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Post by herbinedave on Feb 14, 2018 16:48:35 GMT -5
Penzance, Stonehaven and other hard to find tobaccos up for sale on forums. People attempting to cash in? Or what?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2018 17:20:13 GMT -5
They all tried Captain Black Grape and decided they didn't need the others anymore.
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Post by Dramatwist on Feb 14, 2018 17:20:39 GMT -5
Penzance, Stonehaven and other hard to find tobaccos up for sale on forums. People attempting to cash in? Or what? I believe it's true, Dave. |
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Post by papipeguy on Feb 14, 2018 17:48:07 GMT -5
 David. I've noticed the same thing too, Dave, and I believe that those blends have some serious trading power at the moment. Carpe diem, as they say.
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Post by peteguy on Feb 14, 2018 17:52:47 GMT -5
I just sold a small batch of stuff for a guy who frequents another internet venue. He wanted to sell because he felt he got caught up a bit in the "frenzy" and invested to much $$ in tobacco. I told him he was nuts to move some of those blends but I have a large cellar so who am I to say.
He wasn't a "flipper" as I believe they are called. I think he made a little extra but not much. I got a free tin out of the deal so maybe in the end he didn't make any money, lol.
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Post by herbinedave on Feb 14, 2018 17:53:36 GMT -5
For years I gave the stuff away.
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Post by Dramatwist on Feb 14, 2018 17:58:19 GMT -5
For years I gave the stuff away. I did too, and still do. Why let anything sit if someone might enjoy it? |
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Post by Dramatwist on Feb 14, 2018 18:00:32 GMT -5
I'd hate to think anyone on the forum would be a *flipper* and I don't think they are. The things I've paid a premium for were the fair, going rate elsewhere and much better than the eBay pirates.
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Post by herbinedave on Feb 14, 2018 18:07:21 GMT -5
Be curious to see prices of Dunghill in a years time.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2018 18:24:10 GMT -5
There was a recent release at various retailers, and whenever that happens the flippers come out in full force. While I don't have the time or patience myself, I never understood why people get angry about flipping. I've seen people on other forums saying how they reported Penzance sales or whatever. People do it with everything from comic books to houses - so I don't see why it's such a horrible thing with tobacco. In fact, I've never seen anybody begrudge a lucky score of an expensive pipe at a flea market, and then making a healthy profit from selling it.
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Post by herbinedave on Feb 14, 2018 18:27:32 GMT -5
There was a recent release at various retailers, and whenever that happens the flippers come out in full force. While I don't have the time or patience myself, I never understood why people get angry about flipping. I've seen people on other forums saying how they reported Penzance sales or whatever. People do it with everything from comic books to houses - so I don't see why it's such a horrible thing with tobacco. In fact, I've never seen anybody begrudge a lucky score of an expensive pipe at a flea market, and then making a healthy profit from selling it. Because I can. |
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Post by Dramatwist on Feb 14, 2018 18:29:05 GMT -5
...it's no secret here that I love Penzance. Not too many years ago I could count on being able to drive over to Telford's at any given time and pick of a couple of 8oz bags. Not so these days. I don't mind having to pony up for a tobacco I love... thankful that I am able to do so.
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Post by herbinedave on Feb 14, 2018 18:36:31 GMT -5
There was a recent release at various retailers, and whenever that happens the flippers come out in full force. While I don't have the time or patience myself, I never understood why people get angry about flipping. I've seen people on other forums saying how they reported Penzance sales or whatever. People do it with everything from comic books to houses - so I don't see why it's such a horrible thing with tobacco. In fact, I've never seen anybody begrudge a lucky score of an expensive pipe at a flea market, and then making a healthy profit from selling it. Tobacco is purchased at retail. The collectibles and housing you speak of one has to have a bit more secondary knowledge then buy up all the Penzance and Stonehaven. Not everyone is in the know to be looking for patent numbers on certain pipes or an ivory insert in a stem. |
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jpberg
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Post by jpberg on Feb 14, 2018 19:32:24 GMT -5
I don’t get it either. I guy buys a flat of Penzance for forty bucks and sells it for 150. So what? Obviously somebody (multiple somebodies) are very happy to pay.
Might as well blame forum members for praising it up more than it deserves to be. The hype had to start somewhere...
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2018 19:37:59 GMT -5
There was a recent release at various retailers, and whenever that happens the flippers come out in full force. While I don't have the time or patience myself, I never understood why people get angry about flipping. I've seen people on other forums saying how they reported Penzance sales or whatever. People do it with everything from comic books to houses - so I don't see why it's such a horrible thing with tobacco. In fact, I've never seen anybody begrudge a lucky score of an expensive pipe at a flea market, and then making a healthy profit from selling it. Tobacco is purchased at retail. The collectibles and housing you speak of one has to have a bit more secondary knowledge then buy up all the Penzance and Stonehaven. Not everyone is in the know to be looking for patent numbers on certain pipes or an ivory insert in a stem. One would think - but considering how few times I've managed to buy Esoterica blends at all, there must be an awful lot of people out there with some kind of secondary knowledge. Or lots and lots of time to refresh web pages!  I agree it can be annoying, though. |
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Post by haebar on Feb 14, 2018 19:51:11 GMT -5
The best place to find Stonehaven and Penzance in my experience has been in B&Ms. Trying to buy it online is very difficult at best. I'm fortunate to live near a good B&M that buys it whenever it is available. When I catch wind of a new shipment to the states, he's usually got some. Since most of his clientele are cigar smokers and many of his pipe smokers don't appreciate it, there is a good chance I can buy a bag or two.
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Post by Ronv69 on Feb 14, 2018 19:54:37 GMT -5
I don’t get it either. I guy buys a flat of Penzance for forty bucks and sells it for 150. So what? Obviously somebody (multiple somebodies) are very happy to pay. Might as well blame forum members for praising it up more than it deserves to be. The hype had to start somewhere... I think a lot of people buy the hype and then find that it's not for them. If they make a buck, good for them. |
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Post by peteguy on Feb 14, 2018 20:04:45 GMT -5
The B&M that I live by that got some in a bit ago charges damn near top $$ anyway so the idea of flipping that stuff is moot. $30-$50 a tin and $85-$100 a bag. The owner is the flipper in the equation here I think. I bought a lot of it from him and passed some of it to you folks. Sometimes you have to buck up to get what you want or wait for a lightning strike. I am holding out hope I can find a tin or bag of St Ives at bottom dollar pricing so I can try it. I wont pay premium prices for an unknown.
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Post by herbinedave on Feb 14, 2018 20:19:19 GMT -5
There ain't any of this unobtainable at retail. You just gotta have the time and be willing to put forth an effort!
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Post by Dramatwist on Feb 14, 2018 20:24:37 GMT -5
The B&M that I live by that got some in a bit ago charges damn near top $$ anyway so the idea of flipping that stuff is moot. $30-$50 a tin and $85-$100 a bag. The owner is the flipper in the equation here I think. I bought a lot of it from him and passed some of it to you folks. Sometimes you have to buck up to get what you want or wait for a lightning strike. I am holding out hope I can find a tin or bag of St Ives at bottom dollar pricing so I can try it. I wont pay premium prices for an unknown. ...Telford's has always been straight with me when they have it in stock... retail price. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2018 20:30:42 GMT -5
My B&M doesn't gouge on Esoterica prices. I was able to buy 1/2 lb bags of Penzance for $37.95 the last two times they had it. I share mine with a few friends, and get about a year out of 8ozs.
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Post by bonanzadriver on Feb 14, 2018 21:00:17 GMT -5
Put me in the camp of Loving Esoterica Blends.
It started with a 20 yo tin of Penzance that I picked up last year at the TAPS pipe show in Raleigh. Since then I have been fortunate enough to have acquired every Esoterica blend available, with the last one on the list for me, St. Ives, arriving last week.
With a little bit of effort and ingenuity I have been able to pick them all up at reasonable prices and many of them I was able to trade for.
Admittedly I haven't had an opportunity to smoke each and every blend, but it's nice to know that I have them in the cellar waiting.
By the way, the 20 yo Penzance is OUT OF THIS WORLD! After opening the tin I have only had 3 bowls of it and save it for the most special of occasions, kinda like a good cuban cigar, and smoke some of the newer stuff when the urge hits me.
To the point being made here by others, I find the B&M's to be a good source but it does take some effort. My local shop doesn't carry anything other than bulks from Lane.
It was while calling the list of pipe shops, published on pipesmagazine.com's site, while trying to find the St. Ives, that if happened upon a bag of Stonehaven @ one shop and a bag of Penzance at another. Picked em both up for $40 or so each.
Another good place to look is on the other pipe forums as well. I just scored a tin of 5 yo Margate for $15 and also picked up 6 oz of the same in jars.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2018 21:52:28 GMT -5
The B&M that I live by that got some in a bit ago charges damn near top $$ anyway so the idea of flipping that stuff is moot. $30-$50 a tin and $85-$100 a bag. The owner is the flipper in the equation here I think. I bought a lot of it from him and passed some of it to you folks. Sometimes you have to buck up to get what you want or wait for a lightning strike. I am holding out hope I can find a tin or bag of St Ives at bottom dollar pricing so I can try it. I wont pay premium prices for an unknown. Now that does rub me the wrong way. Not that I can explain why, admittedly. Logically, there's not much difference between a B&M flipping and a customer buying and flipping, but still.... It reminds me of the comic boom days when shops would pull an entire print run off the "new releases" shelf and mark them up to $35 overnight. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2018 21:54:07 GMT -5
Seems like a few of us have been waiting in vain to try St. Ives. I don't think I've ever seen it for sale. Hopefully I won't find it as disappointing as I found ASTB. Penzance, Pembroke, and Margate on the other hand....  |
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Post by sablebrush52 on Feb 14, 2018 21:57:59 GMT -5
Yeah, I noticed the sudden increase of people selling off their Esoterica holdings on forums for a modest profit, rather than gouging on eBay. No issue with either activity since no one is forced to pay those prices.
I've never had to buy the stuff at more than retail as I've found a few reliable B&M's with no Internet presence who are happy to sell to me. I'm stocked with all I'm going to need, so the only time I order is for someone else. And before anyone asks for those sources, don't. All of them have asked me not to give out their numbers as they're not interested in cherry pickers. I buy a variety of blends from them, not just Esoterica, so they're happy to have me as a customer.
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Post by Wolfman on Feb 14, 2018 22:22:11 GMT -5
About two weeks ago, blackcatcigars.com sent me an email announcing they had some Esoterica blends for sale. I paid $39 for an 8 ounce bag of Dorchester. They had Margate and another blend or two, but no Penzance or Stonehaven.
Last year I bought a pound of Penzance (2012) for $125. Its outstanding, and I only smoke it on special occasions.
I'm currently smoking 2002 Dunbar. I bought a two ounce tin from Steve (Pipestud) for $28, a bargain if I may say so.
*Dramatwist*, Back in 2011, I too was able to walk into my local B&M and buy multiple tins of Penzance and the others.
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Post by Dramatwist on Feb 14, 2018 22:45:00 GMT -5
About two weeks ago, blackcatcigars.com sent me an email announcing they had some Esoterica blends for sale. I paid $39 for an 8 ounce bag of Dorchester. They had Margate and another blend or two, but no Penzance or Stonehaven. Last year I bought a pound of Penzance (2012) for $125. Its outstanding, and I only smoke it on special occasions. I'm currently smoking 2002 Dunbar. I bought a two ounce tin from Steve (Pipestud) for $28, a bargain if I may say so. *Dramatwist*, Back in 2011, I too was able to walk into my local B&M and buy multiple tins of Penzance and the others. ...those days may be over... but you never know. In the meantime, I don't mind paying a *reasonable* markup... |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2018 22:47:29 GMT -5
I do as I please:  |
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Post by Dramatwist on Feb 14, 2018 22:48:21 GMT -5
I do as I please: ...smart fellow... |
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Post by zambini on Feb 15, 2018 1:00:11 GMT -5
I'm sorry to disagree with the prevalent view point, but the scalping does bother me because I don't think it's good for the long term future of the industry. The reason why these tobaccos are produced has to do with maximizing the profits of the manufacturer, mixer, grower, and seller. Resellers are introducing themselves in the worst way by creating an artificial scarcity that only serves to raise prices on these blends. If the industry is to grow, consumers should be willing to pay more to those responsible for actually producing the blends we like and not the resellers whose actions contribute little to our smoking experience. I believe that the best way for the producers to regain control of the marketing of their product is to simply raise the retail price to near what the resellers are charging. This will motivate the producers to make more of these successful blends and raise the efficiency of the ordinary distribution channels to place product and consumer together.
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David.
I agree it can be annoying, though.
