What would vintage Gillettes cost in today's dollars?

[K.T.]

I'm talking about their original selling price adjusted for inflation.

I doubt the old Slims, Fat Boys, Super Speeds, etc. were as coveted as they are today; they were just everyday razors, no? So I wonder if the price would be in line with today's multi-blade razors, price adjusted for inflation.

Seeing as how current production DE razors of decent quality start at the upper $20's, I wonder where the adjusted price of vintage Gillettes would fall.

Any ideas?

K.T.

[johnmrson]

The Gillette President was $5 in 1953. An online inflation calculator reckon that was equivalent to $39.81 in 2008 (that's as far as the calculator goes).

http://www.westegg.com/inflation/

[sofauxboho]

Well, today I'm sure they'd be made in China or some other country where costs are lower. I assume a Super Speed would go for about $10
if they were made under such conditions, and probably about twice that for an Adjustable.

However, for a modern American made Gillette of the same quality? Is such a thing were even possible anymore, I can't imagine them selling for less than $30-40.

[dpm802]

http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl

According to this Inflation Calculator, a "195" razor which cost $1.95 in 1960 would cost $14.27 in 2010 ... roughly the same as a 6-pack of disposable Mach3 razors.

[sofauxboho]

The Gillette President was $5 in 1953. An online inflation calculator reckon that was equivalent to $39.81 in 2008 (that's as far as the calculator goes).

http://www.westegg.com/inflation/

But of course that's a luxury model. A $1 Super Speed would convert to $4 now. Or were SS's $.59 then?

And this doesn't take into account that these razors were often sold at or nearly at a loss. So heck, they might still sell for $1 now if they could make us buy Gillette brand blades for $3 each.

[luvmysuper]

I'm talking about their original selling price adjusted for inflation.

I doubt the old Slims, Fat Boys, Super Speeds, etc. were as coveted as they are today; they were just everyday razors, no? So I wonder if the price would be in line with today's multi-blade razors, price adjusted for inflation.

Seeing as how current production DE razors of decent quality start at the upper $20's, I wonder where the adjusted price of vintage Gillettes would fall.

Any ideas?

K.T.

The 1920 Standard Combo set sold for $7.50
That's $85.00 today

The 1958 Toggle sold for $10.00
That's $76.00 today

[Razor Emporium]

Interesting concept- I doubt that Gillette will ever make another razor like they used to for the same price today of $14.

[ajkimmins]

Weren't the blades 5 cents a piece in 1903? That's only $1.18 today!!

[Mr Cholmondeley-Warner]

I stopped buying DE blades some time in the late 80s when 5 of them started costing over £1, and you could buy 20 disposables for the same price ... then they disappeared altogether

Forgive me.

[andrew98]

I stopped buying DE blades some time in the late 80s when 5 of them started costing over £1, and you could buy 20 disposables for the same price ... then they disappeared altogether

Forgive me.

That's how they get ya.

-Andy

[htownmmm]

The razors would still be reasonable in price; however a 10 pack of blades would cost $21 according to Gillette current pricing.


marty

[GoldenMonkey]

Wow, the $4 1934 Aristocrat set would go for $64.68 today, and the $75 1930 De Luxe Aristocrat set would be a whopping $973.15! Must not have sold a lot of those during the Great Depression!

[dpm802]

The razors would still be reasonable in price; however a 10 pack of blades would cost $21 according to Gillette current pricing.

And that is in keeping with Gillette's business model.

[southernscribbler]

Okay, guys. The calculations made are actual cost. We have seemed to have left out one of the most important ingredients, Corporate GREED. Curious as to what that shows in comparison.

[mrscottishman]

New Gillette Fatboy reproduction

Cost of razor to Gillette from the factory in China $0.95

import fees $0.45
transport China and in US $1.15
Repackaging $1.05
Advertising $2.55
Environmental impact fees $2.65
Legal research and fees $3.15
Set aside for future lawsuits over injuries $3.66
Coporate Taxes $3.45
Health insurance for US workers $2.98
Set aside for future health insurance fees and taxes $3.10
Workers compensation insurance $2.20
Company paid Social Security tax $1.85
Clerical and administration $2.75
Store stocking costs $1.25
Celebrity promotions $1.10
New Distribution Center $2.05
Profit $6.00
Store markup $5.00

We could do it for around $50 not counting the recalls.
When do we start?

mrscottishman- I am not saying Williams is bad, just that my wife divorced me over it.

[Kbennett]

You can't just consider inflation in this instance...well you can, but if Gillette decided to produce a SuperSpeed replica today there is labor to consider, production, taxes, materials, etc. Considering the quality of the pieces if they truly replicated them, I just couldn't see them going for less than $25.

[dpm802]

You can't just consider inflation in this instance...well you can, but if Gillette decided to produce a SuperSpeed replica today there is labor to consider, production, taxes, materials, etc. Considering the quality of the pieces if they truly replicated them, I just couldn't see them going for less than $25.

If Gillette ever does re-introduce a DE handle, they will give them away for next to nothing. They will be re-engineered to accept only a proprietary blade, available from The Big G for about the same price as a Fusion cartridge.

[nemo]

New Gillette Fatboy reproduction

Cost of razor to Gillette from the factory in China $0.95

import fees $0.45
transport China and in US $1.15
Repackaging $1.05
Advertising $2.55
Environmental impact fees $2.65
Legal research and fees $3.15
Set aside for future lawsuits over injuries $3.66
Coporate Taxes $3.45
Health insurance for US workers $2.98
Set aside for future health insurance fees and taxes $3.10
Workers compensation insurance $2.20
Company paid Social Security tax $1.85
Clerical and administration $2.75
Store stocking costs $1.25
Celebrity promotions $1.10
New Distribution Center $2.05
Profit $6.00
Store markup $5.00

We could do it for around $50 not counting the recalls.
When do we start?

Oh yeah, that looks about right! Good one.

[luvmysuper]

If Gillette ever does re-introduce a DE handle, they will give them away for next to nothing. They will be re-engineered to accept only a proprietary blade, available from The Big G for about the same price as a Fusion cartridge.

I agree with the proprietary blade part, but think they will yank you on the price for a "Special Retro" DE Reissue.

[ajkimmins]

New Gillette Fatboy reproduction

Cost of razor to Gillette from the factory in China $0.95

import fees $0.45
transport China and in US $1.15
Repackaging $1.05
Advertising $2.55
Environmental impact fees $2.65
Legal research and fees $3.15
Set aside for future lawsuits over injuries $3.66
Coporate Taxes $3.45
Health insurance for US workers $2.98
Set aside for future health insurance fees and taxes $3.10
Workers compensation insurance $2.20
Company paid Social Security tax $1.85
Clerical and administration $2.75
Store stocking costs $1.25
Celebrity promotions $1.10
New Distribution Center $2.05
Profit $6.00
Store markup $5.00

We could do it for around $50 not counting the recalls.
When do we start?

mrscottishman- I am not saying Williams is bad, just that my wife divorced me over it.

You forgot to charge for the extra lead in the head of the razor!! That will help it GLIDE.