AJGBlack
Member
"This world will stress you like Orson Wells on the radio." -RTJ
Posts: 437
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Post by AJGBlack on May 12, 2024 19:37:30 GMT
Just as the title says, I'm curious if we could compare ordering directly from LKChen versus getting their swords through Kult of Athena. I am thinking of getting the Yuan Mongolian Saber. Directly from LKChen it's $440 shipped. From Kult of Athena it's $418 before shipping and tax, so I stand to save a few dollars ordering direct. Thoughts?
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Post by mrstabby on May 12, 2024 19:48:33 GMT
I ordered directly because europe. KK said it would take 4 weeks, in week 5 I asked, they said they are putting finishing touches on, scabbard in the making etc. Week later got shipping number. Now shipping did go a bit awry but that's not really LKC's fault. Mail support had very good contact, very fast answers (sometimes within minutes). And if anything is wrong they will try to solve it any way they can. I have no real insight into KoA, but I can't imagine they would be worse in outcome (maybe better because they QC the swords themselves again I think), unless it's "blemished" or something.
EDIT: Oh, and one more thing... If you order from LK directly you can modify your order, different grip wraps, colours and stuff, just have to contact them first to see what they can do.
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Post by skelley on May 12, 2024 20:52:51 GMT
I order from KOA but that's mostly because I get nervous about something going wrong with international shipping. It's rather irrational on my part because I've never had anything go wrong with such an order but it still makes me a tad nervous.
All the products I've ordered from KOA have been as expected so I haven't had any qualms about paying a little extra on the price tag.
From all I've read from others, LK Chen does seem to have really good customer support, like mrstabby said, while others say that KOA's customer support can be lacking at times. Only time I needed support was for a refund on a belt I accidentally bought because I forgot to remove it from the checkout cart.
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Post by eastman on May 13, 2024 23:41:45 GMT
I have bought from both. Shipping is a lot faster from KoA (Elgin, IL) than direct shipping from China. I can also drive out to KoA and pick things up directly (and they are just down the street from a very large Tandy Leather).
LKC does pack their swords well for international shipments.
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Post by fivesidedpixels on May 14, 2024 4:01:34 GMT
Haven’t ordered anything via KoA yet, I’ve only bought directly from LK Chen. While I pay slightly more, I get to interact with LKC’s fantastic customer service before and after my purchase. KK is seriously the best in the business for the quick and thoughtful replies I’ve received. The fastest I’ve seen was <10 minutes. One time I noticed LKC’s site was missing a steel option for one sword; KK had it fixed within an hour.
In the event I receive a defective or subpar product (which hasn’t happened yet), I’m confident KK would take the issue seriously and make things right. Again, haven’t tried KoA’s customer service yet.
I also know that if I order through LKC, I’ll receive the latest revision of whatever model I’m buying. They like to update and tweak their product line as time goes on. Improved geometry, better casting, new scabbard, etc. While I'm sure there's nothing wrong with a slightly older model, it's nice to have LKC's best.
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Post by larason2 on May 14, 2024 18:13:08 GMT
It appears to me that anything you order from LK Chen is made to order, they don't really have any blade in stock. I've only heard good things about KoA, but they aren't a manufacturer. They order from the manufacturer, and when you order you're getting one of their stock items. Pros and cons to each, personally I prefer to get it straight from LKC.
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Zen_Hydra
Moderator
Born with a heart full of neutrality
Posts: 2,641
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Post by Zen_Hydra on May 20, 2024 14:38:49 GMT
I typically try to order directly from a manufacturer, as long as doing so is still in the ballpark of a retail purchase. Considering how low most profit margins are in the sword/weapon market, I'd prefer that as much of what I pay for a product end up in the hands of those making said product, rather than some second or third hand company.
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seth
Member
Just Peachy
Posts: 993
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Post by seth on May 20, 2024 16:26:58 GMT
I've done both without issue. You get it faster from KOA if it's in stock. My orders direct have taken awhile because they had to forge the blade. As you found out, you might be able to save a bit of money from one or the other, but they are pretty comparable. Shipping from LK is higher, but the base cost of the sword is lower. KOA is the opposite. I've had no issues with the international shipping.
One great benefit of ordering direct is you can add on some items at low cost and no additional shipping. I got a swallowtail spearhead this way. As others have mentioned, LK's customer service and communication is great.
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Post by larason2 on May 20, 2024 21:33:44 GMT
I usually try to buy from the manufacturer, but I also have no problem with buying from a dealer like KoA. The manufacturer wouldn't allow second hand sales unless the profit they were making from it was enough, and I think the community benefits from having intermediaries (like sword buyers guide!) that can collect various different ones and save the shipping customers would pay. Also, looking at the KoA website, you get an idea of different companies products that you would otherwise have to look at a lot of websites to collect. There's pros and cons either way, but if a particular piece I want is in stock at a dealer, then it makes more sense to me to get it from them. Usually I like things like bare blades and customs though, so straight from the manufacturer it is!
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