I went to an AoS store in a nearby city today. Got a look at their prices ($80+ for a Merkur I can get on line for $38) and saw their prices on creams etc. I left demoralized and had to come home and peruse B&B for a pick-me-up. Seriously, how do these people stay in business? What they want for a pack of Merkur blades (totally inadequate product IMO) is obscene.
Art of Shaving - demoralizing
- Thread starter Kent Kimmons
- Start date
All their hardware has a hefty markup to keep everyone in the rebranding process in the profit margin. Their software is premium stuff thought and I consider it worth the price.
IMO, they market towards the yuppies and "trendy" guys who want to be seen shopping there. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of their creams and some of their skin care products, but from what I've seen at the AoS shop in Tampa, the usual type of guy that goes in there is the flashy type that goes in there for the attention.
/rant.
/rant.
AoS Lavender is worth every penny, but I'd never buy a razor or brush there.
Not obscene when you have expensive overhead like rent, utilities, employees etc. They need every bit of those markups. Those who do not want to wait, might want to check a handle size and balance or might want to return or exchange and item will pay that rather than ship something back and get the wrong thing. Those buyers support a brick and mortar location for others which is a good thing.
You might enjoy reading about my experience in my local AoS:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/359600-AoS-Titanium-Progress?highlight=
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/359600-AoS-Titanium-Progress?highlight=
Brick and mortar in a prime high traffic areas requires aggressive markups. As you can see there are many fans of AoS products and the pricing seems fair to them for now. We all await P&G to start degrading the quality. I'm sorry, for P&G to roll out the new and improved version.
The mall it's located in does pre-select for that clientele in a big way, you have to admit.
You know, "There's one born every minute" is a perfectly valid business model...
;-)
Ww
There is one brush i'd like from them. But i only want it for the handle:
At least you have a brick and mortar opportunity, there is no, zero, not one brick and mortar store here. The on line vendors here markup makes AOS look like angels.
if you think there is a business opportunity you can open your own store and sell cheaper and definitely give better advice.
if you think there is a business opportunity you can open your own store and sell cheaper and definitely give better advice.
Internet traders will be the death of the high street.. no one with a high street retail presence can compete on cost with an internet vendor.. that's the first issue.. The second is that you are misunderstanding the target market.. How many people do you honestly think go for a weekly regular shave etc at AoS and in particular how many B&B members or those with an interest in real shaving? I can tell you now... it will be almost zero..
Most shaves at AoS, just as Trumper et al in London, rely on chaps being bought a shave as a gift or on tourists or those wanting a very special treat... most customers will be one hit and they won't see them again.. what they are trying to do is get you all loved up about proper shaving and for you to buy a load of product on the way out.. sadly most of the brushes and DEs bought under these circumstances will sit, unloved at the back of a bathroom cabinet never to see the light again whilst the owner goes straight back to the Braun or M3.
A perfect example of this can be seen on Youtube where one of our beloved brit celeb chefs, Hugh Fearnley-Whitingstone, goes for a shave at Trumpers and then, spurred on by his alleged newly BBS chin, digs deep at the counter for razor, brush, soaps & cologne (dread to think what that lot would have cost in there!).... even if he kept up with DE shaving, the only consumables he is likely to return there for is the cologne.
So... this is what AoS are looking for.. one hit high mark up traditional shaving wannabees and WAGS buying christmas gifts for their chaps who know no different. They are not targeting (nor expecting for the most part) repeat customers..
You are comparing 2 entirely different business models.
The very same way that other retailers with high markups stay in business. Low prices in and of themselves do not make a successful business.
I was looking for a gift in the mall before I got into wetshaving and peeked into AOS. It intrigued me and I wanted to go in but I just absolutely knew before I knew anything else about AOS that they were going to be overpriced and I couldn't afford it at the time. Who knows if it would have gotten me into wetshaving sooner by looking into it online for better prices. But for me AOS disappointed before I even step foot in one.
Yes the store is selectively expensive; I agree with that but never mind, the place is therapeutic. My wife goes shopping in her favorite stores full of women trying on clothes, and you all know about the "Guy's Chair" we're supposed to sit in, right? Uh uh, not for me. My AOS store is like a magnet for my sanity thank you. It's full of shaving toys and they know me by face if not name. There may be simpler and cheaper places to buy shaving stuff, but online there's something always missing; and that is at least a valid reason to go in. If I go in there from time to time and buy some shaving soap, maybe a brush and some sandalwood balm, I'd like to think I help keep a tradition alive...an actual brick 'n mortar setup, if not for P&G's profit, just for us guys. That counts, doesn't it? 
There are lots of things keeping them in business.
1) There isn't a lot of direct competition (brick and mortar shaving supply stores) in many, if not most, of their markets. And a lot of folks aren't aware of the indirect (online) competition, and have no idea they could buy those product cheaper.
2) A lot of the purchases there are gifts. People buying shaving gear as gifts aren't going to spend a lot of time price shopping; they're going to go to the mall where it's convenient and buy it.
3) Their creams and soaps, IMO, aren't really overpriced. The razors and brushes are another story.
4) Some people are willing to pay more to get it right now, rather than wait a few days on delivery from an online store.
5) Sometimes paying more for things just makes people feel good. It's irrational behavior, but it's true nonetheless. I know I've been guilty of it on many occasions.
1) There isn't a lot of direct competition (brick and mortar shaving supply stores) in many, if not most, of their markets. And a lot of folks aren't aware of the indirect (online) competition, and have no idea they could buy those product cheaper.
2) A lot of the purchases there are gifts. People buying shaving gear as gifts aren't going to spend a lot of time price shopping; they're going to go to the mall where it's convenient and buy it.
3) Their creams and soaps, IMO, aren't really overpriced. The razors and brushes are another story.
4) Some people are willing to pay more to get it right now, rather than wait a few days on delivery from an online store.
5) Sometimes paying more for things just makes people feel good. It's irrational behavior, but it's true nonetheless. I know I've been guilty of it on many occasions.
They are actually expanding. A second store is opening in the St. Louis area. I guess that speaks volumes for the trend of wet shaving.
BTW: AOS products are now also available in some military PX/BX stores.
BTW: AOS products are now also available in some military PX/BX stores.
I have a standing agreement with AoS. I don't hate them for being in business and being able to make money. And in turn, they don't hate me for shopping at BullGoose and the other online merchants.
Frank
Frank
I agree with most of what everyone has said. The hardware is not worth it at all. The creams are nice but overpriced. The soaps are top-notch and worth every penny! If you know what you want going in, you can avoid the customer service spiels and just pick up and pay and get out.
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