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Post by the6thdeadlyvenom on Nov 19, 2015 20:07:02 GMT
I won't bother sugar coating anything here but know that I mean no offense. That sword is not worth more than $100 and you let the seller off wayyy too easy imo. I think of this seller as I do Ryansword: deceitful, dishonest and unreliable. At least you know one more seller to avoid in the future Thanks for the review LOL! Not offended at all. Sugar coating is what offends me. You're probably right but I have to take some responsibility myself taking the risk of making the order after reading what I did on here. Plus it suits my needs. I want a beater sword I don't care about to abuse in the backyard. After a usable wrap this will be it. The 2 Huawei's on the other hand I want to customize into masterpieces (Maybe when you start accepting commissions again ) that will see little if any cutting and will be cherished.
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Nov 19, 2015 20:17:34 GMT
Hey Venom, I don't want to seem like I am promoting my own thread but would you consider posting your experiences with these eBay forges in this thread? sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/45748/sword-forge-buying-experience-results. Since so many people have questions about them I have been trying to find a way to keep a running, current log of their performances and see how their offerings are progressing.
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Post by the6thdeadlyvenom on Nov 19, 2015 20:18:07 GMT
LOL! Well stated. I must say that I received my second sword from Huawei, a Choji Hammon blade in Shirasaya (bought a blade in shirasaya because I wans to have a custom tsuka and wrap and use my own fittings that I have already) and it is a breathtaking blade. Just gorgeous and worth every penny.. More even.. IMHO you're not playing roulette with Huawei. Also I updated my first post in this review with the final resolution from ST-Nihonto and a revelation as to how he has maintained 100%+ feedback. Just read your update and man is that pathetic... $25 dollars to shut you up, that's weak. I've never actually thrown out a blacklist call but this is definitely worthy. $75 isn't even worth keeping the sword. Especially after the feedback bribery. He should be reported and taken off Ebay in my opinion. I'm a pretty mellow guy but you must be even more because if this was me I'd have his ass in a sling. Yeah.. I need to be extremely chill. Because when I lose my cool It's like 10 fuel-air bombs strapped to an ICBM drop kicked by Satan himself. LOL ! I've had to learn the art of Zen my friend. Plus as I said I accept some responsibility myself. I had an idea what I was getting into. I consciously decided to risk 2 sellers. In doing so I found a real gem in Huawei so I'm ok with the whole experience. I just wanted to get this out to you guys so I save someone else the same experience.
Absolutely!
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Nov 20, 2015 4:08:20 GMT
Thanks! I'm hoping it'll save some members some heartache in the future.
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Post by greatsaiyaman888 on Nov 20, 2015 16:37:06 GMT
This sounds like vendor bashing and fanboyism IMHO. We have 2-3 other reviews from this company recently including Even-sword who are no doubt affiliated. Those swords were custom and looked a lot better than this one here. They went in depth on there specifications and fittings and got a sword coming out looking half decent with a couple of minor flaws. Then we have this 'review' from that clearly doesn't know what they have ordered, (junk synthetic ito, gaudy cheap alloy fittings, non specified blade) and then they complain about that they received LOL. It sounds like this is only your second purchase as well, the other being a Huawei, and it seems you don't really know what you are talking about.... the fact they offered you a partial discount and still refunded you $75 for you to then complain still about it is pretty common practice on EBay. $75 and you still want to semprini and complain about leaving positive feedback? I think that's pretty good service if you ask me IMHO. I think it's safer for beginners to buy off the shelf from these vendors and know what you are looking for first.
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Post by nddave on Nov 20, 2015 17:26:05 GMT
This sounds like vendor bashing and fanboyism IMHO. We have 2-3 other reviews from this company recently including Even-sword who are no doubt affiliated. Those swords were custom and looked a lot better than this one here. They went in depth on there specifications and fittings and got a sword coming out looking half decent with a couple of minor flaws. Then we have this 'review' from that clearly doesn't know what they have ordered, (junk synthetic ito, gaudy cheap alloy fittings, non specified blade) and then they complain about that they received LOL. It sounds like this is only your second purchase as well, the other being a Huawei, and it seems you don't really know what you are talking about.... the fact they offered you a partial discount and still refunded you $75 for you to then complain still about it is pretty common practice on EBay. $75 and you still want to semprini and complain about leaving positive feedback? I think that's pretty good service if you ask me IMHO. I think it's safer for beginners to buy off the shelf from these vendors and know what you are looking for first. Vendor bashing? Fanboyism? If there's any fanboyism it's from you defending this vendor for both blatantly ignoring order requests as well as buying off a "positive feedback" post. You know what gets positive feedback? Positive business transactions. Does a restaurant get positive feedback from you if they screw up your order and feed you undercooked food, even if they offer a partial refund ( less than a quarter of what you paid for the meal) for a good review on feedback? I'd hope not. I'd hope you'd be honest and say what your true experience was. That they screwed up your order undercooked it and then tried to earn a positive feedback with a buy off. That way the next person that goes in that restaurant knows what to expect and doesn't leave with the same experience or worse food poisoning. Should it be any different with swords? IMHO no. If they screw up be it a chef or a sword vendor/manufacture they should be aware of it as well as other possible customers so not only does the chef or v/m up their game and better their standards but so that other customers don't have the same experience. That update in the OP is about the lowest I've seen from a vendor, aside from a time where the vendor blatantly called out the customer and told them they didn't know jack and they should be lucky they have what they have from that vendor. FYI that vendor was blacklisted and isn't allowed on this site anymore, why because he was a bad vendor and deserved criticism. Everything in that update is bad on the vendor not the customer. The fact you can actually defend this crook is a real blow to any moral standing you have here on SBG. We're a Sword Buyers Guide, it's our thankless job to inform and review. If something is misleading in description or if something is not what it's supposed to be upon arrival or worse if there are customer service and transactional issues, it's our job to post those and let other potential buyers be aware of the issues. Good and bad in a objective manner. $25 or even the buyer's push for $75 doesn't negate the issues the buyer had with the vendor or the product offered. If $75 is all it takes to please a buyer who expected what he ordered, then the vendors best route would be to cut the price of his swords by $75 and honestly describe what his swords really are. Then I guess it's all good right? Fact is this buyer paid over $300 for a specific item he ordered using the vendors own simple customization options and got absolutely nothing he ordered. This Vendor offers him $25 to shut him up and post positively on his buyer page to avoid the vendor's cost of return replacement or refund or from negative feedback being posted. Buyer pushes it to $75 and that makes everything ok? Really!?
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Post by Kiyoshi on Nov 20, 2015 18:05:43 GMT
To add more fire to the flame, my first custom order I made with him, he wouldn't even take until I left him five stars and did the second on PayPal so I couldn't leave feedback. By the time I got the sword, it was too late to edit the feedback.
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Post by the6thdeadlyvenom on Nov 20, 2015 18:39:06 GMT
This sounds like vendor bashing and fanboyism IMHO. We have 2-3 other reviews from this company recently including Even-sword who are no doubt affiliated. Those swords were custom and looked a lot better than this one here. They went in depth on there specifications and fittings and got a sword coming out looking half decent with a couple of minor flaws. Then we have this 'review' from that clearly doesn't know what they have ordered, (junk synthetic ito, gaudy cheap alloy fittings, non specified blade) and then they complain about that they received LOL. It sounds like this is only your second purchase as well, the other being a Huawei, and it seems you don't really know what you are talking about.... the fact they offered you a partial discount and still refunded you $75 for you to then complain still about it is pretty common practice on EBay. $75 and you still want to semprini and complain about leaving positive feedback? I think that's pretty good service if you ask me IMHO. I think it's safer for beginners to buy off the shelf from these vendors and know what you are looking for first. Not sure who tinkled in your Cheerios this morning bud but this was a review of what I ordered, what I received, my opinion of what I received and the details of the transaction. If it offends you, tough.. Leave the forum or ignore my posts. If others received swords from this seller or other sellers whom you believe to be affiliated with him.. Great! They can post their experiences and opinions here as well and anyone considering an order can take all these things into account and make a big-boy decision for themselves. I don't know what I ordered? Are you high? I very clearly stated EXACTLY what I ordered. The problem is that what I ordered isn't what I received.. If you think refunding me $75 (only after offering $25) and then holding the $75 ransom for making me leave positive feedback (skewing his true feedback so that other potential buyers are duped into thinking he gives perfect service) is "good service".. Unless of course you are in some way affiliated with this buyer. Then I could completely understand your ridiculously coming to his defense. Oh and I don't know what I'm talking about? No pal, I know exactly what I'm talking about, you just don't like it. That's your problem! Deal with it and quit slingin' mud.
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Nov 20, 2015 18:50:41 GMT
This sounds like vendor bashing and fanboyism IMHO. We have 2-3 other reviews from this company recently including Even-sword who are no doubt affiliated. Those swords were custom and looked a lot better than this one here. They went in depth on there specifications and fittings and got a sword coming out looking half decent with a couple of minor flaws. Then we have this 'review' from that clearly doesn't know what they have ordered, (junk synthetic ito, gaudy cheap alloy fittings, non specified blade) and then they complain about that they received LOL. It sounds like this is only your second purchase as well, the other being a Huawei, and it seems you don't really know what you are talking about.... the fact they offered you a partial discount and still refunded you $75 for you to then complain still about it is pretty common practice on EBay. $75 and you still want to semprini and complain about leaving positive feedback? I think that's pretty good service if you ask me IMHO. I think it's safer for beginners to buy off the shelf from these vendors and know what you are looking for first. Don't know what review you are reading, but your post is totally unacceptable. You are aggressive, arrogant and dismissive, all on top of making claims of vendor bashing on the strength that the OP is unhappy that his order was incorrect and of lower quality. This is a warning, one more post like that and you will receive a formal warning and potentially a ban.
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Post by nddave on Nov 20, 2015 18:57:03 GMT
To add more fire to the flame, my first custom order I made with him, he wouldn't even take until I left him five stars and did the second on PayPal so I couldn't leave feedback. By the time I got the sword, it was too late to edit the feedback. Wow, that's even worse. Holding your order ransom!? Does he not realize it's your money he's after not the other way around?
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Post by Kiyoshi on Nov 20, 2015 20:10:49 GMT
Holding your order ransom!? Does he not realize it's your money he's after not the other way around? Want to hear something even worse? That was the compromise. He originally wanted me to buy 40 of his $10 sword certificates and rate them all 5 stars. I told him that was something I'd have to report to eBay and he adjusted the price to $400. I bought that and he said he'd start after I gave him 5 stars. I figured "whatever, I can edit my feedback if I don't like it." Then I didn't get the sword until after it was too late to edit.
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Post by nddave on Nov 20, 2015 20:30:30 GMT
Holding your order ransom!? Does he not realize it's your money he's after not the other way around? Want to hear something even worse? That was the compromise. He originally wanted me to buy 40 of his $10 sword certificates and rate them all 5 stars. I told him that was something I'd have to report to eBay and he adjusted the price to $400. I bought that and he said he'd start after I gave him 5 stars. I figured "whatever, I can edit my feedback if I don't like it." Then I didn't get the sword until after it was too late to edit. So he wanted you to buy a sword plus certificates or buy the certificates and he'd "give you a sword" upon the ratings?
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Post by Kiyoshi on Nov 20, 2015 20:55:42 GMT
I asked for a custom that he priced at $400 ish. He wanted me to buy enough $10 sword certificates to equal up to the one sword and rate them all 5 stars.
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Post by nddave on Nov 20, 2015 21:25:43 GMT
I asked for a custom that he priced at $400 ish. He wanted me to buy enough $10 sword certificates to equal up to the one sword and rate them all 5 stars. Yea that's ridiculous. That should've been a warning sign regarding the quality of the swords right there. Simply buy a sword and there's no guarantee you'll get what you paid for, buy and rate these certificates and I'll make sure you get what you paid for and then some, oh it's unethical to ask this? Ok I'll sell you the sword for the same price and make it to your specs but only until you pre-rate it highly. Yea I would've walked away and fast. This is definitely stuff that needs to be brought to light in the Ebay vendors thread. This is definitely shady and should be noted for other potential buyers sake. This guy shouldn't be allowed to even be a vendor nor should any other who does this.
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Post by greatsaiyaman888 on Nov 20, 2015 22:41:30 GMT
I asked for a custom that he priced at $400 ish. He wanted me to buy enough $10 sword certificates to equal up to the one sword and rate them all 5 stars. Wow that's crazy. I've heard of eBay sellers trying tricks like that to boost there ratings from my eBay vendor but I didnt know it was that bad. I presumed they each opened multiple accounts to boost there ratings, not ticking off the customers to do so as well. That just sounds wrong on so many levels, even more so than offering a $75 refund just because I complained about everything. They way I see it, I wouldnt take any partial refund and if it was bad I'd just return it and be done with there business and move on. Coming on to forums and bashing businesses in droves I find particularly untasteful. Being told to leave a group just because I find the OP's manner of writing particularly aggressive and informal leaves a bad taste in my mouth, more so being threatened with a formal warning and a ban from a moderator because you didn't like what my opinion was anymore than I liked yours. Paying $225 for a cheap sword including shipping isn't terrible when you take into consideration the price. I'll add that playing 'roulette' with sword company means in gambling on that vendors ability to produce a quality product. You don't play roulette with a company such as Huawei because you know what you will get, a decent blade with bulky tsuka and the same fittings as any other eBay vendor. You are not gambling because that's what you get. Ask them for a laminated blade with Japanese fittings though and you are gambling just as much as any other vendor.
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Post by greatsaiyaman888 on Nov 20, 2015 23:06:12 GMT
Re-reading your review I would be annoyed to to be honest. Messing up your orders such as the wrong ito and cheap fuchi and kashira (expected) is a deal breaker. I understand your anger and I apologise for my outburst. When you invest in something you expect far better. I'd steer clear from this vendor in future as I've had similar experiences with other eBay vendors too that mess things up and don't give you what want.
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Post by Kiyoshi on Nov 21, 2015 1:51:47 GMT
Wow that's crazy. I've heard of eBay sellers trying tricks like that to boost there ratings from my eBay vendor but I didnt know it was that bad. I presumed they each opened multiple accounts to boost there ratings, not ticking off the customers to do so as well. That just sounds wrong on so many levels, even more so than offering a $75 refund just because I complained about everything. They way I see it, I wouldnt take any partial refund and if it was bad I'd just return it and be done with there business and move on. Coming on to forums and bashing businesses in droves I find particularly untasteful. Being told to leave a group just because I find the OP's manner of writing particularly aggressive and informal leaves a bad taste in my mouth, more so being threatened with a formal warning and a ban from a moderator because you didn't like what my opinion was anymore than I liked yours. Paying $225 for a cheap sword including shipping isn't terrible when you take into consideration the price. I'll add that playing 'roulette' with sword company means in gambling on that vendors ability to produce a quality product. You don't play roulette with a company such as Huawei because you know what you will get, a decent blade with bulky tsuka and the same fittings as any other eBay vendor. You are not gambling because that's what you get. Ask them for a laminated blade with Japanese fittings though and you are gambling just as much as any other vendor. It isn't that you disagree, it's how you do it. There are much more polite ways to say you disagree than to claim that someone knows nothing or that they are complaining/am a fanboy. I suggest, instead, to only argue the facts that don't come from opinion and leaving out everything else. So instead, posting something like this: "We have 2-3 reviews from this company, including one from even-sword who might be affiliated (we don't know one way or another, so this is a personal belief). They went in depth on their specifications and fittings and received swords that were of higher quality than this with only a few flaws. It sounds like this might be only your second purchase. I recommend that you research what you can ask for next time and get as specific as possible. I also think them offering you a partial discount is common practice on eBay. I think it is pretty good service to offer it to you, so it isn't such a bad thing to leave good feedback. I think it is safer for beginners to buy off the shelf from these vendors until they know what to look and ask for." I think stated this way, you would have had a discussion on your hands instead of backlash. You have strong opinions and can discuss many things well. Your input can be valuable too. It appears to be the way you are saying what you say that is offending people. It is okay to disagree, but tact is very important. I hope I haven't overstepped my bounds with this message. I can delete it if I have. Edit: Another tip is to use sentences structured from your point of view, like saying "I think ..." "I feel that ..." or "In my opinion..." Sentences structured like that are much less likely to be taken offensively. You'll have to forgive me, I've taken too many psych classes.
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Post by the6thdeadlyvenom on Nov 21, 2015 18:03:38 GMT
Guys I'm starting to feel bad here. I didn't intend to bash ST-Nihonto. I simply wanted to review and document what I requested, what I received and the details of the transaction. For your benefit, not mine. Let me be clear I have ZERO problem with him offering me a partial refund. I accepted his offer, my feet were not held to the fire on this. He agreed that all of my gripes were valid and he apologized. He agreed to the return/full refund but asked me to consider the partial refund. I agreed to accept the partial refund. Although I do agree with what a few others have stated here that what I received might not be worth what I paid, I personally feel ok with it. My biggest gripe is the partial refund being held hostage for positive feedback. Especially now with a few others coming forward siting similar shady requests from ST. That is what left the worst taste in my mouth. In the end I refused to leave him positive feedback BEFORE he sent me my refund. He has now sent my $75 refund via Paypal and I will not be leaving him positive feedback. Not negative either just none at all. I'm not recommending for anyone to avoid this seller. You might get a good sword, you might get a great sword. You might get a great sword that you are disappointed with and you might get a crappy sword that you are completely happy with. Everyone is different and everyone has different standards and expectations. Just know that when you are viewing his or ANY other seller's feedback on EBay it may or may not be indicative of the degree or quality of service. Especially Chinese sellers. Sorry to say this but they seem the most prone to shady selling behaviors on there. Stick to forums like this, read the reviews, positive and negative and decide for yourself. That's what I did. I would have NEVER risked an EBay katana until finding this forum. After all the stuff I read on here I chose ST-Nihonto and Huawei to take a chance on. I appreciate this forum and it's reviews and reviewers and am glad I found it.
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Nov 21, 2015 19:42:28 GMT
No need to feel bad, and you summed up nicely why. We need all the feedback, not just the good, to get a good, true picture of a vendor or forge. This one seems to be okay with their lower cost, off the shelf stuff, but a couple of the things mentioned here about custom orders and businesses practices are worrying. Potential buyers should hear them and add them to their considerations, along with the good, when deciding to buy.
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Post by greatsaiyaman888 on Nov 21, 2015 22:55:11 GMT
Guys I'm starting to feel bad here. I didn't intend to bash ST-Nihonto. I simply wanted to review and document what I requested, what I received and the details of the transaction. For your benefit, not mine. Let me be clear I have ZERO problem with him offering me a partial refund. I accepted his offer, my feet were not held to the fire on this. He agreed that all of my gripes were valid and he apologized. He agreed to the return/full refund but asked me to consider the partial refund. I agreed to accept the partial refund. Although I do agree with what a few others have stated here that what I received might not be worth what I paid, I personally feel ok with it. My biggest gripe is the partial refund being held hostage for positive feedback. Especially now with a few others coming forward siting similar shady requests from ST. That is what left the worst taste in my mouth. In the end I refused to leave him positive feedback BEFORE he sent me my refund. He has now sent my $75 refund via Paypal and I will not be leaving him positive feedback. Not negative either just none at all. I'm not recommending for anyone to avoid this seller. You might get a good sword, you might get a great sword. You might get a great sword that you are disappointed with and you might get a crappy sword that you are completely happy with. Everyone is different and everyone has different standards and expectations. Just know that when you are viewing his or ANY other seller's feedback on EBay it may or may not be indicative of the degree or quality of service. Especially Chinese sellers. Sorry to say this but they seem the most prone to shady selling behaviors on there. Stick to forums like this, read the reviews, positive and negative and decide for yourself. That's what I did. I would have NEVER risked an EBay katana until finding this forum. After all the stuff I read on here I chose ST-Nihonto and Huawei to take a chance on. I appreciate this forum and it's reviews and reviewers and am glad I found it. Thank you for understanding how I felt initially felt when I first read your review, admittedly at a glance and I do apologise again. I run a family business myself and I sympathise when mistakes do happen. I'm sure he didn't intentionally send you the wrong ito on purpose poor low quality fittings can't be blamed entirely on the vendor because they buy them from the suppliers. I think Nddave cited something about a restaurant making a mistake is poor business and they should be shamed all over the internet. I don't completely agree with this statement as St-Nihonto made amends to try and rectify his mistakes. If on the other hand, if they simply ignored you after and wouldn't bother to help you afterwards then definitely name and shame said company. Hope this clears any misunderstandings up. Thanks.
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