What do Spyderco’s Distributor’s do?
What do Spyderco’s Distributor’s do?
I’ve realised from recent threads that I don’t actually know what Spyderco’s distributors do and how they add value for the additional money they cost us. Any ideas?
- TriggerThumb
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Re: What do Spyderco’s Distributor’s do?
Here's pretty much the answer, from a typical business perspective. I would imagine spyderco follows this line of action as well.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.busine ... ce-2013-10
I pretty much think it's because they sell in bulk in one shot, then it's up to distributers/retailers to make profit in the long run. If spyderco has one quick "money shot" (pun intended) they can get on with developing and manufacturing more knives. And obviously the mark up is because we aren't buying in bulk. A typical retailer aims for 33% profit margin, or so past bosses have told me. Knife game might be different.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.busine ... ce-2013-10
I pretty much think it's because they sell in bulk in one shot, then it's up to distributers/retailers to make profit in the long run. If spyderco has one quick "money shot" (pun intended) they can get on with developing and manufacturing more knives. And obviously the mark up is because we aren't buying in bulk. A typical retailer aims for 33% profit margin, or so past bosses have told me. Knife game might be different.
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Re: What do Spyderco’s Distributor’s do?
Distribute the Spydercos
- BrianMcCord
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Re: What do Spyderco’s Distributor’s do?
:Dtwinboysdad wrote:Distribute the Spydercos
-Brian
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Rescue 79mm Orange, Cat BD-1, Effecient, Pingo Orange FRN, T-Mag, Urban K390, Lil' Native, Sliverax, Para 3 S110V, Caly 3 HAP 40, R Nishijin, Mantra, Manix 2 LW S110V, Manix 2 Black, Delica 4 Black, PM2 Digi, PM2 Black, Yojimbo 2, Native 5 LW, Dragonfly 2, Military 204P, Wolfspyder, Techno, HAP 40 Ladybug, H1 Hawkbill Ladybug, Blue Persistence, Bradley 2, UKPK SE Gin-1
Looking for an Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom Native. :spyder:
Son's Collection: H1 Rescue Manbug, Tenacious
Rescue 79mm Orange, Cat BD-1, Effecient, Pingo Orange FRN, T-Mag, Urban K390, Lil' Native, Sliverax, Para 3 S110V, Caly 3 HAP 40, R Nishijin, Mantra, Manix 2 LW S110V, Manix 2 Black, Delica 4 Black, PM2 Digi, PM2 Black, Yojimbo 2, Native 5 LW, Dragonfly 2, Military 204P, Wolfspyder, Techno, HAP 40 Ladybug, H1 Hawkbill Ladybug, Blue Persistence, Bradley 2, UKPK SE Gin-1
Looking for an Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom Native. :spyder:
- TriggerThumb
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Re: What do Spyderco’s Distributor’s do?
TL;DR:
twinboysdad wrote:Distribute the Spydercos
Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake.
-Henry David Thoreau
-Henry David Thoreau
Re: What do Spyderco’s Distributor’s do?
Made my day. :Dtwinboysdad wrote:Distribute the Spydercos
Re: What do Spyderco’s Distributor’s do?
I'm ordering from a shop in Singapore that purchases them directly from the USA, despite Singapore having a registered distributor (even on Spyderco's website, they're listed).
The shop operator says it's more cost effective for he himself to source them from a USA distributor..
Spyderco needs to start selling their knives in Brunei/Borneo!
The shop operator says it's more cost effective for he himself to source them from a USA distributor..
Spyderco needs to start selling their knives in Brunei/Borneo!
From my heart to yours,
Nigel
Brunei Darussalam
Current
Tenacious
Para Military 2
On the way
Endura 4
Nigel
Brunei Darussalam
Current
Tenacious
Para Military 2
On the way
Endura 4
- The Deacon
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Re: What do Spyderco’s Distributor’s do?
Generally speaking distributors sell to dealers that don't sell enough of a product to qualify for direct shipments from a manufacturer. They don't cost the consumer additional money unless the retailer who purchases from them charges a premium. In the case of Spyderco's European sales, I think you may be blaming the supply chain for the exorbitant fees that your governments tack onto the cost of their knives (and knives in general).
Paul
My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Spydiewiki
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WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Spydiewiki
Deplorable :p
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
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Re: What do Spyderco’s Distributor’s do?
No I am blaming the distributors (except for one or two retailers as notable exceptions) to sell at full catalog price with a 1:1 conversion of dollar and Euro.
Nobody in their right mind buys at that price.
There are two European vendors I am willing to buy from but they don't always have the full choice of stock available, not to mention no access to sprints.
So it is almost always easier to buy directly from the states.
The vendors labeled as "official distributors" over here add absolutely nothing for me. Just extra high prices with no benefit. Not even warranty or anything.
Nobody in their right mind buys at that price.
There are two European vendors I am willing to buy from but they don't always have the full choice of stock available, not to mention no access to sprints.
So it is almost always easier to buy directly from the states.
The vendors labeled as "official distributors" over here add absolutely nothing for me. Just extra high prices with no benefit. Not even warranty or anything.
Re: What do Spyderco’s Distributor’s do?
The official distributor prices of those that you mean are truly ridiculous. Even when they go on sale they still cost a lot. For example, i just checked with the biggest distributor, the Vrango is now at a sale (!!!) price of only (!) 370 €... compare that to the 139 $ that for example KC takes. I still think they only keep the prices that high to stay competitive with their own products.vilePossum wrote:No I am blaming the distributors (except for one or two retailers as notable exceptions) to sell at full catalog price with a 1:1 conversion of dollar and Euro.
Nobody in their right mind buys at that price.
There are two European vendors I am willing to buy from but they don't always have the full choice of stock available, not to mention no access to sprints.
So it is almost always easier to buy directly from the states.
The vendors labeled as "official distributors" over here add absolutely nothing for me. Just extra high prices with no benefit. Not even warranty or anything.
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Re: What do Spyderco’s Distributor’s do?
Jup.. Whereas the same vrango, also on sale, costs 183euro at another European vendor, not distributor.
Still more than in the states (a lot more if you consider the exchange rate) but at least in a range where I can see it making sense due to customs and shipping.
As i said, there are a few vendors who sell at those prices, but most of them sell at the usual high price.
Oh well..
Still more than in the states (a lot more if you consider the exchange rate) but at least in a range where I can see it making sense due to customs and shipping.
As i said, there are a few vendors who sell at those prices, but most of them sell at the usual high price.
Oh well..
- polyhexamethyl
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Re: What do Spyderco’s Distributor’s do?
My Guess is that distriutors in the US distribute knives and in Europe/Australia/Asia they just add ridiculous margins to keep their own products competitive
Re: What do Spyderco’s Distributor’s do?
In Europe the distributors are just little monopolies in each country it seems. Due to higher shipping costs and language barriers we don't have such a united big market as in the USA. Most people don't buy across borders in the EU. So the different European distributors don't fight each other on prices. Most stores just take their markup on whatever the distributor asks. I don't think the stores are to blame. Though they could try to shop at other distributors. But since Spyderco is not their main business i don't think shops are too busy with that.
The only "cheaper" stores are based in France from what I have seen. I don't know if they use a French distributor or get em elsewhere.
The only "cheaper" stores are based in France from what I have seen. I don't know if they use a French distributor or get em elsewhere.
- ChrisinHove
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Re: What do Spyderco’s Distributor’s do?
I was wondering this myself.
Re: What do Spyderco’s Distributor’s do?
Hi Rutger.
Welcome to our forum.
sal
Welcome to our forum.
sal
Re: What do Spyderco’s Distributor’s do?
That was genuinely hilarious, thank you :D
TriggerThumb, thanks for the interesting read; a very useful overview. Every day is a school day.
When I read Sal’s post: “We've set up distributors all over the world to try to get the product to our customers and service their needs and problems. This is also expensive and many customers will complain about the cost and try to find ways around it, and then complain when they have a problem that circumvents all of the solutions we have tried to put into place.” I realised I had no idea what they do.
I know the UK distributor costs me somewhere around 25% more than the Finnish distributor (both in the EU so there are no additional taxes between the two), but I didn’t know they offered me an option to service my needs and problems.
However, I don’t know who the UK Distributor is or how I know which UK Retailers are supplied by them and hence whether I’m ‘covered’. I do wonder whether the distributors offer some solutions to the recent issues, but if that is the case, we need to signpost them more clearly particularly at the point of purchase and highlight whatever value they add. It might be that I consider that extra 25% well spent and that will be part of my buying decision. Right now, in my ignorance, I’m not convinced.
- MichaelScott
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Re: What do Spyderco’s Distributor’s do?
I wonder if the Distributor arrangements - financial as well as support - with their dealers varies from Distributor to Distributor and is out of Spyderco’s control.
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