harrybeck
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Post by harrybeck on Feb 13, 2019 17:25:30 GMT
I agree
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2019 17:25:40 GMT
Don't understand the secrecy here. It's not like the name of the companies in the past hasn't been included in posts like this. You're right. I think my problem is a matter of cognitive dissonance. I want to share my bad experience with others and to warn this community, but I also don't want to be accused of trash talking, spreading hearsay, being excessively negative, vindictive, etc... I also don't want the conversation to degrade to point scoring or anything of that sort. Should I write a review?
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harrybeck
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Post by harrybeck on Feb 13, 2019 17:30:47 GMT
They need to be held accountable for their actions both toward a customer, and toward the community they profit from. They crossed the line and you have a perfectly reasonable gripe against them, which was caused by they're actions, not yours.
I believe you need to worry less about they're feelings and opinion of forum members.
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Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Feb 13, 2019 17:31:12 GMT
Your complaints are all justified so posting the name of the company is justified as well. They could have made a box by now. Posting the name will save you from sending a lot of PM's to people who asked for it.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2019 17:31:13 GMT
I would like you to send me a PM too to clear up which maker/vendor/forge we are talking about. I have had issues with quite some, but am willing to give second/third chances - but not fourth ones. So please, PM me.
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harrybeck
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Post by harrybeck on Feb 13, 2019 17:35:33 GMT
Your complaints are all justified so posting the name of the company is justified as well. They could have made a box by now. Posting the name will save you from sending a lot of PM's to people who asked for it. Just so.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2019 17:35:56 GMT
Okay. This is a forum that has moderators. If I cross the line at any time, I am sure they will tell me.
My intention now is to write a review this afternoon with details about what happened. I have email correspondence, a bill of sale, tracking records, and all sorts of evidence to corroborate my claims. I have two cases pending with the Maryland Attorney General's Office and with the BBB of Maryland. This is not a case of hearsay and I believe my intent has been clear from the beginning: I am not sharing this story to settle a score.
The manufacturer is Baltimore Knife and Sword. Kerry Stagmer is the proprietor and my correspondence has solely been with him. I will produce a short time line in this thread explaining what happened and when, rather then create a new thread in a review section.
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Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Feb 13, 2019 17:38:29 GMT
See that didn't hurt did it ?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2019 17:41:11 GMT
See that didn't hurt did it ? No, but I hope you can understand my caution. I like this forum and don't want to upset anyone here. I could care less if I upset the Stagmer bros. They have effectively stolen my property. Yeah, "conversion" is a legal concept. I looked it up.
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stormmaster
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I like viking/migration era swords
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Post by stormmaster on Feb 13, 2019 17:44:52 GMT
It's a pity really I like their sht
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Post by MOK on Feb 13, 2019 17:54:03 GMT
Just a reminder to anyone who might need it - and I trust that I'm being completely superfluous - do not go harassing the company about this. It doesn't help anyone, least of all chevalier, and gives the whole community a bad rap.
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Zen_Hydra
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Born with a heart full of neutrality
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Post by Zen_Hydra on Feb 13, 2019 17:57:00 GMT
Now that we are speaking plainly, I am confused how BKS is apparently oblivious to how their professional reputation might be negatively impacted by abysmal customer service (especially in a social circle as small as the sword enthusiast community).
I'm sure a lion's share of their income comes from YouTube, television, and video game revenue streams, but those self-same revenue streams are based on their reputation as sword smiths.
Their 15 minutes of celebrity will eventually fade, and then where will they be after alienating the market for their weapons?
Lebleuchevalier's grievance certainly isn't the first if its kind I've seen leveled at BKS, and they need to reassess the way they handle their customer service.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2019 18:02:11 GMT
Here is a short timeline of events:
September 11, 2018: I send the member $100 via PayPal to hold the sword until I can procure the additional $400 to complete the sale.
September 12, 2018: I send the member $400 and complete the sale.
September 13, 2018: The member confirms the sword has shipped and provides me with a tracking number via USPS. He also informs me that the sword has shipped with the hilt components disassembled for easier shipping; the guard is rather large.
September 15, 2018: I receive the sword in spotless condition. I assemble the components and turn the hex nut with a nut driver. When I make my final turn, I hear a snap. The threaded portion of the tang snapped off during assembly.
September 16, 2018: The member who sold me the sword confirms he was the original owner and encourages me to contact Matt or Kerry Stagmer. He insists they would be willing to stand by their work and will most likely agree to make a repair. The member provides me with their contact information in addition to his cell phone number. His conduct is unimpeachable and I recommend making a sale with him if you can, he is a stand up guy. I email Kerry Stagmer via his personal email address and send him a message on Facebook to cover my bases.
September 16, 2018: Kerry Stagmer responds to my email and offers to make the repair free of charge.
September 17, 2018: I ship the sword to the forge in Maryland via FedEx and I confirm with Kerry via email with the tracking information.
September 19, 2018: The sword is delivered to the forge and is signed by an individual.
October 6, 2018: I inquire on the status of the repairs. I receive a reply from Kerry that the sword was successfully repaired and he is preparing to ship it to me when he locates the appropriate box. He claims the forge increased the size of the tang and the diameter of the threaded portion.
October 17, 2018: I inquire about the status of the sword. No reply.
October 26, 2018: I inquire again about the sword. No reply.
November 27, 2018: I inquire again about the sword. I receive a reply the same day that the sword is finished and is just waiting to be boxed.
January 24, 2019: It's a new year. I inquire about the sword. No reply.
February 11, 2019: I inquire about the sword. I offer to drive down to his forge to retrieve it or to pay for any and all shipping costs. No reply.
February 12, 2019: I file an official complaint with the Maryland Attorney General's Office. I forward all correspondence to them along with other relevant documents. I am told they are backlogged and should expect a phone call within four weeks to start the process. I also file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau of Maryland. I send an email to Kerry to plead with him to bring this to an end. I inform him I have reported his business to the relevant authorities and that I simply wish to recover my property. It IS my property. I contracted him to make a repair, which he quoted me for free. He told me the repairs were complete on October 6 last year. Therefore, his job is complete and he must return my property to me.
February 13, 2019: I receive a reply from the BBB that my case has been opened and they have attempted to contact the forge.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2019 18:05:35 GMT
Just a reminder to anyone who might need it - and I trust that I'm being completely superfluous - do not go harassing the company about this. It doesn't help anyone, least of all chevalier, and gives the whole community a bad rap. I don't think it is superfluous. I am willing to share my correspondence with them if it becomes necessary. I was sure not to send them messages that constitutes as harassment. I strongly discourage others from messaging them.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2019 18:18:39 GMT
Here are a couple random thoughts:
1. If I was quoted from the onset with a wait time of six months or longer, I would have sent the sword for repairs anyway. I have waited longer for commissions. Long wait times and backlogs are par for the course in this industry.
2. I saved every document relevant to this sale. I strongly encourage everyone else to make this a habit.
3. If the tang did not snap when I assembled the hilt, and I decided to use the sword for cutting, imagine the danger I would have put myself and others in if the sword had failed. A failure like this is VERY serious and should be taken seriously.
4. I have numerous thoughts circling the drain in my head about whether the sword was actually repaired, if I am deliberately being stonewalled, if this is a case of incompetence, i.e. I have been forgotten, if the tang may possibly fail again, if rust is forming on the sword, etc... All this uncertainty is making me really uptight.
5. I do not have the disposable income to waste $500!
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Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Feb 13, 2019 18:19:16 GMT
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2019 18:21:43 GMT
I read that before I bought the sword second hand. It alarmed me for sure. However, I read other reviews where the buyers were happy with their purchase and were pleased with the quality of their work. Since I was not making a commission here and the product was complete, I opted to make the buy anyway, especially since I was avoiding the manufacturer entirely. Thanks for sharing this again.
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Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Feb 13, 2019 18:30:02 GMT
You know what's funny is the BBB gives them a A+ rating. But being a former business owning I know for a fact that the ratings can be bought. The more money you give the BBB the higher your rating. Everything in this world comes with a price tag.
All I can say is good luck with your quest.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2019 18:56:03 GMT
Hm... certainly strange. I have three pieces from them, one being the SBG fantasy ring-pommel sword, and i like the stuff. I also enjoy man-at-arms reforged, and they participated at Forged In Fire, didnt they? Strange behaviour... i would expect something like that from other "manufacturers", but BKS...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2019 18:56:51 GMT
Now that we are speaking plainly, I am confused how BKS is apparently oblivious to how their professional reputation might be negatively impacted by abysmal customer service (especially in a social circle as small as the sword enthusiast community). I'm sure a lion's share of their income comes from YouTube, television, and video game revenue streams, but those self-same revenue streams are based on their reputation as sword smiths. Their 15 minutes of celebrity will eventually fade, and then where will they be after alienating the market for their weapons? Lebleuchevalier's grievance certainly isn't the first if its kind I've seen leveled at BKS, and they need to reassess the way they handle their customer service. Truer words have never been spoken. Peter Lyon is a good example of how a forge should handle sudden celebrity. He is such a busy guy with his work in films that he has suspended taking commissions at his forge. Meanwhile, his reputation, his bottom line, is not hindered in any way. He is also not so busy that he cannot respond to emails. I sent him a message weeks ago and he responded with a message the length of a book. I think BKS has absolutely abhorrent customer service. There can be little doubt of this.
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