Happy Saturday From Florida! Awhile back, The Queen Of Blades / JoAnna posted this: I want to see this become a reality. I am not sure how to make it work on the back end, maybe some kind of stiff deposit to encourage the return of the razors? I do know I have a pile of razors that I can donate to seed the program since I have pretty much decided the R-41 is the only razor I want. I thought about selling the razors to recoup some of the cash spent acquiring them, but seeding a library seems like a more worthwhile endeavor. Here is what I have to seed the library with: Fatboy Slim Futur 48-50 Super Speed Cobra Classic Injector G Injector I PAL Injector Old Type New Type 1912 SE EJ89L Probably other assorted razors that I can't think of right now, including a few straights. So what say you TSD? Can this work? Do you have any ideas on how we can make this work, other than the honor system? Do any of you have a few spare razors floating around to set up a razor lending library?
I voted yes. New to the scene not knowing anything about the other types of razors out there, I think it would be helpful. However, if shaving boils down to technique and the blade, then perhaps the library wouldn't be necessary. My $0.02.
Some kind of requirements need to be put on it for participation, in addition to a possible deposit. No offense to all of our new members but there have been problems around the different forums with new people who show up just to scam and jam - and there needs to be a deterrent for those problems... unless of course the people giving up razors for the library don't care if they don't make it back anyway.
I agree. I would be willing to put a refundable deposit down to try a new razor. Perhaps TSD could create a separate PayPal account. Perhaps there should also be a certain time a member has to be a member for, or a certain post count to be able to 'rent' the products.
I voted yes too. I think it would be cool, but there would need to be something in place to keep the scammers away like stated above. That may be the bane of the library. I know Jeff is a nice guy and maybe wouldn't say much if someone walked off with a razor or two but I don't want to see him lose any of his stuff, even if he was going to get rid of them anyway. It sucks that there are people out there with so few scruples.
I have given a lot of stuff away over the last year or so. I have never expected anything in return, although it is very pleasurable when the gifts are reciprocated. You are right though; some people drop by, grab a freebie or two and then you never see them again. There are a few folks that have accepted said freebies and stayed around and have become very active members. I look at it as a lottery of sorts I guess; it is money already spent and the payoff of new, active members keeps our board alive. So let it be written. So let it be done.
What the heck, I've got a couple of razors I'll throw in and there's no money concern on my end, because I just don't use them. If someone wanting to borrow them from the TSD store and give them a spin I think it'd be a good way to experiment without a big investment on the newbie.
I think a refundable deposit of the actual value of the razor plus shipping would be a good incentive to return the razor, should they keep it you're not out anything. Having faith in our members is a non issue for me, however lurkers are another story, haha sorry guys.
I didn't vote, because I classed it as "a very good idea that I personally would not take part in". It's an interesting enough idea that I have some comments, though. I've given away a number of razors outright here and elsewhere, and have rarely been disappointed with the response. Unfortunately, with the ones I have left, I'm selfish enough that I really don't want to send them off to board with somebody else. On the other hand, I don't think I'd be the best borrower, either. It could be like what happens with Netflix DVDs at my place. Sometimes they arrive in the morning, get watched in the afternoon, and are dropped in a mailbox the same evening, as I head somewhere else. Other times they sit by the TV for a month or more, while I occasionally watch some Netflix streaming. I can see myself getting a Slant or something in for a trial, meaning to break it out the next morning, and then realizing a month later that I still hadn't used it. I'm really bad with deadlines. I think this could work, but some controls would be necessary. Perhaps set a length of substantive participation in TSD requirement. For example, member for at least two months, at least 30 reasonably substantive posts (more than just "+1" after a long quote). A person who really acts like a member of our community is probably a good risk. Maybe have the borrower agree to send the razor on to the next person in line if requested, rather than back to the library. You could also get the borrowers to agree to pay a nominal fee in the case that they lost or broke a razor on their turn. That could be done as a deposit, or as a one strike honor system. For some or all razors, you might give the borrower a choice of purchasing it after trying it.
I'm one of the noobs that would benefit from a lending service. I believe it was Jeff's offer to lend me a razor that got him thinking of this idea again. I think it's a great idea. Having a way to secure the money in case of not getting the item back in return would be good. However, I know from personal experience that PayPal is not the best way to do that. The person making the payment on PayPal has much more protection than the one receiving the payment. Don’t get me wrong. The lending idea is great and requiring a deposit is a good idea. I’m just suggesting using a different service than PayPal for holding the deposit. I only suggest this to protect the one lending the equipment.
Sure, it is a good idea. Are we at risk of having a razor sprout legs and vanish? Definitely! Paying into a system makes sense but who is going to manage that system? Will it become a task that no-one has the time, patience, or resilience to stress to do? We do not require any kind of money deposit to get involved in the grabbox and there is far more cash value in that box if it is lost and so far we haven't had too many problems with vanishing boxes.
It's rare when it happens but it's been know to happen where someone new shows up, receives generosity from others and then you find those items on eBay for sale. I'm just looking at the big picture. We require 3 months membership and 50 minimum posts to use the Classifieds section, don't see why we couldn't apply the same standard to a razor library.
I haven't forgotten or abandoned this idea myself. My plan was to offer this service through the store, and charge a rental fee of the cost of the razor(s) plus a little more for cleaning, handling, etc. And allowing folks the option of buying the razor, if they like. I hadn't really considered vintage razors though. And that is a different ballgame altogether, as prices are a big variable there. Is this something you were thinking to handle on the forum yourself, Jeff?
Exactly right. USPS tracking both ways would also be a wise requirement, I think, as it as much as confirms shipping and delivery. Sting, I'd like to offer my Schick G in lieu of yours, just to help out, along with a Schick Trac II type handle (if it's still around here somewhere).
I'm so confused...I thought that we were supposed to buy every razor available so that we could see what each one is like. I have been going about this all wrong. (That being said I could certainly throw a few razors into the mix)
I like the idea. It would also be cool to have a stickied list of running threads similar to the Lord 6 pass around. Limit the razor rental to a week and post your thoughts and views of it. The specifics need to be worked out, but I like the idea.
I like the idea too, and could probably find something to offer up. I just think this could be a help to new members too, and would hate to exclude them. There are many times when a new wetshaver's first choice of razor just isn't right for them, and this would be a great way to experiment after they have their technique down without actually buying a razor to try out, or for those that for some strange odd reason decide they don't want to have multiple razors.
But how could we be sure to get it back when they find out they aren't going to stick with it? I hate to limit it too but think of all the newbie giveaways where the person signs up and then wins and we never see them again. I know that doesn't mean all newbs stop shaving or are thieves, but what about the ones that don't keep at it? But to be fair, what about the ones that this changes their shaving lives forever? I just wish it were an easier thing to perfect, this loaning without getting ripped off thing.
I voted yes but unfortunatly the only razor I would have to lend is my fat boy adjustable and everybody and grandmother has 1 of those.
I am reminded of this one-liner... If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it. You should never lend out something with the expectation of getting it back because too many things can happen that you have no control over. As long as that concept is understood then I don't think there'd be too much of a problem with the lending library. Unfortunately, I'm not one that would participate in this for most razors. I had someone offer to let me try the new R41, but when I thought about having to ship it back I figured it would be better to just buy a new one for myself as the razor really isn't that expensive. Other razors that are much harder to find and more expensive I would consider and right now the only one that comes to mind is the Cobra Classic. Personally I think a sub-section of the freebies forum could be dedicated to traveling razors without having to setup an official TSD lending library. If that shows enough interest (or maybe there has already been enough interest) and if the extra work is manageable then an official lending program could be set up.
