Why List a Pipe That's Sold?

[carolinachurchwarden]

I have been cruising around the interwebs for some time now. I've found that I now cruise websites for new pipes, even if I don't have the intention of actually purchasing. I just like to browse and drool on myself when I see something I love and would love to own. I've noticed something that does drive me a little crazy once in a while. Some sites that I visit, will show all of their pipes, whether sold or not, and in place of the price, they will list it as "sold". This makes me crazy because I really don't care to see something I've missed out on. What's the point? I know some sites that carve pipes do it and say if you like something that's sold, we'll make it for you. That's understandable, but with regards to estate pipes for instance? You might have a go at the exact same type of pipe just once in a blue moon, and even that would be lucky.

 

[lordofthepiperings]

That's what I love about SmokingPipes; once the pipe is sold it comes off the list. They do leave up the sold ones for the artisan carvers in the "New Pipes", so you can get an idea of what that carver is putting out. But if an estate is sold it comes off the page as soon as it's purchased. Thanks Sykes, for doing that.

 

[sasquatch]

I leave pipes up as "sold" because it's the first place people go to look at my work - the pipes for sale section. "What's he got for sale?". If that's empty... they leave instead of exploring one of the galleries.
I realize it's kind of a pain and I usually have an apologetic note up for being a lazy piece of shit about this kind of stuff.
Nor do I import and display photographs of every single pipe I sell - I need to be in the shop cutting commissions, not playing on the computer for 3 hours a day doing pipe display.

 

[carolinachurchwarden]

I don't mind seeing them in a "for sale" section, or even in a previously sold tab. I just mean it sometimes drives me crazy to search for a new pipe only to discover 95% of what's there, especially when they're estates, are sold. In a carvers site, or someone who can get one of the same type of pipe that has sold, I could understand. Just speaking to the annoyance of falling in love with a pipe only to discover it's sold and I can't get it.

 

[sablebrush52]

Just speaking to the annoyance of falling in love with a pipe only to discover it's sold and I can't get it.

And therein lies a reason for keeping it visible. Pictures of sold items show that this item is popular or this make is popular, and if you want one for yourself (or course you do...) you better get off your ass and get one! If it's an artisan maker, you can contact him or her to ask if another can be made for you just like the object of your desire. With some folks, a missed opportunity goads them to be more aggressive in searching out another opportunity. You've made yourself irritated that you missed something and it gnaws at the depths of your soul until you fill that aching void. That sort of thing.
Personally, I don't mind seeing sold items still posted. It's interesting to see styles of pipes or to see what horror stories people buy and for how much. I do wish Smoking Pipes would keep the prices listed for their sold items, but it is what it is.

 

[paulfg]

I often search sold pipes for ideas of selling prices on estate pipe and also wish smoking pipes kept there prices shown on sold estate pipes.I also search smokershaven that retain there prices after sale.

I find it helps when deciding on bidding on a pipe to research a bit first.

mind you I probably still overbid sometimes

 

[mso489]

I can see both sides. I love smokingpipes for removing a pipe as soon as its sold. Nothing like a web site maintained in real time, as they say. But I think the sold pipes, or in Al Pascia's case, and some others, the ones appearing in faded color, do give an idea of what's been offered, and an idea of what kinds of pipes might turn up again. It's not purely a striptease, just a tease and an invitation to come back.

 

[Waning Embers]

Now if SPC could do something about their thumbnails not changing if that pipe sells, that would be great too. I've seen a few pipes in their thumbnails that I would have bought only to find out they've already sold.

 

[wyfbane]

I wish they'd leave the sold price on there, as well. Helps to establish a price point for other pipes.

 

[bigjoe]

Smokingpipes still has them buried on their site but the price is removed and they don't come up through normal search. I've found sold out items via Google when looking for a specific model. Seeing the old price would be nice.

 

[carolinachurchwarden]

I would agree with leaving the price on them, that would be nice to see when they sell an item, then show also what the price of it was, instead of just "SOLD".

 

[elpfeife]

My current favorite is P & C estate listings. Of three pages of estates all are "out of stock" except for...one pipe!

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

I think they leave them up on purpose just to torment us! It's like when you're searching for that one special pipe... you see it... you must have it... it's BEAUTIFUL!!!! "Oooooh! Lovely pipe! I wants it. It's my precioussssssss!!!!" So you click on the photo, eager to blow your money on that ridiculously overpriced hunk of wood and rubber (or acrylic). You rub your hands together in anticipation and glee like a kid in a candy store. *CLICK*

And your jaw drops, and all feeling leaves your fingers, and then your face goes numb.... and you can hear in your head the seller laughing his evil ass off! "Bwaaaaahahahahahahaha!!!!" And it's the maniacal, evil laughter of a tyrant, a villain, the devil himself! "Bwahahahahahaahahahaha!!!!" he laughs. "That's right, puny pathetic mortal! It's gone, sold, went bye bye!!!! You can still see it, but you'll never have it!!!! Bwahahahahahahahahaahahahahaaaaa!!!!!" And you get up from your chair and fall to you knees, and you look to the sky, in anguish, and weeping, you scream, "Whyyyyyyyyy? You tormenting gods of the briar! Whyyyyyyyyy???????"
It's quite disappointing.

 

[bassbug]

I wish they'd leave the sold price on there, as well. Helps to establish a price point for other pipes.

In defence of trying run a profitable business, last week's price does not necessarily mean this week's.
If I have three Peterson 307s for $50 each and sell them all in a day, you'd better believe the next one I get will be priced higher.
Its all about supply and demand...just look at some recently discontinued tobaccos.

 

[pipestud]

Just speaking to the annoyance of falling in love with a pipe only to discover it's sold and I can't get it.

And therein lies a reason for keeping it visible. Pictures of sold items show that this item is popular or this make is popular, and if you want one for yourself (or course you do...) you better get off your ass and get one! If it's an artisan maker, you can contact him or her to ask if another can be made for you just like the object of your desire. With some folks, a missed opportunity goads them to be more aggressive in searching out another opportunity. You've made yourself irritated that you missed something and it gnaws at the depths of your soul until you fill that aching void. That sort of thing.
Personally, I don't mind seeing sold items still posted. It's interesting to see styles of pipes or to see what horror stories people buy and for how much. I do wish Smoking Pipes would keep the prices listed for their sold items, but it is what it is. - sablebrush52"
Perfect answer. It's a marketing tool and from personal experience, it works extremely well.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Maybe one shouldn't shop online!!