Hoarding and Panic Buying
- Thread starter sablebrush52
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Maybe. There's certainly a lot of anticipation and excitement in the US over the end of the embargo, and the lemming effect will certainly be a ruling factor in people's behavior. That might be contravened by the expected price gouging as well as the continuing drop in quality due to overproduction to meet demand. But even if Cuba exports turds, the power of suggestion will have buyers creaming their jeans over the ecstasy of smoking a Cuban cigar.
The power of
Sable, but the ones buying those initial "Cuban Greats" will be those in the now and they'll buy all the can and because they like them. Sure some just because, but most because they're seriously good cigars and they'd rather not need to fight for them for those times when they decide "damn, I'm totally in the mood for a M#2"
Very interesting thread and very interesting thoughts all around!
I'm personally on a rather meager fixed income and thus unable to hoard tobacco, but I'm pretty much OK with it. At least I'm getting better in giving up on things like tobacco. I would prefer to smoke my regulars FVF and St.James with some age on them but I'm fine with the fresh stuff, too. I'm happy for those can buy to their heart's content and I like to see photos of their cellars.
Speaking of cellars and Bordeaux wine that was mentioned, I recently watched the film Red Obsession which featured a Chinese billionaire who had made his fortune by manufacturing dildoes. He had bought whole vintages of old Bordeaux wines. Apparently old chateaux, as well. When I saw him fondling his beloved bottles and smoking his pipe an alarming thought struck me: what if he decides to buy a few old tobacco manufactures, too?!. Say, Germain's and both Gawiths just for starters. Oh dear, I hope I'm not giving him any ideas.
I'm personally on a rather meager fixed income and thus unable to hoard tobacco, but I'm pretty much OK with it. At least I'm getting better in giving up on things like tobacco. I would prefer to smoke my regulars FVF and St.James with some age on them but I'm fine with the fresh stuff, too. I'm happy for those can buy to their heart's content and I like to see photos of their cellars.
Speaking of cellars and Bordeaux wine that was mentioned, I recently watched the film Red Obsession which featured a Chinese billionaire who had made his fortune by manufacturing dildoes. He had bought whole vintages of old Bordeaux wines. Apparently old chateaux, as well. When I saw him fondling his beloved bottles and smoking his pipe an alarming thought struck me: what if he decides to buy a few old tobacco manufactures, too?!. Say, Germain's and both Gawiths just for starters. Oh dear, I hope I'm not giving him any ideas.
Wow Jarit that looks fascinating! Now if anything qualifies as Upscale Hoarding that does!! Was it a good movie? Worth watching? Dildo Empire=Billionaires & Bordeaux.... Fascinating. Who woulda thunk...
EDIT: I just watched the trailer. Truly fascinating. Limited resources & limited inventory desired by a group of adults equals stampedes and near anarchy.
EDIT: I just watched the trailer. Truly fascinating. Limited resources & limited inventory desired by a group of adults equals stampedes and near anarchy.
The power of suggestion. We have half a century of enjoying seriously great cigars from other countries made by the same families who produced those legendary Cuban brands. And many of those Nicaraguan, Dominican and Honduran cigars are much prized by very loyal fans who have smoked and cellared them for years. They'll buy to satisfy their curiosity if the prices aren't completely crazy. And there will always be those who flock to the next new sensory thrill or must have the next cool status symbol, lots of them, and they will buy tons of stuff without knowing what they're actually buying. I've smoked a lot of Cuban cigars over the years, though not much in the last 7-8, because the quality was on the decline, especially amongst the "star" brands, like Cohiba (which were also often fakes, like the Lanceros). The best smokes came from less known marques, like Flor de Cano.
In any event, I don't smoke cigars very often these days, and if I'm so inclined, there are excellent makes, like Toraño, whose product satisfies me as much as anything that comes out of the Vuelta Abajo.
It's like pipe tobacco.
I agree with you sable. My all time favorites are most Padron and OpusX, but those three cigars I named are in my top 10. I think initially, as with most things, there'll be initial stampede, but it'll do nothing but good things for the industry as a whole. Once everyone has tasted Cubans they'll explore further.
I am worried about the quality of those cigars. Once we open up and start importing it will be hard for them to keep up with the initial demands. I think long term it will work out but initially it will be a mad house. Just my .02.
The quality has already taken a hit. Started years ago as a result of increased demand caused in part by Cigar Aficionado's coverage. The aging and fermentation cycles were cut short to get product to the market. It will probably take more of a hit, but people won't care because they just want to smoke a "Cuban" cigar and haven't a clue. Like I wrote, even if the cigar is a turd (and there's no reason to expect that we'll be getting the best product anyway - remember that the French were selling us their swill in fancy bottles) the consumer will be enraptured.
I'm not a Prepper, but only because I can't afford the expense. The notion of having everything I might need or want already in my possession is extremely appealing. I think this is because having something means the absence of the anxiety of wanting it and yet having no assurance of being able to get and have that thing. That's why some people "stockpile" money. Or buy gold to transform money into a more economically robust form. I know a couple of men who spend their money on money. My approach is buy the things I want so I don't have the anxiety of wanting without having. For some things, I am "compelled" to buy because that model or design or type looks to be becoming discontinued and I don't want to lose access to it. I call this "the out of print book syndrome", which is how it first showed up in my personality. Book publishers often drop hardcover versions of books that in their paperback form are not durable. Looking across my room I see four math/logic books that I had to buy as weak, glued spine paperbacks because the hardcover version is out of print - and they cost as much as the original hardcover did when it was available. And these are thick books. In the guitar world, Gibson is futzing with their electrics. Happily, I was able to buy NOS models of the Les Paul and SG without the changes. In the gun world, Glock's 4th generation models don't appeal to me. I jumped to get 3rd generation models because I had the anxiety that they will be discontinued.
Since I'm buying all this other stuff, I haven't been focused on tobacco, and I recently was limited to OTC blends bought at tax inflated prices in town. Last night I made the choice to spend $100 on tobacco rather than something else (Military water cans) because I had to admit I had the immediate need for tobacco and not for more water storage. I envy you guys who have several months or years, or even a lifetime, worth of tobacco.
Since I'm buying all this other stuff, I haven't been focused on tobacco, and I recently was limited to OTC blends bought at tax inflated prices in town. Last night I made the choice to spend $100 on tobacco rather than something else (Military water cans) because I had to admit I had the immediate need for tobacco and not for more water storage. I envy you guys who have several months or years, or even a lifetime, worth of tobacco.
Yes, the quest for scarce tobacco and blends when the availability is so various and vast is incongruous. Why do people do this? People are competitive and want to win, and have what others don't. People want to prevail over scarcity. Even when we're trying to invite our more virtuous and content side, this aggressive competitive side surfaces. Now there's competitive yoga and next, no doubt, competitive meditation. Also, I think hard economic times, even among those not hard hit, tends to generate visions of scarcity and want, which prompts accumulating supplies of stuff. I don't have much of a cellar in terms of quantity, but I suspect I could coast for years on what I have, especially if I reined in my smoking even more, moderate as it is. It is pleasant to have blends that aren't easy to get, and a few in quantities that will last you a while, so if you keep it in perspective, this quest for the rare and for extra quantities doesn't have to be a compulsion. Just be sure you are in control and enjoying the journey. I'm fairly judicious about buying tobacco, but show me a good bargain, it's hard to resist.
Some of the members are genetically hardwired to be compulsive. Your advice mso will go unheeded with them. No such thing as moderation or control when a compulsive discovers something they must do. Not without medication and/or counseling. Some compulsions are harmless. Some are expensive. Some can be destructive. But, they cannot be ignored.
Disclaimer: I say some of the members are compulsive because the law of averages supports my statement. I am certainly not in a position to diagnose a compulsive disorder in any member, other than myself, based on postings.
Disclaimer: I say some of the members are compulsive because the law of averages supports my statement. I am certainly not in a position to diagnose a compulsive disorder in any member, other than myself, based on postings.
Warren, my own tendencies and/or propensities arose not so much from a compulsive disorder or some sort of genetic predisposition. I needn't remind of the relativity of time, times perception being dependent upon the individual perceiving it. Those who, for whatever reason, have little else than time, seeking out and collecting these tobaccos could perhaps can seen seen as nothing beyond something to do, the goal not being the prize, but a trophy which represents time killed, not the pray, but the pursuit. For some tobacco is a means to an end and for some it's just the end. In a life devoid of much pleasure, the small victories and the small pleasures become not only very important, but vital. If smoking a certain tobacco is likely to bring you a moments peace, I'd say you should pursue it with a vim, vigor, and fury generally reserved by others for what they see as "worthwhile" pursuits. Some see such pursuits as a disorder or an irrational response to artificially controlled variables, but it can be fun so who cares. Some hunt animals and mount heads as trophies, other seek trophies elsewhere. Don't judge lest ye be judged.... or some such thing 
I definitely wouldn't put myself in the category of a compulsive hoarder, but I might have some pretty mild symptoms of having some compulsive tendencies depending on who's couch I'm sitting on. I like to think of myself as a serious collector who organizes his pipe tobacco neatly, isn't afraid to consume and discard it, and at times gives away some of it....but who collects A LOT of it. Judging from stereotypes a hoarder is less concerned about organization, rarely uses what they hoard, and will not get rid of anything ever. That's not me for sure. And while a hoarder generally can't resist the impulse, I can.
So what's the difference between a collector and a hoarder? Maybe I'm fooling myself trying to parse out the differences and associate myself with the more socially acceptable and refined category over the other. Kind of like a street walker calling herself an escort instead of a prostitute maybe. Seems more respectable.
I'll confess. Last night I made the largest single TAD purchase ever for me.
10x - McClelland 3 Oaks 50g tins
10x - Reiner Golden #71 100g tins
10x - John Aylesbury Sir John Flake
2x - Yeti Flake and Bigfoot Flake tins (house blends)
....whatever I am I accept it.
This has been a really fun thread to follow!
So what's the difference between a collector and a hoarder? Maybe I'm fooling myself trying to parse out the differences and associate myself with the more socially acceptable and refined category over the other. Kind of like a street walker calling herself an escort instead of a prostitute maybe. Seems more respectable.
I'll confess. Last night I made the largest single TAD purchase ever for me.
10x - McClelland 3 Oaks 50g tins
10x - Reiner Golden #71 100g tins
10x - John Aylesbury Sir John Flake
2x - Yeti Flake and Bigfoot Flake tins (house blends)
....whatever I am I accept it.
This has been a really fun thread to follow!
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