New razor, but yikes!

[LadyBlade]

Hello everyone,

First: this is a great site and I'm thankful, as a newbie, to have access to such a good resource and that women are welcome to geek out here as well.

Second: I bought my first DE razor and need your advise about how it was sent to me. I am thrilled about the razor itself, a Lady Gillette adjustable safety razor with gold stars- my husband will be able to sanitize and polish it for me. Delightful.
Now; I bought a vintage, used item and am aware that "condition as is" is standard if not stated. However, I was NOT expecting the razor to have a used, rusty blade (with brush hair to-boot) to be loaded inside. There is no safety cover, so I could have cut myself when I reached into the mailer bag. Yikes!
So my question, is this standard practice? Do collectors expect the razor and blade to be left intact? My issue is this is extremely bad practice, especially without stated notice of "live blade." When I contacted the merchant and expressed how concerned I was, I received a snarky letter explaining that previous collectors wanted this and that the sale picture showed a blade inserted.
Something's not sitting right... I would appreciate your opinion.

 

[jhe888]

I wouldn't send one that way - either dirty or with a blade, but it is a razor, so you should be prepared for the possibility that someone left a blade in there. Luckily, you were not hurt, so let it go, and learn for the next time.

I wouldn't blame you for not buying from that seller again, if not for sending a dirty razor and a blade, for sending a snarky (and I'll assume with you it was snarky) response.

 

[smalltank]

From what I've read...it's not "uncommon" for sellers unknowingly leaving blades in razors..specifically from the bay..who knows where they got their razors from

 

[dillon_b12]

I bought a lot of vintage razors off eBay awhile back that arrived with several of the razors loaded with blades. I wasn't very happy about that, especially when you add in that the razors were shipped with all of them just thrown in together in a Ziploc bag.

I would never ship a razor with a blade installed, regardless of what the buyer wanted. It's just too big of a liability.

 

[Redstickjohn]

I have received several razors, both from Ebay and from the BST with blades installed. It's a stupid thing to do.

 

[roklein]

First of all, welcome! Secondly, I would never do such a thing either. I wouldn't believe this is common practice but there are some stories on here similiar to yours. Maybe it is becoming more common practice? How gross to boot! I would have to do the cleaning process found on this site 10 times over to feel comfortable to use it. Lessons learned for future purchases I guess.

 

[eelhc]

I am thrilled about the razor itself, a Lady Gillette adjustable safety razor with gold stars- my husband will be able to sanitize and polish it for me. Delightful.

Welcome...

I had no idea there was a Lady Gillette adjustable... can you post pics?

 

[BrookR1]

You should send the old blade back to him and tell him it's valuable and that he should resell it.

 

[DonN]

the seller was a pig - end of story ! some people are stupid, gross, etc. all of the above , and unfortunately it's not restricted to some of the folks that sell used razors - it's a big world and there are all kinds .

 

[sychodelix]

I would never do that, but many people on ebay are ignorant of safe and sane practices with razors, so beware.

 

[craig94yj]

Welcome and enjoy your cleaned up Lady G. Any good seller would have cleaned it up on a basic sanitary level. If you feel you are being snubbed then let his attitude be reflected in your Feedback. Good shaves to you.

 

[Agravic]

Welcome to B+B!

I share your concerns regarding the state of your razor as received ... not appropriate in any way!

Good luck and enjoy

 

[ImTheGluestick]

I think it's not uncommon, but mostly out of ignorance. Almost all of the used razors I see at antique stores still have a blade in them, and my guess is that they were just found that way and the person selling them thinks the blade is a part of the apparatus and leaves it at that.

 

[Skyrider55]

You should send the old blade back to him and tell him it's valuable and that he should resell it.

+1 Love that idea! Matter o fact let us know his address and we can all send him our old blades? That'll teach him to get snarky! Just kidding of course. It's Ebay after all and I get the impression a lot of people just don't care. They're just trying to raise a few $$. Most people on this forum probably wouldn't send a razor that way I know I wouldn't. But you're dealing here with people who have a high regard and respect for razors and such. I'd just move on and and forget it. It takes all kinds I guess. And believe me there are all kinds on Ebay. Most of the people I've dealt with have been pretty good though. I tried to get my wife shaving with a DE. Got her a blue lady gillette. She nicked herself first time and said screw it!!! Is yours really an adjustable? It'll clean up nicely I'm sure. Congrats!! OK I guess you never said Ebay. My assumption. Sorry. And Oh yea, WELCOME to B&B!!!

 

[AjaxLepinski]

I'd post negative feedback just for the snarky letter!

 

[oakeshott]

Some of the best deals I got on razors included delivery of the razor with a nasty blade inside as well as some vintage whiskers attached to said blade. This is a case of a seller who just doesn't know any better and think the razor has value. It also is an indicator that they have no real sense of the value of the razor. Sometimes they overvalue and sometimes they undervalue. When it's the latter, we win.

my glass half full .02

 

[LadyBlade]

Sorry my mistake, it is not an adjustable. I copied and pasted the seller's description
From Etsy, btw. (Not a regular razor merchant)

Thank you for all the feedback! I have learned my lesson and am prepared for future purchases.

 

[boogieman_]

When I bought my Superspeed in an antique shop I opened it when she took it out of the glass case. I said "oh there is a blade in there" She almost went white, apparently she had really worked on wiping it clean and such and had no idea it had an old rusty blade in it. She was really glad she didn't cut her hands up. I would say it's probably either ignorance or laziness on the part of the seller. But I suppose buying second hand stuff, this sort of thing is to be expected sometimes.

 

[Shave_Rat]

I saw it posted on another thread recently... treat it like a firearm and always assume it's loaded until you are positive it's not. Welcome aboard, and thanks, this is something others of us new to this will have to watch out for as well.

 

[BBrad]

Welcome to B&B, LadyBlade! I certainly hope one snarky eBay seller doesn't discourage you or your husband from saving more classic razors . . . and glad that you didn't get hurt when opening the box!

One of the "general rules" regarding antiques is that accessories and patina add value. So, with that in mind, many sellers include dead blades, soap scum, dried whiskers, dirt, and corrosion at no extra charge. A few years ago, a nasty cut on my thumb taught me to treat every razor as if it is loaded until my eyes determine otherwise! In my case, the razor was not pictured with a blade and I never thought anyone could be so ignorant as to ship a razor with a used blade installed . . . but I guess I was the dumb one!