Soap Samples

Unfortunately our colonial cousins are much more inclined to do soap samples than our own artisan makers, we are expected to just shell out over twenty quid on a gamble whether we actually agree with the vague / fantastic descriptions the makers give and the subjective reviews by our peers.
Very disappointing situation in my opinion.
 
I don't particularly want small samples that are sold, just maybe a third of the full sizes so I can try new soaps every month without accumulating half used tubs or pucks! Maybe some artisans could trial this.
 
Unfortunately our colonial cousins are much more inclined to do soap samples than our own artisan makers, we are expected to just shell out over twenty quid on a gamble whether we actually agree with the vague / fantastic descriptions the makers give and the subjective reviews by our peers.
Very disappointing situation in my opinion.

Not entirely true, Wickhams has appointed Jim over at Shave Dash as their authorised sample provider since early 2016. Why not use a company who already has a good customer base and does a very good job at providing affordable and fair priced samples? Prices I might add not seen or matched in the US.

As the owner and founder of Wickham Soap Co. and a very busy Artisan, using Jim's services allow me to concentrate on improving products, and developing new ones for the shaving community, this for me is crucial and I can't thank Jim enough for providing me with this time.

Do I expect members of the shaving community "to just shell out over twenty quid on a gamble" no not at all. First of all I have more respect for people than the picture you paint, second of all I don't like being treated like this myself so why should I create a business model that does the same to my own customers? To me this is not sound thinking or good business.

If you ask Jim over at shavedash he can confirm that I gave him, (no charge) just under 6Kg of soap in 2016 to give out as free samples. In total since the beginning of 2016 I have given out a little over 20Kg of free soap in samples and donations. I don't know of any Artisan Soap company that does this. I am sure there are, or at least I would like to think there are some good natured business people in the world that enjoys to give back in this way.

@vassili I am not going to attack your post, because how are you to know really how a business conducts it's affairs? A lot of what I do is in stealth mode, I don't do what I do for credit, I do it for the great feeling it gives me in return. Just knowing that I may of brought an unexpected smile to someone's face is just plain old good enough for me.

So now you know, Wickhams samples are very much out there and readily available at a great price and free in some cases. :)

Jim offers the best samples, best prices and best service for wet shavers IMO. I highly encourage people to support him as it would be of a great loss to the shaving community if he was to pack up shop. http://shavedash.com/
 
Hi fox,
I'm not sure why you have taken my statement personally? It is the case that american manufacturers are more likely to sell samples but there you go.
Personally I love wickhams soaps and can't rate them highly enough, I was not even thinking about them when I posted my comment.
But it's the internet and things do get misinterpreted often as its such a black or white medium.
 
I can see what Vassili is saying, in that a number of US Artisans (or otherwise) stock samples of their own products. That is, for example, like Fox and Wickham's website having the option to purchase a sample for a fraction of the cost of the entire article. That's not to say that the ability to obtain samples here is reduced - Shavedash seem to do well for themselves and offer a substantial variety of soaps, creams, balms etc. to trial. It would be nice for artisans to stock their own products at sample size but absolutely unnecessary (in my personal opinion).

There's no denying Fox's contributions to the wet shaving community. In fact, my first tub of Wickham 1912 was a gratuity. Which I am, of course, very grateful for! :D I'm also quite happy for others to make the gamble before myself. That being said, I almost solely buy second-hand so my losses are reduced (thank goodness..)
 
Hi fox,
I'm not sure why you have taken my statement personally? It is the case that american manufacturers are more likely to sell samples but there you go.
Personally I love wickhams soaps and can't rate them highly enough, I was not even thinking about them when I posted my comment.
But it's the internet and things do get misinterpreted often as its such a black or white medium.

No, I didn't take it personally at all, it's hard to convey feelings in a message or at least I find it tricky. I just felt compelled to correct you as you did say "do" and not sell in your original message.

I agree that it's the internet and things do get misinterpreted often and I apologise if I misunderstood your first post. If you PM me your address I will get a couple of samples off to you, my way of showing no hard feelings. ;)
 
I can see what Vassili is saying, in that a number of US Artisans (or otherwise) stock samples of their own products. That is, for example, like Fox and Wickham's website having the option to purchase a sample for a fraction of the cost of the entire article. That's not to say that the ability to obtain samples here is reduced - Shavedash seem to do well for themselves and offer a substantial variety of soaps, creams, balms etc. to trial. It would be nice for artisans to stock their own products at sample size but absolutely unnecessary (in my personal opinion).

There's no denying Fox's contributions to the wet shaving community. In fact, my first tub of Wickham 1912 was a gratuity. Which I am, of course, very grateful for! :D I'm also quite happy for others to make the gamble before myself. That being said, I almost solely buy second-hand so my losses are reduced (thank goodness..)

In fact you both make a good point and it's something I have over looked but will correct. Anyone visiting my website will indeed see no samples offered, I will change this on every product page to; "Looking for samples?" and include a link back to the Wickhams samples on Jim's website.

It's discussions like these that help to improve things and I see them for what they are, I thank you both for pointing this out. :)
 
In fact you both make a good point and it's something I have over looked but will correct. Anyone visiting my website will indeed see no samples offered, I will change this on every product page to; "Looking for samples?" and include a link back to the Wickhams samples on Jim's website.

It's discussions like these that help to improve things and I see them for what they are, I thank you both for pointing this out. :)
Sounds good to me! I think it'd be a handy direction for those just getting into wet shaving. No need to thank me, it just goes to show how open to interpretation things can be! :)
 
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Got a pot of Wickham Sheridans - great soap but scent far from what I was hoping for after admiring the cigar and brandy on the cover, found use as an air freshener in the basement still going strong after more than a year so not a total waste after all, but now I always try before I buy any new scented soap :)
 
No, I didn't take it personally at all, it's hard to convey feelings in a message or at least I find it tricky. I just felt compelled to correct you as you did say "do" and not sell in your original message.

I agree that it's the internet and things do get misinterpreted often and I apologise if I misunderstood your first post. If you PM me your address I will get a couple of samples off to you, my way of showing no hard feelings. ;)
That is a very kind offer, but I would not take you up on it, only because I feel it only fair that the makers of all these wonderful soaps are reimbursed accordingly for time, sample pots postage etc. Hopefully my earlier post did not come across as after freebies from the various makers, it was only to point out it would be great to be able to pay for samples rather than the whole tub/bar.
Kind regards and thanks,
Jamie.
 
The "Limes", arrived this morning, lovely smell, look forward to using it.
Other manufacturers could learn from your marketing.
Paying for samples!!! ,...Yeah, right,..that's a mug's game.

PS,...I thank you for the generous sample and Dominic, ...my Dalmatian, thanks you for the fudge:)
 
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