Website organization gripe

[Bob W]

And don't get me started on SMKW. Those guys have probably spent a million dollars on their website, and they still can't get the search and browsing features to work right.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

I was actually referring to some of the bigger dealers that sell modern folders and other assorted knife paraphanalia. My experience with Mike (Collector Knives) was excellent. I purchased 2 GEC Redneck Farm Tool knives when they first came out. The transaction was flawless, the website was easy to navigate and I found the item I needed right away. As a matter of fact, I ended up browsing and looking at a lot of other interesting pieces and learned about some that I had no idea existed. Mike, whatever you are doing, it works for me. I'd also like to thank you for a great transaction, I do look forward to buying more from you in the future.

Same experience here, but I bought one knife, not two. I wasn't aware of GECs inventory at the time, and had a fascinating evening going through all of the knives on the site.

I understand the op's frustration, just wanted to point out that,in the end, it worked in my favor.

 

[knifeswapper]

OK, since I took heat 45 days ago; thought it might be nice to get the OP to comment on the new site (btw, prices are gonna have to go up now )

 

[roninelh]

OK, since I took heat 45 days ago; thought it might be nice to get the OP to comment on the new site (btw, prices are gonna have to go up now )

I'm not the OP, and I didn't mind the old layout, but the new site is pretty nice! I use to just check the end of inventory page every few days. This is fantastic, and I like that you kept the early bird page and odd lots. Well done Mike! I loved your site before, this just makes it a touch easier to search.

Fantastic.:thumbup:

 

[FLymon]

Just checked out the new site Mike, looks good.

Big thumbs up for the "GEC by Pattern" search feature! Only thing I see about that right off is maybe include the name of the pattern along with the number?

Also when sorting the search results by "Newest Items" there seems to be no rhyme or reason to the order it puts the knives in. Specifically I was searching in " Home > Great Eastern Cutlery > Northfield Cutlery"

It will take some getting used to, but I applaud you on responding to some valid concerns from your customers, and trying to improve the experience.
Thanks!

 

[knifeswapper]

You can't really put a name on them, because a #79 may have three different names depending on the blade setup.
Newest Items for now goes by when I entered them, and it was all done manually (about 25 hours typing of it). Later it will start being more respective.

One reason that I have always known you have to be careful with trying to solve one persons problem.... I have already got more "critiques" of the new website shortcomings in 24 hours than I have of the old school website in 10 years. Doubled my overhead costs, put a full month of work in the migration, and have more complaints than before

 

[Bob W]

I like the new site a lot. Not only is it fast and easy to find a particular item I'm looking for, but to also efficiently browse and explore the entire inventory. :thumbup:

Big thumbs up for the "GEC by Pattern" search feature! Only thing I see about that right off is maybe include the name of the pattern along with the number?

With GEC products, the pattern numbers aren't mated to pattern names. "...GEC has multiple whittler patterns, and not all 89s are called Whittler."
So at the new site I entered "Whittler" into the search box (upper left hand corner) and the results showed every whittler for sale on the website, every GEC whittler model, and every whittler from every other manufacturer too.

The Advanced Search feature is absolutely amazing, better laid out and more organized than any other I've seen. Assuming I'm still looking for an 89 Whittler: Search box: Whittler. Brand name: No Preference. Browsing the Categories I selected "Great Eastern Cutlery" and then checkmarked "89". Clicked the search button and was quickly shown both of the Great Eastern Cutlery #89 Whittlers that are in stock.

That level of precision is outstanding. And people who want to simply browse all of the Great Eastern knives like at the old site, they still can. Enter
"Great Eastern" in search box and press enter. Shoppers can even Sort by Item to see the most recent releases.

I have already got more "critiques" of the new website shortcomings in 24 hours than I have of the old school website in 10 years. Doubled my overhead costs, put a full month of work in the migration, and have more complaints than before

 

[rma100]

My products are listed by Pattern or by Handle Material and I have a site-wide search function. And I sell all my knives at GEC Minimum Pricing.

 

[Bob W]

Bob and Mike,
I'm not sure what process Great Eastern uses to select and screen it's dealers, but whatever they do it works. They have the most reliable and most pleasant dealers on the web of any knife manufacturer. I've purchased from both of your websites in the past, with absolutely perfect transactions every time, and will undoubtedly do so again in the future.
Best wishes to you both.
-Bob Wick



My biggest complaint about all current GEC dealers, no one has Spear Point #15 Barlows in stock.

 

[rma100]

The #15 Spear Point Barlow was a SFO for Charlie Campagna and were not available to many Dealers.

 

[Bob W]

The #15 Spear Point Barlow was a SFO for Charlie Campagna and were not available to many Dealers.

Yeah, I realize that now. My "complaint" was entirely tongue-in-cheek. I've been drooling over those spear points since they first started appearing in forum conversations, but even by then they were long unavailable. I have managed to accumulate a few other GEC spear point models thanks to you, Mike, and others. :thumbup:

 

[FLymon]

You can't really put a name on them, because a #79 may have three different names depending on the blade setup.
Newest Items for now goes by when I entered them, and it was all done manually (about 25 hours typing of it). Later it will start being more respective.

One reason that I have always known you have to be careful with trying to solve one persons problem.... I have already got more "critiques" of the new website shortcomings in 24 hours than I have of the old school website in 10 years. Doubled my overhead costs, put a full month of work in the migration, and have more complaints than before

Wouldn't that same logic apply to the picture you chose for each pattern number?
Believe me when I tell you I know how big of a PIA it is to manage inventory on a website, I'm building a new one for myself as we speak.

Say someone is looking for a #54 "Big Jack", or maybe the "Whittler", or the "Cuban" and doesn't know the pattern number. They would see a "Moose" above the #54 on your site today.

There is no rule against having multiple #54's each with it's own name. In fact you wouldn't be the only GEC dealer that does it that way on their website, but yours would have pictures as well :thumbup:

 

[Modoc ED]

You can't really put a name on them, because a #79 may have three different names depending on the blade setup.
Newest Items for now goes by when I entered them, and it was all done manually (about 25 hours typing of it). Later it will start being more respective.

One reason that I have always known you have to be careful with trying to solve one persons problem.... I have already got more "critiques" of the new website shortcomings in 24 hours than I have of the old school website in 10 years. Doubled my overhead costs, put a full month of work in the migration, and have more complaints than before

You'll never make everybody a happy camper Mike. I've always been pleased with your site and although the new one was kinda a shock when I saw it yesterday, I'll get used to it within a couple/three days. Heck, I just may have to buy something in the next few days to try it out.

A very important thing to me is that you are a dealer that knows knives and can talk knives unlike one dealer I'm thinking of that said: "You must be careful with wd40 and carbon steel. wd40 uses a water based propellant and must be cleaned off of carbon steel immediatley after use.". Good grief!!!! Can you imagine that?????

Oh, you do have the lowest prices on GEC knives combined with your shipping program. Keep it up!!!

 

[rma100]

You'll never make everybody a happy camper Mike. I've always been pleased with your site and although the new one was kinda a shock when I saw it yesterday, I'll get used to it within a couple/three days.

A very important thing to me is that you are a dealer that knows knives and can talk knives unlike one dealer I'm thinking of that said: "You must be careful with wd40 and carbon steel. wd40 uses a water based propellant and must be cleaned off of carbon steel immediatley after use.". Good grief!!!! Can you imagine that??
Oh, you do have the lowest prices on GEC knives combined with your shipping program. Keep it up!!!

And I suppose you've never been wrong? For goodness sake give it a rest.
And I sell at GEC Minimum Allowed Price with Free Shipping Also.

 

[knifeswapper]

My products are listed by Pattern or by Handle Material and I have a site-wide search function. And I sell all my knives at GEC Minimum Pricing.

When I am picking my kids up from school, if my 10 year old daughter gets to telling a story that I am interested in - my 13 year old son may just blurt out something to get the spotlight moved and get some of that attention he needs. Don't know why I told that, just come to mind

LOL, you are trying way too hard Bob...

 

[rma100]

I paid my money Mike. I believe this an Open Forum?
What are you worried about? We're just discussing websites aren't we? I thought Forums were FOR discussion.

 

[knifeswapper]

It has nothing to do with rules or money. It has to do with etiquette. The thread sit here for 45 days, but somebody says something nice about your competitor and here ya come.
But you are welcome to poo poo on any thread you want to Bob. Personally I like your website and the fact that you sell for GEC Minimum Pricing. :thumbup:

 

[rma100]

I didn't look at the dates, my bad I guess. I was surfin the site and thought the discussion was about websites. The OP didn't mention names. I thought I would chime in. I don't know why you refer to my post as "poo poo"? The discussion was about organizing a website and that's all I commented on. I didn't "poo poo" anybody or anything. And I reference YOUR site frequently also. Lot's of good info.

 

[knifeswapper]

My apologies. If you start reading from the beginning and then get to today's post; maybe you will see where the misconception would come from. The OP was talking about my site, and although others were referenced 45 days ago; my bringing the thread back was solely about getting input from the OP. No harm, no foul.

 

[RevDevil]

And I suppose you've never been wrong? For goodness sake give it a rest.
And I sell at GEC Minimum Allowed Price with Free Shipping Also.

Bob, you are in my house now (not the Traditional forums). I'm going to ask you nicely one time to mellow out. Pretty please, with sugar on top if it makes you feel any better. Enough is enough cheese and rice.