Bought a Slim Adjustable on the Bay

[-Clark-]

So, after browsing through ebay's selection of DEs for a few days, I found one that I really liked and that I thought was a decent price for the pictured razor.

A Gold Slim Adjustable AKA Aristocrat, correct? I paid $29 plus $6 shipping.

Well I received the package and peeked inside expecting to see the gold shining. This is the razor I got in the mail:

So, I'm disappointed for what I believe to be obvious reasons. The seller offered to give me my money back. What do you folks think I should do? I mean, I don't even know how you can make something appear so incorrectly.

 

[Aptivus]

Well it just depends on how much you had your heart set on the aristocrat. That would have been a really good price on the aristocrat.

 

[bakerbarber]

This happened to me once with another razor.

It's very easy to get a photo of a Gillette that is silver colored to look gold if you use a digital camera that has auto-focus and other automatic settings for novices. It happens and it happens a lot when they don't use flash. For the most part it's not intentional.

You were offered your money back, send it back. Unless the price was still decent for a nice slim.

I always ask if I'm unsure. Most people will mention it's gold if it is. They usually don't think to mention it's not gold if the picture is just a little out of tone. They might not know a gold model exists and that the crappy picture doesn't matter.

Always ask when you're unsure. I bought a razor I thought was nickle that turned out to be gold too. Pictures can be poor in many ways. Buy stuff from people who take time to write good descriptions. Buy form people who pleasantly answer questions when asked too.

Unless they said "gold" or they sell a lot of razors, I think it's an honest mistake. If you paid more than $30 send it back. If you really need the money send it back. If the razor doesn't function send it back.

If you could use a spare slim and it's in good shape then keep it and be happy.

My camera can churn out pictures with silver toned things looking gold. Especially in low light, if the background is green, or if it's set to 'warm' tone.

If you want a mint in box Aristocrat with all the paperwork, instructions, unopened blades, price tag, outer cardboard box, and warranty post card, I know a guy.

 

[Rodeodave]

Pretty much had the same thing happen to me some days ago, I think. We'll see what happens once the razor gets here.
Keep in mind that gold razors from that era have a lacquer coating to protect the gold, which in my opinion is inferior to a "direct" metal coating in terms of durability. Because of that I have no regrets for getting a non-golden fatboy, iff it's in good shape that is.

 

[Slash McCoy]

$29 is a fair-ish price for a Slim. If you need a slim, just keep it and thank the seller about being cool and offering the refund without a hassle. Otherwise since he offered a refund, take it. Lighting does all sorts of tricks to pics especially digitals. I vote honest mistake.

 

[kaiseris]

If this happened to me I would try to get some kind of compensation from the seller. $35 is a bit steep for an uncased Slim. If he insists on taking the razor back I would do that, but the seller shouldn't expect a positive feedback then. Even if it's a mistake he should understand that he waisted someone's time (and probably money) therefore he must act accordingly.

 

[-Clark-]

Thanks for the input guys, I still haven't decided what to do with it yet. I'm split. I know he wasn't trying to take advantage of me and I feel it was mostly my fault for not looking into it more before buying. On the other hand, I ended up paying more than I wanted for what I got in the mail. I don't think it's that hard to take a photo that accurately portrays an item. And if it doesn't, its not hard to make note of the inaccuracy. I doubt I will make him give me my money back. Once I saw the "aristocrat" I was pretty set on getting one.

Anyways, I'm keeping my eyes out for an adjustable aristocrat (user grade, I'm no collector)

 

[Go Forth]

As a serious photographer and Photoshop user, I will say that this is not a digital exposure issue. The gold razor is featured against a neutral gray background, and the skin tone on the hand holding it is fairly accurate. The photo does not have an overall yellow cast. The razor you got is not the one in the photo. I would ask for an explanation.

 

[jtb]

As a serious photographer and Photoshop user, I will say that this is not a digital exposure issue. The gold razor is featured against a neutral gray background, and the skin tone on the hand holding it is fairly accurate. The photo does not have an overall yellow cast. The razor you got is not the one in the photo. I would ask for an explanation.

I agree with what Go Forth said. I would return it, ask for an explanation of why it was switched, ask them to pay the shipping return also. And based on what the said, lodge a complaint with eBay. But before the compliant I would wait to hear what the reason was.

 

[bakerbarber]

As a serious photographer and Photoshop user, I will say that this is not a digital exposure issue.

As an amateur, I'd wager the seller was not a serious photographer.

Talk to the seller.

It's not time to get out the pitchforks and torches yet.

Can you link to the original auction? Was it listed as an Aristocrat or did the gold tone in the photos fool you? Is the date code visible on the razor in any of the photos to compare to what you received?

There is a time for claiming scam, but I don't think you're there yet. If you bid more than you would have for a regular slim, send it back. The seller should cover shipping both ways and make you whole. I still think it is entirely possible it was an honest mistake. Does this seller buy and sell razors often?

A little tweaking and the pictures look much different. The flesh tone still looks natural I think??

 

[bakerbarber]

A little communication goes a long way.

Don't dilly dally though. Be frank and up front and explain the perception and ask for clarification.

Digital cameras do some funny things and getting a gold tone is something I've had trouble with before photographing vintage Gillettes.

 

[bakerbarber]

Look at these two flare tips and tell me if they look gold in the first two pictures?

I had to wash it out so much in office to get them to look right in the third picture the background almost looks fake.

These were taken with a cell phone.

 

[-Clark-]

As an amateur, I'd wager the seller was not a serious photographer.

Talk to the seller.

It's not time to get out the pitchforks and torches yet.

Can you link to the original auction? Was it listed as an Aristocrat or did the gold tone in the photos fool you? Is the date code visible on the razor in any of the photos to compare to what you received?

There is a time for claiming scam, but I don't think you're there yet. If you bid more than you would have for a regular slim, send it back. The seller should cover shipping both ways and make you whole. I still think it is entirely possible it was an honest mistake. Does this seller buy and sell razors often?

A little tweaking and the pictures look much different. The flesh tone still looks natural I think??

I don't believe that the seller was purposefully trying to trick me. I think it is just a case of very bad photography. But from the pictures, the razor does appear to be gold, right? It wasn't listed as gold or an aristocrat, I was just going off of the pictures. Here is the listing (not sure if the link will work) http://www.ebay.com/itm/27103199431...om=R40&_nkw=271031994317&_rdc=1#ht_500wt_1224

If not, here is the item number:
271031994317

 

[MikeGJ]

It was listed as a Slim Adjustable, and that is what you ended up with.

It looks gold in several pictures, but the one of it in the middle, under the head, looks like greenish chrome, much like bakerbarber's lying down photo.

The "white balance" on digital cameras can vary widely on indoor photos, taken with or without flash, can easily be off.
The background in the middle picture looks blue, while the other ones look gray or gray-green.

$29 + 6 seems like a low price for a 60's Aristocrat, and not too bad these days for a Slim, in what appears to be excellent condition.

They shave the same (great razors, my favorites, I have one of each.)

I can understand your disappointment, but it looks like you have a very nice Slim.

Tough call!