Razor blade cartridges: thoughts, research

[homein2007]

I like to use the Gillette Mach 3 razor myself, but my quandary applies equally to any of the other brands out there. Do any of you have any ideas on how to save on the cartridges? I paid $27+ (24.99+tx) for a box of a dozen at Walgreens today, or $2.26 per cartridge. That was more than I felt comfortable with but I was already in the store to fill a prescription anyway. I'd like to stock up if I could find a good deal.

My uncle buys them on eBay in lots of 40 or so. I'm a little wary of doing that...I'm sure most of the sellers are honest, but I'm paranoid because here in the big ugly city, razor cartridges are a high-theft item because they are small and can be sold for drug money easily. (The little facts you learn in my business ) So I want to be sure I'm not buying something that "fell off the back of a truck."

I checked drugstore.com just now. I can get 2 12-packs for $21.99 each; orders over $25 qualify for free shipping, and for delivery to CA there is no sales tax. That's $43.98, plus through fatwallet.com I get a 7% discount, for a total of $40.91, divided by 24 cartridges, equals $1.70 per cartridge.

What about tips like the Vaseline idea from the Tightwad Gazette? Does it work well enough to warrant purchasing the vaseline in the first place?

[homein2007]

I did the same math to figure out the price of cartridges if I didn't rule out eBay transactions. I found that, after factoring in shipping, the price drops to $1.07 per cartridge from one seller, and drops under a dollar if he discounts the shipping for multiple boxes.

I suppose that with a little due diligence, like observing a consistently high feedback rating, or maybe sending a diplomatically-worded email, I could satisfy myself that an eBay seller isn't a fence.

[shelbylovesmelby]

This is why my dh wears a beard most of the time though I prefer a goatee JMHO

We did have some luck & found some razors & refills that were discontinued @ k-mart over the summer & he's still using those.

But I hear ya how expensive it is & the refills cost as much if you were to get the inital kit w handle anyways.

[PRICEPLUS]

I use soap instread of shaving cream and I try to get 10 shaves per razor. I sometimes skip a day shaving and/or use my electric razor. The Mach 3 is pricey but you need to shave!

[tinapbeana]

Originally Posted by PRICEPLUS

The Mach 3 is pricey but you need to shave!

ahem, Price?

i would venture to say you 'want' to shave, but you don't 'need' to shave

[homein2007]

Originally Posted by tinapbeana

ahem, Price?

i would venture to say you 'want' to shave, but you don't 'need' to shave

Actually, in my case it really is a 'need'...neither my father nor I can grow a beard that doesn't look scruffy. Genetic follicle deficiency or something I am willing to spend extra for the Mach 3's versus other types because a smooth shave is a luxury I consider worth the money. That doesn't change the fact that I want to pay as little as possible for them, of course.

[RJB1180]

Try shopping at the big warehouse clubs. I don't remember what I paid but I think it was less than a $1 at BJ's when using a coupon.

[PRICEPLUS]

Tina, I would venture to say I should shave every day but I do not! There you have it!

[shelbylovesmelby]

Yep that's why I'm thankful for my Gilette Daisies they last forever & I don't need to do my legs or underarms everyday so one pkg lasts me up to a year