As cheap ...I mean thrifty as I am, I've bought pipes at my local independent shop over the years at fairly good prices. Perhaps I could have bought them for a little less online even with shipping, but I got to preview these in person, and in some cases go home and think about them before making the purchase. I don't remember any clunkers, whereas I've had a few of those with online purchases. Tobacco is a little more in tins, but in bulk, once you calculate the shipping, blends are only slightly more. The proprietor is straight up about his sourcing, and contributes grounded information on pipes and tobaccos. it's worth the "membership" (higher prices) to shop there.