And Another Gentleman Converted

**flabajaba2213** · 10-17-2009, 05:17 PM

This makes it three. *Mad Scientist Laugh*

So, here's the story. I'm back to working retail because I needed a job and the money wasn't horribly bad. I'm working with a group of people, male and female. The women always comment on how smooth my face is and how nice I smell (a little good quality cologne goes a long way

). Anyway, one of the guys I work with is a 20 year old who gets the worst razor burn I have ever seen. I mean, like from his side burns to his lower neck is like a sea of razor burn. So, I asked him how he shaved. Mach 3 and canned goo. So, I said, "Have you ever tried wet shaving?" He had no idea, so I told him about it. He seemed interested, but hesitant. I told him that I'd have a surprise for him the next day.

The next day, I brought him a trial size tube of C.O. Bigelow, and explained the whole prep in the shower and cold water rinse routine. I said, "Try using this instead of the gel. If it works, then awesome." A few days later, his razor burn had decreased by, quite literally, half. He was very excited, but still wondered why his neck was all cut up. I told him to wait, and I'd have a surprise for him the next day. The next day, I gave him a small bottle of Thayer's witch hazel, told him how to use it, and said, "Try this, it may help."

A few days later, his face looks much better. He said that he's been getting compliments on it as well from other people. He asked me if there was anything else he could do. I walked him over to the shaving aisle, and handed him a VDH Boar Brush in the box. I said, "It's pretty cheap, but it'll give you an idea of what using a shaving brush is like. If you like it and it works for you, you can always buy a badger brush later." I also showed him the Nivea AS Balm, saying that it was cheap but worked very well.

So, about a week later, his face looks even better. Still some razor burn, but that's to be expected. Now, he was excited, and asked if there was anything else he could do. So, I told him about safety razors and badger hair brushes. I warned him that there is a learning curve, but in the end, you get such great shaves that it doesn't matter. I then left for the weekend.

I come back to work on Monday, and he informs me that over the weekend he ordered a Pendegrass Best Badger brush (same one I use), a Merkur 23C, and a blade sampler from West Coast Shaving. He was so excited, we spent the entire day helping customers and talking about shaving.

Come to find out, his story was the same as mine. He has sensitive skin, and always had razor burn, so he could only shave every three or four days since his face had to heal.

Sorry for the dreaded Wall O' Text, but I think he is sufficiently hooked. When I mentioned that I used a vintage super speed, he was looking on EBay for them on his smart phone during lunch.

My new goal is my immediate supervisor, then the store team leader. I shall soon have them all feeling the AD's.

**Topgumby** · 10-17-2009, 05:19 PM

Well done. I like the boiling frog approach, goes well with the avatar.

**flabajaba2213** · 10-17-2009, 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by Topgumby

Well done. I like the boiling frog approach, goes well with the avatar.

Well, it's not easy being green.

**flabajaba2213** · 10-17-2009, 06:50 PM

The other factor is the risk/reward ratio. The first two trials I provided, which gave him zero risk for any kind of reward. As for the brush, he was already elated from the successes that he had, so the brush was a small risk for the potential rewards. The big jump was him buying the razor, brush, and blade sampler. By that point, I had reinforced the idea of the ideal shave, and have given him little risk in experimenting with a better shave. This put me in a favorable position on selling him on full wet shaving.

Some would call it manipulation, I call it a natural progression towards closing the sale.

**tgarza** · 10-17-2009, 07:42 PM

Good job!

**htownmmm** · 10-17-2009, 07:51 PM

RESISTANCE IS FUTILE! (we might have just found the new Locutus!)

marty

**RILEY** · 10-17-2009, 08:07 PM

Excellent

Now when does he become a member on here?

**herbnerd** · 10-17-2009, 08:13 PM

I have spoken to a few people about my regime, but they just think I'm eccentric.

But I have the last maniacal laugh - I have a better shave than they do.

**DSB** · 10-17-2009, 08:23 PM

Well done!

**flabajaba2213** · 10-17-2009, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by RILEY

Excellent

Now when does he become a member on here?

I guess in 6 days, when he comes to me asking about how to use the razor.

It is all going according to plan.

**flabajaba2213** · 10-17-2009, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by htownmmm

RESISTANCE IS FUTILE! (we might have just found the new Locutus!)

marty

What can I say? It is part logic, part salesmanship, and a large part beautiful man voice.

Seriously, I've done a ton of radio commercials. I have a voice and a face for radio!

**Hughies_online** · 10-17-2009, 09:19 PM

Nice one mate!

**Topgumby** · 10-17-2009, 09:30 PM

PSSsssst!

Hey, kid!

Yeah, you! C'mere.

Check it out, I got some Greenie, that C.O. Bigelow stuff. Go ahead, don't cost nothin'.

No, dude, you use a brush! Here, have this. No, man, you can stop whenever you want to, see. Them guys over there hangin' out at the corner, restoring straights, they just couldn't handle it, man. You'll be cool.

Yeah, I'll be by tomorrow, and I might bring by this righteous Super Speed...No, don't freak, it's not like a Red Tip or nothin' crazy. It'll just get you smooth, man, real smooth.

So, have fun with that Italian stuff, and tomorrow, man, bring some cash, 'cause you got to pay to play, y'know.

**Boba Fett** · 10-17-2009, 09:33 PM

My dad and brother are becoming a lost cause, but my coworker, that could be my convert. I was tinkering with one of my razors at work the other day, and he was interest. He hates paying for cartridges. The seeds of wet shaving have been planted.

Mua hahahaha!

**Luc** · 10-18-2009, 12:59 AM

Well done!

**wimbouman** · 10-18-2009, 04:11 AM

Originally Posted by flabajaba2213

I guess in 6 days, when he comes to me asking about how to use the razor.

It is all going according to plan.

Don't we all love it when a plan comes together?

**Wil Dorenbos** · 10-18-2009, 05:58 AM

Originally Posted by topgumby

well done.

+1

**mark3d** · 10-18-2009, 06:47 AM

It is a bit counter-intuitive for someone to try something their grandfather did, and expect it to be better than the modern technology. You just led the horse to water :)

**SiBurning** · 10-18-2009, 06:54 AM

Well done!

Originally Posted by Topgumby

Well done. I like the boiling frog approach, goes well with the avatar.

Boiling frog... Indeed!

**flabajaba2213** · 10-18-2009, 07:07 AM

Originally Posted by Topgumby

PSSsssst!

Hey, kid!

Yeah, you! C'mere.

Check it out, I got some Greenie, that C.O. Bigelow stuff. Go ahead, don't cost nothin'.

No, dude, you use a brush! Here, have this. No, man, you can stop whenever you want to, see. Them guys over there hangin' out at the corner, restoring straights, they just couldn't handle it, man. You'll be cool.

Yeah, I'll be by tomorrow, and I might bring by this righteous Super Speed...No, don't freak, it's not like a Red Tip or nothin' crazy. It'll just get you smooth, man, real smooth.

So, have fun with that Italian stuff, and tomorrow, man, bring some cash, 'cause you got to pay to play, y'know.