I just wanted to ask if anyone came across or know of counterfeit razors? I bought a Merkur 34c on amazon a while back and had terrible few shaves with it and returned to from a company called Simplybeautiful and recently won a PIF and it was a 34c and got GREAT shaves out of it. Possible there are counterfeit razors on Amazon/Ebay? Cause I want to buy a 23c and scared to buy from Amazon/Ebay? Thanks
I'd be more inclined to think that you used the Merkur blades included with that new razor. That would explain a terrible shave for me. While not out of the realm of possibility, Simply Beautiful is a decent vendor, I doubt you got a counterfeit. Now, you may have got a lemon...that seems more likely to me.
or you got better technique the second time around. did the markings match, not to say they couldn't be copied. you prolly evolved to a better shaver
I agree with @Omaney check out reviews on "Simply Beautiful" to double check them as vendors. But more than likely, rather than a counterfeit, you simply got either a lemon razor or blade the first time and/or your technique has also improved with time. If in doubt get the 23C from amazon or another vendor that has a good track record and make sure your covered if the deal sours. I also have a 34C, that I got from amazon, and it has shaved wonderfully since the day I got it.
I doubt the counterfeit idea. If you were making a knock off razor you'd do better to launch it as your own brand than to copy a name brand, and there are literally dozens of no-name razor brands out on the market coming out of China, all to varying degrees. I'd continue with your plan to buy a 23c off of Amazon and just not buy anything from Simply Beautiful in the future.
interesting guys....right now im debating between walgreens/royalshave amazon is more expensive at the moment, waiting for a good BF deal if I see one....if not I may pull the trigger on Royal Shave over Walgreens. SB
watch what you guys buy from "Merkur" on amazon when you go to checkout it says sold by "simplybeautiful". Im going to stick with a shaving website to be safe...
FYI, amazon has the 23C sold by Top Shelf Barber Supplies (4.9 star rating) for 28.59, free shipping if your total order is over 35 bucks
I'd go running straight back to Amazon. By your own OP, you returned your previous purchase. I must assume you were refunded as well. You had bad luck on that particular transaction and suffered a hassle. It happens. Not only would I use Amazon, I'd buy it off of SimplyBeautiful's storefront. They did you right.
I would be inclined to agree with the above theories that either the blades, technique, or both are the culprit here. Having collected various items over the years, I have seen a wide range of knock off and counterfeit product. And I have never seen one that was indistinguishable from the real item. And with a precision instrument like a razor? If your new razor appears to be exactly the same as the last one, I have no doubt it was real. There would be very little gain otherwise. I submit that if you had the ability to make a 100% accurate copy of a Merkur, you would be making your own brand, or fulfilling orders for Merkur themselves. Because if it was the same in every respect, it would operate the same in every respect. Generally in a situation like this, a manufacturer makes something VERY close to the real item, but with lower quality, tolerances etc., and sells it much cheaper, and makes lots of money from the budget conscious consumer, fence sitters and anyone that for whatever reason wants to spend less. That is where the money is.
I bought some years ago a DE from amazon.co.uk, was a EJ89 A seller was made a "special price" and i decide to make the "click" on keyboard. The razor came soon but the package wasn't as i expected When i saw the razor i noticed in the head cap an acme ! This DE never checked before shipping otherwise it will be returned back. The acme could scratch very badly my skin,i wasn't active member in a forum so i don't have a photo because i had nowhere to post it. I fixed the acme with my tools but since then i never bought a razor from a non-well known store and without to see many photos if it's from ebay.
Reliable vendors that I have had excellent service from in the past year: http://www.connaughtshaving.com/ http://www.italianbarber.com/ http://www.leesrazors.com/ http://www.maggardrazors.com/ http://www.shavenation.com/ http://shoeboxshaveshop.com/ http://www.straightrazordesigns.com/ https://www.thesuperiorshave.com/ http://www.westcoastshaving.com/ You'll not get the absolute lowest rock bottom price from any of these vendors. What you will get is excellent service, and someone who answers their phone and works with you in the event that there is a problem.
