Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2009 7:22:41 GMT
they don't or can't carry customs, Really? News to me. The actual question got danced around quite a bit and was derailed by people taking it as an attack on their fiscal situation, but it eventually got answered by most of you so I'm pleased. Sorry if it got heated, but there is really only so many types of replies that you can make when you ask whether people would pay slightly more for a hands on experience and people take it as an attack on their finances. Plus, there are a lot of ridiculous ideas thrown around about the recession, but I supposed if the majority had any idea how things worked we wouldn't be in this situation.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2009 15:05:15 GMT
Hey, I could be wrong- so you do carry Odinblades, Stagmer, Lundemo, Tinker or Christian Fletcher? Or maybe Cevenka, Pikula, Red Gur, Mad Dwarf? Any of those? What customs do YOU carry? Where's your store, you have a website- lets have a look. If you posted it already, I missed it.
I think your approach is what caused the 'derailment' as you say; what can you expect? IF you had just stated your question plainly and waited for the replies, it would've been sufficient; you took it upon yourself to turn it into an argument- you and your zealous friend/co-worker/whatever.
|
|
|
Post by Dave(utilityslave) on Dec 24, 2009 18:55:19 GMT
Intended or not, we were attacked. I have to wonder if you would have ever talked at me like that to my face standing in your B&M. If you had you would have lost a customer and everyone in this forum and the others that I frequent that would listen would have heard about you and your store as well. Seeing as how you put it all out there for everyone to read themselves I guess I don't have to. You seem to have been looking for a fight. I hope you feel better now so that we can return to playing well together.
In todays market, the business's that are evolving to stay ahead have often gone to Internet sales as well as their B&M. Car dealerships, Sears, Staples, Barnes & Noble, etc., have all moved to the web because it is a tool that actually increases sales, not decreases them. We know about the custom smiths on our forum primarily because of their accessibility over the net and their presents here. I own blades from artists I otherwise would have never heard of or at least never been able to see their wares in order to buy from them. The Internet and this forum put us in touch.
As far as it being our fault that the economy is a mess because we don't spend enough money...........................that's horse s#!t! Your B&M is actually more to blame if you accept credit cards. People are potentially borrowing money they can't afford to buy a luxury item from you..........and your facilitating them. That is not any more your fault than us not wanting to pay MSRP is. MSRP is intentionally overpriced so that the actual asking price looks like a better deal if not a perpetual sale. If you are asking MSRP and getting away with it more often than not, than I kind of look at that as being a used car salesman........looking for as many suckers as you can find to get over on with over priced merchandise. I hate most used car salesmen or at least what they do.
As to being able to go someplace where you can handle a sword and get good, honest, and knowledgeable information and service...............that's some of the reasons we are here. I can and have talked to Paul, Jason, Richard, Marc, Matt and Kerry, Brendan, KOA, True Swords, etc., and got their recommendations for the best sword for my requirements at the best price they knew of. We hear from each other about handling characteristics and quality as well.
I am a fisherman. I often go into the local tackle stores to see and handle rods and reels. They get my business for bait but their tackle prices are marked up so high (MSRP) that I usually end up going to the Internet to buy from a store that has a much better price over the net...................Bass Pro, Cabela's, etc., which also have B&M's that charge MSRP. Cheaper over the net.
There is a fair amount of experience and intelligence spread around here...........many of us have worked jobs like the one you are so passionate about now years ago and moved on to a better and more mature understanding of the economy and our place in it and what makes things tick. We don't need to be taught about how to spend our money or blamed for the economy by young people who have relatively recently become independent consumers in the market place. If you have a question, just state it without being so judgemental...........we will let you know what we think.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2009 22:32:14 GMT
Paladin - Most of the customs we carry are in the knife category. We have a few one of a kind swords, but not by any big names. A lot of them were made by friends or people we've met in various places.
Slave- I'm sure that if you came into the shop we could get along great. That is unless you started in with the attitude of us being ignorant children because we're in our 20s and we work retail. Once that happened I'd probably save you the trouble of walking out by asking you to leave.
Trust me, I know there are "bigger and better" places that I could be working. I work where I do because, as you said, I am passionate about it.
There is indeed a lot of information being thrown around in here. And bear in mind, I'm not ignorant to any of the idea that have been put forth, most of them have been stated via the media, by the people responsible for the situation we are currently in. But if going with the flow and keeping up old habits in hopes that the situation will fix itself is the informed, mature way to go, I guess I'll have to change my ignorant childish ways.
|
|
|
Post by Dave(utilityslave) on Dec 24, 2009 23:16:30 GMT
Quote Slave- I'm sure that if you came into the shop we could get along great.
Good.......sounds like a plan.
Quote That is unless you started in with the attitude of us being ignorant children because we're in our 20s and we work retail. Once that happened I'd probably save you the trouble of walking out by asking you to leave.
Oops.........there we go again. I guess we wouldn't get along so good with that big chip on your shoulder. You asked for our opinions then started arguing with and putting down the answers and the people that gave them. That is not looking for answers, it is looking for a fight. There is nothing wrong with being young or working retail. You seem to be the one that is sensitive about it.
Since I have run out of anything else that's nice to say and you apparently think that your smarter and wiser than me anyway, I am going to bow out of this "discussion" now..............unless you continue to antagonize us poor, old, dumb folks.lol
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2009 23:58:36 GMT
I'm not terribly sensitive about working retail, I just take offense to being compared to a shady used car salesman and the implication that I have yet to evolve into a more mature work environment/grasp of economics.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2009 0:50:54 GMT
Oops.........there we go again. I guess we wouldn't get along so good with that big chip on your shoulder. You asked for our opinions then started arguing with and putting down the answers and the people that gave them. That is not looking for answers, it is looking for a fight. There is nothing wrong with being young or working retail. You seem to be the one that is sensitive about it. Since I have run out of anything else that's nice to say and you apparently think that your smarter and wiser than me anyway, I am going to bow out of this "discussion" now..............unless you continue to antagonize us poor, old, dumb folks.lol Slave and others need to stop attributing MY venom to TheOwl. he's actually pretty nice. i'm ....well......."Opinionated". and i'm on ALL the sword boards under one name or another, but i chose to make this particular violent outburst HERE where I've observed the largest collection of individuals who display the behavior i find objectionable. and of COURSE you all have some clever counterpoint of contrary opinion as to the effect your actions may have on the microcosm of the sword market economy, you need to defend and justify your actions to yourself. the fact that noone has said : "wow, brick&mortar guys are people too, they love swords, and they think this is a problem, i should knock it the F off" is really just testament to your selfishness and fiscally irresponsible attitudes. and considering the "Learned" Opinions" voiced in most of the threads here i'll give that theres a lot of EXPERIENCE in circulation here, but as to Information being exchanged? well that i must say seems lacking. A good deal of the facts given and exchanged on THIS board are the kinds of things a spend most of my work day CORRECTING from people who know about "Kee-tanas" learned on Home Shopping Network. also : yea, if most of you came into my shop we'd get along GREAT! because you'd be the kind of people who go. into. a. shop. but you dont! so we can't.
|
|
|
Post by shadowhowler on Dec 25, 2009 2:54:37 GMT
I'm not terribly sensitive about working retail, I just take offense to being compared to a shady used car salesman and the implication that I have yet to evolve into a more mature work environment/grasp of economics. Hey, I resemble that remark... I used to work in auto sales. Not eveyone who works in auto sales is shady... but sadly, in my experince, most of em are. As for Utilityslave's comments about maturity... when I was younger I thought I knew it all and didn't need anyone older to tell me anything. As I've grown older I've only started to learn how much I don't know. The first step to wisdom is realizing that you do NOT have all the answers, and that those who have been around the block a bit more then us just might, MIGHT know something we don't know. UtilitySlave is in his 40's with a family a full life of experince... and when he talks, I listen. He is also one of if not THE most relaxed and paitent people on this forum, so when he gets upset, its with good reason. Its worth at least thinking about. and of COURSE you all have some clever counterpoint of contrary opinion as to the effect your actions may have on the microcosm of the sword market economy, you need to defend and justify your actions to yourself. You can stop that car right there... I don't have to justify or defend a damn thing... least of all to you. Certainly not to myself. I am MORE then comfortable with where I stand. Period. the fact that noone has said : "wow, brick&mortar guys are people too, they love swords, and they think this is a problem, i should knock it the F off" is really just testament to your selfishness and fiscally irresponsible attitudes. Correction. Two clerks at one Brick and Mortar sword/knife store have come in here and said there is a problem... and another clerk has said that those two people were talking about a different problem. Thats a couple people, all from the same shop... that does not denote that the whole market is really having a huge issue. You give your own opinion perhaps more weight then it deserves. also : yea, if most of you came into my shop we'd get along GREAT! because you'd be the kind of people who go. into. a. shop. but you dont! so we can't. As I have explained, I WOULD go into a shope... and if the people there were cool and knowledgeable and the prices were affordable, even if a bit over what I could get on the net, I'd go back. I don't have that option, there is no such shop anywhere near me... nor is there any such shop near MOST people. For most of us, tis buy on the net or don't buy at all. How well do you think not buying at all, and thus not infusing the sword market with cash and customers... how well do you think THAT would help the sword industry huh?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2009 3:02:00 GMT
Come on all, its frigging Xmas eve. And i would love just one day where i didn't have to supervise one argument or another.
How about a ceasefire...? Please.
|
|
|
Post by Dave(utilityslave) on Dec 25, 2009 3:31:50 GMT
As usual Shadow, you got the point and its full nuance.
One ceasefire in affect.............as hard as it is...............Merry Christmas Jim and Sean and to all the gang.
|
|
|
Post by mythosequidae on Dec 25, 2009 4:39:50 GMT
I hope your brick and mortar establishment does not count on you 3 fine young gentleman.
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
Sorry Jim, I have far worse to mention about the brilliant notions of these fine boys, but will refrain due to my respect for yourself.
Do you babies explain to Nathan or Mr. Fogg that their forums are junk? I should like to see that. Being such brave puppies as you are, please tell us your famed aliases on these forums. Also...tell us who your store is. It was asked...
|
|
|
Post by mythosequidae on Dec 25, 2009 7:02:31 GMT
Thanks Sean. You are reason. I've edited. But they insulted SBG...... If you young boys knew how to find SBG Forum, surely you boys realize what internet sales are all about. Ebay? SBG has thousands of members/viewers. Why would anybody who sells swords insult such a community? Nonsense. I have made my share of inaccurate statements here, and have insulted. You may rest assured that there are PLENTY of experts here to help with misinformation. SBG is a terrific community that tolerates chit chat and a bit of side lining. This is the best sword forum going. You boys should be trying to sell us swords. Also, perhaps you should have a tailgate meeting before the 3 of you post. I've not personally seen the "good cop-bad cop" thing used for selling swords...until now. It does not work here. Randy.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2009 8:17:00 GMT
You keep saying boys. Try your best not to lump me in with Axidexfoliate, we may work together, but we have different agendas.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2009 8:39:23 GMT
I'm not terribly sensitive about working retail, I just take offense to being compared to a shady used car salesman and the implication that I have yet to evolve into a more mature work environment/grasp of economics. Hey, I resemble that remark... I used to work in auto sales. Not eveyone who works in auto sales is shady... but sadly, in my experince, most of em are. As for Utilityslave's comments about maturity... when I was younger I thought I knew it all and didn't need anyone older to tell me anything. As I've grown older I've only started to learn how much I don't know. The first step to wisdom is realizing that you do NOT have all the answers, and that those who have been around the block a bit more then us just might, MIGHT know something we don't know. UtilitySlave is in his 40's with a family a full life of experince... and when he talks, I listen. He is also one of if not THE most relaxed and paitent people on this forum, so when he gets upset, its with good reason. Its worth at least thinking about. Thank you shadow, if for nothing else, than for seemingly being the only person here that can differentiate between the two of us.
|
|
|
Post by Jeff K. ( Jak) on Dec 25, 2009 8:47:12 GMT
Forgive me if this has been mentioned before, I just skimmed some of the longer posts, but, if you're so worried about Internet sales putting you out of buisiness.....why don't you go online too?
KoA has been brought up, Im sure they were just a brick & mortar at first too, now look at their business. They still have their showroom/shop, to service people within driving distance, but do KILLER online sales....
I'll add the same as many have before me....I'll pay a reasonable markup.....I just consider it a "handle it and get it today fee", instead of waiting a week or two. I live in Edmonton Alberta and visit West Edmonton mall quite regularly, as such I used to buy my swords from the 2 outlets that sell functional weapons, but the markup on their prices is, in MANY cases, upwards of $200.....sometimes double the price of KOA. One of the shops was selling a Hanwei "Damascus" William Marshall sword for $999......uh I think I'll spring for an ALBION for that price! I paid over $600 for the Hanwei Godfred at my local shop, and they wanted over $700 for my Windlass sword of Guy with scabbard and belt from the KoH line.....this was my first functional sword, (and I hadn't even found these online stores yet) and I talked them into a 10% discount but got lucky when they rang it in and accidentally gave me a 30% discount ;D ;D
Anyway, I see where you're coming from as a vendor, and I notice you use the terms, " a little more" or "reasonably more" and to this most of us have said "Yes" we're willing to pay a little more, but being grossly gouged? I'll take my buisiness to KoA until these local shops bring their prices down to a reasonable level. If their overhead is to high because of their location etc.....too bad, I'm not willing to shell out $200 extra for the chance to handle it and chitchat with people that don't seem as knowledgable as the folks around here.
|
|
|
Post by mythosequidae on Dec 25, 2009 8:54:40 GMT
Sir Owl. I am in the market for a 19th C. military sabre. My eye is on the Windlass 1840 heavy. I do not like the heavy curvature of the CS 1796. What can you do? You are up against a $130 USD price tag, but I am willing to go a bit more for you OWL. How much, and by which mfgr? Let us make it public, since this is what the thread is about. This is a good place to sell swords for some weird reason.
|
|
|
Post by Jeff K. ( Jak) on Dec 25, 2009 8:59:45 GMT
I can't get on to KoA at the moment so I'll use Reliks which is a B&M store for somebody....and though Ive bought from them too (still do for some items) and had great customer service, they're not known for their lowest price . Like I said I saw William Marshall Damascus for $999 www.reliks.com/merchant.ihtml?pid=2379That's a $274 difference! My Godfrred, I paid something like $630 www.reliks.com/merchant.ihtml?pid=2315$140 difference And I won't even compare the sword of Guy....that would be WAY to painful So......how much would you guys sell these for Mr. Owl?
|
|
|
Post by mythosequidae on Dec 25, 2009 9:00:12 GMT
Jak...I live 2.5 hrs. away. Swan Hills. I purchased a WM Damascus AND a Godfred off of ebay (new) for $400 USD. For both.
|
|
|
Post by Jeff K. ( Jak) on Dec 25, 2009 9:11:27 GMT
Jak...I live 2.5 hrs. away. Swan Hills. I purchased a WM Damascus AND a Godfred off of ebay (new) for $400 USD. For both. I know, hey? That is an exceptional deal that you wouldn't see very often, in fact its a STEAL! I'll bet you were smiling taht day!! ;D ;D Now I know local shops.....even KoA couldn't sell those swords for $200 a piece and stay in buisiness, but $1000 for a Hanwei??? I have 4 Hanwei sharp swords and a couple blunts as well other items like axes etc. and their quality, while satisfactory, is NOWHERE near Albion or A&A quality, so I ain't paying Albion prices to a local guy for a Hanwei. That would be CRAZY....like a hoot-owl at noon! ;D
|
|
|
Post by mythosequidae on Dec 25, 2009 9:20:07 GMT
I asked the girl if they were real. I actually purchased two William Marshall's. I pulled one and shoved the other in the basement, unopened. For about a year. A few weeks ago I was reading reviews, and decided to go get the other to compare consistency. As I opened the box, I noticed the brown scabbard....WTF...it was a Godfred labelled and tagged as a sh2001. NOT. I was happy, since I actually value the Godfred more so than the WM. I redid the grip and brought the folded guard and pommel back to natural.
|
|