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Post by John Kenshin on Apr 28, 2013 12:35:30 GMT
I'm pretty new to sword collecting and my collection isn't that big yet. 9 katana's ranging in prices from $70-$400. I've recently been looking at the swords on Amazon and I'm amazed at the variety and the range of prices. I purchased one off Amazon but was really sold by eTrading. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SL ... UTF8&psc=1 Nice looking blade once I put it together. Is it a good idea to go though Amazon or should I buy from other places?
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Post by hussar on Apr 28, 2013 13:05:30 GMT
If it works for you fine but take a look elsewhere to see what swords and prices you can get I've never tried using amazon to buy swords but if the seller is good and the product decent I see no reason why not
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Post by Sugiyama on Apr 28, 2013 13:40:38 GMT
Well if you find it at a lower price on Amazon than you do on Kult of Athena, call up Kult of Athena. It's their policy to find the lowest prices and beat them.
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Post by Onimusha on May 4, 2013 5:13:53 GMT
You'll get better customer service if you go through a dedicated sword vendor.
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Post by stickem on May 4, 2013 10:53:42 GMT
About a year ago, I bought 2 swords from Amazon, both Hanwei. Both times the reason I bought them from Amazon was they had the lowest price I could find anywhere. Lower than KoA, etc., anywhere. The first was a Hanwei Musashi iaito. You know how a straight object looks bent when you begin to place it underwater? For instance, when you dip your fishing pole in the fishing hole, the part you see under the water appears to have this weird angle relative to the part which is still above the water? We're talkin' 'bout that whole refraction-in-water-gives-distortion thing? Well, that's what this iaito looked like when it arrived. Crooked as a DC politician Needless to say, not exactly the best thing for practicing your quick draw to do so with a crooked stick, so I sent it back, natch. The second was a Hanwei Orchid tanto. The kashira literally looked like someone had been hammering nails with the end of the tsuka to hang pictures of Chairman Mao on the wall :shock: Sent it back as well, goes without saying. Neither or these items should have passed anyone's QC process. Keep in mind, I was a complete novice at the time, and even I noticed the issues with these Hanwei within mere moments of taking 'em out of the box. So someone with actual experience at QCing 'em for a living definitely sh- c- w- oulda seen the problems.They chose to sell 'em to me anyway, with absolutely no head's up that they should be considered factory 2nds (and that is a generous appraisal of their condition). As a result of this experience, my gut tells me Amazon sometimes re-sells as "new" a sword a buyer has already returned due to its problems. Not sure if this is related to the fact Amazon has other vendors selling through their services - meaning Amazon employees themselves probably never saw the items directly - but this seems likely, given they certainly regularly operate this way with books. Bottom line: I now avoid buying swords on Amazon.com like a "lady" with herpe-hepa-gono-syphil-aids :cry:
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Post by Maynar on May 4, 2013 14:19:52 GMT
KoA will also remove the tsuka and inspect it for cracks upon request. This is essential, in my view. With that and the price match guarantee, I always buy from them and would not consider Amazon.
Good for books and DVD's etc. Swords, not so much.
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Post by KaOsBlaKbLaDe on May 4, 2013 15:20:50 GMT
I'll second the idea of contactin KOA with the low price you found elsewhere and let them match it. The inspection by hand at KOA is worth the difference IMO, but if they're willing to match, then have at it. Custome sevice at KOA is impeccable, and establishing a relationship with them now at the beginning of your sword collecting fetish, can pay dividends down the road.
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Post by John Kenshin on May 4, 2013 15:47:25 GMT
So far all the swords I've purchased going though amazon have been just for display purposes only. I haven't had any trouble and the swords have arrived in great shape. I think from now on I'll purchase good cutting blades from other vendors and display swords from amazon.
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Post by Adrian Jordan on May 6, 2013 3:16:48 GMT
I love Amazon, and have ordered hundreds of items, including knives, from them. However, I would not advise anybody to look to them as a sword vendor.
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