Cutco--at last, they got me

[Jenise]

Shit shit shit shit shit!

So it's like this: we kind of have a godson, and he's going to college here in Bellingham. And a few days ago we got the call: "I just got a new job...can I come over and show them to you on Saturday night?"

Argh. As everybody here already seems to know (and as I knew, I've used them at other people's houses), the knives are just okay. But oy vey, if only the scammy scripted presentation were half as okay! It's bloody awful! I doubt if they've changed a word of it since 1961, or whenever they started. It's full of half-truths and absurd generalizations that treat the recipient like some kind of Jethro just off the turnip truck--spend a grand on these knives and save $25,000 over the next 20 years! It's condescending and galling. And the knives are surprisingly expensive.

In spite of which, I ordered a bread knife and a pair of scissors. I know, but come on, it's my friend's kid. I've known him since he was three and we're practically family.

Which must be the key to Cutco's success. Gullible little Junior "gets a job" and sells a set to every member of his family. After that I'm sure 99.8% never sell another, especially at three times the cost you can buy a comparable set of Henckels for at Costco (in spite of the fact that their spiel compares Cutco to Henckels and claims they're the better value).

I know the feeling. Several years ago my wife's, cousin's son showed up one day selling Kirby vacuum cleaners.

[Jenise]

I know the feeling. Several years ago my wife's, cousin's son showed up one day selling Kirby vacuum cleaners.

Several months ago the daughter of one of my employees came into the office with mom one day and asked if her boyfriend could meet with me to present the Cutco knives as a sales pitch. I immediately showed her that the company was a scam on the computer. She called him and he quit the next day. Whewwwww!

Drew

[Jenise]

Several months ago the daughter of one of my employees came into the office with mom one day and asked if her boyfriend could meet with me to present the Cutco knives as a sales pitch. I immediately showed her that the company was a scam on the computer. She called him and he quit the next day. Whewwwww!

Drew

What info did you find and where? I'd love to see/share that.

Really? Please share.

I, too, have a bread knife and the scissors. I had one more but it was lost in a move. While both are fine, even pretty good, and they fullfilled my obligation to the salesman's family. The only person I know who has a whole set also has a kitchen with no dishwasher or counter space and not in a city. Obviously not a cook!

[Jenise]

I, too, have a bread knife and the scissors. I had one more but it was lost in a move. While both are fine, even pretty good, and they fullfilled my obligation to the salesman's family. The only person I know who has a whole set also has a kitchen with no dishwasher or counter space and not in a city. Obviously not a cook!

Something's that VERY telling is that every single person I know who has Cutco knives bought them from their kid or a close friend's kid. Which appears to be Cutco's very deliberate MO--likely the 'scam' that Drew refers to beyond the absurd exaggerations and huckster hooks of the canned presentation. I felt so sorry for Preston--and I tried to tell him so, too. But somehow I just couldn't send him away without an order for something.

We have a couple of knives, obviously we have known friends and relatives -- but the "spatula spreader" is something I wouldn't be without, it is perfect for cutting brownies and getting them out of the pan. The blade is rounded for lifting a slice of cake or something and the metal is thin enough to be flexible.

And I liked the bread knife well enough to look one up on eBay, where the prices are a whole lot better.

Otherwise these are probably knives to "Shun" (get it?)

Our immediate neighbor called a few months ago and asked if their son could come over to "practice" his Cutco sales talk on us. We said sure, we'd be glad to help out, what are neighbors for, right? Even that was a scam, it was no practice but an ernest sales pitch. We haven't ordered any yet but I think about it every time I see them.

[Jenise]

We have a couple of knives, obviously we have known friends and relatives -- but the "spatula spreader" is something I wouldn't be without, it is perfect for cutting brownies and getting them out of the pan. The blade is rounded for lifting a slice of cake or something and the metal is thin enough to be flexible.

And I liked the bread knife well enough to look one up on eBay, where the prices are a whole lot better.

Otherwise these are probably knives to "Shun" (get it?)

LOL, Frank. Brownies, eh? I only thought sandwiches, which I don't make many of. Glad to hear you liked the bread knife that much--Preston didn't have one in his kit so I haven't actually seen what they look like these days. But from what I remember of using one at a friend's house it reminds me of the kind of bread knife I grew up with which I adored and took with me when I moved out, used it for years beyond that and it was always great. Better than either of the upscale models I own today.

but the "spatula spreader" is something I wouldn't be without, it is perfect for cutting brownies and getting them out of the pan. The blade is rounded for lifting a slice of cake or something and the metal is thin enough to be flexible.

And I liked the bread knife well enough

Agree. These are the two that we use often. The others that we own (thanks mom) get used rarely.