Smokingpipes.com Prices

[fitzy]

I prefer to purchase from SP. I think the info they provide on individual pipes is fantastic and it annoys the crap out of me that other retailer don't do that. In the past few years all of my pipes except for the one Brigham(not including a pipe I bought on pm.com) have been brought from SP. (We all know how well I did with PC on that Brigham).
I will continue to buy the majority of my pipes from SP. What I was trying to find out was if SP has increased their pipe prices due to their stance in the pipe market then it bothers me a little bit. If their prices are that much higher only because others like P&C have dropped their prices then it doesn't bother me at all. I'd pay the 25% in that case.

 

[voorhees]

100% with Harris! I shop around but most of my pipes come from SP.com, as their descriptions are spot on. Pictures are detailed and I even end up with a nicer pipe than they say it is. For instance, I bought a Sav Bing's Favorite and they mention some rim burn. I swear the pipe I got may have been smoked lightly about twice. It looked brand new. Saved $50.00

 

[dranger75]

I just received my first shipment from smokingpipes.com and the product and speed of service was brilliant. I'm in Canada and had no problem with customs or anything really. I'll pay the extra next time if I have to just to get the same quality service.

 

[plateauguy]

Just paid 40 cents more at SP for my Savinelli Tortuga than at Tobaccopipes. I've ordered from both and have always gotten great service, but TP was out of the style I wanted, and you get what you see at SP. I added a tin of tobacco and some Savinelli filters and bingo - Free shipping!
The same model was $10 dollars less at BnB, but I've never bought from them and I haven't really heard anything about them, so I was cautious.
The moral is - shop around, but buy where you're comfortable.

 

[mso489]

SP sometimes beats other site prices. This was true with a recent Stanwell purchase; they had the only one

in that shape and finish, and beat other sites by at least a few bucks (similar pipes). I'm looking at another major brand

pipe and SP has it for at least $9 less than the next "bidder." They do go high on some pipes. I think when

they go low, the pipes get snapped up. It's a competitive business.

 

[kcghost]

Reading this thread reminds me of the old joke about no matter how hot a girl is there is someone, someplace who will complain about her.

 

[ssjones]

I absolutely, positively have to know the weight (in oz & grams) of any pipe I'm buying. The specs SP's lists are always complete and as Harris pointed out, that is the pipe you will receive as they don't use spec pictures.

 

[judd]

SP has a great return policy, I just sent one back for the simple reason I didn't like the pipe I ordered. Always check the return policy of who you are dealing with. SP's return was simple and easy. I am looking for another pipe and will probably buy from them since the return was effortless.

 

[saint007]

This morning, I ordered three Savinellis from SP. They were the only one with the pipes I wanted and I did look at several other sites. I find that SP has a much bigger selection and their deliveries are always prompt.

 

[easterntraveler]

I have not ordered a pipe from Sp as of yet. However if I found one that I wanted I would not hesitate. I have never gotten anything but the best service from them. I purchase all my tobacco from them.

 

[sorringowl]

I have ordered quite a few pipes (and tobaccos) from these guys (new and estate--mostly estate), and, I have to say, the combination of their service, pictures, information and price, always keeps me coming back.
Their estate pipes section, especially, is amazing, and, between their prices and selection for estates, I often find myself buying from them, rather than waiting out a long, drawn out eBay auction. I always know what I will get will be clean and in usually better condition than the photo (and, their photos are excellent!). Still, I'm always amazed at how smoke ready all the estates I've gotten from smokingpipes are. I've even had to inspect a few smoked estates to make sure they weren't unsmoked--their estate department is that good!
In fact, when new pipe smokers come to my shop, asking for a good source to buy pipes, this is the first place I tell them to go. And I'll keep coming back myself.

 

[disinformatique]

I prefer Sp.com myself, with them any query's response is within a matter of hours even minutes more of the time. They are very professional and appreciate your business. I got 2 estates from them for my fiancee, and she swears she didn't knew they were estates until I mentioned it to her.
Cheers,

Chris

 

[leacha]

The prices have gone up again on their site for pipes and baccy. I've noticed one of the 15% off sales is the same price I paid a few months ago. After asking questions on a particular pipe I noticed the price went up on the entire line the next day. I also noticed a new pipe I had purchased, which was defective and was returned was then placed back on the site for purchasing with a price increase to boot.
If there are price increases from the manufacturer shouldn't new stock reflect the increase instead of the entire product line?

 

[mso489]

SP does seem to raise its prices to keep pace with the market. By comparison, it seems to me that Iwan Ries

will price a pipe based on what they paid. On some brands, they will often have the lowest price online that

I can find. On the other hand, SP has an energetically restored inventory of pipes and tobacco, and the most

comprehensive information on each pipe and an individual photo. These two are my primary sources for pipes,

and SP for tobacco.

 

[brass]

I've bought about ten pipes from SP over the last couple of months - and a couple of dozen tins of tobacco as well. I shopped the cost of the first several new pipes and found them more than competitive. I like the fact that I can call and get well informed assistance from people who enjoy the hobby themselves. My rep also counseled me to delay purchases additional until I broke in and understood the pipes I had already purchased from them.
I'm amused and impressed with the marketing and sales incentives built into their web to encourage impulse buying.

These guys have incorporated some wicked behavioral reinforcements to push you into impulse buying, buying fast before you lose it, is just one.
I lost two pipes at smokingpipes.com when someone else purchased pipes that were in my shopping cart. The first time it happened was going to be my first order with them. The other is the $99 minimum for free shipping. Can't tell you how many times I beefed up a $50 order to $100, just to get that free shipping.
And I'm sure they keep their minimum shipping charge around 8 or 9 bucks for the same reason. I can't stand to spend $8 bucks shipping for a $9 dollar tin, so I add two or three more tins. Now that I'm at $50 or $60, why not get that bargain $60 or $70 briar or estate meershaum?
Not to mention that I trust SP.com compared to other vendors. The example I never tire of sharing is the P&C grabbag of 3 pipes for 70 bucks. They shipped 3 small, spot carved bents that were identical - same color, shape, style. I was expecting a selection. Well, fool me once....

 

[hippiebrian]

I recently recieved 3 estate pipes from SP based on reviews here and elsewhere on them. I was worried about getting basically used pipes, but they were some I had wanted so I hit the button. They arrived and were in far better shape than described! One I still could swear was unsmoked if I didn't know better. They arrived quickly, were packaged nicely and they threw in a pretty decent sock for each of them. Was so impressed, in fact, that I just hit the button on a new Randy Wiley (love his stuff). They have a customer for life as far as I am concerned. I'll pay the extra for service for sure.

 

[ithelouniverse]

Agreed with the above. Smoking pipes has been beyond helpful. And I've called with some outlandish questions, and have never once stumped the person on the other end. In fact, I've never even had to be put on hold so they could find the answer, they knew it right off the top of the head.
I like iwan Ries prices, but I was in person there about a month ago, and while the over all experience was good, there was a certain employee with a terrible attitude and was very unwilling to answer questions a young man was asking him. He was stand offish with me, but down right rude to the other fellow. I let it slide because everyone else there was incredible, although the other gentlemen did complain.
As far as Pipesandcigars goes, I've used them once or twice, they have good pricing but I can't stand the layout of the site, and I called about some tobaccos once and the woman on the phone was unable to answer ANY of my questions. And I had to suggest to her to ask someone else, she certainly didn't volunteer to expend any extra effort.
Am I being nit pickey? Maybe, but I work hard for the money I spend on pipes and tobaccos, and if I have questions or need help, if one store can't provided the answers or the help, there are PLENTY of other places I could go that will...
For now, smoking pipes gets my business 9/10 times that I don't use my brick and mortar, who always gets my business first . The other 1/10 is when I'm actually in Chicago visiting family. Iwan Ries is just too close and too cool to pass up...

 

[mso489]

SP can go high on pipe prices, but they are also continually bringing in pipes some of which are priced really well,

but of course these get snapped up. I rarely buy on impulse, but a few times, I've jumped right on a pipe, and been

well pleased, both with the pipe and the price -- the latest a Chacom zulu that I shared by link with Forums, a really

pretty pipe at a rock bottom price.
I've had years of good dealing with Iwan Ries, but always online. I do want to visit the store. Though I grew up in the

Chicago area and commuted to U of I for two years, I never got to the IR store. Since it's a family business that goes back

to 1857, I suspect that may create some tensions both with family members on the staff, and with non-family members,

which may account for the churlish staff member. IR is very upright on pricing. It seems as if they price things based on

what they payed, so if a pipe lingers in inventory, it becomes a good deal. And they have their wonderful September sale.

So I'm a big fan, and if I visited the store and ran into grumpy staff, I'd shrug it off after all these years.

 

[ithelouniverse]

MSO: absolutely! The 2 other gentleman that worked there went above and beyond to help me find something that was on their page that wasn't on the shelves. I will gladly go back to Iwan Ries. It's so close to the train station it would be a pipe smokers sin NOT to go...

 

[ravkesef]

They are great--no question about it. Find selection of merchandise, superlatives service, and very good prices, in my judgment. Yes, some of the things they have may seem a bit pricey, but guess what – even online stores have overhead. They do a great job of carrying some of the top line pipes that a lot of the other retailers simply won't touch.