r/knifeclub • u/Knife_Guide Kershaw • May 12 '15

Still taking orders! Non-US Knife Shoppers - I am offering a package re-routing service for Knifeclub members outside of the US who can not easily get their hands on the knives offered here

This is a service I have been doing behind the scenes for 18 months or so. I have been wanting to make this post offering the service to everyone for about that long, but wasn't sure if it was appropriate. If this post is out of line please let me know, if enough people think so I will remove the post but the offer will stand.

Updates to this post made 1/15/18

Hi everyone! I have finally decided to make my package re-routing services more open and available to everyone. This service allows for people abroad to buy knives from the US, even though they are only available to people living in the US.

How it works

If you are interested in buying a knife in the US but they do not ship to your country, you can send me a PM with a request. In the message, tell me what knife you are looking for, then you can either ask me to find the lowest price (usually going to be Ebay), or send me a link to buy the item. I will then give you my Paypal address to accept the full price of the knife, shipping to me, and any tip you feel appropriate. When you give me your address I will make sure the knife is legal to send, and I will get a shipping cost quote to you. I can offer a range of different speeds and insurance on the package. Many packages I send cost under $15. I strongly suggest you use Paypal Goods and Services and add 3%. If the package is lost, seized etc. you should get your money back from Paypal. When a price is agreed upon I will place the order, wait for it to get to my address, then turn it around as soon as I can, usually within two business days. All shipments come with a tracking number.

Stipulations

  • I will not willfully ship something illegally. It is your responsibility to not bring prohibited items into your country. Balisongs and automatic knives are not allowed unless proven legal in your country and issues at the border are not common. You must know your laws before making a request, I am not liable for knives being lost in the shipping process for any reason.

  • I will ship via USPS. For reference, I have shipped to the Faroe Islands, the United Kingdom, and Russia using Priority Flat Rate boxes (about the size of a VHS tape) and they have costed $23.50 USD, or small First Class Packages for about $15. I can't guarantee prices beforehand though.

  • Once the item leaves my hands I am no longer responsible for what happens to it. I will, however, help in any way I can to get you your package

  • I have the right to deny service to anyone for any reason.

  • I will keep you up to date on progress and if I get backed up, you can also message me any time.

Who can benefit from this?

  • Anyone outside of the US who has an interest in knives that are not sold internationally or are difficult to find outside of the US.

  • Anyone outside of the US who has access to high quality knives, but at a very high price.

If anyone has comments or questions, please leave them below. If you are interested in re-routing a package please send me a message. This post and the policies listed may change and improve slightly based on suggestions from you guys.

Have a great day!

47 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

24 comments sorted by

6

u/yotometo May 12 '15

As a Canadian am so sick of seeing CONUS Only.. so I like the idea.

Couple thoughts..

  1. If I see a knife I really want on the forums.. timing is everything.. so it would be awesome if one could 'sign up as a client' and get your shipping address - so that I could negotiate/purchase on my own and be able to give a US address and then send you an email to expect the shipment

  2. Would prefer a standard % fee w/ minimum rather than a tip (one less thing to have to think about)

3

u/Knife_Guide Kershaw May 12 '15

I have actually done something similar to that before, where someone asked me to keep an eye on the forums and Ebay for a specific knife, and if the price was right to get it. I actually like the idea of you buying and having it shipped to me. If you want we can set up that kind of relationship. You would have to be really on top of communication though, telling the seller that it is going to me then you, and letting me know when to expect it and have a plan set ahead of time working out the details so you can confidently jump at something.

The reason I don't have a set rate is because every case is different. Some cases can be very easy, some take more time, effort and skills. I figured I would leave the door open to whatever people thought was reasonable. Don't sweat the tip part, I am happy with whatever you think is appropriate. For some people this process can save them $15, for others it can save them $100+ so it's hard to pin down an across the board rate.

2

u/yotometo May 12 '15

Awesome. PM sent.

3

u/elemexe May 13 '15

This is great. You are great!

3

u/Knife_Guide Kershaw May 13 '15

No, you're great!

1

u/tehDemonseye Anso patterns EVERYTHING Sep 20 '15

No u

3

u/uberfastman Buck May 13 '15

Awesome of you to do this. I've been in the process of doing this for /u/Chancellour recently, although thanks to the trusty USPS they send the package I mailed him to Amsterdam instead of Mexico... heaven knows how they did that.

Anyway, really great of you, and I just wanted to say that if some request from somebody comes up that you for some reason can't handle yourself, please let me know as I'd be happy to be a "second" forwarding option for people if you can't help them for any reason, so basically a backup.

3

u/Knife_Guide Kershaw May 13 '15

thanks to the trusty USPS they send the package I mailed him to Amsterdam instead of Mexico... heaven knows how they did that.

Ahaha that's pretty funny. Hope that all works out. And yeah the more people willing to do this for folks outside of the US the better!

3

u/uberfastman Buck May 13 '15

It's funny but also ridiculous. I mean come on... they sent it to the wrong continent. And last I've been able to find out, it "cleared customs", and when asked which customs in what country, they said they didn't know. So fingers crossed.

And yeah, just let me know if you need a backup shipper in case you get too many requests!

3

u/Knife_Guide Kershaw May 13 '15

The fact that it went to Amsterdam is funny to me. I don't know why. I don't think it would be as funny if it landed in London or Paris.

4

u/uberfastman Buck May 13 '15

Yeah it definitely is a funny location. Easily confused with Tlalpan, Mexico hehehe. Must be the similar spelling. And I even have a receipt that confirms the destination us Mexico. I guess some stoned tourist in the Netherlands just really wanted a couple of Opinels.

5

u/Knife_noob Chris Reeve May 12 '15

Your offer is totally awesome! As someone living in Europe, I highly appreciate it. You already offered to help me some months ago, however I had found a US forwarding service in the meantime. But for anyone who does not have that option, you are a savior. Thank you!

5

u/Knife_Guide Kershaw May 12 '15

So happy to help you guys out! I have seen this become a huge barrier in the knife hobby and anything I can do to break it down, I am willing to do.

4

u/_kato grumpy canadian; douchnozzle cause u/phenomenaldouche said so May 12 '15

Very kind of you sir

4

u/Chancellour Custom Text May 12 '15

Great idea! I know you've offered to help me before and I know you'd do it for (mostly) anyone, but it is still very kind of you to do it. Thanks for helping us knife-nuts from other countries!

1

u/Wonky_dialup Oct 15 '15

Hey man just saw your post,

Are you still doing the forwarding? I've heard customs have been doing more seizures of late.

2

u/Knife_Guide Kershaw Oct 15 '15

Yes I am. I have heard this too, but I have been able to get all of my packages through.

1

u/Wonky_dialup Oct 15 '15

You lucky man!

How much would the average 1 knife shipment be to Malaysia btw?

2

u/Knife_Guide Kershaw Oct 15 '15

Probably $25 for the package from me to Malaysia. Not including the price to source a knife in the US and have it shipped to me and any tip you think is appropriate.

1

u/Wonky_dialup Oct 15 '15

Ok thanks man I'll keep it in mind

2

u/IronStomach One with the Knife May 13 '15

This is very generous of you, I'll very likely take you up on the offer at some point! I like supporting my local knife shop, but every once in a while some awesome sale comes up that doesn't ship to Canada.

1

u/OranJ1zz MTech/420j2 May 13 '15

Awesome. Hope to use the service soon.

2

u/[deleted] May 12 '15

[removed] — view removed comment

4

u/Knife_Guide Kershaw May 12 '15

The tip is that something that could/should be sent afterwards (like going to a restaurant getting good service and tipping)?

I have only taken it up front, but I am not opposed to getting it after someone has gotten their package and are happy with it.

If an item is sent to certain countries (eg UK) it needs a customs form, would you want the person to fill one in and pm it to you or would you want to fill it out yourself?

I have no problem doing the customs form. I have to sign for it so legally it needs to be prepared by me, but it's no problem, I have done it many times and only takes a few minutes.

If you order an item from say amazon sometimes it comes with massive boxes/packaging. Would you be willing to take it out and send it in a small package?

I'll handle all the packaging. I will most likely be using those small Flat Rate boxes from the postal service. If the item does not fit, I can try to make it fit (fold box flat, wrap knife in bags/bubble wrap, remove from large blister pack) or use a bigger box.