Why is 3 Nuns so expensive?

[pipebeast]

Looking at multiple places the absolute cheapest for a 50g tin is still $16 and some change. Why is this?

 

[hawky454]

For the same reason St. Bruno is. I just don't know why.

 

[mso489]

Because they can. That's the free market. If you can get $16, and sales stay brisk, that's your price. If sales slack off, the price goes down.

 

[username]

That's were the dart landed.

 

[davet]

Because they can get sixteen bucks for it, not my sixteen bucks though... :crazy:

 

[pitchfork]

That's were the dart landed.

:rofl:
If you've ever actually worked for a major corporation, you know that's closer to the mark than the Econ 101 stuff people take as gospel. Almost as important as darts, of course, are the egos of c-level execs. If Ludvig Bigshot decided 16 bucks was the price to go with, it might be a long time before he admits this was a mistake or anyone dares tell him.
Not my 16 bucks, either.

 

[mso489]

If Ludvig owns the outift, or has the board's ear, he gets to name a price. But if too many of his prices are wrong, either he gets canned, or docked, or the firm goes under. But yes, many Ludvig's make many miscalculated decisions for decades ongoing with no accountability, not even by the accountant. Never underestimate the prevalence of damn foolishness, this is true. The dartboard would probably make better choices sometimes, if only we could get Ludvig off this swivel chair to shoot a few darts.

 

[tarheel1]

Because that's what mcbaren wants for it.

 

[shutterbugg]

I know someone who has smoked 3 Nuns exclusively for the last 40+ years. He knows it's not even remotely the same blend as it once was, and that there are other fine VA-Per blends that are much closer to the taste of the original 3 Nuns, and cheaper than the current one. Still he continues to smoke it exclusively. With that kind of blind, irrational loyalty, it doesn't surprise me they price gouge.

 

[ericusrex]

It's made by Mac Baren and most of their blends are too expensive.

 

[pipebeast]

Good points, all.

Almost as important as darts, of course, are the egos of c-level execs.

I have found this one to be very true the more I work with c-level executives.

 

[iamn8]

The recommended retail price seems to be $19, an odd number indeed.

 

[brian64]

I know someone who has smoked 3 Nuns exclusively for the last 40+ years. He knows it's not even remotely the same blend as it once was, and that there are other fine VA-Per blends that are much closer to the taste of the original 3 Nuns, and cheaper than the current one. Still he continues to smoke it exclusively. With that kind of blind, irrational loyalty, it doesn't surprise me they price gouge.

^^^This says it all.
"Welcome to the land of flame and fizz...where you will learn that packaging is all that heaven is." -- Don Henley

 

[deathmetal]

If you can get $16, and sales stay brisk, that's your price. If sales slack off, the price goes down.

Excellent quick summary of the supply/demand curve.

 

[misterlowercase]

They ain't gonna get my sixteen dollars either,

the bastards!
I think the price point is ridiculous, absurd, and infuriating.
An even worse offender is Salty Dogs,

wuddup wi dat?
:evil:

 

[andrew]

All Macbaren products went through the same price increase, about 5$ per 50 gram tin. 3 nuns was around 11$ before the price jump, luckily I got some tins when it was on sale for 8$.

 

[deathmetal]

I'm counting on beastinview to whip up a decent substitute, and then we can trade for it, and avoid the whole "system" altogether.

 

[beastinview]

Feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders now...

 

[pipebeast]

Nice name btw 8) ::
I expect great things to come

 

[bcharles123]

I was going to ask this exact question! When i saw it, i couldn't remember when I posted it.

In any case, the answers here are as I suspected.
Sydney Frank, who invented Grey Goose vodka, was asked what is the difference between premium and ultra premium vodka? His answer was: you can make $10 extra per bottle. He eventually sold Grey Goose to Seagrams for $2B.