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Post by theevilgoat on Nov 26, 2023 18:41:43 GMT
Hi Recently bought this 'Albion The Duke' sword brand-new directly from Kult of Athena on 7/31/2023. Reason for sale is to free up funds to purchase a different sword, as I am still developing a taste for what sword styles interests me. Asking: $1,375 Includes shipping costs (CONUS), and complimentary gun case to store the sword. Sword is in brand-new condition and has not been used to cut anything besides a few papers to test the sharpness. No signs of usage other than the "natural" machine marks that came from the manufacturer (see my review I left sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/71883/albion-duke-review for further details on this) Sword has been properly cared for, periodically waxed using Renwax, kept inside the plastic sleeve that comes with the sword, and stored in an anti-rust gun case that was purchased at the same time sword was. Can ship in either the original Albion shipping box or the gun case, your choice. Only shipping within CONUS. Only accepting Paypal transactions. Albion The Duke Grip Color: Dark Brown Hilt Finish: Satin Please PM me for offers and questions. Thanks
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Post by honglong88 on Nov 26, 2023 18:47:27 GMT
Pmed
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Post by madirish on Nov 26, 2023 23:26:03 GMT
What happened when you reached out to Albion about the imperfections? The blade and twisted pommel in particular?
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Post by theevilgoat on Nov 27, 2023 4:03:22 GMT
I emailed Mike at Albion about 2 weeks after I purchased the sword with a detailed message outlining my grievances with the product. He hasn't responded as of today. Previously in the past, I have emailed him in regards to other questions such as item stock etc... and he answered me the next day. You be the judge.
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Post by madirish on Nov 27, 2023 15:46:02 GMT
I would certainly try again...or call.
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Post by CivilSavage on Nov 28, 2023 20:45:46 GMT
I emailed Mike at Albion about 2 weeks after I purchased the sword with a detailed message outlining my grievances with the product. He hasn't responded as of today. Previously in the past, I have emailed him in regards to other questions such as item stock etc... and he answered me the next day. You be the judge. Knowing what I know, Mike is presently juggling multiple responsibilities beyond just customer contact and follow up. I would also imagine that he has a slew of emails to wade through every week. Patience in this regard is paramount. I would also reach out to KoA as they are the initial point of contact unless this was something you ordered through KoA that was drop shipped from Albion proper. Even so, if this passed through KoA and they did not QA the product they hold a share of the responsibility. I have no doubt in my mind that Mike will address the issue (in time). What that ultimately looks like is entirely up to him and Albion's policies however.
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Post by snap on Nov 29, 2023 2:04:22 GMT
I emailed Mike at Albion about 2 weeks after I purchased the sword with a detailed message outlining my grievances with the product. He hasn't responded as of today. Previously in the past, I have emailed him in regards to other questions such as item stock etc... and he answered me the next day. You be the judge. Knowing what I know, Mike is presently juggling multiple responsibilities beyond just customer contact and follow up. I would also imagine that he has a slew of emails to wade through every week. Patience in this regard is paramount. I would also reach out to KoA as they are the initial point of contact unless this was something you ordered through KoA that was drop shipped from Albion proper. Even so, if this passed through KoA and they did not QA the product they hold a share of the responsibility. I have no doubt in my mind that Mike will address the issue (in time). What that ultimately looks like is entirely up to him and Albion's policies however. Reaching out to KoA won't work. I've been in this exact situation with an albion that had a shoddy blade grind. Even though albion said it didn't meet their QC standards, and would fix it, KoA said it did meet their's. KoA will declare nearly everything as "minor cosmetic flaws" and refuse responsibility. I even once had a tip that was bent (warped to one side, not an albion) and KoA dismissed it as a cosmetic flaw.
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Post by theevilgoat on Nov 29, 2023 20:55:28 GMT
I have reached out to KoA myself, and they told me there is nothing they can do about it, then they told me to go ask Mike at Albion, and he never responded...
Am just confused: isn't the dealer (KoA) responsible for customer service? Isn't that the point of a dealer in the first place? i.e car dealers, diamond dealers etc... the manufacturer doesn't want to be bothered with the customers that's why KoA should be responsible, I don't get why they rerouted me to Mike.
Anyways, disappointing Albion experience, but their products are great when they actually deliver on quality.
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Post by madirish on Nov 30, 2023 0:14:25 GMT
It is not uncommon in retail...there are certain brands that require that their customers go direct to them for issues even at time of purchase. There is nothing KoA can do to solve the problem except ship it back to Albion since they don't carry inventory of these items. So, save time and save everyone costs and ship direct to Albion and let them fix it or replace it as needed. Also, you might get better service if you just call....emails get lost/accidentally deleted.
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Post by snap on Nov 30, 2023 21:22:07 GMT
It is not uncommon in retail...there are certain brands that require that their customers go direct to them for issues even at time of purchase. There is nothing KoA can do to solve the problem except ship it back to Albion since they don't carry inventory of these items. So, save time and save everyone costs and ship direct to Albion and let them fix it or replace it as needed. Also, you might get better service if you just call....emails get lost/accidentally deleted. That's fine, but KoA does purportedly offer to cover shipping if the customer receives a defective item. Albion only pay the return shipping. So when the manufacturer goes "yes, that doesn't meet our workmanship standards, we'll fix it warranty" it seems shifty for KoA to turn around and go "That's the manufacturer's QC standards, not our's".
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Post by madirish on Nov 30, 2023 23:29:10 GMT
Snap....that's a different issue altogether. Case in point....I bought a two Deepeekas from them at different times...both were twisted in the last third. I returned the first one I bought not just for that, but for some other issues. A couple months later, I buy the second one....comes with a twist in the last third. I complain. They say they will touch base with their inventory manager. He basically comes back and says "yep, that's Deepeeka", so I was told that if I order another one, I can expect the same thing. That's the "That's the mfr's QC standards not ours case"...I was offered a refund or an exchange. I chose a refund.
OP, in another thread, complained about issues with this sword as delivered...things that SHOULD not have passed QC at Albion (or KoA if they really inspect them). In this case, KoA cannot remedy the siutation...they can't fix the sword, they can't replace the sword.....so "you need to work with Albion". That's not shifty....that's actually getting out of the way and not being a roadblock (you ship to KoA, KoA ships to Albion, Albion ships to KoA, KoA ships to you) - but I think they should be managing the communication. I don't think it is clear if the OP asked to return the sword for refund....if he did and KoA refused, that's another issue.
Sorry OP...didn't mean to hijack.....I just think that if you still have any remaining lust for this sword that you should pick up the phone and call Albion and give 'em a chance to make it right. Yes, I agree KoA should probably be doing that FOR you, but don't sit and wait for an email when it is possible nobody received it!
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Post by christianshort on Dec 3, 2023 17:28:20 GMT
You would have been seriously disappointed 600 years ago
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Post by christianshort on Dec 3, 2023 17:30:28 GMT
Just joking. Albion will take care of the problem. I think they are in the weeds right now with employees is what I was told. I wasn’t told this by Mike sigmann but give him a chance to catch up. He will not disappoint you
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Quillon
Member
Suspended until 1/22/24
Posts: 180
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Post by Quillon on Dec 11, 2023 5:02:52 GMT
Very interessante ... I wouldn't worry to much about the off-center pommel or chatter marks left by the CNC machine/casting imperfections but the compromised edge wear appears to be weakened steel and has potential to be a failure point if used for cutting or defense. If it's just a wall hanger then it doesn't matter much. Would offer $1k as Albion just raised their price$ about a month ago but a new Duke is $1248 +$100 for shipping without the Veteran discount. Know you need to recoup funds. Tell Mike or Jody to inspect that blade or get an HRC file set and check the steel temper/hardness.
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Post by ander on Dec 11, 2023 20:52:28 GMT
Your best bet is to get Albion to fix these issues. If you resold it, then it should be heavily discounted, and that’s not fair to you. Just my two cents.
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Post by tripnip14 on Dec 11, 2023 21:12:04 GMT
I honestly would try calling. Mike has always been an easy guy to talk to, and he answers the phone 90% of the time.
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Post by blackjack on Dec 11, 2023 23:24:08 GMT
Yea, you are being completely up front about the swords issues which is great. But this item is not up to Albion Standards. Get Albion to give you a refund or a new sword.
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Post by takitam on Dec 12, 2023 1:08:56 GMT
It is up to Albion standards. They made it, inspected it and sold it. They and KoA also showed they are not that willing to fix it. Which doesn't mean they would not do anything if pushed further. But this is the current experience of the OP.
Everything else about standards is just an imagination of people not involved in the business. Plenty of Albions have various issues, mine had some too and I can bet you they are not willing to exchange a sword just like that. They can promise to look at it, but whether this would solve an issue is another matter. I know a few stories of swords coming from Albion's service worse than before. They definitely do what they can do minimize returns and costs.
And my two cents about forum rules, as I would be personally annoyed by sales threads constantly turning into discussions. It is against the rules to discuss pricing and value but somehow it is ok for every other thread to have plenty of 'Great sword at an amazing value, I would buy it but I'm tapped out now/will have to check couch cushions.' 'Great seller, go buy it' What value does that bring? There is plenty of space for discussions, why not make sales threads for sales only?
Sorry OP for being yet another one to smart-mouth in your thread but I couldn't help it this time.
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Post by theevilgoat on Jun 2, 2024 22:37:10 GMT
Bump
Still for sale...
Make an offer if you feel like it. For those messaging me about the tiny dent: I just wanted to make buyer aware of the factory defects because everyone is happy when the deal is honestly done
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Post by theevilgoat on Oct 14, 2024 22:46:03 GMT
Bump Last chance before this post gets taken down. Please feel free to make an offer, and i will do my best to consider Thanks
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