Question about paying for Spyderco clips

[kbuzbee]

No problem. Actually, that clip convert you did is one I've never seen.

Well, it was easy. And at my skill level, that's important.

A lot of people go for the tip down/deep pocket STR carry. It's nice, but it's just not me.

They do! I've never experienced one but they look great.

It's not that I don't like your mod, love it in fact, but I just like a little more to grab onto.

Thanks!:thumbup: Yeah, I get that (per our other discussion on the Dodo) but this one still leaves plenty enough for me.

Ken

 

[spyderHS08]

Just ordered a caly 3/ukpk clip set, somethin like 6.95. I have no problem paying for this since i wanted an extra and there was no problems w/ the original clip

 

[Fred Sanford]

David,

I don't really understand your first post. You say:


Then:


OK, so far I am with you. Then:


You lose me there. If it you have no problem with paying when you want an extra clip or you have damaged one, and you get free clips from Warranty and Repair if there was a defect in the knife, what is the problem?

I don't know if Kershaw hands out free clips to anyone who asks for one, basically passing them out like Santa with candy at Christmas, but I do know that I used to deal with Benchmade on a law enforcement basis and their warranty and repair were--well, out of respect for Sal's "shiny footprints" philosophy, let us just say I was not as satisfied as I have been with Spyderco. I have been a law enforcement representative/dealer purchasing Spydercos for the use of Special Agents in my organization since before Kristi worked for the company. I have purchased thousands of dollars worth of Spydercos. I've done single orders well into the four figure range, even with the dealer discount. I recommend Spydercos to law enforcement and have done videos promoting the use of Spydercos in a martial arts/self-defense/law enforcement context. I put photos of Spydercos in a recent magazine article I wrote, and discussed some Spyderco products, including the Lava, in two other magazine articles (one of which is still pending publication). Even after all of that, if I mess up a clip through my actions, like the time I literally bent the clip on a black Yojimbo into a U when it caught on the door of an SUV I was bailing out of while wearing tactical gear, I fully expect to pay for it. In that instance, Spyderco did not charge me, because Kristi was being nice and thought the complete story regarding the incident was pretty funny (not as funny as the time a SWAT Chevy Suburban ran over a Spyderco--don't ask), but funny. I expected to pay and would have had no problem if Spyderco did not show me "professional courtesy."

I know that Spyderco does a lot of business with law enforcement and the military. I also know, from personal experience, that the average soldier, sailor, agent or cop can break an anvil with a glass hammer. I've seen new gear squeal in fright just from having some new rookie look at it like he was going to use it hard. Spyderco does an awful lot of "warranty work" on knives that really have been abused, and eats the cost of some repairs and replacements when it is not really necessary to honor the conditions of the guarantee. The company goes beyond the norm and beyond what it has to do, simply because the people who own and work in the company care about their customers and respect and help out those who serve and guard the public. So they won't always hand you a free clip? Who cares? I don't expect to go to the GMC dealer and say, "Hey, I am afraid I am going to mess up the shiny chrome lug nuts you put on my new Yukon, how about you give me eight or ten free so I can replace them if I want?" I don't expect Spyderco to pay for my mistakes or my desire for spare parts either.

So, what is the problem here?

KaliGman,

I guess I don't understand what you don't understand.

Here is what I wrote (I snipped the beginning and in my original post I did state exactly what my question was):

...My question is this: Did someone or everyone start taking advantage of getting clips free or something and ruin it for the rest of us? I ask because anytime I have needed a clip from Benchmade or Kershaw they send the clip out no questions asked and I'm not charged anything.

Was Spyderco losing money like crazy or something? Anyone have any guesses here?

I'm not bitching.......I'm actually just wondering. Seems different. I can remember a time when they would just send me clips back around 2005 or so with no charge. Most of the time though now they charge you no matter what it seems.

Ideas?

Notice at the bottom it says "I'm not bitching......I'm actually just wondering."

It's not that I'm complaining because Spyderco charges for them and some other companies don't. I simply wondered why. Spyderco doesn't have to answer me. As I stated twice in my original post I see nothing wrong with paying for the clips if it's a problem caused by me.

I'm pretty sure that certain people were taking major advantage of the free clips and Spyderco had to put a stop to it.

Yesterday I was on call and was called into work at 4:50am and wasn't in the mood to answer this question so that's why I'm answering your question today about my question.

Does that help?

 

[zenheretic]

I was recently told by a person who works at a home-improvement store that they are going to start charging for the metal paint-can openers that have been free for as long as I have been buying paint. I don't think Spyderco is alone in charging for something that once was free.

Unless they are getting the clips for free, why should they give them away? Or, stated another way: any "free" clip you get just means the next knife you buy will be priced high enough to cover the costs involved with providing "free" clips. I'd rather just pay for what I get, as opposed to subsidizing the free clip club.

Even though I move with all the grace of an English Bulldog running to his chow bowl, I've never managed to mangle a clip beyond what a pair pliars could fix. I too only want to pay for what I get and not help furnish a Spyderco clip welfare program for folks to switch out the purty variances.

 

[Masteroffajitas]

Yeah, I don't know who I talked to but they are very nice at spyderco. They said they'd sent the scip screw the next day, it was sent from Golden on the 17th, so It should be here saturday.

 

[zenheretic]

Yeah, I don't know who I talked to but they are very nice at spyderco. They said they'd sent the scip screw the next day, it was sent from Golden on the 17th, so It should be here saturday.

I'm always impressed on how they fit the stamp on that tiny screw.

 

[KaliGman]

KaliGman,

I guess I don't understand what you don't understand.

Here is what I wrote (I snipped the beginning and in my original post I did state exactly what my question was):



Notice at the bottom it says "I'm not bitching......I'm actually just wondering."

It's not that I'm complaining because Spyderco charges for them and some other companies don't. I simply wondered why. Spyderco doesn't have to answer me. As I stated twice in my original post I see nothing wrong with paying for the clips if it's a problem caused by me.

I'm pretty sure that certain people were taking major advantage of the free clips and Spyderco had to put a stop to it.

Yesterday I was on call and was called into work at 4:50am and wasn't in the mood to answer this question so that's why I'm answering your question today about my question.

Does that help?

David,

First off, you can call me Jon--I moved to Ohio a few months back so we are almost neighbors now.

What I "did not get" in your post was the fact that you say you have no problem paying for clips if you want extras or if you banged up a clip somehow, but then state that Kershaw and Benchmade give free clips and that someone must have taken advantage of Spyderco since Spyderco does not give out free clips. I just don't see why it woud be a concern at all if you don't mind paying for a clip that is not repaired or replaced under warranty. It seems from the tone and nature of your post, that you do mind paying for clips.

If you were just griping about some people grabbing freebies and ruining something for everyone, that is fine, but it is just not the way I read the post. No worries either way--it's just a discussion between adults on the Internet.

Hey, those 4:50 AM callouts stink don't they? I just grabbed the chance to check out this thread again and post myself--I was out doing some street work and surveillance with my agents and my local task force. It is nice to get out from behind the desk, even if the hours are long and it is way too cold to be comfortable doing outdoor operations in northeastern Ohio.