You call that lather?

[Saxmoore]

I was at a local mall last weekend and went to the AOS store. I'm not sure if my lather is what it should be so I thought I'd go in and talk to some "experts". I spoke with the young lady working there and told her I'm having problems with consistency, and would she be able to show me their method.

She was happy to oblige and took me to a counter that had a bowl of water, a brush, and tub of cream. After getting the brush wet, she plopped some cream into the middle of the brush, then swirled it 8 or 9 times on the back of her hand making some bubbly, drippy, soapy mess . I'm waiting for her to continue and build up a wonderful lather, but she stops and wipes her hand saying, "Now you just shave with the grain like this. If you want to shave against the grain, add some more lather." She proceeded to make 3 or 4 more swirls, then wiped her hand again.

"That's all there is to it."

I stood there waiting for the heavens to open up and to be bathed in golden light with mounds of shaving cream exploding all around. But, she was done. That was it. She looked at me waiting for understanding and acceptance. I was so stunned that all I could say was, "ok, thanks", and she moved on to another customer.

All I could think of was....you call that lather?!?

[RichGem]

sad indeed.

[luvmysuper]

Thank you.

It is exactly stories like these that make me glad that I have never (and likely never will) ;

1. Step foot inside of an AOS shop
2. Ever ask for a shave at a barber shop.

[dpmtherrien]

Just goes to show you. nobody seems to care about things these days. Here's a person who was hired, given minimal training or instruction, and put out on the floor giving "expert" advice. Some poor guy will leave there thinking he can now make lather, and then wonder why his face is in such a sorry state. He'll probably be turned off to DE shaving if not for good, or at least until someone takes him by the hand and show's him the right way. Perhaps he'll find his way to B&B. :tongue: :001_rolle :wink: :a22:

[BROWNS]

This is the EXACT same "demonstration" my dad and I received at our AOS store! Despicable!

[Jim]

The same thing happened at the old Eshave shop on First Ave. When I left there was a 3 foot mound of lather and a happy manager.

[htownmmm]

The same thing happened at the old Eshave shop on First Ave. When I left there was a 3 foot mound of lather and a happy manager.

You had the opportunity to show her how to make real lather(with another customer watching) and you didn't? for shame........

Everything you have learned from this site is much more meaningful(and correct) than what 'mall rats' will/can show you. take the knowledge you have and continue to apply it-your skill in building lather will improve.


marty

[luvmysuper]

The same thing happened at the old Eshave shop on First Ave. When I left there was a 3 foot mound of lather and a happy manager.

I wish I could have been a fly on the wall that day.

[Luc]

:eek::eek::eek:

That...

:eek::eek::eek:

[Saxmoore]

You had the opportunity to show her how to make real lather(with another customer watching) and you didn't? for shame........

Everything you have learned from this site is much more meaningful(and correct) than what 'mall rats' will/can show you. take the knowledge you have and continue to apply it-your skill in building lather will improve.


marty

Assuming you were talking to me (OP), I was too stunned. Of course, I thought the same thing 2 minutes later after I realized what had happened. Then I thought to myself...Nah, I'll just go home and read more B&B :tongue_sm

[Jethro1984]

The AOS store I went to did a much better job. The lady made a very good looking lather on her hand. She spent the better part of a minute brush lathering.

[SRock]

I wish I could have been a fly on the wall that day.

+1! "Now this, this is lather!"

[Jethro1984]

I made one heck of a lather today.....I don't know if I finally used the right amount of cream or what but my TOBS Lemon/Lime made just gobs and gobs of lather and I hardly added any water. It seemed to be a bit more cream than I normally used but I was just blown away....I didn't know what to do with all of it.

[mliguori]

I'm not a huge fan of the AOS stores either. This will be another one of the many reasons I tell myself not to go in and keep walking.

[tpoof]

sign of the times gents... loads of instant experts out there.. :rolleyes:

[bill mcdill]

Was in a Sephora outlet the other day and asked to see their shaving supplies. The young lady took me to the shaving area, they carried AOS and some other fancy-schmancy brands of stuff. I was looking for soaps in particular and when I asked her if they had any shaving soap she looked a bit quizzical, and then said "You mean like the old fashioned way..." :eek: I said thanks and ran

[groc426]

Hopefully this doesn't come off sexist, but I find it strange to get shaving tips from women working at these stores. I understand some women (few) may use men's shaving cream, but I have my doubts about them. Then again, I've recieved just as "good" of advice from male associates at these stores who've sold me crappy soap.

[Jim]

I wish I could have been a fly on the wall that day.


Not quite the same..... but close (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=40227&highlight=eshave)


http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=40227&highlight=eshave

[luvmysuper]

Not quite the same..... but close (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=40227&highlight=eshave)


http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=40227&highlight=eshave

Thanks.
As an aside, Sorry to see that another Brick and Mortar has closed down.

[masonjarjar]

All I could think of was....you call that lather?!?

Your mistake was thinking that a young lady working in an AOS store would know jack about making lather.. :biggrin:


Time and practice are your allies. No one has your specific variables, so you're the only one that can really figure it out anyway. Yes you can get tips here, but you'll still need to practice..

[Emmett]

Hopefully this doesn't come off sexist, but I find it strange to get shaving tips from women working at these stores. I understand some women (few) may use men's shaving cream, but I have my doubts about them. Then again, I've recieved just as "good" of advice from male associates at these stores who've sold me crappy soap.

Seeing as some of our most beloved artisan soap vendors are women, I daresay women are more than capable of knowing about soap and lathering. Now, a retail salesperson who is undertrained and not personally familiar with wetshaving, I could see where there'd be some hesitation to trust their "expertise". But as you said, lack of product knowledge is not gender specific.

[MoJoe]

There is plenty of blame to go around and none should go to the OP. The store should train their people better - period. They are supposed to be the authorities on the subject and their people should reflect that. Try going to an Apple store. Their people are well trained and if they can't help a customer they walk that customer to the genius bar for help from someone who can. I guess that AoS views their competition as Schick and Barbasol and figues that they can get away with minimal effort.

Also, points deducted from the sales rep. If she making more than minimum wage she should be looking to understand her product and market better, understand what their competition is and how she can solve customer problems. Talk about unmotivated, but maybe that's the store's fault for a lack of incentives. Either way, there should be more of an effort on improvement.

[groc426]

Seeing as some of our most beloved artisan soap vendors are women, I daresay women are more than capable of knowing about soap and lathering.

I do realize this and was making a general statement regarding retail store associates and not our beloved soap makers. I apologize that "these stores" was not specific enough. I've heard phrases such as, "I prefer...because it softens the hair" or "This is my favorite because it's easier to shave with." I'm never sure how to react. I usually end up with a puzzled look on my face in hopes that they understand what they are really saying, but it never works. Next time I'm going to make a comment about their 5 o'clock shadow...that should do the trick :001_smile

[philamac]

Is the art of making lather not something best learnt through personal experience?

[The National Razor]

Okay, so she couldn't make lather...but was she hot? :smile:

[masonjarjar]

Is the art of making lather not something best learnt through personal experience?

yes, it's amazing I know.. some of us have been making fine lather for years before we found B&B.. :biggrin:

[kzoo1]

Thank you.

It is exactly stories like these that make me glad that I have never (and likely never will) ;

1. Step foot inside of an AOS shop
2. Ever ask for a shave at a barber shop.

x2!


Okay, so she couldn't make lather...but was she hot? :001_smile

This!

[Seraphim]

You should step inside an AOS store to do one simple thing:


Buy some AOS soap!


Don't ask any quesstions, don't make eye contact, just go to the soaps, buy the one that appeals to you, pay and leave.


The AOS soaps are very nice!

[Bulldawg]

I stood there waiting for the heavens to open up and to be bathed in golden light with mounds of shaving cream exploding all around.

You should try Cedarfurnitureman Homemade Shaving Soap for that type of lather explosion.

[Ru4scuba?]

Was in a Sephora outlet the other day and asked to see their shaving supplies. The young lady took me to the shaving area, they carried AOS and some other fancy-schmancy brands of stuff. I was looking for soaps in particular and when I asked her if they had any shaving soap she looked a bit quizzical, and then said "You mean like the old fashioned way..." :eek: I said thanks and ran

Ironically.. I had a similar experience with Macy's and AoS products. I went there to ask if they sold AoS shave soap bowls (had a gift card). The lady promptly told me that those havent been made in years and that I should try a cream.

I politely informed her otherwise and told her she should pop in to the AoS store one level up and check out their shave soap samples. She looked at me puzzled and turned to another customer. C'est la vie

[Jim]

You should try Cedarfurnitureman Homemade Shaving Soap for that type of lather explosion.


Haha...

[Vulcanus]

Ironically.. I had a similar experience with Macy's and AoS products. I went there to ask if they sold AoS shave soap bowls (had a gift card). The lady promptly told me that those havent been made in years and that I should try a cream.

I politely informed her otherwise and told her she should pop in to the AoS store one level up and check out their shave soap samples. She looked at me puzzled and turned to another customer. C'est la vie

I went to a C&E store the other day and I informed the lady there the difference between the Super Badger and Best Badger brush they had. It gave my self esteem a bump. :)

[Ignatius]

But as you said, lack of product knowledge is not gender specific.

But correlated.

There's a female 'barber' on youtube (ExpertVillage) demonstrating the most unintentionally hilarious shave ever committed to celluloid.

[Ignatius]

You should step inside an AOS store to do one simple thing:


Buy some AOS soap!


And cream :thumbup1:

[RoyalKooparillo]

You should try Cedarfurnitureman Homemade Shaving Soap for that type of lather explosion.

Heard that stuff makes english fern look like liquid dial.

[bludman]

Thank you.

It is exactly stories like these that make me glad that I have never (and likely never will) ;

1. Step foot inside of an AOS shop
2. Ever ask for a shave at a barber shop.

I respectfully disagree on both counts. AOS was my first "nice" shaving cream and I still love it. It's my favorite sandalwood scent I have found yet (not to "sandalwoody" for the lack of a better word) and I find it makes amazing lather.

In terms of salesperson knowledge. I've been to 3 branches in NYC and one in DC. There was a guy in the Time Warner Center branch (Columbus Circle in NYC) that was quite knowledgeable about DE shaving and we had a good shave-geek conversation for a while. With that said, one guy at the grand central branch told me he used an electric razor only.

At a trade show once, a Caswell Massey sales rep tried to convince me that pure badger was the best grade of badger hair because it was pure.

The bottom line is unless they use the stuff themselves, most of them lack the knowledge they should have, and thus B&B remains the best source of information.

With regards to #2, I have had to professional shaves in my life (both in the past year). One at Frank's Chop shop on the LES in NYC and the other at TOBS on Jermyn St in London. Neither were as smooth as my own shave, but how smooth were you really the first time you shaved yourself. It takes time to get to know your own face and barbers rarely shave ATG. Overall both those experiences were quite positive and if it weren't for the cost, I would have them done more often.

[herbnerd]

And was told they didn't have any shaving products. I informed the sales person that they did indeed have shaving products because I was told by the cosmetic buyer they had shaving creams and soaps.

I asked about the Trufit and Hill, and was told by another sales person, "Sorry, but cheaper stuff is over there...."

I pointedly told them if they don't want to take my money, I will be happy to speak to their cosmetic buyer and inform her that their sales staff do not want to sell me anything (dropping the name of the cosmetic buyer in for good measure).

Eventually, I did succumb to the Tabac shaving cream (maybe I'll get the soap later) but I did have to tell the sales person that Trufit and Hill do indeed make samples sizes (having been told they don't) and grabbed a few samples before legging it. I wasn't impressed with the sales staff at all.

[BoldSpice]

I've heard phrases such as, "I prefer...because it softens the hair" or "This is my favorite because it's easier to shave with." I'm never sure how to react. I usually end up with a puzzled look on my face in hopes that they understand what they are really saying, but it never works. Next time I'm going to make a comment about their 5 o'clock shadow...that should do the trick :001_smile

So you're saying that women never shave?

[philamac]

A lot of us here have acquired a lot of knowledge about shaving and shave products because we are interested in them and enjoy them, and have access to this forum and others.

I would be sad if anyone were to use that knowledge to go into shops and intentionally belittle, embarrass or try to show up the sales people who work in those shops and who are just trying to make a living.

[Cains Boy]

You should try Cedarfurnitureman Homemade Shaving Soap for that type of lather explosion.

Oh dear Lord.....

Also, I've been waiting for someone to notice how she wasted some perfectly good cream.:biggrin:

[Tat2d Bald Dude]

A lot of us here have acquired a lot of knowledge about shaving and shave products because we are interested in them and enjoy them, and have access to this forum and others.

I would be sad if anyone were to use that knowledge to go into shops and intentionally belittle, embarrass or try to show up the sales people who work in those shops and who are just trying to make a living.

I agree with what you're saying, however, I think that you will also find a good number of us here who - when witnessing a minimum wage-earning, fresh out of high school yet barely into their freshman year of college, guy or gal who doesn't know anything about a line of the products that their store sells, educating a customer with absurdly incorrect information - will feel compelled to step in and say something. And when we choose to do that, it's not in bad taste or to go on our own little egotistical "I know more than you" power trip or to show them up or embarrass them. It's for the good of the sales associate, the customer, the store and that transaction itself.

[groc426]

So you're saying that women never shave?
I think very few women take a brush and men's shaving cream/soap to their legs. So in the context of my statements, yes you have made the right assumption.

My point, they are trained. IMHO, most have never used the shaving products but simply reiterating what someone else has told them. Instead of using statements such as, "I prefer..." they would be better off to say "I have heard..." or "Most prefer..." Again, I find it strange to receive shaving advice (not opinion) from female sales associates. As stated earlier, in my experience I have also found some male sale associates to be just as trained and unknowing. Admittedly, I do find myself more willing to believe a man though.

[Hawkeyeted]

It is exactly stories like these that make me glad that I have never (and likely never will) ;

1. Step foot inside of an AOS shop
2. Ever ask for a shave at a barber shop.

3. Ask a woman how to make shave lather.

I certainly don't mean to make this a sexist statment, but I'm certain that a woman knows no more about making wet shave lather than I do about makeup.

[Oktane]

And this woman makes her own soaps..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7B8pyRDft4

Look at that rich, creamy lather.. :001_huh:

[crocto]

you're all missing the point. this is like going into staples and asking the employee which computer you should buy or going to best buy and asking which TV is best. they simply don't know and don't care. they're making $8.75 an hour they just want to go home!

[Tat2d Bald Dude]

you're all missing the point. this is like going into staples and asking the employee which computer you should buy or going to best buy and asking which TV is best. they simply don't know and don't care. they're making $8.75 an hour they just want to go home!

True, but the point that you, and those said Sales Associates, are missing is the fact that, even if that's the case, don't let that feeling be clearly shown to the customer who you're trying to make a sale too. I'm sure that, in a perfect world, we would all love to just sit at home on B & B all day and get paid $12.00 to do it and never have to worry about the obligation of working, but we have to work. So, even though that girl probably would have rather been at least 10 other places than that AoS store that day, she shouldn't have made it seem to her customers like she didn't want to be there.

[michiganlover]

And this woman makes her own soaps..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7B8pyRDft4

Look at that rich, creamy lather.. :001_huh:

From the "huh" smile, I take it that you know that her lather is a disaster!! That lather is too wet, and way too airy to ever be useful to use for shaving!! Good shaving lather is not all bubbly like that!! :tongue_sm

[SRock]

I would be sad if anyone were to use that knowledge to go into shops and intentionally belittle, embarrass or try to show up the sales people who work in those shops and who are just trying to make a living.

I agree with you on this. However, I don't think there is anything wrong with politely and delicately offering tips to the sales person based on experience that could improve their sales pitch and possibly help another struggling customer with their lather.

[strat1117]

When I left there was a 3 foot mound of lather and a happy manager.

I think this is what they mean by "low hanging fruit" . . . . :lol:

[auee1977]

The problem with this entire episode is that the store specializes in shaving products. The entire purpose of the store is to sell these products to the general public, the vast majority of whom have only used canned gel or foam. Creating a good lather is an essential part of the shaving process. The company's failure to train all of its SAs on how to make a great lather with the products its sells is ridiculous and a really bad business practice. With this type of demonstration, any one who tries DE shaving will give up immediately after donating blood and skin to the public sewer system. These customers will not be repeat customers.

That being said, if it had not been for you guys and all of the fantastic help you give to all and especially newbies, I would be using Edge gel and a Mach Three.

[michiganlover]

With this type of demonstration, any one who tries DE shaving will give up immediately after donating blood and skin to the public sewer system. These customers will not be repeat customers.

+1

With that kind of demonstration, the customer is going to try out the products, decide they are horrid (after suffering the worst case of razor burn of their life), and then give up on traditional style shaving with a shaving cream, and brush.

It's totally sad that big companies totally drop the ball in training, and then wonder why their bottom line is not up to par. :lol::lol:

[gone down south]

Even with you guys backing me up at every step, it still took a couple weeks to figure out this whole lathering thing. I can imagine that it I had received one sub-par lesson on lathering and then was tossed back on my own, I would have quit the next day.

[philamac]

I agree with what you're saying, however, I think that you will also find a good number of us here who - when witnessing a minimum wage-earning, fresh out of high school yet barely into their freshman year of college, guy or gal who doesn't know anything about a line of the products that their store sells, educating a customer with absurdly incorrect information - will feel compelled to step in and say something. And when we choose to do that, it's not in bad taste or to go on our own little egotistical "I know more than you" power trip or to show them up or embarrass them. It's for the good of the sales associate, the customer, the store and that transaction itself.

That makes good sense to me:thumbup1:

I was just concerned because on some threads in the past, it did seem to me that there was a little of the 'egotistical power tripping' you described, a great little phrase if I may say so.

[Tat2d Bald Dude]

That makes good sense to me:thumbup1:

I was just concerned because on some threads in the past, it did seem to me that there was a little of the 'egotistical power tripping' you described, a great little phrase if I may say so.

Thank you! But I meant what I said. I know that I never intentionally walk into a store to "scope out" a bad sales associate and then proceed to put a damper on their day by belittling or brow-beating them.