Para2 M390 Still Not Sold Out ???

Wolverine666 · #1

I'm really surprised to see that the Bento Box Sop Exclusive Para2 M390 is still not sold out. Especially when the standard Para2 S30V has been sold out on most sites for a while. I thought the M390 was a sprint run of only 600 knives. Just curious why they are still in stock. Maybe the price turns some potential buyers away ? Or maybe they increased the number from 600 knives to however many ? Hmmm...

JNewell · #2

Two most likely reasons IMO:

1. Some people really don't like blue, no matter what's inside.

2. There seems to be a lot of feeling that the knife is overpriced compared to other supersteel versions of the P2 (20CP and 204P).

If BBS had priced these at $150, I think they'd be gone by now (though if you email them, you'll find they're nearly gone now anyway). At $130, they would have disappeared very, very quickly. $180 seems to be over a breaking point for a lot of people - they feel a little abused by the price. YMMV. I liked the first one I bought well enough to get a backup, and the service I've gotten from BBS has always been terrific.

The Deacon · #3

All of those are possible reasons. Plus, IIRC, BBS does not ship out of the USA, or to NYS, which limits their customer base, and does not accept returns, which limits the number of folks willing to risk purchasing from them.

KardinalSyn · #4

Here's my views on this topic

1. Price
The selling price is high in comparison to other sprints/exclusives. If one is not a Spyderco Fanatic, there are other alternatives out there with this super clean steel to try out.
The seller may have hidden costs associated with purchasing this Spyderco product that will increase the price further for non-US Spyderco clientele.

2. Limited sales
The seller may be limiting themselves to a US client base. Not everyone will email them to check about purchasing one and take it from there. This might be intentional on the part of the seller.

3. Timing
Frankly, I have lost count of how many new Spyderco products from the standard line up, sprints and exclusives have come out in a short time. Parallel releases with more favorable options would distract a client away from this product.

To me personally, the M390 Para2 blue G10 is the best that has been released thus far. I consider the Para2 to be the best in the Spyderco range (personal preference), I have an affinity towards the color blue and due to the steel being used with this exclusive. It is also the one Spydie that I cannot afford/acquire due to personal reasons.

On the flip side, more US based customers will be able to buy this product down the line. Given Spyderco dealer discounts and selling rates, I don't think that seller will lose much. I know others have bought by paying more. I just prefer not to.

RedRunner · #5

Price is the number one reason I didn't buy this knife. I purchased several Para 2's with S90V steel and CF scales for far less. Granted that was a limited run, not available now, but I didn't see a need to buy a similar knife at a much higher price. I'm also not a fan of those scales. But the price is certainly the biggest issue. Wouldn't have bought it if it was black scales, at that price, either.

That's the closest comparison, but you could also look to the Military with M390 steel and CF scales for less than $220. I bit more, but I paid for it and bought several. Yes a bigger knife, and I still prefer the Para 2, but from a pricing stand point, it illustrates that the Bento Box knife is probably over priced.

So with that said, I don't see it as an issue for Bento Box - they have just been able to extract more out of the market. Yes holding time was a little longer, but I doubt that represented a note worthy holding cost for them. I'm sure they are happy with the results.

phaust · #6

I would love a M390 PM2 but won't buy from BBS

1. As JNewell said, they're way overpriced. The M390 is not the only time BBS has done this. They regularly put more popular Spydies on ebay to get more money from them, like the infamous SpydieGuys did. They also watch the price at other dealers and will raise their price when a knife is unavailable other places and 'discount' it to the regular price once it is available elsewhere.

2. BBS does not guarantee their package make it to you. You could add insurance to the cost when you order, unless, should a package go missing, you have to fight them for a refund or to send a replacement out. Insurance is there to protect the seller, not the buyer.

Overpriced knife from a shady business? No thanks.

cckw · #7

From my experience selling on forums, I have no problem with any of Bento's policies. I had a guy do a paypal claim and won because I didn't send it to his registered address, then he sent me a taunting e-mail to be sure I knew he really did get the knife. Had a guy fake blemishes by putting marks in the oily surface and taking a convincing photo. So that it would be not as advertised. Both of those this year, plus the countless people who say they will take it and never pay.

Their profit margin is higher then most. But I wanted the knife and bought 2.

And whoever said SpydieGies were making more money by selling on ebay. I bought a lot of knives from them at that time and remember the prices. Whatever the excuse they made for quitting ebay was probably because they didn't want to admit that after ebay fee's they were loosing money on too many knives.

chuck_roxas45 · #8

Just an FYI, BBS does ship international but they ask that you pay via paypal gift(which is sh***y of them) and ask for $50 shipping.

KardinalSyn · #9

cckw wrote:From my experience selling on forums, I have no problem with any of Bento's policies. I had a guy do a paypal claim and won because I didn't send it to his registered address, then he sent me a taunting e-mail to be sure I knew he really did get the knife. Had a guy fake blemishes by putting marks in the oily surface and taking a convincing photo. So that it would be not as advertised. Both of those this year, plus the countless people who say they will take it and never pay.

Their profit margin is higher then most. But I wanted the knife and bought 2.

And whoever said SpydieGies were making more money by selling on ebay. I bought a lot of knives from them at that time and remember the prices. Whatever the excuse they made for quitting ebay was probably because they didn't want to admit that after ebay fee's they were loosing money on too many knives.

Perhaps for US only sales, the eBay charges may be why their prices are higher. I believe that for international sales, the buyer also has to bear certain fees when paying with PayPal.

Sorry to hear about your troubles cckw. There are cheats and liars everywhere and eBay is unfortunately not that safe for the buyer or seller.

Wolverine666 · #10

For me , the price and the "hit or miss" rep of BBS keeps me away. However , I had no problem paying the same amount ($180) for my Sage4 from another dealer (a dealer I have been impressed with since day one). And the blue G10 isn't my first choice but I could live with it.

Leatherneck · #11

For me it was price and color. BBS seems O.K. if not a little pricey. I can't imagine blue G10 being more expensive and while M390 is a great steel, I wouldn't think a $60 premium over S30V. Benchmade was able to turn out the mini-grip in M390 for a heck of a price. Had this knife been in foliage green or coyote brown it would be in my pocket!

Ken44 · #12

I'm with Leatherneck. Had they been foliage green or coyote brown(or CF) I would have paid the high price for sure.

I can't help it I don't like the color, but the only blue I like is a very dark navy, and I don't even think I would want it on a knife.

JNewell · #13

Wolverine666 wrote:For me , the price and the "hit or miss" rep of BBS keeps me away. However , I had no problem paying the same amount ($180) for my Sage4 from another dealer (a dealer I have been impressed with since day one). And the blue G10 isn't my first choice but I could live with it.

I don't recall anyone having a bad transaction with BBS, but lots of people don't like one or more of their policies. I've bought from them three times, and each was a complete pleasure and success.

Blerv · #14

Compared to the hyped and inflated XHP Orange the BB Exlusive is a bargain.

jossta · #15

Bento Box Exclusives never sell out quickly b/c they charge more than most other places.

phillipsted · #16

...but the Blue M390 Para2 is my favorite of the bunch! Something about this model just clicked at the factory - I've handled about half a dozen of them and they are all smoother and better finished than any other Para I own. The SpydieCrew really hit their stride with this one!

TedP

Clip · #17

I'm thinking a lot of it has to do with BBS's rep as mentioned before. They still had their M4 Manix 2 last time I checked, and I thought that one would've sold out quick too.

fuzzydog · #18

I have both the Manix 2 M-4 and the PM-2 M390...in fact ordered a second PM2 and am thinking about another Manix2...love both steels and the Manix 2 has really grown on me. I do not love BBS but in truth, for me they have done exactly what they said they would do...don't think anyone can call that "shady"....maybe there is more I don't know?

I agree that the price is higher than I wish but it is what I want so I worked an extra shift and skipped a few dinners out.

xceptnl · #19

fuzzy, I too have both of the BBS exclusives and am thinking of getting another Manix 2. I am not in love with their prices, but you don't hear complaints from the people who get to go back to their site to buy a new sprint instead of bowing to the eBay flippers asking 20-30% more than MSRP.

Wolverine666 · #20

JNewell wrote:I don't recall anyone having a bad transaction with BBS, but lots of people don't like one or more of their policies. I've bought from them three times, and each was a complete pleasure and success.

I don't like their policies.