Thread: Please Support Our Vendors!

Guys,

There have been several threads posted recently about the cheapest place to get this item or that item. Please remember that everytime you buy from a large chain store, or internet warehouse, you are taking money out of the pockets of the SRP members that have, or are trying to start their own businesses.

I know most of us have to watch what we spend very closely, but come on, is the extra $5.00 really going to kill you? Also, please note, that just because some of our vendor's are small doesnt mean their prices aren't better than the competition, in many cases their prices ARE better! Not to mention the wonderful customer service and great advice they will give you before and after your purchase.

There are certain HUGE benefits to shopping with one of our members and I will give just a few examples of my own personal experience:

1. I buy all my strops from Tony Miller, and after we have gotten to know each other Tony knows exactly what I like and can (and will) custom make a strop to my exacting preferances (which can be somewhat unsual)
2. Colleen Hurley has made me custom cologne and aftershave
3. Jim Ayars was able to advise me on a good type of modern safety razor for my wife, and also saved me from making a mistake by buying a much more expensive product that she probably wouldnt have liked anymore than something I can get for 1/3 the price.

Go try and find that kind of service anywhere else, I dare ya!

I am working on a Vendor directory now to make this even easier for everyone, but until then, please try to keep in mind, that one of our SRP members, or friends of SRP such as classic shaving, probably sells the same item at around the same price that you are looking for at some other store. So, be a pal and support a friend!

I try to do the same whenever possible... That's when I get a paddle strop it will also be from Tony, as well as another hanger. The only new razor I ever bought was from him as well. A good portion of my rotation (1/3) comes from Tony H. I own 7 full cakes of shaving soap and 5 of them come from Colleen. Even though I was intrigued by the Superior brushes, my next purchase in that department will be from Matt. In all of these instances I know that the quality will be there and then some.

My favorite shaver comes from Joe CHandler. I have also purchased from Bill Ellis and Tony Miller, others, etc.

I too urge people to support forum members.

In some cases I have posted "want to buy" and nobody would sell what I want, so I do go to ebay but it's a high-risk game then... No risk whatsoever if you go to the forum vendors!

Cheers
Ivo

The only reason that I would buy anything from someone other than a member of the forum is the shipping. I find it easier to get some things from a store localy. Other than than I have bought a razor from izlat and a strop from Tony Miller. My next purchase will probably be a brush and I am looking here for info or sellers but that purchase is still a while away.

Originally Posted by slegault

The only reason that I would buy anything from someone other than a member of the forum is the shipping. I find it easier to get some things from a store localy. Other than than I have bought a razor from izlat and a strop from Tony Miller. My next purchase will probably be a brush and I am looking here for info or sellers but that purchase is still a while away.

Sylvain,

Get a Burma Shave brush for $5 ASAP! You need one, this is one of the best and the cheapest.

Then save some money and get whatever you fancy - there are guys here who can get you a very nice brush.

Cheers
Ivo

ps For the record, the razor I sent you was my first Joe Chandler razor, not some ebay junk

I already have a brush that my wife got me a few years ago from the Body Shop in Toronto. I can't tell what kind of brush it is but it works fine for now.

Originally Posted by slegault

I already have a brush that my wife got me a few years ago from the Body Shop in Toronto. I can't tell what kind of brush it is but it works fine for now.

almost positive this is not a natural bristle (AFAIK Body Shop does not use animal products, etc. ) - good luck, but I don't think it will soak up water at all, which is a problem

Sorry for hijack, SUPPORT OUR MEMBER VENDORS

I've bought razors off Tony, Joe and now Bill in the last 3 weeks - so I'm doing my bit.

(I have to stop now before I bankrupt myself)

I have a few thoughts about this topic and I have to say I agree with the premise but for different reasons which would apply differently to different people.

I think for a newbee its almost mandatory to buy from one of the vendors because as I learned from experience going into a local knife shop and asking about straights they haven't a clue. To make the proper decisions without the knowledge you need is foolhardy and whats that saying about a shavee who would shave himself without proper experience has a fool for the shavee. With the guys here you have that expertise you need to keep you on the straight (pun intended) and narrow road to success.

And as to the more experienced guys here I think if your looking for a specialized item and one of the guys here has it we should patronize the guys here or some day we might not have the choices we have now. And as to myself I have bought a strop from tony and a couple brushes from Matt and have a razor on order from Lynn so I do practice what I preach.