Gillette Slim Adjustable buying off ebay

[rfadream]

I'm looking to buy either a Gillette slim adjustable or super adjustable off ebay.

I've heard a few people say that the adjustable settings aren't as sturdy as they are on the progress and that they've had a few adjustables breakdown on them. its got me a little worried.
if i spend ~$30 for a gillette slim or super that looks to be in good like new condition do i still have to also worry about the adjustable settings being in working shape?

basically i'm looking for input from people who have bought gillette adjustables from ebay that have arrived in less than perfect working condition.

[cooncatbob]

Alot of these razor are over 50 years old and work just as good as they did the day they left the factory. Others have lived a hard life. Gillette never intended them to last as long as they have.
The Gillette's have many more and smaller parts then the Progress so they're more things that can go wrong with them.
It's alway a crap shoot when you buy something used with out handling it first.
If your concerned, buy a new Progress, Merkur does stand behind their product even though they are a small company.

[doc_paul]

Alot of these razor are over 50 years old and work just as good as they did the day they left the factory. Others have lived a hard life. Gillette never intended them to last as long as they have.
The Gillette's have many more and smaller parts then the Progress so they're more things that can go wrong with them.
It's alway a crap shoot when you buy something used with out handling it first.
If your concerned, buy a new Progress, Merkur does stand behind their product even though they are a small company.

I think over time, you will see a Slim will out live a Progress. I have both. Bang a few nails into the wall with the Slim, its fine.... Drop the Progress a few times in the shower, nice crack down the handle.

Gillette built these things like tanks - they will outlive you and the next guy just as they outlived their original users.

Besides that, Merkur does stand behind there product and they are a great company to deal with. You can get a Progress any day of the week, but I see Gillette razors are becoming more and more slim picking and prices risen dramatically. Get your vintage razors while you can still afford them :wink:

[gunner6477]

I'd skip the bay personally, and buy off of the B/S/T. Photos and descriptions, are usually always better and taken/made by knowledgeable folks. B/S/T sellers also have ebay sellers beat hands down in the integrity department. Price-wise, there is a lot less inflation as well.

But that is not to say that there are not good deals on ebay. It just requires a little more knowledge of what to look for and ability to recognize potential pitfalls.

[Lefty]

Absolutely buy a vintage from someone on BST. These guys will tell you what it is worth. Buying off ebay is a crap shoot to say the least. Much more reputable people here and usually a better price.

[rfadream]

ya i know, i'd much prefer to buy here in the BST but even here good condition slim adjustables are about $30+ shipped. i'm hoping i can find a good deal for around $25 shipped on the bay.

[tvphotog]

Buy Sell Trade forum is your best bet. You never know what's gone on with a piece on ebay, and you don't know with whom you're dealing. The price will be much better on the BST as well.

Best,

[D. B. Cooper]

...Besides that, Merkur does stand behind there product and they are a great company to deal with. You can get a Progress any day of the week, but I see Gillette razors are becoming more and more slim picking and prices risen dramatically. Get your vintage razors while you can still afford them :wink:

I think that Gillette's will always be available in one form or another for cheap. Even if thousands of DE wet shavers buy them up from the antique shops, they will find there way back eventually...

[SobBill2]

Our Buy/Sell/Trade forum is where you'll find a good razor at a good price. :smile:

[cooncatbob]

I think over time, you will see a Slim will out live a Progress. I have both. Bang a few nails into the wall with the Slim, its fine.... Drop the Progress a few times in the shower, nice crack down the handle.


I had a beater Progress that I dissected and the tube seems to be thicker then razors like the New and Techs and HDs. I've never heard of one splitting.
If you drop any TTO on the floor with the door opened you risk bending small parts and I wouldn't use any TTO as a hammer or a Progress.
So there is no evidence that one razor will out last another.
There are more Slims out there because Gillette is a huge company and made millions of razors, Merkur is a small company of less then 100 employees.

[charliec]

ya i know, i'd much prefer to buy here in the BST but even here good condition slim adjustables are about $30+ shipped. i'm hoping i can find a good deal for around $25 shipped on the bay.

I would gladly pay $5 to $10 more here to get quality:biggrin:
a member selling from his collection knows what to look
for, some of those guys on Flea- bay dont know which
end to hold :confused:
jmho
charliec

[AsylumGuido]

I would gladly pay $5 to $10 more here to get quality:biggrin:
a member selling from his collection knows what to look
for, some of those guys on Flea- bay dont know which
end to hold :confused:
jmho
charliec

Bingo! But, it always doesn't mean that. You may be able to get quality on the Bay, but as you said it is a crap shoot. You may be able to get that below value sweet to use and look at piece for a deal. But, you can also get that premium piece with the bent teeth or the crooked bar or the ...

When you go through BST you are assured of dealing with people who are known and proven on the site. Ask around about reputation. Check 'em out. And then feel confident to purchase quality, maybe a hair more than eBAy on an itwm here or there, but for a reason ... quality assured.

But then again, other pieces for less ... and with the very same quality assurance!

[Cheezeweggie]

I've bought 2 fatboys and a Super Speed off Ebay. In fact, the second fatboy I scored for $21.50 and the Flare tip SS was $5. All three were in great condition and were packaged well. The prices are a little higher on BST, but as mentioned above, you have the near assurance that you wont get ripped-off.

[Lefty]

and free shipping...everyone likes to forget to add shipping cost into ebay sells.

BST trade baby, keep it in the family.

[rfadream]

i just won a gillette slim adjustable which looks like its in excellent condition for $31.50

link has description and some nice photos
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360068122464

has anyone bought from this seller before?
his other gillette slim listings have very detailed and thorough descriptions of all imperfections.
so the fact that he says this one "works perfect... I can not see anything wrong this razor. All in excellent condition" gives me high hopes for my first adjustable razor.

i know $31.50 isn't a huge steal or anything, but these days the prices i'm seeing for excellent superspeeds and slim adjustables are very often in the $40+ range so i'm pretty happy.

[stobes21]

i just won a gillette slim adjustable which looks like its in excellent condition for $31.50

link has description and some nice photos
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360068122464

has anyone bought from this seller before?
his other gillette slim listings have very detailed and thorough descriptions of all imperfections.
so the fact that he says this one "works perfect... I can not see anything wrong this razor. All in excellent condition" gives me high hopes for my first adjustable razor.

i know $31.50 isn't a huge steal or anything, but these days the prices i'm seeing for excellent superspeeds and slim adjustables are very often in the $40+ range so i'm pretty happy.

That's a mighty fine looking razor. Looks like you got yourself a deal.

As for the OP, Ebay is a crapshoot. Sometimes you score a sweet deal, as this gentleman did, and sometimes you get crap. Some razors sell for super cheap, others go ridiculously high (see the $500 fatboy).

If you want a sure bet, head over to the B/S/T. You'll know of any defects in the razor before you buy, and not have to worry about getting a razor with a crack that wasn't shown, or a stuck TTO mechanism, and so on. You may pay more than you would if you watch the bay a while, but you won't have to worry about the BS of the bay. The prices there are very fair (and frequently ridiculously low), and the extra $5 is well worth it in my mind for the peace of mind.

[rfadream]

lol strobes i'm the original poster who scored the 31.50 slim. hehehe

[stobes21]

lol strobes i'm the original poster who scored the 31.50 slim. hehehe

Heh, oops.:blush: Well, congrats on that. Be sure to give us an update once you get it.

[dcormier]

I'd skip the bay personally, and buy off of the B/S/T. Photos and descriptions, are usually always better and taken/made by knowledgeable folks. B/S/T sellers also have ebay sellers beat hands down in the integrity department. Price-wise, there is a lot less inflation as well.

But that is not to say that there are not good deals on ebay. It just requires a little more knowledge of what to look for and ability to recognize potential pitfalls.

+1 on all points

[dcormier]

ya i know, i'd much prefer to buy here in the BST but even here good condition slim adjustables are about $30+ shipped. i'm hoping i can find a good deal for around $25 shipped on the bay.

Try your local antique shops. If look around and don't see any DE's, ask. I've had good luck doing this. Picked up a Slim a couple weeks ago in pretty good condition for $2.50. I got to check the action and safety bar alignment for myself and didn't have to pay shipping. The most I've paid for a razor at an antique shop is $5.

[GarageBoy]

Okay, any precautions we can take as not to put too much stress on the mechanism?