Estate Ethics

[Chasing Embers]

By buying Estate pipes you keep the second hand market prices higher.

Not necessarily. I went through a Savinelli 904/9004 shopping spree last year, and out of 18 pipes, I only paid more than $30 on two of them.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I went through a Savinelli 904/9004 shopping spree last year, and out of 18 pipes, I only paid more than $30 on two of them.

That proves Brenhain's point.

 

[Chasing Embers]

It didn't raise prices though. I got the Fiammata for $26.

 

[jaytex1969]

Demand on used items sends ripples through the market.
When Dr. Dre began rapping about his '64 Impala in 1993, the price tripled in a year. After everyone chopped them up to install hydraulics, the price doubled again and one is now hard pressed to find an unmolested specimen.
I'm going to buy up all of the estate Kaywoodies before I drop my rap album called Kaywood In The Hood. Then, I'll sell them off for mad profits.
Remember, you heard it here first. Don't miss the boat...

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Duane, if the demand for Savinelli estates were so high, that it drove prices up into the 100's, then the prices of new ones would go up. But, since Savinellis are so affordable to begin with, you really never have to pay very much for a Savinelli. Maybe if you were Dr, Dre you could make the prices go up, but it would have to take a mad demand surge to push the prices up.

 

[uperepik]

That’s a fantastic idea Jay, I like the way you think.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Duane, if the demand for Savinelli estates were so high, that it drove prices up into the 100's

I was mean and highball bid on one last year for fun. The end auction bidding was amusing.

 

[jaytex1969]

Aye, Cap'n. There's more than one way to take people's loot!!

 

[mikethompson]

Nothing wrong with buying estates in my opinion. The pipemaker/carver has already gotten their value for the pipe, and an estate is a good inexpensive way to get into the hobby.

 

[aldecaker]

"After everyone chopped them up to install hydraulics..."
There's a particularly hot place in hell for them sonsabitches.

 

[warren]

The auto manufacturers are owned by various types of people, some depending on the annual payouts, some whose retirement fund is invested in auto manufacturing, etc., you know, folks like you and me.

 

[tschiraldi]

Lol! Okay, okay! Uncle! I tap out! I surrender! I concede! The estate market is a wonderful thing for all concerned! I will continue to buy estate pipes with glee! Thank you all for setting my mind at ease on the subject. Now, where was that Castello Collection... :wink:

 

[aldecaker]

Damn, Warren, it almost sounds like you're paraphrasing that old joke, "We're all whores, now we're just down to dickering over the price"! :rofl:

 

[samuelgawith01]

When you buy an estate pipe,you’re buying a pipe that’s already in circulation.The maker made his/her money long ago.Go ahead and buy that estate.You’re saving a nice pipe from the flea market death basket,baking out there in the sun,or maybe even the dumpster.As long as you’re not stealing it outright from it’s rightful owner,I don’t see an ethic problem.

 

[warren]

More along the lines of biting the hand that provides your retirement check every month. It just pains me a bit when someone forgets that publicly traded companies are owned by a bunch of people, all dependent to some degree on the fiscal health of that company.
But, if one sells their physical or mental skills for remuneration well ...

 

[aldecaker]

"More along the lines of biting the hand that provides your retirement check every month."
I feel ya, Warren, just dishing out a little good-natured ribbing, as usual. For the record, that's the same way I feel about people who make their living on the dole bitching about "the rich", or people who earn minimum wage bitching about how much they pay in taxes. The irony abounds.

 

[mso489]

The estate pipe market may temper the prices at the upper end of the pipe market. I hope it doesn't tap down Dr. Grabow sales; that would bother me. Or Missouri Meerschaum or Old Dominion cobs. But if estate pipes balance some of the crazy high pricing at the up-market end, that might be a good thing. A Becker pipe is probably worth every dime. But many other up-market pipes are priced to make you queasy. An alternative source may provide some balance. Or I'd like to think so. Fair competition is good, healthy.

 

[oldmansmoking]

A difficult one, should we support the maker or look after our pennies and buy estates. Suppose this is why the local tobacconist has died in the UK!

Very difficult!