If this is an example of the skill you bring to financial analysis lord help the people who get it.I am bored at work , I should call 100-200 places and ask them to buy Penzance, Stonehaven, or Peacehaven for $45 a bag ….lots of laughs will ensue …. I will most likely get zero. That is the type of research I do for work. I could do it , but I know the best use of my time .
I’ve bought 99% of my tobacco from online retailers , I don’t have a single Connection in the b&m space . For the vast majority who don’t have long term relationships no one will get what you got. I question even if you could repeat it . I doubt it
On line stores are a tiny percentage of the drop, and a waste of time. Although, Iwan Ries sure came through, because they actually hold your order for three days, rather than send you a meaningless alert that's too late and effectively means zero, and is a bull shit practice. Moreover, when I signed to claim my pre-order, the portal gave me access to to other Esoterica that was in stock and I added a couple of bags of Stonehaven and Dunbar to my original order.
There are a few rules to working with B&M's who have the lion's share of any drop.
1. Don't act like a dick.
2. Don't cherry pick.
3. Establish a regular customer relationship, buy tobaccos you like that are not unicorns, pipe cleaners, whatever, even when you're not on the hunt. That pays off when the drops occur.
4. Don't share their names, because they DO NOT want to be inundated with crazies. I was told that a few times. They take care of their customers, not dive bombers. And what doesn't sell in a month, they send to Chinese agents and make a huge mark up on remaining stock, because the stuff never sells out.
That's it.
As for repeating it? I've been repeating it for 9 years. Your doubts and questions? Your doubts and questions are more an expression of your frustration than anything reality based.