New here to the BM Forums but not new to knives. I've been lurking for the last week or two, reading posts and trying to get a general feel for the place. Before I take the "plunge" and start spending my hard-earned knife dollar on BM's there's a few questions I wanted to ask:

1. Customer service - How is it? This is something that is very important to me and it's one of the reasons that I'm here to start with as I became dissatisfied with the CS that I was receiving from another manufacturer.

2. What does the new BM policy of selling directly to it's retailers and enforcing a MAP mean for me as the end-line consumer? I've read lots of speculative posts about this on many different knife forums but so far no one seems to have a definitive answer.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Welcome

1. CS is one of the best in the business. I've used the Lifesharp service a few times, and have yet to be disapointed. They've hooked me up time and time again. Can't say enough about em.

2. I'd contact BM regarding the other. Or do a search around on other threads. No offense, but it's just been rehashed and gone over time and time again. Probably be best to search the other threads, or as I stated above, give BM a shout to get an answer.

From my own standpoint, it doesn't mean much, I'll still buy BM's. And it is what it is....it's not going to change.

The way I see it, it don't to well to get all upset over it (bad for the heart, dontcha know ). There's other more important stuff to worry over (from my standpoint, my kid's well being is much more important )

Welcome!

1. Excellent CS from BM. No negative issues with them at all. They definitely stand behind their products. LifeSharp service is incredible as well.

2. Prices have gone up overall. Many vendors that used to carry BMs no longer do. Those that have not been given 'dealer' status are selling whatever inventory they have left and apparently will not be resupplied. I purchased the BMs I wanted just in time apparently, because 3 of the vendors I use to purchase knives no longer carry BMs. There are still some deals around, but they are becoming harder to find. To be honest, the current dealer/MAP policy has me looking to other brands.

Welcome.

Benchmade's customer service is top notch based on my interaction with them.

As for the new dealer direct policy and new MAP pricing, you might see fewer dealers offering Benchmades, but there are still plenty available from other reputable dealers. MAP pricing might have brought some of the models up in price, but, it's my understanding, you can contact the dealer and see if their willing to part with the models at a lower price. Some of the BM dealers that we on the forum give our business to, I understand, are more than willing to oblige.

MAP is not an invention of Benchmade, and it is used in many other industries. You will see it used more and more.

It is used to protect legit dealers from folks selling stuff from their basement. Dealers are the ones who will be there to do much more than sell stuff, they provide a service to the consumer. Joe in his basement is not going to help you send a broken knife back to the factory, or even worse... Might hassle you about a return and give Benchmade a bad name.

MAP on effects the price a dealer can adverstise, however the dealer can sell for whatever they want. Just "visit" them and you will be the prices you are used to seeing. Buying from a webpage will be more expensive.

C/S Hands down the best in the business, probably the best service I have ever encountered from a company of this size. They constantly go out of they're way to help customers out.

Map.. Lets just say that we can still find very good deals on BM products. there have been a couple dealers that no longer offer deals or BM products for that matter but just remember always pick up the phone and talk with the dealers before placing internet orders.. If you have a B&M dealer than good for you, make some friends. If your looking for some placed to purchase BM at a good deal PM me for some links.. Welcome to the forum, we look forward to sharing with you..

The customer service is top notch. They basically gave me a free knife recently after one that I had sent in for repair was damaged. The damage was superficial and on an old knife. Their remedy was way beyond anything I would have expected. It paid off though--I just bought another BM yesterday.

I don't know enough about the whole MAP issue to comment. BM naturally wants to get as much as possible for their products, nothing wrong with that.

Welcome to the BM Forums!
1. A problem with my first Benchmade brought me to the forums actually. The CS at BM is great!
Should you ever need them you will find them to be excellent IMO.
2. MAP should mean nothing to someone who has not been actively shopping for BM more than a few months. No way to really know, but I bet most of the effect has already been felt. You will see online retailers who are still BM authorized with the old "add to cart to see price". Those prices are a litlle higher than they were, but unless you were shopping the same knives in 2008 or earlier you wouldn't know that. Besides, from what I see the competition is up too.

Genrally speaking, IMHO, Benchmade offers a "flavor" all it's own. High quality, sharp looking, fast action folders, featuring the best lock in the business, the Axis.

BMs customer service is 5 full stars, they might be in the running for the coveted six star rating.

if everyone had service like this well... we wouldn't have anything to compare them to.

as far as pricing goes, ya get what you pay for prices will vary, so a bit of diplomacy with your dealer can go a long way.

Welcome...now you know Benchmade's customer service is tops, and it seems to be getting faster and better at the same time.

MAP? Some places are off the "MAP" so just shop carefully. Roger's "Knife" that "Works" is one of our favorites!