I have sent requests to several of the British makers of shaveing products for samples. The only one who refused was Vulfix. Guess I won't be using their product. :)
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I have sent requests to several of the British makers of shaveing products for samples. The only one who refused was Vulfix. Guess I won't be using their product. :)
Did you offer Vulfix to test and write a review of their products sent on this forum? ..... didn't think so.Quote:
Originally Posted by RichZ
hummm Now that is an idea :)
Oh man, don't deny yourself the pleasure. It's soooo good. Shoot me a pm and I'll send you some.Quote:
Originally Posted by RichZ
Could someone pm me the contact info for the Companies in question? I would love to get some samples but have no idea where to start looking.
DM it's easy, just google whichever company you are interested in and shoot 'em an email. I haven't tried Vulfix, but the other English companies have been more than gracious. Well, Talor's of Old Bond Street didn't seem overly anxious to send anything, but they did send a couple of fragrance samples, Eton College and Sandalwood aftershaves. Some (most) of the lines these guys have are so expensive it would be impractical for most of us to try them all without samples. Not to mention they're next to impossible to see in person if you aren't in a big city. Great way to find your favorites and then drop the cash.........Jeff
p.s. Naturally, tact and manners are of utmost importance, especially with the English companies. I've taken the time to word my requests carefully, and they seem to have been well received. When you get an email from someone at Trumpers or Taylor's, for example, you'll see what I mean. They take the art of customer service to a new level. Well, not new, but rarely seen any more. Just makes you feel good. One last thing, after I received something from a company, I took the time to send back a quick thank you. Hopefully that will help smooth the road for the next guy, and let them know customer service like that is appreciated.
I tried to send an e-mail to GFT last week. I tried sending it to the e-mail address listed on their website (enquiries@trumpers.com) but it came back as undeliverable. Does anyone have a valid e-mail address for Trumpers?
I did get a reply from Taylor, however. They said they don't normally provide samples, but as a gesture of goodwill they will package some samples and send them to me. I haven't tried Vulfix. I will this weekend.
I'll keep everyone posted.
Jeff
Quote:
Originally Posted by str8rzrshvr
Taylor told me the same thing and came through. Vulfix basically said no. They did assure me they had a fine product. :p
I requested a sample of Nomad from Crabtree & Evelyn. I let them know that I had just purchased their Almond and their Sienna. They said no, and then said "Have a nice day". So I replied that I have a nice day when companies I have never purchased from send me a box of samples. I do not have nice days when companies I have purchased from refuse to send out one sample.
RT
Quote:
Originally Posted by rtaylor61
Good going RT
Here, here!Quote:
Originally Posted by rtaylor61
Interesting RT (not in a good way necessarily),
I recently contacted Crabtree and Evelyn regarding samples of their products and this was the response I received from Pamela Ricci in customer service:
Dear Edward,
We only have the nomad shave cream available in a sample. I would be
happy to put that in the mail to you.
If there is anything else that we can do for you, please let us know and
we will be happy to assist you.
Sincerely,
Pamela Ricci
Customer Service Department
Crabtree & Evelyn
P.O. Box 167
102 Peake Brook Road
Woodstock, CT 06281
(860) 928-2761 Ext. 3515
www.crabtree-evelyn.com
It looks like they need to do some quality control in their customer service department.
Ed
Ed,
That is interesting. I asked for only one sample...NOMAD! No matter that I spent $50 with them a few weeks ago. I'll probably buy the Nomad anyway, but I was shocked.
RT
I have found that if you go to a manufacturers retail outlet and ask for a sample, they usually hook you up. Crabtree and Evelyn outlets are pretty common.
BTW RT, I see you are going to Dallas, TX. Here's a couple Crabtree & Evelyn stores:
Dallas Galleria Shopping Center 13350 Dallas Pkwy Suite 1135 Dallas , Tx 75240 (972) 387-2885
Beauty First 5301 W. Lovers Lane Suite 107 Dallas, Tx 75209 (214) 902-2290
Note to self...while in Dallas, go spend more money on shaving supplies at C&E Stores...thanks Dr. Phong!
RT
As always... It is my pleasure to serve.
I just got my package of samples from ToOBS. I don't yet know what's inside the box from Jolly Ole England. I'll know tonight when I get a chance to open that box up.
I'll post the contents of my surprise tomorrow!
Jeff
I know I said I'd tell you all the contents of my package from Taylors tomorrow, but I have a few moments to kill tonight.
I received three shaving cream samples: Sandalwood, Eton, and Mr. Taylor. I think I'm going to go with the Eton, or the Mr. Taylor tomorrow, or maybe the Sandalwood....LOL
Anybody have any thoughts on each of these three creams?
Jeff
I used the Mr. Taylor shaving cream this morning. Probably my #2 favorite from Taylor's. Too bad they didn't send Shaving Shop...my #1 from Taylor's. I rate it right up there with T&H 1805!
RT
Today I used the Mr. Taylor sample (actually, half the sample) for my shave. I have to give it the thumbs up. I really liked the scent and the way the cream lathered up. It stayed moist on my face for each of the three passes. No drying with this cream! It when on really nice with my badger brush and provided nice lubrication. All in all, I really liked the Mr. Taylor sample.
Tomorrow....Eton...
Jeff
I received Sandalwood and lavender and I liked them both very much.
My samples from Taylor's also came in yesterday. Over the past couple of weeks, I've received NICE selections from T&H and Trumpers, a selection from The Art of Shaving, a wee bit from L'Occtaine, and promises of a Nomad sample from Crabtree and Evelyn.
I am enjoying these products so very much and there is no way I could afford to try all of them if I had to purchase them individually. However, I am convinced that I'll be a lifelong T&H and Trumpers customer, not only because of the quality of their products, but because of their customer service. My loyalty is not hard won; but easily lost...I will never purchase products from some of the companies I've contacted, simply because of their reaction to the initial request.--Don't get me wrong, it's not a function of not receiving samples as I will and have purchased from companies that have turned down requests. It is possible to say no without being rude. Rude, however, is inexcusable. :nono:
Quote:
Originally Posted by ForestryProf
Ed,
I am with you on this 100% on that. However I won't purchase from Vulfix due to stupidity. Here is a company known for its brushes and it is trying to come out with a shaving cream. I requested a sample from them and they said they didn't have any samples but they assured me their product was good. I look at this the following way you are trying to sell a new product but you don't have samples. That's not smart or good business. In addition coming from NYC what makes them think I would believe what they were saying. If I was selling 10lbs of shit in a 5lb bag I would tell a potential customer sure it smells great. The T companies will get my business because they have a good product and I know by trying it.:D
I got a sample of the ToOBS Sandalwood. The jury is still out on the scent. I think I like the GFT Sandalwood scent better. But, if it's like its brother, Mr. Taylor, in the performance column, it's going to be a winner in my book. The Sandalwood sample is on double-deck. Next up is the Eton sample.
Jeff
P.S. I'm on-board with you too, Prof! Customer service is what earns my business. On the whole, most products today are very competitive. Accordingly, it's not the product I'm buying as much as it is the seller. Sellers need to convince ME to buy from them, and customer service is the hook....
Jeff
ToOBS was pretty good for me. I like the creaminess of both samples I got. I also tried T&H 's 1805 shave cream which I also liked. I am waiting for Trumper's to arrive.
I just fired off an e-mail to Vulfix Old Original in Jolly Ole England (actually, Isle of Man) requesting samples of their two shave creams. I did take David's suggestion and told them I'd do a write-up on the samples they send me out here on SRP.
We'll see. Based on responses to others' requests, I'm not going to hold my breath. :rolleyes:
I'll let you know what I hear...if I hear anything at all. :shrug:
Jeff
They didn't let me down. I got the exact reply I was expecting! Here it is...
"Hello Jeff,
Unfortunately we are not in a position to send out samples. Our shaving creams are second to none in terms of performance as many satisfied customers will testify.
Please see a review of our products at our website www.vulfixoldoriginal.com and more information regarding our company.
Kind regards
Mark Watterson
General Manager"
I guess I'll never know if they're second to none.
Jeff
Yes rude is inexcusable. Too many people have lost the art of manners.Quote:
Originally Posted by ForestryProf
But they were very cordial in their refusal.Quote:
Originally Posted by str8rzrshvr
They worded their response correctly when they indicated they "were not in a position to send out samples" opposed to answering with a rudely slanted response. This could mean a potpurri of things, but I'm guessing because they only have 15 people working in the whole company, they simply aren't equipped to handle requests like this.
I didn't expect to get an answer other than the one I got. I'm sure at some point I will try all the high-end English creams, including Vulfix's. I'll just have to buy theirs to try it...lol.
Jeff
I got this from Crabtree and Evelyn
"Unfortunately, we do not carry samples - however our products are freely available to test in any Crabtree & Evelyn store."
My reply
"Greetings,
I am gladdened to hear that I can test the effectiveness of your product in the comfort of one of your stores. I will be bringing my new straight razor into your shop where I look forward to experiencing the closeness of a shave with Crabtree and Evelyn products. Do you supply hot water or shall I also bring a bucket and a kettle? Also, if I cut myself whilst using your product on your premises, do you have a suitable insurance policy so we can avoid the messy consequences of litigation?
Thankyou for your time,
Dan"
Do let us know their response.
Heh, what they meant to say (and very poorly worded) is that they will make up samples for you to take home for any one of their creams and\or balms you request. Odd though, since the person I spoke to was more than eager to send me a small box stuffed with samples. Of course only the Nomad shaving cream was of any use to me. I handed the rest of the 15 some odd items to my wife and asked her to let me know her thoughts on them.Quote:
Originally Posted by max_incognito
Ok, let me explain something about Europe .....
Freebies are HARDLY EVER given here but for when you are in a store and PURCHASE something. Customer service and Customer care are not considered the same here as they are in the US. Here you MIGHT get service AFTER you become a customer. Hell, you even have to pay for a keyring when buying a new car.
Remember, if companies send you anything it is out of courtisy, not because they like you so much or because it is your right.
Furthermore "Dan", I guess that replies like yours would never result in anything. You show your dismay because you think you have the right to a sample? And do you really think the average European small company would care at all about a single person who isn't a customer, one outside the EU? Espescially stating that that person has received samples from many other companies (as this clearly means that you are trying to get things for free, and the intention of you becoming a permanent customer seems to be unlikely, to say the least), would seem to be counterproductive.
Think again, there is more in the world than "I".
Hoekie
Ps, sorry people, but I had to say this. Lately some parts of the forum only seem to be about getting things free and whining if not getting any. And I really wonder, if a company/mos is smart, they will check websites mentioned and if they see the topics and their threads .... guess what the result is.
Giving samples has nothing to do with customer service. It’s salesmanship. It’s the old, “try it- you’ll like it.”
Car dealers let you test drive cars.
Ask the man behind the deli counter about the ham that’s on special and he’ll let you taste a slice.
Even Wal-Mart lets try on a pair of jeans before purchase.
All because they want you to buy. They want your money. That’s their job.
Asking for samples has little to do with getting freebies. It’s careful shopping.
As a consumer, I want to keep as much of my money as possible. That's my job. I don’t want to buy junk. I don’t want to buy something that does not perform as advertised. I want to know that I can return a product and get my money back if I’m satisfied.
Capitalism makes for strange bedfellows. And yet, it works- most of the time.
Just my 2¢
Library Guy
Hi Hoekman,
just to clarify, I only replied that for a bit of a laugh. I dont expect anything for free, its just that the reply was worded particularly stupidly - how am I meant to try shave products in one of their stores? If they said "sorry, we dont do that" like Vulfix they would just get a 'ok, thanks' email back.
You do also make a number of incorrect assumptions. I do actually come from the UK so I think I am well aware of the customs of the country that I was born in and have lived in all my life. Also, I didn't mention that I was trying to get free samples from other companies, and I didn't post my original email to them so I dont know where you got that from. If they want to check these type of forums then I'm sure they've got time to word an email in a non-ridiculous fashion. Interestingly in this non-free sample European consumer climate only they and Vulfix said no of the five companies I tried, the others were more than pleased to help. All of them were not as big as "Small" multinational company Crabtree and Evelyn.
One thing that you would say about Americans is that they are less tolerant of crap as a consumer than us Europeans, (e.g. I cant imagine Americans standing for the petrol prices that we pay in the UK!), hence they get free samples (which to me makes good business sense). In Europe I think we assume that we wont get anything so dont bother asking, but as I've learned here, if you dont ask then you dont get! I was polite and I do fully intend to continue to use the product that I like best of the samples. I'm not just grabbing everything for free, I am a future customer of at least one (if not all) of these companies so them trying to get my custom makes sense surely?!?!? Im in my twenties so I hopefully have 50-60 odd years of straight razor shaving in front of me, is that worth an outlay of a couple of quid for them to win my loyalty now?
You word it like I was throwing myself in front of cars so I can sue the drivers for cash. Its nothing of the sort, and I dont like the implication that I am only looking after myself. If you knew anything about me you would not say that at all, I earn a pittance compared to what I could because I chose to do medical research so I could help others out, instead of working for a company like MicroSoft (who offered me a research job in Cambridge) and earning a shit load which would only benefit me and Billy Gates.
For me, the greatest thing about this forum is the way that people are willing to help each other out for little or no gain, and I'm sure when I'm in a position to, I will. So just because I get a few free samples and send one sarcastic reply doesn't mean that I think the world owes me a favour.
"Dan"
OK boys, simmer down...
I appreciated Hoekman's response. I too have been following the tail end of this thread with some dismay. I'm sure that we all have valid points from our varied posititions, but the tone has begun to tarnish somewhat.
Here are my thoughts.
One of the benefits of our group is that there is a maturity, friendliness and spirit of good will that is common amongst the members. We look at ourselves as a community of men who are interested in handing down information that has been handed down to us.. freely and with out belittlement or vehemence. Hopefully, the art of our shaving method has become just a part of a greater thing we are learning. Hopefully we are learning to become gentlemen.
When I ask for samples from other companies I express my gratitude to the company when I recieve them and I express my understanding when they don't come. I never act in an arrogant manner presupposing that my $50 is going to make or break thier company. I think of myself as an ambassador or representitive of the spirit of straight razor enthusiasts.
I am personally disgusted by the way I see many of my fellow Americans act in the retail environment. Try spending some time as a waiter in a restaurant. We have become too used to getting free stuff where ever we go, especially when we complain. Most of us don't need free stuff, we need to give free stuff to people who need it. .. I digress.
Please try to remember the bigger picture here. A company is not obligated to give you anything you don't pay for. If you are insulted by this fact, then before you decide to write them back and rub thier noses in it, consider the collective effect you have on the rest of us...
Can someone who has sent emails for sampels post the address here? I am not to up on the shaving soaps (I make my own) and need help knowing who to look for lot alone finding the address.
thanks
Mason
Quote:
Originally Posted by RichZ
Mason,
Just Google the name of the vendor you want to contact. I believe they will all have a "Contact Us" link on their websites. Since you are wanting soaps, I don't know how much luck you will have. I've never received any soap samples. Seems like the sample would be so small that it would be impossible to use. But, give it a shot and let us know how it turns out!
RT
Thanks I think I will ask for creams just to see hat thay are like.
Mason
Quote:
Originally Posted by rtaylor61