What Do You Look for in an Internet Knife Dealer?

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Gadfly22

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I have a lot of bookmarks for various knife dealers in my browser, but I tend to buy from only a select few. These are the factors I look for in an internet dealer in no particular order:

1. Price -- Not necessarily the lowest price, but a price that is not wildly out of line with other internet prices.

2. Selection -- I want to see offerings from a number of different companies.

3. Knife description -- I absolutely need to know blade length (imperial and metric are both fine) and weight but tell me as much as possible about the locking mechanism, the grip, the steel, the grind etc. The more info, the better.

4. Shipping choices -- I don't think I've ever opted for next-day service, but that option is nice, as is the choice between UPS and USPS. (I prefer UPS for the better tracking system.)

5. Stock -- I really really want to know if the item I want is in stock or not. I don't want to have to call to find out. And I don't want to find out that I've unexpectedly "pre-ordered".

6. Feedback -- Comments by owners of the knife I'm interested it can be very valuable (which is why this forum is such a good resource).

7. Acknowledgment and Status -- I like the emails I get acknowledging my order, letting me know the status and alerting me to the shipping and giving me a tracking link.

8. Website Navigation -- Make it easy for me to search, see the new stuff and find what's on sale.

What makes you buy from one dealer instead of another?
 
You pretty much mentioned everything i look for. I will also look for the sites contact info, where an adress and phonenumber should be listed.
 
I look for one who advertises here. 1) It makes things easy and 2) their support allows all of us to ask questions here like yours!
 
In this exact order:

1. Perfectly accurate descriptions of products & accurate photos... Amazon.com SUCKS at this! BOO!
2. Perfectly accurate stock lists... if it says "in stock" then it damned well better be in stock
3. Diligent and prompt email regarding order status & package tracking
4. Responsive customer service... good businesses always answer my question in 24 hrs or less
5. Huge selection. Specialists like Kershawguy are great... but they can't satisfty all cravings
6. Price = least of my concerns. Overchargers tend to go out of business anyway. <cough>LK<cough-cough>
 
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The "must haves" are:

- selection (I can't buy it if they don't have it)
- price (Powernoodle prefers to pay less rather than more)

honorable mention:
- real time in-stock numbers on the website
- fast, inexpensive or "free" shipping
 
In stock numbers that are accurate.

Also, if i send an e-mail I want to get it back in a timely manner. I don't want to wait two days to find out that the knife you had listed in stock is actually not in stock.
 
Pretty much everything you mention, Gadfly. I also like being able to call the seller and talk to him to tell him my expectations, and let them know they will get the knife back if I don't like the quality. I won't hold them responsible for my actual knife choice, but if I buy a $75 - $100 knife, it better look like one.

So far, so good. By accident, I found a couple of great guys to buy from, and they stand behind their products 100%. With that in mind, if they don't have what I want, I just don't buy. That being said, it is easy to find other vendors by searching this forum that have provided good service and price over the years.

Robert
 
Speed of delivery. If I order a knife and don't have it in three days I'll order from someone else next time.
 
dealers shoud know there shit...

not putting a benchmade 171 for sale, while there back order and only made in short batches, and can take months to become availeble again
 
I look for good pictures. True North Knives is an example of how its done right. Great lighting and up close and detailed pics at all angles.
 
As an international buyer all the above is important to me but I also value service and communication very highly.
It makes a huge difference when you can speak/mail an individual who takes care of you.
That is why I generally only deal with two Internet dealers.......Both very highly regarded on this forum.

Steven
 
Before anything integrity. If they do not display that I have no reason to be a customer, since there are so many folks who do display it.

I am forever amazed at folks who patronize dealers/makers who constantly display behavior that is at best poor compared to the vast majority of the makers and dealers in the knife community.
 
You have hit all the main points, but above all, customer service and knowlege of the product stand high with me. I don't even want to talk to a slaes person who does not know their product inside and out.
 
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