Cutco = Budget Buster!

[TaraPA]

A neighbor boy is home from college for the summer & selling Cutco. I agreed to have him come do his demo for me tomorrow, but I truly do not need or want any pieces. I don't cook or bake, so I really have no need for cutlery & gadgets that are uber expensive. I agree they maybe the best on the market & well worth it for people that use these items, but I don't need a $1700 cutlery set to use on take-out! I was thinking I could use a good multi-purpose scissors, but at $129, it's just not in the budget. That's a week's worth of groceries for us.

Are there any smaller gadgets or pieces that anyone out there has that they can recommend, that won't break the bank, so that this great kid can get a sale out of me? Or am I just wasting his time, and knocking him down by not buying anything from him? Will he at least get some sort of credit for doing the demo? I've been in direct sales, so I know he can always use the experience of the presentation, and will have to get used to rejection, but I feel bad that he's just starting out & I can't help him.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I bought one piece of Cutco MANY years ago, for the same reason. I would guess about 10-12 years ago.

I have to admit, it is still one of my favorite kitchen items. It is a spachula spreader type thing, with a serated edge along one side.

I do not have good knives, and I am not really much of a cook, although I do have to prepare meals every day for the family.

I think it is actually worth the price, this particular item anyway. It still is in perfect shape, and we use it alot and toss it into the dishwasher each time. I have the white pearl handled one, makes it easier to find in the knife drawer.

Good luck.

 

[Scornelius]

My husband sold cutco when he was a teenager, and at that point they got paid for every demonstration they did, whether anything was sold or not. So hopefully you'll be helping him just by listening to the spiel. If you buy something, I suggest the sandwich knife (I think it's called). It's serrated on one side, flat on the other, rounded up top and semi-flexible. I love it because you can cut the hardest roll, butter it or spread mayo, cut meat or cheese for the sandwich, use it as a spatula or cut and serve dessert. For the first few years of our marriage I didn't touch it, but after using it once I was hooked! Cutco stuff is insanely priced, but it's really dependable long-lasting.

ETA: ha! I'm sure it's the same think PatMcDuck is talking about!

 

[TaraPA]

Yes I think you're both talking about the spatula spreader! It sounds great but I saw the retail on it is almost $70, and I have 2 of these (not Cutco) already...hmmm not sure...but thanks & keep the suggestions coming!

 

[Lucky St. Louis]

I have what I think is called a "utility knife" which I use almost every day. I don't remember how much it cost but it is a good size and I use it for everything.

 

[Hannathy]

Have a wedding or shower anytime in the next yearish? You could buy it now and put it away for that.

If you really want to buy something how about a small paring knife? that would have to be semi-reasonable and something you would use almost everyday. And who can't use a decent one of those.

 

[Green Tea]

Some of the "loose items" I have are the pizza cutter, vegetable peeler, scissors, pie server, cutting boards and spatula. I love them ALL. The knives I have are really the only ones I use. If you are a carry out type of person, the pizza cutter might be great.

 

[ah1126]

It is expensive, but worth every penny!

My brother sold it years ago, and at that time all I could afford was the cutting board. I think he sold it in 1996, and I still have and use the cutting board all the time! I think it was around $15.

Since then I have ordered direct from the company, and from ebay. I have the paring knife and a set of the steak knives. They are my favorite knives, and a good knife really makes a difference!

 

[mcorbo]

Love their vegetable peeler, but it's $34.00!

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

My cousin does Cutco and as a PP said, they get paid just to do the demonstation. We love our Cutco knives and scissors but we bought a set so I can't make any recommendations on what to buy, just don't feel bad if you don't buy something.

 

[PrincessDadx2]

If you buy something, I suggest the sandwich knife (I think it's called). It's serrated on one side, flat on the other, rounded up top and semi-flexible. I love it because you can cut the hardest roll, butter it or spread mayo, cut meat or cheese for the sandwich, use it as a spatula or cut and serve dessert. For the first few years of our marriage I didn't touch it, but after using it once I was hooked! Cutco stuff is insanely priced, but it's really dependable long-lasting.

ETA: ha! I'm sure it's the same think PatMcDuck is talking about!

+1 on this. I bought the sandwich knife also, love it and have had it for 20 years. It really is an awesome tool. I am sure the other products are good too, but could never convince myself to pay that much

 

[pixiewings71]

That's a positive thing about Cutco, they get paid for the presentation no matter what. Cutco is definitely not budget, but they are by far, the best knives I have ever used. I cook tho so it was a worthy investment for me. My favorite Cutco tools are the kitchen scissors, the Santuko knife (I have the mid size one and want the smaller one as well), the spatula spreader and the vegetable peeler. They aren't "budget" but they are amazing.....

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

odd question perhaps but could you invite any friends over to listen to the spiel at the same time? They might turn out to be interested in something - you never know.

 

[kirstenb1]

Yes I think you're both talking about the spatula spreader! It sounds great but I saw the retail on it is almost $70, and I have 2 of these (not Cutco) already...hmmm not sure...but thanks & keep the suggestions coming!

i have the one they're talking about. I think the kid who demo'd it to me called it the "Dagwood knife", for making sandwiches. I paid about 35.00 for it ten years ago. I do like it, but remember feeling crazy for paying that at the time. Maybe there's a list price, but then a discount? I have no idea, but 70.00 is a lot of money.

 

[TaraPA]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'm glad he will get paid just for the demo if I decide not to buy anything. They have a bypass pruner which I actually need - I get a cheap one every year & it breaks. I can't find the retail price online for it (Cutco is very elusive about posting prices online I've come to learn) so if it's under $100 I might consider it (I can't believe I just typed that about a garden tool!!) I spend about $15 a year on them though, so if it's a good one & guaranteed for life, I can see that as a better investment for me than a kitchen item. I'm assuming though since a shears is $129, a bypass pruner will be much, much more!

For the OP that suggested I gather some friends - I did email a few & they all said no thanks, too expensive.

 

[pixiewings71]

We have the pruner......I totally forgot until you said that. LOL It is pretty amazing, we use it every year to cut small branches off our Japanese Maple. We've also used it on the pear and the orange trees.

 

[TaraPA]

We have the pruner......I totally forgot until you said that. LOL It is pretty amazing, we use it every year to cut small branches off our Japanese Maple. We've also used it on the pear and the orange trees.

I'm afriad to ask - do you remember what you paid for it?

 

[pixiewings71]

I'm sorry, I don't.....when I buy Cutco I always buy with a promo so it's probable I got it for half price.....same with my kitchen scissors, I didn't pay full price for them.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

I'm sorry, I don't.....when I buy Cutco I always buy with a promo so it's probable I got it for half price.....same with my kitchen scissors, I didn't pay full price for them.

OP maybe you could listen to the pitch and ask him/ her to let you know when there's a good promo going on and place your order with him then.

 

[taximom2si]

Don't forget Cutco's lifetime sharpening. I sent in all my knives a few months ago, and they actually replaced most of them, and a couple of them they sharpened and returned. I paid about $15 in shipping for all my knives.