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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2009 9:25:22 GMT
Mythos- The 19th c sabers we have in stock are the CS 1830 and 1860 which both have ridiculous CS prices which I could chip away at, but couldn't touch $130. We have an 1840 saber that is going for somewhere between $100-$150 but I am not sure who made it (if I had to guess, I would say Deepeeka, but I can't be sure) If you're sincerely interested, I could do some hunting and see what I could find for you.
Jak- Looking through Reliks site, it looks like in some cases our prices are a bit more, but if you factor in S&H and the fact that we wheel and deal and give discounts for most things (gave 15% to a girl for wearing a Dr. Who shirt today) our prices are about on the same level. Our Godfred is $450-$500 I believe and I honestly can't remember what the damascus marshall is going for off the top of my head. We also have most of the KOH swords still and they are going for $175-ish except for the Tiberias sword with the grip that we re-wrapped. That one is $200.
And if anyone came into the shop and mentioned that you were a SBG member, we would definitely hook you up.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2009 9:33:55 GMT
You keep saying boys. Try your best not to lump me in with Axidexfoliate, we may work together, but we have different agendas. There is a bit of the old "Guilt by Association" apparent in this convo, and for my part I apologize for any offense taken from my postings. Furthermore, age shouldn't really have any bearing on the discussion either, as I am sure that there are many younger folks out there who are more accomplished in the WMA than some of us here(actually I am a rank amateur, so you all would probably own me). Now, a REASONABLE mark up to cover overhead at a B&M sword store. Hmmmm. To ME, it would depend on the item. IF you had a Christian Fletcher sword in stock, I wouldn't balk at say 20%. That would be due to the blades pedigree and exclusivity, and my want or need to acquire it. Apply the same scenario to a run of the mill Windlass, and my willingness to pay up for it would be totally dependent on the relationship that I had with you. Service sells in my mind, and if I was comfortable that I was buying from dedicated folks who were into the scene for more than just a dime in their pockets, of course I would frequent your establishment. In short, my willingness to pay a markup would be totally dependent on the blades quality,pedigree, exclusivity,rareness,popularity(insert buzzword of choice) and the level of service that I received from a knowledgeable salesman. If nothing else, pointing out a review on SBG, Myarmoury, or a similar sword forum to a customer would be a selling point. Do you have the space to set up a demonstration area at your store? Being able to demonstrate a swords cutting ability to a customer would be a big bonus I would think. Perhaps a few store beater swords of different types to demonstrate froms and techniques?
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Post by Jeff K. ( Jak) on Dec 25, 2009 9:41:19 GMT
Jak- Looking through Reliks site, it looks like in some cases our prices are a bit more, but if you factor in S&H and the fact that we wheel and deal and give discounts for most things (gave 15% to a girl for wearing a Dr. Who shirt today) our prices are about on the same level. Our Godfred is $450-$500 I believe and I honestly can't remember what the damascus marshall is going for off the top of my head. We also have most of the KOH swords still and they are going for $175-ish except for the Tiberias sword with the grip that we re-wrapped. That one is $200. And if anyone came into the shop and mentioned that you were a SBG member, we would definitely hook you up. Well, thats not too bad for the KoH line, see I'd probably pay those price ranges, except the Godfred....KoA has it under $400, but, although MY Godfred is a great cutter (judging by other reviews, the one I got seems to have been exceptionally well sharpened), from personal experience, I don't feel Hanwei's "Damascus" is worth the extra $ So whats your price range on: Hanwei Scottish Baskethilt Broadsword Antiqued Taza Cuphilt Rapier Antiqued Gustav Rapier Cromwell Mortuary These are the ones Im looking at for the lower price ranges, after that Im really only interested in what Albion has to offer for Medieval. The Cromwell is another one with a huge variation is price... Reliks has it for $398.99 but KoA has it for around $250 I believe....when we're looking at that much difference, I'll go for the cheaper site. $50-$75 extra and I'll buy locally.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2009 9:47:15 GMT
You keep saying boys. Try your best not to lump me in with Axidexfoliate, we may work together, but we have different agendas. Do you have the space to set up a demonstration area at your store? Being able to demonstrate a swords cutting ability to a customer would be a big bonus I would think. Perhaps a few store beater swords of different types to demonstrate froms and techniques? Everyone has their own issues regarding how much they are willing to pay for something, sometimes we can meet their goal, sometimes it's too much of a hit for us. We do have several beater swords for people to handle and try out forms to see how they like it. We used to be in a different location, and in that spot we had a corner that was walled off with plexiglass and we would do cutting demonstrations. Unfortunately we were not able to factor in a demo area into this store, but we do occasionally move cases out of the way and have a pro come in to do a day of tameshigiri, and several times a year we net off an area of the food court and have guys from the SCA and Adrian empire come out to do tournaments.
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Post by mythosequidae on Dec 25, 2009 9:50:58 GMT
The WM D has an MSRP of a bit over $800. This is ridiculous. Unless the hollow grind costs that much. The Godfred has a K120c folded blade PLUS a folded guard and pommel, yet is several hundred less. This is where the MSRP fight loses it's wind. Only an idiot would pay $800 plus for a WM Damascus. Hence the argument.
If you cannot compete (within 15%) with net prices Owl, you will not get me, since I MUST have it shipped anyway. I live away up in the woods. That is the diff. for those such as I. You are very polite, and I do ask forgiveness for lumping you in with your bud. He will not be the salesman of the week here at least....
Chris from Reliks will match ANY regular price on Windlass. You must ask. He is a terrific rep.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2009 9:59:11 GMT
Jak- Looking through Reliks site, it looks like in some cases our prices are a bit more, but if you factor in S&H and the fact that we wheel and deal and give discounts for most things (gave 15% to a girl for wearing a Dr. Who shirt today) our prices are about on the same level. Our Godfred is $450-$500 I believe and I honestly can't remember what the damascus marshall is going for off the top of my head. We also have most of the KOH swords still and they are going for $175-ish except for the Tiberias sword with the grip that we re-wrapped. That one is $200. And if anyone came into the shop and mentioned that you were a SBG member, we would definitely hook you up. Hanwei Scottish Baskethilt Broadsword - antiqued or regular? can't remember off the top of my head but i'm going to guess around $300 Antiqued Taza Cuphilt Rapier -$ 350ish Antiqued Gustav Rapier- $ 250 Cromwell Mortuary-$ 399 These are all off of the top of my head so don't quote me on any of these, but they are all in the right area. And this is also before any sort of discount is applied.
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Post by Jeff K. ( Jak) on Dec 25, 2009 10:01:17 GMT
Chris from Reliks will match ANY regular price on Windlass. You must ask. He is a terrific rep. Really? Just on Windlass though? Damn, too bad windlass isn't offering anything Im interested in....their Blackened Rapier is pretty much the same as the Hanweis Gustav, except Windlass' is more $ and the detail on the guard is HORRIBLE!!!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2009 10:07:05 GMT
We'll match prices within reason. But in the end I don't own the store, so there are some things I just cannot do.
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Post by Jeff K. ( Jak) on Dec 25, 2009 10:17:15 GMT
Hanwei Scottish Baskethilt Broadsword - antiqued or regular? can't remember off the top of my head but i'm going to guess around $300 Antiqued Taza Cuphilt Rapier -$ 350ish Antiqued Gustav Rapier- $ 250 Cromwell Mortuary-$ 399 Well, you're pretty much on par with Reliks or Therion Arms, probably better than any of my local shops....but there's the problem that arises with me and with many of us here, either we don't have an actual shop to go into, or the ones we DO have gouge us for practical stuff. Thus we are forced into on-line buying. In my case, I buy from KoA when the Can.$ is up, I can get the same swords for less than say Reliks, but when our dollar is down, with conversion and shipping, Im not saving anything so I'll buy from Reliks, But there we go.....both are Actual retail stores but they get all that online buisiness. Now if my local store would stock and sell the swords that I listed above....Id probably go down there and drop what you're asking for them.....after haggling a little But honestly, if you wanna compete....get on the net too. It'll add more to your overhead but once you get your name out there as a reputable dealer and start establishing a clientelle, you'll be available to everybody and thus be able to adjust your prices accordingly.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2009 12:40:58 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. Sure....besides I don't want to spend my christmas talking to a brick wall =)
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Post by shadowhowler on Dec 25, 2009 15:10:35 GMT
several times a year we net off an area of the food court and have guys from the SCA and Adrian empire come out to do tournaments. That would be awesome to see... wish you guys were in my area so I could check it out.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2009 19:17:44 GMT
Well if you contract brain fever and decide that visiting Rialto would be a good idea, you should swing by.
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Post by shadowhowler on Dec 25, 2009 23:40:17 GMT
Well if you contract brain fever and decide that visiting Rialto would be a good idea, you should swing by. Heh Heh... I drove by Rialto a couple years ago on my way to Las Vegas... that was close enough.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 26, 2009 3:06:45 GMT
Owl, we do have a few custom swords in our ol' shoppe, just not what these folks might be expecting (Lundemos, Fletchers, and the like).
We currently carry several unique folded Chinese swords made for the high end mainland China market (rich steel barons, I guess), a couple of Chris Zhou's blades quenched in the springs at Loquan, China, as well as a lovely fencing epee with a rapier hilt that you customized, and finally (in the spirit of self aggrandization) a GORGEOUS custom ordered fencing main gauche, (re-)built by myself for one of our Adrian Empire customers.
okay, maybe the gauche isn't THAT gorgeous....
And last but not least, the stag handled hand &1/2 katzbalger forged by that crazy guy who sends us crazy stuff occasionally. I dont remember the specifics on it; wasn't the guard (or is it the blade?) made from something unorthodox, like the leaf spring from a Sopwith Camel that he found on his property, or something else equally nutty?
Point being, we DO carry a bit of custom work in our humble store.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 26, 2009 4:02:52 GMT
I'm glad to see things have calmed down here, when reasonable discussion gives way to petty bickering no one wins.
As i mentioned to a friend of mine (with whom i was discussing this topic) Commerce is commerce, whether its online or in person. Having the ability to visit and shop at a B&M store is a luxury that not all of us share.
Either way, a person is always inclined to find the best deal... If a B&M store is selling an item for 10% less than the B&M store across the street you go for the better deal, right? The same goes for shopping over the net, if one vendor is selling the same sword for 10% cheaper than the other you go for the better deal.
In my case, there is not a sword store anywhere near me. On top of that, my disability prevents me from driving and arranging rides from friends & family is sometimes difficult. Online shopping is a convenience for me, and i supplement the lack of hands on experience (that you can get at a B&M location) with extensive reviews from websites & forums,... like SBG.
E-commerce eventually causing the shutdown of retail locations is a legitimate concern, this seems to be happening with increased frequency. However, you can't blame places like this as being the catalyst. Communities like this have helped sustain many businesses both B&M & E-stores alike. They have also helped to facilitate the growth & expansion of many young upstarts which eventually became industry wide names.
In the end, its not really any different whether you buy your sword from a physical store or a virtual one. If folks want something to be outraged about be outraged about the +300% markups that us consumers have to pay after both the manufacturers & vendors take their piece. Not to start a new debate or anything, but if you wanted to point fingers about why this industry and many others are in the shape they're in that is as good a place to start as any.
Anyway, to you newer guys, welcome to the forum. Maybe you'll stick around long enough to get to know some of us, you may enjoy it.
EDIT: Oh yea, Merry Christmas Guys & Gals ;D
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Post by Deleted on Dec 26, 2009 6:19:09 GMT
I´m in solvign now...a nice little tourist trap. I see wall hangers for sale even here in a tourist trap, in a small gift shop, the prices I´m seeing are pretty competitive with online prices. They are no more then 10 bucks more then what I see online. Even here, they aren´t selling for MSRP.
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Post by mythosequidae on Dec 26, 2009 22:44:14 GMT
Why don't you guys establish a vendor's account? Jabberwock mentioned that you have some unique Chinese swords. I have seen people here whine about no decent Chinese blades. Add some pics. I am stupid, so if I have considered this, surely you have. We need some new opinionated guys like you few. You will sell stuff...
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Post by Deleted on Dec 27, 2009 13:26:20 GMT
Lundemo, Fletcher, Samson and the like are all very cool, and most sword nuts drool over their stuff of course, but some thing with Sopwith Camel parts? Thats a horse of a different color my friend, and please share more on that subject. I for one have always had a taste for the offbeat, unusual, and unique. Custom stuff from smaller less well known guys is always great to hear about and see. I would second the suggestion that you fellows could venture into Etrade right here on SBG.
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Post by Jeff K. ( Jak) on Dec 28, 2009 0:08:02 GMT
Well, theOwl, you'll be happy to hear that I supported my local shop today!! Went in and found CAS Cromwell sword at 35% off.....I payed $315 after tax! Not too shabby at all! I just wished they had a Scottish Baskethilt since that was what I was ultimately looking for but I couldn't pass this up!
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Post by Dave(utilityslave) on Dec 28, 2009 1:52:25 GMT
Good show Jak!
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