My first preorder

[Evil D]

Uuuuuugh. I hate this feeling. I don't like buying things 1) without handling them first and 2) before they even exist and 3) having to wait god knows how long before they arrive.

But, I bought the bullet on a 52100 Military. Couldn't resist. I've missed too many awesome Military sprints in the past and kicked myself for it later.

[Northglenn500]

That looks like it's going to be an awesome knife. I'm thinking about ordering it too.

[ChrisinHove]

Is there a downside to pre-ordering?

I don't want to miss one of the HAP40 sprints....

[kbuzbee]

Is there a downside to pre-ordering?

I don't want to miss one of the HAP40 sprints....

Well, as mentioned, it's always nice to be able to handle it first, and reading reviews of folks who've tried it can be helpful.

Probably the thing most people play off against pre-ordering is finding a better price elsewhere, once they've shipped.

None of this would stop me from ordering a knife on my "do not miss this one" list, haha.

Ken

(Oh, congrats, David. I think you've got a winner there)

[Evil D]

Is there a downside to pre-ordering?

I don't want to miss one of the HAP40 sprints....

Well, if you consider anything I said the first post to be a downside. I'm spoiled by having a knife shop within 20 mins of my house so I usually get to handle knives before I buy them.

Sometimes with pre-orders people will have to wait for their order to be fulfilled while others are buying them outright and getting theirs before the pre-order people, and I think that's kind of BS, I think PRE order means you should be first in line to get that knife. But, such is life.

The whole MAP pricing thing means you won't have to worry about finding one at a better price anymore, and I kinda like that in a way. It's a weird sort of peace of mind. The only reason I pre-ordered this one is because I'm NOT going to miss out on this one.

[Larry_Mott]

Only downside with pre-ordering IMO is if it's a completely new (untried) model.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy an existing model in a new configuration, steel or handle-wise. Except for the already mentioned risk of paying more than you'd have to if you wait until it's readily available.

[kbuzbee]

The whole MAP pricing thing means you won't have to worry about finding one at a better price anymore,

Does it? I'm still kinda confused on the actual ramifications of MAP.

Ken

[SG89]

The whole MAP pricing thing means you won't have to worry about finding one at a better price anymore,

Does it? I'm still kinda confused on the actual ramifications of MAP.

Ken

They can't advertise a price lower than what spyderco tells them. It's a certain percentage of the msrp. But they can get around that with having an add to cart to see price situation. MAP Doesn't apply to discontinued models. It's really not a big deal some people are acting like the price is doubling. The key word is "advertised"

[bearfacedkiller]

I expect to still pay under MAP for many of my Spydies and I am gonna continue to not preorder any sprint runs. I haven't been denied yet except for when I preordered. I have two HAP40 Delicas and I bought one the first day they dropped. It has been my experience that preordering is less reliable than just keeping your eyes open and striking when you see it for sale. I also don't expect this sprint to go all that fast with the S110V, S90V and CTS204P Militaries all coming out in the same year. This is the year of the Millie! I am gonna get the 204P and 52100 myself.

[Holland]

I expect to still pay under MAP for many of my Spydies and I am gonna continue to not preorder any sprint runs. I haven't been denied yet except for when I preordered. I have two HAP40 Delicas and I bought one the first day they dropped. It has been my experience that preordering is less reliable than just keeping your eyes open and striking when you see it for sale. I also don't expect this sprint to go all that fast with the S110V, S90V and CTS204P Militaries all coming out in the same year. This is the year of the Millie! I am gonna get the 204P and 52100 myself.

I agree with you, I used to pre order knives all the time only to see they were always in stock for at least a week after I received mine. Plenty of time to just buy the knife normally

[kbuzbee]

They can't advertise a price lower than what spyderco tells them. It's a certain percentage of the msrp. But they can get around that with having an add to cart to see price situation. MAP Doesn't apply to discontinued models. It's really not a big deal some people are acting like the price is doubling. The key word is "advertised"

Thanks! That was pretty much my understanding. I guess I don't see it as that big of a deal.

Ken

[bearfacedkiller]

I do think that due to demand that we may be paying MAP for desirable sprint runs and limited run knives because dealers won't need to offer less than MAP on those specific knives. Sprints that take a year to sell out may be a different story.

[abbazaba]

Does anyone have an opinion on the most reliable/best place to preorder? My KW preorders have been very delayed. I have one right now with for KC for the first time, and just use the notification for BHQ and NK. The only obvious consideration I see is return policy.

Thanks in advance!

[farnorthdan]

I'm trying to pre-order less, as others have already stated, it just doesn't seem to make a difference. Very rarely has it helped get a piece any faster than if I just wait until they start showing up at the dealers. I've had to cancel many pre-orders and purchase from other vendors that show as in stock. I could be wrong though, maybe on some of these super popular low number sprints/exclusives it may be the best way to ensure you get one. I did go ahead and do a pre-order for the 52100 because I know for sure I will be getting multiple so probably use a few different vendors.

[rodloos]

One downside of pre-ordering is, if you are forgetful like me, and you forget you already pre-ordered a particular model, then turn around and order it again. :o

And some sites seem to be better at not over-selling than others. I have had KC be unable to fulfill a pre-order, so they sometimes oversell the amount of stock they anticipate receiving. I think CS stopped taking pre-orders due to the variability of when they would get more stock in. At least KC would send you a weekly reminder about your pre-order still "pending".

I ordered a Mantra and Mantra 2 from KW this week when they were showing as "Pre-Order", yet they still got more in and shipped them a day or two later, I received them yesterday morning.

[Evil D]

I agree with everything you guys are saying about it not being very necessary most of the time, but for THIS knife, I am just simply not going to miss out lol. I got caught sleeping when the Ti/M4 came and went and I'm still kicking myself in the arse practically on a daily basis for that one. I feel like this version has the potential to be eve more badass than that one was (unless you just love the Ti frame lock, which I can take it or leave it on this particular knife).

[Donut]

I didn't even know what was so special about the M4 Military until after it came out. I got on the waiting list for someone to back out, I was in negotiations to trade $300 worth of stuff for one when they told me one was available for me, so I saved some money.

[DRKBC]

I am also down for this one, I think it would be a shame to miss it. I bought the Ti Frame lock and soon after sold it because of the weight. This one to me has it all, hopefully it is reasonably grippy, that is my only concern really.

[Strong-Dog]

Anyone care to post what knives can be pre-ordered where? (Don't bother posting KC, as far as I'm concerned they're useless at pre-orders)

[Evil D]

Anyone care to post what knives can be pre-ordered where? (Don't bother posting KC, as far as I'm concerned they're useless at pre-orders)

Well that's who mine is through so we'll see how it goes.