Deal or No Deal?

[stringfellow93]

I know this is a really broad question to ask but here goes. I've been smoking for a couple of months now and I really enjoy the hobby. I went to my local Tobacco store and saw a really nice Peterson Briar they had for sale. I spoke with the owner about price and she said they could let it go for $70. Which to meal sounds like a steal on any peterson. I'm unsure of the series but It looks very close to the "Aran" series. Anyways to the Peterson owners out there is $70 for a brand new unsmoked Peterson a good deal?

 

[gwtwdbss]

Yea, I would say so. That Sounds like a fair price. You can inspect the pipe before purchase to check for quality control issues. Plus you are supporting the local BM. I'd say deal.

 

[stringfellow93]

I held the pipe for a several minutes, It was constructed very nice. Silver band was marked K & P. Of course they had the box and the little tie pouch that comes with them. I do think $70 for a peterson sounds pretty fair.

 

[pruss]

At that price, the band is almost certainly nickel and not silver, but I agree with Chris, $70 does sound like a very good price, especially for a new Peterson at a B&M.
There has been more than a few quality control issues with low to mid range Petersons, so I think it's worth mentioning again to make sure the draw is correct, the nickel band is tightly in place, the pipe passes a pipe cleaner without any issue and the drilling is correct with the air hole at the very bottom dead center of the bowl.

+1 Roth. Exactly this.
I'd also add that it sounds like you're interested in this pipe, and not allergic to the price, so assuming that it's well constructed I say, "Go for it!"
-- Pat

 

[stringfellow93]

I think I'm gonna stop by there after work and take a couple of pictures and post it on here so everyone can get a better look. This way I can sleep on if it's worth it or not.

 

[numbersix]

I paid $88 last year for a Pete Aran. Smokingpipes has them $96, so $70 is a great price.
http://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/new/peterson/index.cfm?tag=Aran

I think I'm gonna stop by there after work and take a couple of pictures and post it on here so everyone can get a better look. This way I can sleep on if it's worth it or not.

If you like the pipe, don't hesitate (but be sure it can pass a pipe cleaner, check for fills and make sure the drill hole is at the bottom of the bowl). Good deals usually don't last long. Let us know!

 

[petes03]

$70 for a Pete at any B&M is a good deal! If it were at mine, it would already by in a rack at my house!

 

[mso489]

Stringfellow93, about two years ago, I bought a Peterson author shape, slightly curved, in the Kapet series,

rusticated. It has a nickel band which is stamped K&P. I have not seen the Kapet series anywhere lately.

I paid around $55 plus shipping for my pipe, definitely low-end for a Peterson, and it has been a good pipe,

well drilled, light for its size, and I think quite nice looking. Despite the good price on my pipe, in the

intervening two years, the Kapet pipes have disappeared from pipe sites, and prices for Petersons have

gone up generally. I think around $80 is entry level these days. Take a look at the Iwan Ries web site.

They seem to set their prices in relation to how much they paid wholesale, so you can find Petersons for

under $80. Off hand, not knowing this specific pipe you are looking at, I would say it is a reasonable deal,

not a steal. But you won't be paying shipping, and you can examine the pipe beforehand and put a pipe

cleaner through it. If it passes inspection, it is a fair deal, I think.

 

[delkhouri]

As others have said it seems very fair. Only thing I will add is that if it is a bent shape run a pipe cleaner through it to make sure it runs all the way to the bowl. I have owned one and heard about some other bent Peterson's that were not drilled correctly and therefore did not smoke correctly. If it passes that test and you like it then go for it.

 

[murf]

I was gonna say what roth said about passing a pipe cleaner through it. A few of my cheaper pipes I can't do this with, and it's nice if you've packed too tight to run a pipe cleaner through it and make a little air pocket while you're smoking. Otherwise, you'll have to dump out and re-light. A Baracinni I have has this problem, not that I care much, since it was $35.
I'd say go for it. I've been looking at Petersons, even though I've told myself that I'm done buying pipes for at least a full year. Very good looking pipes, classic shapes, good grain. Nothing too fancy, just a good looking pipe

 

[billbearcat]

I wish that was the price of my first Pete.