UPDATE: Calico Forge - Andy Franco

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Arclightuk

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As of today it's been 11 days since Andy last replied to an email. Has anyone got any contact with him he has $533 of my money and refuses to answer me? I have no knives and no idea what's going on!

Hi

Has anyone else on here got an outstanding order with Andy at Calico Forge? Struggling to get a delivery date or update on knife status

Fully paid unfortunately...

Anyone got any feedback on wait times communication issues etc?

Thanks
 
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I won't beat a dead horse....................................................Fully paid order?????????????
 
How did that turn out.....................................LOL

Sadly, some do not care about their reputation, All they care about is pocketing some cash.

Hope it all works out and this is just another case of honest maker-poor communicator!!
 
wolfmann601 said:
How did that turn out.....................................LOL

Sadly, some do not care about their reputation, All they care about is pocketing some cash.

Hope it all works out and this is just another case of honest maker-poor communicator!!
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Thanks I appreciate that. Thing is I paid after I was told they were nearly ready. What else could I do?

I hope he comes through
 
6 weeks since payment was made for knives that I was told were nearly ready

Over a week since last contact. I have asked for a refund and suddenly all silent...
 
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Response to Arclightuk: You're not alone. I've had the same experience with this chump Andy Franco, Calico Forge Knife Company, Idaho. I'm attempting now to post an open letter to forum readers about Mr. Franco and the alleged scams he is pulling off on knife buyers and customers. I'm planning to file a complaint with the Idaho Attorney General, Consumer Affairs Division, Idaho. I've talked with others. Mr. Franco has an apparent scam system worked out whereby he accepts your deposit. Then he tells you your knife(s) is ready--please forward the balance payment. But, slick Andy does not want payment via PayPal or Visa. He wants cash or checks. Therefore, he does not have to pay those PayPal fees if your not satisfied. If the moderator allows me to print my experience with this chump, then you will see your experience is not an aberration. Peace, out. K. aka Knife Aficionado.
 
No disrespect, but what the poster is stating is how I interpret his experience--and what similarly happened to me with Mr. Andy "I got ya bread but not the knife" Franco. Andy Franco advises you to place a $50.00 deposit on your knife order. Most merchants do the same. Then Andy "I'm a slick MoFo" Franco sends you a confirmation email when your knives are ready to be shipped to you. Of course you have to pay the Seller or you don't get the knives. So the poster should not feel embarrassed. The one lesson learned is use PayPal or Visa/Mastercard in the future with all merchants. If a chump merchant or knife maker does not produce your ordered knives you then have recourse to arbitrate the rip off with PayPal or Visa/MasterCard.

For example, I've dealt mostly with reputable knife makers including the alleged scam artist Andy Franco. And, 99 percent of the time there is no problem with these merchants. It is scumbags like Andy Franco that becomes a lesson learned.

Hence, what is your advice when you want to order knives from an alleged reputable knife-maker. Do you hire a financial advisor and Brinks Delivery Personnel? I just received two knives from Dan Koster. I paid by check. Dan is the man and I had no problem. On the other hand, I generally try to pay with PayPal. But if the merchant is a devious SOB, what do you do when he advises you "my PayPal system is down." Yes, normally you arrange with the merchant an alternative means of payment. But due to the scumbag Andy Franco's of the devious world, you subsequently take that lesson learned and become less of risk taker. So I would tell Mr. Franco (if this was a video tape replay), "Mr. Franco as soon as you get it up (err, I mean your PayPal is working) give me a shout. Unfortunately, I've experienced flim flam men in the past and I'm a skeptic. I hope we can work out a reasonable payment mechanism."

On the other hand, it is easier to Monday morning quarterback and play the wise one. But, we've all been scammed in one way or another living in today's world. If you tell me your perfect and you've had no bad buying experiences, I say your a bold face liar!

Peace, out!

KnifeAficionado
 
Yep that's exactly what he did to me. Knives ready...oh but my paypal is down. I will
Get my money back. Anyone who has suffered this post here. I have contacted tactical life magazine where his article first appeared and they seem very interested In this knife scam
 
Arclightuk said:
Yep that's exactly what he did to me. Knives ready...oh but my paypal is down. I will
Get my money back. Anyone who has suffered this post here. I have contacted tactical life magazine where his article first appeared and they seem very interested In this knife scam
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Reply to Arclightuk:

Exactamondo! So, my friend when someone denigrates you or makes light of you being scammed realize that it happens to the best of us. Not all knife makers have PayPal or use Visa/Mastercard since they incur a fee for use of those services. As I noted above, we take risks and for the most part reputable knife makers come through. I dealt with Andy "My PayPal is down but Ima Clown" Franco based on recommendations, based on YouTube video reviews of his product, and based on Forum opinions herein. I undertook the same research with Dan Koster, et.al. As noted, 99 percent of the time there is no issue. It is that one percent that bites you in the derriere. Keep in touch. There is strength in numbers. When I obtain the proper authorities information in Idaho I will discuss with you providing a statement. I may even drop into his town and file a small claims suit. Unless he has skipped town which I doubt. The bite stings but you will get over it. Lesson learned for future purchases. P.S. I was not slamming any person on their opinions. Instead I'm providing an alternative answer and also indicating that it is easy to be scammed no matter how much research you do on a particular seller/merchant. Peace, out!
 
Arclightuk said:
Still no reply. Refund offered Saturday...then SILENCE! Ignores all emails.
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I suspect that we are not the only two who have been scammed by Mr. Andy Franco, Calico Forge Knife Company. Mr. Franco has a good game going with the Army Ranger brand. I found the information on the Idaho Attorney General's office. If you don't mind, I may use you as another example of fraudulent merchant activity. By the way, we have communicated on the Gmail thing. K.M.
 
Feel free to use me. I am happy to be a witness. I have proof the money was delivered. I have proof from my bank the money order was made to him. I have all emails between me and mr franco

Do you mean he's contacted you?
 
No, similar to you he has not contacted me. I've been busy with a few projects including writing to his references on his FaceBook page. I've also conducted an internet search on companies that use his product to sell to customers, e.g., Arizona Custom Knives (www.arizonacustomeknives.com. Email= sharptalk@arizonacustomknives.com). Fairly soon I will write reviews on various internet consumer websites like Scam Alert, Consumer Rip Off, and so forth. The nice thing about these consumer affairs reviews is that if any subsequent potential customers attempt to research this Andy Franco, the negative reviews pop up at the top of the internet search page. That may deter future customers. I don't want to rob a man of his vocation--unless that man is someone like Andy Franco who apparently is adept at robbing customers. More to follow.
 
Agreed I thought he was a decent guy. I see what you mean now WE ie me and you have chatted. Yes I thought it was you. I'm amazed more people have not come forward!

His knives sell on many sites. I could help compile a list
 
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