River City Sheaths - rip off

D

Dan the Man

Feedback: +21 / =0 / -0
Joined
Jun 18, 2004
Messages
521
On July 20,2004 Mike Sastre of River City Sheaths e-mailed me in reference to my contacting River City Sheaths about making a sheath for a BM - 42.
The e-mail I received from him or someone using his name gave a price of $43 for making a kydex sheath with 2 belt fastners. I mailed a check to River City Sheaths on July 21, 2004. The check was cashed on July 29, 2004. I have received no responces to my e-mails or by calling the phone listing (513-868-9680) for River City Sheaths. No sheath, no replies to my queries. I sincerely hope that no one else get's ripped off.
 
Mike's got a good reputation here. A :rip-off?????

Harsh words, where's the evidence beyond your ability to contact him.

How many times did you call??
 
I have called the number at least 5 times (all you get is a recording) I have e-mailed him 3 times. I have the bank copies of my check which was cashed. I have received no replies at all. No explanation concerning a delay or time schedule construction. Nothing.
 
I've got to say that Mike makes the BEST kydex going.......... Maybe this is your first venture into the world of custom-made artifacts or dealing with small, one-man shops but I have learned, over 30+ years of collecting and so forth, that good things come to those who wait.

It's only been a little over 30 days since the check was cashed...........did you inquire about lead-times? Did you ask for a delivery date? I'm sure that Mike will get back to you and that you will be more than satisfied with the sheath when you receive it.

The best takes a little more time...........;)
 
But, if everything Dan the Man did was correct it's nice to know as a consumer how their customer service is. If you want business you should treat your customers with respect and keep them in the loop. And if they didn't return his repeated messages I know I wouldn't do business with them. Unless there were extreme extenuating circumstances, ie hospital, death, major internet problems.
I don't know either party but it seems like Dan is getting ganged up on because he wants to know about what he paid good money for. I don't think that's too much to ask. And if he did get burned and waits too long it's that much harder to do anything about it. Better safe than sorry.

my .02,

Oily
 
OilMan said:
Unless there were extreme extenuating circumstances, ie hospital, death, major internet problems.
Click to expand...

And how do we know there aren't................ :confused:

I don't think anyone is being 'ganged upon'. :rolleyes:
 
while mike sastre's work is well thought of ....there have been problems with delivery from mike sastre in the past...and a lack of communication..do a search

if you take money...provide the product or let people know why things are late
 
I often wonder why it is that some people get defended on this forum when they have terrible communication, take somebody's money sometimes months before they deliver the product and are horrible at meeting delivery dates, while others get roasted for doing the same thing.
 
Dawkind said:
...It's only been a little over 30 days since the check was cashed...
Click to expand...
ONLY a little OVER 30 days to make a simple kydex sheath? Who are you kidding??? A kydex sheath should be made, and out the door in a couple of weeks, tops...Unless he is GROWING his own kydex.:rolleyes:.
 
Whatever problems you're having with River City Sheaths, getting ripped off is not among them. Mike Sastre does not rip people off. His work is among the best. I trust him 100%. His work is in demand, he travels, he trains. There could be any number of reasons (being on vacation, traveling on business, equipment failure) that explain why he's not answering phones and emails.

Mike is a great guy, truly nice, who really knows his craft. His work is worth the wait.
 
Keith Montgomery said:
I often wonder why it is that some people get defended on this forum when they have terrible communication, take somebody's money sometimes months before they deliver the product and are horrible at meeting delivery dates, while others get roasted for doing the same thing.
Click to expand...

I concur..........
 
I think he can take the "wait", It's the "wonder" he's having problems with.

If you take someones money in advance you need to communicate things with them. If he's on vacation or whatever it would have been nice to send an email or something to waiting customers...

Now if it's death or health, that's definately a different story... But still, at some point you can break away for a few minutes and conduct proper business.


Neko2
 
Keith Montgomery said:
I often wonder why it is that some people get defended on this forum when they have terrible communication, take somebody's money sometimes months before they deliver the product and are horrible at meeting delivery dates, while others get roasted for doing the same thing.
Click to expand...

Because some are honest as hell, just horrific businessmen.

the others are dishonest as hell and horrific businesmen.

And there lies the difference and the reasons.......................:D
 
glockman99 said:
ONLY a little OVER 30 days to make a simple kydex sheath? Who are you kidding??? A kydex sheath should be made, and out the door in a couple of weeks, tops...Unless he is GROWING his own kydex.:rolleyes:.
Click to expand...

Now here is a fellow who cuts to the heart of the matter! Absolutely, Positively 100% Correct. That is REALITY :cool:
 
I've on two separate occasion tried to get my hell's belle sheathed in Mike's southern comfort rig and once tried to ask about the availability of some parts of sheath shown in photos on his website. I have never gotten any response from Mike, and this is after he opined that the leather sheath that came with the bowie is not safe enough for long term carry.

I have nothing against Mike and understand that his product is well thought of, but my experience is hardly an isolated incident. few years ago there were more than a couple threads on this forum (prob. in archive now) about the delay in delivery from Mike. add that to the communication delay, it is not confidence inspiring to say the least.
 
Hey guys..............it's 12:47 CDT...........

I just called and talked to Mike, what's the communications problem? :confused:

EDITED TO ADD: He's fully aware of Dan the Man's sheath order and it's being taken care of.

To answer some of the other questions posed:

Keith,

I am not defending Mike's lack of communication but I think it's pretty harsh to accuse anyone of being a blatant RIP-OFF on their 6th post.....

Dann,

I'm still waiting for Dan The Man to chime in here and tell us EXACTLY what he was told about delivery. He has been posed these same questions on another forum (http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2675122#post2675122) and has yet to speak to those........ Unless Mike gave him a reasonable delivery date, why did he send him the $$$'s????
 
I agree that it sounds more like a bad business practice problem than a ripoff issue,im sure you will get the sheath sometime this yr.I do know how you feel ive had dealings with good people here but they dont keep their word,they say they will ship a certain day then a week later they have the knife you sent and have yet to ship yours.From now on im not shipping anything until I have a delivery confirmation that my package is on its way.I take a mans word to be an iron clad agreement and do not take it lightly when its broken.Our word is what makes us men.
 
glockman99 said:
ONLY a little OVER 30 days to make a simple kydex sheath? Who are you kidding??? A kydex sheath should be made, and out the door in a couple of weeks, tops...Unless he is GROWING his own kydex.:rolleyes:.
Click to expand...
Absolutely correct. When it's your turn. So, are you suggesting that just because the check was cashed, that entitles you to jump the line? Are you saying Mike had nothing else lined up ahead of Dan, and should just drop everything to get out his sheath? Of course, this assumes Dan indeed sent in the bali along with the check (which we're still waiting to hear from Dan).

And even if it's delivered late, just how the heck can you justify calling it being "ripped off?" Mike's not gonna risk his well earned rep over $43. :rolleyes:
 
Keith Montgomery said:
I often wonder why it is that some people get defended on this forum when they have terrible communication, take somebody's money sometimes months before they deliver the product and are horrible at meeting delivery dates, while others get roasted for doing the same thing.
Click to expand...
What Ira said. No one is making you send your knives to Mike for a sheath. Threads like this will help people decide. And with 6 posts I guess Dan's still getting his way around the fourms and didn't know how to do a search to avoid this problem.

Me, I prefer to send it to Mike than to other Kydex makers. But that's just me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top