No big deal and mystery solved although I don't remember seeing anything in big bold red letters advising such a delay when I placed my order. Not saying it wasn't there, I just didn't see it. I found what I wanted, added it to my cart and paid. It's like those user and privacy agreements we click and accept in an instant versus reading a long document written for someone with a law degree. After two weeks I just thought it best to check on things and didn't get a reply until three days later. Thanks for everyone's help and input
What is The Shave Den Store? In a word, JoAnna, or as she may be better known to many of you the Queen of Blades. You see, the TSD store is a one person operation, from time an order is placed until the time the order is shipped, it is that one lady that does it all. She custom makes soaps, creams, aftershave splashes, and aftershave milks to order, stocks and pulls items for orders, boxes and ships those orders all by herself. Not that that isn’t enough to keep her plate full, but she also oversees much of the running of the forums on a day to day basis. Sure she and Sparky have help from us mods, but there is very little that lady doesn't have a hand in when it comes to the smooth running of this board. Now here is the real kicker, she does it for free! That's right, free!When I said earlier that all proceeds from the store go toward paying the fees to keep The Shave Den up and running I meant it. JoAnna does all of that hard work solely to keep this board running, without drawing any pay for her efforts. Even when making her own custom shave goodies, the only reward she gets is knowing that the forums are running, and when somebody thanks her for making the outstanding products that she makes. And trust me folks, I know for a fact that the lady puts in many, many a long hours on a daily basis for this place.
Alright, guys. No need to get worked up defending me. Processing times for orders are listed on product pages, and in order confirmation emails. Plenty of folks still miss the message. Not a big deal, IMO. For any new folks, there are lots of reasons for the long processing times; my own health (28 yrs of diabetes), my 11 yr old daughter's health (Cerebral Palsy), normal day to day housekeeping (cook, clean, repeat), tending to TSD (thankfully I do have excellent moderators to handle so much), and then of course all the store details (which is far more than throwing some soap in a tub and shipping it). For orders I have a due date for each one; 10 business days (Monday - Friday; 9 - 5 EST) for any order containing made to order TSD products. If you email me on a Friday night after 5, you probably won't here from me before Monday.
I can be impatient with things sometimes, but I have to say that the TSD soap is indeed worth the wait. Makes a great slick lather and there is a pretty long scent list to choose from. Great soap and at a great price, I wouldn't keep it in my den if I didn't like it and I feel it has earned its spot on the top shelf.
It might be a good idea to say "up to 3 weeks" on the website. If folks get the soap sooner, then they will be stoked. If not, then they will still be chilled. Personally, I figure around 6-8 weeks for anything I order is fine, but then again I am old school. IMHO, quality is worth the wait.
'Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery' was once the mail-order norm. However with the advent of overnight shipping, express mail, and quick-shipping vendors such as Amazon, our expectations have grown to the point where our patience beyond a 3-5 day turnaround is severely tested.
Many thanks to some of the TSD veterans i.e. @swarden43 @RaZorBurn123 @HolyRollah etc for their reminders / education throughout this thread regarding what / who is the TSD Shop and the integral part it plays for TSD and the job Joanna does with it. I came to TSD to learn about wetshaving. I stay here because I have not just found the necessary advice, but because of the community of people who share the same interest and pay it forward to grow the community. I also learned that this does not come without financial cost. And it's apparent the TSD store plays a vital role. Others point out that in this age of instant shopping, we should be content to order items and not get them instantly. I'd be of the opinion that where businesses compete, they must compete within the context of their market. In many instances, delivery of product is part of that. However those are businesses. TSD is not a business, but a community as mentioned that obtains some funding for our community's existence through the shop. In that circumstance - it's no trouble for me to plan ahead, make the order and happily await it's arrival knowing that I've made just a small contribution to my community. ...just my two cents, thank you neighbors!
He could have at least mentioned a 6 - 8 wk turn around time. Or, did he charge you extra for an expedited reply?
Many of them coming from me. Let's hope that reverse psychology works: I love my CT and want to keep it.