....I was reading a thread in another, no name
spot on the web regarding shaving. A lot of the posters chimed in with their opinion and advice on how they shave, what to use, where they do it, how they do it, etc....it got me to thinking...I've been using my Grandfather's razor and brush for the last few years....he used it forever before me...the brush was tired, the double edged safety razor was falling apart- To the point that I've given myself a few good slices in the previous few weeks. Like 4-5 inch slices in my neck, because the handle was loose...oh, does that bleed...
Well, I started obsessing over what to get. I feel in love with the Merkur line- nice looking stuff, and it's what the pros use...I figure it will probably last...now to locate one...I needed to see it, touch it, feel it...I'm going to use it at least once a day, and hopefully be able to pass it on....*expletive deleted*it, no one in my immediate area has a store front...nope...wait...there is this site...
http://www.barclaycrocker.com...hey, they are in New Hampshire....and the picture looks like a store....dammit, where's the address...I put it off for a few, then got another nice slice...
I can not find the address anywhere...so I email this company...AND, believe it or not, get a response back in hours!!!
Nope, they don't have a store front, but they'd be happy to set something up. Get this- "Here's a cell, call on the way, and we will do our best to be there". Huh? Personalized service? Going out of the way for someone. No way.
Way. I send an email at 6:30 this morning. Slow day at work, boss is gone, I have a new Centro...let's escape and scope this place out...a little Miles Daivs, a Monte Christo, a perfect sunny day...I get an email response within two hours with directions. I also get a phone call to make sure I understand how to get there. Huh? Like, a company that cares about it's customers? No wait- I'm not a customer yet, I'm some no name window shopper.
So, I make the 1 1/2 hour drive...walk in to this quiet little garage/ shed/ building with 3 LARGE garage door, and a few windows. No sign, nothing....I am unsure if I'm in the right place, so I call...and a human picks up the phone. Yes, I'm in the right place, go in the doors, then in the next set, they are in on the right...
Well, it roughly the size of a classroom, and they have 6 foot bookshelves along the walls. Two VERY pleasant woman greet me. One is Caitriona Barclay, the owner, and her faithful sidekick...her name escapes me (sorry, no offense meant)...both took time, like over 45 minutes of their time to open boxes and show me stuff....razors, soaps, stands, cups, brushes, colognes....on and on and on....they have a ton of personal "feel good" stuff.
Here's the thing, they never once tried to upsell me. I asked for something, they took out 5-10 of each to show me different ranges of price and quality. They never pushed, never pleaded never got aggrivated...they were awesome. Absolutely, positively awesome.
They two ladies could not have been nicer. I left there feeling great about the whole experience...and a snazzy new razor, it's sexy...oh and some soaps....and a brush (I went with a badger one)...and a mug...and some more soap...and some cologne...and some, well, you get the point.
Until I got home....I went to put the new razor in the shower....but I had to take the old one out...
I then realized that I have started almost every morning for the last bunch of years with a connection with my Grandfather....and, well, for the sake of not slicing my face off, I need to change that...
God, I miss that man.
