Question for debate

[JJ_JJ_JJ_JJ]

Has PipeStud and/or 4 Noggins collectively lost their shit with prices and artificially inflating the tobaccos market or are we as pipe smokers to blame to actually paying these bat shit crazy prices to them ?
Case in point
Germain's Esoterica Stonehaven 8oz bag - Year 2021 - https://www.pipestud.com/product/tobacco-tins/germains-esoterica-stonehaven-8oz-bag-year-2021/
https://4noggins.com/collections/co...fflehead-gawith-hoggarth-rum-flake-8oz-2002-c

Debate....

 

[dog_park_piper]

If people could get them elsewhere for cheaper, then these guys wouldn't have their prices where they are.

 

[dog_park_piper]

And if they don't sell, then you'll be sure to see prices lower.

 

[Servant King]

Has PipeStud and/or 4 Noggins collectively lost their shit with prices and artificially inflating the tobaccos market or are we as pipe smokers to blame to actually paying these bat shit crazy prices to them ?

Yes.

 

[blackpowderpiper]

The market always dictates the price. If people weren't buying tobacco at those prices, the prices would come down, and probably rather quickly. However, it seems as though people are indeed paying the asking price. So, my opinion is no, and yes to your questions.

Also, there is no way I would ever pay those kind of prices for tobacco.

 

[Chasing Embers]

are we

No "we" to that one, I won't pay more than $5/ounce for tobacco, but buyers are mostly to blame for the prices.

 

[burleybreath]

Someone somewhere is paying those prices. Why should the sellers lower their prices? To make the tobacco even more scarce? I blame the retailers for not raising their prices years ago, to put a brake on the lunacy and obviate the hoarding. To this very day, if you can manage a purchase from a mainstream vendor, it's still sold at the msrp, or equivalent. Wouldn't want anyone to think that they're in business to make money, would we? Greed, hellish capitalism, avarice, price-gouging, sin and damnation! Blah, blah, blah, etc.

But I talk as though l give a sh*t, which I don't. Sit back and enjoy the show. That's what I've been doing for years, except for an occasional spasm, as above. Esoterica was around for a long time before the craziness began, just another tobacco. Anyone ever read Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds?

 

[Kobold]

Well somebody bought it so I don’t think he’s to blame for the prices. I’m with @Chasing Embers. I don’t like to pay more than $5 and oz either.

 

[Briar Lee]

All week long, during the day I enjoy candy flavored cavendish tobaccos that cost about a dollar and change an ounce.

Yes, I’m an old Scottish tight azz, but there’s not much difference in the cotton candy taste and aroma of Lane’s Smoker’s Pride Cherry Cavendish and Lane’s Cult Blood Red Moon. The expensive stuff is a little better but it’s not ten times better, or even twice as good. It’s a small difference, that’s not worth it to me.

A home I have six pounds of PS Luxury Navy Flake aging, plus pounds and pound s of Latakia rich blends, all at about $40 a pound.

Does PS LNF equal Capstan?

No. Capstan is a little better.

For four times less, PS LNF is close enough.

 

[karam]

I don't think it's the retailers, I think it's the sellers and flippers who do it. Either way don't care :D

A friend of mine had this itch to get a Rolex, he hoarded a few paychecks and did get one around 2004-5, when that particular model was about $5000, and not scarce at all. He sold that same, 15-16-year old, watch for $20k.

 

[Ahi Ka]

I think the price comparison between pipestud and 4noggins is unfair. You are comparing a recent(ish) 2021 drop with something with 2 decades on it.

It would be better to compare steve’s prices to these:

More Recent Stonehaven 2018? 8oz: $499

Esoterica: STONEHAVEN 8oz - C

Consignment tin owned by 3rd party seller Esoterica Stonehaven 8oz

4noggins-com.myshopify.com

2012 Stonehaven 8oz: $1075

Esoterica: STONEHAVEN 8oz. 2012 - C

Consignment tin owned by 3rd party seller Esoterica Stonehaven 8oz 2012

4noggins-com.myshopify.com

2016 Stonehaven 2oz: $350

Esoterica: STONEHAVEN 2oz 2016 - C

Consignment tin owned by 3rd party seller Esoterica Stonehaven 2oz 2016

4noggins-com.myshopify.com

 

[bobpnm]

All week long, during the day I enjoy candy flavored cavendish tobaccos that cost about a dollar and change an ounce.

Yes, I’m an old Scottish tight azz, but there’s not much difference in the cotton candy taste and aroma of Lane’s Smoker’s Pride Cherry Cavendish and Lane’s Cult Blood Red Moon. The expensive stuff is a little better but it’s not ten times better, or even twice as good. It’s a small difference, that’s not worth it to me.

A home I have six pounds of PS Luxury Navy Flake aging, plus pounds and pound s of Latakia rich blends, all at about $40 a pound.

Does PS LNF equal Capstan?

No. Capstan is a little better.

For four times less, PS LNF is close enough.

I like aromatics. I smoke Blood Red Moon. Really never thought about trying Smoker‘s Pride. I believe I will.

 

[bobpnm]

In general, everything is worth what someone will pay for it. I would charge whatever someone is willing to pay.

 

[Deano]

Lol. Its worth what they can get. Just not to me.

 

[mso489]

That's capitalism. As long as there is competition, the price is set by what people will pay. When I find a blend that is especially good to my taste but that people aren't swooning over, I smoke that. I can't think of any blend in my rotation right now that is in bidding wars. Some of them are downright homespun. If you're willing to go your own way, you can find blends you love at moderate prices. If you want to hear an angel choir singing praises of the blends you smoke, you'll have to pay for that. For some pipe smokers who have a lot of discretionary spending, high prices are part of the pleasure, smoking what many can't afford. Part of my pleasure is smoking what I can afford.

 

[jpberg]

God bless ‘‘em all. Take the gotta have it boys for everything you can.

 

[Ahi Ka]

I should also point out that 8oz of 2023 bulk (as in decanted from a pouch and put in a ziplock) borkum riff costs $500us here.

 

[ashdigger]

I should also point out that 8oz of 2023 bulk (as in decanted from a pouch and out in a ziplock) borkum riff costs $500us here.

$500us for Borkum Riff? Damn. I’ll take ten pounds.

 

[Ahi Ka]

$500us for Borkum Riff? Damn. I’ll take ten pounds.

I’ll have to split that over a few days. The only blend with a daily purchase amount restriction. Stupid kiwis and their falcon pipes

 

[warren]

Has PipeStud and/or 4 Noggins collectively lost their shit with prices and artificially inflating the tobaccos market or are we as pipe smokers to blame to actually paying these bat shit crazy prices to them ?

Wanna smoke a pipe? Suck it up and pay the asking prices. The retailer can only ask what the consumer is willing to pay. Seems your only alternative would be to quit dmoking . Or, you could altruisticaly start your on business and sell below cost and happily forego any profit. Just take all your cash, another mortgage on the house, get your friends to donate funds and jump into the retail business not seeking to pay yourself or any employees willing to work for minimum wage. Your local government will not, however, behave in an altruistic manner, you will be baying all the required taxes and such. You'll also nee to find a tobacco wholesaler will to forego a profit so as to support you. Lotsa luck. You just need to remember ... it's not all about you! If you can't afford a luxury well, you're SOL! The world is a tough place. Gotta be tough in a tough world.

There is not room for debate, a business requires a profit to survive. Surprise!