MORE news from Valobra.

[MickToley]

A few months ago somebody posted a thread on other forums about Valobra coming out with a hard soap puck. I recently purchased a Valobra Fougere bath soap, and it's fragrance is most wonderful. I emailed Valobra asking if they were ever going to reintroduce the Fougere scented soft soap or create a hard Fougere soap scented like the bath soap. Here is Guglielmo's response.

"Dear Mr.,

Thank you very much for your e-mail. I am pleased to inform you that a Valobra hard shaving soap in a puck shape is under development and will be ready for the market by August-September.

Although the Valobra stick shaving soap has the same fragrance of the Fougere soap but in a much smaller percentage the new soap in a puck will have a boosted Fougere scent.

Kindest regards,

Guglielmo Valobra"

[Squire]

This sounds interesting, I would like to read some reviews when it comes to market.

[JRTASTER]

Interesting. Will it be, I wonder, a tallow formula like their exalted stick or a non-tallow variate??

jr/John

[gsgo]

Welcome back Squire!

[Squire]

Thanks Gary, it's good to see me here.

[MickToley]

Interesting. Will it be, I wonder, a tallow formula like their exalted stick or a non-tallow variate??

jr/John

I think it will be tallow based. Valobra said it's going to be a puck version of the stick in a thread posted on B&B.

[JRTASTER]

"tallow based. Valobra said it's going to be a puck version of the stick in a thread posted on B&B.[/quote]

Mick, thanks! if it's going to be tallow it will be on my "got to try" list!

jr/John

[Craig_From_Cincy]

EXCELLENT NEWS!! Thanks for posting it Michael. I know that Phil had tried to get Valobra to produce a tallow based fougere soap puck for him, but said that he abanded the endeavor because (if I recall) Phil wasn't entirely happy with the scent. It's interesting that Valobra is carrying on with the product, and very encouraging too because it means that some producer is finally noticing the complete absence of a decent fougere shave soap (save for the current retched formulation of English Fern) from the market, and is seizing on the opportunity to bring one to market. Bravo Valobra.

[brothers]

I haven't tried the Valobra hand/bath soap fougere, but maybe a fougere shaving soap from Valobra will be a hit. I'm concerned though, because I know Phil tried to get such a product and Valobra couldn't deliver it. I'm not going to get too excited about it beforehand for that reason.

[fisherc]

Gary:

I believe the issue with Phil/Bullgoose and other retailers was the min qty and "custom" charges Valobra had. Unfortunately Valobra's min order qty was too large (5000 units as I recall) and I believe they would not grant an exclusive to Bullgoose and others on the fragrance. This would allow Valobra to compete at a lower price point should the company decide to offer it directly which sounds like may now be the case.

I for one hope Valobra does this as their hard shave soap formula is phenomenal and their rendition of "fougere" in their bath soap and ltd ed crema sapone (no longer available) is fantastic.

Chris

[Squire]

Chris is correct, Phil found himself in an untenable position which is regrettable because I know he put a lot of effort into the project.

[jww]

Gary:

I believe the issue with Phil/Bullgoose and other retailers was the min qty and "custom" charges Valobra had. Unfortunately Valobra's min order qty was too large (5000 units as I recall) and I believe they would not grant an exclusive to Bullgoose and others on the fragrance. ...

Well that's an interesting business model -- what on earth are they thinking here????

[Squire]

Wendell I believe the thinking was along the lines Valobra is willing to do a special merchant's run but reserves the right to sell the same product on their own.

[MickToley]

Gary:

I believe the issue with Phil/Bullgoose and other retailers was the min qty and "custom" charges Valobra had. Unfortunately Valobra's min order qty was too large (5000 units as I recall) and I believe they would not grant an exclusive to Bullgoose and others on the fragrance. This would allow Valobra to compete at a lower price point should the company decide to offer it directly which sounds like may now be the case.

I for one hope Valobra does this as their hard shave soap formula is phenomenal and their rendition of "fougere" in their bath soap and ltd ed crema sapone (no longer available) is fantastic.

Chris

I believe it was only 2500.

[JRTASTER]

i'm ready! please let us know when and from whom we'll be able to satisfy our curiosity and SSAD.

jr/John

[Squire]

Of course Phil may now stock the new Valobra if he so wishes.

[JRTASTER]

Squire,

It would approach poetic justice were Phil be able to have at least limited exclusivity on the new Valobra puck. His determined strategy
to stock an abundant array of shave products has served our community well and his continued success is a win-win for us all!

But I'm ahead of myself, no??

jr/John

[Squire]

Not at all, when I go to order something shave related I think of Phil first.

[bernards66]

Drat! Am I to understand that I might be compelled to procure yet ANOTHER non-English shave product?! ( muttering, grumbling, etc. )
Regards,
Gordon

[BullGoose]

Gary:

I believe the issue with Phil/Bullgoose and other retailers was the min qty and "custom" charges Valobra had. Unfortunately Valobra's min order qty was too large (5000 units as I recall) and I believe they would not grant an exclusive to Bullgoose and others on the fragrance. This would allow Valobra to compete at a lower price point should the company decide to offer it directly which sounds like may now be the case.

I for one hope Valobra does this as their hard shave soap formula is phenomenal and their rendition of "fougere" in their bath soap and ltd ed crema sapone (no longer available) is fantastic.

Chris

Correct...the main sticking point is they would not agree to a non-compete clause which made it too risky of an investment for me. The minimum run was actually 2500 but we also had to supply the mold (or pay for a mold) and had to pay for packaging etc.

I received some sample pucks but did not think the scent was right (to me it smelled like the shave stick). I will be interested to see how the production run smells.