Gary Young said:If anything the business was a 'gentlemans' business - that is, we had a suite at The Ritz used for meetings, lunch meetings with customers from the US and the UK at the Cafe Royal, etc. We weren't prepared to change the business from the traditional beliefs we all held - something which ultimately cost us!!
Gary Young said:Guys I accepted the offer to come on this forum to answer questions as plainly as I can. When I get asked about the business history and why we gave up the business I have answered 'as it was'.
Please do not make assumptions about 'lunches at Cafe Royal' - prestige customers tend to offer lunch at prestigious venues - please don't assume we squandered profits for the sake of a 'top notch meal'. That was not the case.
I am not here to be fired at and shot down when I give an honest reply.
Yes the forums in the US are more commercial than this but they do not make assumptions about why businesses change hands. It was and is a family matter - none of you know the 'whys', I do and it is my perogative to keep reasons to myself.
One of the last posts makes it sound as if we were 'bad business men'. One question, who owned the company the longest? The Simpson family, David Carter or Vulfix?
I think this stands as my last contribution on here. I will stick to the US sites where they seem to respect the history and don't look to knock the time I am 'taking out' to answer questions. It's a shame.
Blyth Spirit said:It's been a fascinating read Gary thanks for your memories.
However suites at the Ritz and lunch meetings at the Cafe Royal and all the associated on-costs do have to be paid for and while I accept your rationale about paying for quality products there does have to come a break point when the customer recognises that it is he who is paying for the "gentlemen's" image and the sellers business luxuries not simply buying a shaving brush. Quality is quality not because it is expensive or bespoke (although the two often go hand in hand) but because the price/product/functionality and product longevity tie up. The current and classic example of that mix in shaving brushes is the 404 Badger/Boar mix.
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