The problem with Classic Shaving and the Cobra razors

This post is regarding the BST, and not the original topic. I simply have no interest in a $300 razor I need to jump through hoops to acquire. Id rather shave. Anyhoo...

As for the BST...it takes all kinds of people to make this world work. Some people think of money first. Other people think of utility. Still others just want to see something get loved and used. As long as rules are not broken, each person should feel free to post in the BST.

I, personally, dont like to see admonishing of sellers in the open BST. In many cases, prices are subjective. Is it out of production or unobtanium? Is it well customized? Is it worth the asking price to the buyer? These will always subjectively alter the prices asked. It either sells or it doesnt.

Price gouging for unobtanium is bad form...but within the rules. Likewise, lowballing is bad form...but within the rules. At the end of the day, if a seller leaves a bad taste in your mouth due to "legal" gouging, dont buy from them. If a buyer lowballs you, and you feel insulted...tell them to pound sand, then offer it for sale even lower but refuse to sell it to them...im a jerk like that...

At the end of the day, the limited rules here provide for a fantastic and dynamic forum. There are all kinds here, and not everyone is going to appreciate everyone else. Thats life, folks. Get over it. And I mean that with the utmost respect. Believe me...there are plenty of occasions wherein I bite my tongue until I taste blood, walk away from the forum, and come back later when ve had a chance to settle my temper. It happens. To all of us.

We will never all be happy everything all the time. Utopia is a myth and altruism does not exist. Thats the way of the world...


Ill get off my soapbox now, before someone knocks me down a peg

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I must try this some time in the future.....

Let me know when you do this so I can buy whatever you are selling

I know I'll be going against the chorus of harumphs on this topic but I have no problem with people selling their razors for whatever price someone is willing to pay.

It is not the eBay sellers I have an issue with here, it is Classic Shaving.

I can't imagine that Classic Shaving doesn't  want to sell as many as possible.  

I have to differ with you here.  Anyone who has worked in manufacturing can tell you, aside from the initial R&D, the most expensive part of the manufacturing process time wise is setting up the production run.  Whether you are making one item or 500, the same amount of time goes in to setup and take down.  The very fact that these razors sell out in minutes is proof that they are either not running with any normal manufacturing process at all (just the setup will cost them close to a grand) so there would be zero profit for them in only making a couple at a time.  The more likely thought is that they do make them in bulk and then spread out sales over the course of a year or two.

The Cobra Classic is made from a mold, and surprisingly molds are fragile.  The less they are popped on and off the press / injector system the better.

+1

I had a "passing" interest in a Cobra Classic, but I refuse to become a slave to this ridiculous marketing ploy.

I had a "passing" interest in a Cobra Classic, but I refuse to become a slave to this ridiculous marketing ploy.

I know what you mean Primo.  I waited two years, until a friend sent me a link for it when it was available.  Until then, I quit thinking about it for a long time.

I just didn't care to have it right away. I had many great razors to use, so it wasn't a big deal to me and I was not willing to pay the ridiculous prices they were been sold for in the open market.

But that was me and I don't expect people to follow my lead.  I don't do things or live my life based on other people's opinions or actions.

I had a "passing" interest in a Cobra Classic, but I refuse to become a slave to this ridiculous marketing ploy.

I know what you mean primo.  I waited two years, until a friend sent me a link for it when it was available.  Until then, I quit thinking about it for a long time.

I just didn't care to have it right away. I had many great razors to use, so it wasn't a big deal to me and I was not willing to pay the ridiculous prices they were been sold for in the open market.

But that was me and I don't expect people to follow my lead.  I don't do things or live my life based on other people's opinions or actions.

I "feel" you Hector.

This is a very interesting thread. I'm in the camp that believes the market should be able sort it out or self-regulate. I can understand that some don't like to see someone turn a profit or "abuse" the BST. But I would encourage people to see the other side of it. I've happily paid more than retail for items I couldn't get otherwise. I don't feel like I'm being taken advantage of. The seller in that case is providing a service (i.e. possessing something not otherwise available). I appreciate that I can purchase from them without the hassle of a bidding war on the bay.

It's the buyer's choice, period. If they felt they were being ripped or not receiving what they viewed to be worth the asking price, they simply wouldn't buy it. If people weren't interested in buying at those prices, then people wouldn't be selling at those prices.

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This is a very interesting thread.  I'm in the camp that believes the market should be able sort it out or self-regulate.  I can understand that some don't like to see someone turn a profit or "abuse" the BST.  But I would encourage people to see the other side of it.  I've happily paid more than retail for items I couldn't get otherwise.  I don't feel like I'm being taken advantage of.  The seller in that case is providing a service (i.e. possessing something not otherwise available).  I appreciate that I can purchase from them without the hassle of a bidding war on the bay.  

It's the buyer's choice, period.  If they felt they were being ripped or not receiving what they viewed to be worth the asking price, they simply wouldn't buy it.  If people weren't interested in buying at those prices, then people wouldn't be selling at those prices.

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I can appreciate that up to a point.  However, a site like this is not supposed to be a profit generating site for sellers.  That is exactly what eBay is for.  I am very uncomfortable with ridiculously overinflated prices and, yes, there is always the chance that a newbie might not realize what he is stepping into only to find the price paid was completely unreasonable.  I am not suggesting that a small markup is not fair, however common sense should prevail, in my opinion, not greed.  Again, there is eBay for that.  Just my 2¢.

This is a very interesting thread.  I'm in the camp that believes the market should be able sort it out or self-regulate.  I can understand that some don't like to see someone turn a profit or "abuse" the BST.  But I would encourage people to see the other side of it.  I've happily paid more than retail for items I couldn't get otherwise.  I don't feel like I'm being taken advantage of.  The seller in that case is providing a service (i.e. possessing something not otherwise available).  I appreciate that I can purchase from them without the hassle of a bidding war on the bay.  

It's the buyer's choice, period.  If they felt they were being ripped or not receiving what they viewed to be worth the asking price, they simply wouldn't buy it.  If people weren't interested in buying at those prices, then people wouldn't be selling at those prices.

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I can appreciate that up to a point.  However, a site like this is not supposed to be a profit generating site for sellers.  That is exactly what eBay is for.  I am very uncomfortable with ridiculously overinflated prices and, yes, there is always the chance that a newbie might not realize what he is stepping into only to find the price paid was completely unreasonable.  I am not suggesting that a small markup is not fair, however common sense should prevail, in my opinion, not greed.  Again, there is eBay for that.  Just my 2¢.

Very true, I can't argue with that sentiment. But like another member pointed out, when someone is offering a great deal that is well below retail for a pristine condition or like new item that they could get much more money for, no one really ever steps in to tell them they should raise the price. I think we should leave it up to the parties involved as the transactions are voluntary and mutually beneficial. Neither buyers nor sellers are stupid, we're all adults. Otherwise, get rid of the BST all together.

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This is a very interesting thread.  I'm in the camp that believes the market should be able sort it out or self-regulate.  I can understand that some don't like to see someone turn a profit or "abuse" the BST.  But I would encourage people to see the other side of it.  I've happily paid more than retail for items I couldn't get otherwise.  I don't feel like I'm being taken advantage of.  The seller in that case is providing a service (i.e. possessing something not otherwise available).  I appreciate that I can purchase from them without the hassle of a bidding war on the bay.  

It's the buyer's choice, period.  If they felt they were being ripped or not receiving what they viewed to be worth the asking price, they simply wouldn't buy it.  If people weren't interested in buying at those prices, then people wouldn't be selling at those prices.

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I can appreciate that up to a point.  However, a site like this is not supposed to be a profit generating site for sellers.  That is exactly what eBay is for.  I am very uncomfortable with ridiculously overinflated prices and, yes, there is always the chance that a newbie might not realize what he is stepping into only to find the price paid was completely unreasonable.  I am not suggesting that a small markup is not fair, however common sense should prevail, in my opinion, not greed.  Again, there is eBay for that.  Just my 2¢.

Very true, I can't argue with that sentiment.  But like another member pointed out, when someone is offering a great deal that is well below retail for a pristine condition or like new item that they could get much more money for, no one really ever steps in to tell them they should raise the price.  I think we should leave it up to the parties involved as the transactions are voluntary and mutually beneficial.  Neither buyers nor sellers are stupid, we're all adults.  Otherwise, get rid of the BST all together.

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Actually, when something like that happens, very often you will see posts like, "Wow, that's a great price. GLWTS" suggesting that it is a bargain.  The B/S/T is a large part of this and many other hobbyist sites but that's not to say that fairness shouldn't play a part.

I can appreciate that up to a point.  However, a site like this is not supposed to be a profit generating site for sellers.  That is exactly what eBay is for.  I am very uncomfortable with ridiculously overinflated prices and, yes, there is always the chance that a newbie might not realize what he is stepping into only to find the price paid was completely unreasonable.  I am not suggesting that a small markup is not fair, however common sense should prevail, in my opinion, not greed.  Again, there is eBay for that.  Just my 2¢.

Very true, I can't argue with that sentiment.  But like another member pointed out, when someone is offering a great deal that is well below retail for a pristine condition or like new item that they could get much more money for, no one really ever steps in to tell them they should raise the price.  I think we should leave it up to the parties involved as the transactions are voluntary and mutually beneficial.  Neither buyers nor sellers are stupid, we're all adults.  Otherwise, get rid of the BST all together.

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Actually, when something like that happens, very often you will see posts like, "Wow, that's a great price. GLWTS" suggesting that it is a bargain.  The B/S/T is a large part of this and many other hobbyist sites but that's not to say that fairness shouldn't play a part.

Yeah, you're right. You do get a lot of comments like that. I always figured they were saying that in a manner that actually helps the sale occur at the given price.

Either way, it's a tough subject without an easy solution. Glad I'm not a moderator!

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