Bento Box Customer Service...

[aaronkb]

Is non-existent. I’ve had a lot of compression locks and just received my k390 para 3 with the worst lock stick I’ve ever seen. I hit them up for an exchange and it turns out they don’t do returns or exchanges at all (my bad for not reading their terms); instead, they just copy Spyderco’s warranty department on the email chain and make you send the knife to them.

Not a big fan of having to wait for a 3-week turnaround (Spyderco’s warranty people are busy, I understand) when every other knife retailer would offer me an exchange and then deal with it themselves.

Oh well. Too bad BBS is the only store currently running k390 exclusives.

[JacksonKnives]

In before the lock! :D

[edit:
By which I mean "well, here comes controversy!" The mods here rarely ever shut things down, even when we're at our most childish.

There's a balanced mix of opinions on this forum, but both sides are *very* vocal. Obviously if you've had a disappointing experience it's good to hear about it, but I don't understand why certain members feel the need to turn every BBS thread into another flame war.
]

[Pelagic]

In before the lock! :D

Hahahaha, for real. You're not exactly allowed to criticize BBS 'round these parts.

[RamZar]

It’s worth noting BBS’s Terms:

“All sales are final. If you feel that there is an issue with your Spyderco knife, please contact Spyderco's Warranty and Repair Department either by phone at (800) 525-7770, extension 255, or by email at customerservice@spyderco.com.”

[jtoler_9]

It’s bound to happen with policy like BBS has. You gotta admit, they have kind of perfected the online sales thing. No risk, pass it to the manufacturer and customer. Low overhead, higher prices and higher margins than any competitors. I think they have their clientele figured out. Those exclusive runs sure are an appealing lure.

I guess the upside here is you have an excellent manufacturer to turn to. They are great to work with. That’s part of why we all appreciate Spyderco so much. It’s one of the most unique Companies around today.

[SpyderPhreak]

BBS already has the worst prices out there, not to mention their ridiculous shipping costs, so this is quite simply yet another reason NOT to do business with them! :rolleyes:

[aaronkb]

It’s worth noting BBS’s Terms:

“All sales are final. If you feel that there is an issue with your Spyderco knife, please contact Spyderco's Warranty and Repair Department either by phone at (800) 525-7770, extension 255, or by email at customerservice@spyderco.com.”

Yep, they’re not being sneaky about it at all... like I said in my OP, I should have read their terms. But to be totally honest I would’ve risked it anyway for the k390, which I guess is what they’re banking on.

It’s just a shame to see policy like that... feels like a huge middle finger to the customer.

I guess the upside here is you have an excellent manufacturer to turn to. They are great to work with. That’s part of why we all appreciate Spyderco so much. It’s one of the most unique Companies around today.

Nothing but love for spyderco. The downside to that upside is that they responded saying their current turnaround time is 3 weeks. I don’t hold that against them, they’re busy, but waiting for an exciting drop, getting it, waiting for your knife to arrive, and then having to send it off for close to a month is a major buzzkill. There’s a reason every other retailer has a return policy, it’d be much quicker and more convenient to return it and try again and waiting on the warranty department would be a lot less painful for BBS than it is for the guy who was stoked to get his favorite knife in an amazing steel.

[bigboned]

over at this side of the pond that kind of behaviour is illegal - your contract of sale is with who takes your money and they are obliged to repair/replace/refund they arent allowed to pass the buck unless the item is out of warranty

[Pelagic]

over at this side of the pond that kind of behaviour is illegal - your contract of sale is with who takes your money and they are obliged to repair/replace/refund they arent allowed to pass the buck unless the item is out of warranty

Yep, and I can definitely see why. It's a breach of the agreement. If the item isn't as it should be, the seller hasn't held up their end of the agreement. It's like the buyer saying "all payments are final" and making it look like they initially paid the full amount, only for the seller to find out later that there's $40 missing, with no way to get the remaining $40 from said buyer (which would also be a breach of the agreement). Sometimes it's funny to me how things work in the states. The customer isn't always as appreciated as I think they should be.

[JonLeBlanc]

Kabuki actor reaches for microwave popcorn------>

[jpm2]

I think lock stick is a feature, not a warranty issue.

[Sumdumguy]

BBS =/= Customer Service.

How they stay in business is beyond me. I refuse to play their game.

[sok]

Not a big fan of having to wait for a 3-week turnaround (Spyderco’s warranty people are busy, I understand) when every other knife retailer would offer me an exchange and then deal with it themselves.

I understand that you had the same issue with a knife that you bought from DLT. How did they handle it?

[jdw]

NM

[prndltech]

I’m pretty sure they didn’t open the box and say “yep, let’s send him this one, we’re out to get him and his money”
I’ve received blades with one issue or another from just about every dealer. It happens. It sucks. There’s a way to deal with it though. Can’t always have it “I want it my way and I want it now”.

[Evil D]

They have every right to operate their business however they see fit, and I have every right to never order from them. So far it's working out great for both of us.

[TomAiello]

They have every right to operate their business however they see fit, and I have every right to never order from them. So far it's working out great for both of us.

This.

That's exactly how things are supposed to work. You don't like their policies, you vote with your dollars by shopping elsewhere.

[prndltech]

Do they have a little box you check, before you confirm payment, saying you agree to the terms and conditions?

[koenigsegg]

No refunds because they already used your arm and leg on someone else

[bearfacedkiller]

It is pretty much common knowledge what BBS’ policies are around here and this has already been discussed many times. They commission great exclusives and sometimes at decent prices but their other policies turn folks off so many of their knives sell slow.

It comes down to voting with your wallet. Do what you think is best with your own money. I have personally purchased three of their knives. Two direct from them and one on the secondary market. I like all three knives and if they commission another knife I want I will buy it too.

Spyderco is aware of BBS’ policy on returns and they choose to still make exclusives for them. For that reason I have no problem handling any issues with Spyderco’s W&R.