Confused on Pricing and Condition

[bassbug]

So, I'm window shopping on the smokingpipes.com and checking out estate Peterson pipes when I notice what appears to be confusing pricing and condition.
Virtually every "unsmoked" estate pipe is priced the same as a new one. In one case an unsmoked System Standard 312 is actually listed at $14 more than the price of a new one.
What exactly is the difference between an unsmoked estate and a new pipe?
I was always under the impression that estate pipes (unless somehow rare) sell for less than the price of new ones.

 

[jguss]

There's no functional difference; one has never been sold before, the other has been sold but remained unused. Of course an unsmoked estate might not have its original sock, box, etc. In part for that reason an unsmoked estate usually sells at a discount to a "new" pipe; also because with a truly new pipe you're getting a guarantee that "unsmoked" really means unsmoked.
Of course other factors could come into play; if the unsmoked estate is a pipe that's no longer made, or a scarce shape, it might sell at a premium to its original sales price.

 

[Chasing Embers]

The retailer is the first purchaser and owner of the pipe. So that would make all new pipes at a retailer unsmoked estates. :mrgreen:

 

[georged]

Funny sidenote:
The guy who literally invented/coined the term "estate" pipe was a good friend of mine, and had a great sense of humor. He got tired of people responding with a horrified "Ew!!!" upon hearing that a pipe had been previously used, so decided to make the entire notion SOUND classier, even though nothing was different. :clap:
Related to that time & place was the guy who did all the "estate" clean-ups for him went on to become a Big Name pipe carver in his own right: Jimmy Cooke

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

I believe, once I pipe is purchased and leaves a retailer, whether smoked or unsmoked, it's resale value lowers quite a bit. If you want an estate, that's priced the same as a new, bring it to the retailer's attention, and make an offer or accept a lower price if they offer. If not... move on. I would have to really like a pipe to pay new cost for an estate whether it's been smoked or not.

 

[Chasing Embers]

If you want an estate, that's priced the same as a new, bring it to the retailer's attention, and make an offer or accept a lower price if they offer.

+1

 

[pitchfork]

Related to that time & place was the guy who did all the "estate" clean-ups for him went on to become a Big Name pipe carver in his own right: Jimmy Cooke

Barry Levin? (Never knew him, just read about him.) Great story!

 

[georged]

Yup, Barry.
Checked out with no warning at forty three, 25 years ago this month. (heart attack)
Friendly, funny, generous, bright as hell, and had a personality that could fill an aircraft hangar.

 

[pitchfork]

Only 43? I had no idea. That's terrible.