I gotta say something.

oedipus1 · Post by **oedipus1** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 12:49 am

Only my second post here, but many of you may recognize me. I've been around the cigar boards for a good 10 years now. For what that's worth, I guess that and a buck will get me a newspaper. ;D

First off, I'm NOT supporting ripping people off. This is not my point. I'll play devil's advocate here, and please feel free to agree or disagree.

People simply pay what an item is worth to [b]THEM[/b]. Gouging, of course, is not cool, but it certainly is not illegal. A good percentage of businesses would be OUT of business if this were the case. It's great to see a reasonably educated group here, who can point out things that some may not know about prices, ongoing or recent sales, etc. However, there are many reasons that people choose to shop HERE, rather than elsewhere. Hard to find items are one. Others are likely that some don't want full boxes. Also, with OFAC cracking down big time, many will choose to not take the risk of importing contraband THEMSELVES.

Everyone looks for deals. That's human nature. However, imho, this is still America, the bastion of CAPITALISM. Far be it from me to say that anyone can't make a buck. However, caveat emptor. Check around for prices. Do a little research. Be an EDUCATED buyer. If someone is willing to pay what is being asked, or can negotiate a more acceptable price AND the cigars are what they are represented to be, then it DOES benefit both parties. No harm, no foul.

Who am I to say that if someone has taken advantage of a sale or a BOGO offer that they can't turn that around and make a few bucks?? If a person missed the sale, or didn't take advantage of it, that's not the SELLER'S PROBLEM. Again, this is still the USA. For example, if a generally fair and accepted price for a box of Cuban XYZ's is $150 and I got a BOGO deal and decide to offer 5 packs for $35 each, what's the problem? Can someone get 5 of them from a vendor? Possibly, but buying here minimizes risk and is more convenient. That's VALUE ADDED. As long as it remains REASONABLE, I don't see an issue. Now if that person was selling the 5 packs for $60 each, when most vendors have the BOX price at $150, THEN I would be the first one to point out that the seller was taking advantage of the people.

Bottom line, you pay your money and you take your choice. No one forces anyone to buy anything. If both parties are satisfied with a transaction, that should be all that counts. Members here should, however, continue to be diligent in making sure that transactions remain fair, but realize that "profit" is NOT a four-letter word. :)

Dsav101 · Post by **Dsav101** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 12:57 am

Wharf, I agree with ya man. I would rather my money went to people I know give a fair shake either buying or selling. IMHO that is the best way to look at it. Now is there a chance I would pay more for something I really want? Sure there is, but there is also the ability to judge for myself to pass on it as well. I am not for screwing the very people that the seller of the sticks would call a brother.

Don

Kingantz · Post by **Kingantz** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 2:57 am

We all have our opinion and are very much entitled to it. Mine is going to be different than others, and that's fine. No problem at all for me. My opinion is a brother of the leaf doesn't profit off another brother of the leaf. You by a box of smokes at 70% discount, you share the wealth with others because of the special relationship we all have that is cigars. For an individual to try and sell that box that he bought for 70% off at full price is absolutely wrong, and I feel that person should have his ass handed to him while heading out the door. If it's a business fine, but that's not what I'm talking about here. BOTL have no business profiting off another BOTL. This is just how I feel about it.

There are many, many folks in the cigar community that I call friends. I will, without fail, look out for not only those that I call friends, but even those that I don't know. Or at least try to. This, in my opinion, is one of those times.

For anyone that is in the cigar community that shares the same passion, dare I say the same love for this hobby as I do, to say it's okay for another BOTL to profit such as this individual (or any individual for that matter) is just totally perplexing to me. I will say that I do respect others opinions and this is one of those times where I'll just agree to disagree.

Many happy smokes to you all, at damn good (fair) prices!! :D

Greg (Kingantz)

SRex · Post by **SRex** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 1:25 pm

I agree Greg.

I can also see taking a SMALL profit for taking a risk, but not 70% or 100%.

I've done several straight up purchases for people at cost and I paid for the shipping, I've also sold a 5er for $5 over my cost.

The point is that we are all brothers/sisters of the leaf and we should treat each ofther like family, not like complete strangers or marks.

Fuente Fan · Post by **Fuente Fan** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 3:09 pm

Go ahead then and name names! :boty:

wharfrathoss · Post by **wharfrathoss** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 4:29 am

i thought about that... figure everyone here knows, from the responses on ICC i figure they know or don't care. meh, so be it. hopefully now at least people won't unknowingly be bent over w/no lube.

Knuck42 · Post by **Knuck42** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 1:43 am

Excellent move at least trying to out this douche. If they accept his profiteering then so be it. He'll never see a dime of my $. I can't cotton to hadning over my hard earnd dough to an opportunistic leech. Nice to see that I'm in good company!

Tapewormboy · Post by **Tapewormboy** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 4:35 am

It's gonna be bad later on once these discounted sticks filter through the cigar smoking community. The source will become "lost" and more profiteering will occur.

Looks like another guy is currently trying to unload more of the freebie/discounted sticks.

Knuck42 · Post by **Knuck42** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 2:56 am

[quote]Looks like another guy is currently trying to unload more of the freebie/discounted sticks.[/quote]
Who & where?

And I agree, thiese sticks will be sold and resold. If resold by a guy who thought he was getting a good deal and then decided to sell them at FMV, that doesn't bother me as much as the douche that comes to the community merely to earn a living.

Tapewormboy · Post by **Tapewormboy** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 3:09 am

[quote author=Knuck42 link=topic=1522.msg12020#msg12020 date=1231901789]
Who & where?

And I agree, thiese sticks will be sold and resold.  If resold by a guy who thought he was getting a good deal and then decided to sell them at FMV, that doesn't bother me as much as the douche that comes to the community merely to earn a living.
[/quote]

This guy was outed a few months ago already, but he's trying again here.

[url=http://www.onlinehumidor.com/forum/index.php?topic=1592.0]http://www.onlinehumidor.com/forum/index.php?topic=1592.0[/url]

Onlinehumidor.com

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