Distribution is a problem for Spydeco knives. Very few dealers stock product and what they do stock is just a few models. Getting information to our customers is difficult. Especially the "why". Everything we do has a "why".
That's why we have a website, a factory outlet store and a few of us available on the forums.
sal
Do you buy from B and M shops any more?
I'm lucky, I have localdealer and their mark up is around 21% which isn't too bad, they are cheaper than a lot of online retailers, trouble is they don't know jack about their knives, they are a gun store first.. but that's ok.. as I've posted before they dont know the difference between CF and G10 and they told me the CC knives were "prototypes" and that's why they were priced 5 bucks higher!! So Yeah I know a good stash, 5 minutes from the house but they seem to be only getting their CC knives in and not ordering much new stock.. plus side is if I have my eye on a knife then a month later it is usually still there. They got some rarities too.
Support your local businesses if you can and don't forget about shipping and the value of instant gratification when comparing prices. =)
Support your local businesses if you can and don't forget about shipping and the value of instant gratification when comparing prices. =)
-
jimbo@stn24
- Member
- Posts: 455
- Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2004 5:33 pm
- Location: Alberta Rockies
A subject near and dear to my heart General. I've noticed and experienced much of what you have described. Yablanowitz's post I quite enjoyed and lays the reality of todays commerce out quite well, I've never heard of the "death spiral" but have thought about the phenomenon often.
I guess the only thing a person can do is to keep trying to support the little guy as much as one can. I try to sacrafice a little of my pay to keep the B & M competition afloat, but sometimes some people can make it hard. I like to think that I have empathy for small business as that is what fed and clothed my sisters and I for some time. I haven't given up on the little guy, but I know people that have, and just don't care about anything other than the almighty dollar which despite my attempts to help educate them about small business, is quite sad.
Good thread folks.
I guess the only thing a person can do is to keep trying to support the little guy as much as one can. I try to sacrafice a little of my pay to keep the B & M competition afloat, but sometimes some people can make it hard. I like to think that I have empathy for small business as that is what fed and clothed my sisters and I for some time. I haven't given up on the little guy, but I know people that have, and just don't care about anything other than the almighty dollar which despite my attempts to help educate them about small business, is quite sad.
Good thread folks.
WTC #1455
Id like to buy local but im not willing to pay over double price for the same product. I dont have a problem paying a little more since you get to handle the product but double is extreme.
Secondly, I often find local stores have little experience with their products. Just the other day i was going to ask the price on the BM 710 and the clerk didnt even know what the 710 was. Anyone that knows anything about BM knows what the 710 is. I might as well go to walmart, they have just as much knife knowledge. I stick to the internet for my knives NGK because they provide goiod service and provide me with a product at a good price. If a store in Canada can actually have knives at acceptable prices id shop there but i dont see this happening any time soon.
Secondly, I often find local stores have little experience with their products. Just the other day i was going to ask the price on the BM 710 and the clerk didnt even know what the 710 was. Anyone that knows anything about BM knows what the 710 is. I might as well go to walmart, they have just as much knife knowledge. I stick to the internet for my knives NGK because they provide goiod service and provide me with a product at a good price. If a store in Canada can actually have knives at acceptable prices id shop there but i dont see this happening any time soon.
Just my 2 cents....
Please keep in mind that a lot of you guys are experts in Spyderco knives.
So the extra service that a local distributor can bring you regarding advice, knowledge and availability of knives that are beyond the best-sellers is limited.
Me, as a starter, I'm still very pleased with the advice and enthousiasm my little local Spyderco reseller provides me with. They have made me a Spydiefan and I'm willing to pay a bit more and sometimes wait a bit longer in order to get a new knife.
Please keep in mind that a lot of you guys are experts in Spyderco knives.
So the extra service that a local distributor can bring you regarding advice, knowledge and availability of knives that are beyond the best-sellers is limited.
Me, as a starter, I'm still very pleased with the advice and enthousiasm my little local Spyderco reseller provides me with. They have made me a Spydiefan and I'm willing to pay a bit more and sometimes wait a bit longer in order to get a new knife.
Nolite timere, Ego sum
Cricket SS SE, Delica 4 SS PE, Navigator II SS PE
Cricket SS SE, Delica 4 SS PE, Navigator II SS PE
Ronald NL wrote:Just my 2 cents....
Please keep in mind that a lot of you guys are experts in Spyderco knives.
So the extra service that a local distributor can bring you regarding advice, knowledge and availability of knives that are beyond the best-sellers is limited.
Me, as a starter, I'm still very pleased with the advice and enthousiasm my little local Spyderco reseller provides me with. They have made me a Spydiefan and I'm willing to pay a bit more and sometimes wait a bit longer in order to get a new knife.
Give that man a cigar !
:D
Ronald NL wrote:Just my 2 cents....
Please keep in mind that a lot of you guys are experts in Spyderco knives.
So the extra service that a local distributor can bring you regarding advice, knowledge and availability of knives that are beyond the best-sellers is limited.
Me, as a starter, I'm still very pleased with the advice and enthousiasm my little local Spyderco reseller provides me with. They have made me a Spydiefan and I'm willing to pay a bit more and sometimes wait a bit longer in order to get a new knife.
Give that man a cigar !
:D
For me Attitude of the People in the store is probably most important part of my buying exerience. I dont mind paying MSRP if the people in the store are friendly and showed a little respect to the customer. (they dont even have to have the knowlege since I pretty much research everything before I buy). This goes for buying anything, Bad attitude means I walk and take my buisness with me.
Just a few more cents from me.
Just a few more cents from me.
-John
-
jaislandboy
- Member
- Posts: 6150
- Joined: Sun Jan 30, 2005 12:00 pm
- Location: tennessee
-
The General
- Member
- Posts: 535
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
Thanks for the replies gang! Lots of interesting points of view and I am glad its not just me thinking how nice it would be to support small businesses. It is difficult though.
I try to support them, but who am I kidding, there are no small businesses in my area now other than "that" shop and I won't go there any more.
This question has become more important to me as I find myself now currently aiming at the more affordable knives in the Spyderco range. The sort of product that ought to make more sense buying in a shop rather than on the net.
I try to support them, but who am I kidding, there are no small businesses in my area now other than "that" shop and I won't go there any more.
This question has become more important to me as I find myself now currently aiming at the more affordable knives in the Spyderco range. The sort of product that ought to make more sense buying in a shop rather than on the net.
My real name is Wayne :D
I did not mean to sound as if I was put off when I made my comment about waiting three weeks for a knife. I knew it would take a little while to get the knife because I was not expecting him to put the order in right away. I meant it more as I did not mind waiting a little while for a knife. to support the local guy. I have several other spyder's that I can carry and was not in a hurry. The owner has always taken his time and been polite, and that is something you cannot get on the net.
Unless the friendly B&M guy is ALSO on the net (or can call via phone), like with NGK...dmrllgr wrote:The owner has always taken his time and been polite, and that is something you cannot get on the net.
There are no real B&M stores to go to anymore in the Northern VA area, so I get all must stuff from NGK ... at least it's in state, and they have excellent selection and fast service. If it didn't take 5-6 hrs to get there, I'd go there in person, but I don't think the wife and kids would go for that drive for something that I can just get from UPS in 2 days anyways.
Brian
Here in Norway there are very few shops that stock :spyder: 
The few that do have a very poor model selection and prices that are often about twice US MSRP :eek:
The last time I stopped by a store that sometimes have some they had 3 models in stock; a Harpy, an Endura and a 440V SE Military. So I shop online...
A very nice Norwegian who lives close to me is a great help for me since I can usually look at a knife at his place before deciding whether to buy one myself.
I try to use B and M stores for other gear, but it is hard with the knives.
The few that do have a very poor model selection and prices that are often about twice US MSRP :eek:
The last time I stopped by a store that sometimes have some they had 3 models in stock; a Harpy, an Endura and a 440V SE Military. So I shop online...
A very nice Norwegian who lives close to me is a great help for me since I can usually look at a knife at his place before deciding whether to buy one myself.
I try to use B and M stores for other gear, but it is hard with the knives.
I think the Brick & Mortars are going to have an increasingly tough go of it with the internet. You would think that the savings on shipping cost would help the local stores, but usually shipping cost from an internet dealier is less than than the sales tax you'd pay locally. I have a local store that has a great selection with near MSRP prices on current models. I occasionally find a nice discontinued collectible there but that's becoming a rarity. At the higher volume B&M stores, the prices aren't so high but selection is very very limited (Enduras and Delicas). As with everything, the market rules.
I work at a local B&M store and it is very tough. Prices in store are quite high. Even with a good discount from the company, I am paying more buying from my own store than if I got it online and paid shipping. The only reason why I buy from my own store is if I do not want to wait for the item.
From my own experience, I do know that it can be difficult to compete with online dealers and big box stores so I have tried to train my staff to have as much knife know how as i possibly can. I have been lucky with my staff as they all have great attitude and havent pissed or turned away any of our loyal customer base.
From my own experience, I do know that it can be difficult to compete with online dealers and big box stores so I have tried to train my staff to have as much knife know how as i possibly can. I have been lucky with my staff as they all have great attitude and havent pissed or turned away any of our loyal customer base.
-
Cyblade2020
- Member
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
The problem for me is that the one place that was actually decent was bought and moved into a gun store thats kinda a pain to get to and prices everything msrp or higher and then the last time I went in there was some kid working the counter rather than the person that had worked there for awhile and knew something about knives. Then theres the mall shops that seem to avoid hiring anybody over the age of 20 and with an iq higher than room temp with msrp pricing not great selection and 98% of the knives being combo edge only and no they dont do special orders (you'd have thought I'd asked to sleep with thier sister and mom at the same time) I avoid them also. The only guy I buy knives from is an old guy at the flea market that has some cool old knives from the 80's and alittle new stuff mixed in that knows me by name always wants chat about everything and cuts me a price break just cause he likes me. Everything else is bought from the net mainly New Graham and SMKW.