The below letter was sent over 19 months ago and I have received NO communication from Jim Frost and his band of banditios!!!
March 21, 2013
Mr. James A. Frost
President
Frost Cutlery
P.O. Box 22636
Chattanooga, TN 37422
Dear Mr. Frost,
My name is Jon Nxxxxxx. I am a sixty-six year old, retired publisher, and a 100% disabled ex- Marine, combat decorated Viet Nam veteran. It is my distinct privilege to have the opportunity to correspond with you today.
I am sorry to say that I am genuinely “uncomfortable” having to write this correspondence. I sincerely wish, in comparison to those glowing letters of appreciation that you read on Cutlery Corner now and then, that I could expound upon “positive” experiences doing business with you and your company, but that’s not possible at this time. I do hope that will change based upon your response to this letter.
I have been doing business with Frost Cutlery for years. I certainly am not your biggest customer, nor your longest customer. I estimate my purchases have been in the thousands of dollars ever since the first time I used to watch Todd Boone on HSN. I can remember I could not wait until his next show. However, I did take an extended vacation from my dealings with your company when I purchased one of your large display packages. I still have a bunch of those knives lying around somewhere. Esthetically, the knives looked better than the majority of those packages you sell today, but materialistically they were loaded down with cheap Pakistani and Chinese steel. As a first time buyer at that time I should have been more “aware” of what I was buying but, as I’m sure you are aware, Todd can sure sweep you up in the heat of the moment.
You can’t imagine how excited I was when you launched your own cross channel show and much of your products took a step up to German, stainless, and tool steel. So, in view of that, I took several more tries with the following results:
1.) During a minimum of three times in dealing with your CSR’s I was treated very disrespectfully. It seemed as if those employees were irritated when I asked them to help me find a product that I did not have a product number for. I often lay in bed watching your show and when a product comes on I want, I do not have a pen and paper at my disposal. In all cases I felt like they just did not want to take the time to help me and were extremely irritated that I needed some of their time. In one case your CSR was so rude I had to remind her that “excuse me, but I am the customer here”.
( James A. Frost – Pg 2)
As a former CEO I realize how stressful work can be for these people so I am especially aware of how I interact with them. I also never forget how difficult it is for a boss to keep up with how these people perform on the job. Many times if they are contract employees they have no particular interest in the company who hired them or the quality of their own performance. It is impossible for a boss to keep up with each of them.
2.) I ordered a Katana set of swords from you. They arrived with the handles on all three swords totally loose. The paint was chipped, and the handle wrapping loose and frayed. I used super glue to attach the handles and handle wrapping material. I could do nothing about the paint. It made me wonder about your quality control.
3.) I ordered a set of stacked leather handle combat knives to give as gifts. Upon arrival, the sheath’s smelled so “musty” they were useless as gifts. I put them in a closet in my office and believe it or not, they smelled up my entire, rather large office. The sheath’s ended up in the dumpster as did the knives. I was particularly upset with these knives as they were to be gifts for close family.
4.) I ordered a USMC Officers sword from your company. It arrived scratched and dented and was unfixable to be used as a wall mount.
That was pretty much the last straw for me. I am totally aware of your companies return policy however, when I ordered them in the first place I was somewhat set aback by what I felt was excessive shipping and handling costs. I am pretty much aware of what those charges should be and strongly feel, rightly or wrongly, they are being used as a profit center for Frost. Returning all those items to you would have just added to those expenses and to me, was not a viable option or good for my profit center. I don’t have a lot of income to make up for these losses.
That all being said, not once have I complained dating all those many years back to my first association with Frost Cutlery. I have just written off all that money and consternation and learned a valuable lesson. Strangely enough, I still enjoy watching your show when Todd and Shelia are hosting but, not so much said for Tom O’Dell. Very nice man but frankly, his style of presentation drives me totally crazy. He should be hawking pot’s and pan’s at the state fair. When he comes on, the TV goes off.
That brings me to the main reason for my correspondence with you today, and something of which I consider an extremely serious matter. Over time, I have begun to really wonder if all this “customer comes first” talk from you and your staff was just a marketing “tool”, or if you really live by that creed. Certainly, my experience with Frost Cutlery does not lead me to feel that I come first.
Then there is this marketing initiative with “Squirrel Man Brady”. This may sell some knives up in the mountains, or to those who believe this character is something “special” because you engrave a knife with his name on it and print up some certificates. But, to the rest of us who buy something for its quality and value, you just have to wonder what kind of flim flam Frost Cutlery is up to. It doesn’t lend much credibility to Frost Cutlery from the serious buyer. Just how far will they go to sell a knife? To make a short story short, it doesn’t affect me, so I just sit back, shake my head, and chuckle. If that is the way you wish for your company to be viewed, and it’s profitable for you, great! It does no harm to anyone and is “cute” in its own special way.
However, Frost Cutlery, the company and whose reputation you worked hard to build, the company whom bears your name, your companies association with the Keszey Brothers is definitely a much more serious matter.
(James A Frost – Pg.3)
These “characters” are facing animal trafficking charges by the U.S. Department of Justice. (see article enclosed) I don’t know if the charges are pending, have been dropped, or still under investigation. However, as a true sportsman who is concerned with all wildlife conservation, any association with people such as this goes entirely against every fiber of my being. Where there is smoke, there usually is fire, and after reading a number of articles on the web, it seems there is a lot of smoke. I don’t believe you really need this kind of association or negativity.
I began to do a little research on these guys when I saw how they were handling the “critters” they brought to your show. But since then, last night as a matter of fact, Shelia and Todd kept singing the praises on the Keszey’s over and over. I had to wonder what kind of damage the show’s association with them was doing, or could be done in the future. I wondered what a real sportsman is thinking when they see their names on your knives.
Mr. Frost, I could care less about the Keszey’s, or their future, as long as if they are guilty of trafficking they go to jail. But if you take my overall experiences with Frost Cutlery, then add to that the mix the Keszey’s, and their all too obvious reputation, can you imagine what I, and perhaps others are really thinking about Frost Cutlery’s association with, and endorsement of them?
I wish you and Frost Cutlery only the very best. I am not brazen enough to think I can tell you how to run your company. You can’t argue with success. And I’m certainly not vain enough to think that the loss of my business means anything to your bottom line. But I can hardly wonder what you are thinking about your association with these men.
The one thing I can say about myself is that I am an honorable and truthful man. I care about our environment and all the “critters” that inhabit it. Frankly, after Viet Nam I quit deer hunting as I just couldn’t get myself to “pull the trigger” against anything living ever gain. Yet, I still understand the conservation measures behind it.
So…..I am going to watch how you respond to our business dealings from the past, and how you address the Keszey Brother issue. I am not in any position to judge anyone. I can only adjust my personal dealings and business recommendations to others, based upon how you handle this situation. Frankly, I know what I would do.
I wish you and the staff at Frost Cutlery the best, and thank you for taking the time to listen to my comments and concerns.
Frost Cutlery Company Reviews
The below letter was sent over 19 months ago and I have received NO communication from Jim Frost and his band of banditios!!!
March 21, 2013
Mr. James A. Frost
President
Frost Cutlery
P.O. Box 22636
Chattanooga, TN 37422
Dear Mr. Frost,
My name is Jon Nxxxxxx. I am a sixty-six year old, retired publisher, and a 100% disabled ex- Marine, combat decorated Viet Nam veteran. It is my distinct privilege to have the opportunity to correspond with you today.
I am sorry to say that I am genuinely “uncomfortable” having to write this correspondence. I sincerely wish, in comparison to those glowing letters of appreciation that you read on Cutlery Corner now and then, that I could expound upon “positive” experiences doing business with you and your company, but that’s not possible at this time. I do hope that will change based upon your response to this letter.
I have been doing business with Frost Cutlery for years. I certainly am not your biggest customer, nor your longest customer. I estimate my purchases have been in the thousands of dollars ever since the first time I used to watch Todd Boone on HSN. I can remember I could not wait until his next show. However, I did take an extended vacation from my dealings with your company when I purchased one of your large display packages. I still have a bunch of those knives lying around somewhere. Esthetically, the knives looked better than the majority of those packages you sell today, but materialistically they were loaded down with cheap Pakistani and Chinese steel. As a first time buyer at that time I should have been more “aware” of what I was buying but, as I’m sure you are aware, Todd can sure sweep you up in the heat of the moment.
You can’t imagine how excited I was when you launched your own cross channel show and much of your products took a step up to German, stainless, and tool steel. So, in view of that, I took several more tries with the following results:
1.) During a minimum of three times in dealing with your CSR’s I was treated very disrespectfully. It seemed as if those employees were irritated when I asked them to help me find a product that I did not have a product number for. I often lay in bed watching your show and when a product comes on I want, I do not have a pen and paper at my disposal. In all cases I felt like they just did not want to take the time to help me and were extremely irritated that I needed some of their time. In one case your CSR was so rude I had to remind her that “excuse me, but I am the customer here”.
( James A. Frost – Pg 2)
As a former CEO I realize how stressful work can be for these people so I am especially aware of how I interact with them. I also never forget how difficult it is for a boss to keep up with how these people perform on the job. Many times if they are contract employees they have no particular interest in the company who hired them or the quality of their own performance. It is impossible for a boss to keep up with each of them.
2.) I ordered a Katana set of swords from you. They arrived with the handles on all three swords totally loose. The paint was chipped, and the handle wrapping loose and frayed. I used super glue to attach the handles and handle wrapping material. I could do nothing about the paint. It made me wonder about your quality control.
3.) I ordered a set of stacked leather handle combat knives to give as gifts. Upon arrival, the sheath’s smelled so “musty” they were useless as gifts. I put them in a closet in my office and believe it or not, they smelled up my entire, rather large office. The sheath’s ended up in the dumpster as did the knives. I was particularly upset with these knives as they were to be gifts for close family.
4.) I ordered a USMC Officers sword from your company. It arrived scratched and dented and was unfixable to be used as a wall mount.
That was pretty much the last straw for me. I am totally aware of your companies return policy however, when I ordered them in the first place I was somewhat set aback by what I felt was excessive shipping and handling costs. I am pretty much aware of what those charges should be and strongly feel, rightly or wrongly, they are being used as a profit center for Frost. Returning all those items to you would have just added to those expenses and to me, was not a viable option or good for my profit center. I don’t have a lot of income to make up for these losses.
That all being said, not once have I complained dating all those many years back to my first association with Frost Cutlery. I have just written off all that money and consternation and learned a valuable lesson. Strangely enough, I still enjoy watching your show when Todd and Shelia are hosting but, not so much said for Tom O’Dell. Very nice man but frankly, his style of presentation drives me totally crazy. He should be hawking pot’s and pan’s at the state fair. When he comes on, the TV goes off.
That brings me to the main reason for my correspondence with you today, and something of which I consider an extremely serious matter. Over time, I have begun to really wonder if all this “customer comes first” talk from you and your staff was just a marketing “tool”, or if you really live by that creed. Certainly, my experience with Frost Cutlery does not lead me to feel that I come first.
Then there is this marketing initiative with “Squirrel Man Brady”. This may sell some knives up in the mountains, or to those who believe this character is something “special” because you engrave a knife with his name on it and print up some certificates. But, to the rest of us who buy something for its quality and value, you just have to wonder what kind of flim flam Frost Cutlery is up to. It doesn’t lend much credibility to Frost Cutlery from the serious buyer. Just how far will they go to sell a knife? To make a short story short, it doesn’t affect me, so I just sit back, shake my head, and chuckle. If that is the way you wish for your company to be viewed, and it’s profitable for you, great! It does no harm to anyone and is “cute” in its own special way.
However, Frost Cutlery, the company and whose reputation you worked hard to build, the company whom bears your name, your companies association with the Keszey Brothers is definitely a much more serious matter.
(James A Frost – Pg.3)
These “characters” are facing animal trafficking charges by the U.S. Department of Justice. (see article enclosed) I don’t know if the charges are pending, have been dropped, or still under investigation. However, as a true sportsman who is concerned with all wildlife conservation, any association with people such as this goes entirely against every fiber of my being. Where there is smoke, there usually is fire, and after reading a number of articles on the web, it seems there is a lot of smoke. I don’t believe you really need this kind of association or negativity.
I began to do a little research on these guys when I saw how they were handling the “critters” they brought to your show. But since then, last night as a matter of fact, Shelia and Todd kept singing the praises on the Keszey’s over and over. I had to wonder what kind of damage the show’s association with them was doing, or could be done in the future. I wondered what a real sportsman is thinking when they see their names on your knives.
Mr. Frost, I could care less about the Keszey’s, or their future, as long as if they are guilty of trafficking they go to jail. But if you take my overall experiences with Frost Cutlery, then add to that the mix the Keszey’s, and their all too obvious reputation, can you imagine what I, and perhaps others are really thinking about Frost Cutlery’s association with, and endorsement of them?
I wish you and Frost Cutlery only the very best. I am not brazen enough to think I can tell you how to run your company. You can’t argue with success. And I’m certainly not vain enough to think that the loss of my business means anything to your bottom line. But I can hardly wonder what you are thinking about your association with these men.
The one thing I can say about myself is that I am an honorable and truthful man. I care about our environment and all the “critters” that inhabit it. Frankly, after Viet Nam I quit deer hunting as I just couldn’t get myself to “pull the trigger” against anything living ever gain. Yet, I still understand the conservation measures behind it.
So…..I am going to watch how you respond to our business dealings from the past, and how you address the Keszey Brother issue. I am not in any position to judge anyone. I can only adjust my personal dealings and business recommendations to others, based upon how you handle this situation. Frankly, I know what I would do.
I wish you and the staff at Frost Cutlery the best, and thank you for taking the time to listen to my comments and concerns.