Dunhill Unicorn? Or Massive Fail?

[jguss]

I think one point being made by several posters is that it isn't primarily about money, or at any rate it shouldn't be. In most hobbies the producers make a buck and the intermediaries make a buck; the collectors don't. Are there exceptions? Sure, but they're relatively rare; that's the definition of an exception. Many collectors watch pricing on eBay and apply that to their own pipes. This kind of "marking to market" is highly deceptive; it ignores transaction costs, price volatility, and the huge discounts suffered when a seller is in a hurry. But it's an appealing deception since everyone likes to think they're ahead of the game.

Everyone's got a budget, some number that is "play money" and another number that is more serious; these numbers obviously vary from person to person. The trick is to only use play money on collectibles (or for that matter in casinos). If there's ever a serious chance buying a pipe will damage your ability to put away money for retirement or pay current bills then you have a problem, and I don't mean a financial one.

 

[Honkytonk Man]

I need you all to tell me it was an exceptional buy, brilliant investment, perfectly sensible purchase, that I am a genius. Then I shall relay that information to my wife.

First rule of Genius Club. Never tell the wife the full truth.

 

[AJL67]

Ah, well, there it is. I guess that I 1) keep contributing to my 401K, 2) assume my child will not go to college, 3) stay away from exotic pipes and 4) buy my wife something lovely and intensely distracting.

Nah, I do like the pipe and am pleased to have purchased it (although not for the price the seller was originally asking) but I did think I had found something rare and spectacular. I do find the shape quite stunning, that long, low arch, but, wow, no way I could smoke it. I don't think I could ever smoke a pipe that expensive. So I'll hold on to it and tell the grandkids a funny story someday...when they ask, "why don't we have an inheritance, grandfather?"

Your great grandkids will have a wonderful unique item to sell, always look on the bright side of life *whistles the song from Monty Python*

 

[AJL67]

Also I’m stealing this gif because it’s awesome, your purchase has make ME happy, not sure that is enough to pacify your wife or not though, you can try but be sure to show her the gif!

 

[pappymac]

The thrill of the hunt is EXACTLY WHY I do it. ?
it's a great high scoring a pipe for 1/4-1/3 the going price.

I agree but we do all of our "hunting" at antique/junktique shops and malls. I haven't bought anything off the bay for over five years. I prefer to visit shops and see what they have. I bought a Savinelli Giubileo d'Oro at a street fair for $3. I have been offered $300 for it. My Preben Holms, Ascorti, Ben Wade (by Preben Holm) were all bought for less than 1/3 of their value at the time (based on the price of similar estate pipes on line at the time.)

 

[AJL67]

I need you all to tell me it was an exceptional buy, brilliant investment, perfectly sensible purchase, that I am a genius. Then I shall relay that information to my wife.

First rule of Genius Club. Never tell the wife the full truth.

Full price*
Buuuuut make sure you write down what things are worth so when you’re gone she doesn’t sell them for what you told her you paid. Have many fumigate brothers that have amazing, huge, very valuable cigar collections that their wives are clueless about the true value of so they have sheets and sheets of info with box codes and values stored away just incase. Your wife seems a nice wooden box with cigars in it and thinks she’ll sell it for $100 and it’s a $50,000 humidor of Cubatobacca 25th. Lol