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Post by Kristie on May 10, 2011 19:29:32 GMT
Hi guys, Just wanted to give everyone a heads up on this. I got an e-mail from a new sword vendor called Edge Fair. I don't know how they found me but their newsletter looks promising. They offer free shipping to the lower 48, exclusive products including some that've previously been discontinued and some that're brand new. The price markup is pretty hefty compared to what we're used to at KOA, but they're offering a 20% discount in May. Oh, and they also carry Get Dressed for Battle and Rock Creek Knives. Check it out! edgefair.com/index.aspx |
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Post by Vincent Dolan on May 10, 2011 19:44:44 GMT
That's a pretty sweet find, Kristie; however, except for 2 items, I think I'll personally stick to KoA, even with the free shipping. That markup they've got isn't bad on some items, but on others (the H/Ts in particular), it's crazy.
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Post by 14thforsaken on May 10, 2011 21:06:30 GMT
LOL, like you ever buy anything Vincent. :lol:
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Post by Vincent Dolan on May 10, 2011 21:13:22 GMT
I would if I wasn't so broke, homeless guys ask if I need some change. I'm talking about for my wishlist; since mine is organized by the sites I found a particular piece on, I consider shipping as much as the overall price when considering what to add it under (KoA, SoM, Trueswords, SwordNArmory, etc.). So if KoA's selling something for 165$ + shipping whereas this place is selling the exact same thing for 339$ with free shipping, it's rather obvious I'm going to add it to the list under KoA. I'm basically cheap, so even a few buck's difference is something to consider.
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
VIP Reviewer
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No matter where you go, there you are.
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on May 10, 2011 22:49:18 GMT
I got the Edgefair add too... but will likely stick to KoA, SwordNation, Wiwingti and the like... don't see this new venture selling at any competitive prices.
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Marc Kaden Ridgeway
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Retired Global Moderator
Awful lot of leaving and joining going on here for me .... And gosh I can't recall doing a bit of i
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Post by Marc Kaden Ridgeway on May 10, 2011 23:08:22 GMT
ME three... the email came from Cas Hanwei I believe , as this is going to be their venture... I agree with Sean... I'll stick to Kult and SwordNation , and Tried & True and OdinBlades  If they try to sell for MSRP they won't get far around here...LOL |
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Post by MEversbergII on May 11, 2011 0:07:04 GMT
As above, so below. Got excited for a second when I got the message, but then I realized they're not really offering much.
M.
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Post by Student of Sword on May 11, 2011 2:01:55 GMT
CAS Hanwei had always been a manufacturer/wholesaler. I am a bit concerned that they branch into direct retailing. If they stop selling their blades to retailers like KOA, Sword Nation, Wiwingti; the only way to get their blades is via Edge Fair. With every other manufacturers dropping out of the market, there will be a few big companies left. Hanwei alone control the majority of the market. All the other remaining companies combine do not have half of the production capability (and market share) of Hanwei. I wonder if this is the new strategy to dominate the market. If they control the supply, they set the price. I have the feeling the the era of cheap (relatively speaking) swords is about to come to an end. PS: There are already items that you cannot get them anywhere else, edgefair.com/prod_Exclusive.aspx . |
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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No matter where you go, there you are.
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on May 11, 2011 4:06:48 GMT
Hope your not right SoS... I don't see anything on their exclusive offerings I give a care about... but if they do move things in the direction you mention... that would be a bumer.
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Post by Bogus on May 11, 2011 4:54:31 GMT
Maybe the factory problems have them on the ropes and Hanwei's looking to raise quick cash with some high-margin "exclusives". Or they're outsourcing their distribution system to cut overhead. They'll just screw themselves if they lock out their retailers though--Hanwei's regular production line is great value but at MSRP it's going to get rocked by the competition.
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Post by Kristie on May 11, 2011 12:46:57 GMT
Yeah, the only things I think I might be interested in are the esclusive gladius and the saxon scramasax (so glad they've brought that back) but other than that, yeah, it looks like KOA would be the better choice.
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Post by Vincent Dolan on May 11, 2011 17:17:20 GMT
For me it's the Scramasax and the Dao. I've wanted that dao since before I really got into swords.
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Post by Kristie on May 11, 2011 19:03:53 GMT
Does anyone know anything about the Roman Gladius? I've only been able to find one review so far.
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bpogue
Manufacturer/Vendor
Posts: 354
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Post by bpogue on May 12, 2011 17:03:16 GMT
This just isn't going to happen. Many manufacturers have a direct retail 'option' available directly from their website (think Cold Steel). We simply split EF off into it's own website so as not to confuse items that were not available from our dealers.
These items, the Exclusives, just don't fit into our dealer program for a variety of reasons. We'll probably offer some closeout items at retail as well in the future, along with a couple of other things we have lined up (that the fire has put on hold for now).
Bottom line is, we depend on our dealer network, and it's going to stay that way.
As for this being a knee-jerk reaction after the fire... the domain has been registered since 2007, we've had a site up since some time in 2008 (I think) but have just begun doing any marketing for it after re-launching the site on 4/1.
Any other questions, just ask.
Thanks,
Blake
CAS Hanwei Marketing Director
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Post by Elheru Aran on May 12, 2011 17:37:43 GMT
I did think this had been around for a while, the catalogs I got from Hanwei a while ago were mailed from Edge Fair. Interesting to see these "new" items...
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Post by Student of Sword on May 12, 2011 18:01:41 GMT
Blake,
My sincere apology for the speculation and thank you for addressing the concern.
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Post by Bogus on May 13, 2011 1:46:00 GMT
Ah, good to know. Thanks for clearing the air.  |
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Herron's Flight by Brendan of Fable Blades
