not sure if this is ok to post or not... but here goes. i am located in WI I found a dealer on benchmades website dealer locater. they had a website and according to that they seamed like the best place around to look at some knives! so on my day off i drove over an hour to the store. well guess what NOT ONE BENCHMADE!!! maybe 5 cheap knivesin the entire store! the clerk said "oh lol we havent had any benchmades in a long time lol" other than that good store with nice employees but if your looking for a benchmade then "the shooters shop" isnt the place!!! huge selection of silencers though

thanx,there are several old web pages on the web full of good knives that are sold out,best to always call.................

Ive done that before ...... look up a dealer on BM,s site and get there and they have not much at all.
Its always nice to call first.

When I called in to ask a question about Lifesharp, I was directed to a gun store about 70 miles away as the closest retail shop. I was a bit disheartened to hear this particular shop because I'd been in there before and had a very poor experience. I had $600 in cash to buy a handgun, but they couldn't be bothered to pull anything out of the case until after I'd paid for it. I wasn't willing to pay for something I couldn't touch first. They were the most stuck up bunch of know-nothing morons I've ever had the displeasure of dealing with. The shop owners on the streets of the border villages in Mexico have *nothing* on this family of maroons.

At any rate, I was not happy to hear that they were a stocking Benchmade dealer because it of course would mean I'd have to go in and see what they had. I called ahead first and got "What? Wow, yeah. We can get 'em, but we don't keep any because they're so dang-blasted expensive. We ordered one about 5 years ago. If you want one, we charge retail plus 20% and shipping, but we can order something. It may not come right away because we try to wait till we get a couple orders together so the shipping doesn't cost us so much."

Glad I called ahead. Those people are terrible. I hope they get removed from Benchmade's vendor list soon.

I'm glad other people's experiences haven't been the same as mine.

Carson wrote:
"What? Wow, yeah. We can get 'em, but we don't keep any because they're so dang-blasted expensive. We ordered one about 5 years ago. If you want one, we charge retail plus 20% and shipping, but we can order something. It may not come right away because we try to wait till we get a couple orders together so the shipping doesn't cost us so much."

That NUTS Carson. To be charged 20 OVER retail and not be allowed to examine the product? I'd be curious to know what their return/restocking policy's like.

Also sounds like they'll be happy to take your money WITHOUT having any product in the store at the time you paid for it.

Isn't that called "Bait and Switch?"

Were actually lucky here in the bay area .....
we have a few stores that have a good amount of BM,s ...... and all Ive been to now are willing to compete with online dealers
One store wouldnt budge on there prices (msrp) I just went there to look. One day she ask how many knives I had (I told her) she said , wow your a good customer. I told her Ive only bought one knife from them before. She said , you buy alot of knives ...makes you a good customer. Since then she has matched and even beatin some online retailers prices.

I am fortunate. A Ma/Pa gunstore, not far from here, has a great selection - and better than mail order prices - and 5% S/T. Not your friendliest store - but I go in for firearms or knives, not a new 'best friend'. On the other side of town - a locally owned yuppee supply place. Tremendous selection of BM's, etc - even CRK's & Wm Henry's. Fair prices - not great - but what a selection - 9% S/T. Sadly, yuppee's don't seem to like S&W revolvers - loads of long guns and bottom-feeders - seasonal pricing.

I bought a used Skirmish at a gunshow - and a mail order 211 - the rest of my BM's, etc, came from these two stores. Old stock had lower older prices - and discounts were given as they were 'old stock'. Support your local guy - if you can find one!

Stainz

Good one Stainz...I always keep my eyes open for old stock and if at a decent discount all the better!

As DJ says, we're lucky to have a few good places around to shop at.

@grabagear, what zip code did you use, and could you confirm the dealer? I want to investigate.

Thanks!