Pipelist is kinda weird. His pipes are absurdly priced as well - both on eBay and in his online store. It rather mystifies me - he must have so much money tied up in stock and I don't know how he can afford to have it all sitting there for years. There's some pretty nice stock and it seems like he puts items "on sale" after a couple of years, but they're still massively overpriced at 50% off. I have sometimes wondered if Pipelist might be related to Mike Messer.
I see that the Bugatti pipe on his site has now been reduced from $2,000 to "only" $675. I think those retailed new for about $400. He seems to buy stuff that he feels is unique or hard to get, and prices it hoping there will be that one buyer, one day, who must have it at any cost. He has probably heard stories about Chinese billionaires who will pay anything for a pipe that is suitable as a gift to seal a business deal, and based his business on that.
I did once buy a tamper from him, which was actually priced at the usual retail price for the maker. All was good, and I think he also sent some sweets with it. And a long letter about his good friend Jesus, who apparently is really keen to be my friend as well. I don't know if that's the same Jesus I've heard other people talking about but, if it is, I had been led to believe he didn't approve of price gouging.
Anyway, it does no harm really. I can't believe his pricing approach is making his business more prosperous. He'll sell the Penzance eventually, maybe not all at this price, and he doesn't seem to mind if it sits there for a long time.
