Recourse?

[Gary W. Graley]

I hope there is someone out there that can help, I have a knife on order with a parttime maker, the time frame is reaching towards 3 years now and I can't reach him by phone any longer. He is out of state from me, I live in PA and he lives several states away, used to be Ohio but has since moved. I mailed him 2 money orders one for 250 the other for 50 to have a custom butterfly knife made. He had made a nice tanto in the past for me and seemed to be OK, but real slow. Since I can't get him to reply to my numerous letters and the length of time its been, is there a way to take him to small claims court without costing more money? I don't want to spell out his name on a post, yet. But beware of those parttime makers, and I realize it's a two edge sword when it comes to a transfer of goods, money for knife and vice versa. Both sides are probably nervous at the outset until they get to know each other. I thought that this guy was on the up and up.

Thanks,
G2

http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Cabin/7306/blades.html

[This message has been edited by Gary W. Graley (edited 06 April 1999).]

 

[Les Robertson]

Gary,

First I understand your frustration.

Secondly, dont come on this forum and make a comment like "beware of those part-time makers".

If you have a complaint about a particular maker, then have the fortitude to state their name. Dont slam the person just state facts.

There may be a reason this person has not responded and they may read your post. Or someone may know the person and can put you in touch with them.

You ask for help from this forum, but so far will not help other fellow custom knife buyers. By doing a simple act as telling who this person is. This would make the prudent man believe that you may have something to hide.

Yes, there are several recourses available to you.

Yes, you will have to spend money to get the individual in small claims court. However, you can recoup your expenses as part of the settlement.



------------------
Les Robertson
Robertson's Custom Cutlery
http://www.robertsoncustomcutlery.com/rcc/makers.shtml
It is easier to get things done with a kind word and a knife, than with a kind word alone!

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Thanks for your thoughts and advice, I rescind the comment about parttime makers, that was foolish and ill said.

No, I don't have anything to hide, I was attempting to protect this fellow's name, he would know by my name on this post if he reads it.

The small claims court system, how would they work an out of state issue?

Thanks and apologies to any offended,
G2

[This message has been edited by Gary W. Graley (edited 16 March 1999).]

 

[RJ Martin]

Gary: Thanks for your comments. As a part time maker, I realize that it is somewhat more difficult to schedule precise delivery dates, and that is exactly the reason that I don't ever take deposits. It protects both the customer and me, should something come up that causes a delay. When business transactions don't go as promised, there is nothing wrong with presenting the name of the other party-at least you'll be able to advise others before they find themselves in the same situation.

Good Luck,

RJ Martin

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Thanks RJ, I really liked your seminar at Ashokan this year, in fact it prompted me to create a rather large Tanto, traditional point, of A2 steel with cord wrapped stingray and epoxy coat. Unfortunately for me, I mixed up the devcon? epoxy in a small cup and stirred it up, as I started applying the epoxy the cup got REAL hot and then the epoxy started setting up and as I drew the brush away from the handle I started to get spikes, much like how frost on a window starts rapidly spreading out, boy was I scared that I screwed it up, but it turned out OK, the epoxy was on a little thicker than I planned. A fellow here where I work uses the epoxy and says he had the same thing happen to him, since then he mixes it up on a flat palette so it is a thin layer and brushes it on from that. The epoxy was the 30min variety.
I got a strip of stingray from David Goldberg, bright red; the chisel edge really cuts!

Your knives looked and handled Great! I'm thinking of getting a neck knife from you in the near future. Keep up the excellent work and thanks for your help.
G2

 

[tom mayo]

totally agree with les....we need his name, if he is in business selling knives someone must know him....that is first...and second someone must know how to get in touch with him....unless he is dead...have you thought of that...or maybe he has some rad disease and cant work...otherwise he needs to cough up your knife or your money...ps..most knifemakers are part time...the ones that arent...many of them..are retired with their houses paid off and another income...making knives for a living full time is not an easy way to go.....unless your last name is loveless.....many of the ones i know have a wife that has a very good job....

[This message has been edited by tom mayo (edited 13 March 1999).]

 

[Gary W. Graley]

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[This message has been edited by Gary W. Graley (edited 10-08-2000).]

 

[Hammer]

Gary I'm glad you decided to let us know his name. I gave him a fifty dollar deposit for a knife about four years ago. I never heard from him again and as far as I know he never returned to the Dover knife show. I tried repeatedly to contact him to no avail. Just figured I learned an expensive lesson about giving deposits. I won't do it again.It's just a damn shame that my first experience with a custom maker had to be a bad one. Maybe he lost all his records in the move (well it could happen).I hope other folks considering his method of doing business will also remember our experiences. Of course we may not be indicative of his customer satisfaction rate. Mike K.

 

[tom mayo]

did you send him money thru the mail? mail fraud is a federal crime...and those feds..they just dont have a sense of humor.. if youre really bummed talk to your local postmaster.....but first tell the jerk you goiing to and get your money back....