No more purchases. If I fail, you win.

McNutt · Post by **McNutt** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:18 pm

Earlier this week I vowed to my friends that I would not buy any more shaving products that were not replacements. I did give myself one out by saying that I still planned to buy a Merkur 1904, but after that, NOTHING.

Today I bought the 1904 (I threw in a travel case for my Futur. Does that count?) and I am officially on the clock.

How long before I crack and buy a product that is NOT a replacement?

I'm betting I can hold out until July. That's right. July.

To give you an idea of how bad I have it, I started DE shaving in February and have so far bought the following:

Merkur Futur
Merkur 1904
Gillette SS (gift)
Gillette Skinny Adjustable (gift)
~90 DE blades
Col. Conk Amber x2
Col. Conk Bay Rum x2
Saint Charles Shave Bay Rum (with wooden bowl)
Saint Charles Shave Sandalwood (with wooden bowl)
Saint Charles Shave Almond (with wooden bowl)
Tabac cream
Tabac soap
Proraso soap
Omega soap
Haslinger Refreshing soap
Musgo Real cream
Truefitt & Hill Trafalgar tub
Truefitt & Hill 1805 tube
QED Fresh Lime soap
Truefitt & Hill 1805 cologne
Nivea Sensitive aftershave
L'Oreal Aftershave
Saint Charles Shave Bay Rum aftershave
Col Conk Pure Badger brush
SMF II Brush

Oh dear Lord. Did I really buy all that in one month?

So how long do you guys give me before I crack? I'll make it interesting because I really have to get serious about this or else I'll go broke. If I crack and buy ANYTHING that is not a replacement I will ship whatever is my most expensive cream or soap (prorated for remaining quantity) to the member who guessed the date closest to my actual crack date (U.S. 48 only). If I make it to July 1st I win and will treat myself to a tub of something really nice.

Why am I sweating?

Edit - Forgot to add an aftershave.
Second Edit - Forgot to add a soap.

Just to make sure every guess is on the up and up I will not consider any guess with an edit date that is different from the post date. If you must edit your guess post make sure to do it the day you post it. Good luck. I hope I win.

Post by **Sam** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:27 pm

ok, ill go april 17th

sam

Troy · Post by **Troy** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:29 pm

McNutt,

I don't see any Trumper's, Taylor's or D. R. Harris products on your list. You don't stand a chance.

-Troy

DEF · Post by **DEF** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:32 pm

Tony,

I salute you for your resolve, but you've left yourself an out. I propose that if you buy anything new, you forfeit that item AND your most expensive remaining product. Otherwise, you can keep trading off your stuff, which will do nothing to protect your budget! This way, if you crack, not only do we win, but you lose -- which will have a much stronger motivating effect.

Tough love, bro. I'm here to help... At least as long as you have that Tabac soap!

slcsteve · Post by **slcsteve** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:35 pm

OK! I'll guess 11:45.

rustyblade · Post by **rustyblade** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:41 pm

You don't have any Truefitt and Hill Ultimate Comfort cream or Luxury shave soap on that list? What are you? You are missing two of the best products on the market. All the soaps/creams on your list pale in comparison.

March 21.

I'll take the Trafalgar.

With The Grain · Post by **With The Grain** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:55 pm

all that in one month and you're thinking july?

no trumpers and none of the praised aftershaves... put me down for april 1st, april fools day will do you in!

bernards66 · Post by **bernards66** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:57 pm

I'll go with April 1 ( you know...April Fool's Day ).
Gordon

McNutt · Post by **McNutt** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:58 pm

rustyblade wrote:You don't have any Truefitt and Hill Ultimate Comfort cream or Luxury shave soap on that list?

I'm actually thinking about rewarding myself with that soap.

And for the record, stuff I give away is not to be replaced. I will only replace the products that I consume.

gkennedy34 · Post by **gkennedy34** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 7:00 pm

McNutt and I are friends in real life. With that comes the knowledge that if one of us recommends something then the other will ignore the recommendation on principle (because, of course, the other guy is always wrong). McNutt started with soaps and has tried a few creams. I went with the top shelf creams from the start and haven't made it to soaps yet. I feel a little responsible for his not trying the best products on the market.

Having said that, I'd like to say April 20th. Don't think I won't try to bring you down with me, McNutt. Every time I buy something I'm going to offer to let you piggy back on my shipping costs. What are friends for afterall?

McNutt · Post by **McNutt** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 7:03 pm

DEF wrote:I propose that if you buy anything new, you forfeit that item AND your most expensive remaining product.

I think if I agree to do that I'll be guaranteed to succeed as making that purchase would just be throwing away money.

Tell you what, if I crack I will list everything soap/cream in my inventory, including the new purchase, and let the winner decide what they want.

Edit - d'oh. My first statement put the SMF II brush up for grabs. That is definitely not up for prize consideration. Sorry.

cigar-&-Shave · Post by **cigar-&-Shave** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 7:04 pm

I’m in your corner, McNutt, think self-discipline! You can do it! In fact, I’ll give you some added incentive… if you make it to July, well, I’ll shake your hand, if by chance we should ever meet. By-the-by, How often to you make it to Japan?

Hang in there, buddy, I’m rootin’ for you!

Post by **Sam** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 7:04 pm

better be careful, id pick the smf 2 brush. but of the creams and soaps, id pick the tabac

sam

Greggy_D · Post by **Greggy_D** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 7:09 pm

March 20th

I know his weakness.

McNutt · Post by **McNutt** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 7:20 pm

Sam wrote:better be careful, id pick the smf 2 brush. but of the creams and soaps, id pick the tabac

sam

Thanks, Sam. That brush was NOT going to be part of the deal. I'm glad you mentioned that.

Let me be clear for my benefit as well as yours. I will ship any cream/soap that the winner wants. Brushes and razors are not up for grabs.

DEF · Post by **DEF** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 7:22 pm

McNutt wrote:Tell you what, if I crack I will list everything in my inventory, including the new purchase, and let the winner decide what they want.

Now you're talking some serious risk. As a behavior mod strategy, I think you've put some teeth into it.

The only other thing to think about is that it's usually not good to make the ultimate reward the same thing that you're trying to control. Because then you undermine yourself with the thought, "Why am I waiting to earn something that I can have right now?" Don't worry about shaving goodies on or after July 1; you'll cross that bridge when you come to it. But do choose something you'd like to work for -- maybe a weekend getaway, a new blazer, concert tickets, or whatever lights your fire.

Finally, remember the addict's prayer: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change... Serenity that descends upon you like the gentle bouquet of a fine English floral cream... Maybe Trumper Violets... Or Taylor's Rose..."

(By the way, I am not a therapist, nor do I play one on TV.)

acoldspoon · Post by **acoldspoon** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 7:56 pm

April 21st.

javyn · Post by **javyn** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:04 pm

What do you think of your 1904, Tony? I'm finding this unassuming little razor has quite a bit of sting in its tail!

McNutt · Post by **McNutt** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:44 pm

javyn wrote:What do you think of your 1904, Tony? I'm finding this unassuming little razor has quite a bit of sting in its tail!

It won't arrive until next week. I'm hoping it will be gentle on my neck.

javyn · Post by **javyn** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:52 pm

I haven't found that to be the case at all. I guess I am spoiled by my adjustables and being able to dial down the gap. Once I get used to this sucker though, I should be able to shave my neck on a higher setting, at least that's my theory.