What do I do if I'm not happy with my shaving purchase - negative reviews

You can't automatically assume the customer didn't know how to use the product. Anyone buying Cutting Edge soap is most likely an experienced hobbyist wetshaver that knows how to create lather with a brush and wouldn't contact the artisan for a walkthrough.

Yeah, I do wish that the customer would have reached out though as I have no way of knowing what the problem could have been.  I can't really gauge their experience level either way.  At the time they listed some other favorite soaps that weren't exactly what most would have put in their top tier.  To each their own I guess.

You can lead a horse to water...

Now THAT IS funny!

In an era of digital marketing, power is concentrated in the hands of consumers (whether you like it or not).
Some of the more outrageous things customers say on shave forums pale in comparison to the outright
thuggery that takes place on social media and some of the review sites like Yelp.

There are exceptions: businesses that get a pass on this, but they are mostly monopolies whose products are
in very high demand and the supply is limited. They can literally do no wrong.

If I ever have a problem with a product, I recognise that I was the one who chose to buy it....so I may try to sell 
it or throw it away. Ive tried a number of soaps that suck but I couldn't be bothered yelling about them from the rooftop.

Ive had a couple of awful experiences with some 'famous' artisans, but I've settled it via the Paypal dispute system.
No need to talk about it here.

Thanks ExtraProtein for the broader cultural definition. My son played college basketball so I’d heard of ballers and balling in that context but this is clearly broader than that.

I would get in touch with the seller and just give them my feedback. You can sell used tubs I see it done regularly.

As a YouTube creator, I try to balance honesty with courtesy. When I try things on video, I feel I have a responsibility to my viewers to share my honest thoughts. That being said, I always try to balance my own preferences with caveats. So if I don't like a particular scent, I try to clarify what the scent is and who might like it. If I don't get great performance, I'm honest about it, and if I'm in the minority with that opinion, I make it a point to say so. I try to also mention that I might reach out to the artisan to see how I might get the best out of their product. If I'm wrong about something, then I'll admit it in a future video.

I've only had one bad experience with a well-known vendor. I mentioned in an unboxing video that a soap didn't seem to have any scent. The vendor said it would get better when lathered. It didn't. I said as much when giving a brief review of the product, but I also mentioned that I didn't think that was normal, because no other reviews I'd seen had that problem. I reached out to the vendor, who made a half-hearted offer to send me a new tub of soap with no confidence that it would be any better. He then never actually followed up and sent me the new tub, so my opinion stands. I've spoken to a couple of others now who had the same experience. If someone asks me about that vendor, I owe it to them to be honest and tell them there's a risk they'll get a soap with no scent and the vendor won't do anything about it.

As a YouTube creator, I try to balance honesty with courtesy.  When I try things on video, I feel I have a responsibility to my viewers to share my honest thoughts.  That being said, I always try to balance my own preferences with caveats.  So if I don't like a particular scent, I try to clarify what the scent is and who might like it.  If I don't get great performance, I'm honest about it, and if I'm in the minority with that opinion, I make it a point to say so.  I try to also mention that I might reach out to the artisan to see how I might get the best out of their product.  If I'm wrong about something, then I'll admit it in a future video.

I've only had one bad experience with a well-known vendor.  I mentioned in an unboxing video that a soap didn't seem to have any scent.  The vendor said it would get better when lathered.  It didn't.  I said as much when giving a brief review of the product, but I also mentioned that I didn't think that was normal, because no other reviews I'd seen had that problem.  I reached out to the vendor, who made a half-hearted offer to send me a new tub of soap with no confidence that it would be any better.  He then never actually followed up and sent me the new tub, so my opinion stands.  I've spoken to a couple of others now who had the same experience.  If someone asks me about that vendor, I owe it to them to be honest and tell them there's a risk they'll get a soap with no scent and the vendor won't do anything about it.

The old pat on the head and tried to move you along customer service answer.  Thank You for keeping it honest and done so with class. It helps the rest of us make an “informed” purchase!

Personally, I like heavily scented products; soaps/croaps/creams, splash and balms

I like my Hot Sauce hot!

Thanks ExtraProtein for the broader cultural definition. My son played college basketball so I’d heard of ballers and balling in that context but this is clearly broader than that.

Your son still hoopin?

Thanks ExtraProtein for the broader cultural definition. My son played college basketball so I’d heard of ballers and balling in that context but this is clearly broader than that.

Your son still hoopin?

No, the plan was to go explore opportunities in Europe but by the time he’d graduated with an engineering degree after  five years of college/university basketball with 12 years of intensive training and injuries/rehab he wanted to move on with life after basketball. I get it. It takes a ton of work and sacrifice to play any sport at elite level. People see a guy 6’7” 220lbs and figure he’s a natural and it comes easy but nothing is further from the truth. Sure, height and athleticism help but it takes hard work year round to get there and stay there. I told him that I understood and it’s his life and his choice (obviously) but that if he changed his mind he probably had about a 5 year window (he was 23 at the time) and that I’d support his decision. It would probably take at least 6 months to prepare. He’s 3 years into that window and doing well and happy in his engineering career so I figure he’s done. Might do some coaching at some point. It was a good run and was a lot of fun but I won’t lie. I miss it probably more than he does.

Thanks ExtraProtein for the broader cultural definition. My son played college basketball so I’d heard of ballers and balling in that context but this is clearly broader than that.

Your son still hoopin?

No, the plan was to go explore opportunities in Europe but by the time he’d graduated with an engineering degree after  five years of college/university basketball with 12 years of intensive training and injuries/rehab he wanted to move on with life after basketball. I get it. It takes a ton of work and sacrifice to play any sport at elite level. People see a guy 6’7” 220lbs and figure he’s a natural and it comes easy but nothing is further from the truth. Sure, height and athleticism help but it takes hard work year round to get there and stay there. I told him that I understood and it’s his life and his choice (obviously) but that if he changed his mind he probably had about a 5 year window (he was 23 at the time) and that I’d support his decision. It would probably take at least 6 months to prepare. He’s 3 years into that window and doing well and happy in his engineering career so I figure he’s done. Might do some coaching at some point. It was a good run and was a lot of fun but I won’t lie. I miss it probably more than he does.

The EuroLeague is an interesting basketball league.  Italy and Spain have always been my favs.  I imagine it’s NOT easy and the sacrifices too many.  It’s good to hear he’s embraced something real, something with real earning potential too.  6’7 is madness, his tailor makes good coin! 3 years….he’s probably done.  Maybe you should try out for a local Men’s League, he can cheer you on! 

Over the past 3 years I’ve been watching and cheering European Leagues of all sports.  With the exception of USA Hockey and Soccer (but not exempt) I’m no longer interested in Professional American Sports.  I’m not interested in their political views, I’m not giving greedy players and owners my hard earned monies

Spending that new money on razors, brushes and software……