Trends on BST

[Tirvine]

Has anyone ever done an analysis of BST, specifically things like which razors seem to end on BST the most and which razors end up on BST the least? My intuition is that sort of middle of the road razors that someone buys, tries, and quickly gets bored by them may hit BST a lot. There may be a few that are very polarizing, probably super aggressive or very mild, that just were a bad fit go there. I don't see a lot (hardly any) of the ultra high end like Wolfman or Sailor. Some like ATT seem to cycle through, mainly aluminums and rarely Windsors, slants, or ACs. It is probably too early to tell, but people seem to be hanging onto their Konsuls. Older classics like vintage Gillettes were probably acquired by true collectors and selling them would break the collection so they don't get listed. Anybody else pondered this?

 

[Galibier_Numero_Un]

I think the analysis would be too complicated. A razor that appears frequently could be there because it's popular and many are sold - a small percentage actually being given up on.

It might also appear on BST because of unrealistic expectations based on endorsement by a few mavens on this site, with people not taking the reviewer's preferences into account.

This is just off the top of my head, and my main point is that quantifying variables to achieve meaningful results would be really difficult to do.

It might require in-depth analysis like advanced analytics in sports ;-)

... Thom

 

[srgjazz]

I find the BST to be very fickle. Sometimes things go fast and some not at all. Go figure.

 

[Phoenixkh]

Has anyone ever done an analysis of BST, specifically things like which razors seem to end on BST the most and which razors end up on BST the least? My intuition is that sort of middle of the road razors that someone buys, tries, and quickly gets bored by them may hit BST a lot. There may be a few that are very polarizing, probably super aggressive or very mild, that just were a bad fit go there. I don't see a lot (hardly any) of the ultra high end like Wolfman or Sailor. Some like ATT seem to cycle through, mainly aluminums and rarely Windsors, slants, or ACs. It is probably too early to tell, but people seem to be hanging onto their Konsuls. Older classics like vintage Gillettes were probably acquired by true collectors and selling them would break the collection so they don't get listed. Anybody else pondered this?

I used to pay more attention to BST when it was easier to track: back when the listings showed up in “new posts”. I seldom look at it now. I do think what is being sold is interesting.

 

[kingfisher]

I agree with Thom. Without a denominator, the numerator is meaningless.

What would be interesting to me is how the selling price for a certain style of razor changed over time.

 

[Tirvine]

I guess that the essence is that the razors people want, at reasonable prices, just don't come up much, if at all.

 

[NorthernSoul]

I would go with fickle, also. I've gotten some good things because a person was clearing out a vintage razor they weren't using. For instance, they thought it was too aggressive, but it suited me very well. Price was not outstanding, but fair.

 

[brucered]

The only trend I have seen on the BST in terms of prices over the past 10 years is, everything quadruples in price, or more, once it's no longer readily available.

Stuff that is long out of print, like Gillette's, have remained steady.

 

[Rob72]

Ownership and performance bias play heavily in most forum markets. I forget the correct terminology, but people who experience high levels of gratification from novelty are early purchasers. Not infrequently, the latest-greatest may not be quite to their liking, so you'll see a modest sprout of FS postings a few months after something new is released.

The more conservative/calculated purchaser will frequently step in at this phase, early in, but not leading edge. They are more likely to be long-term owners. Generally these folks (like myself) will sell if they see other FS postings and realize that they haven't used the item in quite some time, or if they are eyeing something they believe they may like more. You'll see their FS posts (generally) a few to several years after initial production. These are the folks you may be able to get a good deal from, a ways down the road, as they may sell off a second-hand, but early production piece, at lower cost to purchase a more refined edition.

Last in line are the bargain shoppers. They buy cheap, and when they sell, they want a premium (not always realistic) return. These folks are more likely to sell at more reasonable prices when they get out of acquisitions, or have a personal crisis requiring liquidity (e.g., "I know it's valuable, but I don't have a huge investment. I'll sell at higher than I paid, but not necessarily full-market...")

You may or may not have similar gradings of product, e.g., resale on RazoRock is not likely to ever compete with Tatara, et al, simply because of scarcity.

Personal budgets and economy also play a significant role, e.g., a Rocnel/Sailor collector will price for a different market than a PAA collector.

These are gross generalizations, but fairly true.

 

[mikhou]

I used to pay more attention to BST when it was easier to track: back when the listings showed up in “new posts”. I seldom look at it now. I do think what is being sold is interesting.

Do they not show up in "new posts" anymore? Now that you mention it I don't recall seeing any in quite awhile. I agree that I only looked when they showed up under "new posts." (Although, now I may make a point to go and look occasionally.)

 

[Jay21]

I browse BST pages on several forums related to my hobbies. The only major trend I’ve noticed on all BSTs is many people think their stuff is worth more than it is. Kudos if they can get the money for it, but it’s often followed up by feigned outrage over fair counteroffers. It’s better here, but some BSTs are worse than FB Marketplace.

 

[kingfisher]

I browse BST pages on several forums related to my hobbies. The only major trend I’ve noticed on all BSTs is many people think their stuff is worth more than it is. Kudos if they can get the money for it, but it’s often followed up by feigned outrage over fair counteroffers. It’s better here, but some BSTs are worse than FB Marketplace.

Razors are worth whatever somebody is willing to pay.

 

[spacemonkey42]

Do they not show up in "new posts" anymore? Now that you mention it I don't recall seeing any in quite awhile. I agree that I only looked when they showed up under "new posts." (Although, now I may make a point to go and look occasionally.)

They don't show up in new posts, but one can set alerts now

 

[Jay21]

Razors are worth whatever somebody is willing to pay.

True, and kudos if they can get it. But here’s what I just can never understand:

Let’s say a razor can be bought new on Amazon (CONUS) for $49 with free shipping. A seller is offering the same used razor for CONUS shipping only, so it’s not helping someone in a different market where the razor is difficult to buy, for $35. Ok, on the surface, it seems like a good deal because it’s 31% off. But, the seller charges $8 for shipping and 3% Paypal fees. So, the buyer pays $44.29 for a used razor without any warranty. The seller needs to admit the razor is worth $26 to make it equitable to the buyer at the final total of $35. Now it’s worth it.

This sort of thing happens on every BST in the world.

I’ll also never understand why someone would buy a used shaving brush when a new one of the same make is around $20. But, a buck is a buck, different strokes for different folks, YMMV. If everyone is happy, all’s well that ends well. Just curious things I’ve noticed.

 

[kingfisher]

True, and kudos if they can get it. But here’s what I just can never understand:

Let’s say a razor can be bought new on Amazon (CONUS) for $49 with free shipping. A seller is offering the same used razor for CONUS shipping only, so it’s not helping someone in a different market where the razor is difficult to buy, for $35. Ok, on the surface, it seems like a good deal because it’s 31% off. But, the seller charges $8 for shipping and 3% Paypal fees. So, the buyer pays $44.29 for a used razor without any warranty. The seller needs to admit the razor is worth $26 to make it equitable to the buyer at the final total of $35. Now it’s worth it.

This sort of thing happens on every BST in the world.

I’ll also never understand why someone would buy a used shaving brush when a new one of the same make is around $20. But, a buck is a buck, different strokes for different folks, YMMV. If everyone is happy, all’s well that ends well. Just curious things I’ve noticed.

As a seller on the BST, I never ask people to pay the PayPal fees. I just eat that part. So if I say $35 plus $6 shipping, your total is $41. I don't expect to reap the whole $35, and I don't try to make money on shipping.

I am also willing to work with international buyers, but they have to pay more for shipping, obviously.

Maybe I'm the exception? I didnt think so.

 

[thegeneral]

Since retailers have a lot of deals during the month of November, I think the successful sales on BST during the month of November would be lower than other times of the year.

 

[Phoenixkh]

I've only sold a few items on BST. I made sure the buyer got a good deal so it was a win/win. I keep all the original packaging, etc., and of course, that was included. I can't provide a warranty, of course, but I make sure the buyer couldn't tell it from new, unless I improved it somehow... like replating a Vintage razor... or polishing a razor to get rid of what I think feels like grit on some finishes. I had several new, never been used razors I sold here.... I priced them better than someone would get at a Black Friday sale. I took a hit, yes.... but it was like paying rent for the used ones and for the new razors? Well.... if you want them to sell, they have to be priced right. At least, that is my view.

Edit: I was typing that as @thegeneral 's post showed up.

 

[Jay21]

I've only sold a few items on BST. I made sure the buyer got a good deal so it was a win/win. I keep all the original packaging, etc., and of course, that was included. I can't provide a warranty, of course, but I make sure the buyer couldn't tell it from new, unless I improved it somehow... like replating a Vintage razor... or polishing a razor to get rid of what I think feels like grit on some finishes. I had several new, never been used razors I sold here.... I priced them better than someone would get at a Black Friday sale. I took a hit, yes.... but it was like paying rent for the used ones and for the new razors? Well.... if you want them to sell, they have to be priced right. At least, that is my view.

Edit: I was typing that as @thegeneral 's post showed up.

You’ve always had fair deals and I’d buy from you in second if you were offering something I really needed to have asap.

 

[Svoll]

True, and kudos if they can get it. But here’s what I just can never understand:

Let’s say a razor can be bought new on Amazon (CONUS) for $49 with free shipping. A seller is offering the same used razor for CONUS shipping only, so it’s not helping someone in a different market where the razor is difficult to buy, for $35. Ok, on the surface, it seems like a good deal because it’s 31% off. But, the seller charges $8 for shipping and 3% Paypal fees. So, the buyer pays $44.29 for a used razor without any warranty. The seller needs to admit the razor is worth $26 to make it equitable to the buyer at the final total of $35. Now it’s worth it.

I seen worst on BST, brand new razor from manufacture sells said razor for $55 (free shipping), seller on BST listed it for $75+shipping.

Reasonable and good deals sell out in seconds to hours, bad deals sit there for quite a while.

 

[Tirvine]

BST is sort of like most discount sellers in that it is usually better not to go in search of a very specific thing, especially a prized thing, than it is to go looking for more moderate deals. I would not go to a clothing seller specializing in reselling unsold lots for a very high end suit, and I would not go to BST for a Konsul. To a degree Etsy and Ebay have changed this for clothing but not, so far that I have seen, for high end razors.