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Post by trailboss on Oct 23, 2019 23:11:38 GMT -5
From my inbox.... Hi, Charlie. My name is Len Fogel. I'm a member of the Hudson Valley Pipe Club. I want to share with you and the membership of the Arizona Pipe Club that my partner, Greg Polla and I have re-introduced the old Merchant Service brand to the pipe smoking community. We believe that we've created a credible and affordable version of the iconic "Bing" shape. Our pipes can be found at merchantservicepipes.com/?v=7516fd43adaa We hope that you will share this information with your members and those with an interest in this great billiard shape will visit our website.Thanks very much. Best, Len |
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Mac
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Posts: 834
First Name: John
Favorite Pipe: Ken Barnes Canted Billiard
Favorite Tobacco: Margate, Smyrna, Vintage Syrian
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Post by Mac on Oct 24, 2019 0:05:23 GMT -5
Pretty darn good lookin'. I have one made by Basil Meadows.  |
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Post by trailboss on Oct 24, 2019 0:26:04 GMT -5
Basil knows how to pull one off... Jim Amash has a great specimen.
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Post by Wolfman on Oct 24, 2019 1:02:21 GMT -5
Thank you for sharing Charlie. I’ve wanted a Basil Merchant for the longest time. Interesting.
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Post by peteguy on Oct 24, 2019 1:07:11 GMT -5
Is it me or does the metal band look like a poor fit?
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chasingembers
Senior Member
Posts: 1,884 
First Name: Duane
Favorite Pipe: My Growing J. Everett Collection, Fifteen Day Bruce Weaver Set, Meerschaums, Oguz Simsek Skulls
Favorite Tobacco: Black Frigate,Solani Silver Flake, Yenidje Highlander, Angler's Dream, Watch City Slices, Salty Dogs, Mephisto, Ennerdale Flake, Rich Dark Honeydew, 1792 Flake
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Post by chasingembers on Oct 24, 2019 6:51:48 GMT -5
Is it me or does the metal band look like a poor fit? I was thinking the same thing. Closest I'll ever come to a Bing is this Weaver.  |
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calabash
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Post by calabash on Oct 24, 2019 9:35:37 GMT -5
FYI. I got a virus alert popup when I started to open that link.
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Post by Cramptholomew on Oct 24, 2019 9:57:01 GMT -5
I just received a Basil Meadows Bing in the mail yesterday. I'll post in what's in the mail.
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Post by papipeguy on Oct 24, 2019 10:31:06 GMT -5
Good catch, peteguy. My Basil Meadows Bing has the ferule flush with the stem and shank.
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Post by pepesdad1 on Oct 24, 2019 12:04:40 GMT -5
Beautiful pipe!!...that Weaver is stunning, Duane...an heirloom!
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Post by peteguy on Oct 24, 2019 15:58:57 GMT -5
One of these is on my bucket list but I prefer the flush fit. Every one of you that have posted your Basil Meadows bing owes me $10 so I can afford one.  . |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2019 16:01:58 GMT -5
After reading there website I get a funny feeling these aren't made in the U.S. either.
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Post by trailboss on Oct 24, 2019 16:28:32 GMT -5
I get a lot of solicitations through the pipe club where foreigners use some crappy translation software wanting me to take delivery on boatloads of pipes.... this is the first one from this side of the pond, and had an air of legitemacy.
I had posted a link to this thread for the sender when I posted it, I am just a conduit...
”Hello again. It was great of you to post our information on the Briar Patch site.
Just a couple of comments:
1. We have no virus issue on the merchantservicepipes.com site. Can't imagine why that fellow who commented on having received a virus alert when he went to our site received it. Would hope he'd give it another try.
2. The solid nickel bands we use were custom made for our pipes. Upon inspection, I'm sure that customers will be pleased with what they see.
Regards,
Len
”
When one person gets a virus warning, and basically no one else does, I take it with a grain of salt... no disrespect to anyone that shares the warning, I just never see problems come to fruition.
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Post by peteguy on Oct 24, 2019 16:47:00 GMT -5
Thanks for the update Charlie. I am not saying the bands are wrong - just not to my liking. I prefer the flush fit.
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Post by Cramptholomew on Oct 24, 2019 18:06:01 GMT -5
After reading there website I get a funny feeling these aren't made in the U.S. either. I emailed them, they're manufactured in the US. |
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calabash
Full Member
Posts: 560
Favorite Pipe: Baki meerschaum, 1972 Dunhill
Favorite Tobacco: C & D Yorktown, Stokkebye Luxury Bullseye Flake, Gawith St James Flake
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Post by calabash on Oct 24, 2019 18:16:08 GMT -5
I get a lot of solicitations through the pipe club where foreigners use some crappy translation software wanting me to take delivery on boatloads of pipes.... this is the first one from this side of the pond, and had an air of legitemacy. I had posted a link to this thread for the sender when I posted it, I am just a conduit... ”Hello again. It was great of you to post our information on the Briar Patch site. Just a couple of comments: 1. We have no virus issue on the merchantservicepipes.com site. Can't imagine why that fellow who commented on having received a virus alert when he went to our site received it. Would hope he'd give it another try. 2. The solid nickel bands we use were custom made for our pipes. Upon inspection, I'm sure that customers will be pleased with what they see. Regards, Len ” When one person gets a virus warning, and basically no one else does, I take it with a grain of salt... no disrespect to anyone that shares the warning, I just never see problems come to fruition.
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Post by mgtarheel on Oct 24, 2019 21:06:06 GMT -5
I have 2 of Basil's Bings and they both smoke great.
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Post by libertysmoke on Oct 25, 2019 0:17:31 GMT -5
I Also got a pop-up alert ... When I tried to open that link {when Charlie 1st posted this} . On a Mac !
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2019 0:41:57 GMT -5
Got the bug and flushed the browser and cookies and did a restart. Good looking pipes but unless the band is hallmarked I think they look like lipstick on a pig in general.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2019 7:59:42 GMT -5
After reading there website I get a funny feeling these aren't made in the U.S. either. I emailed them, they're manufactured in the US. Oh! Well if you emailed then............... |
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Mac
Full Member
Posts: 834
First Name: John
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Post by Mac on Oct 25, 2019 23:07:24 GMT -5
Is this the pipe where some don't like the ferrule?  |
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Post by trailboss on Oct 25, 2019 23:21:09 GMT -5
As a new participant into the community, I am always glad to see entrepreneurs dip their toes into the water.... I think that critiquing with positive feedback is good for the merchant and the consumer. In a situation like this where a proprietor reaches out, I customarily send a link to them letting them know what I posted, and the response from Len was gentlemanly, so I felt no hesitation in posting his response.
I hope that doing so, I did not cause any discomfort to either.
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Post by peteguy on Oct 26, 2019 3:58:49 GMT -5
Is this the pipe where some don't like the ferrule?   |
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Post by peteguy on Oct 26, 2019 3:59:15 GMT -5
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Post by Ronv69 on Oct 26, 2019 12:01:54 GMT -5
They are far and away the least expensive pipe in this style available.
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Post by Yohanan on Oct 26, 2019 21:29:32 GMT -5
They are far and away the least expensive pipe in this style available. I agree, I think the pipes look pretty good for the money, but that's just my humble opinion.  |
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driftingfate
Junior Member
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Post by driftingfate on Oct 26, 2019 21:50:11 GMT -5
I appreciate the link. Always loved that Bing/Merchant look, feel, and balance.
The pipes might be losers, but the endeavor looks legit.
That's the beauty of a Club - an official industry or gov't department could promote, even conditionally, any enterprise. As long as it's clear that the AZ Pipe Club isn't endorsing someone, unless they are a known quantity - again, another benefit, it's good to be kept up on current events.
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Post by Ronv69 on Oct 26, 2019 23:51:42 GMT -5
I don't think that they are anything like losers. They are a factory pipe that brings a much desired style into reach of more people. I have heard that they smoke just fine. I haven't heard about the finish or the fit of the band from anyone who has actually handled one. They are not my style, having just sold a perfectly good Basil Meadows version. But I think they will be a winner if they can get going and sell some pipes. It's a big investment and endeavor to start a new pipe business these days. I would like to see someone take a chance if they are looking for this type of pipe.
You know that the original Merchant Service pipes were inexpensive and it's not fair to compare the new ones to the hand made artisan pipes that have been available. They may very well be better than the originals.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2019 7:33:06 GMT -5
They look pretty nice to me. They've already sold out of both of the natural sandblast and smooth.
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Post by sparks on Oct 27, 2019 9:05:38 GMT -5
Thanks for the post, Charlie. They are good looking pipe.
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