Thread: Razor prices

Why are straight razors nearly always cheaper in the UK than the US.
For example the same DOVO razors from, shave nation (US vendor) compared to, the invisible edge (UK vendor).

I would 'think' that for one thing, Dovo, and most other razors that are offered are made on your side of the pond. To get them here it takes shipping and shipping costs money.

Try going to the Ralf Aust website and check out what they offer. I have one of their basic 6/8 roundpoints and it's a great shaver.

https://rasiermesser-manufaktur.de/

Consider too that you are in the EU, for now anyway, so there is likely no import duties/tariffs between EU countries. That may not be the case between EU and non EU countries so any import duties/tariffs paid by the importer get baked into the retail price which the customer pays.

Bob

You also need to check other vendors in the US. The same Dovo Diamant 5/8 is closer to the UK price on West Coast Shaving. I wonder if the UK price includes VAT already.
Honestly what shocked me more than anything is that there are 5/8 Dovo's that sell for more than 300$. Wow.

Originally Posted by alex1921

I wonder if the UK price includes VAT already.

Normally in Europe the sales tax/VAT is included in the quoted price. The VAT varies a bit country to country but rounded up it is about 20% from what I can gather. If you are buying from North America the price to you will be less the VAT which should easily compensate for the shipping.

The reverse is also true. An item is shipped to the EU it would not have North American sale tax added on before shipping.

Bob

GBP has lost some value recently, most likely vendors selling stuff they bought some time ago haven't felt the need to raise prices yet.

Originally Posted by Nukacola

Why are straight razors nearly always cheaper in the UK than the US.
For example the same DOVO razors from, shave nation (US vendor) compared to, the invisible edge (UK vendor).

For a big part, that is because absent a free trade deal, they have to be imported in the US, which costs a lot.
But between Germany and the UK there is no import duty... yet.
Depending on how the UK plans to continue with Brexit, the same price hikes can be expected on everything that crosses the UK border, coming from Germany. Everything from razors to green peas may or may not get a LOT more expensive in the near future.

In making the decision to switch from DE to straight, I was a bit shocked at the prices of new razors, and bewildered by all the choices of vintage or new, 5/8 or 6/8, square point or round....

At the risk of causing various members to do "spit takes" with their morning coffee, I actually have been transitioning to straight razor shaving to SAVE money.

(Let the knowing looks and grins commence.)

We told that savings BS to our wives. They caught on pretty quick to the scam.

Originally Posted by rolodave

We told that savings BS to our wives. They caught on pretty quick to the scam.

After buying my Merkur DE, badger brush, shave soap, and a 100 pack of blades, I did save quite a bit. I shaved for almost 2 years without buying anything else except more shave soap. The initial investment in switching to straight shaving is my current stumbling block. I need a way to hone that won't break the bank. Ordered some lapping film off Amazon that I hoped would last me a while. Turns out the abrasive particles were not securely bonded to the sheet. I have a good edge currently, but when it needs rehoned, I'm in trouble.