And I have some myth-busting to do. I've been talking to the folks at iKon recently. I don't know why I can't find them on Google maps, I suppose because they haven't listed their business, but they take about 4-6 days for standard post to California. I was curious how that is when they're located in Thailand or Malaysia as is supposed to be the case. Come to find out, they're located in NYC.
So if anyone has avoided them because of their reported location outside of the US, that's just not the case. And I've asked a few questions now, we've had a bit of back and forth. I have to say, I'm not sure if it's Greg or someone else, as they don't put a name on their emails (a bit odd, that) but they're very responsive. I sent an email yesterday and received an almost immediate reply. I set the tablet down after hitting send and it almost immediately beeped to let me know I had a new message.
They don't always answer questions directly, but that's not that uncommon. All in all, after hearing the warnings here and talking to the vendor, I can say I'll purchase with confidence. As I've read in some posts about trying to return damaged goods and being denied (a bent OSS base plate for one that comes to mind) it appears they can be less than accommodating. But most of us have the benefit of consumer protections in online purchases from our credit card companies. Visa and Discover both handle these issues very expertly in my experience.
Off topic a bit, but Discover Card plug here, I got ripped off on some car parts from Parts Geek (don't use them) and the vendor had me dead to rights based on their predatory return policy. However, nearly 3 months after the fact (it took a few phone calls), Discover politely and graciously handled it for me, getting my money back for the full purchase of over $300.
So iKon it is. I appreciate the warnings, and I'm sorry I can't maintain solidarity on the iKon ban. If ATT made a truly mild razor, it would be no competition in my mind, but for what I want combined with what I need, I don't see any better options out there for me. In time, probably by this time next year, I imagine I'll have the Atlas set, especially if dweebs0r's goes up on the BST in enough time for me to recoup my budget a bit. And hopefully that's an equally suitable set to my liking, but I don't see myself ever downsizing on the stainless purchases. Part of the reason for buying is so I can have some cool old razors to give to my kids or grandkids, or ggkids, whatever the case may be.
In the meantime, I'll definitely keep you all in loop on how everything works out with the 5 set.
So if anyone has avoided them because of their reported location outside of the US, that's just not the case. And I've asked a few questions now, we've had a bit of back and forth. I have to say, I'm not sure if it's Greg or someone else, as they don't put a name on their emails (a bit odd, that) but they're very responsive. I sent an email yesterday and received an almost immediate reply. I set the tablet down after hitting send and it almost immediately beeped to let me know I had a new message.
They don't always answer questions directly, but that's not that uncommon. All in all, after hearing the warnings here and talking to the vendor, I can say I'll purchase with confidence. As I've read in some posts about trying to return damaged goods and being denied (a bent OSS base plate for one that comes to mind) it appears they can be less than accommodating. But most of us have the benefit of consumer protections in online purchases from our credit card companies. Visa and Discover both handle these issues very expertly in my experience.
Off topic a bit, but Discover Card plug here, I got ripped off on some car parts from Parts Geek (don't use them) and the vendor had me dead to rights based on their predatory return policy. However, nearly 3 months after the fact (it took a few phone calls), Discover politely and graciously handled it for me, getting my money back for the full purchase of over $300.
So iKon it is. I appreciate the warnings, and I'm sorry I can't maintain solidarity on the iKon ban. If ATT made a truly mild razor, it would be no competition in my mind, but for what I want combined with what I need, I don't see any better options out there for me. In time, probably by this time next year, I imagine I'll have the Atlas set, especially if dweebs0r's goes up on the BST in enough time for me to recoup my budget a bit. And hopefully that's an equally suitable set to my liking, but I don't see myself ever downsizing on the stainless purchases. Part of the reason for buying is so I can have some cool old razors to give to my kids or grandkids, or ggkids, whatever the case may be.
In the meantime, I'll definitely keep you all in loop on how everything works out with the 5 set.