[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” overlay_color=”” video_preview_image=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” padding_right=”” type=”legacy”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” center_content=”no” last=”true” min_height=”” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_sizes_top=”” border_sizes_bottom=”” border_sizes_left=”” border_sizes_right=”” first=”true”][fusion_imageframe image_id=”66342|full” max_width=”” sticky_max_width=”” style_type=”” blur=”” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align_medium=”none” align_small=”none” align=”none” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” lightbox_image_id=”” alt=”” link=”” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″]https://s3.amazonaws.com/koa-media-library/wp-media-folder-kult-of-athena//www/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/koa-sharpening.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][fusion_separator style_type=”default” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” flex_grow=”0″ top_margin=”20px” bottom_margin=”” width=”” alignment=”center” border_size=”” sep_color=”” icon=”” icon_size=”” icon_color=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” /][fusion_title title_type=”text” rotation_effect=”bounceIn” display_time=”1200″ highlight_effect=”circle” loop_animation=”off” highlight_width=”9″ highlight_top_margin=”0″ before_text=”” rotation_text=”” highlight_text=”” after_text=”” title_link=”off” link_url=”” link_target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” content_align_medium=”” content_align_small=”” content_align=”left” size=”2″ font_size=”” animated_font_size=”” fusion_font_family_title_font=”” fusion_font_variant_title_font=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_shadow=”no” text_shadow_vertical=”” text_shadow_horizontal=”” text_shadow_blur=”0″ text_shadow_color=”” margin_top_medium=”” margin_right_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_left_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_right_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_left_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” margin_top_mobile=”” margin_bottom_mobile=”” text_color=”” animated_text_color=”” highlight_color=”” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” link_color=”” link_hover_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]
Dear Kult of Athena Fans –
[/fusion_title][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” font_size=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]
Thank you so much for your belief that we are the best place to visit and buy swords, weaponry, armor, LARP gear, HEMA, and reenactment gear on the internet.
Your business has surged over the last month, and we are thankful.
And, as too many of you know, we are also behind in fulfilling your orders. I want to thank you all for remaining respectful of our service team even as you may have been frustrated. It reinforces my belief that our community is full of good people.
[/fusion_text][fusion_title title_type=”text” rotation_effect=”bounceIn” display_time=”1200″ highlight_effect=”circle” loop_animation=”off” highlight_width=”9″ highlight_top_margin=”0″ before_text=”” rotation_text=”” highlight_text=”” after_text=”” title_link=”off” link_url=”” link_target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” content_align_medium=”” content_align_small=”” content_align=”left” size=”2″ font_size=”” animated_font_size=”” fusion_font_family_title_font=”” fusion_font_variant_title_font=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_shadow=”no” text_shadow_vertical=”” text_shadow_horizontal=”” text_shadow_blur=”0″ text_shadow_color=”” margin_top_medium=”” margin_right_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_left_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_right_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_left_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” margin_top_mobile=”” margin_bottom_mobile=”” text_color=”” animated_text_color=”” highlight_color=”” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” link_color=”” link_hover_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]
Our delay is due to a combination of our missteps and external forces.
[/fusion_title][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” font_size=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]We are understaffed and are searching for quality members to join our team, particularly in receiving and shipping. If you know of anyone in the Chicagoland area, please refer them to jobs@kultofathena.com. We don’t hire individuals who don’t meet your standards, and we don’t keep them if we hired the wrong person. The wrong person can’t help us catch up.
We are also getting hit by external factors – COVID has reduced shipments from our suppliers, containers are scarce, and although paying for a cargo plane to bring in a few containers sounds like an adventure, it also costs $1M+. And the Suez Canal boat? Yeah. That too.
[/fusion_text][fusion_title title_type=”text” rotation_effect=”bounceIn” display_time=”1200″ highlight_effect=”circle” loop_animation=”off” highlight_width=”9″ highlight_top_margin=”0″ before_text=”” rotation_text=”” highlight_text=”” after_text=”” title_link=”off” link_url=”” link_target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” content_align_medium=”” content_align_small=”” content_align=”left” size=”2″ font_size=”” animated_font_size=”” fusion_font_family_title_font=”” fusion_font_variant_title_font=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_shadow=”no” text_shadow_vertical=”” text_shadow_horizontal=”” text_shadow_blur=”0″ text_shadow_color=”” margin_top_medium=”” margin_right_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_left_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_right_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_left_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” margin_top_mobile=”” margin_bottom_mobile=”” text_color=”” animated_text_color=”” highlight_color=”” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” link_color=”” link_hover_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]We are working hard to catch up.[/fusion_title][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” font_size=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]In our efforts to catch up, we are still hiring, we have shifted most of the team – including our team that answers calls and emails – into receiving and packing, and we have worked overtime every day and weekend since St. Patrick’s Day. We have the family kids jumping on cardboard boxes in order to break them down and get the boxes in the dumpsters. (Family kids don’t qualify as child labor – we checked.)
In some cases, we have also started to ship partial orders as we wait for word on when we can get a last item back in-stock and finish an order. Even if this is bad economics, I think it is better to get you what we have rather than waiting for an entire order to be ready to go.[/fusion_text][fusion_title title_type=”text” rotation_effect=”bounceIn” display_time=”1200″ highlight_effect=”circle” loop_animation=”off” highlight_width=”9″ highlight_top_margin=”0″ before_text=”” rotation_text=”” highlight_text=”” after_text=”” title_link=”off” link_url=”” link_target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” content_align_medium=”” content_align_small=”” content_align=”left” size=”2″ font_size=”” animated_font_size=”” fusion_font_family_title_font=”” fusion_font_variant_title_font=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_shadow=”no” text_shadow_vertical=”” text_shadow_horizontal=”” text_shadow_blur=”0″ text_shadow_color=”” margin_top_medium=”” margin_right_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_left_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_right_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_left_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” margin_top_mobile=”” margin_bottom_mobile=”” text_color=”” animated_text_color=”” highlight_color=”” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” link_color=”” link_hover_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]
The new website is also trying to keep up.
[/fusion_title][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” font_size=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]Traffic has also soared to the site, and we are in constant communication with our host to upgrade our service level, which we have done twice this week.[/fusion_text][fusion_title title_type=”text” rotation_effect=”bounceIn” display_time=”1200″ highlight_effect=”circle” loop_animation=”off” highlight_width=”9″ highlight_top_margin=”0″ before_text=”” rotation_text=”” highlight_text=”” after_text=”” title_link=”off” link_url=”” link_target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” content_align_medium=”” content_align_small=”” content_align=”left” size=”2″ font_size=”” animated_font_size=”” fusion_font_family_title_font=”” fusion_font_variant_title_font=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_shadow=”no” text_shadow_vertical=”” text_shadow_horizontal=”” text_shadow_blur=”0″ text_shadow_color=”” margin_top_medium=”” margin_right_medium=”” margin_bottom_medium=”” margin_left_medium=”” margin_top_small=”” margin_right_small=”” margin_bottom_small=”” margin_left_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” margin_top_mobile=”” margin_bottom_mobile=”” text_color=”” animated_text_color=”” highlight_color=”” style_type=”default” sep_color=”” link_color=”” link_hover_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]
Thank you for your patience.
[/fusion_title][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” font_size=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]After all is said and done – please be patient as we RUN to fill your orders. Let us know if site performance doesn’t improve to handle your visits. Send us contacts who might want to join the team.
The entire Kult team thanks you for your support.
Sincerely,
Dave[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
The new look is not working too well, most of the pictures do not load at all and some are only viewable as thumbnails. I can only assume there’s a bug or two in the system. Frankly, I liked the old look better, because it worked and all the pictures were viewable. Otherwise, it’s a great site and I’m looking forward to seeing it fully operational again.
Awesome! Carry on guys. I already sent an email, but ya’ll have it well in hand and I understand completely.
Carry on!
You people are awesome. What a great job and a great company!
If I didn’t own a house in New Mexico and have a wife who needs my support, I would quit my job as a project engineer and come work for you for free.
Explains why my order has not shipped yet. Thanks for the update. I eagerly await my sword.
Thank you for the information. I wish I lived in Chicago. I’d eagerly work for your company.
Your good! I know you all are doing your best. I’ll patiently wait. Thank you for letting us know what’s going on:)
I understand that these strange times have slowed your company down along with thousands of other companies. But from what I have seen on you tube Kult of Athena is the best. So it will be worth the
waiting for. So good luck to everyone at Kult of Athena.
You guys have always done a great job and the sword community IS full of kind, respectful people. Dang Sue Canal….Hang in there!
Echoing comments about broken images. It’s been this way on multiple computers from home and office since day 1 of the redesign with no improvement. It makes browsing a chore. Please try to get this sorted.
What?! The only company on the planet selling high quality goods at a tiny margin out of passion instead of greed?
What will I do if I get my longsword in two weeks instead of one?!!!?!!
[/sarcasm]
Don’t fret the little things; The kind of people who shop at KultofAthena are smart enough to understand the delays. You are the best by a wide margin; Neither pandemics nor sticky boats are going to run us off. Your prices more than make up for minor shipping delays
remember, the difference between your shipping delays and everyone else’s is that you are humble about it.
Ordered my shipment and I was passed that I took so long to come but after reading this I completely understand, I’ve heard only good things about this company and when my order arrived I know
Keep up the good work, in this day of instant shipment and next day deliveries its easy to forget how difficult this can be for companies to do at times. Thanks for the update and Never stop Never Stopping……
i have bought items over the past several years from your company and will continue to do so excellent company keep up the good work and your website can only get better cheers from Australia..
Sorry, but I’m cooked! Fifteen days later my order is still processing? Money left my account fifteen days ago and my order is still processing. This is the second order since the site update that has been this way. When I called about it everyone was very polite and told me it would get picked that day. That was five days ago. but nothing has changed. If you can’t execute on fulfillment the state of the website hardly matters!
We absolutely understand your frustration – we feel it too and continue to work hard to getting caught up. More news coming today –
15 days ago was May 10. Notice was posted regarding the higgledy-piggledy state of things well before that, and most clearly; I actually read it, due diligence being something grown-ups do. Of course I’m a bit bummed that I won’t get my saber on my birthday, but I’m much, much more excited that you guys exist to serve this market. You’ll get it to me safely, when its my turn, and until then I’ll thank the powers-that-be that I have such First World problems. Them that matter, don’t mind, and them that mind, don’t matter.
We are very sad we couldn’t get you your sabre on your birthday. We will get it to you as soon as we can –
Just to be clear about my “cooked-ness” here, I called Kult of Athena very purposely after I was well out of their window of expectations for my order. The expectations outlined in their communications. When I called Cult of Athena, they told me “we are doing it today”. That was six days ago.
I’m glad you posted this message. I had been waiting for a long time for my order to be fulfilled thinking it may have been lost or something. Being in manufacturing I definitely understand the situation with logistics and staffing problems. It’s a real mess right now. Hope everyone stays safe and healthy.
The saber arrived safely, perfectly, and beautifully. Although it is officially a different calendar day, it arrived 15-some hours from the minute I was born, so yes, it arrived for my birthday. Thank you for the effort, and well done, everyone. Many heartfelt thanks.
Thank you so much for all you do in getting us quality products at great prices. I have ordered about 10 items in the last couple months. Your support staff is awesome. I still have one outstanding order and I am sure it will get here soon. Well worth the wait. Hope you guys can get the help you need to get things back to normal shipping times.
Since I fumed here about unexpected delays, its only fair that I share a good experience as well. I have now learned that sizing mail can be tricky and some manufactures are, shall we we say, optimistic in their sizing projections. Sure enough, I ended up with a mail compression shirt (not the fault of Kult of Athena and I did measure twice)! Anyway, to say that Kult of Athena made the exchange for another mail shirt completely pain free is an understatement. It was also done very quickly. So perhaps things are getting back to normal?
Anyway, I think I’ve heard it said that the true measure of a business is how they respond when things go wrong. In fairness then, with quite a bit going wrong and some humble pie on my plate, I have to admit that Kult of Athena was pretty fantastic.
Thank you Joe -we’re sorry things haven’t gone as smoothly as we – or you – would like. But dang that feels good to read before shutting the lights down tonight. Lights back on early tomorrow to keep plugging away and catching up (still got a hill to climb, but we have a good group working on it).