Dollar Shave Club

Dollar Shave Club was founded in 2011 by Michael Dubin and Mark Levine, launching with a viral YouTube video that skewered the overpriced razor industry. The “Our Blades Are F***ing Great” ad amassed millions of views and established DSC as a disruptive force in men’s grooming.

Company History

In 2016, Unilever acquired Dollar Shave Club for $1 billion, marking one of the largest direct-to-consumer acquisitions at the time. In 2023, Unilever sold DSC to Sycamore Partners, a private equity firm. This ownership change coincided with increased customer complaints about product quality and service.

Products & Services

Dollar Shave Club offers a men’s grooming subscription:

• Razor Blades: 2-blade, 4-blade, and 6-blade cartridge options
• Shave Prep: Shave butter, post-shave cream, prep scrub
• Body Care: Body wash, bar soap, deodorant
• Hair Care: Shampoo, conditioner, styling products
• Starter Kits: Low-cost entry bundles

The subscription model delivers products on a customizable schedule.

Current Concerns

Dollar Shave Club’s 1.3/5 Trustpilot rating across 473 reviews reflects significant customer dissatisfaction since the Sycamore Partners acquisition. Common complaints include perceived quality decline, billing issues, and difficulty with customer service. The F rating from BBB (unaccredited) raises additional concerns about business practices.

While DSC pioneered the direct-to-consumer razor subscription model, competitors like Harry’s (4.4/5 Trustpilot) now offer comparable convenience with better quality perception and customer satisfaction.