OT - An experience at Costco and Cutco knives

stlcharcoal

BYS1981 said:

In his defense their charcoal is really good and much better than BGEs.. just happens he tried to sell a Toyota to Henry Ford, lol. 

Bad analogy......Henry Ford was a briquette man!!!!!  (As was his cousin, E.G. Kingsford)

I just told the guy I used a local product he and moved onto another person that walked up.

tarheelmatt

SkinnyV said:

My only thing is when have you ever gone into a Costco and been able to say , I don't want to buy this bundle can I have just one? Just playing the other side, he said he only had the sets, you could have viewed the quality and gone online and ordered your individual knife. Perfect example, the blendtec guy selling the new models that come with a better jar than my model. I would not say hey excuse your demo but I only want the jar. Not the box set, the jar.... All while the guy is trying to demo his product.

The way things were set up, the demo had many knives out there to try.  I didn't know that things some in sets or the package deal.  I've bought many items in Costco as single items.  

 You said "you could have viewed the quality and gone online and ordered your individual knife" and that is 100% correct, but a real sales guy would have did his best to either get the single knife or point me to the right direction.  He did none of that.  He simply said, "I have no offering for you".  

This demo was far different than the Blendtec.  He wasn't mic'ed up doing a big spew.  People were coming by his table only at random and he talked with those people.  

I understand you looking to another side and I do try and do that myself, but as a salesman you leave no ass un-kissed.  I think I'd rather explain to my manager that I busted a "set" up to service and gain a customer than piss one off, like he did.  

Ladeback69

stlcharcoal said:

Eggcelsior said:

The absolute worse was a Traeger rep. This was a few years ago when I was just shopping there. He was walking around the gas grills and bothering people, along with waking up and down the aisle running his mouth. I went up to his display and trolled him by asking why you can't sear steaks and if you use sawdust pellets, why can't I just get some from the lumber yard for cheaper. He was not impressed. 

I had the KJ guy trying to sell me their charcoal after I told him I have three BGEs.

You should have handed him one of your business cards and seen what he said after that.  That would have been fun to watch.

SkinnyV

Got you....ive been guilty on both ends of over reacting....or not seeing things from the other persons side. What I wrote was what came to mind reading the post.

Ladeback69

tarheelmatt said:

theyolksonyou said:

At least you didn't stab him.

My wife was getting a little on edge.  She knows I hate it when someone talks down or belittles someone.  A car salesman did something similar and I told him in front of his manager that I was about to whip his azz right there in the middle of the showroom.  The sales guys pitch changed quickly.  After that episode, and others, the wife gets nervous.  

I now what you mean.  The last two trucks I have bought in the last 10 years the finance guy was a jerk trying to sell me extra crap I didn't want, from extra paint protection to a 4 year service contract.  I about walked on both deals, but went on with them.  They try to tell you the paint needs more protection, I said so the paint from the factory isn't that good?  He started back peddling.  The last guy was tell me if I got my truck serviced anywhere but the dealer my warranty would be voided if someone else did something to it.  Car guys can really be jerks sometimes. 

tarheelmatt

SkinnyV said:

Got you....ive been guilty on both ends of over reacting....or not seeing things from the other persons side. What I wrote was what came to mind reading the post.

It's easy to do so for sure.  Hard to convey the full picture in a nighttime forum post too.   

rifrench

tarheelmatt said:

theyolksonyou said:

At least you didn't stab him.

My wife was getting a little on edge.  She knows I hate it when someone talks down or belittles someone.  A car salesman did something similar and I told him in front of his manager that I was about to whip his azz right there in the middle of the showroom.  The sales guys pitch changed quickly.  After that episode, and others, the wife gets nervous.  

My wife refuses to let me go to Walmart with her. I have no patience with wastrels and drones clogging the aisle, and let them know.

GregW

I have had this same pairing knife for probably 10 years or more.
It's a good knife. I bought it from a kid who was selling them for college money.
A good knife, but like all things Cutco, very overpriced.

SoCalWJS

I've owned Cutco for many years. I happen to like them, but understand those that make the comment about pricing. They are expensive, but they also will last a long, long time.

The first time I saw them as a "Show" at Costco, I was a bit surprised. I wandered up while the guy selling the knives was busy with other people. I looked at the price signs and saw that there were a few different sizes of sets for sale. Since I was only thinking of seeing if there was anything new (something I didn't already have), I really didn't pay any attention after that. As I was leaving, the salesman hit me up, so I quickly asked how long the show was going to run (the same question I ask virtually all of the Salesman at Costco when they ask me if I have any questions or want to buy).

Costco is famous for making a deal on large quantities or soon-to-be-discontinued closeout deals. The price/deal is what it is. If I want something specific, I go someplace else. I know where/how to get Cutco.

milesvdustin

I looked at the website, dang those are pricey!

tarheelmatt

milesvdustin said:

I looked at the website, dang those are pricey!

I was really wanting a Shun to compliment my other knife, and I think the Shun is more expensive that that for the pairing knife.  

nolaegghead

http://www.amazon.com/ZHEN-Japanese-Damascus-Paring-3-5-Inch/dp/B00CRVYL82#

gdenby

milesvdustin said:

I looked at the website, dang those are pricey!

No kiddin'. I do assume part of the cost is the life time sharpening service.

Warther cutlery from Ohio is making knives that have steel maybe 300% better than well tempered 440A, and at 1/3 the cost. Lifetime sharpening, not including shipping cost.

Richmond Knives "artifex" line, also less expensive. I have an artifex parer, 3+ inches, and I didn't need to sharpen it for a year. Made from a stainless razor steel named AEB-L from Sweden.

DoubleEgger

Here's another option Matt

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=abLB7aTmnE4

tarheelmatt

DoubleEgger said:

Here's another option Matt

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=abLB7aTmnE4

What is bad about this is that I remember that very commercial.  I'm getting old.  

Judy Mayberry

Their kitchen shears are really sharp, and do a great job on cutting out the backbone for a spatchcock.

Jeepster47

I might have to pull back my "good value" remark. 

After Judy posted how sharp their shears are, I checked them out on the Cutco website.  Then drifted over to look at the knives we have at home.  Then the wife had to use the  defibrillator on me.  Wow have they increased in price since we bought them.  They should have been a part of my 401k ...

nolaegghead

Lifetime warranty and free sharpening are not reasons ever to buy a knife.

The ergonomics and especially the steel alloy it's made with is what counts.

Cutco is the Avon/Mary Kay of knives.   Hey, if you're happy, they're not terrible.  But if you get your hands on some higher quality knives, you'll understand what I'm talking about.

</end grumpy guy rant>