Gillette accused of taking too big a 'cut' from its customers -

The Telegraph - UK ^ | September 21, 2003 | Adam Usher

[Billthedrill]

37% profit is outrageous. Ridiculous. And by golly, I'm going to do something about it!

I think I'll buy some of their stock...

[Paleo Conservative]

"What a coincidence! I got a Mach 3 Turbo razor and $1.00 coupons for blades and shaving gel in the mail today. "

I'll give it a try, but I'll probably stick with my Braun electric shaver and store brand razors.

Fortunately I have blond whiskers so I can get away with using an electric razor most days. If I want a really close shave I use a double edge razor. I can't understand paying extra for a triple edge razor.

[em2vn]

Mary Kaye has a pre-shave soap for men and a shaving cream that do a terrific job of softening my beard. I know it sounds odd but the stuff does a fine job. Some of the guys at work started using the items after I told them about them. They sware by both itmes now. Razor blades also last a lot longer when using the Mary Kaye products. Before anyone asks, I don't have a wife selling the Mary Kaye line.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Bic and other cheap razors give me razor burn and are painful to use. A Mach 3 shave in the shower with a fogless mirror is the best thing ever invented for shaving.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

I can vouch what you say regarding the Mary Kay shaving cream. It is the best shaving cream I've ever used.

[disclaimer]

Where are these complainer about tax levels in this country - let alone the fact that we all carry around pieces of paper the government tells us is money. Funny how it keeps losing value over the years.

[I got the rope]

A Mach 3 shave in the shower with a fogless mirror is the best thing ever invented for shaving.

I agree.

[Peter Libra]

A little tribute if I may. This is to King C Gillette. He was born in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin 1855. No, not a whiz on trivia myself, just adept at accessing Google. He died in 1932. His idea sold only six safety razors the first year. As the gentleman says- you know the rest of the story.

I still have my old screw off safety razor with the two sided blades (circa 1950)- bravely tried 'em once more. No way again though. Gillette's "Good News" blades, made in Mexico,sell in Ontario for about $9 dollars including the hateful 15% tax. This package of ten is about the best deal. Bravely, good old Bic sells much cheaper for a pack of ten, these blades not quite as satisfactory for me though.

Sure the fancy super this and super that blades are very expensive- lovely shave though. Yep, solidly locked up and all. Curiously, on my quick excursions to the adjoining Michigan sister city, I note, even at discount stores the same dollar prices on the sticker . Therefore a bargain price for Americans if they shop in Canada.

Enjoyed the give and take on this post. I wonder how many can remember the old Gillette Calvalcade of Sports in the 1950s? Boxing galore with Don Dunphy. I have had my moneys worth.

[Mr Rogers]

No kidding! Mine (Gillette Sensor usually) last 5-7 days before I start looking like I've lost a fight to a very angry cat. I've also tried every electric razor out there (did you know most let you buy them and return them for a full refund within a month or two?) - they all leave me with "1 o'clock shadow"...

Tried a disposable razor once while traveling - the hotel reported a murder in my room to the police, based on all the blood...

[TotusTuus]

Last time I used a disposable razor, I had to use it 3 times to get a good shave, and that makes my face bleed all day.

I'm the same way. Except about 12 or so years ago, I was involved with looking at a purschase for a hospital. It was a company that would "cold harden" surgical instruments. They would place the metal instrument in a container and slowly ramp the temperature down (and up), over and over to near absolute zero. What the process does is realign the atoms to near perfect "cubic" alignment, getting rid of molecular level slip planes.

I threw a cheap disposable double-edged Bic or Gillette in one of the runs.

Normally, with this type of razor, I could use another shave in the afternoon.

The razor gave a year's worth of excellent shaves.

[UnklGene]

Living in Southern Calif, I've discovered the famous 99 cent store. 10 disposable @ $.99 twin blade style. Today I bought a 15 pack @ $.99. This works out to $2-3 bucks a
year. The funny thing is......I can afford Gillette. Drive a Chevy or a Jag. They both get you where you want to go. PS They both make a profit on their product or they don't stay in business.

[UnklGene]

The unkindest cut..........making a (gasp) profit on a product!

[blanknoone]

I can't help but wonder...I had heard rumors of Gillette buying a patent on a 'forever razor' that never needed replacing. I am not sure if this is an urban myth (which it sounded like to me) or if someone patented the process you describe (or something similar) and Gillette did buy it. It could destroy their business.

[metesky]

This is just anti-capitalist BS, Sam. I've been shaving since 1956 and have owned exactly two razors. I buy the same blades you do and, shaving daily, they last me more than a month and I have a beard like iron spikes.

Maybe I'm just my cheap frugal father's son.

[ohnoitsjim]

I have found that an old Gillette Super Speed razor with the old double edge blade works marvelously for me. The blades are cheap-cheap-cheap, durable and long lasting. Yes, I have to be careful, but personally I'd rather do that than spend high prices on replacement cartridges for more modern razors. Plus I just like old razors...

For Gillette's part-they should be able to charge whatever they want, especially on product they developed and originated. It is up to the consumer whether they must have the newest technology, or can do with the older.