This is a story of the best of service, and the worst of service.
I ordered a 180mm nakiri from Watanabe (professional series, blue steel clad in stainless, KU finish, standard burnt chestnut with plastic ferrule). He shipped the knife promptly, but then it stopped moving when it was about 10 miles from my house (under the care of USPS by this time). I waited a week and a half, then contacted two facilities and spoke to three people. They said the package was most likely totally lost, or badly damaged in transit. They suggested filing a claim.
I contacted Shinichi Watanabe that evening. Within two hours, he had shipped a replacement knife, and filed a claim with EMS, the company he shipped the knife with.
The next day, the package returned from the dead, and lo and behold, was delivered. I contacted Shinichi, but it was too late to stop the second knife.
We decided the best thing was to send the second knife to his next U.S. customer who purchased one.
The second knife arrived today, so I'm looking to reward the excellent customer service from Shinichi. Unfortunately, he's already paid shipping on both knives, so no discount is being offered. Whoever buys this will pay Shinich the 20,000 yen for the knife, plus 3,000 for shipping. Shinichi and I will work out the shipping cost for me to mail the knife to the buyer.
If anyone out there is interested in buying this second knife, and returning the favor back to Shinichi, please let me know (you can also contact him directly--he is usually quite prompt in replying to emails).
Also note that his prices are scheduled to increase 5-10% as of 10/1/2017.
I ordered a 180mm nakiri from Watanabe (professional series, blue steel clad in stainless, KU finish, standard burnt chestnut with plastic ferrule). He shipped the knife promptly, but then it stopped moving when it was about 10 miles from my house (under the care of USPS by this time). I waited a week and a half, then contacted two facilities and spoke to three people. They said the package was most likely totally lost, or badly damaged in transit. They suggested filing a claim.
I contacted Shinichi Watanabe that evening. Within two hours, he had shipped a replacement knife, and filed a claim with EMS, the company he shipped the knife with.
The next day, the package returned from the dead, and lo and behold, was delivered. I contacted Shinichi, but it was too late to stop the second knife.
We decided the best thing was to send the second knife to his next U.S. customer who purchased one.
The second knife arrived today, so I'm looking to reward the excellent customer service from Shinichi. Unfortunately, he's already paid shipping on both knives, so no discount is being offered. Whoever buys this will pay Shinich the 20,000 yen for the knife, plus 3,000 for shipping. Shinichi and I will work out the shipping cost for me to mail the knife to the buyer.
If anyone out there is interested in buying this second knife, and returning the favor back to Shinichi, please let me know (you can also contact him directly--he is usually quite prompt in replying to emails).
Also note that his prices are scheduled to increase 5-10% as of 10/1/2017.
