I'm considering consigning a few knives. I'm looking at some local gun/knife stores and some more national knife dealers. Any suggestions? Experiences? Thanks!
-Dave

Get to know the owner very well first. Do some background research as best you can. Make sure you can trust them. Small stores go out of business, easily and quickly. Merchandise has a habit of disappearing without a trace. Don't ever put more in consignment shops than you can afford to lose or give away. Negotiate your prices and store percentages up front and don't forget the issue of collecting and reporting sales tax (if so needed). Don't know about FL but GA is very diligent in tracking down their ounce of flesh. Keep really good records - 2 sets in 2 places to CYA.

Not trying to scare you but these are hard lessons to learn on your own. I have been burned twice and one was by a person I once considered a friend. Both were expensive lessons, but the physcological blow the worst part. Just be careful.

All that being said, I have two very good consignment set ups here local that are very easy to keep up with. I really like the way they have worked out.
Good luck. Just give everything the old "stink" test, if it smells bad don't eat it!

If you go that route, Hope it works well for you. If you're coming to the Blade in June, come by my table I-27 and we can compare notes and trade war stories.

I worked with A.T Barr for a couple years before I dropped off the map as a seller. Was a beneficial arrangement for me. I didn't have to worry about credit cards, pay pal, bounced checks etc. My knives went to all the shows and I had a "page" to sell myself as well as my knives.

Trade off, lose of income, a chance to get lost in the crowd on his table and a lose of face time with my customers. All the customer could get through A.T. was what I had made. No chance to talk and get to know them and them to get to know me. They don't see my past works in a portfolio so all they know of my style is what I have at that moment. Hard to pick up commissions that way.

Overall I would like to go back to that once the shop starts knocking out more but eventually I think I do want my own site.

Jim

Hi Dave,
i do with Les Robertson and he is AWESOME.....Once your on Les's site, the world will know of you=).
Also check out Mile Welze at mileswelze.com he too is great.
britt