The Millie (Factory Second)

M

mysticlotus

Joined
Jun 18, 2007
Messages
489
Hello...

I've been a big fan of the Millie and I just snagged one off the 'Bay for about $80. However, when I received it, I noticed that it had a factory marked notch on the spine of the blade near the deployment hole, which means it is a *factory second*. The seller did not mention this to me... Did I get ripped off?

It's a basic Millie with satin S30V blade in combo edge and black handle.

The lockup is tight, no play whatsoever. The blade is perfectly centered when closed. However, the liner engages about halfway when opened (no play but the liner does look slightly warped out of plane). The edge is "dinged" or ever so slightly chipped(?) about a centimeter's length near the tip. It could be a burr... but I'm not sure. The pocket clip seems to be worn lightly... the majority of the black coating is still there; it's just a tiny bit worn around the edge of the clip. The seller said he lightly used it at home and never carried it, so how is this possible? Cosmetically, I found a light brown spot near the butt of the handle, but it came off after rubbing it.

EDIT: It is still shaving sharp out of the box. I didn't touch up the edge yet. I also don't have a camera with me right now to take pics, but take my word for it and try to imagine it as close to my description as possible.

He said he bought it "brand new" at a brick and mortar store in his local area for $149 and didn't know it was a factory second.

So... what's the deal here? Does it seem like he's telling the truth? Or did he intentionally lied to me to sell a factory second Millie? And do you fine folks in here think it was a decent deal?

I was planning to EDC and use this knife hard for the next several weeks, but I'm not so sure now. And I know that it isn't covered under warranty.

Thanks in advance.
 
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By the way... I'm also contemplating the idea of purchasing an orange Millie. Can someone direct me in the way of a excellent dealer with some in stock and for a very reasonable price? (Around $120 would be an ideal mark...) A dealer with USPS shipping option wouldn't hurt either....

email me at mystiktrance@gmail.com
 
I think New Graham is a good source but I'm not sure. Their prices tend to be more than reasonable. I'm not sure about the 'bay deal, but if it's still good for what you payed then I'd just keep it and use it as a beater. If you're displeased with the situation, I'd send it back for a refund. :)
 
It does seem like you got bumped but its not all bad, you did get a useable Millie for 80 bucks.
 
He lied. The only way for the brick and mortar to get it was either at the factory seconds sale or secondhand from someone who attended the sale. Spyderco does not sell them online or ship them to dealers.

It doesn't sound like the knife has any flaws that would bother me (apart from the combo edge ;)), but $80 sounds a bit high for a second. I'd probably send it back for a refund just on principle.
 
What Yab said, although if you're going to use it like he does, $80 for a piece of S30V isn't bad at all. :D
 
If it's a point of principle, you could send it back, but $80 doesn't sound bad for a really good beater. From your description, there isn't much wrong except cosmetic, and you won't remember that after using it a while.
 
Spyderco factory seconds are all functional knives, but they may have small (ex. barely noticable) cosmetic flaws such as a slightly uneven grind, or in your case, a small edge deformation.

Seconds are a great way to get a good knife to beat with and experience. The Q/C are pretty picky, so most of the seconds are just really good knives without any warranty.
 
I agree $80 for a great user is fair, especially for a Military (one of the best production folders ever made IMO), but I'd be curious whether the seller lied or was ignorant. The seller wasn't from Colorado were they? ;)

IMHO this isn't a knife matter as much as it's an eBay matter and the fact is, you were deceived either by design or by ignorance on the seller's part.
 
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Thanks for the input, everyone. I think I will just use it.

Reeek, he's from Rhode Island. I would like to believe it's just ignorance on his part... I checked out his (29 total) buyer and seller feedback on the evilBay and it appears he mostly buys cases for ipods and phones (along with a few car tuning parts).
 
If the price is too low on eBay there's a reason, most of the time.
I bought a said to be NIB Military, with serrated edge and 440V, with the 3 screw chromed clip for about 75 dollars shipped. When I got it it was in the wrong box and had some clip wear. He also shipped it first class and charged priority rate.
The blade was in new shape and the handle. I managed to find a new clip for it and kept it. Even though I don't have the box, it's just like new now and I got a good deal, even if the seller was a little rip-off punk. (I told him all about it and he argued he'd done nothing wrong, I wound up saying I'm glad you got a low price and let it go)
Now I look carefully at any seller's feedback and see before bidding if they sell many knives. If they don't sell many I don't bid as I think a lot of those type just casually get one, once in awhile and they don't really know what they are doing.
 
If they don't sell many I don't bid as I think a lot of those type just casually get one, once in awhile and they don't really know what they are doing.
Click to expand...

Actually, that type is usually the kind I get some good deals from, exactly BECAUSE they don't really know what they are doing.
 
Bohica1998 said:
Actually, that type is usually the kind I get some good deals from, exactly BECAUSE they don't really know what they are doing.
Click to expand...

You also get knives without the proper box and not in the condition described. I guess it can go either way.
 
You make a good point, Jill. In reality, I DO check carefully at every aspect of the seller and the item's description before bidding (e.g. seller ratings, item condition, shipping method, payment method, etc.)

He has perfect 100% feedback selling and buying... He even gave a nice long description about the condition of the knife. But what bothered me is that this Millie is a factory second, which means I'm quite irritated at the fact that either the seller didn't know or was withdrawing this information from me.

I'll take your advice and try to avoid bidding on those who aren't into/informed about knives and casually get one once in a while. I'll stick to buying from either major dealers or fellow forumites from now on...
 
Just ask the basic questions if you are bidding on knives then you have something to base a complaint on if it comes back not as described. I always ask the seller knife pertinent questions before I bid on a knife or do a BIN. Some may be specific to the knife brand and/or model and I always ask about the action and if the blade is centered when closed.

If it comes back contrary to the answer(s) from the seller you can't be an A-H by calling the seller on it.
 
$80 is a good price on that knife! It sounds like it is used as well though.....you can always sell it back on ebay.
 
Paypal has another option. You can file a complaint and ask the seller to agree to a price reduction since the advertised knife has more value than the second you received.
 
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