Where Does the Seller's Responsibility End?

[wyfbane]

I know you would. I have gifted pipes myself. And it IS a shame when a pipe goes bad. Glad he was able to get a better pipe! Have a good one.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Am I the only one who doesn’t see a flaw in that pipe?

I don't see it either, but if it's a pit in the chamber, mud that thing over and smoke it.

 

[mikethompson]

The flaw looks fairly minor to me, but its not my pipe. I'm sure I could live with most 'flaws' that a serious collector or regular pipe smoker would hate.
It seems that you have your answer, but good on you Hoosier for getting some third party input as opposed to firing off an angry letter to P&C (which, working in retail I'm sure you know happens regularly!)

 

[jvnshr]

 

[jpmcwjr]

Now it looks vast! And as mentioned by several, pipe mud is his friend. Or mortar, though I have no experience with that.

 

[woodsroad]

Ah!

A Flavor Cave!

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I have mudded pits with no problems. As to the premise of the thread... I don't know. I just always assume buyer beware, and when my tobacco molds or something breaks, I tend to just chunk it and keep moving forward. I am always amazed when people post that a retailer sent them new tin or new pipes. I just never think to put the responsibility off on someone other than an "act of God." Not that asking for a return is bad. It just has never occurred to me.

 

[brooklynpiper]

Ah!

A Flavor Cave!

Ahahahahahaha :lol:

 

[blendtobac]

Have your friend email me at russo@pipesandcigars.com and I will see what I can do. Stanwell is usually very good to work with on things like this.
Russ

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Thanks Russ.

 

[instymp]

Sorry this happened to your friend, but in defense of P&C, I ordered a pipe from them a couple of weeks ago, it had a blockage in the stem, they sent me a return label & credited my PayPal.

Always great service from them, great customer service.

Nice of you to help him out.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Have your friend email me at russo@pipesandcigars.com and I will see what I can do.

You could not ask for better customer service. :clap:

 

[stanwellman]

I smoke Stanwell pipes exclusively. One of the reasons for that is their exceptional customer service. Had the same issue happen to me on a Stanwell pipe 2 years ago or so. Sent the pipe back to Stanwell and received a new one about as quick as the mail service allowed. Keep in mind that while the pipes are made in Italy, the design and QC is still done in Demark so a bit of extra time may be needed for the 2 sites to communicate and make a decision. FWIW, an issue like this has nothing to do with the vendor in my opinion.

 

[woodsroad]

IMHO, Russ should have seen this flaw when he was digging up the briar roots. Or maybe when he was slicing them up. Or for certain when he was carving the pipe.

 

[mikethompson]

I am in equal measure, impressed by Javan's CSI-esque 'zoom and enhance' highlighting of the problem area, and Russ donning his cape and flying down to the rescue.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

It was a dead issues as far as I was concerned. I was pleasantly surprised and impressed that Russ stepped forward as he did with the offer to assist. That is a positive statement about the dedication to Customer Satisfaction that exists at P&C.

 

[blendtobac]

I've contacted the purchaser and authorized a replacement, The location of the crater suggests that this wasn't caused by user error, but rather, a flaw in the wood. I'm fairly certain that Stanwell will agree. When he contacts us, I will make sure that the call center takes care of the replacement.
Russ

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Russ is the AWESOMEST!!!!

 

[lordofthepiperings]

Perhaps what one should do is smoke it 15 times per day for the first month to see if a flaw exists.

I actually know someone that basically does that. Smokes a new pipe really hot then lets it cool a bit then gets it really hot again for the duration of a full bowl. Has about 1-2 bowls like that every day for a week or two. If any flaws like the one mentioned in the original post exist they should show themselves in that two week period.

 

[mso489]

Super Russ to the rescue. That is outstanding. Kudos to Stanwell too, if they replace this pipe. The other point to be mentioned is how rare this is. I've bought and smoked dozens of pipes, scores actually, with carbonized bowls and uncoated bowls, in many shapes and brands, and never run into a flawed wood situation. So buying pipes is a calculated but very low risk. All of my Stanwells are sturdy and intrepid.