Oversupply Of New Pipes On The Market?

[Mike N]

In the years I have been looking through retail pipe websites on line, I have never seen so many new pipes for sale. Plus, the number of handmade artisan makers seems to have skyrocketed. It really is a buyers market.

I was just on cupojoes.com and quality, very smokeable Nording and Molina pipes can be purchased in the $50-80 range. Yesterday I purchased 3 Jeppsesen pipes from Denmark at what I thought was a very good price and just before I closed the deal I asked for an additional 10% discount and reduced shipping and the retailer quickly agreed.

Has anyone else noticed this increase in new pipe offerings?

 

[Sigmund]

There are a lot. Neerup pipes are a great deal. There are a couple of shops over here that can easily cut 10 percent because they are 20 percent inflated! Good for asking and you will love them. I dig my neerups.

Back to the main issue. There is an uptick in young pipe smokers. The group is also frequently in a group who can afford nice things. I wouldn’t be surprised if they aren’t part of the target.

Whatever the cause its nice to have choices. We are really spoiled. I have a lot of pipes. Still under 40 counting my better pipes. I cant think of one on my collection that doesn’t preform well. To be honest some from my ebay box o pipes clean up and smoke quite well. I really need to thin these out!

 

[Briar Lee]

This morning I’m smoking a 4 digit (middle thirties) Kaywoodie Super Grain (yes, I have more than Lee and Marxman pipes in rotation. )

It’s a perfect pipe with sharp lettering. It has a little more pretty grain than a Drinkless from that era and a little less than a Flame Grain but it’s not worth $100 on eBay. It might not bring $50.

A pre war 4 digit Kaywoodie is as good as they ever were or ever will be again.

And I just bought these two perfect condition Marxman pipes for a total of $40 for both.

In the mail is a natural 7 point star Three Star Lee Bulldog and a gold band Marxman Royal half bent apple with a bonus “dollar pipe” for $26 for all three.

When those old classic American pipes were made there were over 30 million new briar pipes sold a year in the USA and today the number is over a hundred times less.

There are too many pipes and not enough pipe smokers.

Enjoy it.

 

[Searock Fan]

Thanks for letting my know pipes have gotten cheaper. So everyone will know, I'm buying vintage Castello Searocks right now and am willing to give you $25 each (if they are extra nice).

 

[Mike N]

Thanks for letting my know pipes have gotten cheaper. So everyone will know, I'm buying vintage Castello Searocks right now and am willing to give you $25 each (if they are extra nice).

I’ll pay $30.

 

[prairiedruid]

Pipes don't have an expiration date, a pipe made 5 years ago that hasn't sold is still a new pipe.

 

[Sigmund]

I sure dont think prices have dropped but there are a lot of them. I think if you buy three new pipes a small deal is in order. Its just good business.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

Would take a lot more than anecdotal evidence from browsing websites to suggest “oversupply” and if there was then prices across the board would be dropping and they really aren’t. One 10% discount isn’t indicative of such. And advertised discounted prices in general are somewhat artificial, as with many other things. Can’t really analyze such a large market so easily. SP adds new Petes regularly and they keep selling. Just because there is a good inventory available for many brands doesn’t necessarily suggest “oversupply” either. If folks are buying at a slower pace because of inflation then that would certainly be a factor contributing to greater supply than the market will bear in some sense, assuming the manufacture and release of new pipes isn’t already being adjusted. Tobacco seems to be selling well and not generally selling for less, so another companion indicator - but I’m no pipe and tobacco market expert and we have some here who may say “not so fast Milton Friedman”, lol.

I’d say if you think the market is giving you more buying power then go for it! And then you can sit and enjoy a “cheap” smoke!

 

[Mike N]

Would take a lot more than anecdotal evidence from browsing websites to suggest “oversupply” and if there was then prices across the board would be dropping and they really aren’t. One 10% discount isn’t indicative of such. And advertised discounted prices in general are somewhat artificial, as with many other things. Can’t really analyze such a large market so easily. SP adds new Petes regularly and they keep selling. Just because there is a good inventory available for many brands doesn’t necessarily suggest “oversupply” either. If folks are buying at a slower pace because of inflation then that would certainly be a factor contributing to greater supply than the market will bear in some sense, assuming the manufacture and release of new pipes isn’t already being adjusted. Tobacco seems to be selling well and not generally selling for less, so another companion indicator - but I’m no pipe and tobacco market expert and we have some here who may say “not so fast Milton Friedman”, lol.

I’d say if you think the market is giving you more buying power then go for it! And then you can sit and enjoy a “cheap” smoke!

I always look forward to your critique of each of my threads. I can’t wait til you actually start one of your own someday.

But, more to the point, I think the uptick in supply may be be linked more to an uptick in pipe collecting as opposed to to an increase in pipe smoking. The days where our grandfathers smoked the same one or two pipes for years have been replaced by the need for a lot of pipe smokers to have two dozen pipes in the rack.

 

[Sigmund]

I think you are probably correct but the small increase in pipesters doesnt hurt. Im in the sax mouthpiece industry. I have the feeling that the huge supply is related to the same issue. Too many items chasing too few dollars. If you look at how many maker there are you also need to ask how many makers are making their primary income from pipe making. Its a tough market despite people collecting. In my 20 years in the business Ive seen countless dozens botique makers come and go. its likely the same for pipes.

That said, its good for the end user. Many choices and potentially higher quality items being produced in oder to compete.

 

[Puffaluffaguss]

If the pipe restoring/Estate pipe market has any indication of the rise in pipe smokers I would agree, I would also agree that most of us are tight with our money unless something really intrigues us so the new pipe market might have more makers/supply but that is a hard one to confirm

 

[Rockyrepose]

Less disposable income these days, although most here would say pipes are a necessity.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

I always look forward to your critique of each of my threads. I can’t wait til you actually start one of your own someday.

No clue what that is supposed to mean - just expressed an opinion and not in any personal or inappropriate way. Don’t like it, pick it apart, won’t hurt my feelings.


I just read threads that catch my eye - pay little or no attention to who starts them. Don’t take typing so personally. I guess just a big hug and hope you have a better day, for now.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I haven't really noticed much of an uptick just more access via social media.

 

[VDL_Piper]

Thanks for letting my know pipes have gotten cheaper. So everyone will know, I'm buying vintage Castello Searocks right now and am willing to give you $25 each (if they are extra nice).

I'm offering $35 for any #33's

 

[dublinpiper90]

Peterson Virginia Flake in the Pete 221

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

I haven't really noticed much of an uptick just more access via social media.

Yep.

Good carvers are busy, small blenders keep offering and selling tobacco, the major suppliers of pipes keep offering new models (or same with a new “catch”) and old favorites at a wide range of price points. Pipes aren’t homogeneous. Demand is strong - market responds. A wide variety of supply and general availability isn’t too many pipes depressing the market.

 

[Briar Lee]

Last night I bought this Marxman for $82 delivered.




That’s not a mill run factory pipe and it wasn’t cheap when it was new.

This is a mill run factory pipe today.



We are living in a golden age of cheap new and used name brand pipes.

 

[Sigmund]

Sharp looking pipe. I like that shape.

 

[Briar Lee]

Sharp looking pipe. I like that shape.

Thank you.

But bargains aren’t limited to old American brands: