Dear Mach3: It’s Not Me, It’s You
Dear Trusty Gillette Mach3 Razor:
After eight lovely years together, we have come to a parting of the ways. Although I enjoyed your smooth triple blade shave, recent developments have forced me to reconsider our relationship and, sadly, I’ve decided I’m leaving you for a previous love. I know this might make it worse, but there’s really nothing you can do because it’s not me: it’s you.
Mach3, you were always a hard sell: when we first met, I was convinced that your three blades were a wasteful gimmick, but a few shaves later, you had me. And when that crazy four-blade razor came out, I’ll admit I flirted a little, but really it meant nothing to me.
But as time’s gone on, I’ve found that the costs of your replacement blades are too rich for my blood. I mean, $15.00 for a five-pack? Honey, I’m not made of money. I can’t find private label replacement cartridges for you either, and BJ’s Wholesale doesn’t carry the Mach3 in bulk: it’s all take and no give with you. It’s been a month since I shaved with a fresh blade, Mach3, a month.
I know it’s going to make you upset, but a few weeks ago, I got in touch with my old flame, the Gilette Sensor twin blade. She’s been looking better every day. I found a bulk-pack of 20 blades for about $27.00 at BJ’s yesterday: that’s more than half of what a single one of YOUR blades costs. And the Sensor offers a triple blade too, available in bulk or in a super-cheap private label.
So in Sunday, I dropped mess than $10.00 on the razor itself, and an additional $27.00 on that 20-pack. That’s a little less than 15 replacement Mach3 blades. And while the Sensor may not have the certain je ne sais quoi I’ll always associate with you, she gives a great shave. What’s more, she does a much better job of cropping my sideburns.
Don’t cry, don’t cry. Maybe instead of breaking up, we’ll have a trial separation. I’ll put you in the medicine chest, and wait for the day when Gillette brings down the price of the Mach3 blade, or makes it available under a store brand. Until then, I’m sticking with my Sensor.
Ya know, I should have broken up with her to begin with.
Take care of yourself, OK? Who knows, maybe sometime when the time is right, you and I can make another go of it.
Sincerely,
Brendan
November 15th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
I buy my blades on ebay and have for years. Just choose a vendor with a high (near 100%) rating and you can get them in bulk for cheap.