Missouri Stems

[Old_Newby]

I know this has likely been discussed but I cannot locate an open post about it. Does anyone know why MM sells their basic black and amber stems for $2, but won’t offer other colors and shapes? Does Vermont Freehand Forever Stems have a contract with MM? I mean if I am going to purchase a $20 Gentlemen I don’t want to pay another $20 for a red swirl stem. That takes the cost of cobs out of fun zone. MM has chosen to pair up a cob with fancy stem themselves for $35-$40 but I don’t need another cob pipe. I have 12 of them already. I would rather pay $60-$80 and just start growing my briar collection. It’s crazy that nobody (especially MM) is offering a red or brown or purple stem only option. I would think if they wanted to expand interest in cob pipes why not offer more stem options. I emailed MM and they tell me they have to import their stems from Italy so they cannot sell them for $10, yet they sell their standard stems for $2.

I get the feeling MM and VF have an exclusive contract?

 

[El Capitán]

P&C have two different color stems. Other than black, they have a yellowish acrylic.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I get the feeling MM and VF have an exclusive contract?

All anyone on here would be able to do is either speculate or offer third hand knowledge, which might be skewed. If this is important to you, you might shoot the two companies an email or phone call. But, I don't understand why this would have any bearing on your decision to buy a stem from VH.

 

[Old_Newby]

My point is I can get an amber or black stem for $2 each, but if I want blue, red, or any other color MM won’t offer them unless I purchase the entire pipe for $35-$40. I have to go to VF to get any other color and it cost $18 each. So a blue stem cob pipe will cost me $35 but a black stem cob pipe costs me $18. Hey it’s there company but it’s a huge market opportunity for a stem producer (China, Mexico, USMade, etc) to split the difference and offer multi colored stems for much lower than $18. Just venting as a customer who would like more options.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

Do other pipe companies offer multiple color options for stems?

 

[Pip'n'Piper]

$2 black stem is plastic. $18 coloured stem is acrylic. One material is cheaper than the other. Also, aren't there green plastic stems?

 

[Chasing Embers]

My point is I can get an amber or black stem for $2 each, but if I want blue, red, or any other color MM won’t offer them unless I purchase the entire pipe for $35-$40. I have to go to VF to get any other color and it cost $18 each. So a blue stem cob pipe will cost me $35 but a black stem cob pipe costs me $18. Hey it’s there company but it’s a huge market opportunity for a stem producer (China, Mexico, USMade, etc) to split the difference and offer multi colored stems for much lower than $18. Just venting as a customer who would like more options.

The difference between a stem that is injection molded in bulk versus stems made from acrylic rod stock. If you get a replacement stem made for a pipe for under $100, you're very lucky.

 

[warren]

Hey it’s there(siv) company but it’s a huge market opportunity for a stem producer (China, Mexico, USMade, etc) to split the difference and offer multi colored stems for much lower than $18.

We not ask as suggested. I doubt anyone here can answer for the corporate decisions of the manufacturers. Obviously they do not see any reason for such. Can you support your "large market opportunity" observation? I doubt it's true. If there is money, a target audience, I'd be they'd be on it quickly and efficiently. Maybe it's a niche market you could put your wealth on the line and enter.

 

[WhiteCrown]

I mean if I am going to purchase a $20 Gentlemen I don’t want to pay another $20 for a red swirl stem. That takes the cost of cobs out of fun zone. MM has chosen to pair up a cob with fancy stem themselves for $35-$40 but I don’t need another cob pipe. I have 12 of them already.

This is not because of the color option. It is because the material is superior and the cost to make it is more than their $2 cheap plastic stems. They just happen to be in different colors, but it's not the colors that drive the cost. You can't expect to get an$18 acrylic stem for the same price as a $2 injection molded one just because you like the color. They would be losing money selling it to you. I don't have any MM acrylics for the same reason you don't want to pay for them: The cheap plastic ones are, well... Cheaper.

 

[Elric]

All anyone on here would be able to do is either speculate or offer third hand knowledge, which might be skewed. If this is important to you, you might shoot the two companies an email or phone call. But, I don't understand why this would have any bearing on your decision to buy a stem from VH.

I think it's part of the the vast "big acrylic" conspiracy!

 

[WhiteCrown]

Maybe part of the conspiracy but I'll add the cheap plastic stems also come in white and green, though you have to buy the whole pipe to get one...
Look at the riverboat gambler and Boone/bracken pipes, since they aren't acrylic they are about the same price as a country gent. Same stem material, same-ish price.

After further thought and a cob of Piccadilly circus, I think it likely wouldn't be profitable for MM to make a bunch of different colored $2 stems when the people who would buy them are already buying the black and amber ones for replacements (or going to VFH for an $18 acrylic). They would probably make the same amount of sales, but would have to spend a lot more up front on dye/material for a much more diverse line of products and probably end up with dead or very stagnant stock. Most people love the more expensive acrylics so they'd sell two of these new colored $2 stems, one to you and one to me, $4 total sales maybe not a conspiracy after all.

 

[Scottmi]

Vanity license plates cost more...and so do vanity stems. But you know the ladies notice when you have a snazzy red stem in your gob!

 

[didimauw]

I'll tell you right now, the fancy VFH acrylic stem options are worth every penny.

 

[ParkitoATL]

The MM Danish stems for $2 each (standard with the Diplomat and Hardwood Poker) are a huge upgrade from the regular cheap plastic ones. They fit a rubber bit perfectly. Cobbs are fun and smoke great but not sexy enough for me to worry about having a fancy acrylic stem that doubles the price, esp when that puts you in the price range of many quality estates.

 

[WhiteCrown]

The MM Danish stems for $2 each (standard with the Diplomat and Hardwood Poker) are a huge upgrade from the regular cheap plastic ones. They fit a rubber bit perfectly. Cobbs are fun and smoke great but not sexy enough for me to worry about having a fancy acrylic stem that doubles the price, esp when that puts you in the price range of many quality estates.

Very well stated, but you just made me realize that while I won't buy one for $18 for my cobs, I have a briar being re-stemmed in acrylic for over twice that price as we speak. What strange logic I have... it's not even going to fit on any of my other pipes like a VFH stem will

 

[kcghost]

VF does not have any kind of contract with Missouri Meerschaum. A mere lack of understanding is not MM's but rather yours.

 

[Bassman65]

I just wish VF offered acrylic stems that accepted a filter.

 

[Old_Newby]

I know acrylic stems are better and worth the $18. My point is I feel there could be a market for more colors of plastic stems. Maybe even a dual color swirl plastic stem. There is a lot of room between $2 and $18 to make $6 plastic options profitable.

White, Green, and Amber are not colors I would prefer. Charcoals, Browns, Rusts, Navy’s, Grays, Dark Reds, etc would allow for nice classier combo.

If pipe smoking were more popular a provider would probably would do it, but I guess they don’t sell enough of the plastic stems.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I know acrylic stems are better and worth the $18. My point is I feel there could be a market for more colors of plastic stems. Maybe even a dual color swirl plastic stem. There is a lot of room between $2 and $18 to make $6 plastic options profitable.

White, Green, and Amber are not colors I would prefer. Charcoals, Browns, Rusts, Navy’s, Grays, Dark Reds, etc would allow for nice classier combo.

If pipe smoking were more popular a provider would probably would do it, but I guess they don’t sell enough of the plastic stems.

It's just that acrylic stems aren't as cheap as plastic. A Charlestown Cobbler is little more than a Country Gentleman with an acrylic stem but costs $16 more.

 

[AroEnglish]

I know acrylic stems are better and worth the $18. My point is I feel there could be a market for more colors of plastic stems. Maybe even a dual color swirl plastic stem. There is a lot of room between $2 and $18 to make $6 plastic options profitable.

White, Green, and Amber are not colors I would prefer. Charcoals, Browns, Rusts, Navy’s, Grays, Dark Reds, etc would allow for nice classier combo.

If pipe smoking were more popular a provider would probably would do it, but I guess they don’t sell enough of the plastic stems.

Yeah I’m sure that that price could be undercut but the quantity you’d need to order to do that is probably a big enough investment and the return would come quite slowly.

But if you give it a shot I’d be happy to review one of your stems if you send me a sample