#21
(This post was last modified: 09-05-2021, 01:55 AM by TJ19.)
Was that auction $1,000 CAD or USD? With the last price increase the base finish stainless razors were already going for $400 CAD and the upgraded finishes could go up over $700 CAD... So, $1,000 doesn’t sound like much of a stretch for a unique, NOS, collectible razor.
#22
(This post was last modified: 09-05-2021, 03:19 AM by surfboat.)
(09-04-2021, 09:52 AM)ExtraProtein Wrote: Wouldn’t you agree that any Razor or Brush upwards of over $100 is a disposable income / luxury item?  How about software with a cost of $10 per ounce? Fragrance with a cost of $200 an ounce? 

“Placing the wait list on hold, working on new designs, updating website and planning to have occasional limited edition auctions on his website” is a brilliant idea. Wolfman and Declaration generated hard core Marketing through auctions for their World Class goods, is that wrong? I personally think those Gents got it RIGHT with “trying” NEW things. I own a B5 and I WANT another.  I have an incomplete Copper Wolfman kit and if that were a Copper kit on auction at the Wolfman site I would be participating

Maybe James wants to take a few weeks break and go fishing? Maybe his intentions are to resume the wait list after a short break with new and exciting offerings? It’s his business and is entitled to take a holiday like the rest of us

In keeping with the times AND trying new things…… I think that “is” the reality and proactively staying relevant

I respect your opinion, this is what we do here in this community, we kick back with intelligent discussion like Gentlemen

don't think anyone will dispute this. For those primarily interested in function though, it is hard to relate to those paying a premium for exotic metal and a shiny finish. Whatever floats your boat.
#23
em。。 Gentlemen, the currency is Canadian dollars, not US dollars..

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#24

Living on the edge
I think overall it's a win-win here.

JD can do anything he wants...and so can we.

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#25

Living on the edge
(This post was last modified: 09-05-2021, 10:23 AM by Tester28.)
(09-04-2021, 11:57 PM)LOOT Wrote: We actually play in a relatively cheap hobby men...

You are absolutely right here....
I still break out in cold sweats when I think about my entanglements in the esoteric world
of high-end audiophile gear.

$4,000 for a pair of interconnects just to get 8% more transparency and liquidity from the midrange.
(and this is a mild example)

This razor stuff is chickenfeed by comparison.

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#26
(This post was last modified: 09-05-2021, 01:13 PM by george1906.)
(09-04-2021, 11:57 PM)LOOT Wrote: Auctions may be new to the razor world but not in the world of custom knives. I just watched one man auction 2 folding pocket knives for a total like $15,600 on IG just today. And I bet they will be safe queens.

Puts a little perspective on a $1,000 2015 NOS Wolfman straight from the mothership, no? At least the razor would get used.

The secondary point here is, to a collector, sometimes price doesn't matter. Nor does gap. Nor does finish. There are a lot of wealthy individuals in the world.

We actually play in a relatively cheap hobby men, even the most ravenous of our individual shave den investments in gear might also get you 2 perfectly crafted, butter smooth pocket knives from your favorite bladesmith. Depending on your bladesmith, of course. I've seen knives that a $15k offer might get you punched in the mouth.

It's all relative. If anyone can unleash the heavy hitters in the DE world, you'd be a fool to bet against James DuFour. I've kinda seen this coming for a while. Suggested a "bench series or full on custom" a couple times. Auctions tho is where an artisan can capture the full value of his work. DuFour undervalued his work for years. He will soon be able to see just how much meat he left on the bone. Good for him too.

Sheesh...can you image what a one off BBS1 in alternate materials, say brass, would be worth to the right guy? Please.


LOOT’s comments are spot on! I am in the high end audio industry and you guys would not believe the prices some of the gear and accessories sell for new and used at auctions! This is peanuts compared to that! Tester, we should talk sometime because I represent Esoteric on the manufacturer rep side of things. That comment was on point! I think DuFour is doing a good thing for himself and the Wolfman brand. Can you all imagine how much extra stuff he has in his “vault” that he may have just been tinkering around with??!! I for one am excited to see and watch these auctions! I am at my endgame with razors and brushes because I have way too much stuff and the majority of it is high end. I am not spending 1k on a razor until the titanium Sailor comes along and who knows what that price will be. I am still chasing a couple titanium Wolfman’s so definitely excited to see what happens when he opens things back up with new offerings shortly before November. I will build up my wet shaving reserve fund again shortly just for that. I can’t hate on DuFour for finally marketing his talent in a different way! Think it will be good for his business model and the one percenters that can afford to buy at the bidding prices will definitely come out of the wood work.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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#27

Posting Freak
Good for James. It’s a free market and maybe he got tired of people buying his razors for retail and flipping them for a huge premium. Why shouldn’t he get some of that premium? Did the flipper add any value? Nope. They’re just exploiting a combination of the actual market being willing to pay more and impatience with long wait times. Maybe James should do a regular auction, maybe every 5th or 10th razor off the line and keep it up until auction prices fall to retail levels. If they ever do.

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#28

Member
New York
(09-05-2021, 03:16 PM)Marko Wrote: Good for James. It’s a free market and maybe he got tired of people buying his razors for retail and flipping them for a huge premium. Why shouldn’t he get some of that premium? Did the flipper add any value? Nope. They’re just exploiting a combination of the actual market being willing to pay more and impatience with long wait times. Maybe James should do a regular auction, maybe every 5th or 10th razor off the line and keep it up until auction prices fall to retail levels. If they ever do.
Good point. Without this free market that allows such, we wouldn't also have other great low cost options like the Lupo, the Gamechanger, and the Winning razor.

Just to follow that idea further... he could even drop retail and go auction-only. That might make them even more expensive in resell, though. Still, he has a tested and true product. At this point, it would absolutely sustain (for a while, at least).

He'd have to do some research, as he'd loose X% of his customers, but gain Y% more profits. If he could see that working better, though... Who knows how well he could do.

His normal razors are too rich for my taste, so I'm out anyway. But on a general, philosophical business discussion, it's absolutely fun to partake.

Nonetheless, I absolutely wish him well.

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#29
(This post was last modified: 09-05-2021, 04:05 PM by david581.)
(09-04-2021, 08:45 PM)ALI Wrote: Gap is .61

(09-05-2021, 03:16 PM)Marko Wrote: Good for James. It’s a free market and maybe he got tired of people buying his razors for retail and flipping them for a huge premium. Why shouldn’t he get some of that premium? Did the flipper add any value? Nope. They’re just exploiting a combination of the actual market being willing to pay more and impatience with long wait times. Maybe James should do a regular auction, maybe every 5th or 10th razor off the line and keep it up until auction prices fall to retail levels. If they ever do.
I thought the flipping at a huge premium had stopped due to the google waitlist. The wait times have been reduced to under 6 months. Anyone could get a guaranteed spot on the list. I can see used Wolfman Ti, copper, and bronze razors selling for a premium.

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#30
(09-05-2021, 04:05 PM)david581 Wrote:
(09-04-2021, 08:45 PM)ALI Wrote: Gap is .61

(09-05-2021, 03:16 PM)Marko Wrote: Good for James. It’s a free market and maybe he got tired of people buying his razors for retail and flipping them for a huge premium. Why shouldn’t he get some of that premium? Did the flipper add any value? Nope. They’re just exploiting a combination of the actual market being willing to pay more and impatience with long wait times. Maybe James should do a regular auction, maybe every 5th or 10th razor off the line and keep it up until auction prices fall to retail levels. If they ever do.
I thought the flipping at a huge premium had stopped due to the google waitlist. The wait times have been reduced to under 6 months. Anyone could get a guaranteed spot on the list. I can see used Wolfman Ti, copper, and bronze razors selling for a premium.

I would of thought they do anyway as he hasn’t used any metals apart from S/S for some time


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