All About Pocket Knives

Regrading any shipping requirement policies going forward:

Maybe we need a policy that requires all knives over a certain amount be shipped in a box & anything under that stated amount can be shipped in a well padded, well sealed envelope?

...or a more lenient requirement that knives be well padded & shipped in well sealed package?

...or maybe something as simple as an illustrated guideline for suggested packaging standards?

I don't know the answer... Just thinking out loud here. Suggestions welcomed.

I like to give my buyers the option of using the small flat rate box or if they are buying one knife the option of choosing a lower mailing cost. If they choose that the lower cost I ship in a envelope that has been taped on all four edges. Since the mailing label covers the envelopes that I use I both glue and tape the label. I would hate to loose the ability to give my buyers the option.

I use both boxes and padded envelopes.If the knife has a box it is usually shipped in a box.When I use a padded envelope, I put packing tape creased around the edges.Have never had a problem.

I don't know the answer either Bryan. You can't force people to do the right thing, thus my comment above, "You can't legislate common sense". For me, the great thing about AAPK has always been it's lack of militaristic atmosphere and I would hate to see one bad apple spoil the fruit salad.

Randy's way of doing things seems sensible to me. Can you add check boxes that specify shipping in a USPS Flat Rate Priority box or another that specifies "Ship the most cost effective yet secure method".

Maybe add a packing tutorial to the seller sign up and require new store members, before they can proceed. to check the box, "I have read and understand this good shipping practices tutorial and agree to use good packing practices when shipping product to my customers" .

Are those programing nightmares? Best of luck to you with this.

Another thought is for the the system to force the seller to specify how the items will be packaged for shipping. For example options such as flat rate box, padded envelope, unpadded envelope, etc., then the buyer can decide to continue the purchase or maybe ask for different packaging. This might lead to better aligned expectations and the two parties (buyer and seller) can work it out themselves.

Not always the case but when I see a seller is charging $3.50 S&H I'm assuming padded mailer. When I see they are charging $7.50 I'm expecting priority mail. Not a bad idea to offer an option and let the buyer decide which route he wants to go.

jerryd6818 wrote: Maybe add a packing tutorial to the seller sign up and require new store members, before they can proceed. to check the box, "I have read and understand this good shipping practices tutorial and agree to use good packing practices when shipping product to my customers" .

I like this idea.

Perhaps something like this with an add-on that states that excessive complaints may result in revocation of seller account privileges.

RalphAlsip wrote:Another thought is for the the system to force the seller to specify how the items will be packaged for shipping. For example options such as flat rate box, padded envelope, unpadded envelope, etc., then the buyer can decide to continue the purchase or maybe ask for different packaging. This might lead to better aligned expectations and the two parties (buyer and seller) can work it out themselves.

This is another idea that I like I may be able to add a variation of this idea into our platform.

jerryd6818 wrote:Can you add check boxes that specify shipping in a USPS Flat Rate Priority box or another that specifies "Ship the most cost effective yet secure method"

This would probably prove to be extremely difficult for me to implement, but I'll give the idea plenty of additional thought.

Bryan to save someone having to complain about AAPK stores and the way they post item.
Why don't you ask all the store managers who are having disputes with customers and ''cannot'' come to a resolution contact you.
This way you will know the seller and buyer are communicating.
I would say you would very seldom have a dispute.
I have sold a few knives and always put them in a box and packed them so they could not move.
If you are a seller of a $1 or dearer item you should take care.
It might be something you are selling cheap but to the buyer it is a item they wanted.
If you don't care you lose you customer base
Why would you no refund the $9.99 you could make more money later of the same customer.
Goodwill goes a long way.
That's just my 2c worth.
Grant

Shearer wrote:Bryan to save someone having to complain about AAPK stores and the way they post item.
Why don't you ask all the store managers who are having disputes with customers and ''cannot'' come to a resolution contact you.
This way you will know the seller and buyer are communicating.

I'll likely start looking into a better way for both buyers & sellers to report unresolved issues.

Shearer wrote: Why would you no refund the $9.99 you could make more money later of the same customer.
Goodwill goes a long way.

I have not yet heard the seller's side of the story. For all I know, he may have or is planning to refund the buyer since this thread was started. I'm hopeful he has not been ignoring the buyer's attempts to make contact.

When all info is available, AAPK will take action & will refund the buyer as last resort if necessary.

Bryan wrote:

Shearer wrote:Bryan to save someone having to complain about AAPK stores and the way they post item.
Why don't you ask all the store managers who are having disputes with customers and ''cannot'' come to a resolution contact you.
This way you will know the seller and buyer are communicating.

I'll likely start looking into a better way for both buyers & sellers to report unresolved issues.

Shearer wrote: Why would you no refund the $9.99 you could make more money later of the same customer.
Goodwill goes a long way.

I have not yet heard the seller's side of the story. For all I know, he may have or is planning to refund the buyer since this thread was started. I'm hopeful he has not been ignoring the buyer's attempts to make contact.

When all info is available, AAPK will take action & will refund the buyer as last resort if necessary.

Bryan I know what it's like.I managed a hire company for ten years.You had the customers ,boss and employees all pushing from different directions.
I classed the job as I was the meat in a sandwich.You could make some of them happy and the rest wanted to bite you.

Grant

As long as we're bitchin and hopefully educating a few people about packing methods, how about the idiots that send a display box that has a plastic insert and leaves the knife inside.

Per Ralph: " Another thought is for the the system to force the seller to specify how the items will be packaged for shipping"

I think you hit the nail on the head. Seller and buyer both know what is expected.

Bob

dweb1897 wrote:As long as we're bitchin and hopefully educating a few people about packing methods, how about the idiots that send a display box that has a plastic insert and leaves the knife inside.
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And then there was the idiot eBay seller who shipped my knife in it's tin but just dropped the tin in one of those plastic shipping bags (no padding). For me, the tin is very cool looking and had almost as much value as the knife. Package got here with big dents in the tin.

I straightened it out as much as possible before taking pictures but if you look close, you can still see a dent. (front edge, right side) No, I didn't pay huge bucks for it but that's not the point.

A box with a 171UH came it today's mail. The box was sturdy and well taped.....the knife and sheath well wrapped in bubble wrap....but this seller took it a step further...4 wood splints taped around the bubble wrap maybe so it would float in case of a flood

Doug, you have to applaud the sellers "give a hoot". It's silly over-kill but I'd rather see that than the other extreme.

Edit: This is how KSF shipped a $130 knife. I was surprised but not offended.

Jerry are you so famous that if I mail a package to

Jerry

Rockford, IL.

That you will receive it ?

Amazing !

Yep. I live where everybody knows my name. In fact, all you gotta do is put Jerry on there and it will get to me.

Well Hello All
Just got a message from AAPK about this issue and have refunded the buyer for the cost of $9.99. Thank You Bryan for reaching out and I am sorry that I didn't get any previous messages. I have sent a message to my email service to inquire about any issues. I also contacted PayPal about their communication and understand that they closed the case because tracking showed the package being delivered. As stated before, I have credited the $9.99 because its $9.99 and a USPS theft/damage issue not customers or mine.
Again Thanks AAPK for reaching out

Jon

So, the take away lesson I have learned from all of this is to establish communication with a seller before making a purchase to make sure there is a means of contact in the event it becomes necessary. Can't just assume that a seller is receiving messages and ignoring them if he fails to respond. Sellers will need to be vigilant in monitoring and responding to messages if they want to establish/maintain trust and continue making sales.

~Q~