Interesting Conversation with Gillette Brand Manager

[Jorocom]

P&G reminds me of a movie studio. As long as people line up to see 3-D, remakes, comic book movies, and sequels, that's what they're going to continue making. Some people like better movies, but they have to be sought-out.

[Debrushman]

"a diminished learning curve" Hey that could be good marketing. Along the lines of "Fusion so easy a caveman can do it".

[MACGI98z28]

Sometimes I think we suffer from group think here. Traditional shaving enthusiasts are a VERY SMALL portion of the market.

Yeah I know...

[Maxime D.]

"a diminished learning curve" Hey that could be good marketing. Along the lines of "Fusion so easy a caveman can do it".

That's logical, if you have a 'Friendly user' product to sell, you'll sell more of it. In counterpart, the individual doesn't have any proud in using it since you don't need any skill (Like a TV Diner lol)

[D.B. Cooper]

Very interesting! Thanks for sharing.

Gillette (and Schick) fill a niche, for sure. They target the average consumer, one who wants to be able to go to Walgreens, CVS, Target, Walmart, etc. and easily find his or her cartridges, canned goo, etc. My guess is that 90% or more of these people they target aren't aware that there is an alternative.

Seriously, how many of us here would have known about wet shaving if not for a Google search, or perhaps a father or grandfather telling us about it? I never knew it existed until I was playing around on Google and came across some websites about it. Until then, I thought the extent of the shaving products available were found on the shelves at Walgreens.

[lancj1]

Very interesting! Thanks for sharing.

Gillette (and Schick) fill a niche, for sure. They target the average consumer, one who wants to be able to go to Walgreens, CVS, Target, Walmart, etc. and easily find his or her cartridges, canned goo, etc. My guess is that 90% or more of these people they target aren't aware that there is an alternative.

Seriously, how many of us here would have known about wet shaving if not for a Google search, or perhaps a father or grandfather telling us about it? I never knew it existed until I was playing around on Google and came across some websites about it. Until then, I thought the extent of the shaving products available were found on the shelves at Walgreens.

I knew, I saw the razors and brushes in the bathroom, but moved to carts.

I suspect that if some of the higher quality suppliers took a punt on getting some decent stock into stores - couple of Merkurs, blades, bbrushes - but particlarly creams and soaps - todays young metrosexual style conscious men might clock onto this wet thing

[TheVez2]

P&G reminds me of a movie studio. As long as people line up to see 3-D, remakes, comic book movies, and sequels, that's what they're going to continue making. Some people like better movies, but they have to be sought-out.

Not exactly the same thing. Movies are completely optional, you do have to seek them out. Many people have to shave, either for professional reasons, or just to adhere to a sociatal "norm", dependign on where you are. The mass marketed solution for this is Gillette products. People just don't realize they have any options. Sure there are other brands, and cheaper alternatives, like disposables, but those are not better, and people want what is best. So they turn to Gillette, because after all.. it is "the best a man can get." People believe advertising, plain and simple. More blades have to be better! Why on earth would they want to go back to 1 blade? It isn't even logical to most. As I said before, people just don't know that there are better, cheaper alternatives, like we have discovered.

We are slowly gaining momentum, and I think eventually the economy and corporate greed, will start turning even more heads our way. But never enough to make us a majority.

[invizable]

Correct.

We are the minority - BY FAR. We enjoy our shaves, and our collecting hobby, and the fraternity we've built here at B&B. The rest of the world thinks we're nuts.

Don't believe me? Imagine the most ridiculous hobby you can think of. Google it. Sign up for the supporting forum(s). Enjoy.

That's how I got HERE!

[mariabaltazzi]

hello. i'm new to this site and joined so that i can find out the best barber type razor blade (the ones that open up like a blade) to buy for my husband's birthday. any ideas where to ask? i'm looking for something vintage looking with a nice bone handle, but that shaves very well and lasts, with damascus steel. i don't mind spending up to 200 euros for something very beautiful. please advise if you can, as keep reading scary reviews about some of these blades and don't want this to be his last birthday! ; )

[Useless shaver]

Very interesting! Thank you.

Guys, aren't you happier today?

[kzoo1]

Gillette is to shaving, like McDonald's is to food.
Both serve a purpose, people will line up and buy both, but that doesn't mean it's any good!

[jamesspo]

Welcome to B&B. You'll want to post in the Straight Razor forum. What you're referring to is a straight razor. You'll also want to do so with a new post with a clear subject line...don't post the question in someone else's thread as it's unlikely to get any attention (and would be inappropriate anyway). Enjoy your quest for a straight razor for your husband!

hello. i'm new to this site and joined so that i can find out the best barber type razor blade (the ones that open up like a blade) to buy for my husband's birthday. any ideas where to ask? i'm looking for something vintage looking with a nice bone handle, but that shaves very well and lasts, with damascus steel. i don't mind spending up to 200 euros for something very beautiful. please advise if you can, as keep reading scary reviews about some of these blades and don't want this to be his last birthday! ; )

[ThePatrician]

Not going to happen. The human animal is naturally a lazy critter and will do as little as possible meet it's needs. That is the very thing made King Gillette big to begin with. He came up with an easier way to shave compared to using a straight razor.

DON'T RUIN MY DREAMS!!!!1!!

[grimas42]

if a consumer feels that the cartridges are outrageously priced, that they don't provide a great shave, but they can't be bothered to investigate the alternatives, or even look up, down, left and right at the shaving supply shelves to see what else is available, I can't say I feel sorry for them.

I agree 100%. There are plenty of cheaper options right on the shelf that do just as good a job as the Fusion and Mach. I feel the Bic Hybrid is as good, if not better than the Mach as far as shaving systems go and costs a bout a $1 a cart.

[userone]

That's how I got HERE!

+1

[TonyH]

Everybody hates Gillette. Hates. HATES. There is thread after thread after thread after thread about this fact.

Where is all the Schick rage? I'm seriously up to here with Schick and all of their "advancements". Why do they get a pass?! I demand to know!!!

[bkfist]

I shave my "groin area" with a straight razor as nature intended. MISTER MAGNETIC!!!!

(not really)

Been there, done that about 15 years ago... ONCE... (no, no mishaps, nicks, or cuts... was on a dare from the wife at the time.)

[wurls]

The problem I have with the shaving giants like Gillette and Schick is that for the college, or university student, elderly, or basically anyone on a fixed budget that is just able to scrape by, having to spend $3.50-$5.00 for one blade is downright theft!
Gillette and Schick should be ashamed of themselves by not having remorse when they rape the less fortunate the way they do. I see guys in the shaving aisle with 2 or 3 kids and his wife beside him, looking at the package of Gillette (or Schick) blades and wince when he looks at the price. It's apparent to me that every time I see this, the guys all feel that the price of blades is simply way overpriced.
That's why since discovering DE's, I will do everything I can to educate people I know, that there are less expensive and better alternatives out there.

I woudn't hate P&G or Schick so much if they charged say .50 to $1.00 per blade.

[ZJ68]

You know they do have cheaper options than the ProGlide Power. Anybody who thinks they can't shave with anything but the top of the line razor has no one to blame but themselves.

[PugslyCat]

I see guys in the shaving aisle with 2 or 3 kids and his wife beside him, looking at the package of Gillette (or Schick) blades and wince when he looks at the price.

I was that guy on many occasions. Sometimes it was a matter of buying disposables instead of Mach 3 cartridges so I could also afford to get some food on that particular trip to the grocery store.