Are you Willing to Pay More for 1st choice of Stag?
I've got a question for everyone.
Here's the problem I encounter every time a new stag handled knife comes out. 99% of you would like to get the best looking stag we've got and I can't blame you. Totally understandable. It's impossible for me to say that one of you really deserves a nicer looking knife then someone else because you're a nice guy/gal, you do a lot of business with TSA Knives, etc. AND, I don't like being in that situation for a couple of reasons.
If you can imagine this, I've actually been taken advantage of a time or two. Yup, I've had people buy a couple of knives and twist my arm to do them a favor never to hear from them again. Unbelievable!!! One guy was actually honest enough to tell me he could buy a knife for $10 less, would I match the price, and give him first choice since he'd bought 2 other knives from me. uhhunh....
On the last group of #73 Linerlock stags I got in I posted a picture of 5 of them and of course, everyone wanted the same knife. If I just post one picture in the store, do I post the best looking knife or the least attractive? Do I tell everyone you're getting the best looking one of the lot?
So far, I've tried to use my best judgment and accommodate everyone's requests, but it doesn't always work out. We guarantee satisfaction and I'll gladly accept returns if you're not happy with how the knife looks but is there a way to satisfy most of the people most of the time? Well, I've been thinking about it and here's the question.
If I were to 'grade' the stag handled knives (good, better, best) on the TSA Knives, LLC website, if you had a choice, would you be willing to pay slightly lower prices on the good quality and slightly higher prices on the best quality handles?
Here's the problem I encounter every time a new stag handled knife comes out. 99% of you would like to get the best looking stag we've got and I can't blame you. Totally understandable. It's impossible for me to say that one of you really deserves a nicer looking knife then someone else because you're a nice guy/gal, you do a lot of business with TSA Knives, etc. AND, I don't like being in that situation for a couple of reasons.
If you can imagine this, I've actually been taken advantage of a time or two. Yup, I've had people buy a couple of knives and twist my arm to do them a favor never to hear from them again. Unbelievable!!! One guy was actually honest enough to tell me he could buy a knife for $10 less, would I match the price, and give him first choice since he'd bought 2 other knives from me. uhhunh....
On the last group of #73 Linerlock stags I got in I posted a picture of 5 of them and of course, everyone wanted the same knife. If I just post one picture in the store, do I post the best looking knife or the least attractive? Do I tell everyone you're getting the best looking one of the lot?
So far, I've tried to use my best judgment and accommodate everyone's requests, but it doesn't always work out. We guarantee satisfaction and I'll gladly accept returns if you're not happy with how the knife looks but is there a way to satisfy most of the people most of the time? Well, I've been thinking about it and here's the question.
If I were to 'grade' the stag handled knives (good, better, best) on the TSA Knives, LLC website, if you had a choice, would you be willing to pay slightly lower prices on the good quality and slightly higher prices on the best quality handles?
Hey Greg,Think about this for a second,when thay come in don't even look at them,sort of like a "no cherry pickin policy" Is GEC going to bump you up in price for select knives ????
I was at GEC on April 25th and Chris had no #73 stag linerlocks W/O end caps on hand to sell. She said they are going to make more unserialized models so I ordered one.I cant wait to get this knife because she said she would pick out a nice one.
Greg, working class guys like myself need dealers like yourself because I paid about $45.00 more at the factory for this knife than if I would have got it from you. There are no deals in Titusville for the guy that walks in off the street.
I now have 15 Great Eastern knives and think they make a great product and they make super users. You should do well as a master dealer.
Well, Iam starting to ramble and will close but when my knife fund gets built back up I'll be in touch. Take Care, Mikek
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Good idea, but think about this for a second......
You just got a box with 10 or 15 stag handled knives arrive at your doorstep. You seriously think I can just let 'em sit without peeking!!!!! You gotta be kidding. It'd be easier telling a 9 year old they're gonna have to wait till New Years day to open their Christmas presents. Never happen! And the problem is, once you open Pandora's box, that's it.
Kidding of course, but it's worth considering. And thanks for the kind words. I really enjoy working with Chris and Great Eastern and hearing from folks like you!
greg
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Greg, you are in an impossible situation here unless you can show all the knives you have on offer,and they buyer picks accordingly.But,this is far too much extra work with updating the site.It's excellent that you ask us but when I ask for a nice one I mean one that's been checked for obvious quality faults-What I like in appearance is so subjective,one man's meat is another's poison etc. I'm pleased to get really good e-mail communication and excellent international service at reasonable shipping rates too. My Burnt stag liner lock arrived yesterday and is in service straightaway with a patina up and coming(fruit&veggie chopping)It opens and closes very well,not too stiff,blade is aligned&sharp!Nice grippy scales,no gaps or rough edges at all.The liner is vastly superior to Queen Cutlery's Teardrop liner lock(rather flimsy on that knife I feel)My only gripe is that the centre pins on both sides nearest the blade are very short,this leaves a hole in the stag but I'm going to ask GE to send me two brass pins to fix this.This model of knife is tremendous,a kind of Mini Mountainman (mountain lad?)and I'm looking forward to other scales.Would look ace in green bone or yellow handle!Having models without serial No. is a definite plus for user models,I personally don't like serial numbers as my knives are used not safe inmates.
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You've just touched on a point that is so critical. There's two buyers out there for all knives, whether it's GEC, CSC, Case, etc. There's collectors and there's users. You and I fall into the same category. Currently residing in my pocket is a #73ECL with some respectable Burnt Stag handles...serial #026 and a blade etch 1 of 50. It travels in a pocket full of change and a set of keys. The bolsters are starting to show a few scratches. In other words, it's finally developing some character and personality.
Were a collector to see it, I'm sure they'd either 'look away' or cluck their tongue and shake their head. And that's okay! But I bought it (okay, I took it out of inventory as a 'demonstrator) cause I thought it looked great, felt great and quite frankly, it makes a nice 'show off' piece when someone needs some cuttin' done.
Your right about 'one man's meat being another's poison'. A couple of weeks ago I had a really nice fellow show up to buy some knives, in particular a Burnt Stag #53. After looking at several, he chose one that was full of fractures and said you know, that looks 'real'. He was right!! I've had Burnt Stags returned for one or two fractures.
I think the picture below is maybe a "Case" in point. This particularly ratty looking old Case belonged to my Dad (who is still alive and kicking at 91). He passed it on to me a couple of years ago with a little history before it got lost. Now I have no doubt it would be worth a fair amount were it new in the original box as it dates to somewhere in the mid 1930's. Dad had it in his late teens and skun' out many a critter with it. I can remember more then one slingshot that was whittled out with it. It spent years on the farm performing just about every task you can imagine. The leather awl actually got used to make leather repairs. The spey blade was actually used for exactly that!!! Trust me, this beauty is priceless!!!!
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I personally think that grading them is the best way for all. If somebody wants to cherry pick from a new stack the best should be higher. Think of it as when you go to some auctions where they have lots of multiple items. They start an auction and the highest bid gets choice. Then go again and again with the price slowly going down as they get picked over. It just goes with the territory of sales the best quality or most popular always sells for a little more than the rest. Just thought I would give my two cents on this, I have been in a retail selling position for some time and have found that this is just the way it works to be fair to all customers and the seller.
thanks Mike
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I'm kind of starting to lean that way. My current thought is that if I'd normally sell the knife for $120, maybe the choice pieces would be $130, the middle $120 and the 'bottom' $110. Maybe list them in the store as A, B and C grades or some such thing.
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Very nice CASE knife there Greg, not seen that kind of pattern before,what is it? Looks like a Stockman with an awl.Fine piece of user history there though.
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Will, I don't know Case knives worth a damn, but you're right on. I really found it interesting that GEC is coming out with the "Harness Jack" which will have the 'punch' blade. I don't do any leather work but through the years, I've had other knives with awls and they can really be handy for reaming out a hole if your string wiring, scraping metal parts, etc, that you really shouldn't use a knife blade on. It'll be interesting to see how they're received.
greg
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