proxy buying

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tinfoil hat timmy

tinfoil hat timmy

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Dear hogs,

Who has ever BEEN a proxy buyer? How do you like the situation to be handled by the person asking you to buy for them? This is in reference to actual funds, shopping list, etc. Any horror stories about what not to do as someone asking for your help?

Who has had the help of a proxy buyer? What would you recommend for someone looking for a set of eyes and ears at say, knobb creek coming up?

Thanks guys and gals. You're great.

Take care!
 
tinfoil hat timmy said:
Dear hogs,

Who has ever BEEN a proxy buyer? How do you like the situation to be handled by the person asking you to buy for them? This is in reference to actual funds, shopping list, etc. Any horror stories about what not to do as someone asking for your help?

Who has had the help of a proxy buyer? What would you recommend for someone looking for a set of eyes and ears at say, knobb creek coming up?

Thanks guys and gals. You're great.

Take care!
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I can't make it there (so feel free to stop reading ;)), but just some general thoughts on proxying if it helps:

I've acted as a proxy before just not in terms of Busse buying... Unless I have a working business relationship with the person, I'll usually put an affordable cap on what I'd be willing to spend on their behalf (just in case), and often times will only buy something that I wont mind keeping if it came down to it (again just in case).

It's much easier to do if the proxy is local to the event, shop or site and it doesn't cost an extra fee to get there... a lot of times, prices are cheaper at events, but when you have to pay for travel, hotel, and show tickets to purchase an item, the item itself has to take an appropriate mark up to account for it. Maybe it's a small percentage or maybe it's a few bucks for their time- whatever you agree to. I guess my point is- a proxy online, when all it costs is an email on your behalf, is a little easier to source than a proxy at an event that requires funds to attend so I wouldn't expect 1:1 Busse pricing.

That said, my advice is- try to deal with someone who's going anyway, ideally local- whom you have bought and/or sold to/from if possible. That should keep your cost down as much as possible. Also, it will depend on what/how much you want, but let's say you want to spend $500-1k, see what they can lay out and paypal payment half to all of that ahead of time. Have the proxy give you an invoice after they pick up what you want and then they ship to you (along with any potential refund via paypal).
 
But in a straw sale, there are legalities involved. I wouldn't mind having someone buy knives for me; I just don't figure anybody would do it--at least, not for less than they could buy it and sell for profit.
 
It would be tpugh venture for me to involve myself in - as a buyer or seller....because I wouldn't be handing over $500-$2000 to somebody I only know from some posts on a forum, and asking them to go shopping for me. By the same token, I wouldn't expect somebody that has only that same relationship with me to make the purchase without that money in hand. Even if we got past that part, I tend to be pretty specific about what I want; and wouldn't want my money being spent on anything different without my approval. Then there are the what ifs...What if the knife was damaged, lost, or stolen before it gets to me? I've likely paid in advance (at least 50%, if not fully); so my money is already gone. How many middlemen are going to step up financially in that instance?
 
hhmoore said:
It would be tpugh venture for me to involve myself in - as a buyer or seller....because I wouldn't be handing over $500-$2000 to somebody I only know from some posts on a forum, and asking them to go shopping for me. By the same token, I wouldn't expect somebody that has only that same relationship with me to make the purchase without that money in hand. Even if we got past that part, I tend to be pretty specific about what I want; and wouldn't want my money being spent on anything different without my approval. Then there are the what ifs...What if the knife was damaged, lost, or stolen before it gets to me? I've likely paid in advance (at least 50%, if not fully); so my money is already gone. How many middlemen are going to step up financially in that instance?
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That's why I suggested a transaction via paypal... for the 3% fee you basically get the buyer protection towards protecting your money. To your point though, now the responsibility is on the proxy, and if something goes wrong they are then responsible for refunding the original buyer's money. Also why I said you need to have someone you have a good standing relationship with (ie beyond a few posts on a shared board).

It is an unlikely proposition (certainly depending on what and how much), but not impossible. Agreed on the being picky part... you'd need a very specific list or else someone that you know has identical taste to yours.
 
358 said:
But in a straw sale, there are legalities involved. I wouldn't mind having someone buy knives for me; I just don't figure anybody would do it--at least, not for less than they could buy it and sell for profit.
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FYI....A "straw deal" is against many laws. That's something you don't want to do if you value your freedom....
 
SauerSig said:
FYI....A "straw deal" is against many laws. That's something you don't want to do if you value your freedom....
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Only if the person you're buying the item for can't legally buy it themselves, otherwise a straw deal is legal.
 
It really depends on the relationship you have with that person. Personally, I'd feel uncomfortable asking someone who I don't entirely trust and/or if that someone didn't entirely trust me. I recently asked Trevor (KnifeHunter) to proxy for me and the awesome guy that he is -- he gladly accepted (wasn't cheap too). However, Trevor knows that he and his family are always welcome to stay at my place if they ever visit Los Angeles. We also have business discussions and we stay in touch. The point I'm trying to make is that if you ask people to proxy for you when you don't really have any relationship with them -- not only is it risky, but it's a little rude. The reason why I think it's rude is because you're putting good people in an uncomfortable position where they might feel obligated to help you out because of their good nature when in fact the person asking for a proxy hasn't done anything for the person they're asking this big favor from. Moral of the story is don't be douche, don't put people in an uncomfortable position by taking advantage of their kindness, and don't feel entitled to have people go through the financial risk and hassle of helping you out when you haven't done anything for them. This is of course just my opinion and granted -- I'm really big on consideration, kindness, and respect. However, as always --- to each their own.
 
tinfoil hat timmy said:
Dear hogs,

Who has ever BEEN a proxy buyer? How do you like the situation to be handled by the person asking you to buy for them? This is in reference to actual funds, shopping list, etc. Any horror stories about what not to do as someone asking for your help?

Who has had the help of a proxy buyer? What would you recommend for someone looking for a set of eyes and ears at say, knobb creek coming up?

Thanks guys and gals. You're great.

Take care!
Click to expand...

I've been on both sides of this coin, a few here have done me AWESOME favors...I will not name names, but they know how frikkin' cool they are already. :cool::thumbup:


RULE #1. The proxy is doing you a huge favor. Don't make your proxy regret it.
RULE #2. Refer to rule #1. ;)
RULE #3, Your proxy is there for him/herself FIRST, you second. They went through the hassles of getting there, you didn't. :)

Not saying this is the only way, just saying that this is how I prefer to handle it.

If being proxied for... I communicate with my proxy, ask this person to try landing a certain custom or customs already photo'd, or a model/models/variants, etc. in several specific combos (if available) for a wider choice, better chance, etc. I call Lexi (Busse) and explain what's up and provide CC info. I ask my proxy to grab what can be got, and just hand them over to the Crew to put aside for Jaxx (me, LOL). That's it for the proxy's role and now they can forget about it and enjoy the rest of the show. Garth & Crew take 'em home, bill me for immediate payment, and ship. It's been a while, so Garth or Lexi may want to chime in here and give an official yea/nay on whether that is still an option.

On the other end, same deal. I don't want to handle the money, not looking for a piece of the action anyway, so why? ...And I don't want to be responsible for them. Especially if I'm flying. Don't want to find out that your knife just got snagged out of my checked bag by some baggage handler, and now I'm out the money. Ya know? ;)

Basically, make life easy for your proxy. The easier, the better. If Busse is willing to go-between, I'd say let 'em...better for everyone. A good bottle of scotch doesn't hurt either. Not for me, hate the stuff...but it can open doors, just sayin'. ;) :D:D

Good Hunting! :)
 
So umm Jaxx --- I'd like to get my hands on 20 Custom MOABS --- you got me covered right? I'd also like to pay you in installments over 4 years --- you still got me though right bro???? You got my shipping covered too with full value package insurance -- right???
 
Rob_Mob said:
So umm Jaxx --- I'd like to get my hands on 20 Custom MOABS --- you got me covered right? I'd also like to pay you in installments over 4 years --- you still got me though right bro???? You got my shipping covered too with full value package insurance -- right???
Click to expand...

Yup, all good. Wait til you see the handling fee...4 years x usage, they'll all be well broken in for ya. ;):D
 
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