Another Open Letter to Razor Sellers (and Buyers)

I've just gone through a flurry of  reship and refund activity for several inexpensive razors sold on eBay and Amazon. They involved orders of gear from Chinese manufacturers and sellers.

With most of these sellers I would no longer do business because I have learned through trial and error that they provide misinformation in their product-sales advertisements. The most common misinformation is showing an image of a razor, and then shipping a razor that is not quite the same -- in a bad way.

So my first recommendation to sellers is photograph and display in your sales ad exactly what you sell. Then sell exactly what you've photographed.

Don't assume that because you provide a photo of a three-piece razor (usually a Rimei RM2003 or a twin) that because you deliver some other three-piece razor (such as a Rimei A2001 or some un-branded terribly-made junk) that you've fulfilled your part of the bargain.

Secondly, provide model numbers of the product you're selling. In the case of bona fide Rimei razors, they have model numbers. List them. Use them. Actually give the buyer a chance to really understand what product you're going to send.

If you don't have a model number, say so. Give the source of the razor, the manufacturer, if possible.

To summarize the first two recommendations: BE OPEN AND HONEST. Try it; it can feel good, and it can be good for business, resulting in fewer refunds, reshipments, and ticked-off customers.

Lastly for the sellers, and this is an oldie, but a goodie: provide close-up, side-view photos of the razor head with the blade installed. As I have written previously, this side-view close-up photo of razor head and blade can give a prospective buyer a real indication of the shaving character of the instrument.

And if you're a potential buyer of these mail-order razors, BEWARE. Sometimes you can't do anything but try a purchase to see what comes over, but be sure you buy through a sales outlet that has strong buyer-protection policies. If the razor is damaged, get a refund. If the razor isn't the quality suggested in the ad, get a refund.

The only way we can discourage unscrupulous, misleading vendors is to punish their dishonesty by hitting them where we can: in the wallet.

Happy shaving -- and buying, and selling!