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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2012 2:44:49 GMT
Hello SBG members. I am new to swords and recently found this great forum. I've been into knives and various weaponry my whole life, and recently picked up my first sword (a fantastic Hanwei raptor katana). So I've outlined "the good", "the bad" is I was taken advantage of on my first purchase. It was not a sponsor here and I will post the name of the vendor if it is not against forum rules. "The ugly". This has left a bad taste in my mouth, it is as much my own fault for allowing it to happen as an (or so I thought lol) informed consumer. I visited this vendor as they are somewhat local to me in the Toronto Canada area as I had never held a functional sword and was Leary of ordering online not knowing what I was ordering. I went to the shop with a price range in mind and a make and model I was interested in. At the shop I was able to determine with the shop owner that the model I had in mind was below the quality I was looking for, and settled on one of the Hanwei Raptor models as it was a good blend of price and quality. I am totally happy with my purchase except I was charged double what the going price of this sword is. I share the blame equally for not taking the time to research the sword before purchase but the store owner had after spending 30 min or so with me won my trust. The vendor has an extensive inventory of quality merchandise but I am disappointed with the way a "noobie" was suckered into paying more than fair market value and wish to help prevent this from happening again. If it is not against forum rules I will gladly name the store so that this doesn't happen to anyone else. Now that I know what I am after I will happily deal with any of this boards sponsors or the SBG store. Sorry for the rant as a first post. Adam
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Post by Maynar on Oct 28, 2012 3:22:00 GMT
As a fellow Canadian, I can sympathize with you about your purchase price on that kat. The Canadian retailers pay big-time brokerage fees to import, which means US online vendors offer a much better deal, even with high shipping costs.
Personally I patronize koa and sna and sometimes customs doesn't even bother with me. Other times I'm not so lucky. YMMV.
Hail and well-met, welcome to SBG.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2012 3:32:11 GMT
Thanks Maynar. I found this sword on a few Canadian retailers sites for half of what I paid and very close to Kult of Athena's price, I would have bought from them but I wanted to see some swords first hand. I'm not oblivious to the costs of importing but double what other retailers sell for is robbery. Even with customs and shipping I paid almost $200 more. I have contacted the retailer and am waiting to hear a response. I don't make mistakes like this often which is why this is bugging me so much lol I know better. Adam
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Post by OttoVonFaart on Oct 28, 2012 3:32:54 GMT
As a former resident of the GTA (I lived in York) I'm not surprised at your case of "sticker shock" when you purchased your sword locally. By the time you add on the outrageous customs duties, VAT and the provincial sales tax you're basically paying almost double for anything imported from Asia... oh, except Chinese immigrants!
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Post by Lobster Hunter on Oct 28, 2012 3:56:07 GMT
I wouldn't feel too bad about your experience. I'm guessing you paid something along the lines of Hanwei's Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price for your Raptor. For example, Hanwei's MSRP for a Raptor Shinogi zukuri is currently $490. This price factors in the estimated overhead cost of running a business, especially a brick & mortar retail operation. You add the import fees and all that and it starts to make some sense why you ended up paying more than what you would've paid a competitive internet based store.
Hopefully, your future wise purchases will compensate for paying too much for your first katana. My first sword was a barely functional Masahiro kat worth $90 at best at a Japanese gift shop. I think I had paid close to $200 for it. At least you overpaid for a GOOD sword!
Welcome to the hobby!
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Oct 28, 2012 4:13:21 GMT
Yeah, a lot of cutlery shops will do that. A shop we had around here a while ago was charging around $500 for a Hanwei Practical Katana. They are not in business anymore. I just thought it was the price to be paid, as it was before I had internet access and knowledge of general prices.
Sorry you got a bit skewered on the deal, but congratulations on the new sword! Like Lobster said, a lot of us paid exorbitant prices for glorified wall hangers, at least you landed a great quality cutter.
Welcome to SBG!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2012 4:28:40 GMT
Thanks guys. I work in the saltwater aquarium trade and import from china on a weekly basis. The Internet dealers pay exactly what the brick and mortar guys pay Hanwei for the swords wholesale and they still make money. I do realize a physical store costs money (my partner runs our aquarium storefront), I have to compete with the web guys daily and match prices and I do ok anyway enough of that I feel much better (so does my wife now that I'm not bugging her with it). And yes it is an amazing sword. Adam
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