Pipes&Cigars ...Russ, What is Happening?

[cigrmaster]

wyfbane, the problem that many of us are having with PC is because they were so good for so long and we were used to getting the best prices, favorites in stock and not having to deal with back orders, has been a shock to the systems of many of us. The reason I posted this thread is because I know that many people like myself were wondering what was going on and to just pm Russ and get the answer would not do the community as a whole a service. Russ has explained that things are in the works to fix these issues so that is good enough for me.
Eric, I do believe they have suspended the in stock notifications until they fill back orders because I have not got a notice in months. I agree they should take care of the people on back order first.

 

[JimInks]

Wyfbane: I'll clear up the confusion for you. In Dec., the H&H 8 oz. tins were $14.95 a tin. With a 20% discount, the price fell to $11.95 a tin. I bought several hundred dollars worth of the blends I liked because I wasn't sure I'd see that price again and besides, I like to age my tobaccos when possible. If the buy 2 tins and get one free sale is still going on, yes, the price is close and it's a great deal, but I already took care of most of my H&H needs as I have mentioned.
I don't think most of us - or at least not me - are crucifying P&C so much as this venue has afforded us the chance to state how we feel about the current situation at P&C for better or for ill. I certainly don't blame Russ for any of it, but as he himself noted, Russ is the most available person at the company. He's the guy we know best, and I'd say Russ is one of the most respected people in the entire pipe smoking business. Because he is so open to our feedback, we come to him with our compliments and our concerns. I don't see it being any more than that, at least from my perspective. We all know Russ cares very deeply about P&C and our community, and I think he knows those feelings are reciprocal. But airing out whatever bothers us in this forum does afford us the chance to compare notes on the subject with each other and with him. In my case, I've already addressed my problems with P&C in my earlier post, and I think it's fair game to have done so. Russ doesn't seem to mind constructive feedback, and I hope he can be instrumental in affecting some change. That's the real value of this thread as I see it.

 

[taerin]

+1 jimlinks, thanks Russ for clearing that one up. I will look forward to the new system being implemented successfully.

 

[wyfbane]

Jiminks: Unless I am missing something, I am not confused at all about the math. At $11.95 / 8 oz, that is a great deal. This MONTH on their site, it is buy 2 get one free. $17.41 a tin means that for a person who stocks up (like you) you can get 3 tins for $34.82. that works out to... $11.61/ 8 oz. I am not saying their prices didn't go up in general, just that your example is void.
Harris: I am glad you brought this up, as I figured this factored in:

wyfbane, the problem that many of us are having with PC is because they were so good for so long and we were used to getting the best prices, favorites in stock and not having to deal with back orders, has been a shock to the systems of many of us.

I actually DO understand this. Here is what I wonder if you understand. You, for whatever reason, are one of the big dogs on this forum. As such, your opinion holds a lot of sway with the less vocal members here. It's human nature and it happens. Now with that, it may be hard for some of the less astute smokers perusing the forum to distinguish sour grapes from "don't shop here, this place is broken". Russ and P&C in general don't deserve to have that even enter the equation.
Hence, I offered up the "Have an issue PM Russ first" option.
He is obviously committed to helping us out and promptly answers all questions.
Now again, I am sorry this came out on your post. I would rather have had the time and energy to engage this on that one idiot troll's post but here it is.
This is about the 3rd or 4th post that could have been resolved via PM.
RE: Sour Grapes. Just be happy you were with them through the good times. Russ will work hard to bring them back i am sure. I am still just starting and doubt I will ever have the cellar you guys all have and I missed the good times.
Hell by the time my palate is ready for me to stock up on Solani or anything Esoterica, it will probably be gone all together.

 

[JimInks]

Wyfbane: my example is not void because my comments about price increases is very much valid in the instances I generally cited. Without the sale, H&H blends are more costly than they were, and when the sale is over, the price will return to the higher price. Without a doubt, a majority of the tobaccos P&C sells are more expensive since the company was sold. I compared prices and at the time, had a running price list on many of their products and in most instances, the prices moderately increased. Some of them increased enough to as to be more expensive than other vendors, although there was no price increase on their H&H blends at the time the company was sold. That was a rare exception, and not what I was referring to in regard to price increases. And as I noted earlier, the price break on buying 5 tins of a particular products is not as good as it was before the company was sold.

 

[wyfbane]

My apologies. Somehow when you used the December sales price as the key point in your argument and as the main reason for stocking up, I mistakenly thought that I could also use the now even cheaper sales price as part of my point.
No worries, won't happen again.

 

[JimInks]

Wyfbane: no problem. It gets confusing at times for me, too. The main thing is that our hearts are in the right place and we care very much about pipe smoking. I've always loved P&C, but I would be remiss if I didn't mention what bothers me lately about them. That's all it is, really. And where would we be without Russ' contributions to our world? He's changed the way many of us smoke.

 

[doverpipes]

All I know is, I ordered around $250 worth of tobacco between two orders & I'm still waiting on two pounds of tobacco to show up.......(Grinding teeth as I type)

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

For what it's worth, I just recently ordered a small order of tobacco from Pipes and Cigars. Some Bull Run, Wise Fox, and Black House. Just short of a pound total. It arrived within just a few days, and after a long day at work today, opening that box made my day.

 

[wyfbane]

Seems odd that even tho our society is filled with it, it is lost on so many:
Sarcasm: the last refuge of modest and chaste-souled people when the privacy of their soul is coarsely and intrusively invaded.
~Fyodor Dostoevsky

 

[dermotfahy]

Is that 3 for 2 promotion still going on at P&C?

 

[weezell]

I've always loved P&C, but I would be remiss if I didn't mention what bothers me lately about them. That's all it is, really. And where would we be without Russ' contributions to our world? He's changed the way many of us smoke.

jiminks +1000

 

[Perique]

I'll third that.
Imagine a world without Anniversary Kake

 

[tanless1]

Why do I always talk to dave? Is he the only personel you have on day shift?.......I jest.

Im sticking w/ P&C. Sure, ive got some stuff on back order. Yet I still get my orders sent promptly as long as I supply the correct address....and dave does seem rather lonely whenever I call.

And I despise having accounts all over town,I like to keep it simple.

 

[nachman]

Several years ago I worked for a company that decided, in order to reduce stock, they would go to automatic computer replenishment ordering. They called it JIT (Just In Time ordering). The results were chaos because computers didn't understand market trends, seasonal variations and new product introduction affects on inventory. We finally had to give up on the project and return to human ordering. Pipe tobacco is something that no amount of processing power can handle. It takes expertise.

 

[blendtobac]

What we need for the system to work at its best is a large enough sample size. Even though it may seem longer, it has only been 5 months. As we go longer, the assessment of what's needed will become more accurate. But as I mentioned before, we've been adding to our orders lately to give us more of a cushion.
Russ

 

[dragonslayer]

I think P&C is doing a great job and is number one for that reason. The scaling up of the company through software in the case of tobacco has a huge amount of variables that are handled by most online software today. The problem I’m sure comes down to money. The migration of data and “weighing” products and vendors will be a huge undertaking. I’ve done complicated database migration for a hospital’s homecare scheduling and it took two of us a month to complete and another to tweak.
Russ putting on all these hats (literally) and being the front man in this whole thing is incredible. I can’t believe after his personal battle he just didn’t want to blend tobacco and call it a day. He’s climbed up there with the best of them and H&H is a part of most peoples smoking boxes and cellars. Viva AK!
The backorder system is great, you have blends that can come in and are gone in a day no matter how many you order from the wholesaler doesn’t mean that’s what you’re going to get. Again this is another major issue with automated software in an industry like no other. SP has a POS counter at the shopping cart, but as mentioned there’s a loophole and I’ve been burned by it.
I know things will get better and hopefully as we enter into next year finding out how bad the damage to our hobby/wallet is going to be, we come out bruised not pummeled.
Harris I posted a couple times about the P&C Paypal/CC difference. Using Paypal to place an order is processed whole by them. P&C has no control over that, and doubtful they ever will. They can however “run the card” for each thing as it becomes available and shipped. They don’t have to do it or not charge you any additional postage for backorders. If you have multiple things come in at different times you pay no postage on any of it if you met the $100 minimum on the order. With a tight mark-up and maybe sending out three or more shipments on a $100+ order they’re taking a loss. Not to mention the sale price guarantee on the product, even after the first of the year.
Craig

 

[peckinpahhombre]

I think P&C is doing a great job and is number one for that reason.

Are you serious? I nearly fell off my chair when I read that. If you work for smokingpipes or 4noggins, then I can see where you are coming from.

 

[mzpuff]

Stopping of shipping to Canada was my first turn off from P&C, but the stocking issues have been the kicker. Russ has produced some great new blends (FR is superb) but they are all backordered. If I can't have them shipped to my house, then I would at least like to be able to send them to family in the States for pickup when I visit. I understand not being able to keep third party products in stock, but if raw materials are available, then H&H flagship blends should be kept in stock.

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Agreed, and I hate to be the guy to tell the emperor he has no clothes. I have a ton of respect for Russ. He obviously knows what he is doing because P&C was run so well before the sale, but I fear he is being severely hamstrung by the new ownership. Let's tell it like it is - the competition is eating P&C's lunch right now. It is in all of our interest to have a strong P&C and they really need to get these difficulties worked out quickly.