Interesting experience at Art of Shaving

[retturn2blades]

I just discovered The Art of Shaving has Mall Stores. I checked and there's one at my nearby mall. How are the retail prices? I hate malls but for a good enough reason, I'd wander down to buy some goodies.

[JeffM]

For many of us, this is our only option for a brick and mortar store. I love to browse and sample and I haven't found the salespeople to be too pushy. You perhaps may find a better price on amazon by a little but this is the perfect place for loved ones to get you gifts! There products are well respected and I like there new Ocean Kelp line of products.

[Songwind]

MSRP. Whatever is crossed out at Amazon is what they charge, barring special sales.

[Latherdude]

Sign up for their email list and every now and then you'll get a coupon for something of theirs.

I haven't found a better-smelling Sandalwood than AOS. Don't buy a DE from them, though; they'll charge way more than you need to pay. And yeah, a seasoned B&B user probably knows more about wet shaving than certain AOS salespeople (one I spoke to had never heard of boar brushes).

[Kostas1]

They also sell Merkur and Gillette Blue blades. $12 for 10 blades and $6 for 5 blades, respectively.

[jd1585]

They have one here. The prices aren't too different from Amazon. I enjoyed checking it out, they have an old time barbershop in the back.

[dpm802]

An AoS kiosk just opened at Cherry Hill Mall, NJ. They are well-stocked with everything you need, and the saleswoman there seemed knowledgeable and pleasant to deal with. She seemed a little skeptical when I told her I collect razors and brushes and soaps and creams and so forth, but we already know its a strange hobby.

As others have said, their prices are strictly MSRP. You can easily save money on Amazon, but with a B&M store, you can go in and look and touch and smell before you go home and e-Shop.

Just shop AoS for their software. Don't bother with any of their hardware. Their razors and brushes are overpriced, and there is nothing in their inventory that is all that special and worth having anyway.

[donoma]

They are great to allow you to smell the different scents, but the prices are high. I'm not knocking the quality of the product, just the price. You can find the same item online cheaper majority of the time unless you have a coupon.

[retturn2blades]

Thanks for the feedback on AOS. I won't make a special trip but if I'm nearby I'll take a look.

[maha0098]

It's worth it for at least a stop in. The people there are generally pretty knowledgeable about AOS-related products only and you have the huge advantage of smelling before buying! Just look and buy online is what I typically do

[toovira]

They are owned by Proctor and Gamble and I'm trying to find out whether their TI razors are C135 blades. I got an e-mail hinting that my question will go into an abyss. lol. But the retail stores are nice. Their basic TI blades are actually the cheapest anywhere period @ $135 with plastic handle. Now, it'll be a real steal (or steel) if it's C135....I have yet to gotten an answer.

[barrycv]

I've been to the one in suburban Chicago a few times. Very nice people that work there & seem to be pretty knowledgeable. I do get the impression that they do rely on commission, since I typically get a semi-hard sales push each time I'm there. [Since they are a P&G company, their first focus is to sell you the Pro Glide stuff.] They do definitely back off after I lay some shave knowledge on them.

It is b/c of AOS that I'm in to this wet shaving thing, though. The wife, in a last-minute shopping attempt, got me one of their shave kits for Xmas one year [I gave her like zero ideas that year]. I did kinda like some of the stuff & slowly graduated to getting more in to it (ditched the carts, found this site, etc).

As others have said, their prices are strictly MSRP. You can easily save money on Amazon, but with a B&M store, you can go in and look and touch and smell before you go home and e-Shop.

Definitely go in to see & touch & smell stuff. But you can absolutely get the same stuff for cheaper online. I bought a Futur for like $70 on-line, they wanted $85 or so.

Just shop AoS for their software. Don't bother with any of their hardware. Their razors and brushes are overpriced, and there is nothing in their inventory that is all that special and worth having anyway.

If you're talking AOS-branded hardware, I would probably agree w/ you. But they do sell other stuff like Merkur razors, Dovo shavettes, et. al. I think those are worth owning - just not at their inflated price point. I have some of their sandalwood pre-oil, cream, & AS balm & like it. Also the lavender oil & balm I recommend.

[dpm802]

If you're talking AOS-branded hardware, I would probably agree w/ you. But they do sell other stuff like Merkur razors, Dovo shavettes, et. al. I think those are worth owning - just not at their inflated price point. I have some of their sandalwood pre-oil, cream, & AS balm & like it. Also the lavender oil & balm I recommend.

Well, yes, that's what I meant. Thanks for clarifying it. The Merkur and Dovo products that AoS carries are fine pieces of gear, but not at AoS prices. The AoS razors are merely fancy handles for Mach3 and Fusion cartridges. The AoS brand brushes (made by Muhle?) are quite nice, but again, not at AoS prices.

Stick to the look / touch / smell idea when you're in the store. Grab up all the freebies and samples they offer. Tell the lady "Yes, that's what I want, but it will have to wait until payday. Are you working this Saturday? That's the next time I can get back here." Then go home and get your actual order placed on Amazon.

[dpm802]

Want a good laugh when you go to the store?
Ask them to demonstrate the motorized badger brush.
http://www.theartofshaving.com/Power...having-brushes

[Taniwha]

As is stated, good to look around and sniff, but overpriced. When i went in the salesman demonstrated how soap works and lathered up on his palm. Still not sure why. He then looked shocked when i didnt buy anything.

[michiganlover]

As is stated, good to look around and sniff, but overpriced.

Their shaving cream, and shaving soap (minus the totally unnecessary wooden bowl) are priced in keeping with other similiar quality products such as the Three T's (Taylor, Trumper, and Truefitt and Hill). Both the shaving cream, and shaving soap are considered to be some of the best on the market.

[JeffOlson]

I'm all for brick and mortar stores. I'm tired of shopping online. I like to see and touch and smell up close and personal, and I don't mind paying extra for the privilege.

[seizure]

Their prices can be criminal on certain items.

They wanted $120 for a brush/razor stand. I (unfortunately) laughed when she told me the price. I was just so shocked I couldn't help myself.

I do thoroughly enjoy their pre-shave oil, and at least in Portland, the employees are all incredibly friendly (but not knowledgeable).

[Go West Young Man]

Their soaps and creams are priced right - they're at the high end of the market, and priced accordingly.
Per shave, they're not much more expensive than any other high end product.

But it's a much better deal when the $10 or 20% off sales take place.

[RABIDMONKEY]

I only have one of thier products the Sandalwood cream I recieved as a xmas gift , good performance and great smell