The 1000th Question About Why Folks Spend on a Dunhill

[milk]

https://www.smokingpipes.com/pipes/new/dunhill/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=595431
4,880$
Aside from the fact that Dunhill can charge what the market will bear, I’m curious what kind of person spends 5 grand for this little 2022 new “Dead Root” pot. I have some vintage Dunhills and I do appreciate the brand. Of course, what seems excessive to one person is a luxurious pleasure to another. I’m never going to spend 5000$ on a pipe so I don’t know that thought process. I have seen pipes which, if I were rich, I might be tempted. I’m curious if someone can defend this little puppy. To me, some pipes obviously show vision, workmanship, artistry, creativity, etc, - maybe there are even some objective standards by which to judge (how much time did it take to conceive and execute?) What kind of person buys this? Do you see what they see? Do you get it? Is this a prestige purchase, like the expensive French wallets some of my Japanese students buy?

 

[The Libertine]

What kind of person buys this?

Someone who wants to show off their wealth.

Do you see what they see?

I do not.

Do you get it?

I do because appearances matter in that society.

Is this a prestige purchase, like the expensive French wallets some of my Japanese students buy?

It's not. It's a niche object.

 

[bullet08]

They like it. I like Peterson. Some likes Dunhill. Why would there be a question? They were born like that!

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

People feel valuable when they associate themselves with brands they believe are valuable.

Everybody has done it at one time or another.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Because they can. Sort of like those shankless Doug Finlay bamboo pipes. I think they look like a cheap repair job while others love them. People like and want what they like and want.

 

[bayareabriar]

Because they can. Sort of like those shankless Doug Finlay bamboo pipes. I think they look like a cheap repair job while others love them. People like and want what they like and want.

Yes. Because they can. Agreed.

 

[georged]

The Dunhill price thing is entirely connected to grade. A four-star DR is rare, and rare = $.

The obvious question in this particular case is how drunk was the grader that day? A one-sided sorta straight grain with a badly cut stem that is several degrees out of whack with the shank.

What's amazing isn't the grade of that piece, but that it passed QA at all.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

Why does anything have “value”? Gold and diamonds are just stuff that comes out of the ground, not all that different than common pebbles, but people ascribe value to the first two because of scarcity and perceived beauty; people agree upon societal constructs and work with them and generally accept them.

With pipes, sometimes you pay for craftsmanship; sometimes it’s history; often it’s about perceived beauty. Pride of ownership can be a factor. Things are often priced at what the market will bear—there’s somebody out there that might fall in love with that Dunhill and won’t bat an eyelash at that $4,880.00 price tag, and be happy to spend it. There’s no logic when it comes to things people enjoy. I enjoy collecting Savinelli pipes; some were very inexpensive, and others cost 10x or 100x those cheap ones. Clearly, I was willing to part with my hard earned cash, but my decisions might be considered crazy by others. As long you’re not hurting anyone, who cares?

 

[georged]

Because they can. Sort of like those shankless Doug Finlay bamboo pipes. I think they look like a cheap repair job while others love them. People like and want what they like and want.

You're funny.

You literally, truly, honestly, and for real can't resist, can you?

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

Why does anything have “value”? Gold and diamonds are just stuff that comes out of the ground, not all that different than common pebbles, but people ascribe value to the first two because of scarcity and perceived beauty; people agree upon societal constructs and work with them and generally accept them.

With pipes, sometimes you pay for craftsmanship; sometimes it’s history; often it’s about perceived beauty. Pride of ownership can be a factor. Things are often priced at what the market will bear—there’s somebody out there that might fall in love with that Dunhill and won’t bat an eyelash at that $4,880.00 price tag, and be happy to spend it. There’s no logic when it comes to things people enjoy. I enjoy collecting Savinelli pipes; some were very inexpensive, and others cost 10x or 100x those cheap ones. Clearly, I was willing to part with my hard earned cash, but my decisions might be considered crazy by others. As long you’re not hurting anyone, who cares?

Price often sets value.

That aint logical, but it's true.

 

[warren]

Someone who wants to show off their wealth.

Doubtful! How many folks would recognize an expense Dunhill if it bit them in the and was wearing a sign "Expensive Dunhill." I doubt most folks have any idea about any pipe marques.

I doubt most anyone seeing a man smoking an expensive Dunhill would have any idea as to value. If I ever come across a bent Dunhill, which caught my eye, I'd buy it in a second. Why? Because I can, price wouldn't even be a consideration if I wanted it. As most of my briar pipes are smoked outside, in the bush, no one would probably even notice much less give a thought to cost.

 

[BenMN]

I see a stem with sweep, and it's not cuz it's not centered



I do like a natural/ light finish pot. Had my eye on a Musico for some time. Better grain, I think it was roughly $250

 

[georged]

Doubtful! How many folks would recognize an expense Dunhill if it bit them in the and was wearing a sign "Expensive Dunhill." I doubt most folks have any idea about any pipe marques.

I doubt most anyone seeing a man smoking an expensive Dunhill would have any idea as to value. If I ever come across a bent Dunhill, which caught my eye, I'd buy it in a second. Why? Because I can, price wouldn't even be a consideration if I wanted it. As most of my briar pipes are smoked outside, in the bush, no one would probably even notice much less give a thought to cost.

Humans are tribal.

Bling Swingers do it to impress the people they know, and who know them, first and foremost. If some random observer "responds" that's just a bit of overspray luck (in their eyes).

 

[mingc]

The same question could be asked of someone who buys a $500 artisan pipe when a Rossi can be had for only $50, or a Cob etc.

 

[jpmcwjr]

This thread is awfully judgmental and contemptuous of other's druthers.

Done, If you feel my closing this is an injustice, PM me. Unless simply rude, no risk on warning points.