The Value of the Hinderer Brand

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Locutus D'Borg

Locutus D'Borg

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Sometimes the money you pay for a high-end product includes intangibles. And the true value of a product is often in the service that accompanies it.

My wife accidentally threw away the world-famous "white box with peanuts" that came with my latest XM-18. I emailed Rob Orlando and offered to pay for another box, since they are often desirable in a trade or sale. Rob immediately replied that he would go ahead and send me one.

That is the sort of service that often goes unnoticed by those who complain about the high cost of a Hinderer knife. I very much appreciate Rob's response personally, but I wanted to mention it publicly. For those who are considering the purchase of a Rick Hinderer product, please know that there are intangible benefits that come with the purchase.

Consider this a public endorsement of the Rick Hinderer brand, from an owner and loyal customer. Thanks, Rob.
 
I guess everyone's priorities are different. Glad to hear they took care of you so nicely.

I'm not sure if a service that cost the company virtually nothing, and essentially serves only those reselling (collectors) over users is enough to recommend a company to me.

Certainly nice of them to send it gratis, but does that extra $3 box, really make up for the difference in cost? I'll grant that it would represent more money in a resale, but again, for a company that supposedly makes hard use knives for emergency service personel (who rarely make enough to afford knives in this price class for actual hard use), that seems a bit odd to worry about something that only matters to the collector market.
 
To me, it is not the cost of the box, but the responsiveness of a Hinderer rep that struck a chord. I am an old man. I have had so many negative experiences with companies, even high end ones, over the years that even what amounts to a gesture means a lot to me. It tells me that the company cares about the customer experience. For me, that is a priority. It tells me that if they care about the little things, they are more likely to care about the bigger ones. YMMV.

liamstrain said:
I guess everyone's priorities are different. Glad to hear they took care of you so nicely.

I'm not sure if a service that cost the company virtually nothing, and essentially serves only those reselling (collectors) over users is enough to recommend a company to me.

Certainly nice of them to send it gratis, but does that extra $3 box, really make up for the difference in cost? I'll grant that it would represent more money in a resale, but again, for a company that supposedly makes hard use knives for emergency service personel (who rarely make enough to afford knives in this price class for actual hard use), that seems a bit odd to worry about something that only matters to the collector market.
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liamstrain said:
I guess everyone's priorities are different. Glad to hear they took care of you so nicely.

I'm not sure if a service that cost the company virtually nothing, and essentially serves only those reselling (collectors) over users is enough to recommend a company to me.

Certainly nice of them to send it gratis, but does that extra $3 box, really make up for the difference in cost? I'll grant that it would represent more money in a resale, but again, for a company that supposedly makes hard use knives for emergency service personel (who rarely make enough to afford knives in this price class for actual hard use), that seems a bit odd to worry about something that only matters to the collector market.
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It's interesting that you see someone's positive post as an opportunity to bring up things that you see as negative. My mother taught me that if you don't have something nice to say to say nothing. Hinderer Knives have not changed the price of the XM-18 since it was introduced almost ten years ago. I know many, many firemen, policemen and other first responders that see the value of an XM-18 and have purchased one or more. While my opinion matters just about as much as yours, I will say that the XM-18 represents one of the best combinations of value and quality in the custom/production knife market.
 
Hammer - I wasn't trying to derail the thread, or bag on Hinderer - just trying to add some perspective to counter some of (what appeared to be) fan-boy posting (true of many brands, but Hinderer's seem more vocal than many). A company sending a $3 box for free - especially given the cost of a Hinderer, isn't an example of service worth crowing about, for me. It *should* be the norm. Kudos to Hinderer for service living up to what all higher end production knife companies should be doing as a matter of course.

Locutus followed up with a very good point about what that represents to him, and I happily agree with him.
 
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I have experienced Hinderer's second to none customer service a few times, ranging from a simple screw to an out of the norm request, and they have never failed to exceed my expectations.
 
Hammer said:
I will say that the XM-18 represents one of the best combinations of value and quality in the custom/production knife market.
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I'd agree with you if I could buy an XM-18 at factory pricing. Unfortunately, I don't qualify to do business with the factory. So even though Hinderer service and quality may be unsurpassed, for me at least the value argument rings hollow.
 
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It was nice of the Op to share a story illustrating what he feels is a show of good service and while He did happen to mention the topic that always seems to bring people out of the woodwork (namely secondary market pricing).....
This thread IS NOT an opening to debate that issue nor is it an invitation to troll a thread.

Thank you Locutus for sharing a story that for ALL who know Hinderer and specifically - Rob ....can Appreciate the sentiment.

Oh, and btw - Hammer's Mom and mine are from the same Old School.;)
 
Thanks, RubiconSS, and I regret opening the secondary market issue, which I had no intention of doing.

RubiconSS said:
It was nice of the Op to share a story illustrating what he feels is a show of good service and while He did happen to mention the topic that always seems to bring people out of the woodwork (namely secondary market pricing).....
This thread IS NOT an opening to debate that issue nor is it an invitation to troll a thread.

Thank you Locutus for sharing a story that for ALL who know Hinderer and specifically - Rob ....can Appreciate the sentiment.

Oh, and btw - Hammer's Mom and mine are from the same Old School.;)
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bld522 said:
I'd agree with you if I could buy an XM-18 at factory pricing. Unfortunately, I don't qualify to do business with the factory. So even though Hinderer service and quality may be unsurpassed, for me at least the value argument rings hollow.
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I think they are a good value even at retail. I think they are a very exceptional value at wholesale and for them to service retail customers is above and beyond what is expected. Kudos from a "fanboy".
 
franzdom said:
I think they are a good value even at retail. I think they are a very exceptional value at wholesale and for them to service retail customers is above and beyond what is expected. Kudos from a "fanboy".
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Actually, they don't sell wholesale. Their retail is the $385 for first responders, and even their retail price at blade shows. The 700+ is secondary market value. i am sure you know this, just sometimes terms get mixed up.

I recently purchased my first xm-18 at secondary prices, and it was worth every penny I paid.

I think the discussion on them only selling to LEO/military is a null point. Even if they sold direct to civilians at the same price, the demand still out weighs the supply. So the secondary market prices would still be much higher then retail, because they are not large enough to accommodate the high demand for their knives.

I know I am new to hinderer, but from my understanding Rick still sharpens every knife that leaves his ranch. Do I want to sacrifice that kind of dedication for them to ramp up production and possibly give up the quality? No way.
 
Sorry, Rubicon. I wasn't aware that BF members were not supposed to discuss secondary market pricing for XM's in the Hinderer forum nor are there any stickies that caution folks against doing that. Perhaps you'd consider posting a "do's and don'ts" sticky so people don't inadvertently cross a line they don't know exists. I, of course, will honor your request not to discuss secondary market pricing here again.
 
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I thought I was fairly clear in post #10.

What I find odd is... any thread in this forum that even remotely alludes to the topic immediately brings 10-17 people into the fray.

Back to the foundational topic of the thread and the jist of the Op........
 
The other day at work I was having a conversation with a fellow staff member about how you can't buy class. You either have it or you don't.
 
Lo/Rez said:
The other day at work I was having a conversation with a fellow staff member about how you can't buy class. You either have it or you don't.
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Before you get all Luann on us, here is some class I frequently buy and not just any class, FIRST CLASS!








product_1718_large.jpg
 
Thanks for sharing your experience Picard :thumbup: Good to hear.
 
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RubiconSS said:
I thought I was fairly clear in post #10.
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You were. That's why I didn't post anything concerning pricing beyond #9. But for the sake of people like me who don't know what the rules are, don't want to have to search for them in obscure threads, and don't want to be accused of being a troll, what objection would you have to posting a rules thread as a sticky at the top of your subforum? You wouldn't be creating a precedent by doing that. For example:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...BEFORE-quot-Posting-On-The-Busse-Combat-Forum

Granted you may not need to get as tough as Jerry did, but you get the idea.
 
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