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If you have read some of the recent posts about the Pierre Rodrigue fallout, you know that I was very outspoken about the topic. It looks like I offended some people with my comments (some of them have been deleted), which I want to apologize for. I did not intend to do that, but I do have to admit that I am outspoken and emotional about topics that I feel passionate about. I am always joking that my wife (Spanish/Catalan) and myself (German) are not living up to our stereotypes, with her being level-headed, rational and analytic ... and me being an emotional, hot-headed trainwreck.
Anyhow. I wanted to follow up on the discussions with a quick point of view on customer makers and their business procedures. The way I see it, not anyone else. Please feel free to agree or disagree, and if you're a maker, I would love to get your take on it as well. This is not about Pierre Rodrigue. For full disclosure, I have had dealings with 6 custom makers, 4 of those knives I have received so far. I have paid a minimal deposit (less than 10%) for one, about 25% for another and about 30% for a third. I have not paid any deposits for any of the other knives.
For better reading, and because I like lists, let's number some of my thoughts on this ...
1) Even if you're a part time maker, you should be able to have a rough idea when you can deliver the knife. No one here will argue or complain about a month or even a couple of months delay ... we all know that life gets in the way, and we all have been late with stuff at work. I sure have been. With one of my custom knives, it took something like 3-4 blades to get mine right. Of course that delays the process. BUT: The maker was proactive in communicating that delay (and it wasn't much anyway). Which brings me to ...
2) Be transparent in your communication. This is the easiest and maybe most important part. If you know you cannot keep a promised deadline, write an email and say so. This forum is so understanding, it's borderline insane when you consider we are talking about serious business here for some, considering the dollar amounts involved. No one will crucify you (the maker) for being open and proactive in your communication. Again, looking at myself ... every time I was late with work and waited for my manager to ask about it, it caused bad blood and problems. Every time I realized I would be late and reached out to ask for more time, I got very positive and understanding feedback.
3) Deposits! This is a makers personal choice, I get it. But I do suggest taking a small deposit to make sure that a customer is serious about the project. Take a bigger deposit if the customer requests very expensive materials or such a unique knife that it would be hard to sell at a profit in case the customer backs out.
4) Be professional and courteous about this. I hate to say "the customer is always right", but no matter if this is your main job or a hobby that pays you a little bit on the side, you need to respect that people are paying you hundreds of dollars, sometimes or some of it upfront. And while I am in the fortunate situation of situation of being able to afford paying for expensive knives, for some this might mean saving for a while and putting off other expenses. Please respect people and their hard earned money the way you want people to respect you.
That's pretty much how I feel about it. I won't get into how I feel that this forum is overprotective of (some) custom makers here. I think there's a lot of information to be found once you start talking to people via PM's. And honestly, as a community I feel that we should also protect the members who are (potential) customers by being able to post experiences with makers that are not all rosy and great. After all, that is what happens to any other business these days where customer reviews are a key element of success or failure for businesses.
My two cents. But if the PR fiasco has shown us anything, I would say it's this: Just be open, transparent and proactive with your communication and all will be good as this community really is a very forgiving family ...
Anyhow. I wanted to follow up on the discussions with a quick point of view on customer makers and their business procedures. The way I see it, not anyone else. Please feel free to agree or disagree, and if you're a maker, I would love to get your take on it as well. This is not about Pierre Rodrigue. For full disclosure, I have had dealings with 6 custom makers, 4 of those knives I have received so far. I have paid a minimal deposit (less than 10%) for one, about 25% for another and about 30% for a third. I have not paid any deposits for any of the other knives.
For better reading, and because I like lists, let's number some of my thoughts on this ...
1) Even if you're a part time maker, you should be able to have a rough idea when you can deliver the knife. No one here will argue or complain about a month or even a couple of months delay ... we all know that life gets in the way, and we all have been late with stuff at work. I sure have been. With one of my custom knives, it took something like 3-4 blades to get mine right. Of course that delays the process. BUT: The maker was proactive in communicating that delay (and it wasn't much anyway). Which brings me to ...
2) Be transparent in your communication. This is the easiest and maybe most important part. If you know you cannot keep a promised deadline, write an email and say so. This forum is so understanding, it's borderline insane when you consider we are talking about serious business here for some, considering the dollar amounts involved. No one will crucify you (the maker) for being open and proactive in your communication. Again, looking at myself ... every time I was late with work and waited for my manager to ask about it, it caused bad blood and problems. Every time I realized I would be late and reached out to ask for more time, I got very positive and understanding feedback.
3) Deposits! This is a makers personal choice, I get it. But I do suggest taking a small deposit to make sure that a customer is serious about the project. Take a bigger deposit if the customer requests very expensive materials or such a unique knife that it would be hard to sell at a profit in case the customer backs out.
4) Be professional and courteous about this. I hate to say "the customer is always right", but no matter if this is your main job or a hobby that pays you a little bit on the side, you need to respect that people are paying you hundreds of dollars, sometimes or some of it upfront. And while I am in the fortunate situation of situation of being able to afford paying for expensive knives, for some this might mean saving for a while and putting off other expenses. Please respect people and their hard earned money the way you want people to respect you.
That's pretty much how I feel about it. I won't get into how I feel that this forum is overprotective of (some) custom makers here. I think there's a lot of information to be found once you start talking to people via PM's. And honestly, as a community I feel that we should also protect the members who are (potential) customers by being able to post experiences with makers that are not all rosy and great. After all, that is what happens to any other business these days where customer reviews are a key element of success or failure for businesses.
My two cents. But if the PR fiasco has shown us anything, I would say it's this: Just be open, transparent and proactive with your communication and all will be good as this community really is a very forgiving family ...
