Wow... I paid too much for that knife

I tell all of my customers straight up that come into my store that they could probably get what they are buying for less online. But by doing so they miss out on my expertise and experiance. and they wont get to handle the knives and have no idea what they will actually like and what they wont.
 
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this is what i do most of the time ill go to a mall check out a knife then go on line and get rid of the middle man ive got cuda maxx stilleto for 120.00 new lrmishes for 110.00 each grips etc.etc it get to be a habbit there just cheaper on line
 
It does suck overpaying but when you think about it, you're also paying for the shop owner's staff, the rent, the experience of the people showing you the knives, and the ability to play with the knife before you buy it. Trust me, being the retailer is no picnic either. Most people look at the prices and think we are trying to hose them on most of the inventory but honestly, if we charged less, we'd be out of business in 3 months. I've actually resorted to ordering uber-clearance knives from Blue Ridge just to come close to online prices. At one point, half of the case was filled with knives that were in the specials mailer from Blue ridge and I had NO back-stock because BR could only send me 1-3 of each (exactly why they are on clearance in the first place). Even having worked in retail and knowing the wholesale prices of almost any knife in any store, I still buy them at full price at other stores because I know what it's like. (I was a waiter and a bartender once too, that's why I tip 25 percent every time.)

Great example: I purchased a Limited edition Hanwei Bamboo Snake Katana for wholesale as an investment. If I were to sell it in the store tomorrow, using our usual markup method, it would cost around $900. You can find them online for less than $600 at most websites. If I sold it for that, I'd be wasting time and money. The money I paid for it was tied up in pre-order for months and the profit I'd be making wouldn't be worth the time or effort. Websites have killed business for a lot of private retailers by selling products for a few bucks over wholesale and many manufacturers have helped by not regulating and enforcing retail prices. A few companies are doing a good job of looking out for the little guy but as a consumer, you rarely know which ones.
 
You have to buy from a brick and mortar store once in a while, or they will be gone next time you want to go browse. They have to charge more to cover their overhead. I look at it as paying for the enjoyment I get for being able to go and look. I also buy as many smaller things as possible like sharpening stones, lubricant, whatever they have that I know I'll need.

My worst impulse buy was an Al Mar Nomad at $189, George & Son Cutlery, Portland Oregon. I really enjoy that store when I am in Portland, though.
 
I imagine it would have cost you ten to fifteen bucks to get the online knife shipped to you.

Every time I take up someone's time in a knife store I purchase something. There is no doubt in my mind that I am paying more than I could get it for online, but I just don't feel it is right to ask the sales person to let me try a bunch of knives and then not buy something.
 
I don't walk into stores these days (well, there's only one where I live). they sell knives at MSRP. now I happen to know what the dealer discounts are like, so they are making way too much. plus the staff like to BS you (hell, the owner too)....I don't say much, as I'm more into customs but I know BS when I see/smell one.

I think brick and mortar sellers need to understand the impact of online shopping and the internet.
 
A lot of you guys echo my sentiment. or I echo yours...:confused: I have a local knife shop that I frequent and it is the only reason I don't subscribe to Blade Magazine. This way I have an excuse to go to the knife shop once a month. I always by something as well cause the old timer who runs the shop always takes time to talk to me and show me whats new.

He also gives me a 20% discount on blades which puts me at around 10-15 dollars more than I could have got it online even with shipping. I don't mind.
 
Keith Montgomery said:
I imagine it would have cost you ten to fifteen bucks to get the online knife shipped to you.

Every time I take up someone's time in a knife store I purchase something. There is no doubt in my mind that I am paying more than I could get it for online, but I just don't feel it is right to ask the sales person to let me try a bunch of knives and then not buy something.
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That's a good method, after all as has been noted, you are paying for some intangibles in a brick and mortar along with the knife. I knew that and figured it was worth something to support the local guy. I was just surprised by how much I was supporting the local guy. :) After seeing what you fellows have to say on the subject I think I'm okay with it now... :)
 
I'd LIKE to have a brick&mortar shop to browse in but there aren't any in Scandiland.And I fear that they may disappear in the US too.Sometimes people are too fixated by price, just so they can boast about getting a better deal.Nothing is a substitute for handling&examining a knife, we know there are enough QC issues that make knives different from each other, colour of scales may be crucial or the feel&fit.

Certainly mailorder gives a price edge provided the postage costs aren't huge (they vary mysteriously)and a decent choice.But wait until you get ripped off(you will) something is not right in the finish or it gets stolen before you can get it,that puts a bigger damper on things than overpaying once in a while. I have paid with postal costs about 170 dollars for a Bark River Nebula that somebody has stolen.This leaves a bad taste believe me.:barf:
 
j.h said:
You have to buy from a brick and mortar store once in a while, or they will be gone next time you want to go browse. They have to charge more to cover their overhead. I look at it as paying for the enjoyment I get for being able to go and look. I also buy as many smaller things as possible like sharpening stones, lubricant, whatever they have that I know I'll need.

My worst impulse buy was an Al Mar Nomad at $189, George & Son Cutlery, Portland Oregon. I really enjoy that store when I am in Portland, though.
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Sadly that wasnt enough because they recently went out of business. to much online pricing drives people away from the "real" stores.
 
i buy occasionally from a B&M near me but he doesnt mark up but maybe 10-20% over what i pay on the net on MT's, BM,s and spydies so thats not too bad, as far as supporting B&Ms i can see the logic in that but i am not gonna pay MSRP for them like some stores charge, just wont do it, if they go outta biz its because there prices are too high, but as long as i dont feel violated after the transaction i can deal with a little extra.

everyone whos into knives has overpaid a time or 2 truth be told.
 
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