Rockwell Razors Business Model

Are the kickstarter versions not the one's that a lot of buyers returned and reported many QC issues with them?

People that are willing to do that are suckers in my book.

I wouldn't take it that far.

Ordered mine right before the price increase on March 11. Their latest notification shows it shipped on March 18. I did receive an email on March 14 letting me know that my order was in process.

It seems that while their turnaround time is not particularly fast, they do communicate well enough via email.

I pre-ordered a while back [November 24] and received my second gen MIM razor February 1.

Comm was good with very quick responses and also occasionally proactive the entire time. Up to and including shipping notification(s).

No worries at all with the transaction but understand if the risk threshold is uncomfortable.

That's good to know. Hopefully everyone who pays in advance isn't left empty handed with no razor.

I hope that's a fair compromise. Alternatively, there is nothing wrong with waiting until the product actually shows up.

I'm not disagreeing with that statement but I think it's out of touch with the global economy and theretofore, consumer's expectations. Rightly, or wrongly, most people under the age of 40 haven't had to wait for anything their entire lives. They EXPECT products they order online to arrive within a few days; in bigger cities, the same day delivery is becoming the norm. I realize that the products we are dealing with in wet shaving are niche products and many consumers in this market space might not have any problem whatsoever waiting months or even a year for a product. However, that business practice and consumer attitude is the EXCPETION and far from the rule. Most businesses today need to ship fast and produce fast to survive, the consumer demands it or their dollars go elsewhere. I still stand by my statement and belief that asking the consumer to prepay for an item before it's actually produced is merely a way of borrowing money from the consumer at 0% interest and frankly, I can not and will not support a company that adheres to this practice; Especially in this instance with this companies' past history. Frankly, I think them asking the consumer to do this based upon their track record is somewhat arrogant and disrespectful. I didn't prepay my contractor to build me my second garage, I don't prepay for cattle, in fact, in thinking about this I can't think of any business transaction I've done in the last 4 years where a proprietor asked for money up front before the job was done or the product was delivered. Had they done so, I would have hired someone else or purchased for someone else. Rockwell is free to conduct their business as they see fit as are you. In turn, as a consumer I am also free to lament how wrong I think that approach is and ultimately, other consumers will determine their fate and yours by using their dollars to speak for them.

I don't like waiting lists (both due to impatience and it is a clear sign of flaws in the business), although I grudgingly accept and understand them in certain instances.

But to have to pay to get on a waiting list??!! Rarely, in any other industry or niche, do I see consumers put up with such practices. I'm not sure why wet shavers lie down, and beg for more, to whatever their producers throw at them. These types of things will only change when enough consumers say no.

Now, if Rockwell cannot fund another batch without a prepaid waiting list, they should just be honest and say, "We're not a real business yet, and we need your money to get started without having to pay the Kickstarter fee."

Either that, or just go back to Kickstarter.

I can't help but wonder if they said the razors were "backordered" that you might feel differently. Many companies, including Amazon, will take your money for backordered items. And this is essentially the same thing.

Let's not get hung up on Amazon. The point remains. Many reputable companies will charge you up front for a backordered item.

I can't help but wonder if they said the razors were "backordered" that you might feel differently. Many companies, including Amazon, will take your money for backordered items. And this is essentially the same thing.

Amazon does NOT charge until they ship you the product. This goes for back-order and pre-order items.

I can't help but wonder if they said the razors were "backordered" that you might feel differently. Many companies, including Amazon, will take your money for backordered items. And this is essentially the same thing.

I don't buy back ordered products either.

But there is a difference in any case. "Back ordered" means the product actually exists, but Amazon (or whatever 3rd party reseller), did not stock enough, and are just waiting for another shipment from the manufacturer.

If Rockwell used this term, they would be lying, as they are neither a 3rd party reseller, nor does the product exist. Those type of word games coming from a manufacturer would definitely prevent me from ever doing business with them again, no matter how good (or not), their product might be.