Selling Off Bulk Aged Loose Tobacco Query.

[mawnansmiff]

I had to give up my smoking about 5 years ago and have a mass of aged loose tobacco that I know I'll have trouble shifting simply because it is in large jars, the weights being 750g, 500g and 400g mostly. The tins would be no problem.

Unfortunately most of the loose is in the larger 750g jars and not many folk are willing to shell out for such quantities in one go. My question is, would it be wise or unwise to crack open the jars then advertise it in more manageable packages of say 100g each?

I know that by opening the jars I would halt the ageing stage but I cannot see any other way of ridding myself of my stash.

Thoughts anyone?

Jay.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

You guys all live on an island that you can drive across in a day. Seems like some other British pipe smoker could just drive and pick it up. Hell, I've driven 10 hours just to visit lousy family members with less reward than some aged tobaccos. Ha ha.

 

[Briarcutter]

I think it all depends on the blends and pricing. I think a lot of folks would be more intimidate by price rather than quantity. EDIT...I'm sorry, just noticed you live in UK. My comment may not apply.

 

[Ahi Ka]

While he isn’t in the consignment business anymore, maybe get in touch with Paul Hubartt and he might be able to point you in the right direction.

Paul Hubartt - Drawn to the Valley

drawntothevalley.com

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I wouldn't be pleased to get an aged tobacco that was removed from the jar and poured into a bag so that the guy would save on shipping.
Price shipping and include that in your price. That way, "you're" not paying for shipping. They are.

 

[dd57chevy]

Cornwall appears to be quite a ways away from large population centers . Anything's possible , but unless you , maybe , contact a local pipe club and find an interested party , it would seem to be a conundrum .

You could always offer it (maybe bagged) in the for sale section on the forum .

 

[Auxsender]

I had to give up my smoking about 5 years ago and have a mass of aged loose tobacco that I know I'll have trouble shifting simply because it is in large jars, the weights being 750g, 500g and 400g mostly. The tins would be no problem.

Unfortunately most of the loose is in the larger 750g jars and not many folk are willing to shell out for such quantities in one go. My question is, would it be wise or unwise to crack open the jars then advertise it in more manageable packages of say 100g each?

I know that by opening the jars I would halt the ageing stage but I cannot see any other way of ridding myself of my stash.

Thoughts anyone?

Jay.

Yes.
Advertise as being in ziplock bags with 100 grams each with the odd 50 gram baggie if necessary.
Open the large jars to divide only after you’ve received money. Until then, do not open the large jars.

TL;DR:
1) Advertise
2) Get money
3) Divide
4) Send

If you had something I like, I’d consider paying for shipping from UK.
Make a “for sale” post here.
The absolute worst that could happen is nothing sells.

 

[mawnansmiff]

Thanks for the input guys.

The tobacco is mostly FVF and home mixtures (in precise ratios) of FVF/St. James Flake and FVF/#2015 Flake. Dates range from 2016 to roughly 2019.

Could I expect a premium for the aged aspect? I see bulk FVF is selling at £103:68 per 250g box at a popular UK retailer. It was when I saw that yesterday I realised even at that price, my larger jars would be £300+ which I'm sure no one would be interested in hence my post. I do worry that if I do pop a jar and bag it up folk would turn their noses up for that very reason.

Quite a dilemma.

To be honest, I'm not looking for a profit here, I just want rid of the stuff (at a fair price) as it's taking up too much space.

Ahi Ka, some years ago Paul offered me a ludicrous price for the lot. Needless to say I turned him down.

Jay.

 

[Pipke]

You are assuming that no one will be willing "to shell out" for such large quantities. You did. Most of us here do buy large amounts. I would at least try to sell the jars, as they are. I they don't sell, only then consider breaking them into smaller containers.

 

[daveinlax]

Could I expect a premium for the aged aspect?

Personally I wouldn't pay a premium for for age especially on bulk tobacco. I've bought a lot of bagged estate bulk tobacco over the years I wouldn't pay more than the lowest sale price per ounce.

 

[Briarcutter]

It's your tobaccos and you're entitled to ask what ever you want. However, everyone looks for deals and if you priced it for what you paid, it will probably go quickly.

 

[mawnansmiff]

I would at least try to sell the jars, as they are

Well there is an added difficulty that just I just realised.

I'm housebound now and our village post office closed at the onset of Covid & never reopened. If I need anything posting, my neighbour pops it in the village letterbox but of course large jars need proper packing. They then need to be taken to a post office to be weighed etc, that I couldn't ask my neighbour to do so perhaps bagging up might be my only option.

Maybe I'll start with a single small jar and see if there are any takers. Then I can use Jiffy bags for mailing via the letterbox.

I did once put a post up on the sell page but folk were only interested in the American tinned tobacco, no interest for the bulk. I then thought I could offer the tinned stuff free as a tempter to buy the bulk but gave up on the idea.

Thanks guys, much to think on.

Jay.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

If I were your neighbor, I'd take care of it for you. But, of course you'd probably get tired of me telling you to turn down your stereo, ha ha.

 

[Briarcutter]

It would probably be easier and much more fun if you just started smoking your pipe again

 

[mawnansmiff]

get tired of me telling you to turn down your stereo

I wouldn't hear you anyway

Jay.

 

[sablebrush52]

I had to give up my smoking about 5 years ago and have a mass of aged loose tobacco that I know I'll have trouble shifting simply because it is in large jars, the weights being 750g, 500g and 400g mostly. The tins would be no problem.

Unfortunately most of the loose is in the larger 750g jars and not many folk are willing to shell out for such quantities in one go. My question is, would it be wise or unwise to crack open the jars then advertise it in more manageable packages of say 100g each?

I know that by opening the jars I would halt the ageing stage but I cannot see any other way of ridding myself of my stash.

Thoughts anyone?

Jay.

Hi Jay,
You might start by offering them in the large sealed jars and then see if you get any action. If not, crack them open and make up 100g portions.
Yes, you will "interrupt" the aging process by opening up the jar, but so what? It will just pick up again after being resealed. As for the qualitative result of "interrupting" the aging process, nobody knows, might even improve the result.

Aging is at best, an inexact practice with unforeseeable results. I've taken a 500g bulk, divided it into 4 jars, all new, all the same from the same pallet, filled them at the same time, stored them on the same shelf for years, and found very different results upon opening. Same goes with commercial tins, same batch different results.

So don't worry about it.

 

[Terry Lennox]

I might take a table at a pipe show to sell it. Or partner with a show dealer to keep the cost down. You could have the jars for sale on a table or offer some by the bag. But it is not an easy or fast process.

 

[Terry Lennox]

Another idea: place a notice in the Pipe Club of London's newsletter explaining what is available. Someone might be interested.

 

[Auxsender]

I speak for no one but myself but I can say for absolute certainty I would not pay the likely large premium for a nearly worthless jar to be shipped.
It’s what’s inside I care about, not the jar.
Ditch the jars after you get money and ship the baccy in baggies.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

It’s what’s inside I care about, not the jar.

For me... well, I would never buy someone's bulk or jarred tobacco to begin with. But, while Sable has a very optimistic outlook on opening jars or tins and re sealing them, I do not.

I have no idea what British shipping looks like, but for a box with four jars in it only costs about $10 more than one without. I know this from sending out my Som Besths gift (or whatever you guys call it).
$10 is pocket money. I wouldn't flinch at that.