Sprint runs!

[The Deacon]

See post about the world not being fair.....

In all seriousness, its not a perfect solution. However, I feel something needs to be done. Either Spyderco increases the run on the ones they KNOW are going to be highly sought after, or the big dealers limit it to one per customer. Either way, I just want one!

True, I've had my share of "sucks to be me today" days. And probably given others a few of theirs.

Problem with estimating demand is, I doubt that Sal's crystal ball works any better than mine. Who'd have guessed, after all the forum hoo-hah, that the BG-42 Military and D-2 Paramilitary would crawl off dealer shelves. Not to mention the Superhawk, built in response to a thread with over 2,000 posts and 100,000 views. Sold like hotcakes, week old hotcakes.

Paul

My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Kiwimania ---- Spydiewiki
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twisted up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam

 

[garnto]

Dude, what are you talking about? Do you understand the difference between buying and reselling purely for profit and buying and reselling because you are tired of the knife, have seen something else you like, or need to raise money for your wife's anniversary present? I dont know how else to explain it.

I understand the difference but I'm just not seeing the problem here. If you've got a problem with people buying and reselling for a profit then feel free to leave the U.S. there are a few communist countries out there that will still treat you fairly

note that I only feel this way about luxury items. a sprint run knife is in no way fashion or form a need. people who price gouge on gas and food during stuff like Katrina is just wrong

 

[JNewell]

See post about the world not being fair.....

In all seriousness, its not a perfect solution. However, I feel something needs to be done. Either Spyderco increases the run on the ones they KNOW are going to be highly sought after, or the big dealers limit it to one per customer. Either way, I just want one!

I bet they would (increase #s, when they could), but they don't (know which), at least not all the time. Some are easy to predict, I admit (S90V), others not (CPM-D2 Para flopped after CPM-D2 Military sold well). As far as the dealers go, it's hard to see why they would care at all? The thing I'd be worrying about, if I were a dealer, would be trying to avoid the horrible customer relations problems that resulted from the expectations:deliverable gap.

As far as wanting one...I've had several I've had to buy in either in the aftermarket at inflated prices or from SFO at MSRP. If you want it, you can get it. If you want it cheap, you just need to get on these early.

 

[jurisprudence]

Limiting number of orders per individual won't work for all the reasons cited above. However, a change in policy to prepay only on sprint runs would eliminate a crystal ball and deter speculation. Whether 600 or 6,000 are sold, it would not matter. Speculators that jump in early with several purchases would bear the risk that there may be a limited, if any, secondary market.

 

[JNewell]

Another possibility that might reduce "speculation" in sprints would be (pause) to simply stop pre-announcing them, thereby cutting off pre-orders. In the real world, that wouldn't necessarily prove much, either, though. The world is imperfect and unfair...

If I were running Spyderco, the continuing furor over sprints would get me thinking that I'm causing more trouble than doing good with sprint runs and I would just stop doing them altogether. It's a good thing that Sal sees things differently.

 

[pinetreebbs]

Another possibility that might reduce "speculation" in sprints would be (pause) to simply stop pre-announcing them, thereby cutting off pre-orders. In the real world, that wouldn't necessarily prove much, either, though. The world is imperfect and unfair...

If I were running Spyderco, the continuing furor over sprints would get me thinking that I'm causing more trouble than doing good with sprint runs and I would just stop doing them altogether. It's a good thing that Sal sees things differently.

Keep in mind there are not may people that buy up sprint runs to make a few dollars. There are a few more folks than that will gripe about distribution. Meanwhile, several hundreds of Spyderco faithful are enjoying their new purchase.

 

[DavidZ]

Another possibility that might reduce "speculation" in sprints would be (pause) to simply stop pre-announcing them, thereby cutting off pre-orders. In the real world, that wouldn't necessarily prove much, either, though. The world is imperfect and unfair...

If I were running Spyderco, the continuing furor over sprints would get me thinking that I'm causing more trouble than doing good with sprint runs and I would just stop doing them altogether. It's a good thing that Sal sees things differently.

Furor? What Furor? One guy whining on a forum because he can't get what he wants? Waaaaaaaaaaaaa!
So you would deny everyone else an opportunity because of this?
I would ask the OP one question -

What's it like to want?

 

[JNewell]

Furor? What Furor? One guy whining on a forum because he can't get what he wants? Waaaaaaaaaaaaa!
So you would deny everyone else an opportunity because of this?
I would ask the OP one question -

What's it like to want?

There were quite a few very vocal people on another forum.

My view: let Spyderco do what they prefer. I will adapt as energy, desire and finances permit. I prefer not to tell Spyderco what to do, and prefer that other people not do what they think is good for me. However, that doesn't mean that discussion isn't good, and this one has stayed pretty much on the high road.

 

[TX Archer]

What about someone who buys one to use and one to keep in mint condition as a collectible? How does that sit with this crowd? I've seen people mention doing this before, although not necessarily with sprint/limited runs. It may anger some people here but I'll go out on a limb and admit to doing something like this.

I bought two of the S90V/CF Para2. It wasn't because I planned to "flip" them and make a quick buck. My pride is worth much more than the $100 or so I could make by doing that. It was because I tend to have a "stockpile" personality. I found two, had the means to purchase both (at a marked up price), and did. I doubt I'm the only person who has thought of using one and keeping one in NIB condition. I can also be paranoid about losing one, having it stolen, loss due to act of god, etc. It wouldn't be easy to replace such a limited edition item. Ok, so I can be obsessive about things I really like.

I know I could be setting myself up for abuse but this is a good discussion. I'm a big boy and can handle the fallout if it contributes to the dialogue.

 

[DavidZ]

What about someone who buys one to use and one to keep in mint condition as a collectible? How does that sit with this crowd? I've seen people mention doing this before, although not necessarily with sprint/limited runs. It may anger some people here but I'll go out on a limb and admit to doing something like this.

I bought two of the S90V/CF Para2. It wasn't because I planned to "flip" them and make a quick buck. My pride is worth much more than the $100 or so I could make by doing that. It was because I tend to have a "stockpile" personality. I found two, had the means to purchase both (at a marked up price), and did. I doubt I'm the only person who has thought of using one and keeping one in NIB condition. I can also be paranoid about losing one, having it stolen, loss due to act of god, etc. It wouldn't be easy to replace such a limited edition item. Ok, so I can be obsessive about things I really like.

I know I could be setting myself up for abuse but this is a good discussion. I'm a big boy and can handle the fallout if it contributes to the dialogue.

Good for you. I support your position. You have every right to buy as many as you want! Congratulations. :thumbup:

 

[pinetreebbs]

What about someone who buys one to use and one to keep in mint condition as a collectible? How does that sit with this crowd? I've seen people mention doing this before, although not necessarily with sprint/limited runs. It may anger some people here but I'll go out on a limb and admit to doing something like this.

I bought two of the S90V/CF Para2. It wasn't because I planned to "flip" them and make a quick buck. My pride is worth much more than the $100 or so I could make by doing that. It was because I tend to have a "stockpile" personality. I found two, had the means to purchase both (at a marked up price), and did. I doubt I'm the only person who has thought of using one and keeping one in NIB condition. I can also be paranoid about losing one, having it stolen, loss due to act of god, etc. It wouldn't be easy to replace such a limited edition item. Ok, so I can be obsessive about things I really like.

I know I could be setting myself up for abuse but this is a good discussion. I'm a big boy and can handle the fallout if it contributes to the dialogue.

I'm good with that. Obviously you manage your money so you had the cash to buy a second knife, well done. :thumbup:

I wouldn't mind if you bought a dozen, it's your money. IMO, what escapes the folks that want to limit purchases is they are already self limited. In order to 'corner the market' on a sprint run you would need to invest a lot of cash. You have costs selling the knives and you may or may not make a profit. Perhaps they should buy up all the sprints and give them away?

 

[Finedges]

Ok BHump, after all that's been said.... Do you have any sprints on pre-order, pre-paid, anything like that, or are you waiting for everyone to buy theirs, post pics, rant about how awesome it is, and then decide that's what you want? Better get in now if there's something you like!!!

 

[TX Archer]

I'm good with that. Obviously you manage your money so you had the cash to buy a second knife, well done. :thumbup:

Actually, I should have stated it a little differently. Rather than saying that I "had the means", I should have probably said that "I had the cash at the moment." I probably shouldn't have done it but, as I said, I can be a bit obsessive. To be responsible, I should probably sell one but then we run into the whole original predicament again.

 

[pinetreebbs]

Actually, I should have stated it a little differently. Rather than saying that I "had the means", I should have probably said that "I had the cash at the moment." I probably shouldn't have done it but, as I said, I can be a bit obsessive. To be responsible, I should probably sell one but then we run into the whole original predicament again.

Don't be so hard on yourself, "cash" is much better than debt. In the future you might need some cash for an emergency. You will be able to avoid debt, because you have something you can easily sell.

 

[Klingsteve]

Why would you need to keep one in perfect condition (if you're not going to sell it)?

I dunno. I like to sometimes buy 2 of a really favorite knife in case something happens to my user version. Or I might keep one in my car in case I forget my main EDC for the day. I can see people buying multiples without the intention of flipping them.

But if that is the intention, I agree that it's a little piggish against those who might not be able to get our hands on one. However, this is America, so I'm glad no one is telling me how many of something I can purchase with my hard earned cash. Otherwise, I think that may be called Socialism or Communism or one of those "isms" and I for one wouldn't care for that all that much. :thumbdn:

 

[Buffalohump]

I was hoping to get one of the gray G-10 Para sprints but I think I missed out on that one too. The main reason I enjoy the sprints is the new steels. I have a lot of S30V so I'm pretty bored with it....I like to try new stuff. But I'm not losing any sleep over it. What will be, will be.

Ok BHump, after all that's been said.... Do you have any sprints on pre-order, pre-paid, anything like that, or are you waiting for everyone to buy theirs, post pics, rant about how awesome it is, and then decide that's what you want? Better get in now if there's something you like!!!

 

[RevDevil]

I was hoping to get one of the gray G-10 Para sprints but I think I missed out on that one too. The main reason I enjoy the sprints is the new steels. I have a lot of S30V so I'm pretty bored with it....I like to try new stuff. But I'm not losing any sleep over it. What will be, will be.

It's not even out yet, don't get ahead of yourself just yet,.

 

[shunsui]

I liked what they did with the Orange Military, just made more until sales started to drop. Of course, a lot of people were upset because they thought it was going to be only 600 knives or something. In any case, make some more if there's still demand.

 

[CharlesIV]

The more I think about it the more I think spyderco should drop the number of sprints to 100 and maybe some down to just fifty or twenty-five. And while they are at it put the price at around 400 per knife. Believe it or not this would stop all of the whining because the chances of you getting one would be so far out of reach you'd just be satisfied with a youtube video of one up close. It would also get rid of a lot of this pompous attitude that a lot of you seem to have with the whole "sucks for you" response towards people who dont live on these forums ask about a second run.

On the other hand it is kinda funny watching people get all wound up about something they truly could live without.

Play on!

 

[phillipsted]

This is a business for Sal and his dealers - and personally, I want them all to be able to make a reasonable profit. If they make a buck, then they will stay in business and make more knives.

For the Sprints, I like the "subscription" model. Have folks sign up ahead of time (sorta like a modified pre-sale process) and the level of interest would help Spyderco judge the size of the production run. This way, everyone who signed up ahead of time could get one if they wanted to commit (and pay) up front.

It would then be up to Spyderco to judge how many extra knives to make of each Sprint Run for the open market...

Just my $0.02.
TedP