Did my wife get ripped off?

[dengar]

I use a $10 Tweezerman as my brush. Its our 11th anniversary (steel) so you can imagine my surprise when she drops this on my lap for a gift.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/the-art-...-brush/2808212

Its nickel so its close enough to steel, but I couldnt believe it when I saw the price. Is this price accurate? I dont mind the cost of it, but I do mind if she could have bought a similar quality for much less.

[deruitem]

That is the cost I have seen them for but for the money they are not that great. A Simpsons is far cheaper and far nicer! Not worth that kind of money at all

[ouch]

Your wife may have gotten ripped off; that's subjective. But I'll tell you one thing: if your wife cares about you enough to buy you that brush, you certainly didn't get ripped off.

[brucered]

never seen that one before, but i must say, it's a beautiful handle.

if you feel comfortable talking to her about it, and you should, you may bring up the fact that it is probably overpriced and see if it's an option to return and buy one more to your liking....if you have a style, handle or loft you prefer, work that in to the reason and i'm sure she'd understand.

would match nice with the Muhle R89 razor though

considering who purchased it, and the fact that it was a gift, you may just choose to use and enjoy..who knows, it may surprise you.

[goatee]

wet shaving is going to save me money.

[dengar]

I talked to her. She's fine returning it if I want. What I want to know is if the quality of the brush is good for the money.

[global_dev]

yeah, seriously... she did not get ripped off. that handle is very nice and the brush is probably pretty good... it may be expensive, but it's the thought that counts... especially for a solid anniversary present.

if you find you don't like the knot after a bit, change it.. but that handle is a keeper...

[ouch]

Try this- have her return it, take the money and buy a great brush for 1/2 the price (Shavemac, Simpson, you name it), then spend the rest on a romantic dinner. You'll even get a bonus!

[hon]

Happy 11th anniversary!
i say 'Keep The Brush'!
The brush with a price tag of $250 but her thought is Priceless.

[turtle]

Have a serious conversation with your wife before you do anything. If you make her feel badly about getting you what she thought was a fantastic gift you had better just display it prominently in your shave den and move on. If she feels that you should return it and make your own choice and you feel this is what you want to do, by all means move in this direction.

My opinion on the brush (regardless of price): You can get much better shaving brushes than that one. The handle is nice to look at but it is the tips that are going to touch your face and there are far better products out there to choose from.

[CorCat87]

Try this- have her return it, take the money and buy a great brush for 1/2 the price (Shavemac, Simpson, you name it), then spend the rest on a romantic dinner. You'll even get a bonus!

yeah dude, i got a Simpsons Polo 8 Best for 140 and its a hell of a brush. you could even get a Chubby one or two(and everyone loves a Chubby) for the same cost and its probaly 20 times the brush and last your that much longer http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Simpson_c_34.html

[brucered]

I talked to her. She's fine returning it if I want. What I want to know is if the quality of the brush is good for the money.

ok, now that that is out...YES, it is overpriced.

there are plenty of brushes to choose from in that price range, that would probably blow it out of the water.

glad you were able to work it out. if you still want her to have a say in the brush selection, narrow it down. and/or talk to Lee @ M&F or RV or take a look at the simpson LE's and have her help you pick out a handle style and/or handle material.

if you were able to choose the brush and hair, why not let her pick what material is used?

[Oblique Human]

Its a great, thoughtful gift.

[LeftyT]

I'd keep it, without a thought! Beautiful handle, and it was incredibly thoughtful. If the knot isn't what you'd like, change it out in a month or two.
Sounds like you have a great woman on and by your side.

[gingerweir]

Keep it its gorgeous, so is your wife by the sound of it !

[leonidas]

.....it is a beautiful brush...

.... but if you return it, here is one that has a similiar handle (not as pretty), but it is a silvertip........
http://www.shaving.ie/products/Luxur...Silvertip.html

....can't vouch for the quality though, perhaps someone has experience with this brand....

[dengar]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I did not know that the knot can be replaced. With that knowledge, Im going to keep it. The handle is more important to me, and since I can replace the knot Im good there.

Here is the complete set she got at the TOAS store. They took 10% off the whole package since she replaced the brush with the nickel one so it all came out to $270 ish.

[LeftyT]

Nice! Great choice, and great gift.
I've tried AoS Lavender and it's very nice stuff. I think you're in for a treat.

[cb91710]

The whole package for $270?

That's not as bad as $250 for the brush.

But really it's your call.

AOS fragrances are highly thought of, and they are not cheap. With the cream and balm, that takes a lot of the sting out of the price.
While I don't personally feel that the brush is "worth" $150 to $200, that is my perspective. It's not worth it to ME.

That is a VERY nice "barley" handle and if you have a similar handle on your razor, then it is indeed a very nice set.
Adding to the value is that she thought enough of you and your hobby to get it for you.... it was worth $270 to her because YOU are worth $270 to her to make you happy.

Whether she got ripped off or not is irrelevant... it's worth $270 to her to see you happy with your gift and using it!


Enjoy and take her out for a nice dinner!

[paco664]

listen to me carefully... i am on my 4th wife....

DO NOT under any circumstances mention the price or even think about returning it.......

you grab her and hug her and act like she bought you a ferrari and told you to have sex with salma hayek....