All Discussions Tagged 'offs' - iKnife Collector2024-03-19T07:43:42Zhttps://iknifecollector.com/group/beginnercollectors/forum/topic/listForTag?tag=offs&feed=yes&xn_auth=noBuyer beware!tag:iknifecollector.com,2014-06-14:3181080:Topic:11505772014-06-14T21:44:02.295ZSteve Scheuerman (Manx)https://iknifecollector.com/profile/SteveScheuerman
<p>I just wanted to stress to everyone to do your homework on your purchases before you buy them. Knock offs are everywhere, and everyone stands at risk of this diabolical practice. My son and I were both victims this spring, and while the responsibility was ours, I thought others could benefit from our loss.</p>
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<p>So, if you have suggestions on how to prevent our newer collectors from having this unpleasant experience, post here with your advice. Below is the email I sent to the…</p>
<p>I just wanted to stress to everyone to do your homework on your purchases before you buy them. Knock offs are everywhere, and everyone stands at risk of this diabolical practice. My son and I were both victims this spring, and while the responsibility was ours, I thought others could benefit from our loss.</p>
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<p>So, if you have suggestions on how to prevent our newer collectors from having this unpleasant experience, post here with your advice. Below is the email I sent to the organisers of the show we attended. Let's all do our part to prevent this from happening to others!</p>
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<p><strong><em>"Hey there...</em></strong></p>
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<p><strong><em>My son and I attended your show this year, and while only there for the knives, we were initially impressed with the show. However, afterwards, we realized that we were both taken in by a vendor selling knock off knives as the real deal. Now, as a collector, I realize that the responsibility for verifying the product is ultimately my responsibility, and I accept that, but I shudder to think how many other folks purchased items in good faith only to be taken in by a counterfeiter. My purchase was a Benchmade AT-1, with box...a well done knock off to be sure, but a counterfeit nonetheless. My son was similarly ripped off with a Boker knife from the same nefarious vendor. A truly disappointing experience and one that ruined the show for me and my son in a serious way.</em></strong></p>
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<p><strong><em>Please don’t get the impression that I blame the organizers, or hold them responsible for my own lack of verifying my purchase. That is not the case. I would, however, like to ask/suggest a few things for the next show.</em></strong></p>
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<p><strong><em>1) A person or people to randomly inspect dealer booths to look for knock offs. Random spot checks could help a lot to protect the folks that come to your event in good faith.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>2) Free internet access in the venue so folks have some way to research their purchases. I know we had no access to the existing wi-fi.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>3) A disclaimer in the vendor sign-up forms that mentions that counterfeiters will not be tolerated, and will be dealt with in an appropriate manner if discovered.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>4) A booth/table where folks who think a vendor is selling counterfeit items can come to report knock offs.</em></strong></p>
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<p><strong><em>If vendors know that counterfeiting is not supported, encouraged or permitted in your show, and that consequences shall arise from such actions, then that will go far in helping your patrons and supporters make their purchases with a degree of confidence and security. As I am sure you will agree, counterfeiting is a problem we all need to address and discourage, dealers and collectors alike.</em></strong></p>
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<p><strong><em>I certainly hope you take this message as it is intended...some suggestions to protect your vendors, collectors and patrons, and not a condemnation toward you, your organisation or your members. I strongly believe this is an issue worth addressing, and sincerely hope you will consider this with the seriousness it deserves. If these suggestions are addressed in some way, I would be happy to attend next year and endorse your event on the many knife groups I am associated with. However, I cannot, in good conscience, support or endorse any event or organisation that supports or ignores counterfeiting, the proliferation of knock offs, or rip off artists posing as serious vendors.</em></strong></p>
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<p><strong><em>I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this, and would be happy to do what I might to help.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.</em></strong></p>
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<p><strong><em>Respectfully...</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Steve Scheuerman."</em></strong></p>