Since Virtual Knife Show functions in a totally original way, and operates unlike any other web site related to custom knives, we have posted these Frequently Asked Questions to help makers and collectors better understand how and why we operate. If you cannot find the answer to a question you have, please contact us by sending us an email here. Click on a question below.
Questions for Collectors:
Can I purchase more than one knife at a time?
Can I sell knives from my collection on Virtual Knife Show?
When will I receive a knife purchased through Virtual Knife Show?
Questions for Knife Makers:
How does Virtual Knife Show work?
What are
the criteria to be a member to sell knives on Virtual Knife Show?
Why do I need professional quality photography?
Can I do my own photography?
How do I know if my photography meets the standards of Virtual Knife Show?
Do I need to set up a Paypal account?
How many knives can I sell on Virtual knife show?
Do I need a separate photo for each knife if I make knives that are identical?
What other types of items can be sold on Virtual Knife Show?
How do I need to ship my knife, once it’s sold?
How are shipping rates calculated?
How do I join?
Why does my newly listed knife not appear right away?
How long will my knife remain for sale?
If I list a knife for sale on Virtual Knife Show, am I able to remove the listing?
Question: How does Virtual Knife Show work?
Members of Virtual
Knife Show get their own profile page with a portrait, bio, and contact info.
The profile page also lists all available and past sold knives. Members are
also invited to be a part of the annual online "virtual" knife show (further
details to come). Members pay $20 per month (billed automatically to a credit
or debit card or to a Paypal account), and $35 per knife listing, regardless of
the sale price. Payments for knives are processed through Paypal and payments
are sent from the buyer to the seller's personal Paypal account.
Question: What are
the criteria to be a member to sell knives on Virtual Knife Show?
Knife
makers, full or part-time are invited to become members of Virtual Knife Show.
The only criteria is that the quality of the work, regardless of style, needs to
be of high quality, well executed and photographed, and accurately described.
Sellers need to agree to the Terms of Conduct which outline the standards that
Virtual Knife Show expects from sellers.
Question: Can I purchase more than one knife at a time?
No. Since so many different sellers list knives on Virtual Knife Show, each transaction is separate as the funds are transferred directly to each seller. You will need to complete one transaction and return to Virtual Knife Show and proceed with a second transaction.
Question: Can I sell knives from my collection, too?
Yes. Collectors are allowed to list and sell knives on Virtual Knife Show only with a referral from three other makers or collectors who we know personally. What we do is largely based on the honor system, and in order to do all we can to insure honesty, we will need makers or collectors who we know to “vouch” for your character. We feel that this keeps us all above board, and keeps buyers assured that they are dealing with honorable sellers without resorting to a lot of legal mumbo-jumbo. We know that this will likely eliminate some very honest and honorable collectors. We are sorry for any inconvience and by not authorizing you as a seller, we are not impugning your character, but because of the nature of how Virtual Knife Show operates, we will always have to err on the side of caution for the benefit of the buyers. For information on selling as a collector, click here.
Question: When will I receive a knife purchased through Virtual Knife Show?
Knives are purchased directly from makers and sometimes from collectors. Each seller uses his choice of shipping carrier (shown on the listing) and each seller has agreed to ship the knife within three business days of a completed purchase. The seller will inform you that your knife has been shipped, and depending on how far it has to travel, you will be given an estimated arrival date. For tracking numbers and information, contact the seller via his email address on the listing.
Question: Why do I need professional quality photography?
Custom knives are works high craftsmanship and art. They need to be presented as such for collectors to see that they are worthy of those titles. Besides showing your work in a positive light, a professional quality photograph represents the knife accurately to prospective buyers, and shows details and nuances in design, colors and textures that an inferior photo cannot.
Question: Can I do my own photography?
Yes, if it meets our standards of quality.
Question: How do I know if my photography meets the standards of Virtual Knife Show?
You are encouraged to send us some sample photographs. If your photography is not up to our standards, we can often make suggestions based on our own experience with knife photography so that your work can improve in that area. However, remember that a professional photo costs very little, really. A knife that has dozens of hours of work, and skills which took years to acquire and perfect, can be preserved forever with a professional photo. Without that photo, you have only your memories and your verbal descriptions to convey the essence of that knife to future customers.
Question: Do I need to set up a Paypal account?
Yes. Knives listed on Virtual Knife Show are set up so that they can be purchased online, and the only vehicle that can process credit cards from nearly anywhere in the world and transfer the money directly to you is Paypal. You do not need a commercial account. The personal, free Paypal account is fine. Click here to set up an account. Just choose the appropriate country code and click on the “personal” button.
Question: How many knives can I sell on Virtual Knife Show?
There is no limit.
Question: Do I need a separate photo for each knife if I make knives that are identical?
If you make certain models that are indistinguishable from one another, then you only need one photo of the knife, which you can use over and over again for the same knife. However, if there are any differences from one knife to the next (even things like handle material, damascus patterns, etc.), then you will need a unique photo of the actual knife.
Question: What other types of things can I sell on Virtual Knife Show?
Only custom knives may be sold. We may expand later to related items. Let us know if you have any ideas.
Question: How do I need to ship my knife, once it’s sold?
Any shipping method you prefer, but you are recommended to ship requiring a signature. You will be liable if the buyer claims he has not received the knife and you have no proof of delivery.
Question: How are shipping rates calculated?
Because Virtual Knife Show has buyers and sellers shipping and receiving from all parts of the globe, we have created a two-tiered, flat-rate shipping system. When you list a knife for sale, you will set a flat shipping rate for "local" and another flat rate for "international" shipping. Local shipping (as we define it) refers to the country or region you are shipping from. For instance, if you live in the United States, you will select a flat shipping price for that particular knife shipping to anywhere in the United States. If the buyer lives in the U.S., he will pay the flat "local" rate. The "international" rate will be a flat rate you select to cover the cost of shipping anywhere outside the U.S. If on the other hand, you live in Italy, you may wish to select Europe as your "local" shipping area, so that any buyer in Europe will pay one, flat rate. In that case, buyers outside Europe will pay the flat "international" rate. We understand that prices for overseas shipping will vary, and you will not be able to estimate a flat international rate that will always be exactly accurate. We hope you will estimate carefully, and understand that as long as your actual shipping costs are close to your estimate, that is good enough. You will not be able to ask customers to pay a few dollars extra if your estimate is a little off. Remember to include the cost for insurance in your shipping estimates.
Question: How do I join?
Visit the "Log In" link from the home page on the bottom left. Select the "Sign Up Now" link and follow the prompts. You will be able to set up your account, create a username and password, and set up your payment method. You will be able to list knives for sale immediately after you finish setting up your account. In addition, we will need to set up your Maker Profile Page. We will need you to email us a professional quality portrait and a bio (up to 300 words). The portrait does not need to be a studio portrait, but a professional quality image that does not look like a casual snapshot. Remember, you are presenting yourself as a professional.
Question: Why does my newly listed knife not appear right away?
When you list a new knife on Virtual Knife Show, it comes to our office as a new listing waiting approval. We review each listing for quality photography, completeness, and accuracy. Only after it has been reviewed will it appear as an active listing.
Question: How long will my knife remain for sale?
Six months. After six months, the listing will come down and you will need to re-list it. However, may we suggest that if a knife remains unsold after six months, you may want to consider adjusting the price.
Question: If I list a knife for sale on Virtual Knife Show, am I able to remove the listing?
Yes. Log in, and you will see your listings. Simply select "delete" next to the appropriate listing and it will be removed. Only after you have removed the listing will you be able to sell the knife apart from Virtual Knife Show. If you are unable to get to a computer, you may email or call our office and we will remove the listing for you. If you ask us to remove the listing, understand that we may not always be able to do it right away. You will need to wait until you receive confirmation that your listing has been successfully removed before you are free to sell it. Selling a knife "offline" that is an active listing "online" on Virtual Knife Show is a serious breech of your conduct agreement, and your account with Virtual Knife Show may be terminated.