ZT 0392 release day on 2/18!

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bflying said:
I never really did get the "buy only from our site" gig. When you have a dealer network set up, then release special products only direct from the manufacturer, you lose the loyalty of your dealers. In my industry (office equipment), I've had manufacturers go the way of "buy direct", and as a dealer, I have no desire to market and push their product any longer. I just shift my attention (and that of my customers) to something else.

I really like ZT, and have spent way too much money on their products. But I just don't get into the games.
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Well yeah coming from a dealer (you). From a dealer's perspective it all makes sense to you and other dealers. And Im not questioning or disagreeing with your comments but they went with direct sales for very valid reasons also... Just as valid as your talking points.

The end user is still where ZT wants their products to go to. Dealer abuse, the games etc is also a big problem. Yes you dealers are important but end users have you outnumbered by the thousands. When an allocated 100 LE's (dramatic example) goes to a dealer and 50 goes to their friends and employees, 25 goes to Ebay, and the other 25 gets sold for hundreds above MSRP, then things are a bit ****** up isnt it. Not to mention most of the 50 to their friends foes straight to the exchange and Ebay...

Glad to hear that they will be going back to direct sales when the kinks gets worked out. 0392 was my number one new ZT and Im not even gonna try now. Im over those games. Thought it was a thing of the past. Id be happy strikiing out from direct sales... At least everyone got a fair shot
 
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If you're only going to buy knives from companies that don't sell direct your list is going to be pretty short, right or wrong (I'm not saying that I disagree that it's better for dealers if manufacturers don't sell direct). Spyderco, Benchmade, Cold Steel, CRK, CRKT, Kershaw, ZT, Emerson, Buck, etc. all sell direct on their websites. ZT also isn't the only one to offer some knives through direct sales only. Spyderco does the same with the Mule and many of the big companies only sell some versions/colors etc. directly only.

I think ZT takes more heat on these issues because currently no other big knife company creates the frenzy/demand/secondary markup that ZT can with a new or limited edition release.
 
I assume those with a voucher from ZT paid full MSRP of $375 + shipping + any applicable sales tax?

It'd be good to hear back from those buying from ZT dealers as to how much they paid shipped. If a BF dealer perhaps mention the dealer's name as well.
 
RamZar said:
I assume those with a voucher from ZT paid full MSRP of $375 + shipping + any applicable sales tax?

It'd be good to hear back from those buying from ZT dealers as to how much they paid shipped. If a BF dealer perhaps mention the dealer's name as well.
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I got a voucher because of the 0454 order problem and bought my 0392 on Wednesday the 11th as soon as I was contacted by ZT. I was also given a ZT hat and an independent voucher for $50 that could be used for anything I purchased from them including a 0392, but was not required to buy a 0392 to use it. So I count my price as full retail, but I suppose you could say it was really $325. As far as I know that was the same for all of us that were given vouchers but I of course don't know.

I really wanted a 0454, and bought one here on the exchange. So although things did not go like I expected I felt like ZT treated me more than fair ... much more than fair! I would also add that everyone I have spoken to at ZT has been great and their system has worked fine since the initial problem.

The 0392 is a great knife, ZT has hit another one out of the park!
 
Stays Sharp said:
Well yeah coming from a dealer (you). From a dealer's perspective it all makes sense to you and other dealers. And Im not questioning or disagreeing with your comments but they went with direct sales for very valid reasons also... Just as valid as your talking points.

The end user is still where ZT wants their products to go to. Dealer abuse, the games etc is also a big problem. Yes you dealers are important but end users have you outnumbered by the thousands. When an allocated 100 LE's (dramatic example) goes to a dealer and 50 goes to their friends and employees, 25 goes to Ebay, and the other 25 gets sold for hundreds above MSRP, then things are a bit ****** up isnt it. Not to mention most of the 50 to their friends foes straight to the exchange and Ebay...

Glad to hear that they will be going back to direct sales when the kinks gets worked out. 0392 was my number one new ZT and Im not even gonna try now. Im over those games. Thought it was a thing of the past. Id be happy strikiing out from direct sales... At least everyone got a fair shot
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I wish I was a ZT dealer. Unfortunately my company sells binding machines and paper cutters. I was just speaking as a dealer (any product) in general. But it has been fun to watch the drama unfold. I'm still a ZT fanboy, but it's getting to the point that I can't afford the higher end models or special releases. Dangit.
 
I can count in one hand the number of ZT dealers that I trust and give my business to and even with them it is from from a walk in the park to score an LE. I can email one of them the same day they are announced at BLADE and still missed out... Another dealer is strictly FCFS which is great but you gotta be lucky to actually catch them at the right moment. Like a god damn solar eclipse.

...Then the next day, one guy sells three in one BF exchange thread. All I'm saying is, it's a tough situation but there has to be a middle ground. Surely, the old way doesn't get these LE's to END USERS as ZT intends.
 
rickknife said:
I got a voucher because of the 0454 order problem and bought my 0392 on Wednesday the 11th as soon as I was contacted by ZT. I was also given a ZT hat and an independent voucher for $50 that could be used for anything I purchased from them including a 0392, but was not required to buy a 0392 to use it. So I count my price as full retail, but I suppose you could say it was really $325.
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So, did you use your $50 voucher and in effect paid only $325 shipped for the 0392?
 
Pure speculation, but I have a feeling KAI is pretty strict about how dealers operate with this release; no pre-orders, limit one per customer and a set price dealers can't change. I can only assume dealer participation involves an agreement to abide by KAI's rules. I'd feel more comfortable about my chances anyway.

No system is perfect, but the dealer-buddy system where certain friends got what ZT LE's they wanted and everyone else got the leftovers is really untenable. I hope this release won't be a rehash of that.
 
Why I get turned off by ZT. I still own a few and they are great knives. I might even buy more in the future, but this really turns me to other brands for now.

The "Good ole boys" network has ruined many things. Even brought down a large knife collectors association here in Texas once. Now we're starting over with a new group of leaders who have learned from past mistakes.

ZT. hmmph.
 
Here is your solution........if ZT wanted to, they could solve most of their issues by discontinuing the "Limited Edition" series of knives. What they should do is offer each (LE offering) knife in a limited TIME run. They make a highly desirable model for their core fans and people with discerning tastes, and then instead of limiting per se the number of units made, they run it for a specified period of time (build them for 6 mos. - 1 year) and then shut it down. If you make enough available and let everyone know that whoever hopes to get one will "get served" sometime during the year, flippers are out of business. ZT could still offer it at MSRP, and MAPP to their dealers, no problem, they will still sell and everybody who would love to be able to purchase this knife will get a fair chance, in a very fair time frame, and at a fair price.
 
I'm not against the limited nature of ZT releases, I'm all for them- the hunt for limited or discontinued knives is thrilling for me. Nor am I against capitalism with regards to flippers, but as pointed out, I'm all about having an equal chance at limited releases.

Some guys were screwed during the 0454 release, and I missed out on the initial Ruby release, but truthfully it wouldn't have bothered me if I never succeeded in getting either, because I got a fair chance to purchase them. When the 0454 was announced I chalked it up to the "unlikely to ever purchase one at a reasonable price" list just like the 0777 composite because of the dealer-buddy system.

Regardless of how ZT's first attempt at releasing LE's came off, whether poorly or ok, it put everyone on equal footing for a limited release.
 
RamZar said:
So, did you use your $50 voucher and in effect paid only $325 shipped for the 0392?
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Yes I used my $50 voucher toward my 0392 but I think it is worth noting that I did not have to, that is ZT was not trying to direct me toward a 0392. We were actually given a choice for the early purchase of a 0392 or the early purchase of a Ruby at retail and could use the $50 toward either one or not buy either one and use it toward anything else they sell. We were not allowed early purchase of both, we had to choose one. I think this was all public because I remember knowing about it in advance ... maybe from the forum here? As I said earlier, I think ZT went out of their way to make this right and this seems more than fair to me. It will definitely be interesting to watch this release.
 
So sad. I was hoping ZT would have kept the LE sales in house for this one. I am NOT going to chase down dealers to purchase one.
 
How about a little fun. Us collectors do love the chase, the exclusive feeling of owning a knife not everyone can get. It's like a prize in cracker jacks. So do the golden ticket, silver ticket, bronze ticket. Wonka style. A sealed foil pack comes with any ZT sold in 2015. If your lucky and pull a winner. You get the right to buy a LE of 500 for gold. 750 le for silver. 1000 for bronze. 3 limited editions in 2016 for those lucky ones. Im a kid at heart who loves collecting knives not selling them, just showing the Bounty of my hunt. Ok thanks for listening. Good luck 0392 miners.
 
rickknife said:
Yes I used my $50 voucher toward my 0392 but I think it is worth noting that I did not have to, that is ZT was not trying to direct me toward a 0392. We were actually given a choice for the early purchase of a 0392 or the early purchase of a Ruby at retail and could use the $50 toward either one or not buy either one and use it toward anything else they sell. We were not allowed early purchase of both, we had to choose one. I think this was all public because I remember knowing about it in advance ... maybe from the forum here? As I said earlier, I think ZT went out of their way to make this right and this seems more than fair to me. It will definitely be interesting to watch this release.
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Understood. Thanks for the full disclosure. That's a nice $50 discount plus free shipping and the free hat. Another fine example of ZT's famous customer service.
 
Something to keep in mind is the market for expensive production knives is pretty small. To us we think everyone in the world is going nuts trying to get this knife when in truth we are a tiny part of the market. So before you get pissed off thinking you dont stand a chance getting one give it a chance and try going with the flow and you just might come up with one.
 
hhmoore said:
Am I the only one that didn't get the email saying which dealers would have it?
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Hasn't been sent yet. From the first newsletter message, it says dealer list comes out on Tuesday, 2/17. My guess is that it will be sometime after the start of the workday on the west coast.
 
Yeah - I realized that after I posted. I looked at the computer and thought it was the end of the 17th. If I'm not at work, I can't keep track of what day it is.
 
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