Dollar Shave Club Lands $12 Million to Dramatically Expand Product Portfolio

http://allthingsd.com/20131008/dollar-shave-club-nabs-12-million-to-dramatically-expand-product-portfolio-and-create-lifestyle-content/

by jabo • 13 years ago

38 52 13 years ago

allthingsd.com

evo_9• 13 years ago

I wish these guys offered a Safety Razor and/or blades but it's probably not possible to make money off those. Which is too bad, I like the company, like the service but at the end of the day you simply can't beat safety razors; they are cheaper and they actually work better. That's the only reason I stopped using this service.

mtalantikite• 13 years ago

Yeah, agreed -- a year's supply of blades for a safety razor really only costs maybe $20.

Gillette's marketing has really worked over the years. A more expensive, inferior product beating out everything else.

wonderyak• 13 years ago

FWIW - You can get safety razors from DSC's supplier - http://www.dorcousa.com/

I was looking at DSC for a long time and ended up trying Harry's. Was very disappointed with Harry's blades. Next time I order anything it will be from Dorco.

tghw• 13 years ago

I tried all three of their offerings, didn't like any of them. Then I tried Dorco's three blade and love it.

paddy_m• 13 years ago

I use Dorco too. I think I might give razors as Christmas presents. It's nice to not be nickled and dimed. I started with DSC, I like what they are doing, but I don't think they are building a very defensible business model.

_JamesA_• 13 years ago

I went down this road too. A long time Gillette Mach/Fusion/whatever is the top end of the year.

I tried DSC and they were ok. I canceled and bought in bulk from Dorco. Exact same shave. Not quite a Gillette but at 20% of the price I could live with that.

As I was about to order another bulk set of blades I decided to try the old fashioned double edge shaver for the hell of it. Amazon has a Merkur 180 for less than $35 and a can of Barbasol is $1.25 at Target.

The DE shave is far better than the Gillette Fusion and much cheaper than DSC, Dorco, etc.

Even as a complete novice I've had no issues with nicks or cuts and actually look forward to shaving again.

dfrey• 13 years ago

Why though? You can already buy sampler packs of DE blades online. If you know which blade you want to stick with, you can but 100 packs of blades which range in price from about $0.10 to $0.50 per blade.

brianbreslin2• 13 years ago

I am a huge fan of DSC and their biz model. I'm a subscriber, their products aren't anything amazing, but I think of it as foothold into first bathroom products, later other consumables.

I bet they come out with a shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hair gel, toothpaste/mouthwash, toothbrushes, moisturizer, deodorant(s). Think anything axe/old-spice do now.

smacktoward2• 13 years ago

So the appeal of a service that provides admittedly mediocre products is that someday they might provide even more types of mediocre products?

I don't get it. But then I've never really gotten the appeal of DSC, beyond the well-done launch video.

diminoten2• 13 years ago

What's not appealing about no longer having to think about purchasing any of these things? When you're low, new items appear magically on your doorstep.

Frankly, I wish most of my replenishables were like this.

pionar2• 13 years ago

Frankly, they're not mediocre. I've been a DSC subscriber for about 8 months, and they sell nice products. I can't use a Safety razor, my skin's too sensitive and I break out, so the multi-bladed comfort razors work well for me and theirs are just as good as anyone else's at a lower price.

nosequel• 13 years ago

First off, I don't think their products are mediocre. The blades are just as good as any other disposable blade. The appeal for me is that it forces me to change out the blades regularly. Before yes I could buy blades at the store, but I rarely had to because I wasn't changing out my blades as much as I should have. Now I get a pack in the mail and think, "welp, I need to use these 4 in a month before I get more" and I change them out regularly.

Like others have said, it completely removed one more thing to think about in my life. That's the appeal for me.

brianbreslin2• 13 years ago

They aren't awful, but then again, I think Gillette and Schlick are overrated. None compare to feather safety razor blades. However the convenience of DSC makes up for it all.

padobson• 13 years ago

I haven't thought about buying razors or blades since I became a DSC member.

Any service that frees my brain up to think about other things can count on me as a subscriber. Here's to their success, and to the surplus brain power we'll all enjoy because of it.

zippergz• 13 years ago

I feel exactly the same way. Could I save a bit of money by buying somewhere else? Sure. But it's not enough of a difference to matter in the scheme of things, and it's one less thing to have to worry about.

dkhenry• 13 years ago

I don't wish to lament anyone's success, but honestly why is anyone buying blades from these people.

http://www.amazon.com/Derby-Extra-Double-Razor-Blades/dp/B00...

$13 dollars you have at least a years worth of blades for even the thickest beards. Also you will get a shave that is worlds better then the one from DSC.

makeset2• 13 years ago

Are "safety" razors as safe as the fancier stuff when you're barely awake and in a hurry?

derekp7• 13 years ago

It all depends on the razor. For myself, I use a Merkur adjustable -- when my beard is really thick, I open up the gap a bit more. For normal shaves, I keep it tightened down. Also, it works best when you use a good shave soap and brush.

The main reason I started using a DE razor is I've found having a single blade is much more comfortable than the double / triple blades. And you can get just as good of a shave, but you need to take two - three passes (once with the grain, once cross grain, and a final one against the grain).

dingaling• 13 years ago

Shave at night! Not only slower and safer, but you wake-up with a lovely smooth face. Feels good to start the day smooth.

diminoten2• 13 years ago

Because it's not about the blades, it's about the stream of blades.

Consider the same question for basically every nonperishable you purchase - why are you not buying in large bulk and saving? I can think of a dozen items I could buy in bulk and save money on that I currently don't.

Actually, now that I think about it, why don't I buy in bulk? I totally could. Why don't people in general buy in bulk?

Anyway, it's the same answer for your toilet paper as it is for your razors, or your shampoo, or your paper towels. I don't apparently know that answer, but I assume that's why people don't do what you're saying.

kenko• 13 years ago

Razor blades are very compact, though, not like a year's worth of paper towels.

bhauer2• 13 years ago

Amazon offers their "Subscribe and Save" service on many products (not the one linked above, however). Amazon's subscription service provides a continuous stream of many staples such as paper products, toothpaste, tooth brushes, cat food, etc. to my household. It works great.

Aside: I live in Los Angeles and am trying out Amazon Fresh. If anything, Amazon now offers me an almost-confusing multitude of ways to have products delivered to my house. I can Prime things for receipt in two days. I can subscribe and forget. I can Fresh things for next-day delivery. I'm not an Amazon fan boy—many of their services frustrate me in a variety of ways—but they have delivery pretty much mastered versus everyone else.

recroad• 13 years ago

The reason I don't use this is because the "stream" of blades isn't saving me any money, it's costing me more than what a trip to Walmart or Costco will cost (in Canada, at least). For me, this is entirely a cost-based decision. I don't see blades being delivered on a continual basis as a benefit, just puts more pressure on me to use up my existing blades fast (and that's weird).

To each his own, I think this is the ultimate lazy man's service. Get your ass out to the store and when you're back, mow the lawn.

MichaelGG• 13 years ago

Stream of blades? Maybe if you work at a barbershop. Even if you only get one shave out of a blade (I think most guys will get 3-5), a hundred pack is tiny and will last 1/3 year. For most people, that's at least a year supply.

Unlike shampoo and other bulky disposable products, razors are quite tiny.

baddox• 13 years ago

why are you not buying in large bulk and saving?

Although I'm probably not thinking of a few things, I do buy basically every nonperishable in bulk. I buy paper towels, toilet paper, double-edged razor blades, toothpaste, laundry supplies, and shower supplies at most twice a year. It's not that hard as long as you find SKUs that you like and have somewhere to store them (and I live in a tiny San Francisco studio, so most people should have plenty of room).

stupidideas• 13 years ago

people don't buy in bulk because then they are stuck with that one product for a long time. I mean really, am I supposed to use last years outdated butt wipes when I know there is a better way to wipe my ass?

hfsktr2• 13 years ago

Do those take a lot of practice to use? Do they take more time? Convenience is worth a lot and I'd be scared (scarred) using those I think.

thelastpoet• 13 years ago

When I started using a double-edged safety razor it took me maybe two shaves to get comfortable with it. I don't nick myself any more often than I did when using other razors. It's really not like a straight razor.

pfranz• 13 years ago

Personally, I feel like the reason they're not more widely used is familiarly and upfront cost--familiarly being the biggest (seeing you mentioned being scared).

Practice wise, they really seem on par with cartridge, IMHO. I don't feel like I have any fancier technique or am especially careful when using it. I really use it like a would a cartridge. Changing blades means loosening a nut instead of popping off the blade--but I much prefer having 100+ cheap spares so I don't give a second thought to swapping for a sharp blade compared to only having a dozen cartridges onhand (because I lament spending $25) and having to remember to buy more. The only clear downside is flying (in which case, use cartridges when on the road until TSA lightens up).

FireBringer• 13 years ago

I switched from electric to safety razor and found it easy to use, you can use gel or cream that you already use or try to go fancy with the brushes and poraso in a bowl.

The main thing is that you don't apply pressure you just let the razors weight and sharpness of the blade do the work. Only nicks I have ever gotten is when I messed up my hand placement due to lack of attention when flipping the razor and the corner of the blade got me.

I don't know how long the multiple blade razors take but if I have a weeks growth of hair it takes me 3 times going over to have a smooth shave (once with the grain, once across the grain, and once against the grain) though I usually forgo the against the grain and the shave is pretty good.

Overall time it takes is 10-15 minutes including filling the sink with warm-hot water, lather, shaving, and cleanup.

mikestew2• 13 years ago

When my Merkur showed up, I was scared to use it. For me (and maybe your face is different), there was no need. I was really careful the first time, got comfortable with it, and haven't cut myself in over a year of use. I think one trick is to let the weight of the shaving head apply the pressure. Don't dig into your face like you might with a disposable.

It takes a little more time, but I think that's because I now take the time to do a better job. For the same effort as a disposable, I think I'd still get a better shave.

vertex-four• 13 years ago

In my case, I pay £3 a month to King of Shaves for their razor cartridge subscription. The main reason for doing this is because I have a tendency to forget to buy new razor cartridges. I'm more than happy to pay extra for the convenience of not having to remember.

sivetic• 13 years ago

If you want to step it up a notch, get Feather blades (if they work for your skin). I've tried half dozen blades, and stuck with Feathers for their sharpness. They are considerably pricier, though still cheap in comparison to any regular cartridge, and they last a few shaves without dulling. I've purchased 50 over 2 years ago, and I'm finally on my last 5-pack. This time I'll be buying 100 for about $25.

adrr• 13 years ago

Wow quite surprised this made hacker news. Glad people find it newsworthy. Want to mention that Dollar Shave Club is hiring for the following positions:

Senior Frontend Engineer

Senior Full Stack Engineer

Our tech stack: RoR, Node.js, Angularjs, Redis, Resque, MySQL, Python, NTLK, AWS

Email todd@dollarshaveclub.com for more information and the full job descriptions.

kilroy123• 13 years ago

Sometimes I feel like I'm the only man in the world who uses an electric shaver everyday. I don't think I know a single other guy.

avree• 13 years ago

Electric shavers are awful for getting any sort of reasonable shave, which is probably why they aren't used much.

pionar2• 13 years ago

Yeah, the few times I used one, I still had a 5 o'clock shadow.

mikestew2• 13 years ago

They just don't work for me. I'm an easy customer, too, as I can't grow a beard that doesn't look like fruit you let sit too long. Takes the same time as a razor, and gives a crap shave. I've tried several at various price levels, too.

I'd be curious to know what characteristics make electrics work for some, but (apparently) not for most. They work great on a certain kind of face, or is it that those who love electrics just don't care as much about a close shave?

mike_esspe• 13 years ago

Several years ago, I switched to electric and never looked back. Less irritation, no cuts, no need for cream, faster.

Shaving is not as close, but if you think it's a problem, ask your friends if they can see the difference :)

sdfjkl• 13 years ago

I've spent some time researching shaving and tried out everything from cutthroat razors to electric ones, and my conclusions are these: If you are using cartridge razors, you are being ripped off. Learn to use a double edged razor, shave at a cost of pennies per month (do get the platinum coated blades though), get a better shave and produce so much less waste.

Pro tip: For most skin types, bar soap works equally well or better than any shaving cream/butter. For the rest, shaving oil will do the trick.

auctiontheory2• 13 years ago

I went through a phase of thinking as you are. And then I realized that in the big scheme of my life, I was spending way too much time focusing on a very insignificant piece of my day. I could get much better return applying the same time and energy to choices that have bigger impact. And ... did I really want to shave with blades that could slice me up?

drunken_thor• 13 years ago

I don't think you gave it enough practice, I have been using a double edge for years and shave faster than I did with cartridge because I only need one pass.

Feather blades and olive oil are the only thing I use. Also double edges were originally called safety razors for a reason.

Dollar Shave Club Lands $12 Million to Dramatically Expand Product Portfolio

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