A new AOS store opening by me!

[blackhhawk]

If you live in NJ in the US, there will be an Art of Shaving (AOS) store opening this summer at the Quaker Bridge Mall. I'm not sure when exactly, but that's what I read on the news. So here's my question -

Is this a good store for straight shavers? Should I be excited?! Regardless of whether its a good store or not, I'm happy to see it happening. I hope this encourages more people in my area to start wet shaving, whether it be with a DE or Straight. It is still a good 40 minute drive from my house, but will be worth it if I needed something quickly and couldn't wait for it to ship!

 

[Mo-beffah]

I think you have the right state of mind. Good or bad, its a shaving store!!! I wish I had something by me. But 40 minute drive is closeby??? Holy smokes. That's all the way to the other side of my island and that seems like forever lol. I've read they have top notch software as far as creams and balms and aftershaves. The hardware as far as razors and badger brushes can be matched in quality for less money. The shave I've watched on YouTube looked amazing and thorough and the guy obviously knew what he was doing. It seemed like I knew more than my barber when I finally got a hot towel shave. Great experience though.

 

[blackhhawk]

Didn't know they do shaves there, might have to check it out. Yeah 40 minutes away isn't CLOSE by, but its within reasonable driving distance. Other then that I don't know of any shave stores anywhere, so I don't think it's too bad. Definitely going to get a shave and see how it is.

 

[Slash McCoy]

AOS is now part of the evil empire. (P&G.) That doesn't mean you shouldn't check them out, though. Fun to actually look at gear or hold it in your hand before buying. Nice to actually smell product before pulling the trigger. Maybe the drive-up/walk-in convenience is worth paying a bit more... at least you aren't paying shipping. So buying stuff from them might be your thing or it might not. At any rate, it will be something cool to see. Me, I wouldn't buy anything from them, but that's just me and YMMV.

 

[Mo-beffah]

Here is the video I watched.
http://youtu.be/xnuZS7RSjbs

 

[Seraphim]

AOS Sandalwood soap is nice.

 

[blackhhawk]

Evil empire?? I will have to look into this when I get home from work. I've never done business with them before and I'm not too familiar with the company. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[smalltank]

soaps creams and oils are great...their high prices on their hardware is way sky high IMO

 

[Ronnie Aloha]

I visited my first store in Santa Monica a few weeks ago. Took my daughter and her friend shopping and checked out the store while they were hanging out in some of the other stores. The gentleman who was there was very nice and we had a chat about shaving. He acknowledged that he did not have an in-depth knowledge of the field and prodded me for information that I've gleaned from this site.

He noted that most of the customers they get were tourists. As far as I can tell from their marketing plan they seem to place their store in higher economic areas. This is their market. I really don't have an issue with what they charge for their products. The cost of their storefronts must be enormous versus Internet realtors. Remember how all the electronics stores started closing shop because they couldn't undercut the online sellers? People were just checking out the products in person at the stores then ordering them online. The brick and mortars really do offer a service to the consumer and if they have to sell their products at a higher price then so be it. It is still up tot he consumer to make their choice of which retailer to support.

I checked out the Muhle brush/razor stand in the store since I was thinking of purchasing it before. After seeing it in person I ordered from an online source. However, all things being equal, I would purchase the products in-store versus online.