Visit to Vulfix/Simpson

DEF · Post by **DEF** » Thu Apr 21, 2011 8:15 am

Here is my attempt at a balanced reading of all this:

I don't know about "viral marketing," but this episode is a clear reminder that it's good to have the product and pricing set before going to market. Otherwise, it opens the question whether you're pricing in an opportunistic way rather than on a straightforward cost-plus-margin basis. In addition, all the run-up conversation can be taken as a hype campaign, regardless of original intent. My reading of the thread closing "over there" is that this second point is what rose up to bite them. Absent a prototype and pricing, I can't say I disagree with the closure itself, though the moderator seems to presume a bit much about Vulfix' motives. But you do reach a point at which there needs to be an actual product to justify all the banter.

All said and done, the GYM7 is clearly a special project, and it happened to evolve in a special way that unfortunately got sideways with the usual order of business -- probably because it's coming more from the heart than do typical business decisions. But so be it; it's the schemers who killed Crown Perfumery, Penhaligon's tallow soaps, Woods of Windsor's original formula, R&G's Fern line, etc., etc. If we want "human" companies, we have to allow them to be less than perfect automatons from time to time.

suffolksupplies · Post by **suffolksupplies** » Thu Apr 21, 2011 8:23 am

Beware of the secret badger police!

OldSaw · Post by **OldSaw** » Thu Apr 21, 2011 8:42 am

DEF wrote:Here is my attempt at a balanced reading of all this:

I don't know about "viral marketing," but this episode is a clear reminder that it's good to have the product and pricing set before going to market. Otherwise, it opens the question whether you're pricing in an opportunistic way rather than on a straightforward cost-plus-margin basis. In addition, all the run-up conversation can be taken as a hype campaign, regardless of original intent. My reading of the thread closing "over there" is that this second point is what rose up to bite them. Absent a prototype and pricing, I can't say I disagree with the closure itself, though the moderator seems to presume a bit much about Vulfix' motives. But you do reach a point at which there needs to be an actual product to justify all the banter.

All said and done, the GYM7 is clearly a special project, and it happened to evolve in a special way that unfortunately got sideways with the usual order of business -- probably because it's coming more from the heart than do typical business decisions. But so be it; it's the schemers who killed Crown Perfumery, Penhaligon's tallow soaps, Woods of Windsor's original formula, R&G's Fern line, etc., etc. If we want "human" companies, we have to allow them to be less than perfect automatons from time to time.

Sounds like a very reasonable assumption. I wanted to participate, but have yet to receive an email and am starting to put together an order of products that will exhaust the ~$200 I was planning on. BTW my pending order still includes two Simpson brushes.

Fido · Post by **Fido** » Thu Apr 21, 2011 9:27 am

Vulfix Old Original wrote:Did you ever get to see his factory from the inside Peter?

Fido wrote:I think I am beginning to admire the way Lee Sabini operates.
Never directly heard or seen on the forums.

No.

Gary Young · Post by **Gary Young** » Thu Apr 21, 2011 1:50 pm

OldSaw wrote:
Vulfix Old Original wrote:'Banned' from talking about Simpson.
Was he really banned? His profile is still active.

I am not going to slate the other forum on here, wouldn't be right.

Suffice to say that if anyone wants any historical info on Simpson, brush making info, brushes dated, etc this is the forum to ask me any questions.

Regarding any LE brushes, please contact Mark Watterson.

For the record though as this is the only point I wish to make public on here. I am not a paid agent of Simpson under the current ownership. I would not be prepared, and Mark already knows this, to work for a company that my family owned. This is meant in no way as disrespectful to Mark or Vulfix/Simpson but I am sure you would agree that since we owned the business for the majority of its life there would be no way I could physically work for someone else who owned the business.

Cheers

Gary

OldSaw · Post by **OldSaw** » Fri Apr 22, 2011 6:35 am

Well, it's the end of the week, I'm eager to see the prototype.

Crhis · Post by **Crhis** » Fri Apr 22, 2011 8:16 am

It's a Bank Holiday here in the UK, unless someone took the prototype home with them I don't think we're going to be seeing it today unfortunately...

Fido · Post by **Fido** » Fri Apr 22, 2011 10:24 am

And a beautiful day here too.

drumana · Post by **drumana** » Fri Apr 22, 2011 12:20 pm

Just read through the whole thread, which for some reason I haven't looked at in a while. Quite the soap opera. Quite.

DEF · Post by **DEF** » Fri Apr 22, 2011 12:38 pm

I think you mean brush opera.

Gary Young · Post by **Gary Young** » Fri Apr 22, 2011 12:44 pm

DEF wrote:I think you mean brush opera.

?

DEF · Post by **DEF** » Fri Apr 22, 2011 1:04 pm

Playing off Andrew's "soap opera" reference. All the passion and plot twists of a daytime teledrama, but to do with brushes. Brought to you by P&G Tips and Col. T. L. Sprecklemeyer's Floor Wax and Post-Shave Liniment.

Gary Young · Post by **Gary Young** » Fri Apr 22, 2011 1:07 pm

DEF wrote:Playing off Andrew's "soap opera" reference. All the passion and plot twists of a daytime teledrama, but to do with brushes. Brought to you by P&G Tips and Col. T. L. Sprecklemeyer's Floor Wax and Post-Shave Liniment.

...and Alka Seltzer and aspirin at the moment....!

Gary Young · Post by **Gary Young** » Fri Apr 22, 2011 1:08 pm

OldSaw wrote:Well, it's the end of the week, I'm eager to see the prototype.

If it could have been ready it would have been ready. Unfortunately we both have commitments away from the project . Me - work and family. Mark - family.

Gary

DEF · Post by **DEF** » Fri Apr 22, 2011 1:10 pm

Nothing truly great is ever easy. Of course, most of the bollocks is hard, as well, but that's another conversation...

Gary Young · Post by **Gary Young** » Fri Apr 22, 2011 1:18 pm

DEF wrote:Nothing truly great is ever easy. Of course, most of the bollocks is hard, as well, but that's another conversation...

I'll second that!

RetroGrouch · Post by **RetroGrouch** » Fri Apr 22, 2011 2:28 pm

Gary Young wrote:Suffice to say that if anyone wants any historical info on Simpson, brush making info, brushes dated, etc this is the forum to ask me any questions.

Gary,

Seeing as you asked...

Do you know the story behind this brush? W2? I've always wondered what the W stood for and when it was made. (I call him "Ward".)

It's a very comfortable handle and I love its simple design.

(I've since re-knotted it and returned it to its owner, who had obviously neglected it for years.)

Mike

kooshman7 · Post by **kooshman7** » Fri Apr 22, 2011 11:32 pm

This is all going really quite fast I think. While it can be hard to wait, it's not so bad. Keep your mind busy on other stuff in the mean time.

Blacksetter · Post by **Blacksetter** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 5:57 am

After seeing the thread locked in other parts of the internet, I'm glad to find a place where I can keep up with the development of this brush.
Being an adult, I like having the discretion of what information I am exposed to..

My apologies to Gary Young for being treated so shabbily elsewhere..

In any case, I'm looking forward to viewing the prototype! I don't really need another brush, but that never stopped me before

Gary Young · Post by **Gary Young** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 9:08 am

RetroGrouch wrote:
Gary Young wrote:Suffice to say that if anyone wants any historical info on Simpson, brush making info, brushes dated, etc this is the forum to ask me any questions.
Gary,

Seeing as you asked...

Do you know the story behind this brush? W2? I've always wondered what the W stood for and when it was made. (I call him "Ward".)

It's a very comfortable handle and I love its simple design.

(I've since re-knotted it and returned it to its owner, who had obviously neglected it for years.)

Mike

I certainly do! So you call it the 'Ward'?!? Now I think you should seriously consider putting some money on a horse as it appears that you have an element of prediction in your genes.
We had a family who worked for us over many many years - 3 members of the family in the end. Their surname was 'Ward'. As said previously, all the brush names were thought up by our family or staff who worked for us....

The brush is post 1960. Probably 1960-1970, the one you have.

You have your answer my friend! Now may I ask you to think of 6 numbers between 1 - 49 and discreetly drop me a PM? The UK Lottery falls every Saturday and I still have time to buy a ticket!!

Gary