Recommendations for vendors?

[Mist]

Among the various vendors for DE razors and blades, are there any which stand out insofar as selection, price, and customer service? In particular, I seem to be having a difficult time finding vendors who have an acceptable return policy. Nowadays, what's expected of an internet vendor is a 30 day policy with no significant limitations or restocking fees.

But most of the sites I've come across for DE razors and blades fall far short in this regard, and I won't buy from a company who doesn't have a good return policy.


Any recommendations?

 

[xtalicious]

I haven't looked into return policies, but West Coast Shaving is my vendor of choice. That being said, all the others discussed on this board sound excellent as well.

Insofar as return policies, I'm not sure you'll find many that will honor a return of a shaving product, seeing as it is a hygiene item. I could be mistaken, however.

I use the multitude of revews on B&B and the forums to guide my research before making a purchase. This minimizes the chance that I will be dissatisfied with a purchase.

I hope this helps.

 

[Mist]

Insofar as return policies, I'm not sure you'll find many that will honor a return of a shaving product, seeing as it is a hygiene item. I could be mistaken, however.

I confess that I'm used to no questions asked return policies, from companies that understand that you can't know if you like something until you've tried it. I *really* dislike companies that try to load their return policies with restriction after restriction, and as a matter of personal policy, I don't buy from them.

If Amazon had a better selection of these products that they carried directly, I'd order from them without hesitation. But they don't, and so I can't.

I use the multitude of revews on B&B and the forums to guide my research before making a purchase. This minimizes the chance that I will be dissatisfied with a purchase.

Oh, I've done no small amount of research, myself. But at some point, you just can't know until you have the item in your hands and you've tried it out - whether we're talking about a razor, or a pair of jeans.

 

[rickboone1]

If an item is faulty, I am certain any vendor would accept its return. However, if you decided you just didn't like an item I'm not sure they'd offer a return. I may be wrong. West Coast Shaving is a well respected vendor. I looked on their site and don't see anything about a said return policy. I could be overlooking it, but you could contact them directly via their website, www.westcoastshaving.com and ask.

I would imagine the hygiene issue would pose some risk. Again, I don't know.

 

[Jim]

No vendor will let you return a used razor or blades. If you stick around you will be able to sell them on the BST if you are not happy with them.

 

[Mist]

Well, the blades I don't have a problem with not being able to return. But the razor itself is another story.

Amazon has a very friendly return policy. Even though on paper, they also state "new and unopened", in practice, they'll happily take stuff back if you simply say that it didn't work for you.

Although I suppose being able to sell it here is an option, even though it would mean a partial loss.

Thanks for the suggestion.


So, that being said, who would people recommend as the best vendors for selection, price, and general customer service? So far, we have West Coast Shaving. Are there any others?

 

[rosborne]

No vendor will let you return a used razor or blades. If you stick around you will be able to sell them on the BST if you are not happy with them.

+1

A problem I see with the current trend in our society is that people now days abuse return policies. Look at Best Buy for example. People try to purchase things on sale and then return it without a receipt, even for in store credit, at full price. Best Buy had to tighten there restrictions to the point it made the news. I've seen people return stuff to WalMart with a year old receipt. Seriously!!!

I have purchased from several of the vendors frequented by our community. I feel confident ALL of them would except a faulty product. However, I wouldn't expect them to take something back just because I didn't like it or didn't know how to use it. They are not libraries. You don't get to borrow it, use it, and bring it back. If that was the case, my ADs would be way out of control. Every soap I ever wondered "How's that smell" would be on it way for me to smell and then send back all the "Eww, that stinks."

I'm not saying this is your intent but simply why many vendors are actually tightening up their return policies. Please, feel confident any of the vendors frequented by our community will take care of you. Many go above and beyond for yous satisfaction.

 

[Mist]

I have purchased from several of the vendors frequented by our community. I feel confident ALL of them would except a faulty product. However, I wouldn't expect them to take something back just because I didn't like it or didn't know how to use it. They are not libraries. You don't get to borrow it, use it, and bring it back. If that was the case, my ADs would be way out of control. Every soap I ever wondered "How's that smell" would be on it way for me to smell and then send back all the "Eww, that stinks."

I'm not saying this is your intent but simply why many vendors are actually tightening up their return policies. Please, feel confident any of the vendors frequented by our community will take care of you. Many go above and beyond for yous satisfaction.

I understand what you're saying. However, the flip side of the argument is that good online vendors recognize that unlike a brick and mortar store, you can't sniff a scented product online. You can't feel the heft and balance of a razor, either. And pictures are not a substitute for seeing an item right there in front of you. Good vendors understand that in order for people to be comfortable purchasing items they can neither feel, see, or smell in person, they *must* have good return policies.

That is one of the reasons Amazon has become the monster business that they are. They understood the inherent trust issues that were present, and they made sure it was not a barrier. As a result, most decent businesses have mimicked their model and offer 30 day, no significant restriction return policies.

So when I now look at a company that says returns must be done in 14 (or 7!) days, you can't have even cracked open the box, you must call and beg them to agree first, etc... I cringe, close the browser window, and never go back to them - ever. Seriously, what's the point of that type of return policy? For an online business, it is far too restrictive.

I understand that some people will try to abuse it, but like it or not, that's the cost of doing business. There are potently valid reasons for offering a good return policy, and if a company doesn't have enough faith in their products to offer one, I'm going to look elsewhere.

 

[Gruder]

Welcome to B&B, Mist. We value your perspective, and it's great food for thought. You'll notice, though, that we're a much calmer forum than most in that members take each other at face value the first time they post a position. No need to keep making the same argument (it takes time away from trying new soaps, razors, aftershaves... ).

Definitely keep us posted on what items you decide to purchase, and from whom given your desires in an online merchant. We are very fortunate in the wetshaving world to have several vendors from which to choose. Most aren't full-fledged storefront or warehouse-based businesses, but rather are run by folks with day jobs who enjoy serving our community on the side. As you encounter additional questions along the way, just ask. As you have seen already, we're happy to help.

 

[Mist]

Welcome to B&B, Mist. We value your perspective, and it's great food for thought. You'll notice, though, that we're a much calmer forum than most in that members take each other at face value the first time they post a position. No need to keep making the same argument (it takes time away from trying new soaps, razors, aftershaves... ).

My apologies. I was simply responding to a point of view, and my intention was to be thorough, not abrasive.

I do sincerely appreciate any help people choose to proffer.

 

[ouch]

If you researched this hobby as much as you claimed, you'd probably realize that this a very small community populated by sincere, dedicated folks who are motivated more by their love of this hobby than by profit. To compare the policies of any "industry leaders" to the people you'll meet here is laughable.

If you stick with established vendors, you'll encounter a level of service that the big boys could never dream of. Having said that, there's a world of difference between getting something that's defective from getting something you simply don't like. As a customer, when you go on line to save a few bucks, like it or not, that's the cost of doing business also.

If you start off thinking that the vendors you'll find here are trying to screw you, you will

1. be wrong
2. miss out on a world of opportunities

 

[xtalicious]

The best thing about the vendors I've interacted with is their enthusiasm for wetshaving. They're always happy to throw in a sample or two, and know their product lines inside and out. This is remarkable considering that many of them operate their online stores as a sideline hobby rather than a primary source of income. This thread sheds some light on who the vendors are and the kind of lifestyles they lead:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=143737

Best of luck, and welcome to B&B.