Grooming Dept

The "soap of the month" idea capitalizes on people's FOMO (Fear of missing out). Buy when they're available, or miss out on something potentially magical.

Hi frenchy.  Yes, you are missing something, and no you are not.     I think scent descriptions are of limited value, especially when they don't claim to be inspired by a known entity.  So I don't think Mohammad misrepresented anything.  

In a nutshell, I’m pissed off because I’m fed up with Mohammad’s business model.  GDept has become to a large extent a one-and-done, quick-draw vendor – especially as it applies to the Lusso soaps that I like.  With Lusso soaps, you either pull the trigger on the spot (within hours) or you sit out the drop.  There is no chance to await early adopter feedback, and no possibility of buying additional jars if you really like the soap.  

I’m pissed off because I have too much GDept soap that performs well but smells meh, because I can’t obtain samples, because I’m SOL if I have a family emergency at drop time (as happened with Veritas), because I can’t await early adopter feedback, and last, but most importantly, because I can’t rebuy the stuff I like, and only the stuff I like.  

I know Mohammad operates this way to make more money, in which respect he is no different from other businessmen.  I’ve just had enough.  I admire his genius, and I am grateful for many of his products (especially V35; there is a story behind that).  So I hope to be back if and when GDept starts selling reliably stocked, off-the-shelf items - items where I know that if I buy it today, I can buy it again if I like.  

For now, I will leave the excitement and adventure to you guys.  – Enjoy!

I hear what you’re saying....but don’t really agree with some of your points.

1. If you don’t like a soap...any soap...just sell it. Be it GD or any other brand. NEVER had an occasion where any GD soap I had but didn’t like didn’t sell within hours.

2. His business model. Actually it makes a lot of sense. Why? The market of wet shavers is extremely small. The product lasts a long time. A tub can do say 70 or so shaves, Thus, product use up rates are excruciatingly slow. Why? Most people are rotating many different scents. Result? Repurchase rates of a single scent are minimal...especially within a 12 month period. I mean how many B+M Sevilles does one person need a year?

3. Actually, the market in general is gravitating towards his model more and more everyday. I see many more very short term limited editions by most all of the players. Many of which are sold out within hours. Drops by Talbot...for example....sell out within minutes. T+S released several limited editions within the last 12 months which were sold out within a day or two. Even B+M is getting into producing limited editions more and more now.

I know none of this solves your issues. But...from a business perspective...all the artisans are under the same pressures and face the same market realities. They need to survive. And they are addressing it according.

If Mohammad’s model doesn’t work for you personally I can understand it. And you are free to try to find his products on BST if you can’t find them on his site. Or go elsewhere. But...the business reality is his model is working....he makes a fantastic product which consistantly sells out to both loyal and new customers.

And in the end.....it’s just soap!

The "soap of the month" idea capitalizes on people's FOMO (Fear of missing out). Buy when they're available, or miss out on something potentially magical.

I don’t think it’s any sort of methodical business plan fwiw. He makes one and sells it. Seems more manageable than making and packaging a drop of 5-10 products.

 The increasing practice of releasing SEs / LEs as a means of boosting sales

People fault as always.
SE/LEs? High price? I want it ! My pictures are better !
This is the new wet shaving mood and trend. So boring.

I fully understand wanting a product that is readily available to purchase and re-purchase. As I have stated before, GD's business model seems to work quite well. He has a very strong, almost cult like following and sells his wares, for the most part, faster than he can make them.

As they say, you can't make everyone happy so don't even try...

Keep up the good work Mohammad!

That’s for sure. I guarantee if he wasn’t releasing a soap or 2 a month people would be bitching that he isn’t releasing something often enough. Can’t please everyone.

People fault as always.
SE/LEs? High price? I want it ! My pictures are better !
This is the new wet shaving mood and trend. So boring.

Actually....so exciting! Can’t recall a time where we’ve had more choice and more incredible performing products...In fact...the bases seem to be getting improved daily...

As to high price? Even if you paid $30 a tub.and got maybe 70 shaves...you cost per day is a whopping.....43 cents...Yep... I’m worth it..YMMV...

People fault as always.
SE/LEs? High price? I want it ! My pictures are better !
This is the new wet shaving mood and trend. So boring.

Actually....so exciting! Can’t recall a time where we’ve had more choice and more incredible performing products...In fact...the bases seem to be getting improved daily...

As to high price? Even if you paid $30 a tub.and got maybe 70 shaves...you cost per day is a whopping.....43 cents...Yep... I’m worth it..YMMV...

It was not reffered to Grooming Dept (as the quote was clear - referred only to the practice in general) I don’t care of prices too, mate, but we can read them for sure He follows the new trend of marketing. We have to admit this. But, personally, I don't care of it. Does he prefer that way? Ok.
I just can see how b*tches (sorry) many users become. Example: RS-10 readily available, a few of us bought it, then unobtainable, everyone wants it. C'mon... this way... just to take pictures and be bulls (or to take profits)? 'Timeless available? Yes. I can wait for it' (i.e. I'm not interested strictly in how a razor shaves). Pure marketing drug addict? Perhaps. Well I close my OT, I prefer.
Regarding Grooming Dept I can say is a very good product in many specs, yet overhyped IMHO. I add that I don’t like his confused and cheap quality scents.

EDIT: No judge here. Just some words on how we all should be more honest and, overall, aware of what we are doing. My opinion.

It was not reffered to Grooming Dept (as the quote was clear - referred only to the practice in general) I don’t care of prices too, mate, but we can read them for sure He follows the new trend of marketing. We have to admit this. But, personally, I don't care of it. Does he prefer that way? Ok.
I just can see how b*tches (sorry) many users become. Example: RS-10 readily available, a few of us bought it, then unobtainable, everyone wants it. C'mon... this way... just to take pictures and be bulls (or to take profits)? 'Timeless available? Yes. I can wait for it' (i.e. I'm not interested strictly in how a razor shaves). Pure marketing drug addict? Perhaps. Well I close my OT, I prefer.
Regarding Grooming Dept I can say is a very good product in many specs, yet overhyped IMHO. I add that I don’t like his confused and cheap quality scents.

EDIT: No judge here. Just some words on how we all should be more honest and, overall, aware of what we are doing. My opinion.

The uncontrollable urge to buy and the perception of overhyping is created in one’s own head. Marketing doesn’t create either of these...it’s merely a mirror...Everyone is free to ignore the noise and keep their wallet in their pocket if they so choose...But...it is a conscious choice one makes.

As to the scents....Scents are by their very nature are polarizing. Plus all of us perceive scents very differently. Regardless of our individual takes on it GD consistantly sells out all its scents...mellow...strong...traditional....and weird. Having something for every taste appears to be a pretty good strategy for them.

Improving upon base is one thing and to keep on adding new scents another.

In my limited experience in TWS, I have not come across a vendor with so many scents introduced on regular basis as GD. There are bound to be some hits and some misses.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk