New converts to wetshaving

So I wanted to share this with you guys. My awesome wife , who is a Project Manager for the software company Red Hat here in Raleigh, signed us up for a vendor table at the Red Hat employee Holiday craft and local vendor shopping event, which was held for Red Hat employees at the HQ, downtown Raleigh, NC.

The event lasted for only 3 hours, but the RH employees really enjoyed, and I mean REALLY enjoyed shopping at our table. So much so that they depleted a large quantity of our current stock! (don't worry, we ordered more last night )

From talking to the folks that shopped with us, they fell into a few categories:

1. A respectable number of current wetshavers (I didn't realize exactly how many there were!)
2. Modern cartridge and foam shavers
3. "Shave Club" members
4. and of course, holiday shopping wives and daughters

What I was most impressed with was the amount of time that #s 2 and 3 spent talking to us, and ultimately, purchasing complete setups (razor, blades, brush, bowl, soap and aftershave)

We almost sold out of our Muhles and Merkurs, sold alot of our Vulfix and Fine Accoutrements brushes and lather bowls and all the artisan soaps and aftershaves were a hit!

I am thankful to my wife, Red Hat and its awesome employees and we are also so pleased and proud that we were able to answer everyone's questions and ultimately introduce traditional shaving to such a large number of individuals (and this was only one corporate event!).

We decided to start this little endeavour not only for our own personal goals and ambitions, but also very much to help individuals not only save money, but to also help them realize that this is a good thing to do for your own well being.

Below are a few pics snapped by some "Red Hatters" that attended the event! (sorry for the quality, but things were moving FAST! )

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That is fabulous! Well done, as always!

Beautiful way to spread the word about wet shaving.

Is there any chance you happened to mention DFS to those already wet shaving as well as newbies?

That is fabulous! Well done, as always!

Thank you sir! Your products were a big draw, as always !

Beautiful way to spread the word about wet shaving.

Is there any chance you happened to mention DFS to those already wet shaving as well as newbies?

I absolutely did Freddy! I really like this group and definitely spread the word EVERY chance I get! This is absolutely the best forum around!

Looks and sounds like a wild success- congrats on a good show and look forward to some of your new "converts" stopping by.

Very well done.

Beautiful way to spread the word about wet shaving.

Is there any chance you happened to mention DFS to those already wet shaving as well as newbies?

I absolutely did Freddy! I really like this group and definitely spread the word EVERY chance I get! This is absolutely the best forum around!

YES!

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Davidjames, I think that's great. You know that we all have a responsibility to ensure that new converts rate brought into the traditional wet shaving community properly. And by that I mean that it may be great for business and all that to sell a newcomer a Feather AS-D2 or a Ikon Shavecraft Tech with a 100 pack of Feather blades but, notwithstanding the newcomer's enthusiasm, this might not be the best bet for a beginner. A better way could be selling them a EJ DE-89 and some GSBs or a sampler pack that might include a 5 pack of feathers so they can see for themselves that time and practice is required before using a feather. Now I know I'm making a generalization here and many folks might believe in the baptism by fire approach but I am a fan of the gradual, gentle approach that develops a lifelong adherent rather than somebody who dives in a tears his face off and never tries wet shaving again. I'm well aware that its most often the customer who wants to jump in of the deep end rather than a merchant pushing the gear but when we're in a position of influence, we should use it for good. Don't be that Harley Davidson salesman who sells a Fat Boy to that 55 year old accountant who's never ridden a motorcycle before but is in throws of midlife crisis and really, how hard can it be, I mean i rode a 10 speed in Jr. High school
Mark

Davidjames, I think that's great. You know that we all have a responsibility to ensure that new converts rate brought into the traditional wet shaving community properly. And by that I mean that it may be great for business and all that to sell a newcomer a Feather AS-D2 or a Ikon Shavecraft Tech with a 100 pack of Feather blades but, notwithstanding the newcomer's enthusiasm, this might not be the best bet for a beginner. A better way could be selling them a EJ DE-89 and some GSBs or a sampler pack that might include a 5 pack of feathers so they can see for themselves that time and practice is required before using a feather. Now I know I'm making a generalization here and many folks might believe in the baptism by fire approach but I am a fan of the gradual, gentle approach that develops a lifelong adherent rather than somebody who dives in a tears his face off and never tries wet shaving again. I'm well aware that its most often the customer who wants to jump in of the deep end rather than a merchant pushing the gear but when we're in a position of influence, we should use it for good. Don't be that Harley Davidson salesman who sells a Fat Boy to that 55 year old accountant who's never ridden a motorcycle before but is in throws of midlife crisis and really, how hard can it be, I mean i rode a 10 speed in Jr. High school
Mark

Mark,

I could not agree more! After 25 years of shaving and helping others along the way, seeing what works and doesn't work for people, I am extra cautious to only recommend gear that would most likely be best for the individual seeking guidance and advice. Almost everyone that asks what they should start out with is directed toward the Merkur 34c. I have been using mine for years, I have given them to family members looking to start into the world of wetshaving and have recommended them to close friends as well. Everyone loves them! The EJ DE-89 is a great razor as well, and is a fantastic starter razor, much like the 34c. Actually, we carry the Muhle R89 long handle, and with it being so close to the EJ DE-89, I also recommend that to beginners as well, if the 34c is too short for taste. Yesterday was no exception, and we sold alot of Merkur 34c and Muhle R89s!

We are also careful on our recommendations for other gear such as brushes. We would not sell a silvetip to a beginner, unless of course, they insisted, but rather we take the time to explain the different grades of hair and suggest they start with maybe a Progress Vulfix 22c, which has decent specs, but won't "break the bank". You never know if someone will stick with the "sport" or not...

As far as blades go, you are spot on. We would never suggest that anyone start with Feathers, but rather take the time to try to assess their beard type, shaving "style", routine, equipment and even go as far as assessing their nationality (my Greek and Italian friends LOVE the Feathers to tame their coarse beards ) Usually, when someone buys a razor from us, we will give them a pack of Astra's, Gillette Yellow or Greens, or Personna Reds (These brands are all we currently sell).

We also make sure to let everyone know that they can always reach us via email/Facebook/Twitter if they have ANY questions on any of their gear and we also make sure to give them a printout of tips for both shaving and care of their gear! Heck, for some of our longtime friends/new wetshavers, we have even paid them house-calls and observed them shaving to help them if they just can't, in their words, "get the hang of it". After a quick observation and modification of routine/technique, they are on their way to happy shaving!

Basically, we want our family and friends and our customers to be extremely happy with their choices and decisions, and we want them to reap the benefits of a good shave, so we are willing to help any way we can!