The other way of proxying is that the buyer fronts the money to buy what someone else wants. Then they estimate how much shipping and insurance will be and they get the total amount from the person they're proxying for. When the buyer receives reimbursement (and it clears the bank), they box up the knives, take them to the post office (or other shipper), and fill out customs forms to send the package (if international).

This process requires a lot more trust and a lot more time. I've proxied that way in the past, and it's just not worth the extra hassle and worry that everything will fall into place. I don't do that kind of proxy anymore -- not even if the person isn't international (unless there's a good reason that it needs to be done that way and I know the person I'm proxying for quite well). Letting the crew handle billing and shipping is absolutely the way to go; I was fortunate that nothing went wrong when I handled the details, but if anything did, the shop has experience dealing with shippers and resources to set things right that I don't.