Flying on samples alone?

[kingfisher]

I started wetshaving about one month ago. I ordered a sample pack from T&H and a sample of soap from TGQ. I have samples on the way from Trumper's. The only things I have bought in full size are one tube of C.O. Bigelow and one puck of VDH Deluxe.

Originally the idea was to find the product I really like and then buy a big tub of it, but I kind of enjoy having a bunch of different things to try.

My question is this: Has anybody ever just kept on ordering samples rather than buying full sizes of anything? Would it be a lot more expensive? Is it completely a crazy idea? Will I eventually find something that REALLY grabs me and makes me want to invest in a bunch of it?

 

[adonnellyr]

An interesting concept...I have no idea how samples would stack up in terms of price against actually buying a product. On the one hand, I feel buying the full product would be cheaper because you'd be buying it more in bulk. On the other hand, samples might be priced cheaply because they're so disposable and meant to attract customers to a product line. I think the best thing to do would be to price how much product you get in samples compared to the amount you get from a product you might consider buying.

 

[Luc]

I try to get as many samples as I can. Most of the time, I can have them for free. Sometimes, trading a tube is the way to go. Right now, I am doing the soap split in Oz. Buying a bunch of soaps with 5 others, we are getting 6 soaps, split the bill in 6 for buying/shipping and reship. It's a fair price I think but if I would be ordering from the same website it would be much cheaper! I think it's worth it instead of being stuck with one huge product. When I found the one, I will buy a lot of them!

 

[Whiskeytown]

i've got a couple soaps and a tube of proraso and kiss my face. I bought about 10 samples of various 3T creams and a couple randoms and have been cycling through those over the past couple weeks. I'm expecting average about 4-5 shaves out of each. Once those are finished i hope to know which creams really work for me and then purchase large tobs of 2 or 3.

 

[The Knize]

I started wetshaving about one month ago. I ordered a sample pack from T&H and a sample of soap from TGQ. I have samples on the way from Trumper's. The only things I have bought in full size are one tube of C.O. Bigelow and one puck of VDH Deluxe.

Originally the idea was to find the product I really like and then buy a big tub of it, but I kind of enjoy having a bunch of different things to try.

My question is this: Has anybody ever just kept on ordering samples rather than buying full sizes of anything? Would it be a lot more expensive? Is it completely a crazy idea? Will I eventually find something that REALLY grabs me and makes me want to invest in a bunch of it?

I think the T&H shaving as opposed to cologne samples are more generous than most. I feel like I have a long term supply from just ordering their sample package and could probably get by just ordering samples from them. I do not know whether T&H allows that. I do not know exactly how the dollars would break out, but I bet it would be bearable and as you say, variety is nice.

 

[Walter Sobchak]

I've read from a couple of other users that they feel the samples don't always measure up to the full sizes for creams. Not sure if it's because they dry out or what, or even if it's true.

 

[ateace]

I'm heavy with samples right now, from the three Ts and also from TSD.

 

[dpm802]

My question is this: Has anybody ever just kept on ordering samples rather than buying full sizes of anything? Would it be a lot more expensive? Is it completely a crazy idea? Will I eventually find something that REALLY grabs me and makes me want to invest in a bunch of it?

Eventually, you will find some products that will grab you ... in the meantime, keep doing what you're doing.

Some products are not available in sample form, at least not from the original manufacturers ... so you can get these by swapping back and forth with other members.

There's nothing wrong with using samples. Its cheap, its fun, and there's no better way to experiment with the huge variety and choices that wet-shaving has to offer.

 

[Rudy Vey]

Got so much samples that I am pretty much good for months to come. From one company I ordered a complete set of TOBS creams, total weight with the little tubs is nearly 8 ounces, which equals more than a whole tub of cream. I would estimate there is at least 8 shaves - if not more per tub. Then I got samples from T+H, Colonial Drug and Trumper - the latter ones are pretty small samples, but I would say they good for three shaves. I think I spend maybe the equivalent of 2-3 tubs of cream, but I have the whole variety here and enjoy my daily shaves; plus there are also a lot of Colognes, ASB's, skin food etc included

 

[strat1117]

My question is this: Has anybody ever just kept on ordering samples rather than buying full sizes of anything? Would it be a lot more expensive? Is it completely a crazy idea? Will I eventually find something that REALLY grabs me and makes me want to invest in a bunch of it?

Yes.

 

[stypulkoski]

Another newbie here. I have found that while I'm spending more on shaving than I did when I used cartridges and goo, the products also last much, much longer. I figure I've spent about $175 - $225 in the past couple months, and what I have now would probably last me a couple years (I don't mind a little stubble, and only shave every two or three days). Of course, my acquisition disorders won't allow me to be content with what I have!

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Now playing: Peter Sarstedt - Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)
via FoxyTunes

 

[BarryR]

Then I got samples from T+H, Colonial Drug and Trumper...

I go into Colonial every once and a while when I'm in the Boston area (I live in western Mass). What samples do you get from them? Do you get samples with an order, or what?

With colognes I've been going largely on samples. Somewhat as well with other shaving products but much less so.

 

[Greyfox]

Another newbie here. I have found that while I'm spending more on shaving than I did when I used cartridges and goo, the products also last much, much longer. I figure I've spent about $175 - $225 in the past couple months, and what I have now would probably last me a couple years (I don't mind a little stubble, and only shave every two or three days). Of course, my acquisition disorders won't allow me to be content with what I have!




----------------
Now playing: Peter Sarstedt - Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)
via FoxyTunes

Sounds like a perfectly normal situation to me. What's the problem?

 

[Rudy Vey]

I go into Colonial every once and a while when I'm in the Boston area (I live in western Mass). What samples do you get from them? Do you get samples with an order, or what?

With colognes I've been going largely on samples. Somewhat as well with other shaving products but much less so.

No, I just contacted them via e-mail and asked for some samples of shaving cream and colognes, but I had before bought from them. The sample pack came within about two weeks and contained a set of samples (three Castle Forbes creams, a T+H Grafton sample, Tabac and Bronnley cream). Also included were some cologne samples from Castle Forbes and their Preshave Treatment. A nice set and it was totally free. The CF stuff, both creams and colognes are absolutely top notch, and I will surely will buy some of it after my samples are used up.

 

[gollum83]

No, I just contacted them via e-mail and asked for some samples of shaving cream and colognes, but I had before bought from them. The sample pack came within about two weeks and contained a set of samples (three Castle Forbes creams, a T+H Grafton sample, Tabac and Bronnley cream). Also included were some cologne samples from Castle Forbes and their Preshave Treatment. A nice set and it was totally free. The CF stuff, both creams and colognes are absolutely top notch, and I will surely will buy some of it after my samples are used up.

Hey Rudy, you wouldn't happen to have their email address would you? I've been wanting to try some Castle Forbes creams on the cheap.

 

[stypulkoski]

Sounds like a perfectly normal situation to me. What's the problem?

Who said anything about a problem?

 

[ogopogo]

My question is this: Has anybody ever just kept on ordering samples rather than buying full sizes of anything? Would it be a lot more expensive? Is it completely a crazy idea? Will I eventually find something that REALLY grabs me and makes me want to invest in a bunch of it?

I did that at first, there was just so much stuff to try. I'm sure eventually you'll settle on a couple of products... until someone mentions a new product.

 

[Rudy Vey]

Hey Rudy, you wouldn't happen to have their email address would you? I've been wanting to try some Castle Forbes creams on the cheap.

Here is their listing from the Shopping links selection:

"Colonial Drug - currently no website - Located in Harvard Square at 49 Brattle St. Cambridge Massachusetts
Since 1947, "THE PEOPLE WITH ABSOLUTELY NO COMMON SCENTS" in this family owned european perfumery ,features over 1000 hard to find fragrances for Ladies & Gentlemen. Specializing in shaving brushes and iternational bath & spa, hair care. World wide delivery to home, work or directly to a gift recipient.617-864-2222 Discounts are avalable to B&B members."

The following e-mail address is what I use form time to time:

[email protected]

 

[TedGamble]

I get my shaving soap samples from TheShaveDen.com

They have some of the better quality stuff (Tabac, TOBS, MWF, T&H, DR Harris, etc). The samples come in a plastic container about the size of Skoal container. They give you about 3/16" of soap, which will last a good while.

 

[gollum83]

Here is their listing from the Shopping links selection:

"Colonial Drug - currently no website - Located in Harvard Square at 49 Brattle St. Cambridge Massachusetts
Since 1947, "THE PEOPLE WITH ABSOLUTELY NO COMMON SCENTS" in this family owned european perfumery ,features over 1000 hard to find fragrances for Ladies & Gentlemen. Specializing in shaving brushes and iternational bath & spa, hair care. World wide delivery to home, work or directly to a gift recipient.617-864-2222 Discounts are avalable to B&B members."

The following e-mail address is what I use form time to time:

[email protected]

Thanks!