ZT LE's to be Consumer Direct only

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ToxicBot11

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I was on a notification list for a 0392 and got this email today:

"This is true. Management made the decision and posted the announcement earlier this week. Going forward, any limited edition ZT or Kershaw knives will be consumer direct only. This goes for the 0454, 0392 and the 4040. Customers will be able to order the knife from our website when it becomes available. The rules are only one per household and they will be charged the full MSRP and shipping. They can sign up for the mailing list on the knives they are interested in and an alert will be sent out to them once they become available."


Looks like ZT cut out the dealers getting the LE's.
 
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Good for them. Too many dealers playing too many games with these. Should streamline everything.
 
This is what I like, if I want a knife, I look towards the manufacturer for release dates. Not a dealer who can finger f**k the price how they want.

I feel screwed already because my preordered 0562CF costs $40 more at BHQ than at KC...
 
Blues Bender said:
This is what I like, if I want a knife, I look towards the manufacturer for release dates. Not a dealer who can finger f**k the price how they want.

I feel screwed already because my preordered 0562CF costs $40 more at BHQ than at KC...
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Did you pay more than M.S.R.P. ?
 
bigmark408 said:
What kind of games do they play ?
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Did you see the CRKT Hi-Jinx games (I know it's not LE ZT but, still same principle)? Swings of $100 over night by multiple dealers. All were of course under MSRP but, as a consumer I still don't like the practice of raising and lowering prices like that.
 
bigmark408 said:
What kind of games do they play ?
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There was a dealer on the same asile but opposite side of the floor from KAI at blade the had the 777sw for $1000, 888 $2000, 600 $800, and I want to say the 0500 was $400. He said he had been sitting on the 777 and 888 for nearly a year. The ppl at KAI didn't seem to pleased about the prices when they were told.
 
Full MSRP is going to be steeper than what any of the dealers charge. Also, I believe BHQ will match KC's preorder price if you contact them about it.
 
If this is done pre-emptive way to try and stop dealers from charging more or not it is silly. If people will pay it, then it's worth it. Now secondary market prices will be that much more.

Is the 0620cf on this list too?
 
Hard Knocks said:
Full MSRP is going to be steeper than what any of the dealers charge. Also, I believe BHQ will match KC's preorder price if you contact them about it.
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Several dealers sold the 888 on Ebay for twice the MSRP. Some had "call in auctions" selling the knife to the highest bidder.

Some dealers put up the 888s for the $500 msrp, then redacted the auction and put them back up there for ~$1000 -

Of course the market drives the price, but for MANY, msrp would be a welcome change.

For instance - would you pay $500 for a ZT0888 Maxamet today?

best

mqqn
 
evltcat said:
I'd like to know too. I looked over the ZT site pretty thoroughly and couldn't find anywhere to sign up for any lists. :confused:
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So I found out where it is at. You have to pick a product that is listed as coming soon. For me it worked on the 0562CF you select that item and then right under the price there is a spot to enter your e-mail address for any notifications from Kai. I called Kai and they said they are working on getting it to work like this for every knife they make.
 
mqqn said:
Several dealers sold the 888 on Ebay for twice the MSRP. Some had "call in auctions" selling the knife to the highest bidder.

Some dealers put up the 888s for the $500 msrp, then redacted the auction and put them back up there for ~$1000 -

Of course the market drives the price, but for MANY, msrp would be a welcome change.

For instance - would you pay $500 for a ZT0888 Maxamet today?

best

mqqn
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Wow I had no idea the markup was so high. In my line of business we have a margin we stick to that keeps us competitive but still keeps the lights on and kids fed. This puts the actual retail consumer cost well under msrp. Evidently this doesn't hold true for ZT LE's--thank you for the polite, knowledgeable correction :thumbup:

Is this only true for the LE's?

Regards,

Dave
 
Personally, I have no issue with this new approach. Yes, it will cost more but it also makes it less likely that a few flippers will get their hands on multiples in order to resell for huge profits. Sure, they can work around the "1-per" rule to some extent, but it will be harder to do and fewer will be successful.

End result? It will be more likely that folks who just want the one for their collection will be able to get it without paying an arm and a leg.

I guess we'll see. :)
 
THEBACON said:
So I found out where it is at. You have to pick a product that is listed as coming soon. For me it worked on the 0562CF you select that item and then right under the price there is a spot to enter your e-mail address for any notifications from Kai. I called Kai and they said they are working on getting it to work like this for every knife they make.
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Thank you for finding and posting this!!!! :thumbup:
Guess we will have to wait for the hot stuff like the 0392 & 0454... :(
 
07Vette said:
So we pay top dollar...
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If you want to look at it like that, I gues you are. What you won't have to do now though is surf through multiple online dealers to find someone who hasn't taken more pre-orders before they even know how many knives they'll get, if they know they're getting any at all. If you happen to find someone with an LE in stock, chances are the knife will be marked up above MSRP. That's all if you're lucky enough to get the heads up what dealers are even taking pre-orders. With Kai deciding to sell solely on their site, you're only going to have to pay one price. You're only looking at one place instead of multiple places. I think It's a win.
 
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