Shaving Cream and Alarm Clocks
For some reason, I really like it when seemingly unrelated things can be tied together. I admit, it's a strange and perhaps meaningless concept to enjoy - but maybe it explains why I can watch the same Seinfeld episodes over and over. Or maybe I like it because these things are a sign of how everything in our world is related in some way if you look deep enough.
In any case, shaving cream and alarm clocks are both shockingly affordable and long-lasting products. Every time I need to replace either, I can never remember how long it's been since my last replacement and I'm amazed at how inexpensive it is.
Shaving Cream: I use Barbasol Original, the granddaddy of shaving creams. I buy one can for under $2 and it lasts me 6-12 months. I can't even estimate for sure because I buy shaving cream so infrequently. Compare this with every other toiletry - everything else is either long-lasting and expensive, or cheap and short-lived. Shaving cream dominates the bathroom like no other product can.
Alarm Clocks: I think I may have only owned 3 alarm clocks in my entire life. We're talking almost 10 years per clock. At under $20 per clock, this is an amazing value. Forget the price, each alarm clock has been an extremely reliable and high-quality product. Once I get the alarm-set button down, they just work as needed for almost a decade. I've had 7 cell phones, 6 computers, 4 TVs, and 3 iPods since the last time I had to buy an alarm clock. The last time I bought an alarm clock I didn't know who Osama Bin Laden was.
So this begs the question - why are shaving cream and alarm clocks such a good deal? I really have no idea, but I'll throw out some thoughts.
Both are highly commoditized products. Both haven't changed form or function in a very long time. Although I'm fiercely loyal to my alarm clock, the concept of the alarm clock seems to be slowly converging with other products. Many people use their cell phones or blackberries to wake them up in the morning. Shaving cream has me completely stumped. Barbasol could raise their prices 50% and I don't think they'd lose many customers.
In any case, shaving cream and alarm clocks are both shockingly affordable and long-lasting products. Every time I need to replace either, I can never remember how long it's been since my last replacement and I'm amazed at how inexpensive it is.
Shaving Cream: I use Barbasol Original, the granddaddy of shaving creams. I buy one can for under $2 and it lasts me 6-12 months. I can't even estimate for sure because I buy shaving cream so infrequently. Compare this with every other toiletry - everything else is either long-lasting and expensive, or cheap and short-lived. Shaving cream dominates the bathroom like no other product can.
Alarm Clocks: I think I may have only owned 3 alarm clocks in my entire life. We're talking almost 10 years per clock. At under $20 per clock, this is an amazing value. Forget the price, each alarm clock has been an extremely reliable and high-quality product. Once I get the alarm-set button down, they just work as needed for almost a decade. I've had 7 cell phones, 6 computers, 4 TVs, and 3 iPods since the last time I had to buy an alarm clock. The last time I bought an alarm clock I didn't know who Osama Bin Laden was.
So this begs the question - why are shaving cream and alarm clocks such a good deal? I really have no idea, but I'll throw out some thoughts.
Both are highly commoditized products. Both haven't changed form or function in a very long time. Although I'm fiercely loyal to my alarm clock, the concept of the alarm clock seems to be slowly converging with other products. Many people use their cell phones or blackberries to wake them up in the morning. Shaving cream has me completely stumped. Barbasol could raise their prices 50% and I don't think they'd lose many customers.
Comments