartbeat.:thumbup:
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Boy, is that ever true.

Sometimes, late at night, I feel a bit of shame at how little I paid for my Woodsman.

....and my other Fiddlebacks.:o



[OK. Only a little shame.]
 
I might sound a little light in my loafers recommending this, but what about arts&crafts fairs? They're generally pretty cheap to sign up for, you might be able to split a table with someone, and you'd be surprised how many manly booths there are. I know a dude - pretty muck looks like Mr. Clean with a goatee, rides a Harley, and shares tables with some bitties he knows from the neighborhood to sell his BBQ and hot sauces. He does pretty well. Another dude that I know got his taxidermy business started that way, but now he's so busy from word of mouth and competitions that he doesn't need to advertise anymore.
 
Yesterday I emailed the Scott Antique Market. Lets see if they'll allow knives to be sold there.
 
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