Berghaus knives scam
September 16th, 2004A guy called Jacob called at my house today. He said he’d been staying with my neighbour Roger and was on his way back to Holland after a catering trade show at RAF Benson, nearby. He didn’t want to take all his stock back on the ferry with him: were we interested in taking any of it off his hands? If we could cover his costs he’d let us have an entire case of knives and a 12-piece cookware set for roughly 10% of the retail price (1425 EURO for the pans, 795 for the knives). Apparently Roger had already bought three sets! He produced lots of fancy documentation, guaranties and certificates when we agreed to purchase one of each.
It didn’t occur to me to google the Berghaus brand, or Polstar Trading, his company’s UK partner, until *after* Jacob left, even though I was sat next to a laptop in the kitchen throughout. When I did, soon afterwards, I found this entire forum and a few other links devoted to stories of the tactics used by the salespeople selling these ‘non-existant’ brands. Obviously we stopped the cheque immediately.
Since this is my personal site and I get to make the rules, please write in English. I also reserve the right to delete comments for whatever other reasons I see fit.
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Technorati tags: knives | kitchenware | scam)
December 9th, 2004 at 7:01 pm
I have the set of knives from Berghaus. I do not know if they are real or fake, but…they are wounderful!!!I paid them 59 euros through e-bay. I use they 4 monthes now. What I know, is that producers of expensives knives wants to increase their sales through internet. Through the network they have they cannot, so they use e-bay and other ways. If you see the quality of the knives, you buy them immediatly. If you are not happy with the knives, you can always use the suitcase, which is more than 59 euros value!!!Cooking is my hobby, I cut the meat, the bread, vegetable…in a second. Robish ? far from that. For 59 Euros? I know someone who has the pan set of berghaus !!!even if it’s fake !!!the quality, the design and the finish are marvelous. To make nice and quality things is not always expensive. Most of the time, you pay the name. With Berghaus, you buy quality, no name and direct…which means, at the cheapest price !!
December 10th, 2004 at 1:18 pm
I’m not saying the knives are completely worthless, clearly if you buy a set for 59 Euros you’re paying a reasonable price. I’m just objecting to the bullshit sales technique and the idea that they’re heavily discounted.
February 1st, 2005 at 6:59 am
Just spoke to my dad this evening, he told me that a chap drove past in a mercedes,stopped and said that he couldent take the knives on the ferry so make him a offer for the knives, £50 he paid,itold him that many years ago on thats life they warned of scams like that, but for the money the set looks worth every penny.
February 1st, 2005 at 8:45 am
Surely that’s the point? They’re worth every penny of £50, not the £500 he was presumably told was the original price.
February 8th, 2005 at 1:07 pm
My partner was approached at work by a dutch salesman with the same story he had 5 sets left and there were five guys at his work at the time. he first wanted 400 for each set but they told him they would pay no more than 25 per set so they all bought a set. one of them sold their set for 180 pounds later the same day. They look great and they are really good quality for 25 pounds, it is wrong that they sell them under false claims that they retail for more, but if you can get a set for 25 or 50 pounds they are wll worth the money.
March 1st, 2005 at 5:40 pm
there is a guy on the gutmtree.com offering a set of berghaus for 350 quid. the knives look heavy and crap.
March 30th, 2005 at 5:14 pm
a dutch guy came to the pub where i work and asked the chef for £5,000 for 3 sets of pans and 7 cases of knives. being a businessman the chef haggled him down to 500 for the lots .i bought a set of knives off the chef for £35 and theyre worh every penny of it
April 12th, 2005 at 5:53 pm
Same story as everyone above. To be honest I don’t really care that they are an unknown brand. I think that the products are of a excellent quality having paid £70 each for some knives and cutlery. In a retail environment I would expect to pay at least double this. However, I would have preferred it if the guy who was selling the stuff hadn’t pulled the whole story of needing to offload stock before returning to Holland. No need!!!
April 17th, 2005 at 1:43 pm
I bought the set from the dad of a friend of mine :)
i really needed a good knife set and this beauty is it man :)
paid 125.05 euro and im a happy man :D
the handles are hollow wich makes em very light, but i`ll get used to that :)
nice suitcase, guys, its brilliant :)
April 18th, 2005 at 10:34 pm
Same story as above as all the rest.
A dutch guy came into our office in Havant today selling the pan set …. very good sales man, nice BMW (But then again so would I be if I was selling moody gear at a knocked up price)he claimed they sold for £800 but was under instruction by his boss just to get the VAT back - tee hee - which was £120 so I thought my misses might like a new pan or two and bought a set , as did my Son and my secretary . Kinda agree with both sides of the story, on one hand why claim there real if there not -( well .. reason being it makes them more desirable and people think they are getting more of a bargin - hense more sales)but on the other if it makes people happy to buy these goods believing they are real then why not. At the end of the day we ALL pay more for products with a label which doesn’t always make them better quality … used the pans tonight and they are of good ISH quality … but if the same happened to me again I would pass the bargin onto someone else.
May 2nd, 2005 at 5:26 pm
Just bought pans cutlery and knives off a dutch guy claiming to be deliverying from a home exhibition in the area. He said he didn’t want to take back through customs I feel so stupid now. I paid £280 for the lot. He told me cutlery should have been £791, pans £914 and knives £534. Does anybody know if it would be leagal to cancel my cheque?
May 5th, 2005 at 3:08 pm
same story as above - just nearly been conned by very charming dutch man in Andover Hants driving a beautiful black BMW. luckily couldn’t write a cheque as have a broken hand at moment! he obviosly is doing very well as pulled out huge wad of notes to impress me. phew!!
May 9th, 2005 at 12:59 pm
UK RESIDENTS - COMPLAINTS REGARDING POLSTAR TRADING LTD
The UK Office of Fair Trading has received written Undertakings from Polstar Trading Ltd and Mr Wouter van de Pol (Dutch citizen and sole director of Polstar) that they will comply with doorstep selling legislation by providing the required information to consumers, particularly regarding the right to cancel their contract.
Under the Doorstep Selling Regulations (see note 1 of the press release below) consumers buying goods and services at home have the automatic right to a seven day cooling-off period in which they may cancel their contract.
The full press release can be found on the Office of Fair Trading website at http://www.oft.gov.uk/news/press+releases/2005/31-05.htm
If you are a UK resident, were approached by representatives of Polstar Trading or Mr van de Pol at your home, and wish to make a formal complaint about Polstar’s practices, please contact yonnie.fung@oft.gsi.gov.uk or jonathan.taylor@oft.gsi.gov.uk.
May 10th, 2005 at 6:03 pm
Have you guys actually checked out their website?
http://www.berghaus-wwc.com
May 10th, 2005 at 6:18 pm
Yes, hilarious isn’t it?
How about this:
Through experience and workmanship, we also strive to contribute to a more comfortable, healthy life-style. Most of the cookware sets allow you to cook without adding water, salt or oil and to save energy.
and this:
The Berghaus company is proud that its cookware, tableware, cutlery and accessories is not only used by many households, but is also the first choice of professional chefs and first-class restaurants.
May 16th, 2005 at 8:11 pm
The sales patter of berghaus sales team from holland may be unethical, but you cant argue with the quality of the product, which is first class, and the prices they are being sold at [after haggling] are a bargain.
May 17th, 2005 at 2:25 pm
You can’t seriously believe you’re getting a bargain can you? They’re clearly making a big profit on every transation, no matter how much ‘haggling’ you think you’re doing… Why not check out (follow the links at the top of the page) what some people who’ve had this stuff for a while think about the ‘quality’ of the product, e.g.: “I bought the knives and they are horrible. They are a very heavy piece of dull steel. I brought them to a professionell service and they explained, they can not resharpen, as the steel is recycled and too soft. I am using them now in the garden ..”
May 20th, 2005 at 10:52 pm
Me too, sucker for a so called bargain. Usual story, dutch man/merc/unable to take knifes onto airline. Yes you all know the story by now. I parted with £150 for knifes and a full set of pots. Office of Fair Trading has a file on them, check OFT website.
May 28th, 2005 at 1:24 pm
Scam has reached Melbourne Australia. Paid AUD$600 for set of pots and the cutlery. Same story here too. Been at trade fair, can’t take the product back, returning to Holland….. Said it was worth $3000….
May 31st, 2005 at 9:35 am
the pricks are pulling off their scam in our area and they say they are from holland.
obviously it is they same story everone else is hearing. just letting people on the peninsula that there here.i paid $100.00
for a set of knives which looked ok, any way next time i’ll be a bit more causious.
they were in a green ford territory.
May 31st, 2005 at 12:23 pm
Yep, they have hit Ballarat Vic, I purchased the cookware set, which I think is pretty good quality, for the price I paid, it’s the big scam that I don’t like, gotta catch a plane tomorrow can’t take them with me and all that crap.
May 31st, 2005 at 1:00 pm
Hes doing the rounds in Southampton today, if you read this when he is at your office phone the police and let them decide if it is a scam, the Office of Fair Trading does have a file on him / them. Pale suite, green 4×4 car.
June 1st, 2005 at 3:42 pm
Just encpountered Merc salesman today in Perth(Scotland).Same story sales show cannot take goods through customs, how he got them here defied me!! Fortunately had no way to buy but products looked great. Tried to check the company website as “Hendrick” gave me a card. Search came up with this site I suppose I count myself lucky, but stuff did look great. Lucky escape!!!
June 3rd, 2005 at 3:34 am
We’re in Melbourne, Australia, and we bought the set of knives and pots and pans for $600, thinking we had done well, but have now just found out about the scam by finding this website. Same story, Dutch man who had been at an exhibition at the Crown Casino, needed to catch a plane, had 3 sets to get rid of. Luckily have cancelled the cheque and saved some money.
June 4th, 2005 at 10:41 am
We’re in Geelong, Australia and got sucked in on the same deal - Dutch salesman catching late flight to Holland and must offload saucepans, knives and cutlery after exhibiting at a trade show in Melbourne. Well, we’re the ultimate bunnies as we paid $1000 Australian in cash after haggling him down from $1500. I stood with the guy as my wife drove to the bank to withdraw the money for him. Anyway, they look like good quality but only time will tell. Too bad we decided to check the internet after purchasing.
June 4th, 2005 at 1:50 pm
Same Dutch guy approached me in the garden a few days ago here on the south coast. I didn’t buy, but took his card. What I want to know is - regardless of his slick but unbelievable sales-pitch - *are* the knives any good? I get about a 50/50 balance from reading buyers comments above….! Certainly I would be happy to pay a realistic price for a good product.
June 7th, 2005 at 12:45 am
dutch guy trying to sell berghaus cookware and knives on the mornington peninsula. luckily i said no but am curious,is the stuff original or replica and how would you be able to tell?
June 7th, 2005 at 12:46 am
checkout ‘chef knives’ on ebay a see if you spot anything similar?
June 7th, 2005 at 4:22 pm
This Dutch bloke gets around. Just bought a set of knives today. AUS$200.00 (80 Pounds). That’s Right, AUS, as in Australia. The story he told me is that he shipped them over for an exhibit and could not take them back in an aeroplane which he was boarding tomorrow. Beleivable story taken the restrictions of what you can take on board nowadays.
Knives certainly look as though they are worth it and maybe I would have bought them without the crap story, or maybe it’s just pride F#%*#&g with me. Any how sounds like from reading some of these comments that they are generally a pretty good product, or pride is f#%*#&g with every one. Time will tell. Don’t buy off the streets again!
June 8th, 2005 at 4:18 am
if anyone spots them in the latrobe valley can you post the details. thanks.
June 8th, 2005 at 6:50 am
(Torquay) Dutch guy sold me a few sets of knives and pots - he approached me last night and said he had to catch the plane that evening. Funny, he was in the bank today trying to cash my cheque. (Thought he was meant to be on a plane?). Anyway, lucky for me I cancelled the cheque last night after looking over product then website,and realised he was a hoax. Anyone want a set? If you Mr Dutchman read this, would you like to come back and pick them up? We’d love to have a chat.
June 8th, 2005 at 7:54 am
(Campbellfield, Melbourne)
Same story, fast talking, Dutch accent, well dressed, father is loaded and sent him here first class on Singapore Airlines. Has to fly out tomorrow and must clear the stock, yada yada yada.
I got suspicious while he was still on premises. Did a quick internet search and found this site while my business partner kept him busy.
He is driving a gold coloured Nissan X-Trail, rego starts with TLR***. We will hand the details over to the fair trading commission.
Buyer beware.
June 10th, 2005 at 2:38 am
He was in Tullamarine on tuesday 7th June with a load of goods in the back of silver station wagon he had rented from thrify rent a car,
He was selling the knives for $au200.00
From what i could see that was value for money after all they are worth a lot anywhere else,
At the end of the day this appears to be value for money, as for warrenty well what do you expect out of the back of a car,
There must be somewhere where these products are made?
If he is caught then i guess the tax man etc would like to have a talk with him.
he would not be hard to find and I take it hes not alone and has others doing the same pitch.
he is getting cash for all his transactions so hes doing alright.
I guess the best way to catch them out is have him call back in an hour and have the police waiting for him.
I am sure if they were interested they could find out who hired a sliver 4cyc station wagon from thrify earlier this week.
if you have purchased them and they do work well etc why complain/
June 10th, 2005 at 12:38 pm
He’s now in the UK in West Sussex. About 25 years old, slim, glasses, blond and the Dutch accent. Driving a brand new, black Lexus with all the chrome bits and a dutch number plate
I said no thanks as anything for free is always a dodgy one!
June 14th, 2005 at 5:41 am
Well, it seems this scam has arisin in the small town of Drouin, Australia. My Dad just found an ad for a Bergaus knife set (supposedly worth $1400) for sale for $300, and a Pot Set supposedly worth more than $2000 for $600. Beware anyone in Victoria Australia, the scammers have moved on!
June 16th, 2005 at 3:26 am
The guy does get around, was here in Mt Waverely this morning, Thurs 16.June.05. Same speil, trade show in at Crown Casino Melbourne AUS, ready to sell saucepans for AU $300.00 and knives for AU $200.00.Was going back to Holland and did not want to take on aeroplane Did a search while he was here and declined his offer.
June 16th, 2005 at 2:01 pm
After Mt Waverly he high tailed it out of there and haggled a case to me for $150AU in Footscray. I presumed it was a scam (valued at $1000!) but who cares if your $6 chef’s knife isn’t worth $40?
I realise now I could have got him lower, and should have stood firm on my offer of $100 but his really bad slim-fit pinstriped brown suit was an unfair advantage and I caved in. If you wan’t some cheap knives like I did for the kitchen and tackle box, why not have a go!
June 16th, 2005 at 7:32 pm
the same dutch man has moved to palma de mallorca ,spain p.s they scamed me
June 16th, 2005 at 10:03 pm
nice car, nice sales pitch, knew he was dodgy but the gear looked great. brought some for £50 a set, then talked freinds into it too, even though we now know its hooky we think its not a bad deal. swapped a pair of surf shorts and a t shirt for the cutlery set…nice :)
June 17th, 2005 at 1:40 pm
Yes, he´s here in Mallorca. Around Punta Portals area. Bought a set myself. Am very pleased with it - have been looking in Corte Ingles for quite a time now. No comparison on price - but u have to know how to strike a bargain! If they turn out to be crap, Its´s only money. Personally, I´m happy to see a salesman - rather than say, some down and out drug addict flogging coke. Offer him 10% of his asking price and you´ll come up trumps!!
June 18th, 2005 at 1:25 am
Wow! Upon hearing the story I thought I would try to check out what the stuff is really worth and have been amazed at these stories. Relatives of mine purchased some of this gear after the precisely the same sales pitch, for around the same price as every one else, thinking they’d done really well negotiating the price… this occurred down Lakes Entrance way (Gippsland VIC, Aust) - he does get around!
June 18th, 2005 at 2:56 pm
These con artisits are now in Mallorca, particularly round the marinas.
However, the pans really seem very good quality
although I don’t know if the lids can go in the dishwasher.
June 19th, 2005 at 3:49 pm
I feel foolish. I bought the full set off a Dutch man last week. I fell for the presentation of the product and the smooth sale. I have just discovered this website after a handle on a large pot broke when I took boiled spagetti off the cooker. I have severely burnt my stomache and legs. I went to contact the company, however I have discoverd this website and I am now worrried. I will have to pursue this legally as it is obvious that I have been scamed and left with damages.
June 19th, 2005 at 4:01 pm
Beware
We encountered the Dutch Man selling his bogus wares earlier this month. He was on the way to the airport (as he has been so many times before) and needed to offload his stock left over from a trade fair. He could not take it on the plane and would do a super cheap deal to get rid of the lot. My wife decided to help him and take all his left over pots and knives and potentially sell them onto friends and relatives. As soon as he recieved the cheque he high tailed out of the area barely saying good bye. We were immediately suspicious. We decided to do our research:
Fact: There is no indication of where they are made. They, as we have discovered are made in an asian country, not Belgium as indicated.
Fact: There is no stamp on the quality of the metals. They, as we have discovered, are of low grade and recycled metals.
Fact: The handles on the pots are prone to break. They are riveted on with the heads brushed off.
Fact: The knives are of low grade metal. They will not sharpen and stay sharpe. A friend of ours who is a well known chef, laughed at the quality when playing with the equipement.
Fact: He is selling on false pretenses and is in breach of the trade pratices act under misleading information and deceptive conduct. He is violating trust and is to be reported to the Department of Fair Trading and Police if you encounter him. This is a Scam!!!
Needless to say, we cancelled our cheque and had the dutch man try to cash it the next day. Funny being that he was ment to be on a plane the night before.
We have since been contacted by Berhoff Australia(distributor of Berhaus) accusing us of Fraud on the cancelled cheque. I explained that we were advised by the police to cancell the cheque and a formal complaint was made. I am meeting the Dutch man tomorrow when he comes to pick up his his pots and knives. What he doesn’t know is that his pots are with the police and the Depatment Of Fair Trading. Good Luck to him. The Fine from Fair Trading will be more than he bargained for!!
June 20th, 2005 at 7:20 am
Leon Hendriks has just left our business today and like anything that is too good to be true, it is. We immediately jumped onto the internet to investigate. He had the same story about being unable to take the goods back after the Good Food & Wine festival. I shall warn the new pot owners about the dangerous handles.
June 26th, 2005 at 7:43 pm
We’ve just bought some knives, and I have to say that I don’t listen to any sales pitch, I make my own judgement on value - we paid £40 and thats what I believe they are worth.
Anyone thinking they are gettin a very expensive set for a knockdown price… well it’s the old saying, “if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is”
Dan
June 27th, 2005 at 3:06 pm
yes the duth man is in palma de mallorca driven a porche cayana black with belgium numberplates i bought a set for 80 and he even give his mobile phone number 616820389 i was near the market of olivar palma de mallorca i only hope the knives will cut well and i thought it was a bargain
June 28th, 2005 at 6:27 pm
Yep he’s here in Torquay UK today I bought a knife set and a saucepan set I’m too embarrassed to say how much I paid. ….. but I’m cancelling the cheque tomorrow!!
The guys name is W Dewus … the sales manager!! Hope he catches his plane!
June 30th, 2005 at 11:33 am
this chap is now doing the rounds in Mallorca. same story as all above
June 30th, 2005 at 11:33 am
I bought a set of pots and knives a month ago. I did a test of emailing berghaus to say that i had a handle fall off, which I sent twice. There was no response, I was not supprised though, I just confirms that the guarantee is not anywhere near the value of the glossy card it is written on.
June 30th, 2005 at 2:33 pm
Well he was at the Gold Coast, Australia on the 30th of June 2005 and scammed both myself and my partner by the looks of things. The knives do look like good quality thou we paid $120 each, if they last a year ill be happy plus i liked the case they came in.
He said hes on his way to brisbane so look out guys LOL
July 8th, 2005 at 4:54 am
He’s just been at Ashmore on the Gold Coast. Watch out! Thanks for the website, saved me some money! 8th June 2005
July 10th, 2005 at 4:26 pm
Well, we met the dutch man, in his brand new BMW, same story, was in Surrey yesterday, we paid cash and I am now feeling very foolish, realised as soon as I looked on ebay that I had been done. I reckon that one of the emails on here is from him, the one going on about good quality in very bad English
July 12th, 2005 at 7:12 pm
12 July 2005
A nice young Dutchman complete with young son is doing the rounds in Angus and S Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The show was supposed to be at Abn Exhibition and Conference Centre. Have open mind on value - I suppose we will find out when the handles fall off!
July 15th, 2005 at 12:42 pm
now in belgium
same story as all above.dutch guy have to leave country and cannot take stock with him.
bought one set of pots and two sets of knives.
hope they will last a while so i wont be regratting buying stuff from such marketing people.
guess i’ll find out in future
July 19th, 2005 at 4:31 pm
i met a “mercedes” man today (19-7-05).i bought a few sets for not a lot of money,i think i paid about 25 to 3o quid each set.they are what they are,a cheap set of knives.they probably wouldnt be much good to a chef,but then again im not a chef so what the hell.i had no problem selling them on and no complaints.what is everyone expecting for a set of cheap knives out of a blokes car boot ? he is in the sevenoaks area of kent,england.
July 24th, 2005 at 12:34 pm
So this Dutchman drove onto my property about six months ago, all in a hurry to get rid of his pots and pans and knives as he had to catch the plain. I told him that I did not need any of his gear, but eventually bought a box full of pots and pans from him and had a case full of knifes and forks thrown in. The lot for £60. His story of the true value of around £1400 for the lot was quite entertaining, but of course a load of bullshit. I do not mind. I had a pleasant hour of bargaining with him and some silly jokes. We have used the gear now for over half a year. It looks good, works well and has not broken up yet. Worth every penny of the £60 I paid for it. My wife was thrilled when I gave it to her and threw all her existing stuff out of the house. She still jokes to her friends what a romantic I am. Not every guy gives his wife a set of pots and pans for Valentine’s day, which it was on the day of purchase!
July 25th, 2005 at 2:31 pm
The Dutch Guy called himself Jan.Called atb our Club in Bromley on 16th July 2005. Same patter as all above. Knives & saucepans for £150. look great, The Wife is happy. Just hope they last.
July 25th, 2005 at 7:18 pm
I’ve been using the pans and they’re fine - haven’t tried the knives yet. One thing that occurred to me though is that this guy could be financial data gathering also. Those who paid by cheque should speak to their bank and also to a credit file checker like Experian and make them aware just incase your information is sold on. ps: if anyone has the knife block I’ll buy it!
July 25th, 2005 at 11:35 pm
I have indeed bought the package of knives and pans and I also got the guys business card so if any of you want to contact the company direct here it is… hope this will be some help to someone
www.berghaus-www.com
Good Luck
July 26th, 2005 at 4:00 pm
My wife just bought a set of sausepans £50, does anyone know how to stack them? Got to laugh, this guy must have racked up the airmiles.
July 30th, 2005 at 10:16 pm
A Dutch man in a new black BMW four wheel drive (left hand drive) with D on number plate came to our work yesterday- so is now in the Kent/East Sussex area. He had an A-Z of the area and his son in the car. He said he was returning to Holland and that customs would confiscate his products. He had three sets of pans, six sets of knives and three sets of cutlery- which we all bought from him! However, he did give a set of pans and knives away free as he was leaving. His cheque was cashed in that day. He also gave us each his card.
August 2nd, 2005 at 12:22 pm
A Dutch guy in a Kia 4 wheel drive has just been here (Epsom in Surrey). Same sales pitch, just been to the Ideal Homes exhibition in London and couldn’t take the knives back. I nearly bought cutlery and a pan set but to ask him to wait outside on the pretence of answering a phone call and checked online and saw this site. I didn’t buy anything.
I’m still quite confused, they seemed good quality heavy pans but I guess appearances can be deceiving?!?
In case those of you who have bought and are now unhappy need contact numbers I have these from his business card.
UK: 07792 954 238
IRL: 087 6955272
Netherlands: +31 346 353 655
August 4th, 2005 at 12:17 pm
ha ha..just bought a set of knives in Sussex, then came a searching, we know these are scams, but i’ve parted with £8 for 7 knives so thats ok with me, will use them for that money!!
August 9th, 2005 at 12:57 pm
My wife was justed conned by these people today she brought a set of knifes for 50 quid and they are crap.he was also selling saucepans but she did’nt have enough money.
But the worm has turned he left a buisness card and i phoned him saying i wanted to purchase 2 sets of saucepans at 150 quid each and the mug come back.
I trapped him in my garden he grabbed the knifes and gave us the money back after i shown him the web-site and called the police
he is driving a KIA 4×4 registration no 68-PT-HZ and his name is albert and his working in the kent area.
August 9th, 2005 at 10:31 pm
Target has been spotted in Belgium (belgian coast area). In an expensive BMW, with a kid on the back seat. To bad it’s illegal to use the knifes to slash his …
August 11th, 2005 at 5:40 pm
I have also met the dutch man driving a BMW four by four. He called at my place of work in Sandwich, Kent.
I was also fooled by the bull **** and bought a set however I feel they were well worth the £20 I paid for them. But agree with others about the selling technique.
August 11th, 2005 at 5:47 pm
dutch man/ mercedes - same story - bought 2 sets of knives / cutlery / pans for £500 - totally taken in - farnborough kent. 9.30am this morning! Just found this site !
August 12th, 2005 at 11:39 am
Dutch man, Black X5 BMW. Story: returning to Holland after a business trip - would we like samples at knock down prices.
I didn’t even entertain the idea of looking at them - seen a lot of this type of thing - rolex’s in service area car parks, generators and TV’S from gypsie’s.
If the price was that good why couldn’t he sell them to his ‘ Trade’ customers.
Folkestone - 12.00 12th Aug 2005.
August 12th, 2005 at 11:56 am
Chigwell, Essex. 11 Aug 2005. Big fat Dutch Man - Cornelis…..same story about not wanting to take knives on ferry back to Germany. Bought variety of goods with cheque. Fortunately, saw this website today and immediately cancelled cheques which had not yet been cashed. Phoned contact number on website www.berghaus-wwc.com and spoke to man who quite clearly was part of scam. People already trying to sell these products on ebay.. Beware!!
August 14th, 2005 at 7:33 pm
I bought a set of 12 sharp knives from the guy in the Black X5 BMW. I paid £40 for them and they have cut everything I have wanted to cut. I am quite happy with the set for 40 quid and scam or not, I think they are a bargain.
August 18th, 2005 at 2:24 pm
Why do these sites only come up after you have bought something? Story not that different here(Bruges, Belgium): Black BMW drove up to work of my girlfriends father. Telling him he had to catch a plane and it was not possible for him to take all the stuff with him. As my girlfriend and I are soon moving the possibility was there to do a bargain. He asked 200 euro for the pots & pans and 80 euro’s for the knives. Eventually we got them at 25 (!!) euro for the pots & pans and 20 euro for the knives…
I can’t say that I have been scammed.. the pots seem to be great quality and I don’t think that pots for 25 euro’s can harm my wallet… even if they only last for 2 years…
August 18th, 2005 at 2:30 pm
little correction… my girlfriend reminded me: the price was 60 euro. Anyhow… let’s find out soon if the quality meets the price or not…
August 19th, 2005 at 11:46 am
Same story but driving light grey Chrysler Voyager Dutch plate - 08 RB TJ in Dover area on 17.8. Claims to have been with nephew aged a dubious 15 years. Reported to Trading Standards and police now.
August 23rd, 2005 at 2:05 pm
Oh dear. Much the same story - Dutch man in the Weybridge Surrey area (yesterday). I paid £80 for the pan set and £40 for the knives. I was suspicious, but I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, and so I sometimes get caught out. The set seemed pretty good quality, and I know what I paid for a pan set from a department store in the sale, so I’m not too disappointed. Only sad that my trust has been betrayed (again!) - probably wont be the last time. :(
August 24th, 2005 at 9:18 am
Been done by a guy named Fritz or Firietz in Basildon, Essex on Monday 22nd August.
Black BMW X5.. convincing story.. sold 6 lots of knives at £30 and 4 sets of pans for £65 to people at our depot.
One person has already had an accident caused by a faulty handle on one of the pots.. also beware that if you are thinking of selling on, suddenly the price isn’t so appealing and dont sell to friends because this stuff WILL cause accidents. The knives.. well they are low grade rubbish. Nearly blunt as new.. and just try using the sharpener, fine if you like little bits of flaked metal in your food.
Probably best to try and sell them at a bootsale as seconds or at an online auction.. but beware again for comebacks on fake/damaged/dangerous stuff, it makes sense that YOU could get caught out for selling faulty goods and not the conman.
Remember this same problem a few years ago with HI-FI EQUIPMENT for germany, AV systems top line brand you have never heard of.. really just cheap crap with fancy panneling and lights.
i defy anyone not to get caught out by this - but PLEASE BEWARE.
August 25th, 2005 at 6:23 pm
Latest attack in Germany con-man driving grey VW passat NL license plate number XT-LJ-32. Will be going to police for further action
August 25th, 2005 at 9:09 pm
haha! I was caught out in Holland, from what I read here, same story: he’s going away, can’t take them with him, has his son next to him etc. Didn’t catch the plate, but they were driving a new, dark gray, Hyundai or Kia juppy-tractor. Their website seems quite kosher, which makes me confused. But as an amateur, I can’t imagine the knives being worth €850,- He tried the pot’s and pans etc. on me too but *luckily* I didn’t go for that. I was genuinely looking to buy some good knives, but what am I going to do with this 24 piece box? I paid €100,- for them, what could I sell them for, what can do with them? Obviously I don’t want to rip anyone off. I guess I’ve learnt my lesson now anyway, so this is a warning that these people are now in The Netherlands. I’d like to leave my knives with him; I know a place where the sharpener will fit fine. Carefull people!
August 30th, 2005 at 3:07 pm
Leatherhead, Surrey - Silver 5-series BMW pulls up at a charity with the same story. Smart-dressed european guy claiming that we only had to pay him the ‘VAT’ on his pans and knives (around £70 for knife or pan sets) and that otherwise he would be more than happy to give them to the charity only his boss would get in trouble if they did not pay the tax.
We fell for it too!
August 31st, 2005 at 10:50 am
Guess what, the dutch guy is now running around Germany, northern Bavaria….Im not to upset because the price I paid wasnt to bad…but wish I had known it was a scam LOL…
Live and learn….
August 31st, 2005 at 4:56 pm
He guys. I am a guy of 13 years old, Dutch. We were on vacation last summer when some Dutch ‘’salesman'’(read: bandit) Came to us on a parking near the higway and asked us or we wanted to buy some of his knives or cookery stuff. He showed us the knives. My father thaught they were real. But he wasn’t sure to buy them. So my mother said: ‘’Well, if you want to buy them, that’s all right, it’s your money and after that you won’t buy sutch a things any more.'’
We were sitting in the back of the car, and the man tried to be very gentilly and asked us things like: ‘’how was the vacation kids?'’ He was riding a Volkswagen, silver, a van model. I looked IN his car and saw expensive looking navigations systems and a mobile phone. He wanted to give us his card (Adress, phone…) But my father said he didn’t needed it. But he did buy the knives. The man said he had been to some knive-expo in Strasbourg, and that his boss had told him to sell all of the knives he had left. The box said that the knives costed 300€, but the man sold them for 25€. And now, my father had been to a cook, and he sais it’s BAAAD qualitiy!!!!! maxipower28692@hotmail.com
http://maxipower28692.write2me.nl
But remember:
Not ALL Dutch people act like this!!!
September 1st, 2005 at 8:53 pm
I just paid £36 for a set of these knives
on ebay. Seller said a couple of the knives had been used once or twice, but I think they all look decidedly dodgy. They all seem to have blotches(like water-marks) on the blades, and there seems to be patches of white on some of the handles where the black covering
has rubbed off. These knives are of inferior quality and I would rather have my money back. So watch this space.
September 2nd, 2005 at 2:26 pm
very happy with knive i have buy them a high price 2300 euro for 1 potset and 3 knives. he was from germany on the car he waas a dutch man and had sl 55 amg i feld scammed and boss calls is self donny
September 2nd, 2005 at 3:37 pm
my other half just brought a set of the knifes for 20 quid. A woman is always right i knew it was a scam ho well.
September 3rd, 2005 at 9:49 pm
Today me and my friends paid £230 each for some worthless pots and pans ( and knives ) from some Dutch men in a nice silver mercedes.
We are all in sales ourselves and were as we call it in the trade “hands up Cammies” and had our wallets out in a flash.
they were very slick told the customs story as usual and had our pants down !!
So beware they are in the North Yorkshire County Durham area !!
We are very upset and feel really stupid as we paid in full in cash there and then.
September 5th, 2005 at 3:35 pm
A guy turned up in lingfield Surrey today 05/09/2005 as we bought knives and sauce pans sets. They seem ok quality. The problem is after reading these messages they are the same issue - A dutch men speaking little english cannot take knives on ferry etc etc. Anyway we cancelled the chq. If he comes back report them to the Police and contact Trading standards. He is also trading under Lublin Trading Ltd. The business card states Polstar Trading Ltd. the contact was a G. Wieser tel 00447816956340. address of Amersfoortsestraat 68c 3769 Soesterberg Nederland. He was driving a New Silver Merc under a German plate.
September 8th, 2005 at 10:01 pm
Hey guys we have been had to …I am really mad at myself the story spun to us was just the same as all the above , ferry to catch cant take knifes back etc..etc…
I almost walked away as well I could kick myself…..I wish when i went into the house I had called the police instead of parting with our money..
Oh well …our knifes we ahve now are next to useless so if these only last a year or so..its not so bad..
I am grateful that people took the time to send out warning about the handles on the pans..
Gosh wed were so stupid sorry if you got caught too..
September 12th, 2005 at 12:54 pm
My sister bought a set of pots and knives for £150 from one of these Berghaus salesmen in Surrey. She then decided she didn’t actually need them and offered them to me. I phoned the company to find out more about their product and sales process. I can’t vouch for the quality of the product because i haven’t used it but the company’s website does give a good overview and they told me that all their sales are done by freelance salesmen.
Has anyone got anything good to say about the quality of Berghaus’ product?
September 12th, 2005 at 2:51 pm
Shoudln’t some1 contact cops or something?
September 21st, 2005 at 4:32 pm
York, North Yorkshire.
Same story, exhibition & ferry etc. Dutch plates on blue picasso. Charming, young, well dressed dutchman with ‘poor’ English (actually it was quite good).
Bought 2 sets of pans & got 2 sets of knives ‘free’ for £358. Came to the house at lunchtime. We Googled it this afternoon and have just stopped the cheque after reading all the comments. We looked more closely at the knives, which were bendy and dull. They had very cheap looking plastic wrapping and came in a business briefcase! Didn’t even bother to look at the pans after reading the sites. Receipt said Polstar Trading & he asked for the cheque to made payable to Lublin Trading Ltd.
We also feel very prattish, as we did not read all the signs even though we felt more than a little suspicious. Thankfully we paid by cheque.
Do these guys dare to come back for their goods?
Hope this helps to warn others and thanks to everyone who posted & saved us this money.
September 26th, 2005 at 1:07 pm
Same story… My Husband bought 1 set of knives… for my birthday… my kind-hearted husband wanted to surprise me. And he did! He bought the set for 135,- euro….. It is sad that these things happen. We will not be the first and we will not be the last. I am happy with the knives but only because my husband bought them for me…
(he bought them close by the Diemerzeedijk, Amsterdam)
Be carefull….
September 26th, 2005 at 1:36 pm
same story….
November 1st, 2005 at 11:35 am
Had guy here today. very charming. as soon as he said he would come to cash point with us i knew it was a scam. Narrow escape I feel.
November 2nd, 2005 at 5:27 pm
Had guy here today! Anna Maria Island Florida!! Same story! Selling Berghaus Cookware, told it was worth $1750.00 U.S. Dollars. I apparently was suckered I bought it for $100 U.S. Dollars. I guess with all your comments, it must be a knockoff. At least only suckered for $100 for a 12 piece cookware set.
November 22nd, 2005 at 11:29 am
My girlfriend bought me a present. I’m a chief and she did a nice thing without knowing she had been done over. It took 2 seconds for me to know the knives wouldn’t sharpen properly and the pots make this wiered crackle sound on the gas top…The boys at work have had a laugh. We use the knives for throwing and the pots feed the dogs
November 23rd, 2005 at 7:24 pm
The guys are stil going strong in SE England - Surrey. A certain Hendrik in a BMW X5 3.0 diesel on German plates WES-HD-703. Same story. Called police. Advise was stop the cheque & contact Office of Fair Trading (OFT). We’ll see what’s next & how to return goods…
November 30th, 2005 at 5:26 pm
Bought a set of these pans paid £80 found them to be of excellant value and cooking with them is great food tastes wonderful. Left one of these pans on and it did not catch fire but the sides of the kitchen unit warped had it been any other manufacture and don’t think we would be alive
February 9th, 2006 at 8:39 pm
These guys are right now in Tenerife … South
Beware !!!
February 17th, 2006 at 9:57 am
A guy, with the name of Gerrit is operating this scam in the Dorset area at the moment, selling the pans be very aware.
February 17th, 2006 at 10:09 am
Unfortunately, my Husband and I was taken in by this smooth talker, he was driving a Silver Mercedes in a smart suit , said he could not speak English very well and that his boss had given him permission to sell the last few boxes of pans,( bergaus 12 in the set ) before he was to return home,he seemed quite genuine, we asked to see his passport and b.card and got him down to £100, the pans looked quite expensive and I have used them, but they do not clean up very well ( show water marks ) he told us the handles were baker light and could be used in the oven so we tested them over heat and the handle stated to melt. Found this web site and feel really taken in.
Still hopefully we learn by our mistakes.
February 20th, 2006 at 4:49 am
Hi i was wondering if thier is any way that you could tell how these knive sets are fake cause my boss is trying to sell me the set of 14 and they look real but i am not sure, so if thier is anyway that i can tell will you please reaspond back i would highly appreciate it.
Thank You,
Jesse Frary
February 20th, 2006 at 9:27 pm
Just don’t buy anything that labelled with one of these bogus brands: “GI Solingen, Maybach by Imhoff, Berghaus, Rosenbaum, Palas Solingen, Schulzhof, Solingen Professionel, Devonport, Ginsu, “Classic Exclusive” Solingen, Müller Kochtopfhaus, Hoffmann, BERMAN & BENZ, B&B Solingen, Kronenberg S.G., Breitenbach Solingen, Prima Solingen, SBS Bestecke Solingen, Profiline, Bergmann International Solingen, Titanium 2, P.O.K. Typ Exklusiv Line, Golden King 18/10, Schäfer S.G., Fischer, Gourmet Royal Kochmesser, SOL knife (knives), Carl Weill Solingen, W.S.M. München, Pearl of Kitchen, HoffBerg, Hoffman/Solingen, Offenbach, BTS Bischofs Solingen, Bachmayr, GI Design, Fischer, Röslein, Profiline Solingen, K.B. S.G. International, Genuine Bravo, Rozenberg, Solinger Metallwaren AG and many other more.”
Check out this site for more details.
February 22nd, 2006 at 6:21 pm
These corrupt germans came into my place of employment and attempted to steal from us. Luckily, a german translator was in the store and with his assistance along with a clever manager looked up this scheme and confronted those deceiptful germans. Watch out .. they give germans a bad rap! Look out Fort Myers/Cape Coral Florda residents. We’re not taking your deutsch crap!
March 2nd, 2006 at 5:44 pm
hi
well i bought 2 of the 24 knife sets today for 50€ each. And I live in the south of France. Same story as all of you, he named himself as “Hendrick” and gave me the Berghaus company card and documentation. I was at work and he was in his car,4×4 jeep style, poor english, definetly dutch. and he asked if i spoke english and then gave me the whole story. My son is in cooking school so I offered 50€ for 2sets thinking this is great. then my collegues at work said that maybe it was a scam. so I went searching on internet. and am quite upset that I fell for it. But then I can’t believe he accepted my personal check either.
March 8th, 2006 at 9:45 am
Hi
Just had the guy here in Alicante Spain, same story, did not buy, now happy I don’t have broken handles and blunt knives to look forward to.
March 15th, 2006 at 12:19 pm
Hi, Same story, Dutch guy and his son (Accomplice) caught me in the car park at work in Munich, Germany. All the usual Knife expo bullsh*t, can’t take on plane etc. Paid 55 Euros for them, came back to the office and checked on web. I feel violated.
March 27th, 2006 at 1:28 pm
My father told me the same story yesterday. He was washing his car, 2 guys stopped and wanted to sell the box with knives for 600€, but when my father told them he wasn’t interested, and that he only had 50€ in his wallet, they said it was OK for 50 €! My father realised it was fake, but the price he paid wasn’t to bad, we’ll see about the quality within a few weeks….
March 29th, 2006 at 8:40 pm
I want to inform you that yesterday (March 28th, 2006), I have been also
stopped by one of the representatives or a supposed representative of
Burghaus Nederland.
We were in Gstaad (Switzerland).
I just parked my car in Gstaad when a guy from the Burghaus company,
driving a dark Chrysler “Grand voyager” or “voyager” from Germany (I
suppose that is a rental car) spokes to me saying more or less the below
text:
“Hi! Can you help me? I am a representative of Berghaus in Nederland. With
some colleagues, we spent a journey around here to sell 1200 set of
casseroles and knives for kitchen; unfortunately 4 people cancelled their
request and I have to go back to Holland tonight at 7.00 pm from the
airport of Geneva; I cannot take back these remaining sets, it is too
heavy. I give you 1 case of set of knives for 400 chf, the normal value is
about 865 euros (1300 chf).”
Then after 5 or 10 minutes, because I was looking at the knives, saying
that I already have every thing, He showed me a carton of a set of pans
saying more or less the following text:
“The value of this set of pans is 1500 euros (about 2400 chf), I give it to
you at a very good price… (I do not remember if he mentioned it)”.
Because I refused again, he proposed me both of the set at 650 chf then
scale down until 350 chf.
At the end, because the guy was looking nice as a good seller, also because
it is quiet clever to sale it at a large discount instead of taking back to
Holland these heavy packets what is costly when it is done by plane as a
passenger, I took the 2 sets at 350 chf.
There was a sticker on every documentation showing the original price.
Definitely, it was looking as a good opportunity for me.
I paid cash.
Then he puts the cases of knives and the carton of pans into my booth
saying that he had filled the guarantee when I went to pick up some cash
from the bank.
It was about 12.00 o’clock.
Back home, I checked your site through “Google” and saw that you are
selling the same at a better price:
149 euros, the set of pans and 55 euros the case of knives making a total
of about 200 euros or 320 chf.
(I purchased every thing at 350).
At the end the difference is not big.
But the way, the guy was selling me every thing is of course just trickery.
What do you think about this smatter?
At the end the “Berghaus” is supplying these robbers!
They do not pay any taxes, selling into the street!
They issue some bad quality? dangerous kitchen parts ? made in China?
End of message.
April 1st, 2006 at 9:26 pm
Same story again. Now he is around in Antwerp Belgium. He sold a knife set
for 50€ to a family member of mine. He left a business card with german phone number and the berghaus-wwc website. Something should happen before he makes more victims.
April 1st, 2006 at 9:46 pm
Someone did a whois on that website. This came out.
http://berghaus-berghoff.over-blog.com/categorie-112832.html
BergHOFF Worldwide
Boterbosstraat 6/1
Heusden-Zolder, 3550
BE
Domain name: BERGHAUS-WWC.COM
Administrative Contact:
Vanthoor, Raf info@berghoff.be
Boterbosstraat 6/1
Heusden-Zolder, 3550
BE
+32 13 35 86 00
April 2nd, 2006 at 1:19 pm
Recently the administrative contact changed to some address in the Netherlands.
Administrative Contact:
Kabalt, Donna info@berghaus-wwc.com
Amerfoortsestraat 68C
Soesterberg, 3769
NL
+31 346353655
April 10th, 2006 at 11:15 am
10th April 2006 Cheltenham Glos.
Just stopped in the street by charming dutch man. Usual story about not being able to go back on ferry with knives etc. I knew this was not true however he finally offered 12 piece cutlery set, looks nice!, plus carving knife set also “nice” both in smart cases for £100. Looks good bargain but will wait and see. Turned over? not sure.
April 10th, 2006 at 8:59 pm
are you all idiots.
not being funny guys but that scam is the oldest in the book. since when was it ever reliable to buy something off a guy from the back of his car haha.
haha sorry but you really are all a bunch of mugs.
April 11th, 2006 at 12:26 am
Same story as everyone else 10.April 2006 Bought a set of pans and knives paid £240 for them time will tell if they are any good, I am usually on the ball with scams but was caught out bigtime with this one. I was given a card with a telephone number and fax number but the telephone just rings and is not answered
April 14th, 2006 at 9:02 am
This is not te same story
April 21st, 2006 at 3:11 pm
Funnily enough I was looking for the BergHAUS website as one of the lids on a saucepan I bought has just broken off, coincidently exactly 53 weeks after I purchased them .. from a man returning to Holland after an exhibition in the UK!
I do have a receipt for the saucepans - I paid £170.00 and, according to the box they came in, I think they should have been £789.00, something like that anyway.
I must admit that I think they are very good saucepans (except for the fact that one of the lid tops has just broken) and I will be very upset if I am unable to replace it. In case anyone can help I need the lid-top off one of the largest lids. I would be really grateful if somebody could help me with a replacement.
April 22nd, 2006 at 3:31 pm
Worcester - 22nd April 2006
Today a man called Josef in a BMW came up our drive and said he was lost on his way back from the NEC and he was trying to get to Stratford. We showed him where to go on the map and he mentioned that he wanted to get rid of all of his products as he was going back to Holland and he would have to pay to take them into the country. We did end up buying a set of saucepans, 2 sets of knives and a cutlery set. To be honest, he was a excellent salesman and we don’t feel robbed. We think that we would pay the same or more for this sort of thing in the shops and if that’s his way of selling then fine by me. If we had paid full price then we would be gutted. Anyway, it’s a story to tell our friends - we can all have a laugh about being scammed!!
April 30th, 2006 at 11:35 am
We purchased a set of saucepans from Paul driving a black Mercedes in June 2004.
We had the same story as everyone else , couldnt take the knives on the ferry , stock
left over from a trade fair , etc.
Wounderful saucepans , very pleased with them but the knob came of one of the lids , I
telephoned the number Paul gave me in Holland and was told to send the lid back to them.
I sent the lid just before Christmas but have never had it returned , despite several phone
calls . and speaking to Mr I Iohanson , Mr Funk , Mr Berghaus and Nikko .
After reading all these emails I doubt I will ever see my saucepan lid again.
April 30th, 2006 at 8:35 pm
I’ve read the tales from all over the planet, but i’m trying to find a replacement lid which has ‘Rosenbaum’ with thermo control. Is this the same as Berghaus?
My mother-in-law biught these about a 18 months ago, and the thermo conyttrol part has broken.
Help…………
May 1st, 2006 at 8:11 pm
they have been in the Cheltenham, UK area past two weeks, called twice on me but we sent them on their way. Tried to scam a friend in Bromsgrove earlier today. Luckily, they rang to see if we wanted to get a bargain too and we were able to tell them our experiences and put them off. They said they looked like good products and if they come back will drive a harder bargain!
May 2nd, 2006 at 7:25 pm
same story here in Cheltenham. Bought cutlery set and carving/preperation knife set for £100. They lppk great and are well packaged. Scam yes worth the money time will tell. so far so good
May 2nd, 2006 at 7:25 pm
same story here in Cheltenham. Bought cutlery set and carving/preperation knife set for £100. They lppk great and are well packaged. Scam yes worth the money time will tell. so far so good
May 2nd, 2006 at 9:39 pm
Just bought a set off him, £25 for the 24 piece knife set. I seriously dont know how the hell he managed to make any money out of that. Seriously I would have paid £20 for the case alone. Nice case. Will make a decent present.
The business card that Ive got says he works for the company berkendorf.
U.K. telephone number of 0796972159 Martin.
Amersfoortsestraat 68c
3769 AL Soesterberg
Nederalnds
Usual story, cant take on ferry.
I was at work and honestly where I work Ive got no idea how he found us, no one ever finds us. Its like it can take customers 2 hours to find us and he just drive straight up.
Anyway yeah he was in England, Somerset today about 1pm.
May 2nd, 2006 at 9:41 pm
Oh yeah and if he cant take them on the ferry back how the hell did they get here in the first place, this occured to me AFTER I had bought.
May 6th, 2006 at 12:56 pm
Slick Martinus (and wife) in his shiney German plated Range Rover is in Cascais, Portugal …. I believed his story about having to leave and unload cancelled items … quality seems OK but if you like the goods don’t pay anything over €30/article.
May 9th, 2006 at 8:18 pm
‘HE’ was in Thornbury Bristol UK on thursday May 4th 2006
With the foreign reg plated car and told the story that it was just a few left before the ferry back. ‘just pay the V.A.T’ he said which was £120 for the 12 pc pan set and £80 for the 24 pc knife set. I haggled with him down to £40 just for the knives. I walked away and got called back with an offer of just £50. I stuck to my guns and bought them at £40. Ah well, We live and learn !!!
May 10th, 2006 at 12:55 pm
Just had someone come by in Edgbaston in Birmingham. I’m here visiting my mother who called me out to see a Dutch guy in a silver BMW who wanted to sell knives and saucepans….. Said he had some left over from a trade show in the NEC that happens once a year.
Told me he’d sold 5 sets to my neighbour down the road, and that he was leaving at 5pm. Apparently he had to get to Four Oaks where the football players live, before picking up his father from the golf club and catching his flight. Said £80 for a saucepan set and £60 for the knives, but said after haggling said if we bought 2 saucepan sets, he’d give us 2 knives sets for free. No thanks.
Took his card and said we’d think about it. And low and behold, I stumble across this website. It obviously pays to be a cynic.
The slightly worrying thing is that he was talking about my father’s car (which wasn’t in the driveway as he’d left for work at 11am) and he came calling at 1pm.
May 13th, 2006 at 4:33 pm
Hi! I’m writting from Portugal, so appologise for my english…
The guy now “attacks” here, Lisbon area and the story is the same… good looking, nice car, hé’s going back to Germany and can´t take this home…
Well, a friend of me brought 4 sets of each and offered one to me. I was looking in the net, because the instructions are in spanish, english, dutch… not in portuguese and I’m looking to understand how to work with the pots… and I found this site.
Well, my housband already told me that he didn´t believe on the story, now I Know exactly wath it is but I’m not going to tell it to my friend, she’s so nice that I don’t want that she understand all the story…and I’ll keep my old pots and knifes, just in case… Because I still don’t know how it works!
May 16th, 2006 at 9:51 am
Hi
Guy called Gustav Dutchman Dutch reg plates called same story from NEC exhibition
Bought set of saucepans for £100 they look and fell good quality but i will cancel the chq and contact OFT
May 17th, 2006 at 11:04 am
Just purchased the excellent professional chefs knives. Why be so suspicious - the guy checked out OK and the knives are what they say they are. Sold the entire set to me for £72.20 and this is a very good deal on what is normally in the £600 mark. You may think I am deluded but everything checked out.
May 17th, 2006 at 12:00 pm
Checked out how, exactly?
May 19th, 2006 at 2:05 pm
Your Dutch salesman has a German counterpart. He was here in my office in Miami, Florida today (May 19, 2006) with his suitcases of knives and similar story about a trade show in Tampa, Florida. Maybe he’s on vacation? The knives sell for $200 US and I was getting interested until I checked the internet. As soon as he saw me at this website he closed his suitcase and left!
May 23rd, 2006 at 10:31 am
Four Oaks, Birmingham, UK.
His sales speach was funny, Quoting “Doug Ellis” the Aston Villa Football Club Owner, that he bought 4 sets and then saying he has been round to the football players houses selling them. Then he said our neighbour bought 9 sets and paid £1200.
He was coming from the NEC also, as he was at the show there. He just wanted the Customs & Excise VAT.
The Dutch guy has now just left. Name Koos, Drives a VW Passat.
I paid£220 for:
12Pc Knife Set = £45
12Pc Knife Set = £45
12Pc Sauce Pan Set = £90
Full Cutlery Set = £40
Now, I feel I have paid the right price for these.
All this stuff is made in China. I met a Chinese manufacturer who who made some of this stuff. So all Berghaus are doing are having there brand name put on it.
Ok so My uncle bought the Full Cutlery set from the manufacturer with no name on it for £70.
To me these prices are ok, and you get what you paid for. Most of the stuff you buy in the shops are over priced.
I will add another post to tell you what the stuf is like after some use.
May 23rd, 2006 at 7:28 pm
Streetly, Birmingham, UK.
Same story as above but the Dutch man stopped off at my Dad’s business and my Dad bought 2 knife sets, sauce pan set and cutlery set for £130. I’ve just bought my first house so he bought them for me. They look nice!
May 24th, 2006 at 8:39 pm
They’re heading North here in Florida. I can’t believe I fell for this! I tried to cancel my check but they cashed it within 2 hours. I bought the 72 piece flatware set and the knife set. I dropped him from $525 to $200 total for the 2 sets but still think he got me. He gave me some garbage about letting them go at this price so we can build a relationship with our hotel so when they open up their store in Florida we can continue to do business. They do seem to be of good quality, my chef had seen their product at restaurant shows and although he wouldn’t use them in our 4 1/2 star kitchen he thought they’d be fine at home. I am in Central Florida. Watch out, they’re here!!
May 25th, 2006 at 11:56 am
I first found this stuff on EBay. There were several vendors offering this stuff as professional German-made by “Pearl of Kitchen” at prices with starting bids in the US$60-$90 range. I asked one for the address of the manufacturer, and his response was that he thinkgs they are actual made by Haushahn Germany, but he couldn’t provide any information because he got them from a distributor who went out of business, and “European companies aren’t like US companies” with published addresses. Uhuh…
I notified EBay of several fraudulent listings, but I doubt very much EBay will do anything but make sure they collect their sales commissions.
May 26th, 2006 at 11:45 am
They just visited my doorstep. About 7 miles west of Stratford Upon Avon (south of Birmingham).
Young guy in a silver coloured, Dutch license plate Opel (Vectra?).
Showed me a Berkendorf ‘business card’ but it just had the company name … maybe some address details but no cointact name. Claimed they are trying to establish a name in the UK for quality cookware.
Same story… trade show at NEC, can’t take the stuff back on the ferry as customs won’t allow them to - that’s what killed the discussion for me… it’s just NOT right.
His father had told him to find some private buyers.
I said no thanks… glad I did ‘cos I’m a sucker for nice cookware.
May 26th, 2006 at 2:50 pm
My mother-in-law bought me a set of knives in a nice suitcase for €50.00. She also bought one for her own doughter. Same story as above besides that this story took place in Holland and the Dutchman was on his way to England! It’s a Bachmayr set and the quality is not professional.
May 28th, 2006 at 9:32 pm
This dutch guy came to west wales about a month ago, same old story, but what i did not like was the fact he has a huge amount of 50p’s he must have spent about £50 in in my shop buying top up phone, magazines, and still had a lot left, when i asked him why he had so many, he told me a customer had paid him in them!
strange!!!!!!!!!
June 7th, 2006 at 11:25 am
I live in a small village in Sweden,this guy showed up here like 30 minutes ago same story as above,i bought some knives from him he demanded 150 euro i offered him him 70 and he took it directly.Knives look nice hope they are worth the money : )
June 13th, 2006 at 10:18 am
We are British and, like lots of other Brits, live in SW France (Lot et Garonne,near Dordogne).
Same story, just come from a Trade Fair in Bordeaux etc. He was targeting Brits in the area as he said he couldn’t speak French. Who sends a rep to a French Trade Fair without French? Anyway, we bought a set of pans and a set of cutlery (not the kitchen Knives) for a total of 250 euros and I was quite pleased until I looked at this site. I then looked more carefully at all the printed material that came with the stuff and couldn’t find an address or country of manufacture anywhere. There wasn’t even a printer’s name . This contravenes EU regulations and on those grounds we cancelled the cheque this morning. I did use a pan last night but I washed it up and packed it all away and I wait for him to return, if he dare.
Has he ever returned to collect stuff when a cheque has been stopped?
June 13th, 2006 at 1:19 pm
A pleasant-mannered and very smart Dutchman bearing a Berkendorf card which named him as Albert, accompanied by an equally smart colleague in an shiny silver 4×4 visited us today on Hants/Sussex border today with same story about the trade exhibition, not being able to return through Customs with knives etc and saying that he didn’t speak great English (it was very good) along with the Berkenhof spiel. They said they were looking to visit lot of farmers!! Thankfully, we showed no interest so they drove off.
June 14th, 2006 at 2:13 pm
Just bought 12 pc pan set for £60 from Dutch salesman with same patter as above (can’t take stuff back on ferry - just been to Brighton for trade fair with Jamie Oliver etc etc). Pans look OK for approx £8.50 each- large frying pan and four casserole type saucepans with lids (not sure about thermostats on lids though) + milk pan and steamer unit. They come with glossy instruction leaflet and guarantee card from “Berkendorf”. Shop bought cookware at that price isn’t particularly great and these do look reasonably robust, but time will tell. ‘Martin’ - blonde, personable, good English, bad shoes- gave me a card listing Berkendorf’s address as Tackenweide 26, 464467 Emmerich, Deutchland. Tel no - 0049 2822 689801. Havn’t checked it out yet but expect the worst. Has anyone discovered where these products are coming from yet?
June 21st, 2006 at 7:44 pm
the famous douch salesman (Martin) came by my house here in the country (Newick East Sussex), screeched up and jumped out.
He said the same going on the ferry story and asked for 100 pounds for the knives and 130 for a 72 piece cutlery set. He was very convincing and made me feel I had to act fast. My mother is building a new house and I thaught of buying them for her. So I got him down to 200 quid, and the deal was done, with a receipt on “Berkendorf” (this was the make of the knives) headed paper… So now reading all this I feel really stupid and annoyed that I fell for the guys fast pushy selling style. By looking on the chat forum, it seems mayby there are only two guys doing this in the UK, and change their names, do you think this is so? He said his name is Martin Ras, and was tallish, fair hair, douch, in a silver mercadies, his number is 07791585175.
When I got through to him, and requested my money back under the law of the cooling off period, he told me he was now in Holland, which I am sure is a lie as the ring tone on his Orange mobile phone is the normal UK one, and apparently if he were abroad it would sound like the European ring tone. So basically he tells me I have to wait 3 weeks till he back in the uk, although I am sure he is still in England.
He is breaking the law, right? What can I do? Please help me someone! I am pretty hard up at the moment and honestly thaught I’d got a good deal. Now I realize I was lied to, tricked, coned and now lied to again, being refused my legal rights to get my money back, I feel I need help. Please please write if anyone knows what can I do. Could it be Mr van de Pol himself? I want justice and my money back!
Lawrence.
June 22nd, 2006 at 12:16 pm
Although the story line is similar, and I was reasonably confident of a scam, I bought a full set of pots and knives for what I felt was a fair price - we have bought most of our kitchenware at a restaurant supply store so I have a fair idea of what good equipment costs. My wife, an experienced cook, and I are very impressed and feel that we got value for money. I’ve checked the sites dealing with false knives (which are mostly in German) and these are definitely not the cheap copies that are often described. I suspect that some of the postings above are from people who bought copies, but some got a good price on the real thing. I am pretty sure that what we bought is genuine, or at least of comparable quality. This by the way was in the Algarve, southern Portugal, in early June 2006.
June 27th, 2006 at 6:24 pm
Got caught out in a similar incident in West Sussex on June 22 2006 purchased a 12 piece saucepan set for £100 once checked out company stopped the cheque immediately I too will be interested if the gentleman comes back for his saucepans. How long do I leave it before I start using them!!
July 3rd, 2006 at 6:42 pm
just to let you no there in dorset, the knives dont look to bad for £90 hope its worth it??
July 4th, 2006 at 10:01 am
We have just had a visit from the Dutch salesman in Curdridge, Southampton today, bought a set of pans for £60, they seem ok but only time will tell. My colleague bought a set of knives and pans for £90.
Must admit to feeling a little daft after reading all the comments on the previous page - ah well live an learn - will know next time and send him packing.
July 14th, 2006 at 9:49 pm
Well I am feeling about as stupid as possible. He struck here, Givrins, Switzerland this morning. Tall, dark dutch man with sidekick. Very smooth. Basically the same story. Pulled in to comment how impressive the new horse facility we run was. Said his Dutch mate in Lausanne competed in a similar disipline throughout Europe. Even named the places where he competes which all made sense. Was interested to know if his mate could come to ride at the facility and took our business card to give to him. He then went on to give a story about having one saucepan set which he needed to sell cheap so he did not have to worry about customs on his return to the Netherlands. After giving a few reasons why I was not interested I finally had a look. Wham he had me. I forked out 500 euros for a set of saucepans & a knife set. I am furious at myself but he was very well prepared with his story about the horses that he just did not seem like a con. Seems like he knew I did not speak french which creeps me out a bit. How much background work do these b#####ds do? You live and learn I guess.
July 15th, 2006 at 1:27 am
In response to iaen april 30th 2006- i have also been looking to replace the rosenbaum pot thermostat handles since they have come off three pots, however mine are 5 years old now, and i still can not find a website or anything for rosenabaum, although on the pots it says life time warranty…..
July 21st, 2006 at 12:37 pm
Hmmm… I wish I had had a computer when the “German” guy stopped to ask his way… (St-Prex, Switzerland). I wasn’t interested in buying anything, and told him, but I took pity on him, he seemed so young and really bothered by the fact he would have to pay VAT on the pots & knives he had in his BMW break… so bought him some knives. CHF 100.- (”instead of CHF 1200.-”)…
Grr, really angry with myself now when I read all this…
July 21st, 2006 at 2:05 pm
I just called the police in Morges (Switzerland) to tell them about this, but the guy just laughed at my face saying I should have known better, what was I thinking etc. Thanks, makes me feel a lot better….
August 9th, 2006 at 10:15 am
Well, this seems to be an never ending story…I just sent away a Dutch guy who had exactly the same story. I was very close to fall for his story, but finally sent him packing without buying anything. Which I feel grateful for reading the above. We live in mid- Sweden so evidently they’ve brought their scam north… To be honest, a serious company should not need this kind of marketing practises….
August 9th, 2006 at 12:12 pm
Just had this slik Dutch geezer turn up in my yard, i am a farmer from Herefordshire, i think these sale guys must be getting desperate as if they did there reserach then they will have learned there is no one as tight as a farmer.
Knife set came out the boot, he wantd £70, i told hime i could buy 5 brittish made pitchforks for that, he looked at me slightly confused and jumped into his smart silver BMW 7 series. Just googled Berkendorf and found this forum, i guess reading above every where else in the UK has been targetted, although the knife set looked alright why cant these buggers just tell the truth and lose the accent.
August 9th, 2006 at 9:13 pm
Similar story, bloke turned up in very smart BMW on our farm asking to speak to the owners, mother in law here on her own advised not all here and could she help. He told her he had come from Holland and wanted to see the owners as he deals with kitchen utensils, left business card with name of Berkendorf on it. As he got in his car and went to leave she noted down his number plate, he obviously saw this and got back out and asked why she had taken down the number saying he wanted the piece of paper as he would report her to his company. Being slightly scared and intimidated by this, she gave it to him. Be warned they aren’t always nice!!! Powys / Shropshire border.
August 9th, 2006 at 10:28 pm
Hi, we are a German knife importer. We gave a set of Berghaus Knives to an independent test institute in Solingen, Germay. The result: Those knives are not knives referring to the industrial DIN norm as you can not resharpen them. The material which is used for the blades, is the cheapest chinese made steel, normaly used for cheap stainless steel bowls. …
Those people who like the quality of the BERGHAUS knives should try any good knife … They will be surprised.
Those attaches are sold in China for 10 Euros, at wholesale sites for 15 Euro.
There is another forum at www.billigmesser.ro - not only Beghaus, there are many other phantasy brands listed with the same scam!
August 10th, 2006 at 3:20 pm
My parents and friends have jsut given my, now, husband & I a set of pans and a case of knives - I was only lookihng on line about them today as I needed to know if you can put the pans in the over…There I’m gutted to read that it’s all a scam and my lovely parents have been taken in. The pans and knives seem to be a good quality - but how do you really know if they are fake or not? Can someone please clarify if what everyone saying is: There IS a company called Berghaus and that they sell top rate wares - OR - the company is a fake and the wares are of poor quality - OR - the company is real but there are fake tradesmen running around Europe selling fakes? I’m confused!
August 11th, 2006 at 7:40 pm
I have the same story here. I was on business in Geneva and I was putting petrol on my car when this Dutch guy approached me. He was driving a black Merc S600 and told me that he had been at a trade show in Geneva. He had 6 sets of pots/pans, knives and 72 pc. cutlery set. He stated that he could not take all this stuff back with him due to the all “hassle” I purchased the pots and cutlery set and passed on the knives since I had recently bought the Wusthof Culinar set and these are the best knives money can buy!
Now to my evaluation of the pots and cutlery set. I spent 300 Euros for the lot and I think for that price this is a bargain. I already own expensive pots from Fissler and these Berghaus pots seem to be of good COOKING qaulity when compared to the Fissler set. I have noticed that food does NOT stick to these pots like it does with CHEAP pots. They heat up fast and the bottom of the pot retains the heat well. They are also very easy to clean compared to CHEAP pots.
The cutlery set is stamped with the type of stainless steel grade that is used and I have no complaints about this set at all.
I do a lot of cooking and I only like using qaulity pots and pans when I do so. So far I am a little confused on this Berghaus deal since they seem to be of good qaulity but the confusing part is the selling tactics?
So is their REAL and FAKE Berghaus products circulating?
August 13th, 2006 at 6:56 pm
I just wanted to add a little to my previous comment. I have looked thoroughly at the pots and the cutlery set from Berghaus. They are using 18/10 stainless steel in the cutlery set and you can test it with a magnet since 18/8 and 18/10 stainless steel will not stick to a magnet. So they are using qaulity steel in the cutlery set as they stated.
Everybody here seems to feel that they have been scammed?? Take a look at the Berghaus website, it does not look like a scam site? Look at the packaging Berghaus uses, it is qaulity packaging. Take a look at the pots and pans. They are heavy and robust and great for cooking and easy to clean. The handles are not supposed to get hot and they dont just like is stated.
I have unfortunately no experience with the knives from this company and I would like the lady who stated that she had the Berghaus knives tested in Germany to publish for us that report so we can validate it for ourselves.
What will put a lot of people of when judging the qaulity of the pots and pans is the THERMOMETER on the lids. Start by showing the chef in your family the pots and pans and ask for an honest opinion without taking the THERMOMETER into that judgement.
I will try to find a KNIFE set from them even though I do not need one just to judge them for myself. Like I stated before I use Wusthof knives and they are not cheap and I know a cheap knife when I see one.
So my conclusion is that these are QUALITY POTS and PANS and the CUTLERY is of HIGH QUALITY also. One thing that is not of quality is the tactics used to sell these products.
Thanks
August 15th, 2006 at 11:57 am
Just got this BMW and german-dutch guy down to Geneva Switzerland trying to sell those, same price as website first. Exhibition reasons. At least he can buy fuel to have a trip around Europe :)
August 20th, 2006 at 9:24 am
August 19 06
They are in somerset, young man grey BMW - have car reg-said the same story as before .Did think we were getting Quality pans / knives.Husbard and friend Got talked into 2 sets of pans and 3 sets of knives.Put name in google and found your page!!! Have taken time to read all posted and yes can see
we have be taken for a ride!! used pans last night and am pleased with them.
Time will tell .Will not be putting in dishwasher just in case!! Dont like the tactics used to sell them £50.00 for 24p knives set and £175.00 for 12p pan set
Just hope my Husband does not ask me to pay for them as I told him NO!! AT THE TIME
August 23rd, 2006 at 12:56 pm
In a small village nearby Antwerp,the same old story!
It happened to me 7 years ago,dutch man in mercedes in a small lane when I was walking my dog.he opened his trunk and tried to convince me but I do not buy from strange men in a side-way!!
But now my father-in law did. :)))
He was approached while he was working in the garden and he bought the set of pans for 100 euro and the knives for 30 euro and he gave it to us as a present,real proud of his bargain,poor daddy!!!
The “salesman” offered them at the price of 300 euro.
Now my question is ,when it appears to be made in China and seems to be cheap steal is it healthy to cook in them??
Nobody seems to ask this question.
from studies appeared that some materials are not healthy even the ones you known as official dealers like Tefal pans.
Most of the people use this pans because they do not stick easily but if you should know in which chemical materials are food is baking in ,we eat it and what on the long term????
from where comes this steal,they used it for what??
Some time ago here in Belgium was a kind of trend of these special vases to put in your garden,you find them in different sizes and then it seemed that they had a kind of pollution,radiation,the material they were made in.
we people can be so easily fooled if you only read this page not talking about all the others who did not find this site so….when money is involved ,one do not think of people’s health…only of gaining money.
The most healthy pans are described in a book of Harvey and Marylin Diamond
Anyway it is about the scam here ….but even it is a fraude then I hope the pots are safe for everybodies health !!!
thank you for taking time to read my statement!!!
sorry for my english!
August 24th, 2006 at 3:09 pm
The stories above are so familiar. We stopped at a gasstation near Osnabruck Germany when a Dutch man from about 60 years old approached us with a set of knives from Berghaus. We bought it for 140 euro’s.At first, he was sweetening our sons, who are Footballfans, with a card from an Ajax-footballplayer and started his story, had been at te exibition in Bremen and was called away to Switserland for another exibition and didn’t want to take the set with him, because he would have to pay tax at the border, so for a small price, normally 865 euro’s as written on the flyer he gave with it from Berghaus, we could have it for 140 euro’s, could not lower his price, etc, etc The man was driving a light blue Honda, dutch licenseplate, unfortunately we didn’t get the number, actualy we were joking about it on the way home…..between real and fake!!!! How little did we know.
We can only hope, that the knives work very good, after all we paid enough for them.
August 24th, 2006 at 5:42 pm
In france, it happens too!! Just today a dutch man came to me and told me he had to sell everything before taking his flight in Lyon! The knives and others things were looking good quality and he proposed 80% free!! the products are from CARL WEILL company which doesn’t exists!! There’s a lot of comments on the bad quality of these products (rust). I went to the police and to my bank to stop my cheque.
I think these “companies” CARL WEILL and BERGHAUS are the same bad guys!!
P.S:sorry for my english.
August 28th, 2006 at 5:17 pm
I just bought an unused set in a case at a car boot sale for £15.00 (about €20) and, thinking they might be a bit suspect, checked the internet. All I can say is I think they look fine for £15.00 but I’ll see how long they last!
August 30th, 2006 at 9:25 am
well my entire family got taken for a ride by a guy calling himself Tony.We met him on the ferry on the way back from france. My dad was very kind to him, gave him names of all the hotels and shops on the island. the following day he flagged us down in the car ,said he was catching the ferry back and said he had some stuff to get rid of .I was looking for some new pots anyway. unfortunately we did not barter with him and have obviously paid through the nose for this. the knives are crap . I have yet to use the pans! I would not mind except for the fact that we took him for a coffee and helped him out no end. I still find it difficult to believe that he could look me and my two young children in the eye and lye so genuinely. if you ever read this Tony (or whatever your real name is) what goes around comes around!!!!
September 24th, 2006 at 12:45 pm
On 23.9.06 a Dutch man called Micheal came 2 my door saying he was flying bak home (Holland) and that the products were 2 heavy 2 take bak with him.would i be interested in buying his products he offered me £500 4 the lot 6 knive sets , 2 Cutlary sets and 2 Sausepan sets as well. He offered 2 drive me 2 the bank 4 £500 because i didn’t have cash but i had a appointment.I paid by cheque and he said not 2 put a name down and then he left.
That night i phoned my friend and told her wat i bought.she said that i was stupied and immediately searched the web 2 discover the scam.I immediately cancelled my cheque so lets wait and c if he gets back 2 me.
September 24th, 2006 at 2:24 pm
I have the set of knives from Berghaus. I do not know if they are real or fake, but…they are wounderful!!!I paid them 59 euros through e-bay… YES I have these knives too also from ebay. they are fANtastic. i beleive they are authentic. the steel is hardened folded and stays sharp throught abuse.
September 24th, 2006 at 8:19 pm
Bought of Dutch guys last Christmas 2005, knew at the time it was a con, so managed to get them for practically nothing (compared to what he wanted). Same old story- exhibition and cannot get through customs. Said he was a big friend of Van Nistelroy the footballer and regularly stays at his penthouse ha ha. Have been using them since and I have no complaints. Probably would buy again. Just the utter crap that the guy came out with.
September 25th, 2006 at 5:50 pm
I Bought a set of Knives, steak knives & forks + case £4:00 not bad for fakes. Not used yet but they look good
September 27th, 2006 at 1:23 pm
A guy called “Toni” was introduced to my girlfriend yesterday by a colegue from her office. We thought it was a good deal so I offer to one of my coleages in my office to buy him one set of knifes ( for 50 euros).
Toni kindly offer to come to my office and bring that knifes with him. Supposedly he was leaving Madrid today ( 27th September 2006) so he want to get rid of all the material that you can see in the webpage at high prices.
This guy was on a Ford full of packages and lots of people bought knives, and other things ( cockware and flatware 100 euros each ). Just after buying we discover the fake. Everybody seems to feel a bit stupid for the purchase, and imho is the only negative thing about it. At least the knives seems to be worth the money, but time will see.
September 27th, 2006 at 4:34 pm
All the people who cancelled the checks…..what happened next?
Has anybody return to collect the pans and knifes, and anyone contact them to say the check was being cancelled ???
October 3rd, 2006 at 4:58 pm
I have talked to someone who knows all about this equipment. He is a sales manager with an international brand of reputable cookware. He looked at the China production site of this cookware with a view to importing it into the EU and just walked away shaking his head. The cookware seems a heavy bottom pan, indicating it is a proper sandwich of metals to give even heat conduction. I was told that should I saw through one of these pans I would find that it was a sandwich not of metals, but a slab of concrete. Not the world’s best conductor of heat. I got scammed by the Dutch man working the North West of England in late September 2006. The knife set is probably worth about £50 and the pan set £50. It’s very cheap stainless steel and there is no way of knowing what the true nickel and chrome content of the steel is without a proper examination.
I am told the firm was originally Italian, but faced with huge death duties when the owner died, the family just sold the name into Chinese production.
October 4th, 2006 at 1:38 pm
My mother in law got conned this morning.. Switzerland.. Same story, dutch guy needing to offload as he has to catch a flight back to Holland. I was with her at the time and didn’t think to look up the company on the net until he had already left and and had scammed her out of 1300.00 CHF for 3 set of pots, 5 sets of knives and a cutlery set (they were going to give them away as gifts). Showed my mother in law the comments on the net and now she feels so foolish. It makes me so angry that these guys are getting away with this.. is there nothing we can do about it?
October 18th, 2006 at 4:14 pm
Con fecha 17 de octubre-06 un tal Tony (alemán) está vendiendo en Madrid la supuesta marca Berghaus de cuchillos a 60 €, la bateria de cocina a 120 €, el maletín con cuchillos a 80 €, la cuberteria de 72 piezas a 100€. Lo hace en oficinas y al contado.
Va en una furgoneta alquilada de color blanco. Utiliza el mismo argumento de que tiene que volver mañana al aeropuerto y por eso lo vende a bajo precio.
En la oficina donde trabajo ha vendido bastantes sets.
November 5th, 2006 at 8:48 am
Hi,
I had the same ‘famous’ - and by now very rich I guess - Dutch sales man on 4 NOV 06, in my village close to Brussels. He did his usual sales pitch, told me he was flying from Brussels, and couldn’t take the knives on the plane. He came from a succesfull kitchen-fair, and had 2 sets left. So I first buy some time, go on the internet, and search for Berghaus… and recognise the set. I paid only VAT… & the guy generated a invoice (w/o number I noticed later). If the knives are fake, they look good… didn’t use them yet so can’t judge… and I definitely would like to get the guy caught by some officials for cheating on people. I have his car number plate. Let me know if it can help putting the case together.
B
November 6th, 2006 at 11:20 am
Hi,
Similar scam, my boyfriend was approached (North Cumbria) on our building site! we are in a very rural location and it was very evident the property he was calling at was not even lived in. The merc was a foreign plate and the guys claimed to be flying back that day, does make you wonder how they got the car onboard!
The worrying thing for my partner was that when he said he only had £25 on him and did not want to buy the guys partner got out of the car and he was very well built (thankfully so is my partner) He said ‘you are being awkward, you buy now’ my partner said ‘I think you better leave’ and thankfully they did. It did concern us that people like that were operating in the area and could be very intimidating towards more frail people. Why they chose such a rural location baffled us too, it is not a very wealthy area and people are thin on the ground.
November 7th, 2006 at 1:30 pm
Working on building sites, I see these types of guys all the time. The story is always similar and they are uaually driving an expensive car. I always assume what they are selling is fake but I offered the Dutch guy £20 for the knives ‘take it or leave it’. He took it and I’m happy that I couldn’t buy a set of 24 knives for any less. I know it’s a very old cliche but if it looks too good to be true it probably is. Don’t offer these people any more money than you would be prepared to pay at your local car boot sale.
November 7th, 2006 at 4:37 pm
I have just looked on the internet to see how good my new “cheap” pans are really worth and now feel absolutely such a fool.
I was parked in Belgium at Lo Renige on my way back top the ferry at Zeebrugge when a guy came with the same story as above, but he claimed to be German. He was driving a BMW with German registration plates.
I had heard of the scam about wanting to sell goods after a trade fair at bargain prices and still fell for it.
November 8th, 2006 at 12:35 pm
Have just found this site as I was looking to replace some teaspoons from the cutlery set. Some chap came to our workplace 18 months ago. Our chef thought the knives looked good so I bought a set. Everything seems good quality - unfortunately I didn’t haggle - what a shame! But I would still like some more teaspoons!!?
November 15th, 2006 at 11:29 pm
Oh poo, what a downer
I have just taken over a bar/restaurant and found a briefcase full of brand new knives from this company, looked nice, the are called the Royale range.. oh yes, the one with the gold on them lol.
Went through the literature inside and the retail value was over £800 uk… now, seeing as i will not be selling food from my new business, and rarely hold dinner parties i though.. oo, wiked.. ebay here i come.. GUTTED.. thought i would get some quick bucks n have a nice winter holiday.. ho hum.. never mind.. anyone on here wanna buy a set?
As someone said before.. pleaaase people, if someone approaches you and tries to sell you something from the back of a car or offers anything for sale at a ridiculously low price, then be suspicious. but then again, if you get it cheap enough and it lasts a few months whatever it is then dont complain. you had a bargain!!
November 19th, 2006 at 11:21 pm
I’m located in Canada. There’s a guy (he’s not Dutch) selling Carl Weill (http://www.carlweill.com/) pots and knives at ridiculously low prices…around 10% of list. The list prices for these pots and pans are about the same as for the Berghaus. Is this the same scam? Anyone ever heard of Carl Weill (they’re supposedly a German company.)
November 29th, 2006 at 11:26 am
29.11.06.
In the UK-county of Suffolk. Name of caller Albert. Dutch, flash looking 4 wheel drive car left hand drive-smart suit - can’t take knifes on ferry after exhibition. Left card with contact numbers and address. They have been in the area before. I didn’t buy anything.
December 5th, 2006 at 3:53 am
I also see the Carl Weill pots and Pans and Knives floating around in Toronto Canada …A few of my friends purchased a Couple of sets …I too would like to know if Berghaus and Carl weill are one and the same Products …My friends will cry and Ill laugh at there misfortune …They did look real good
December 9th, 2006 at 10:31 pm
I found the following list of fake brands while doing a little research before bidding on ebay for a Berghaus set. I’m happy I checked first…
GI Solingen, Maybach by Imhoff, Berghaus, Rosenbaum, Palas Solingen, Schulzhof, Solingen Professionel, Devonport, Ginsu, “Classic Exclusive” Solingen, Müller Kochtopfhaus, Hoffmann, BERMAN & BENZ, B&B Solingen, Breitenbach Solingen, Prima Solingen, SBS Bestecke Solingen, Profiline, Bergmann International Solingen, Titanium II, P.O.K. Typ Exklusiv Line, Golden King 18/10, Schäfer S.G., Fischer, Gourmet Royal Kochmesser, SOL knife (knives), Carl Weill Solingen, W.S.M. München, Pearl of Kitchen, HoffBerg, Hoffman/Solingen, Offenbach, BTS Bischofs Solingen, Bachmayr, GI Design, Fischer, Röslein, Profiline Solingen, K.B. S.G. International, Genuine Bravo, Rozenberg
January 22nd, 2007 at 12:33 pm
Geneva Switzerland, 11 August 2006
Much the same story. The set of pots & pans claimed to be Carl Weill Cookware (12 piece) set, recommended retail price (from website): CHF 2295, supplied to me for CHF350, while
the knifeset claimed to be Kochtopfhaus Müller, recommended retail price (brochure with set): CHF1100, supplied to me for CHF50.
Name of vendor written down by him on card: Heintje Haralt Pieters of ‘Leeman’; Company name printed on other side of card: General Vertreter Bestecke, Messerset & Kochtöpfe Küchenbedarf GmbH + other details
The cookware at least seems to be of good quality, if not the real thing. A scan of the stories on this site suggests that ‘Jacob’ (how many ‘Jacobs’ are there?) has been selling his gear around the world now at least for the past three years and is still at work. Thanks to Rob Bevan for fostering this revealing exchange! I look forward to further developments.
January 27th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
I bought a set of BERKENDORF pans in a retail shop in Malmesbury yesterday for £75, which seemed reasonable. As I could not understand the English in the brochure, and found the French different, I went on to the web and found you. Oh dear! The shop also had the knife-set (£60) and I think this must be the same scam, but I didn’t realise it because I bought it from a reputable shop. Do you think there are different products, some real and some fake? The ones I have bought do SEEM to be good quality. They have the thermometer on the lids as mentioned by some of yoou contributers, but again no contact details. I rang the Berkendorf number in Germany, supplied by one of your writers; no reply, but it IS Saturday. Look forward to your comments. J
February 1st, 2007 at 6:44 pm
We’ve had same story in Hungary! The guy was Turkish (called Mustafa) :-)! My father too old, that’s why the guy coluld to sell him 3 sets pans & 3 sets knives, (my father payd for all Euro 1200) I’m afraide my parents from same story in the future ! Do somebody know something about quality? May I do something opposit of man, like “Mustafa”? Thank’s, and I look forward to your comments!
February 17th, 2007 at 1:13 am
Dutchman here in Geneva Switzerland in a 730d. Same story as above, more or less. I paid 550 francs for 2 12 piece pots and pans. 200 Euros for the 72 piece set. Watch out !!
February 21st, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Oh well… here in Spain there’s a Savings Bank offering the knife set as a present… And this kind of stories are going on here on a daily basis, doesn’t matter wether knifes, leather or whatever. So take it easy…
February 27th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
My expertise with knifes are somewhat limited, but there’s one thing I’m good at and that’s sharpening them. I can do this with good knifes to the point where they slice through paper without any problems. I have a friend who recently got a hold of a set of Carl Weill knifes and the sharpening steel also included in the suitcase were getting marks on it, that was the first sign of bad quality, a decent sharpening steel doesn’t get marks on it. I can usually see some kind of improvemnet on the knifes i sharpen after a little while, here there were little if any at all and it didn’t feel or sound right either. In my own collection of knifes I have one I hardly ever use because I consider it mediocre and the Carl Weill knifes is at best just that - mediocre.
February 27th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
They are about in Rojales on the Costa Blanca… usual story.
The pots look worth what one can haggle down to, and he’ll throw in a 72-pc set of cutlery if you seem reluctant.
I wouldn’t buy any kitchen knives from ‘unknown’ makers, as they are a really ‘hi-tech’ product… pots and pans are probably OK, at the right price!
It’s the BS sales patter which irritates me slightly…treating me as if they think I’m an eejit!
March 5th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
Trust me - Berghaus pans and knives are a scam. They feel heavy because there is a layer of concrete in the base. They are made in China and I have a friend who works for one of the world’s leading cookware company’s who was offered an agency and was appalled when he saw how they are made. He was in the Chinese factory and saw it. The Dutch travelling salesman is very clever, but the products are rubbish. Low grade steel. And remember that scammers post positive notices on doubting websites.
March 9th, 2007 at 11:09 pm
hi to everyone who was ribbed off.I am from spain and the same dutchman sold me Berghaus knives for 70 euros.I was told that they cost 700 but because he was in a busy ,coming back from the valencia fair ,and going to the airport he would make the big discount.the knive are crab -rubbish.so he now in spain ,be carefull spanish people do not buy them or any of the stuff sold by him.he is 45 very well dressed and with brand new passat so if you see him could you punch him in the face from me thank you ,gracias
March 10th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
My husband bought pans and knives and cutlery set December 2006, I must say that I am very pleased with them. I was a saucepan lid missing and after contacting them (by fax ) I received another in the post. The price paid was very fair for the goods received, on the down side I have noticed the thermostats have all broken, but I will contact them again and ask for replacements.
March 14th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
to dutch guys asked me and my friend if we want to buy some knifes from berkendorf. My friend slapped him in the face and said that he could put the knifes up in his ass. In the night we took some drugs and went for a little trip. suddently we passed the dutch car from earlier. Then we smashed a window in the car and took all their shit include their close and other of their personal stuff. it was very funny
March 18th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
Hi
I have had mine from the Dutchman for two years and they work great just recently two of the thremos stats have gone abit funny, mind you I stick them in the dish washer . I was looking for there web site when I found you I am amazed. I also bought two sets of knives. Gave them as wedding presents, leaving the price tag on of course. I am the best guy in the world
March 20th, 2007 at 8:56 pm
Hi,
I am from Lithuania, from Kaunas city. It is happening here as well.
Today my father bought “Bachmayr Solingen” pots and knifes. He paid 300 euros… These thing are obviously fake, but he didn’t understand that on time.
Here is the story: the nicely dressed germans with a very good Mercedes which had german plates, started to talk with my father at the parking lot, and told him the story that they are going from the exhibition in Vilnius back to Germany. They told that they have sets of pots and knifes worth 2500 euros, but they can not take these things through the customs, for this reason they are willing to sell these things for such a low price..
As the pots and knifes looked nice to my father he bought it and paid in cash..
I am so upset that it happened. Such robbers must be stopped somehow!
Maybe somebody have any ideas how to do this?
March 30th, 2007 at 5:15 pm
I think the Airlines may be onto Him/Them.
My Son just came home with the “Briefcase” set of 24 Knives. The “oddball” approached him at work (He’s in the Catering Trade), offering the Knife Set for £80. My Son looked at him & laughed (Bless Him, He’s 6-4 18stone), then he blocked the doorway. The “oddball” then went into a state of panic, started sweating, & asked for a seat. My Son then, very gently of course, assisted him from the premisses. Unfortunately, the “oddball” left behind the knife set.
He tried to get back in to collect it, got abusive when this was not going to happen. About 5 mins later, another member of my Son’s staff. told him that the “oddball” was still outside, & was in need of a glass of water. My Son took a drink out for him, with what can only be described as a hidden meaning,
the drink, RED BULL! it gives you wings, so now you dont have to worry about not being allowed on the plane HOME. GET LOST. HE DID!!!!!
Knives are not the best quality for home kitchen, but HECK!, whats it matter, they’re a FREEBIE,,,,, I really DO LOVE that Son of mine, aint He something.
Be careful out there Folks.
April 1st, 2007 at 2:22 pm
IN AUGUST OF 2005 I PURCHASED THE 12 PIECE COOKWARE SET FROM A DOOR TO DOOR SALEMAN.I GOT MY LIFETIME WARRENTY CARD BOOKLETS,ETC… BUT NOW ALL MY SAUCEPANS LIDS THE ONES WITH TEMPERTURE GAUGES, THE TOP HANDLES HAVE ALL BROKEN OFF. SO HOW DOES ONE GO ABOUT GETTING THEM REPLACED IF THEY ARE A LIFETIME WARRENTY PRODUCT? I HAVE NO PHONE# NO ADDRESS JUST GOT ON THE WEB AND PUNCHED IN BERGHAUS AND CAME UP WITH THIS WEB SITE.COULD SOMEONE HELP WITH GETTING THE LIDS REPLACED OR NOT? I REALLY DO LIKE THE COOKWARE SET FOR WHAT I PAID FOR IT’S GREAT. THANKS, DIANNA
April 3rd, 2007 at 11:33 am
Today he’s in Mataro (Spain) near Barcelona.
Just the same history as ever.
But 30 € for the knives set…. I don’t feel scamed at all!!!!
April 6th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Hello,
this scam came to Italy too.
We were defrauded twice before discovering the truth. :((
I think the most important fact is that there is no “MADE IN….” neither on the pans, nor on the package. This means: the pans are imported illegally. So the most probable thing is that the steel is not complying to the EU requirements (therefore, it’s not healthy cooking in it).
So I didn’t use the pans and advised a Consumer’s Association.
April 10th, 2007 at 8:28 am
same story only pan set called “rosenbaum” i bought the pans and knives for £80 about ten years ago. i never use the knives but the pots are used every day, so far one lid has broken and the end of one handle. this was the best con i have been involved in- the frying pan has been worth the money alone.it is really heavy and does not require oil plus i have just installed an induction hob and they work brilliantly on that. if you come across this “deal” just make sure you pay what you think is fair do not listen to the story and you could have a good set of pans at a bargain price.
April 19th, 2007 at 11:28 am
Same Dutch guy in Cambrils, Costa Daurada, Spain today - same story coming back from Valencia fayre a few pots and pans left - good value - quick reduction etc.
Driving a Land Rover Discovery German plates.
April 19th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
A young Dutch sounding bluey eyed chap in a shinny mercedes with Dutch license plates. approached my neighbour who bought the knives. This was around Tarragona in the Costa Dorada in Spain. My neighbor came and asked me if I was interested. I went into the house and was quick enough to google this page but not need the contacts. He said the simple set retailed for EUR 700 but that I could have them for EUR 100. I didn’t buy but reading this I don’t know if I did right or not.
It certainly looks like very agressive sales techniques but they must sell a lot.
April 23rd, 2007 at 1:34 pm
Have just bought the knives for cash in Cambridge area and then found this website. I feel gutted as was genuinely shopping for a good set of knives as a present for my brother.
Is there any way of getting money back if I’ve paid cash?
April 24th, 2007 at 2:42 pm
I was scammed 5 minutes ago in my office on the Costa del Sol. The Dutch salesman was “on his way from an exhibition in Almeria en route to Malaga airport” etc. Luckily I only bought the pans - I paid 100 euros, so it could have been worse.
May 2nd, 2007 at 3:15 pm
My husband has just come home with the knives. He was stopped in the street in Nueva Andalucia, near Marbella. and paid 50 euros. They seem OK on the face of it. The steel sharpens our other knives at least. The case itself must be worth something. However, I knew for a start it was a scam when he came in with them!
May 9th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
This little game has spread to France!! My husband was at our home in The Lot in February when a dutchman arrived on the doorstep.
We incidentally have a driveway which runs almost 2 km through woods so how anyone was just passing defeats us but there you go!
After telephoning me in the UK, my husband bought the saucepan set and the knife set for 180 euros which considering the quality we thought was excellent value regardless of their source.
May 14th, 2007 at 10:57 pm
Hahahahahahaha, I also bought the pans here in Gava Mar Spain.
Well actually they do not look so bad……..
But I am also a sales man so I got very angry when I realized about the scam.
May 15th, 2007 at 8:47 pm
Same exact story as above…charming dutch man, wandering the southwestern French countryside…said that the local restaurant had just pruchased 3 sets. We were duped (admittedly our problem, no local internet connection and we gave cash!)
Want to know where to go from here…the metal is not “stainless” and is showing signs of wear after just 3 weeks.
Would like recommendation of where to go to warn of unfair practices (and unwise temptation) in France.
Amazing that this has been going on for 3 years!!!?
May 16th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
I wonder if this way of trading is illegal or not. What if they have trading licenses? What can they be blamed for? Can we blame that they sell fake goods? and how can we give evidence for that? Can we ourselves be blamed for buying goods of unclear source? Will the police be responsible for this?
And finally, can we prove that we bought their products, if they insist they never sold to us?
May 21st, 2007 at 12:09 pm
And now they are in Switzerland!!!
With the same and old story, end of an exhibition, can’t pass border… so if anyone is reading this, be warned, a man in last generation Peugeot with german plates car stopped at my work this morning. To be honest I havn’t tried the pan set of cooking yet. I purchased 2 of the 12 piece cookware set.
May 24th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
I brought some knifes in my local pub (leicester) a guy came in he started at £135 for the set i got him down to £20 big difference!!! they are wicked knifes could not get a set for any where near that price fake or not im very happy with them.
May 28th, 2007 at 11:18 am
i’vew just bought the full knifeset (unused) and case for £4 at a car boot sale this morning and genuinely think that they are worth the money i’ve spent
May 30th, 2007 at 11:56 am
Hey, they’re in Cartagena (Spain) just right now. We bought knifes set, cooking set. 100€ each
I don’t know if all of this its true, the guy called himself Leonard “leon” and he came with a Mercedes ML500 (new model) black and he told us the same history as above, couldn’t take the plane with knifes and blablabla…, I have to admit that I believed all the history :S But the material looks really nice.
Sorry for my english
June 1st, 2007 at 12:29 pm
HE WAS IN CLAPHAM SW11 on the northcote road… yesterday… londoners beware.
however if you haggle well you can get the 24 piece knife set for £20 and i dont think that is a bad deal !
June 1st, 2007 at 3:42 pm
we have just had a visitor, he’s back in France!
June 1st, 2007 at 3:47 pm
they were today in Tallinn, Estonia!!!
June 4th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
To all the people who have bought these pans and knives in 2004 and 2005, can you give soom feedback of how they wear??
I bought mine last week.
June 9th, 2007 at 10:59 am
Hi, Yes he gets around. Marbella 2 days ago I got the set of Pans & knives for 100€ (60 quid) Same story used had to fly the next day etc.
I cant really complain for that price although I was hoping the products were as good as what they said they were.
Still, I would be tempted to stick them up his “marmite motorway” if I saw him again…but perhaps this would not be covered in his “guarantee”
June 12th, 2007 at 8:45 am
Geez, I can’t believe people are asking if these knives are real or fake… you just do not get the point: These brands are not real luxury brands, however the knives and pots are not fake, but the whole image of these pots being something very expensive is a made up story by the mysterious Dutch businessmen.
Berghasue’s whole business idea is based on producing and selling these knives by questionable methods described above.
They produce something cheap, them make up a story of the products being luxurious and well known, then try to sell them with best price.
June 15th, 2007 at 10:51 pm
Just returned from Spain. Had the same experience. Thanks for your website.
This is truly a learning experience. Never buy anything from a salesman on the street
June 17th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
O.K JUST BOUGHT 2 SETS FOR £45 IN LANCING-WEST-SUSSEX/U.K
June 18th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
Just bought a set of Berghaus knives inc case and 24 or so bits, nice knives, not sure if real or not, but got the whole lot for £20. He wasn’t very happy, but obviously needed them sold!!!! ha ha
June 18th, 2007 at 7:44 pm
i have read all the comments of the other people but i still want another one to buy because i bought some of them and they are very good. thanks
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:09 pm
I can’t believe this. I am scam-proof. Yet, last summer, while I was washing my car in Muri–a suburb of Bern, Switzerland–this nice young man in a nice car came by with this story about “returning from a trade show” and needing money for “gas and tolls” to get back to the Netherlands. Well, never mind. You all get it. I got the cookware and the knives for 250 Euro. (They are still in boxes but, in honor of all my fellow-scammed, we are using the steak knives tonight.) After reading these posts, it was worth it just for the sheer enjoyment of having been so completely scammed. What a world. :-)
June 24th, 2007 at 3:04 pm
I was looking for the web site for Rosenbaum solingen when I eventually logged on to this site.
I bought 3 sets of pans and 3 sets of kitchen knives and a canteen of cutlery from the Dutch man [same story line] about 5 years ago now.
Generally I have been really pleased with the pans…a handle has broken off recently and 2 of the thermometer knobs have got damaged in my kitchen drawers, which is the reason for searching the web to see if I could get replacements.
The kitchen knives are not brilliant the steel blades are too thick and I cannot get a sherp edge on them. I sold a set and gave a set to my mother in law…she hasn’t disowned me.
The cutlery I really love, it’s a shame I can’t get any more to add to the set.
So generally quite good value, but maybe should have only bought one of each set and resisted the Dutchman’s charm and phoney circumstance as I have ended up giving away a set of pans as a wedding present -[more than I normally would have spent on this person]-but hey you live and learn.
June 26th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
Southwest Fance,(Landes)
Just joined the club,German guy driveing a big Audi 4by4,
just on his way home from Madrid,and saying he couldnt take all his
stock back through customs which I knew wasnt right but I thought the pans looked alright for the100e I got him done to,when he had gone I then looked for the address and web site of berkendorf, then I new it was a con,well we live and learn,still they look good,I hope he
enjoys the100e.
June 29th, 2007 at 11:24 pm
same kind of story the guy came to my dads work in austraila where he was selling pans,m knives and cutley dad brought a set for his wife and then brought me a set for me to sell i how can’t get rid of the bloodly things so im going to rafle them for my rugby world cup tour
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:15 pm
Just paid a hundred euros for a set of those knifes… i assumed they were stolen rather than a con as the attention to detail on the case and product is good. Even the printed media is glossy and impressive. I checked it out the second i got home and wasn´t in the least big surprised to see it wasn´t on the level.
He then tried to concvince me to buy the remaining three sets he had and he would throw in a cookwear set worth 2.500 euros.
The guy was Dutch and driving a large expensive Merc. with strange undistinct plates. He came up to me at the Gas Station in Puerto Banus, Marbella, Spain.
Anyway they still look great and will make a suitable xmas gift for someone. Quite frankly i wouldnt call it a scam as the product is good and the case loos awesome. Next time you have a barbacue see how much credit you get from your friends when you unvedil that bad boy case.
i get ripped off by more mainstream companies everyday for more money so dont feel stupid, (
yet)
July 2nd, 2007 at 2:20 pm
Hes in France as well just came up to me and offered to buy my house in the french alps oh by the way did i want a set of knives.I didnt buy his knives or sell my house
July 3rd, 2007 at 4:30 pm
Got caught today in marbella for 2 sets!!! Going looking for him tommorrow and he wont be around here for much longer!!!!
July 7th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
Just bought a set of fantastic LOOKING knives, hey i have tried them and they work fine. Only paid £40. The nice looking briefcase must be worth that. Anyway, My mates have spent more money to have a laugh at someone elses than £40. So it’s probably worth the giggle for that price.
July 13th, 2007 at 11:06 am
Bought pans and knives from the Dutchman last year. Do not like the knives too heavy. Pans OK. Three lid handles broken still awaiting replacements after 4 months. watch this space.
July 13th, 2007 at 11:07 am
Bought pans and knives from the Dutchman last year. Do not like the knives too heavy. Pans OK. Three lid handles broken still awaiting replacements after 4 months. watch this space.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:13 pm
Just like to say we purchased the complete set of pots and pans and steamers complete with a beautiful set of knifes for 100euros yes 100euros.
Fantastic the best by ever, the guy that called here was German and he had full identification complete with bussiness card from Beghause and was driving a German car.
He gave us the goods there and then.
Last year a guy called and wanted around 800euros and we had to order, bit suspicious so I did not buy then.
I have now done some reasearch on these articles and several top reasturants in Toulouse use them and nothing else.
July 17th, 2007 at 10:25 am
my wife has just been scammed in sotogrande by a dutch guy on his way back from a kitchen show, same blagg as the others she paid 350 for the pans and the knives set . BEWARE
July 17th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
same story as Paul , being scammed in Sotogrande. Its a Dutchman with a Mercedes R , with Belgian plates. The nives are not sharp but the rest looks ok.
July 25th, 2007 at 11:23 am
Just had a german guy in a Audi coming to my boyfriends office in Estepona, Malaga. My b/friend called me and told me the same story as above. he asked 300 euros for set of pans and knives. I said I didnt have that money nor needed the knives (i need the pans) B/friend gets 200 euros for the lot. Finally, his brother is there as well and buys a set of knives and my b/friend the pans and knives. 300 euros in total. Luckily my they found this blog and other info after the guy left, so my man canceled the cheque! So basically the have two sets of knives and a set of pans for 100 euros. Really, even if they are crap you cant by a 12 piece set of pans for 33 euros. Funny enough last year a friend got me for my birthday a set of Berghaus knives which looked impressive but they are not good at all.
I am sure the guy will not come back for the money, but be careful not to pay more than 25 euros for the set!!!
: )
July 30th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
A Dutch man came to this mountain village say!inghe had just worked in a grandpalace in Zurich. Had to go home but didn’t want hastle of border duties for last three cases of cookware and cutlery.
What I would like to know is if the cooking ware (pots and pans) are of stainless steel of good quality or made of aluminiium which is VERYdangerous for health. As the cie. doesn’t ‘exist’ how can I find out.
July 30th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
(revised version) A man saying he was Dutch ( although I doubt it because when I said I understood Dutch he said he preferred English) came to this swiss mountain resort say!ing he had worked in a palace Hotel in Zurich. He was going back to Holland and had two boxes of cookware and two boxes of cutlery for sale.
I bought the cook ware. I now want to know if they are really in stainless steel or if they are in aluminium which is VERY DANGEROUS for your health.
July 30th, 2007 at 5:14 pm
Good grief, me too. For 70Euros I got two sets of knives. Dutch bloke who spoke some english and couldn’t take them back through customs because of the tax. Really good knives etc. but hey, the cases are just great. The only loosers here are probably the tax authorities and the Chinese workers manufacturing this stuff for one dollar a day. Can’t be the same bloke as all the above so this is a massive international scam which has now arrived in northern France. Just weird to find this link two hours later but one is not going to look at this beforehand……
August 1st, 2007 at 10:59 am
Isn´t this funny and irritating…? - The same story taking place here in Denmark.
Today a guy came to my door with the same story as above. Though this time it is called Carl Weill. I bought a set of knives and a set of pots, wrote him a cheque to the company and crossed it, which means that only people with authority from the company can withdraw the money.
He returned about half an hour later and wanted a new cheque because he couldn´t withdraw the money. - I refused to give him a new cheque, but told him that I would take back my cheque and he could have his goods again. - He wouldn´t take it back and left with a cheque he can´t withdraw.
To me, this is not a matter of whether the items are worth the money or not, to me it is a matter of false pretences.
August 8th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
The same old scam seems to be going round again. Its in Gloucester at the moment, but this time the fake/cheap knives are Kaiserbach brand, which as far as I can tell are not a genuine/reputable/real cutlery manufacturer and are available on ebay for a fraction of the price the seller claims they are worth. Naturally they have a glossy (though slightly cheap looking) brochure to back up claims of “the RRP is £999″.
Same methods - Foreigners with foreign car, recently attended a trade fair, selling for cash (they really dont like cheques) before going home etc etc. Will provide you with their ‘business card’ - naturally with no name on it, and probably printed from the local service station foyer. Dont expect a receipt.
Superficially the items look okay, but on closer inspection they will appear to be seconds or rejects.
Even their websites are shoddy:
www.kaiserbach.nl
www.spectra-oriental-group.com
And why would your business be called the Spectra ‘Oriental’ Group if the items are actually Dutch as purported? Oh, maybe its because theyre actually made in China.
This is from last year when the scam was going round up North:
http://www.solihull.gov.uk/wwwce/asps/article.asp?id=1433
August 15th, 2007 at 11:39 am
He’s moved onto Oxfordshire - now driving a big silver BMW with foreign plates selling the Kaiserbach Brand. Same story and produced names of some family friends to get our attention. Gave the pans and knives a good look and they appear okay, and couldn’t get them for the price we paid wholesale, so what the heck! Did give him a cheque which I am now cancelling. Shall see if he returns!!!!!
August 15th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
If he’s moving, then he’s very fast. I’ve bought this afternoon a set (Berghaus) from a Dutch person near Ghent in Belgium. He was riding in a Chrysler 300 with dutch plate. Same story as above.
August 16th, 2007 at 9:14 am
I brought a set of knifes of ebay for £10, time will tell if the knifes are any good.
August 28th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
Dutch guy in Chrysler tried me yesterday in Herford (Germany). Stuff looked reasonable but he would’nt accept 50 Euros for the pots, knives and cutlery so I guess someone else has them now. I’m scottish and tight - what can I say…
August 28th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Same story as above. I only had 20Euros and offered the guy alternative payment methods (if you know what I mean). He refused so I left with nothing.
August 28th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
Well, we are too late to check this web site, got scamed too.
It happened in Marbella, so I guess,those are all differenent salesmen, and it is the method this company uses to sell their cheap staff.
The guy showed us the heaviest pan, the heaviest knife etc, so it looked OK, of course, looking closer ,after, we’ ve seen how bad the rest was, but too late. I am not sure it is stainless steel at all, just look at handles, knobs etc.
I wonder if there is a legal way to pursue this company for pretending the goods are high quality products. And how dangerous can it be to use it?
Whoever saying on this site, that there are some French chefs only using those pans and knives, is certainly trying to create a false “good reputation” for this poor products.
We payed our mistake very expencive: 450 E for pans, 300 E for cutlery.
but even those who got it for only 50 pounds ( apparox.80 E) didn’t do any better just because, those pans are bad, compeared to even ordinary but real stainless steel pans from any supermarket.
August 30th, 2007 at 12:44 am
30 August 2007
WARNING - THIS SCAM ACTIVE IN HEREFORDSHIRE, UK
The same scam just perpetrated one of my relatives. Dutch salesman; different variation on the bullshit - this time claiming to be returning from the Royal Welsh Show on way back to Holland and offering at below cost price. The supposed manufacturer is KAISERBACH HOCHWERTIG EDELSTAHL. However, there is no manufacturers address or contact numbers on the glossy brochure or guarantee. We can find no official website listing for this company. Brochure prices from 989 Euro for 24 piece kitchen knives set to 1,475 Euro for cookware (£670 to £1,000 GBP). We have yet to discover any other info as only just checking it out and found this site; that it is worldwide scam and that all this stuff is for sale on E-bay in UK for £50 to £70!!! Is it still Polstar Trading? Useful info gratefully recieved.
September 2nd, 2007 at 6:39 pm
have just bought my knife and saucepan set from the dutchman for 200euro.paid by cheque.looked up internet and decided to cancel cheque.what a sweet deal to have these lovely sets for the cost of cancelling my cheque which is 5euro.wish i had bought more so if you see a dutchman driving a VW GOLF TDI WINE 07CW1734 PLEASE send him to me so i can scam him again ha ha ha ha
September 5th, 2007 at 9:11 am
Approached by Dutchman with Black Merc 4×4 in industrial estate in Velez Malaga spain. Usual story, been to trade show, cant take knives back to Holland by plane, paid 50 euros for a kitchen knife set in case. Luckily refused the full pan set he then pulled out. Now the truth, nice though it all looks, the steel is very poor, wont take an edge, and now is rusting in places on the knife edges and points. Would I buy more? NO. Later in week went to dinner with friends near Malaga and found they had bought loads of stuff, looks smart but not worth any money at all if you plan to use them for more than 6 months.
September 5th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
Same story from Malaga - bought set each of knives and pans from friend April 2007 who bought several from “class gent” who relayed same story, dutchman, mercedes, pamphlet with high RSP etc. Goods now 4 months old not wearing well but not disaster - interesting dinner topic and enjoying suitcases! Suspect this is a legal sales tactic and no redress in law. There is no free lunch…
September 12th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
so interesting reading all these stories. Today they really hit the German province! A friend of us was approached by an extremely well dressed and good looking man in a very smart BMW, German license plate starting with “WES” He asked for directions here in Clausthal-Zellerfeld, claiming his GPS did not work. He started some small talk after getting the directions. Then he told:” his father owns a big cutlery factory in Solingen and he has some sets of knives with him”.(in this case Carl Weill which is the same as Berghaus and comes from Holland) He did not want to take them back with him and made an offer you cannot refuse. Naive as our friend was, but good too that he did not have more than 50 Euros. Together with another friend they bought 2 sets for 110 Euros. Apperently an elder lady here in town was less lucky and bought a knife set for 600 Euros. That hurts! To be honest the suitcase and its content look very nice, the rest, only time will tell.
September 14th, 2007 at 3:43 am
some stuff did any 1 get their in a breif case? with a code lock 00000
September 19th, 2007 at 2:22 pm
I bought a set of these knives in a canvas roll-up holdall in a small ‘junk’ shop in Devizes (no longer there) a couple/three years ago for £25 and must say, when it comes to kitchen knives, they are excellent. Good quality, handle well and keep an edge. Only found this site ‘cos I looked for the ‘company’ once before and could only find the rucksack making Berghause, off sick and idle I tried again.
Mine came with a brochure claiming the 9 peice set cost £429 or 695 Euros.
I knew when I bought them it was all too good to be true but they looked good and for £25 . . . I am very glad I took the chance, they may not be worth £429 but are certainly worth a lot more than the £25 I paid!
October 16th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Working on a renovation in France, a Dutch guy turned up outside in a black BMW x5. offering us pans, knives & cutlery. The quality was exellent if Id had the money I would have bought the lot.
October 28th, 2007 at 6:23 pm
maybe you now somthing about men was drive black mercedes s class with munchen plates?
November 12th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Same story as above, the Dutch man is in Co.Cavan Ireland so watch out all. paid 300 euro for knives and sauspan set!
November 14th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
This suspicious Dutch person is now in Denmark, offering cheap goods apparently before going on the ferry. He came by car claiming that he had just sold some of his stuff to my neighbour. The sets of kitchenware that he demonstrated looked indeed impressive, but luckily I was able to say no to his offer. Beware of this kind of sales tactics!
November 26th, 2007 at 8:49 am
This guy has been in Buncrana ,Co Donegal in the last few weeks. The knives are being sold for 50 Euro. Not bad value.
November 28th, 2007 at 10:03 pm
Can’t believe my internet was down on the very day the flash Dutchman decided to call at my house! Thought to myself at the time I really should check this out before I part with my cash. But what the hell I needed some saucepans and knives, thought I was getting a deal for what seemed a good quality product. Having read this forum not sure they will stand the test of time though!! He’s doing the rounds in Chislehurst in Kent so beware!!! Told me the same old story about going back on the 5 o’clock Eurotunnel and couldn’t take them through. Paid £250 for knives and saucepans.
December 4th, 2007 at 2:22 pm
They are in Iceland now and the police is doing something about it!
December 12th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
FINLAND, scandinavia.
Business man-type dude drove into our contruction site..same story..
Going to norway, customs would tax him ..bla bla bla..
Driving a nice new chevy 4×4. car had Dutch licence plates.
He was asking 120E, guys offered 50E. he had nice brocures with price tags ETC..
hope it is is worth the 50 euros !
December 19th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
They are in Brussels. The same story as many previous. Too late unfortunately…
January 8th, 2008 at 1:25 am
Hi all! Now they are in Iceland again. This is fantastic. The guy came to my wife’s work and I happened to be there at the moment. And in the end we were three which bended over. We payed 3x 369€ for 3sets of 12pcs pots&pans. I love to be so stupid. I can’t stop laughing and I will laugh for all and every sent of this world wide jock. Sorry my English is worse than the Dutch guy.
I hope he was telling the truth about he was living the country.
January 16th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
POLAND
I thank all the people who presented their information here. I was just wandering whether I should buy a 24-piece set of the kitchen knives for a very attractive price (ca. 20% of a price declared at the real producer website). These knives are now offered at Polish Allegro - a Polish counterpart of the e_bay, but some 20 times bigger Polish internet trading webside (maybe the seller is not aware of the the fact they are not original).
January 20th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Purched a set of pan in 2005,Icannot fault them. Paid 100 pounds, a fair deal,people expect door to door salesmen to sell their products for nothing.Why??? Alastair. Western Isles Scotland
January 23rd, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Hi everyone i am from Malta and just today a dutch guy came into my work selling BERGHAUS 12 pieces pan set.He had alot of bullshit and planes leaving, showing of large sums of money and that money is nothing to him except that he did not want to take his stuff back with him. He wanted 200 euros but i gave him 155 Euros for it. I got the set and it looks nice and i think for what i got it, it was worth it. How they will cook right!!!!!!
Thanks
January 26th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Gold Coast. Queensland. Australia.
I love the whole set.
We have had them for about 4 years now and use them all the time.
I think I got a great deal.
We have lost one of the steak knives and want to replace it.
It was probably thrown out with the rubbish after one of our B-B-Q’s.
Where do I go to get it replaced?
Thank you
January 30th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
This happend to my dad in today here in sweden ha pay 1000 sek for every set, he bought three. one kife set one cutlery and one with saucepans. They look nice but we haven´t try them jet.
February 4th, 2008 at 12:25 am
A very slick Dutch man driving an SUV type vehicle pulled into my parents yard on Saturday 2nd February. They are in their early 70s. A younger neighbour was also in the yard and the Dutch guy asked if he was their son. Parents, neighbour and slick Dutchman went into the house and the Dutchman was very polite and asked could he smoke. My father smokes so he and the Dutchman had a companionable fag while looking at his wares.
The Dutchman came out with the same story - he had been at a Jamie Oliver exhibition in a hotel in Tullamore, had some stock left over and rather than bringing it back to Amsterdam his father had told him to sell it off. He told my parents his father owned the factory. My mother wasn’t very impressed with him but the father holds the purse strings, is a sucker for a bargain and ended up buying the following:
Carl Weill pots for 150 Euro
Carl Well cutlery for 150 Euro in a fancy (plastic) case
Carl Weill knives for 150 Euro in another fancy (plastic) case
Our neighbour bought some sets as well and even took the precaution of checking that the stuff was in the box as he has been scammed before! He’s giving a set to some friends as a wedding present.
They showed me the stuff when I called in to visit and I thought it was too good to be true. The pots seemed heavy, the cutlery looked nice but I thought the knives looked cheap. I tested the pots on the cooker - the thermometer on the lid did not show an accurate temperature, and the “safe grip” handles heated up and I needed oven gloves to handle the pot.
I wasn’t impressed with the brochures - I do some graphic work myself and could see that they were cobbled together in an amateur fashion - the “Carl Weill” logo didn’t look authentic at all. The price on the brochures seemed mad for the product - over 1000 Euro for each of the sets. There was no website on the brochure which set alarm bells ringing immediately. He didn’t leave a business card or contact details which also made me suspicious. And why was a Dutchman selling stuff apparently made in a German factory? If the stuff was that that good surely the Germans would be selling it themselves!
Having read this post, I am now worried that the pans are made from some cheap alloy and not stainless steel, and might be toxic. I am half tempted to saw through one in my father’s workshop next time I am visiting my parents to check out the concrete bottom but my father would be very upset if he thought he was scammed.
The moral of the story - if a slick Dutchman pulls into your yard and tries to sell you pots, cutlery or knives tell him to get lost but not before taking the make, model and registration number of his car and reporting him to the police.
February 9th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
There in the Noth West of England at the moment Manchester area. They actually know my mate and his dad cause theyve bought stuff off them the past 2 years. They sell in bulk to em but still feed em the same bullshit story. However they paid £30 for the 72 piece Iris cultery sets and £20 for a Chief knife sets. The quality does look really good ( compared to what you’d pay for in the shops). The only reason they do this is cause they then sell em on for a small profit. We bought a cultery set off em. Looks like its worth more than the £35 we paid for em but not the £780 stated on the leaflet. And £115 for the case it came in. What a load of tat. like I said though. £35 for a 72 piece cultery set. who would argue with that ( I might be on here in 6 months time complaining of rust!!).
February 18th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
I just bought a set of knifes for 40 euro and pots for 200 euro.I was at an auction thing at the weekend in dublin.The guy selling them was english,and really rude.He said that brown thomas were selling them for 800 euro.I thought I got a bargin till I saw this site.What should I do.I paid with laser so pursume I could track them down.Should I report this? OR are they worth 200 euro?Anyone else at the carlton hotel on sunday who bought these?
February 21st, 2008 at 12:33 pm
conil, cadiz, spain 22th feb 2008,
henk just turned up (cell 609692286) in a silver VW T5, dutch plates.
same story. sold me one set of post and the knives….looks great, but havent tried them yet. I was supicies from the start, but the product looked great - didnt buy more, because i didnt have more money. Would pobably never buy again, after reading all these posts…
March 12th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Torrevieja. Alicante, Spain 12 march 2008
yep same old bull shit story and iv fallen for it, if it wasnt for my brother in laws father who loves shite out the back of a van, i fell for the 1475€ price tag on the pans paid 200€ thankfully id bought knives similar in carrefour for 19.99€ but didnt click with the pans, cant tell the wife she’ll be more gutted than me,
didnt get his name old guy welldressed late 50’s in a blue fiat van. well done u robbin barstuward….
March 18th, 2008 at 11:07 am
They’re in inland Ireland now (Co.Cavan). Paul Walburg - Sales Manager turned up. Tanned, (since he’s just been to spain obviously!), Dutch, and full of it. Driving large silver vehicle. Usual story. Stopped him in his tracks as he’s the 3rd one to call in the last 12 months or so. Not doing any harm and not being agressive, but if they dropped the rubbish story I’d have considered taking a look at least. After YEARS on the web I’ve read / heard almost all the urban legends and spoof sales patters (sales man myself!). It winds me up immediately to hear it. Ah well, no harm done I suppose!
March 25th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Is it a scam?
March 30th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
My husband bought pans, knives and cutlery set a couple of years ago - same trader - same story. Like others - knives not much good, cutlery fine so far, but pan temperature gauge handles on the lids have broken. Can see little point in contacting the sellers!
Since our pan lids are now left with just a screw I tried to replace with small screw-on stainless steel door knobs, but the screw fixing in the UK is a different size.
Assume it’s the same size all over Europe - does anyone know if it’s different anywhere else?
March 31st, 2008 at 4:23 am
Most of the foregoing comments seem to be concerned with the sales approach and very few about value for money. On the west coast of Canada where I live there is no slick Dutchman catching a plane. The products are sold in a store at Unit 119 - 5589 Byrne Road, Burnaby, BC V5J 3J1 by I.T.F. Corporation. Their website, www.itfcorporation.com. This company is opening more stores in Western Canada. I talked to the owner, Gary Engel. His company offers a 30-day full money back guarantee on these Carl Weill products.The cutlery sets today are CAD100.00 and knife sets are CAD55.00. The cutlery sets are stamped 18/10 stainless steel. The classic design cutlery set was sold out today but I will buy one when more stock comes in two weeks unless someone posts that they were dissatisfied with this product.
March 31st, 2008 at 5:11 am
Hello Carl weill products are the best I have ever used for the price & guarantee you can’t beat it!March 31st, 2008 at 5:17 am
Hello,I went to the Carl Weill warehouse located on Byrne Road and found 2 guys there working. The older one being Gary and the younger one I forget his name and they explained the knife set to me and told me I could go home and try it for 30 days and if I didn’t like it I could bring it back NO QUESTIONS ASKED! Well took it home and tried it and have been loving it ever since. They are so relaxed in there I mean he told me what I need to know and went back to his desk and the best thing there was no HIGH PRESSURE selling.
I mean there were customers there watching tv while the wives were shopping lol. Best place I ever been at they make you feel at home. You have to check it out if your from B.C.
March 31st, 2008 at 6:00 am
I read the information about the Dutch sales man over there in europe and was kinda skeptical when I first seen the adfor the knife/cutlery/12pc cookware sets to buy but with such a good bargin I figured how can it hurt me? Now I was expecting a
run down warehouse but was I ever surprised!!!! I step in there and see about 10 ppl in there buying the products but the place was
unbelivable, I mean they got plasma tv on the wall, recliners to relax on and even a BAR! Now I must admit this was fantastic but I
came into the place for the products, so the one younger gentleman who asked if I needed any help told me the information about
all 3 of the products they carry and said if I needed anything just to ask him and he went and sat down beside some of the customers in
the recliners and started talking about the golf game on TV. This was so relaxed on me as I was not pressured and the prices for the products
for the Quality is unbelivable. Now he even told me when I purchased it if Im not fully satisfied I can return it within 30 days no questions asked.
Well I must say its been 3 months and Im loving all 3 now, I still drop in thou to see if they have any new styles and just to talk. So as I
see it don’t blame the product on the sales since that dutchman is an asshole. Plus they are the exclusive distributors for North America, in which they
will have stores fully opened in 2 months across Western Canada which the younger fellow controls, and in 2 years he will have over 25 locations across the
United States of America.
Good Luck m8 and Carl Weill products are the best!
Cheers! :D
March 31st, 2008 at 7:46 am
Please bear in mind that ‘positive’ comments on this page are likely to be bogus. For example, the last few comments were all posted by the same person from the same IP address. Leaving these in as examples of testimonials you can ignore.
March 31st, 2008 at 8:29 am
your website is bogus since you discourge positive comments on the website and after reviewing your page and having me & fellow customers that I have met in the ITF store post on this website your total blog is BULL FUCKEN SHIT JUST LIKE YOURSELF SINCE YOU DONT WANT ANYONE TO KNOW THE TRUTH AND THE STORE TOLD US ABOUT THIS WEBSITE AND WE POSTED OURSELFS TO SEE IF ITS TRUE AND USED DIFFERENT IP ADDRESSES SO HOW CAN YOU SAY ITS FROM THE SAME ONE????? YOUR A FUCKEN LOSER WHO CANT HANDLE THE TRUTH AND MUST DISCOURGE EVERYONE AND MAKE NEGITIVE COMMENTS I MEAN WE ARE NOT EVEN TALKING ABOUT THE DUTCHMAN ANYMORE BUT A REAL STORE THAT IS THE ACTUAL DISTRIBUTOR FOR CARL WEILL PRODUCTS IN NORTH AMERICA!!! Well since these guys are sooo nice to us and all you do is make BULLSHIT ON UR SITE!!! Be prepared for YOURSITE TO GET KNOCKED DOWN!!! DONT BELEAVE US??? TRY AND DELETE THIS POST AND YOU WILL SEE YOU DICKWARD!!! THE INTERNET AND BLOGS ARE FREE OPIONIONS AND FOR YOU TO COVER IT UP LIKE THIS IS TRULY DISGUSTING!!!
March 31st, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Carl WEill rules!
March 31st, 2008 at 9:16 pm
These are the best bumberclut pans I have used! BLAP BLAP one up for Carl Weill!!!
April 1st, 2008 at 3:22 am
To Rob Bevan: Please remove the lines through my previous posting. I did not leave a positive comment, I asked for information from other readers who may have used the cutlery set that I am interested in purchasing.
I am a senior citizen and do not understand how IP addresses work but my son tells me that one IP address covers a general area. Since there is only one store it would make sense to me that any comments about this Burnaby store would come from this same general area. I do not know the others who posted after me. I am an honest man and I am disconcerted that you would call my comments, “bogus.” And I am still looking for information. There are a number of postings above about the pots and the knives but only one about the cutlery. To anyone who has used the Carl Weill cutlery, please, is it value for the money?
April 2nd, 2008 at 6:47 am
I am the Carl Weill dealer for British Columbia that everyone is giving comments about. I don’t take to kindly to people swearing on this gentleman’s site and saying Rude comments. I am not worried about any negitive comments about Carl Weill products. Anyone who has the product I can guarantee you that there satisfied who purchased it from I.T.F. Corporation. I give a 100% money back guarantee and our policy is guarantee customer satisfaction. So anyone who wants to post negitive comments go ahead and do so its what you feel and you have your right and I would like to see if there is any so I can correct the problem to the best of my ability. Any postive comments if he wishes not to post them so be it since it is his website. All I can say is come in and see us and if your not happy with our service or products I will try my best to make you happy. I do not ever pressure anyone to buy something. Buy it…Try it…Bring it back if your not happy! Anyhow please don’t be rude to this gentleman he has his right to free opinion. And if your a customer who likes our service & product not to worry about this website. I’M NOT WORRIED. Take care all!…..
April 3rd, 2008 at 6:42 am
Once again BERGHAUS!. A dutch man, same story, is in the district of REGGIO EMILIA already some weeks. different persons saw him with BMW X5, Mercedes, Audi A6 with foreign car plates (never saw such kind). BE CAREFUL!!!
April 12th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Well chaps, i have just purchased a set of Berman knifes at an air ambulance charity auction for £80 and they seem like quality for the price, so perhaps for once the money was well spent and has gone to a very good cause.
Regards Sharon from Warwick England.
April 15th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
|n cork southern ireland NOW!!!!!!!!!!!last sat was almost caught but he was full of bull including the fact that he didnt bring his bentley as the irish roads ar nt sutable so he had to make do with bmw X5..he mentioned his gucci shoes and rolex watch in passing….also his dad owned aga company..theres one born every day….
April 17th, 2008 at 10:42 am
dutch guy nice car all the same, lucky my son looked them up. scam now in south of france
May 4th, 2008 at 8:33 am
I can confirm that they are in the South of France. On Friday 2 May, a Dutch chap came into my parking and told me that some Russian clients had let him down after paying a hefty deposit, and was I interested to take some knives and pots off his hands very cheaply, as he was on his way back to Switzerland (he was driving an expensive ZUG-registered car).
My normal Scottish caution deserted me, as well as my golden rule that when something seems to good to be true it normally is, and I bought a set of each for a total of €350.00. It was not until my wife looked up the product on this site that I realised that I had been had. All I can say in my defence is that it is a very professional scam (at first sight, anyway). On the other hand, now that I have the pots, can anyone tell me if they are useable e.g. for a holiday flat?
May 22nd, 2008 at 8:58 am
yeah … the feckers are in Ireland now, but we told him where to stick his Knives,this guy is as smooth as icecream driving a beautiful BMW jeep and like the other storys he was flashing a lot of cash around …..what a NOB!!!!!
May 28th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Was Approached by a Dutchman today in the carpark of a supermarket in Mijas Costa( Costa del Sol_ Spain). Similar story. Bought set of knives for 50 euros, and pots and pans for 140 euros. Have used frying pan which washes up well and products to me seem good value compared to local retail prices.
Just shows how much the high street retailers are making!
Kevin Smith
June 1st, 2008 at 9:26 pm
I actually been to the actual store in Vancouver, I have met the people from ITF CORPORATION, the guys who’s selling the Carl Weill products..and I gotta admit I was skeptical at first…what are the chances these are the same “dutch man” they were talking about?…But seeing the product myself, and meeting them, made me realize this is not a scam. its the real deal. they’re nice honest people. I love the cookware! plus with the 30 day no question money back guarantee policy, made me feel safe. please do not erase my post, as i am an honest person, and im not affiliated with ITF CORPORATION in anyway…im not even from BC, by the way. it just so happen that i was visiting BC and came across their store. this is not bogus and im just leaving a positive comment about Carl Weill. I heard they’re opening different locations across Canada soon. Can’t wait!
June 1st, 2008 at 10:15 pm
and another thing to add to my previous post, if anyone is skeptical about Carl Weill products in Canada, (i cant say anything about the Carl Weill overseas, as it is different) its better to check it out yourself (Canada), rather than reading all the comments here, (don’t get me wrong comments posted here are also helpful) but wont really get you anywhere, it still best to check out and see for yourself. I have no complains about it so far good quality, well made…. and i got my knife set and cookware last Christmas 2007. Plus the way I see it, if the people in BC (Vancouver, Canada) are “scammers” then their store should have been CLOSED by now. They’re licsence should have been taken away long ago, and they shouldn’t be allowed to operate or sell…there SHOULD be mobs of people complaining about Carl weill or the distributor…Also with the Carl weill products itself if they say its BOGUS or FAKE then the government should have banned it and shut down the distributor(s) well why are they still in operations then? Government has the utmost power to shut down a business (if its is not meeting their requirements, such as business permit, goods, and so forth)or if they find the distributor are selling knock off or counterfeit Carl Weill goods…which obviously they aren’t. they’re still in business !! meaning they’re good legitimate people! its the real deal. Why would they risk having an actual store and being seen if they’re “scammers”? I haven’t heard of anything bad commented on the distributor here in Canada or in the US, the only bad things i heard was from overseas, Spain especially…so the way i see it, i have nothing to worry about here in canada. Plus who in the world would trust a guy selling Carl Weill products in the back of his car/truck! I wouldn’t! thats probably a stolen goods! to close my post I LOVE carl Weill products! I hate bad people such as the “Dutchman” who would tarnish Carl Weill’s name just to make quick cash. BUY it in an actual store, or an actual distributor! see for yourself…rather than in a back of a car, or a solicitor who knocks on your door!!! I have bought my products in actual store/distributor…I have no complains yet and i have faith that they will stand on their LIFETIME GUARANTEE claim once my pots and pans gives up on me (from years of use ) then we’ll see if Carl weill products are good quality or not….i guess you’ll here from me then and thats my two cents.
June 6th, 2008 at 7:20 am
URGENT: From Spain (Vigo), JUNE 2008. Same method: someone saying he had to go back to Holand and they were selling very cheap price. The thing is that I`ve found in the web that BERKENDORF and BERGHAUS have the same address and same phone number. How can this be? Are they the some company? What kind of products are they selling and where do they come from? Are they toxic? Who could give a light on these issues? How can we know this is a legal way of selling products and if the products are safe? Thanks. Any news from Spain will be usefull, I’m getting in touch with the “Oficina de Consumo”.
June 12th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Similar item on ebay now claiming to be Karl Weiss knife set. How do you know if its genuine item and at such a low price, could you really lose. Any ideas
June 25th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Bueno este hombre esta ahora en Sevilla , esta claro k nadie busca esta pagina si antes no ha comprado los articulos , yo he comprado los cuchillos , pero yo me pregunto k si los cuchillos por los k yo he pagado 50 euros aunke no sean Berghaus y si dan medianamente un servicio , no son caros , o al menos eso es lo que me parece . Cuando empice a utilizarlos ya os contare pero al menos de momento no me siento engañado ni nada por ese estilo , creo ademas k la compra no ha sido mala aun despues de leeros a ustedes.
July 17th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Hello everybody,
this guy JUST came at my house (North-east of Italy, Padua zone). He had an expensive SUV, and said the same things of the airplane etc and tried to sell the knives for 70 euros instead of 700. He said also he is the son of the owner of Berghaus. ;) He said the list price of those knives was so high because of the high-end quality of steel they were made of.
He showed me the knives, and they were good looking.
Then I asked him to wait for me to check on the web the street prices, and the first result I found on Google for “Berghaus knives” was this website. I showed him the website and he made a face like “whaat? do they really write that? unbelievable…”.
I thank you all for helping me avoid this scam.
August 26th, 2008 at 2:21 am
Greetings from Vancouver Canada, where the Carl Weill Scam is alive and kicking still. Just bought a set of 24 knives, cooking and steak knives, with forks no less. Paid $75 + tax Can. Ham knife handle chipped immediately and was pretty bendy.
Just wanted to say how fun it was to read everyone else’s scam stories. I actually went to a store and bought a set so was robbed of the fun part of the “flaying or should that be {f} lieing Dutchman”. At least I have a solid location to take them back to.
Been great reading though, I just hope that they cut something other than my bank account.
August 26th, 2008 at 5:33 am
Just one more thing. Although I am fairly sure the Knife set is NOT super duper quality, I must say that the guy I met in the Vancouver shop is a pretty friendly guy. I’m not pushing the stuff. I’m not pushing the store. It is just possible, that if you buy out of the back of a car by some obvious sale / scam artist, you really ought to know better than to think your getting diamonds for potatoes.
Visit the store, get an espresso. I did. I enjoyed it.
August 30th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Well I bought the knife set at the Vancouver location and they are not just some store but they are the Distributor for North America. I beleave its ITF CORPORATION anyways I have had the knives since March and they have been great. The ham knife is post to be flexable I mean it even says Flexable on the knife Fang the Dog guess you can’t read or know what a Ham knife really is???
Anyways one of my knives did break I beleave it was a steak knife and it was replaced at the store ASAP no need to send it in and wait 4-6 weeks they replaced it within 5 minutes. That’s why we have the lifetime warranty for and I greatly appreciate the customer service. Keep it going guys awesome products for a super price!!!
August 30th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
I forgot to mention they also have a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee so if your not happy with it take it back to the store. I mean fuck people don’t really like a good deal or just stupid…and I bet any money that Fang the Dog took it back to the store and got his money back guaranteed with no fuss what so ever. These are great products for a terrific price and everyone just has different strokes for different folks.
It’s that other brand Berhagus thats the shit brand they are not even in business anymore and these people selling out of the back of the car have to be selling knock-off’s just like they make fake kitchenaid and cusinart products they also do with Carl Weill so stop buying from someone you don’t know and wants a fast buck and buy the an authorized dealer.
REMEMBER IF ITS NOT STAMPED WITH THE OFFICAL ITF CORPORATION STAMP OR YOU DON’T HAVE A RECEIPT FROM THE ITF CORPORATION STORE OR ITS AUTHORIZED DEALER THEN YOU PROB. HAVE A FAKE!!!
September 15th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
my husband bought me these saucepans and a set of steak knives & forks about 3 years back from a guy who just ‘turned up’. i thought the saucepans were so nice i didn’t use them until my new kitchen was put in last december. i like to cook and use good equipment but try as i might i just couldn’t work with these. i don’t believe they are what they say and although they look good and wash well - they do not perform as they say they will. in terms of what they are i think they are worthless!
September 18th, 2008 at 6:29 am
btw folks its the berghaus cookware which is worthless…
October 5th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Well this guy has now reached Menorca as well as Mallorca.
I bought 2 sets of knives from him about 15 months ago and they have worked out to be ok.
However they do not look like the ones on their web site, as that are all metal with metal handles and are one piece.
I paid 60 euros for the both sets and that seems like good value to me.
However if I see the guy again I will just take the goods and not pay him and ask him to call the local Spanish police, They will love him!!!
I am 23 stone and very big so I don’t think he will argue too much.
These conmen get what the deserve.
October 23rd, 2008 at 7:05 am
Once again BERGHAUS is putting a bad rep to the Carl Weill lineup. I have had the Carl Weill lineup of products for about 6 years now and no complants so far. It’s this brand BERGHAUS that seems to imitate the Carl Weill brand and confuse people about the brands being mixed up. I have had my warranty cards stamped and sealed and only had a problem once when I droped my pot on the floor and the handle cracked. I emailed the itf corporation for support and they mailed me a new handle asap. Seem’s excellent and I really appreciate the tech support and my wife love’s using the pots as they are so easy to clean and only use low heat to cook. I estimate that we saved over $500 by cooking in these.
October 26th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
@ Peter Poiski : you are a fucking bastard ….
October 31st, 2008 at 4:16 am
Why? Because I state how good the product is and not follow suit on how this blog just badmouth’s everything and never has anything good to say and when something good is said it must be deleted, lined out or ridiculed? My good sir I must excuse you since you obvisouly were not brought up with manors and this must reflect on your life and the way you treat woman. Good day sir!
November 10th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
I have just bought the same pots and knives set and feel ripped and wish that i have not trusted what was being sold.
This lady scammed me big time hopefully she comes back in the area for me to show her how heavy her pans really feel.
November 12th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Sorry guys forgot to say it’s the berghaus brand…
November 21st, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Sam story, this time in Guernsey, Channel Islands.
Dutch Guy, Silver BMW, offering great bargain. I’m usually pretty good at spotting a scam but these looked the business. Decent weighted pas, nice quality finish and well packaged. These guys are making an effort with this scam which is why they probably haven’t been caught.
I paid £200 for 2 sets of pots and pans, and strangely enough had problems shifting them!
There’s two things I dislike in this world… People who are intolerant of others culture, AND THE DUTCH’ - Austin Powers Farsher
December 7th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
They are doing a great trade in Spain also, I have knives and saucepans and although I am satisfied with them, don´t drop the lids, they fall apart very easily.
December 8th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Weybridge, Surrey.
Got the Story.. Trade show etc….
HOWEVER… Having had the knives and pots for a couple of years now, these products are very good for the money.
I have a set of Sabatier Pro knives which cost three times the price of the Berghaus set. The Sabatier set aged quicker and wore quicker than the Berghaus set which blade and handles still look like new. Obviously being knives they need to be kept sharp as do my sabatiers.
Ok fair enough people may not like the sales pitch, but if *YOU* want to go into a retail shop and pay the marked price that is up to you. If you want to haggle on your door step and pay next to nothing that is your choice too.
With my sabatiers, I paid retail and quite frankly got crap. The shop told me to contact the manuafacturer, the manufacturer told me to return them to the store. I left them in my bottom knife drawer and use the Bergaus set.
The Bergaus set, purchased on my door step for less than a third of what i paid for the sabatiers has been better quality and lasted longer.
*You* pay *Your* money *you* take *your* choice.
December 17th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Toronto,Ontario
Canada
I today encountered 2 men, and 1 woman … driving a Mercedes ML350 selling Carl Weill pots and pans … from a Louis Vuitton-ish looking suitcase, and same story applies: finished a trade show, and want to sell a few sets thereby saving trouble of taking them back home to Germany. They seemed to have Italian accents though. I wasn’t phased by their antics, as I knew it was a scam. Their goods appeared to be of such high quality. Ultra-high quality in fact!! This is the point, the trick, the hook as you were!! And I was waiting for it. I must admit, if I didn’t have my guard up, I’d be a victim too!!
December 28th, 2008 at 4:25 am
Its funny, I had friends moving back to Holland from the states, They didnt scam me, but they gave them to me for free, saying they couldnt take them on the plane, same story it seems. They must have been scammed before they came to the states. the knives are dull, the steak knives are good though
December 28th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
It was the berghaus brand btw.
December 29th, 2008 at 12:37 am
Hey Dan P. lucky you didn’t buy the cookware set off of that shady character driving the mercedes. I purchased a set off of the offical dealer for Carl Weill in Toronto and they informed me that if you purchased any cookware set that isn’t from a authorized dealer especially if the warranty card isn’t stamped then you don’t have lifetime warranty. I got my set for $229.99 CAD and for that price for what it does I couldn’t be any happier!
January 24th, 2009 at 3:35 am
An english guy came into my chip shop in Goole, East Yorkshire and I bought the Berman and Benz knive set for £20.
I knew they were fake, they are very difficult to keep sharp, but I can as a professional.
He was driving a Black Mercedes van. New sales dribble now, he said they had been fitting out a new restaurant and they had ordered 3 of everything! He had the pans, but as it was first thing Monday morning I only had £60 on me once I paid for the knives there was £40 left he wouldn’t take that and he refused a cheque. Obviously too many cancelled cheques!!!
January 29th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
I didn’t buy mine from a traveling salesperson but bought them off of Overstock.com - anyone have that same experience? How can Overstock be selling something that isn’t real?
March 5th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
I managed to lose a medium size Berghaus saucepan that my wife completely believes was so good it ‘made the food taste better’. If anyone can help me out of this tight spot by selling me or offloading theirs, I’d be extremely grateful.
April 3rd, 2009 at 6:21 am
I purchased a set of BergHOFF knives online. They’re in a black case and the pieces are marked, BergHOFF, Edelstahl Rostfrei, Profiline Handgearbeitet Edelstahl Top Qualitat, and a symbol with the letters, SG. The knives appear to be in unused condition and very sharp. My son tells me to sell them before I cut my fingers off. They do feel a bit awkward since they’re heavier than what I normally use. Are these knives fakes? Who made them and where? Are they worth keeping? Thank you to anyone who can share any information regarding the set I have.
Kind regards,
Carly
April 9th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Carll Weill pots and knives are rubbish, bad bad metal, not sharp at all, not worth the money. It’s a big fake, also in Germany.
April 14th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
I found all the posts about the ITF Corporation (Carl Weill) in Vancouver, BC (more accurately, Burnaby, BC) very entertaining reading for an insomniac like myself. I especially liked the fact that all these “different” people who protested SO diligently that they did not have identical IP addresses all had time stamps which showed that they were posted in immediate consecutive order. What a coincidence that they all these random people somehow all decided to post at almost the same time! Even more of a coincidence was the fact that they all seem to misspell the same types of words.
Now, I love buying things from liquidation centres where I can buy things heavily discounted that I realize will never last. I think its fine for anybody to buy their pots or knives from ITF as long as they realize that for $230 Cdn you arent going to get high quality product.
The problem I have is with the marketing of this company. First, all their newspaper ads here in Vancouver say that their products are about 90% off of the regular price, but if their products are NEVER sold for the regular price (I have yet to see them NOT be 90% off in over a year that they have been advertised in local newspapers), then isn’t $230 the TRUE regular price? I think that is deceiving marketing.
Second, if a company has to come on a website like this and pretend to be multiple different customers, then they obviously must not be very confident in the value of their product. As if the time stamp “coincidences” weren’t enough evidence to show that these were all posted by the same person, the language that they use to promote the company is proof! What are the chances that all these random customers would all be so concerned with promoting that the chain is going to be expanding to a certain number of locations within the next couple years, etc. All their posts made me feel like I was just reading another newspaper advertisement! Any sane person who has ever read a positive review written by a real customer can tell the difference between fake reviews written by the company representatives and real ones written by customers. The fact that a company would have to resort to tactics like these should make any potential customers feel wary before doing business with this company. I’m not saying not to buy from them, I’m just saying, be careful.
Warranties are only worth something if the company is still around in a couple years to honour it. Ginsu knives is the prime example. Every couple years the company would go out of business and reincorporate itself under a new name, such as Ginsu 2000, etc. which meant that it did not have to honour previous warranties. If you feel the product provides value for money, then go ahead and buy it, but do it as if you were buying a product with no warranty, such as from your average liquidation centre. If the company is still around in a few years to honour your warranty, then consider it a bonus!
I am looking forward to reading some angry replies from some more “average customers.” If the company doesnt bother continuing with the charade, I will be sorely disappointed!
April 16th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Sirmione (BS) - South Garda Lake - Northern Italy
I got my set of Carl Weill SG knives in a lookalike LV case … well I think it was in 2005, I am not sure about it.
A German guy came in the shop where I used to work and told me the story that he had to bring back the car he hired (silver Mercedes E270CDI on Italian plate) and didn’t want to bring back the 4 sets left from a catering-kitchen-whatever exhibition in Verona.
He started to sell the set for € 35, but I managed to get them for just 15 (in 2005 it was just £ 10)!
At that time I didn’t need them but the price was interesting enough…
I honestly don’t care if they are fake or not, they look of nice quality, they are sharp and I am not a professional cook, so they will be good enough for me and definitely better than a plastic handle First Home set from Morrisons (that would be probably more expensive)
I now live in London and I managed to bring them over here. I will try them and leave a feedback once I discovered how good they are.
But having paid just €15 I won’t be disappointed whatever happens.
April 17th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
Hey mark I think your a duchebag and some kind of faggot why don’t you try the product out before you open up ur mouthhs because me & my wife had it for 2 years now and the best money for my buck. So go sux a dick before u swallow cum jerk off
April 17th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Carlll weill pots good good use since 1993 the knives not so good because they use stainless steel but having learnn that they made new ones that are carbon steel now like henkles. Company make mistake but now learnning which is good
May 11th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
some on caled John Willett was off loading Berman ans Benz set of nine knives for £30 at Ascot carboot sale, England.
Says he isJWM Merchandising specialist disposer of ex custom goods.
Looked a bit odd, he must have sold 30 sets if the tax man is out there!!.
They seem worth £30 but not 695 euros as marked on the paper work.
Can’t find anything on the net about them or him
May 17th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
I also brought knives today at Pease Pottage car boot sale from Mr Willett for £30 he said they were made under license by global which reeled me in, my dad is a chef and says the handles are too short for a professional knife but they would make a good started set for a trainee. I am happy with them for the price I paid they are nice and sharp however the whole global line does not have any on-line back up.
June 12th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Well, this Dutch guy has now reached Northern Ireland. He came into our self-catering holiday cottage property claiming his pots and knives had just been used by chefs at a demonstratiion at a very up-market hotel in Donegal, these few were left, and, of course, he was flying out this evening, the very fancy four-wheel drive vehicle was being taken back to Holland by a colleague in a few days, and as customs was such a nuisance, he was selling them off cheap. He offered the pots and pans at £500 (usual price over £1040) and the knives at £150 (usually £540). He said he’d sold to a B&B owner down the road who’d given him our name(phoned her later - he’d lied on both counts), and then he tried to get me to buy the pots for £100 and the knives for £50, “because I’d been so kind and spent so much time with him” - no more than 15 or 20 minutes. Up till then I’d been sure it was all genuine, but this magnanimity made me suspicious. After he’d gone I told a friend who immediately said it smacked of a scam. Seems he was right.
June 15th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Looks like the Wandering Dutchman has decided it’s time for a little Swiss Holiday! I was just approached in St. Prex, Vaud, Suisse (near Geneva) by a man claiming to be a sales person from Swissler Royal (Berghaus). He told me that he was returning to Holland from Geneva after a trade show at the Palace Hotel in Montreux and had a number of samples that he could not carry on the aircraft and was trying to sell at a substantial discount. He opened the back of his black Mercedes 4×4 and had about 12-15 cases of knife sets.
June 28th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
John Willett was at a car boot sale in Eastbourne East Sussex selling 3 sets of Bachmayer pan sets for £90 each. Posters state RRP touching a grand.
July 2nd, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Lucky me, I paid £25 for set of Rosenbaum cutlery a couple of years ago and they are still as good as new
July 10th, 2009 at 11:15 am
see : http://www.radio1.be/node/161285 (Belgian radio in Dutch)
and : http://www.eurojust.europa.eu/press_releases/2008/20-10-2008.htm
“It was suspected that cooking equipment and knife sets were distributed to companies in Spain, Italy, Germany and France while avoiding import and customs tax. In addition, large quantities of money were laundered.
There was a presumption that deliveries to foreign companies not took place, but that this was deluded by means of false invoices and payments by foreign companies, made possible by transferring cash money abroad. The goods were sold in the Netherlands and in other European countries on the black market. Investigators state that more than € 22 million was laundered and € 5 million in tax was lost.”
August 11th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
I suspected the “Carl Weill” garbage was made in China, as is everything else sold out of vans and cars, so I researched MADE IN CHINA COOKWARE on google, and even found the production company that makes this junk, do a google search for “Guangzhou Yue Yuan Tong International Industry Co., Ltd” and once on their website, look for the 12 piece cookware set, you will see the photo is identical to the one used on Carl Weill boxes, aside from the the fancy graphics saying Carl Weill and everything else… I”ve also emailed that chinese company to ask about prices, so I’ll know how much this garbage is really worth
keep you all posted :)
cheers from canada
August 11th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
one more thing, the Berghaus knives are also made by this same Chinese company
August 11th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
just finished a little more snooping around, the owner of the “distribution” company in Canada is Antonio “Tony” ( I won’t post his last name), he uses the nickname “tonypro99″ on forums, here is a link to a customs import report that proves the cookware was imported from China, its a bill of lading of sorts :
http://www.iealing.com/tn/consignee/2008/C/CARLWEILL11.html
August 11th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
http://www.info007.net/SEATTLE-WA/CARL-WEILL.html
August 11th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
http://74.125.113.132/search?q=cache:BC545yQ2OHsJ:www.lsid.net/Buyer/SEATTLE-WA/CARL-WEILL-INC.html+%22Carl+weill%22+guangzhou&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca
August 23rd, 2009 at 10:27 am
I won a set of their knives today in a competition. I thought my first prize (worth $500.00) was excellent for my photo submission…..Now i read all this..I know i didn’t pay for the knives………….but does this make me a crappy photographer! LOL
August 25th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Just got an email back from the company in China that manufactures the “Carl Weill” cookware and knives
for the 12 piece cookware set, you have to order a minimum of 1000 sets, and each set will cost 38.50$ USD, and they will engrave/stamp any design or words you wish on the handles, knobs, bottom of pans, boxes, packaging etc
August 31st, 2009 at 9:27 am
I just received some Carl Weill knives for a wedding gift.
Thanks for the information - especially to the Carl Weill peddler(s) from Burnaby, BC.
I guess I’ll be throwing this knife set away - or maybe save it to regift to someone I really don’t like (on second thought, nah)
In fact I live about 2 mins drive from the local distributor, maybe they will take them back for a price? Hey, I’m an optimist!
September 4th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
I do understand now how these people earn for their luxury cars:)))
I am from Ukraine - the story is the same - BMW, customs problems, etc.
We paid 3 000 UAH ( about 400 USD)
September 5th, 2009 at 9:09 am
We were approached by some of these “Sales People” in respect of debt collection…Whilst I apreciate these “Sales People” are “Full of It”!! you need not feel so gullable, if you feel you’ve got a good deal, cus the product for the right price is more than ok..I accepted several items as payment 9 years ago and to date, I have no complaints re quality. I gave several sets to friends who also are very happy…So, Berghaus aint so bad after all…Enjoy
September 28th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Looks like we have one of these in the Shropshire Area, England just been approached under the guise that there is a local firm who supply colleges that is about to go into receivership.
Have had a look at the knives they seem to be quite good quality and couple of people have bought them, he is suppose to be coming back after lunch as some of us need to get to the cash point, he was selling one sleeve for £20 and two other types for £30 each.
Will see if he comes back.
September 29th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Well my set of kitchen knives and cutlery set well and truly are a bargain, my brother found them outside his flat this morning. They were just sitting there on the floor in the carpark, in a briefcase and still in wrappers. He waited around but no one was about. Obviously this conman was in a rush to get away and has drove off and left them behind. After reading this I find it hilarious, what goes around comes around as they say, con artist. Just so sorry for all of you who have been ripped off by this idiot! We are in Bootle in Liverpool so buyers beware!!! If the con artist who is ripping people off see’s this, cheers mate! Lol :P
October 13th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
I bought a set of knives (in their somewhat posey case) which was pretty comprehensive when I was running a pub back in ‘04. Large chef’s knife, ham slicer, medium chef’s knife, bread knife, boning knife, vegetable and fruit knives, poultry shears, kitchen scissors, carving fork, 8″ Chinese - style veg chopper and a steel. Also on the deal was a set of 6 steak knives & forks, a heavy 5 litre soup pan and a couple of 8″ sauciers.
I’m still using them now - the knives sharpen up beautifully and they’re well balanced - none of this hollow handled rubbish.
The whole lot was £200 (which I charged to the business anyway).
Same story, but the same quality in say, Lewis’s would have been at least a grand. Reading the tales above it seems that there are quite a few ‘Dutch’ franchisees and the quality seems to be variable according to where it’s being sold.
I had assumed it had all fallen off the back of a lorry, but the V.A.T. didn’t query the receipt so presumably with a story spanning nearly five years that cannot possibly be the case - they’d have been done by now.
October 13th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Well, they sure get around, don’t they? My brother-in-law attended an “auction” this past weekend in Timmins, Ontario where they were selling very expensive stuff from Germany including these knives and the cookware — he bought both, the Carl Weill knife set in the case for $100 and the pots/pans for $300. He also bought a new set of dining room furniture, supposedly from Germany — not sure how much he paid for that. My niece also bought a bedroom suite for $3000 and by the time she went to get a rental truck to take it out of there, the company had up and left. She called the person running the auction right away and he told her not to worry, there were three more sets like hers in the warehouse in Toronto and they would send one to her. Hmmm…. Let’s hope she does receive it.
Buyer Beware.
October 14th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Suckers, this set is not worth £10 pounds, the handles become slippery when wet, very very dangerous considering how sharp they are, they produce large metal shavings when sharpening, showing in a REAL kitchen they will not last a year, any decent chef would laugh at these crap light knives, and good luck to all u sucker housewives!! You should really go to Debenams, thay do a set roughly the same price, much better quality and will last much much longer.
December 10th, 2009 at 3:03 am
I just came to Washington DC to visit my parents and they were excited to give my wife and me a set of these pots and knives (swissler royal/berghaus). They saw a local newspaper ad and went to a Doubletree Hotel in Virgina and thought they got a deal. The only saving grace is that their salesperson added their sales slip wrong and they only paid half of what they thought they were going to pay.
January 8th, 2010 at 10:36 pm
This man is now in Sweden. In a cold bed in prison. Now he’ll be very late for that plane…
January 14th, 2010 at 11:32 am
swissler cutlery which seems to be part of this knife and pot business now showing up on ebay UK as deal of the day - discounted to 10% of the ‘true’ price!!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SWISSLER-72-PIECE-STAINLESS-STEEL-CUTLERY-FLATWARE-SET_W0QQitemZ330393449690QQcategoryZ20693QQcmdZViewItem
January 14th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
ebay sold 786 sets of these Swissler Royal Cutlery sets today alone!
January 18th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Where can i get a set of these things?
I understand you are all pissed about being spun a yarn, but the quality seems good and im after a nice set of knives and pots!
January 18th, 2010 at 11:10 pm
Re http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SWISSLER-72-PIECE-STAINLESS-STEEL-CUTLERY-FLATWARE-SET_W0QQitemZ330393449690QQcategoryZ20693QQcmdZViewItem
I think these are factory seconds rather than counterfeits. All the pieces are correctly stamped other than the knives which have a slightly different, monogrammed logo. I asssume that the cases were without knives and have been filled with an older, identical knife which is OK for the re-sale market.
January 20th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
We bought a set sometime summer 2007 in Costa Blanc, Spain, at a parking lot outside a Lidl supermarket. The guy (dutch) made the same singsong as many above mentioned, we were very reluctant, really not at all interested, so he lowered his price over and over again, like in the souk. Finally, when he throw in the knife set at same rock bottom price as the pots, we thouht it to be a no risk deal, while it was a price (I cant remember the exact sum, my wife will) that was similar to cheap crap at a sale. Now the pans and stuff have been in daily use since then, in our childs spanish household, on a gas stove, and to absolute satisfaction, and further on, since some months, there has been several upmarket brands in Sweden, spending fortunes on adsm TV commercials etc, for a very similar product, apart from the “thermometer” on the lid. It is not very accurate, but a nice thought.
I think that those who have bought the stuffm can rest assured and use them with confidence. It is just a question of the price, The sales methods seem quite silly, but cutting out the middlemen can rise the profit pro unit, This was a more normal marketing procedure in the early 20th century.
January 25th, 2010 at 6:23 am
Just bought a set of the cookware under the Berkendorf name in the Rastro section of Madrid yesterday. The Rastro on Sundays is an open air flea market famous for pickpockets, so I’m not surprised to see a scam being perpetrated out of there.
They have gone to a lot of trouble to make people believe that this is a real company. The box and promotional materials inside are of very high quality. I started to smell a rat when I was reading the user manual, as there are typos and misspellings. I just came from Germany two days ago, and all of the Germans speak perfect English.
I cooked with one piece yesterday and found it better than the one I bought at IKEA.
Still, I’m sorry to find out that there is no real company behind this product.
January 30th, 2010 at 10:36 am
these saucepan sets are sold by a pal of mine at markets and boot fairs in the london and surrouding areas for between 50-70 pounds stirling and i have been a proud owner of these and a knive set for over 5 years.i do not have any regrets about purchasing these items and would recommend to everyone that they are value for money.it seems that most negative comments come from people who have paid over the odds ie between 100-200 pounds and that is what gets up their nose.for just 6 steak knives and 6 forks you can pay over 40 pounds in leading stores and they are not any better.may i also add that the case these knives come in is worth at least 20 pounds so what are you all moaning about.
January 30th, 2010 at 10:58 am
hello gav (COMMENTS 18 JAN) if you dont mind waiting 4-5 weeks i will get you a set of pans for about 45-50 pounds give me a ring on 07723 924536 andy my mates on holiday
February 6th, 2010 at 8:28 pm
The guy has just been to Tenerife.. Telling same story etc…
March 16th, 2010 at 12:24 am
Greetings from Canada.
My mum bought these knives off some lady she used to know about 5 years ago (so about 2005). They are Kochtopfhaus MÜllers. Extremely heavy, pretty f*cking dull and with no obvious “made in *blank*” stamped on it. They are among the list of knives listed at the top. Just wanted to double check that this is a scam set. Everything else mentioned on this blog seems to coincide except some prick dutchman driving a beamer or merc. I suspect these knives were purchased by the lady who realized later she was scammed and then sold em off to my mum. We wouldn’t put it past her. It sucks to get scammed but somehow when it’s five years ago it stings a little less. Question is, what do we do with them now? The case is really nice though :)
If I ever have the liberty of meeting one of these pricks I’ll give em a couple of thai elbows and knees for all those who’ve been scamed. I love the story from the bloke who smashed up his car and robbed it. Vengeance is lovely!
Cheers
March 16th, 2010 at 2:06 am
Forgot to mention she paid about $120.00 CAN, which is approximately 50 quid in the UK.
March 29th, 2010 at 10:48 am
I have had my pots for five years they have been first class for £50 use them every day. Only thing wring is the thermostat on top my fault put them in dish washer, contacted Berghuas who say they will replace them. Crossed anybodys mind they might be real and it is a clever way to sell thousands rather hundreds at £700. bought the knives for £40 great presents left the price on the box, I am the greatest uncle in the world
March 29th, 2010 at 9:06 pm
Same experience as many. Bought from sales man in car park 5 years ago in Switzerland. Great saucepans but having put lids in dishwasher and saucepans in oven all thermostat nobs on lids have broken. Does anyone know where I can get replacements?
March 29th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
Brian Elliot,
You are SO full of SHIT. Don’t listen to these posts (like Brian Elliot’s) if you know ANYTHING about cooking, cookware and/or knives you will KNOW that this stuff is GARBAGE! Knives: Dull as shit, flake like they’re going out of style (which they are) and rust after one run through the dishwasher. If you use this shit to cook you are killing yourself slowly. God knows what goes into the pots and knives they make. E.g. Likely using concrete instead of layered steel, copper, aluminum you find in REAL pots. The knives are probably some shit chinese chemical soup you’d find in dollar store kids toys.
It’s not the Chinese fault for their lack of health standards, at least not all of them. But fuck them too, join the 21st century and use good ‘ol high carbon steel, cast iron, stainless. glass, and anything else that doesn’t leach dangerous toxic chemicals. Use stuff that won’t give you cancer and rot your testicles off.
If you have any of this stuff listed at the top, do the world a favour, report it and throw it the hell away. I would feel guilty giving this crap away as much as i would having it in a land fill. Waste of time, money and resources.
As for the scammers peddling this shit, I hope you all burn in the innermost circle of hell for your tactics and crappy products.
/end rant
April 12th, 2010 at 10:14 pm
I have had my Maybach by Imhoff knives bought as a present by my Mum over 5 years ago. I wash them constantly in the dishwasher and sharpen them regularly (although not with the steel in the case which is rubbish) and they have served me really well. They stay as sharp as any mid-range cooks knives and they are really heavy duty. I could not be without my Globals for most tasks, but they definitely have a place in my kitchen and have stood the test of time. For £50 they were an absolute bargain. And, lets face it, if you buy your knives in a car park at the motorway services, or even at the front door, you know you are taking a gamble on the price you are actually paying for them, not the £600 price tag! Surely?
April 18th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
Hi guys, after much searching i have found a website to buy the knives for a little over £23!
http://www.dropshiponline.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=284
The knives were delivered within a week and are good so far, nice and sharp and no signs of rust or faults.
The knife steel is crap though, so buy yourself a sharpener when you come to needing it.
June 15th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Well, I just wished I had found this site before! I take it all the above applies to all ‘Solingen’ cutlery sets? I haven’t bought off a Dutch guy, but bought a few cutlery sets off Ebay (all different). All of them, except one seem to be excellent quality. I even bought my mum a set for Christmas (2009) - this was Bestecke Solingen, with all the certificates etc. and a black leather suitcase. The others are Suissine (blue leather suitcase), Swissler Royale (brown rattan look suitcase), Breitenbach (blue leather suitcase), SBS (black pvc sutcase - this one does look cheap) and Solingen (brown crocodile style suitcase). I know, I know you must be thinking what an arse and I won’t let you down - I now feel a complete and utter knobhead! Fortunately for me I haven’t paid a massive amount for any set - I only paid about £40 (a couple only £25), which even if they are crap, isn’t bad (have to tell myself this). I bought one to use and the rest to sell on Ebay, which I will definitely do now.
Although I am happy with mine, I certainly wouldn’t have bought them if I had found this website first! I certainly won’t be buying any more! Why, oh why didn’t I see this first!!! A lesson to be learnt is if you want decent cutlery, just go to Debenhams!
Anybody fancy a lovely cutlery set?
July 24th, 2010 at 6:05 pm
thay say theres one born every minute?
July 31st, 2010 at 8:10 pm
bachmayer solingen cookware set.
Father in law was at his bowling club in Surrey, when a well spoken lady came in and said that a local Hotel had over ordered a set of Bachmayer Saucepans. They came as a complete set in a fancy brown faix leather case. Anyway the Women told him they were worth over a £1000.00, I think he paid £100.00. He gave them to my wife as a Birthday present, of course Im a suspicious bastard and immediately looked at the warranty card to check the address of the warranty and place of manufacturer. zilch, Then I found this website after checking. Thank God I didn’t let the Wife use them as they are really heavy and the handles feel badly attached to the bodies, quite flimsy. Can’t imagine what would of happened if she had picked up a pan full of boiling water and the handles had come off!!! Bastards, they look great but are obviously made somewhere in India in a sweat mill. Wife is pissed off cause the smart arse
(That’s right ME!!) got it right again!!!!!! Buyer beware, !!!!!
August 16th, 2010 at 9:40 pm
I own both the Pots and the Knives, paid Eu 150 for the lot from a Dutch guy at the Market outside of Geneva.
I have used them for about 3 years straight, I mean every day, day in and day out. Im no professional but these 2 sets have taken a worse beating and are in better shape than my $100 Wusthoff pan and $200 Wusthoff knife set, both of which were destroyed after 3 years in college and got thrown out (I did crack one of the thermometer lids by putting it in the dishwasher). The knives are still in great shape, are well ballanced and cost a fraction of what the Wusthoff knives had cost. AND they are still sharp as ever (I sharpen them every so often as one must with knives).
The Pots and Pans are great items, sure the plastic handles sometimes get hot, but no worse than the metal handles of other pots and pans.
The stackable option is also really cool and works.
Im immensly satisfied woth my purchase and have only found ‘Le Creuset’ brand pots and pans to be supperior (I own 3 of these). Ceramic knives are so far the best and sharpest knives I have ever used, but my Berghaus knives dont break if you drop them on the floor (Im on my 3rd ceramic pairing knife)
I do not feel like I was scammed, I paid low price for (in my opinion) top quality product that takes a beating, and I would recommend them to anyone looking for cookwear and cutlery at an affordable price, that is if you can find the Dutch guy again.
I would not cancel a check I wrote, that would seem to me like I was scamming the Dutch dude for free cookwear because you cant find any reference to the brand. Now if it was stolen product then I would agree to cancel your check, but given the stories on this blog I think that is highly unlikely
Im not angry and do not feel foolish in any way, I have been upsold brandname tires in a reputable tire store for more money than I wanted to spend and have regreted that decision many times over.
On top of it no one I know has the same cookwear I have.
You can disagree with me and Im sure not everyone has had the same experience with their sets, but a majority of comments I read indicate good quality Pots and Knives… the anger seems to come from the dutch mans story, not from his product.
Do yourself a favor, If you meet a dutch guy wanting to sell you pots and knives at low prices, I would go ahead and buy them.
Funny extra thing, Im at my dads in Germany (I live in Colorado) and realized while I was writing this comment that he has a set of Solingen Germania pots and pans (also the subject of conversation on this blog).
August 28th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
my girlfriend came back from wimbledon yesterday with a set of these really bad bag of steel knive made to look lke they are swis made - paid £70 for them - the rubbish blurb inside says they retail at 695 euros as if !!! she seems to have left her sensible head at home and was suckered into this scam .Was taken in by the talk of the con woman selling them also selling pans etc.Sadly i was not there with her but she was with a friend who was also taken in -obviously there is alot of this about
September 1st, 2010 at 12:45 pm
hi guys, hes struck again in hounslow, london. I brought a 2 set of knives and pans for £250. They seem really good and came in a real nive suitcase and box with all the paperwork. Same story i guess with everyone esle but i just feel conned now because i think i paid alot more then most of you. otherwise the products dont look bad. im just gettin a 50/50 feeling from comments about the quality of products. please someone just explain in simple english YES OR NO for a cheap price compared to cheap supermarket products around the same price bracket.
September 3rd, 2010 at 9:49 am
Following on from my comment on 15th June, I have now sold 3 sets on Ebay and even managed to make a few pounds profit from a couple. 2 went on a buy it now and 1 went for nearly £70 on bids!
I didn’t set out to con anybody and put loads of photos on. However to aid my conscience, I did contribute some of the proceeds of the sale price to the Help for Heroes charity, so I only just about broke even. 1 buyer wasn’t happy but the other two seemed really pleased.
One set we are still using and it seems fine, the other one (Royal Swissler) I will put up on Ebay around Christmas time - there are a couple on there at the moment for £299 and £349 - madness!
If you feel you have been conned, you can always sell them on Ebay!