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Dear Sir,
Thank you for your e-mail.
Although we have provided some samples in the past, these were individually made by hand, as we do not hold sample-size stocks of our products.
We regret that due to excessive demand for samples, and the time consuming nature of this process, we unfortunately at the present time can no longer provide samples.
Kindest Regards,
Taylor of Old Bond Street
www.tayloroldbondst.co.uk
I was fortunate...I got samples, but it's been a while back. I do understand why they don't send samples because of the cost, but with all of the others being so generous, it makes them look bad. JL, don't be afraid to buy any of their products...if you get something you don't like...you'll be able to join the throngs of "traders" on the shaving forums!
RT
It was about time...
Understandable, too. Their products are priced well below the other English toiletry companies, so as packaging and shipping to us here would cost them the same, the return for their investment would be less. The upshot is they are fairly affordable as the top shelf stuff goes. Like Randy said, pick one or two and go for it. I bet you'll be pleased, and if not, there's not any cream, soap, or colognes that don't have at least a few fans around here. It would be no problem unloading them.
Jeff
I also suspect, unfortunately, that the fact that a large number of people joining these and other forums requested samples might have poisoned the well.
I never did request samples - but I wholeheartedly endorse their products. The creams and other products are really top notch, and they aren't at all expensive. You can have two tubs for the price of a smaller, and much inferior, cream from Art of Shaving.
Oh, just to clarify - I didn't get any samples, but I do own a shaving shop's worth of their product. :)
I think the'd be happy just to see us discussing them. So what if everybody gets a freebee to start? It's all 'word of mouth' and if the product is really that good, then we'll be back getting the stuff we like from because we've found what we like thanks to their forethoughtfullness (is that a word?)That's good business practice if you ask me.
X
JL,
I have a tub of the Taylor Lavender cream and have
been very satisfied with its performance. I have heard
that the DR Harris lavender cream has a stronger scent.
But compare the price. At classic shaving a 5 oz tub of
Taylors is $13.49 while the DR Harris is $29.00 for a 7 oz
tub. Hard to decide though. While a part of me says
" buy the taylors" the devil on the other shoulder says
"buy a tub of harris,you only live once".
The harris can be found at www.greenpond.com
Terry
I have a tube of Mr. Taylors cream, a tub of Eton College, sandalwood A/S and Eton College A/S. Love them all. Buy the tubs though, not the tubes. They are of a thicker consistency in the tubs and seem to go further. Also have a full bottle of Shaving shop aftershave that isn't my bag. I guess I need to re-list it in the sell forum.
Jeff
I have the lavender and sandalwood soaps. Love both but sandalwood is higher on my list. I just love the smell. The lather is nice and thick but I look forward to the smell when I lather up with sandalwood more than anything else.
I got that same email from them. But hey if you can't try the product first then most ppl won't try it at all. So I hear they have a good product but I have gotten to try it. Truefitt and hill has a good product and I now know they have a good product. I also received my Geo Trumpers stuff and am going to try it also.
Keaton
I have samples from GFT coming and I believe D.R. Harris (although DR hasnt confirmed via email, they also avent said no) So we will see what I think of their stuff. I am also strongly considering Sue's stuff from saintcharlesshave.com.
I really don't know that I want to purchase from a company that isnt willing to give our samples. I wouldnt buy a cologne that I couldnt smell either
I have Tayor of OBS sandalwood soap and their St James shaving cream. I love their products. The cream is the best I use it to treat myself as it has a great later and I really like the scent.:D
I don't know if I'm a fan or not. I've got Shaving Shop. And St. James. And Eton College. And Mr. Taylor's. And Avocado. Yeah, I guess I like it! But it's a toss up between St. James, Shaving Shop and Mr. Taylor's as to which one I like best.Quote:
Originally Posted by RichZ
RT
My standard rotation is TOBS Shaving shop, T&H 1805, TOBS Mr. Taylor's. Love em all. Unfortunately, ThreePutt had to throw a wrench in the works by turning me on to Castle Forbes Limes. Now I've got to add another cream to my rotation (to be honest, the CF is far and away the best of the lot). On the other hand, I feel like a parent trying to decide among my kids...I love em all :shrug:
Ed
They did tell you that they don't have premade samples like some of those companies do, and that was the reason they couldn't send you anything. I mean, taking the time and going to the expense to make small samples, package them up, and ship them to the USA is a bit above and beyond the call of duty, to my estimation.Quote:
Originally Posted by JLStorm
If you try it and don't like it, you don't buy any more of their stuff. But you also have the advantage of lots of people here who have tried lots of different products (I've tried at least five different Taylor's scents alone, plus products from more other companies than I can easily count).
I'm not hawking their product or anything - try it or not as you choose. I just think saying that you won't ever buy from them because they won't send you a sample is a bit unfair.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JerseyLawyer
Well I guess really what I am saying is I will most probably buy from a number of companies that give samples before I go with them. I have so many things I want and scents that I have never smelled, that I if I can get the same scent from a company that gives out samples so I have an idea of what it smells like, I will buy from them first. I will probably buy from TOBS if and when I get bored with everything else.
I wish I knew how to do one of those evil laugh smiley faces LOLQuote:
Originally Posted by ForestryProf
Jeff
On the other side of the coin there are many guys out there that would never spring the $$ needed for these first class products prefering to use Williams or Surry cake soaps.........but hey, free samples!! Yep, send a bunch my way, now I would love to try them, for free. They then post a link on several popular DE shaving sites, everyone reading them e-mails that same week, the soap suppliers get overwhelemed with responses for free product, mail out dozens of samples to the USA and over the next two months see zero increase in actual sales becuase the freebies went to those with no intention of buying retail <g>. Many large companies are setup for this type of thing and I agree samples are great. For a small supplier I can't see how they could do it on a regular basis for more than an occasional random request.
I see on the same DE groups guys lamenting the small number of shaving suppliers, then arranging bulk buys of DE blades to divide among them at cost, thereby bypassing the local stores they wished were thriving.
Now what I do advocate from any supplier (myself included), or any product is: you see it, you try it, you don't like it?? Kindly send it back for a full refund, no questions asked.
Sorry for the rant <g>
Tony Miller
Tony,
You make a good point. I have purchased from all of the vendors who have provided samples, either directly or indirectly, with the exception of Art of Shaving. And eventually, I will purchase from them. Having said that, upon purchasing, I always notify the vendor and thank them for the samples and inform them of the purchase, and the vendor's name if purchased indirectly. I don't believe in asking for freebies just to have free products.
RT
Thank you, Tony. I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels that way.
Tony,
Very true, why get samples and then not buy the product. I did it to find what I liked and then I bought it. Hell with this I'll probably buy the ones I didn't love also.:D . I know 12 step program.....
There is no way that I will ever contact a company asking
for free samples of their products. If I want to try it, I
will order it. If the gods are smiling down on me then I will get a
product that I like. So far they were smiling when I ordered
Taylors Lavender cream, Trumpers Violet cream, Savory Rose
and New Spice from Sue and coconut from classicshaving.
They were not smiling when for some strange reason I ordered
a cake of Lightfoots Pine from shoplondons, in fact
they were scowing and scowing big time on that particular day.
As time goes on I know that I will expand out and try other
brand and scents and I will do so by simply taking a chance
and ordering a the product and with lick the gods will be in
a happy and sunny mood.
I'm really looking forward to the day that I regain my sanity and
realize that I received just a good of shave from a cake of
simple old Williams.
But until that day arrives, I will never ask anyone if they have
anything they want to give away.
Terry
I guess I just disagree. I don't need samples, I would be happy if they sent out scent cards of their fragrences so I know what I am getting into. Again, I would never buy cologne I couldnt smell first. I just can't justify spending that kind of money on something that I may completely hate. Now if it was $4.00, thats not a big deal, but $18 - $40 for shaving soap or aftershave is a very big deal.
JL,
Lets agree to disagree. Even though we have different
points of view on this issue we do see eye to eye on
others. Number one is gun control - I oppose it and that
settles it. Number two - Eminent Domaine - Oppose
the hell out of it.
Best regards and very best of luck with you first
shave.
Terry
I agree, but in a perfect world you would be able to go to a store and smell the testers. Not even spray anything into the air, just smell the testers. I have purchased from every company that has sent me samples with the exception of 'King of Shaves'. I just didn't care for that shaving gel.Quote:
Originally Posted by JLStorm
-Fred
Quote:
Originally Posted by wvbias
Well the ones we agree on are the important ones!
JL,
But I don't blame you for not buying aftershaves or colognes
that you can't smell first. Considering the prices on some
of the Trumpers AS and colognes. I suppose that a company
that does a lot of their slaes online could offer something -
even if it is scented strips. I was out of line with my response.
Terry
you were just expressing your opinion, there is nothing out of line about that...this board would be very boring if we all agreed on everything!Quote:
Originally Posted by wvbias
i think that everybody should buy at least one tub of taylors. they make really good shaving cream. it is $13 a jar, way cheaper than the other companies.
if you have tried a shave cream you've pretty much tried them all. there will be differences in them but if you know you like lavender from truefitt you'll probably like a lavender shave cream from aos, taylor etc.... I know that there will be minor differences in smell but the 'base scents' will be similar. if you don't quite like the smell of it just use up the jar or sell it.
i went out on a limb and tried mr taylors. that is a cologne type cream and much harder to judge if you'll like it or not. if i don't i'll know not to buy it next time.
on another forum people were complaining that they requested specific samples from a company and instead got three that they didn't request. they were so mad that the person didn't stop and produce a sample just for them that they weren't going to buy from them. it didn't make any sense at all. they have pre-made sample bags at random and this person expected them to prepare one just for him and was appaled that they didn't. even if companies send out samples they don't always win.
it sucks if they don't send out samples but i know you can understand why they don't. i request free samples from every company that i hear that offers them and i don't always plan on buying stuff from them if i like it...although i just bought a $50 bottle of quercus after a penhaligons sample package...