Albion's 10th Anniversary Sale -- myArmoury.com

Nathan Keysor · Posted: Wed 15 Oct, 2008 9:23 am Post subject:

I think both Thomas and Allan's points are valid. I suppose it depends on whether you preordered a model that is still in the planning stage or not. I can see it being very aggravating to put down a deposit on something and before it is in production the price goes down for everyone else. It does take a certain amount of trust and customer loyalty to commit to buy something that doesn't even exist yet. I ordered two swords prior to the price increase and have received both and am happy about the deal I got. However, do agree that the timing of this sale (which I appreciate) is a bit close to the recent price increase.

Michael R. Black · Posted: Wed 15 Oct, 2008 10:09 am Post subject: sale

I'm not sure how I feel about the decision of not honoring the new sale price for existing pre-orders.

I have two Albion swords on order (neither is yet in production). One has been paid in full for over 1.5 years. The other is a sword I decided to add during Albions last sale. I have been making small payments on a bi-weekly basis.

Albion has had my money for a while now, and I have been okay with that, as my experience of the company's customer service and product has been very positive. Maybe even beyond very positive in most instances.

My annoyance is that if I'd been in the position of committing to that second sword during a 25% off sale, I would probably have gone with a more expensive model rather than what I ordered.

On the other hand, expecting nothing to change after all the negatives in our current economy is probably unrealistic. I rushed in to get my sword order set before a price increase when the major economic fears were inflationary. Now that things have slowed down, a lot of retailers are likely to reduce prices a bit in order to survive. If taking an 11% discount rather than a 25% discount on that last Albion sword order is the result, then I suppose I'll manage to live with it. After all, i really like the company, and I'm highly interested in their continuing business.

Michael

Thomas Jason · Posted: Wed 15 Oct, 2008 10:26 am Post subject: Re: sale

I know exactly how I feel over this and I've cancelled all transactions with them as a result.

The lack of courtesy to those who have preordered models that aren't in production is downright rude.

Paul Watson · Posted: Wed 15 Oct, 2008 10:39 am Post subject:

There are definitely two sides to this issue, each with it's own merit

Thomas' I can see your point in that it would be frustrating, and without knowing what position you were in with your orders (i.e. deposit put down, swords in production yet to be received, swords not in production) it is difficult to form a full opinion of your position. To be completely honest I would probably be frustrated in your case. I do not think I would have cancellled my order however.

Similarly the extent of Albion's backorder/preorders is something that none of us will ever know and if they were to blanketly apply this discount to every sword on order they would probably be in a lot of trouble financially. On the other side of the argument Albion do honour previous prices for swords that have been preordered (the Munich is a good example, between being announced and finally being in production the price increased significantly, so those who preorded when it first came out, were paying much less than those who ordered upon commencement of manufacturing).

Is it really fair that we as consumers have everything in our favour in every instance? It certainly isn't fair on Albion and they do have a business to run. I would say if it was their policy to make a current order subject to the latest price decrease, then it should also make any current order subject to any price increase.

From Albions perspective this situation is exacerbated by the fact that they are not a mass production company (such as a tyre company or electrical appliance company) and as such much more sensitive to price changes.

Bryce Felperin · Posted: Wed 15 Oct, 2008 10:44 am Post subject:

Personally, I think Albion should not take orders for non-existing products in any case. Yes it does them good by having money in the bank for R&D and developing those models, but that only works out well if they come onto the market in a timely fashion. Some of those models have been advertised and been taking pre-orders for two years or more now.

So I can understand why some people on this forum are a bit pissed about this sale. My advice...cancel your order and order something else at discount that you can get instead. Order the vapor sword products when they become available.

The only strategy for buying vapor swords in advance, in my opinon, is to gurantee availability or to get them at reduced price (in case of price increases in the future). If you bought the vapor swords already you have locked in both, so you can rest easy. You're probably saving money on what they'll cost in the future anyway and you're guranteed to get them. If you really want the discount, then cancel you're previous order for the vapor sword and reorder it. If Albion doesn't let you do that, THEN you have a customer satisfaction issue. Personally I figure a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. So get your Albion swords today and order your vapor sword when it becomes available instead.

Anyway I'm ordering my Earl today, and damn happy to get it.

Thanks all for reading my ramblings.

Bryce

Mike Capanelli · Posted: Wed 15 Oct, 2008 10:53 am Post subject:

Thomas Jason · Posted: Wed 15 Oct, 2008 11:03 am Post subject:

This was more to me about violating the spirit of the agreement that was made prior to the price increase than the actual dollar amount.

I've said my peace, and cancelled my orders.

Roger Hooper · Posted: Wed 15 Oct, 2008 11:45 am Post subject:

Though Albion is customer friendly in many ways, they are also a low profit, close to the bone company doing business and trying to survive. Albion isn't our buddy or our kindly, rich uncle, and we have no entitlements with them.

Thomas Jason · Posted: Wed 15 Oct, 2008 11:51 am Post subject:

Nathan Robinson · myArmoury Admin

Thomas -

Enough is enough. myArmoury.com and the "Makers' forum in particular (which is a place for makers to promote themselves) is not a place for you to carry on your personal crusades. You've made your point and now it's time for you to let go of it. Should you feel compelled to continue, I suggest you make your own soap box on which to rant.

If you have any additional comments or questions about this, you can feel free to message me directly.

Thank you.

Paul Watson · Posted: Wed 15 Oct, 2008 12:15 pm Post subject:

Thomas, feeling aggreived over the breaking of the spirit of your deal with Albion is fair enough from a personal point of view, but I've got to come out and say if they did offer this to every current order on their books then Albion would very likely be absolutley stuffed. This offer could not just extend to people in your situation but would have to extend to all people with orders, including models still in development.

20% off any sword anyone may wish to order up to the 23rd of this month, thanks very much for your genourosity Howy.
I think that is awesome. I am thinking of either the Baron or Knecht. What is even better is that you are going to give me and every member here another 5% off. Wow, I just did the math and another 5% off the price off the Knecht is US$80. Are you actually going to give me another $80 off a possible Knecht purchase just for being a member of this site?

Søren Niedziella · Posted: Wed 15 Oct, 2008 3:09 pm Post subject: No Sale at Albion Europe

Hi,

I am sorry it took me so long to get the message here - but the sale doesn't cover Albion Europe. I hope that in about 8 years time AE will still be around so I can do something like this myself :-) Big congratulations to Albion US for the first 10 years :-)

Søren

Albion Europe ApS
Vesterbrogade 74, 4.
1620 Copenhagen V
Denmark

Stephanie Maks · Posted: Wed 15 Oct, 2008 3:57 pm Post subject:

What really got me about this announcement was, I saw the announcement here not two hours after I decided that I was not going to buy any more swords this year. I'd been eyeing one or two Albions but I've spent my sword-budget for the year...

Who can pass up 25% off though? I figure, if I pre-order the Alaris Spatha that I've been looking at, then I'm technically not buying a new sword this year... it's in next year's budget! Big Grin

Cheers!

-Stephanie

Hugo Voisine · Posted: Wed 15 Oct, 2008 4:26 pm Post subject:

Wow, this is tempting. If only I wasn't so broke... I wish the sale had extended to the Maestro line (would have put the The Epée de Guerre on preorder).

Scott Kowalski · Posted: Wed 15 Oct, 2008 4:31 pm Post subject:

What kills me is that nothing I have tried has persuaded my wife to let me order a sword. Even the one about it being an investment. Sad

At least I have a week to wear her down. Though I do see her point since she is only working part time as a sub. Cry

Does anyone else have any thoughts on tactics to use?

Michael Edelson · Posted: Wed 15 Oct, 2008 4:45 pm Post subject:

Bryce Felperin · Posted: Wed 15 Oct, 2008 4:50 pm Post subject:

Joe Fults · Posted: Wed 15 Oct, 2008 5:10 pm Post subject:

Question ends up being what is in stock and ready to ship as this discount gets into the range of second hand stuff.

Clayton Woods · Industry Professional

Bill Sahigan · Posted: Wed 15 Oct, 2008 5:47 pm Post subject:

Hehe

Step 1: Buy lots of albion before 23rd
Step 2: Open ebay account
Step 3: ???
Step 4: Profit!