Purchasing knives and other EDC gear from forums

[slingshot]

Hi Amarendra, you warm the heart now, i am just like Moin. I dislike giving out my credit card number. And am definitely willing to offer you a Finders Fee. I wont call it profit. It is a fee for your professional service. And you should accept it since you are spending your time and effort. I am looking for a good folding kerambit. Maybe an Emerson.

-- Wed Aug 24, 2011 2:07 am --

And I have been chasing a Buck 110, preferably with the finger grooves and the Buck Xtract multi tool with built in LED. You are welcome to charge me a finders fee

[choombak]

Amar, I was scouting the forums for a good deal on the Spyderco Military or a Benchmade Griptilian. I see there are some used ones for sale. How does the deal work with the calciulation of customs duty, taxes etc on used ones's ?? How do I know the final landed price of the knife, specially when the seller's an individual and the knife's used or without an invoice ?

Regards
Moin.

Okay, first the terms about "users": NIB, LNIB, BNIB, user
* BNIB, NIB - Brand New In Box. The user has never touched the knife or take it out for anything. It is as he received. Generally NIB and BNIB are used in a slightly loose context - the user has never used it, but taken it out for photos.
* LNIB - Like New In Box. The user has taken it out, handled it, flicked it open and close multiple times, and the knife shows handling marks like finger prints, maybe fine scratches from the open-close etc. This may also mean the user has used the knife for one or two very light jobs like paper cutting test, or maybe a fruit. The knife has factory edge on it, and sharpness has not reduced.
* User - Used knife. Generally the wear is on the clip, and maybe slight sharpness is lost. But don't be afraid of these, the prices you get for users are fantastic, and remember the knife is a "tool", so even if you get a BNIB knife, its going to be in the same category of wear a few days later.

Okay, so for user knives, the reputation of the seller is important. The price can be negotiated via PMs' (strictly via PMs'), as well as the shipping arrangement. From US, typically "USPS Priority Mail International" that costs about $15 is the best way to get a knife in India. The seller has to fill customs forms where he mentions the price (typically that you paid). Customs duty is calculated based on it.

Final landing price will be: knife price + shipping cost + paypal fees (4%) of knife cost + customs duty (optional) + octroi (if in Maharashtra). If the knife costs your $60, shipping $15, paypal fees $3, chances are no duty, and no octroi for a single piece. Landing cost $78 to your door. For a Grip this is a steal price. If you have higher budget, you can maybe add some insurance to the shipping, which is typically $5-$8. So within $85, you have a Grip at your service.

User grips go around $60, and Mili will be around $100 (can be less or more depending on the quality). If the seller is reputed (check his # of posts, and search the forum's feedback section for any negative feedback, or bladeforums now has a feedback score associated with a seller displayed in his avatar), then the condition he/she describes is accurate. You can ask for more photos before deciding, from an exact angle. For a knife, you must check things like:
(a) use and sharpness of the blade
(b) blade play, both horizontal and vertical
(c) scratches on the blade, as well as any previous sharpening effort (people mess up sharpening and scratch the blade)
(d) blade centering when closed
(e) locking when open - locks solid, or the lock is loose and so on.

Good sellers include this information in their post, as well as photos from all angles so you are satisfied. On bladeforums the rule also says "a transaction is not complete until both parties are happy", and it is a "seller's responsibility to ensure the goods reach you".

-Amarendra

-- Wed Aug 24, 2011 6:58 am --

Hi Amarendra, you warm the heart now, i am just like Moin. I dislike giving out my credit card number. And am definitely willing to offer you a Finders Fee. I wont call it profit. It is a fee for your professional service. And you should accept it since you are spending your time and effort. I am looking for a good folding kerambit. Maybe an Emerson.

-- Wed Aug 24, 2011 2:07 am --

And I have been chasing a Buck 110, preferably with the finger grooves and the Buck Xtract multi tool with built in LED. You are welcome to charge me a finders fee

I am not worried about CC, since the CC card holders agreement makes me immune from fraud payments over the internet.

Sure, I will keep an eye out (actually may post a "want to buy" ad in bladeforums) for your goods. Let me know if you come across anything as well.

-Amarendra

[slingshot]

Thanks Amarendra, please go ahead and post a 'want to buy' on my behalf. cheers.

[choombak]

How good is Dereelight 2xAA light-Javelin for throw?
and there price range?
Thanks
[...]

As per PM, there is a Dereelight 2xAA available at CPFMP for sale. I have posted an interest, and waiting to hear from the seller. His asking cost is $43, shipping via USPS Priority Mail In'tl should be around ~$18 and any taxes/customs duty, etc. will be at actuals. If you confirm, I shall go ahead and make the payment for ~$61 (only after getting the exact amount from the seller, these are merely my estimates). There won't be mostly any duty at our side, since the cost of the light is very less, but don't count on that. I have also sent you a PM with these details.

-Amarendra

[Moin.]

Amar, I was scouting the forums for a good deal on the Spyderco Military or a Benchmade Griptilian. I see there are some used ones for sale. How does the deal work with the calciulation of customs duty, taxes etc on used ones's ?? How do I know the final landed price of the knife, specially when the seller's an individual and the knife's used or without an invoice ?

Regards
Moin.

Okay, first the terms about "users": NIB, LNIB, BNIB, user
* BNIB, NIB - Brand New In Box. The user has never touched the knife or take it out for anything. It is as he received. Generally NIB and BNIB are used in a slightly loose context - the user has never used it, but taken it out for photos.
* LNIB - Like New In Box. The user has taken it out, handled it, flicked it open and close multiple times, and the knife shows handling marks like finger prints, maybe fine scratches from the open-close etc. This may also mean the user has used the knife for one or two very light jobs like paper cutting test, or maybe a fruit. The knife has factory edge on it, and sharpness has not reduced.
* User - Used knife. Generally the wear is on the clip, and maybe slight sharpness is lost. But don't be afraid of these, the prices you get for users are fantastic, and remember the knife is a "tool", so even if you get a BNIB knife, its going to be in the same category of wear a few days later.

Okay, so for user knives, the reputation of the seller is important. The price can be negotiated via PMs' (strictly via PMs'), as well as the shipping arrangement. From US, typically "USPS Priority Mail International" that costs about $15 is the best way to get a knife in India. The seller has to fill customs forms where he mentions the price (typically that you paid). Customs duty is calculated based on it.

Final landing price will be: knife price + shipping cost + paypal fees (4%) of knife cost + customs duty (optional) + octroi (if in Maharashtra). If the knife costs your $60, shipping $15, paypal fees $3, chances are no duty, and no octroi for a single piece. Landing cost $78 to your door. For a Grip this is a steal price. If you have higher budget, you can maybe add some insurance to the shipping, which is typically $5-$8. So within $85, you have a Grip at your service.

User grips go around $60, and Mili will be around $100 (can be less or more depending on the quality). If the seller is reputed (check his # of posts, and search the forum's feedback section for any negative feedback, or bladeforums now has a feedback score associated with a seller displayed in his avatar), then the condition he/she describes is accurate. You can ask for more photos before deciding, from an exact angle. For a knife, you must check things like:
(a) use and sharpness of the blade
(b) blade play, both horizontal and vertical
(c) scratches on the blade, as well as any previous sharpening effort (people mess up sharpening and scratch the blade)
(d) blade centering when closed
(e) locking when open - locks solid, or the lock is loose and so on.

Good sellers include this information in their post, as well as photos from all angles so you are satisfied. On bladeforums the rule also says "a transaction is not complete until both parties are happy", and it is a "seller's responsibility to ensure the goods reach you".

-Amarendra

-- Wed Aug 24, 2011 6:58 am --

Hi Amarendra, you warm the heart now, i am just like Moin. I dislike giving out my credit card number. And am definitely willing to offer you a Finders Fee. I wont call it profit. It is a fee for your professional service. And you should accept it since you are spending your time and effort. I am looking for a good folding kerambit. Maybe an Emerson.

-- Wed Aug 24, 2011 2:07 am --

And I have been chasing a Buck 110, preferably with the finger grooves and the Buck Xtract multi tool with built in LED. You are welcome to charge me a finders fee

I am not worried about CC, since the CC card holders agreement makes me immune from fraud payments over the internet.

Sure, I will keep an eye out (actually may post a "want to buy" ad in bladeforums) for your goods. Let me know if you come across anything as well.

-Amarendra

Amar, Thank You for such a detailed reply. Since you are active on these forums, please do keep an eye out for a good deal on the Mili or a Gripi for me.

Regards
Moin.

[jimgun]

hey amarendra, this is a great effort & a biggggg " H E A R T", u have shown to all the fellow members.
u certainly can earn money buying & selling goods. but the one thing u cannot get by money is" respect".this is what worth u'r service will earn u" RESPECT" .
three cheers to u man.

[choombak]

hey amarendra, this is a great effort & a biggggg " H E A R T", u have shown to all the fellow members.
u certainly can earn money buying & selling goods. but the one thing u cannot get by money is" respect".this is what worth u'r service will earn u" RESPECT" .
three cheers to u man.

Appreciate your kind words. I am already working with some of them to get lights and knives, or pass along my knowledge. Even if a small portion of our folks are benefited, I'd consider this all worthwhile! Thanks for the encouragement.

-Amarendra

[jayanta mukherjee]

Amar on a more serious note, Philanthropy sometimes does more harm than good . How about taking an acceptable amount of profit on the transaction for facilitating the purchase. For me personally I’m averse to using credit cards or online banking (I’m technologically challenged ). If some one can purchase for me, ship it to me at an acceptable price inclusive of all freight charges, duties, taxes etc and the hassle of managing the procurement for me, I’ll gladly pay an acceptable premium.

Prices of everything is so freely available on the internet. It’s very easy to find out what’s a good decent deal and when one’s being ripped off.

Does this work for you ? Keeps both the seller and the buyer happy !!

Best Regards
Moin.

Same here brother... and have mailed you at your email. Kindly check and revert. Thanx in advance.
Cheers
Jayanta

[Moin.]

Amar has already helped me procure the Benchmade Griptilian and another very very nice blade both NIB from Blade Forums and at a price much much lower than Knife centre. I had to pay him the exact amount as it appeared in his paypal account. I am surprised people are not utlising this very generous offer to IFG'ians

Thank You Amar...

Regards
Moin.

[jayanta mukherjee]

That's simply great Chief. Love Benchmade products.... But in the mail I have asked him to procure a fairly new blade of Extrema Ratio- the Extrema Ratio BF M1 A1 and it is not available in Knife Centre and only available at hinnie.com for around UKP 100. Check the one am particular about and please give your opinion about how you think. And oh yes I plan to EDC it and it will replace the Vic Spartan in the key ring

http://www.heinnie.com/Extrema-Ratio-Kn ... -986-8056/

Here is a youtube review



But I think that he is busy since he hasn't replied to me yet....
Waiting for your comments....

Cheers

[Moin.]

That's simply great Chief. Love Benchmade products.... But in the mail I have asked him to procure a fairly new blade of Extrema Ratio- the Extrema Ratio BF M1 A1 and it is not available in Knife Centre and only available at hinnie.com for around UKP 100. Check the one am particular about and please give your opinion about how you think. And oh yes I plan to EDC it and it will replace the Vic Spartan in the key ring

http://www.heinnie.com/Extrema-Ratio-Kn ... -986-8056/

Here is a youtube review



But I think that he is busy since he hasn't replied to me yet....
Waiting for your comments....

Cheers

Hi, Rajat will be able to give an opinion on the Extrema Ratio as he owns one. They appear to be overpriced. You can get an excellent knife for this kind of money by Benchmade or Spyderco, specially since you want to make this your EDC blade.

Regards
Moin.

[jayanta mukherjee]

Hi Moin,
I think will quit the idea of the particular blade since you and Amar bro also opine on the same. Well let me do some research and will keep you posted on the blade.

BTW yesterday was able to zero down on the flashlight thanx to Amarendra.

Cheers
Jayanta

[jayanta mukherjee]

Hello all! Am super excited about the weekend since the beautiful damsel has landed in my place. Will post a her pictures over the weekend. But wanted to thank Choombak for helping me acquire it.

Cheers
Jayanta