Quote Originally Posted by xman
I don't think the retailers out there can be blamed too much. They have to work against the disastrously effective Gillette marketing damage. I bet most shops that carry straights get about three inquiries per year and no sales.

I NEVER impulse buy no matter how much I want something. I always ask lots of questions and walk away. If I still want the item a few days later and can't rationalise not getting it then it's a buy. If the sales staff can't answer my questions satisfactorily (man, I'm a tough customer) then I won't have confidence and there's no sale.

When I was perusing a Crabtree & Evelyn for my recent brush purchase. I asked the lady to show me the brushes she had in stock (which included the Edwin Jagger I now have) the first thing out of her mouth was, "These are all made with genuine boar hair". I corrected her and she instantly retreated from any sales pitch. After all I was the one out of the two of us who actually shaves. It must be tough to be in a position like that. You're not knowledgeable about your product and invariably it's the expert who's coming in to buy. I felt for her, but I bought the brush at another location.

X

X, I know what you mean six months ago I went into The Art of the Shave in Manhattan. The sales clerk while attractive, knew very little about str8 razors she was sure they came shave ready and didn't need to be sharpened for several years. When I corrected her she immediately moved tothe shaving creams and oils. Why try to sell what you don't know anything about? At least learn your trade. Needless to say I left without purchasing anything.