What to do?

Thomas W

Thomas W

Banned
Joined
Oct 11, 2005
Messages
5,710
So...here we are, just over a week before Christmas.

This week I posted about wannabe manufacturers copying our award winning designs, and coming to market prior to ours.

Customers have additionally been upset at what they consider long lead times with new products.

Due to these two situations, we've opted on not allowing First Look threads, and only showing products when we're ready to ship.

You all may have noticed that we used to have a bunch of giveaways, but it has been some time since we have put up any new threads sharing our products with our valued customers.

Mostly this is due to winner reactions once they receive their giveaway. More than once there were complaints about the product itself, or the time it took to receive their free knife. I was called names, and even had people claim to not buy our products again because of a giveaway. Its just got me to the point of not having them anymore.

I've opted to give random knives out to folks I simply feel like giving them to. So far it's worked well.

What's with all this fallout from good intentions turning bad? Are we reacting in a right manner with our decisions in theses cases?
 
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In regards to the giveaways.
Personally, I'd be happy as a pig in shhht to be getting a free kershaw product. A long wait before recieving it? WHO CARES, IT'S FREE!! FFS, are people not gratefull for things like that anymore?

I am personally dissappointed that we aren't going to get anymore first looks, but I understand your/your company's standing due to recent events.

Thomas, you contribute alot to the community and you are a great part of it, and I am thankfull for that.

Cheers to you my friend. I think you are making the right decisions.
 
Thomas, in regard to the giveaways some guys just don't appreciate anything. You guys are at the very top of production knife manufacturers when it comes to quality and customer service. It's probably a good idea that you will not show knives that are not ready to ship, some people just can not stand the waiting.
 
Tomas,

I for one would NEVER complain about getting a free knife!even if it did take a long time to get! I agree that you contribute a boatload to the Kershaw community here.

-Jake
 
I like giveaways.:)
You'll notice that I never said anything negative about the 0551 you sent me.
In fact, I still have it, and carry it quite often.:thumbup:

If it will restore your faith in humanity, feel free to send me a knife of your choice to keep it company.;)
 
stabman said:
If it will restore your faith in humanity, feel free to send me a knife of your choice to keep it company.;)
Click to expand...
Fine, for this one post only (within this thread), I'll grant your request. Addy please.

I'll let you know about the restoring faith in humanity part...
 
I still don't understand how people can turn their nose up at something that is being given to them. Any knife someone is nice enough to give to me is always appreciated. To me, its the thought and generosity that counts just as much as the product. Apparently, some people are too ignorant to realize that.
 
thomas w.- it only takes a few clowns to ruin things for the many of us who are dedicated kershaw fans. i don't post a lot but i'm on here everyday reading and learning about my favorite knife company. it's exciting to see the first looks, and it must be exciting for you to share your new stuff with us, but it's understandable that you can't show us what's coming up when there are leaches out there that will take your hard work, and innovative ideas and pass them off as their own. i can't believe anyone who wins a giveaway isn't grateful and appreciative of your generosity, much less complains about the prize. i say if you don't like it- send it back and stfu! or, if a knife you've gotten for free isn't right for you, hold your own giveaway and pass it on to someone who would enjoy it. keep up the good work- us true fans hang on your every word and appreciate everything you do for us.
 
Thomas W said:
So...here we are, just over a week before Christmas.

This week I posted about wannabe manufacturers copying our award winning designs, and coming to market prior to ours.

Customers have additionally been upset at what they consider long lead times with new products.

Due to these two situations, we've opted on not allowing First Look threads, and only showing products when we're ready to ship.

You all may have noticed that we used to have a bunch of giveaways, but it has been some time since we have put up any new threads sharing our products with our valued customers.

Mostly this is due to winner reactions once they receive their giveaway. More than once there were complaints about the product itself, or the time it took to receive their free knife. I was called names, and even had people claim to not buy our products again because of a giveaway. Its just got me to the point of not having them anymore.

I've opted to give random knives out to folks I simply feel like giving them to. So far it's worked well.

What's with all this fallout from good intentions turning bad? Are we reacting in a right manner with our decisions in theses cases?
Click to expand...

Thomas, all I'll say is thanks for all that you do on the forum and off. Its a pleasure to share the forum with the head honcho of an awesome company and many here, for some odd reason, take that for granted. I actually met you at Shot earlier this year and had an awesome time briefly talking knives with you. Take it easy and Merry Christmas man!

brandnewcolony

BTW, Im curious, Thomas what knife do you carry? Tilt?
 
Sad but true. Awesome design (and workmanship) keep me coming back to Kershaw - but makes it an ideal target for competitors to copy. You likely will never stop them - but it makes sense for you to protect your designs until after you are first to market. I do get a certain joy from the early unveilings (ie the 777). But - kind of like a crackhead - it really is the final product that keeps me coming back for more.

As an aside - every night when I log on, I go first to your member's page and see what new things you have posted. Guess I will have to change my routine... or not.
 
There will always be people who complain and are only happy when they are complaining about something, even when it's something positive. You don't want those people as customers anyway. F 'em. I really appreciate that Knockout I received from you for winning that contest you held a couple of months ago, and carry it often.

You're doing a great job Thomas, keep doing what you do and don't let the haters get you down.
 
I feel like Kershaw is trying to make the best of a screwed up situation. When you seriously have to worry about other supposedly honorable high end companies stealing designs out of spite and pettiness, you react how you have to. Unfortunately, these antics led to the community who loves the "first look" threads being punished indirectly since now Kershaw has to be tight-lipped about everything until they're ready to ship. The other problem is that as you say a lot of people get extremely irritated over long wait times for announced products. Unfortunately as you say it really is easier just to not show anything, and it's sad that this is true. I can't speak for everyone, but I think the majority of the people in the community really liked seeing what you guys were up to early on in the production process! I think it really gives a deeper understanding into just how much goes into the final product and helps build excitement. If anything, I thought some of the first look threads should have given the complainers the background they needed on WHY there was such a long time between the announcement and the release of a product.

On the subject of the giveaways, again it is sad that the point has been reached to make eliminating them the easiest option. I'm reminded of The Simpsons episode where Homer wins an "all expenses paid" vacation and ends up blowing it for refusing to pay a $5 baggage fee at the airport. Sometimes when you get something for free or gifted to you, you have to pay in other ways. I did some testing for an airsoft company for the last couple years and any time I was told something was coming in the mail it was always "as soon as possible." Sometimes that was a week or two, or in a couple of cases it was a month or two. I didn't care, I was receiving free product with the only condition being to go out and use it! I think I can say from personal experience that I just don't understand the griping over a free product. Now I can understand somewhat if someone had an issue warranty-wise with a product they received in a giveaway, but I'm forced to wonder why that would lead someone to swear off KAI products. So again, the giveaways are sorely missed by most of the community, but sadly you very well may be making the right choice if the giveaways just aren't worth it. Perhaps your new system will pan out better, where you can make sure product is going to someone who will appreciate it. And in my opinion, that's what Kershaw tries to do, they try to make a product for users who will appreciate it. So perhaps your new system is actually more in line with that philosophy?

Anyways, that's my overly verbose analysis of the subject. In a perfect world, neither of these things would be issues, but clearly they have been so it seems as if Kershaw is making the right choices here.
 
I'm an impatient guy, but even I wouldn't get upset about shipping time on a FREE KNIFE!!!
Like gettin' something for nothing then bitching for your money back.
I'm getting a ZT 0200 & a JYDII CB for Christmas (paid for), but if someone wants to send another for free, I won't complain....
even if it doesn't show up 'til March.
 
Thomas W said:
So...here we are, just over a week before Christmas.

What's with all this fallout from good intentions turning bad? Are we reacting in a right manner with our decisions in theses cases?
Click to expand...
I am relatively new here and to knives in general, but I will miss the "First Looks" and the other threads leading up to product launches that show protos and individual pieces early on in production. To be perfectly honest, though, I would say the reaction to these occurrences is perfectly understandable. Of course it sucks that it had to happen, but the response is justified, in my opinion. So, no hard feelings here, just pumped for the Cryo... (and other's too, just the Cryo fits my budget a bit better right now :o)
 
Thomas - while I regret the need you/Kershaw feel for "hunkering down" to avoid infringement issues and negative publicity from people who do not understand the complexity involved in bringing a new product to market, I applaud you for having the courage to come out and say why you're not going to be doing the early looks and giveaway contests as you have in the past.
I've seen several of your "drive by freebies" and most of the folks I've seen get a free knife have been pretty gracious about it and at least posted pictures when they get the knife.
In addition, I have th epre-production signature series Rake I won last fall in my pocket and it's one of the folders I frequently recommend in "what should I be looking at" type threads - not because I got a free one and "owe" Kershaw the free advertising, but because I've been very happy with the performance of the knife. (despite my preference for NON-A/O knives, this has been a solid performer - I love the CPM-D2)

best of luck to you and Kershaw in the new year. Keep going on as you feel best and I'm sure the positive karma will flow your way.
 
I think you are doing the right thing. In the grand scheme of things, it's your job to protect the companies interests, as well as be the face of the company on the forums. Guerrilla marketing by the other companies is a sad state of affairs.
I understand that's why Spyderco does not allow pictures of proto's, unless they are going into production soon.
It sucks ass that ingrates have complained about a FREE knife, and add insult to injury by saying they would not be customer after the fact?
I think you provide excellent customer service by communicating the companies plans and goals with us, and that shouldn't have to mean kissing ass or eating shit, especially for being generous.
I for one will still be a fan of Kai, and Kershaw products, and your no nonsense approach to how you represent them.
 
Thomas I am very grateful for the 0551 you sent me as well. I know I made a thread in regards to it having bladeplay, but it was in no way intended to bash the knife or complain. I simply wanted to find a way to fix it myself since it is a blem and carried no manufacturer warranty. I still love the knife, and I show it off to people quite a bit. I also managed to fix the blade play issue thanks to some very clever thinking by members here on these forums.

I know I've already said it to you multiple times, but I'd like to thank you again for sending me the knife. I was a fan of Kershaw before, and I will continue to support your company any way I can.
 
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