What's With All The XM-18 Sales Recently?

fespo276 said:
Normally, there is nothing wrong with selling anything for a profit...normally. However, the issue here is that I was able to buy an XM-18 from Rick ONLY because I am a LEO. He sold it to me, I can only assume, to keep and use, NOT re-sell. Rick can go out and sell these for $500 all day long, but he chooses to sell to LEO's and other first responders for $385, thereby incurring an actual loss of $115 on each and every knife (at least!). I just don't think I am entitled to turn around, sell the knife, and personally realize the profit Rick was so willing to give up in the first place.
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The poster I was responding to didn't say anything about purchases by LEOs. He was specifically referencing BFC members, calling them "our members."

44Magpie said:
Not that I'm saying you're right or wrong, but if you are in the front of the line at a knife show and buy X number of knives at the dealer's price and he runs out of stock because of you, doesn't that screw the guy behind you in line who now has to pay a $200 markup? It seems that speculators are depleting dealer stock with this very same motive in mind.
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Applying that logic, doesn't the guy who buys the last one on the table screw the guy who would have walked up next? Or for that matter doesn't anybody who buys an in-demand knife screw the guy who didn't get that one?

If Mr. Hinderer doesn't want guys flipping these knives then he could easily mark the LEO models and sell them with the stipulation that they aren't to be sold for profit. Then if a LEO model shows up on the secondary market we can all turn our backs the the seller who is disrespecting the maker's wish.
 
fespo276 said:
+1

I got mine because I am a LEO. I would actually give it away before I sold it at a profit.
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Same here except I'm in the Fire Service. In fact, I had to sell the first one I got from Rick some time ago to cover another project I had agreed to before I got a knife from Rick. As result, I sold mine for exactly what I paid for it. I actually got positive feedback for being a "good guy",...something I figured anyone should do in my situation. I'm all for free market, but when Front Line workers are getting a deal or put to the front of the line, they shouldn't turn the knife for profit. Anyone else can do what they want, but I don't think it's as close a community as we think it is if profit is the bottom line amongst one another.
 
flipe8 said:
Same here except I'm in the Fire Service. In fact, I had to sell the first one I got from Rick some time ago to cover another project I had agreed to before I got a knife from Rick. As result, I sold mine for exactly what I paid for it. I actually got positive feedback for being a "good guy",...something I figured anyone should do in my situation. I'm all for free market, but when Front Line workers are getting a deal or put to the front of the line, they shouldn't turn the knife for profit. Anyone else can do what they want, but I don't think it's as close a community as we think it is if profit is the bottom line amongst one another.
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I agree with you & is one of the reasons I haven't bought one yet. If I get one, I plan on keeping/using it. I'm not sure which one I want & do not want to get one at msrp (Some dealers do mark theirs up) & go to the front of the line until I'm sure.

As to people flipping them & making a big profit (Apparently, up to $200+), that is the free market (Look at Bussekin guys doing the same thing, although maybe not for as much profit as quickly). What I have a problem with is Police/Military/Fire getting ahead of the line (That's OK with me) AND then using that special treatment to make a quick $. That's not the purpose of Mr. Hinderer giving special treatment to them.
 
One reason that got me into this hobby (aka being a knifenut) is the delight of finding your knife at the right price. You pay for something for the right reason and knowing that it is all worth it. No doubt that a Hinderer XM-18 and/or a XM-24 is a first-rate knife. As to people snapping up these knives the moment it becomes available and quickly imposing a ridiculous mark up price in the exchange or at ebay for a quick profit is simply skewing the true worth of these knives. The true value of a Hinderer XM-18 and/or XM-24 exists because it's an excellent tool/cutlery, it possess fine craftmanship and superb design and quality of its components. It shouldbn't be because they are very hard to acquire IMHO.
 
I just purchased an XM-18 direct from Rick and thanked him for the opportunity knowing that he is doing a favor to those who do favors for others (military service, LEO, volunteer fire, EMT). I recognized the value of his knives as tools to use in the course of said volunteerism (is that even a word?) and would hope that those of us who enjoy the privilege would not abuse it to make a quick buck.
I think that it speaks to the character of Hinderer knives company that they are willing to make less per unit to put them into the hands of those that use them to make a difference.
 
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