Oldies but Goodies

[burnem]

Is it just me, or has anybody else seen this?  I realize that cigars that are aged command prices above MSRP especially those with 5 or more years.  I've noticed that folks responding to negative comments about seller here in the battle zone have, for the most part, agreed that selling at a premium for HTFs or aged all agree that a premium is warranted for sticks over 1 year age or for HTFs. 

While I agree that profiteering from sticks that an individual has held for a year or more, such as older Tat's or Viaje's, or aged CC's, or anything else truly AGED, is warranted, is still have concerns about individuals, especially those with some time here, selling current sticks at well above MSRP. 

I've seen numerous posts in this section slamming new sellers for apparent profiteering but I've never seen anything regarding "old timers" (i.e. folks with numerous sells or posts in the hundreds or monetary donations to this site) being questioned.

I've noticed lately that there are an abundance of sellers advertising Cohiba Behike's (in various sizes) well above what I paid for mine.  I purchased a box of 52's for $300 and a box of 54's for $350 and a box of 56's for around $400.

My concern is that no one seems to care that this is occurring when the seller is an oldtimer.  Please correct me if I'm wrong, but you won't see me selling these for $100 more than I paid for them.

Maybe I'm missing something so please correct me if I'm our of line.

[BonVivant]

An excellent observation on BHKs - all comes down to supply and demand, IMHO. And with CA rating the prices did go up for BHK52s and remained basically the same on BHK54s and BHK56s

The prices vary widely and considering some problems with receiving and counterfeits around, it is just logical, for example:

BHK 52s from Swiss vendors are at $300-425 and most are not guaranteed or not intact
BHK52 from Asia are guaranteed and not intact
BHK52s from UK vendors vary from $450-$500 - most are guaranteed
BHK52s from "questionable" vendors across the globe are $275-650 and guaranteed, but one never knows, if those are real.

Please, consider all of the above and ultimately you get what you paid for. Trust your vendor and enjoy some of the most incredible cigars on the planet.

[brianh]

FWIW not all sources are charging those prices. While a source of mine is charging the lower prices ($300 for 52's), other sources are charging the higher prices you listed. However, I am surprised at some of the prices I've seen asked for lower quality CC's. Some posts are quoting a 100% mark up over the lower priced sources. It will be interesting to see what happens to the gougers if everything ever returns to somewhere near normal.

[BonVivant]

Can you, please, specify the lower quality CCs?

Thank you in advance,

Leo

[burnem]

I do trust my vendor as they have been one of the longest running and most widely recommended vendors on this board or any other that I frequent.  Obseravations remain the same the same when oldtimers vs newbies is concerned.

Thanks for the interest,

[Bill86]

I Agree with this topic. All the people that donated heavily and have spinning quarters seem to gouge at will with no one challenging them. Anyone who hasn't been here long or doesn't have a spinning quarter is looked down upon and ridiculed for the same actions. It isn't fair.

Fact, if you want aged habanos you should expect a mark up not only did you not order them from vendors you also didn't have the willpower to stare at a full box for 2-5 years. If you want them at vendor prices place your order like everyone else. Don't expect everyone else to take a "free risk" for you or sell their aged stock at the cheapest vendor prices.

However fresh boxes shouldn't have $80-$100 markups. I've seen this often, and it's frustrating....but sadly they will sell.

[BonVivant]

BTW, I am a newby, compared to OLH. Hi! ;D

People, who donate, feel like it and are able to do so, IMHO. There is no law, that prevents anyone from donating - all the suggestions, as far as donations are concerned are specified by Wade in TSBC.

This is a free market and is adjusted to situation/time/conditions/inflation, etc..., etc...,etc

Please, do not forget discontinued cigars, which are considered recent production, but simply no longer available at any price, from any vendor - just a thought.

[burnem]

Wow!!  Thanks BonVivant.  You certainly have done a great job explaining things for us that are not in the know.

[Starbuck]

[quote author=burnem link=topic=7568.msg40044#msg40044 date=1297388769]I purchased a box of 52's for $300 and a box of 54's for $350 and a box of 56's for around $400.
[/quote]

Excellent prices, but if those were my sticks, I might be a little worried. I would most certainly have to trust my vendor and have bought from them several times to know they were 100% legit sticks. The box of 56's I had listed for sale were $535 straight out of the UK. Granted when I bought them, no one had them in stock, and therefore I had to pay a premium to get them since no one else had them. I didn't mind paying the price knowing I was getting the real deal from a vendor that has been around a very long time, and probably one of the most respected as well. As others have said, it's supply and demand and a lot has to do with when you bought the cigars as well. If no one has 52's in stock except for one vendor, you can bet they are going to charge $450 for a box and people will pay it knowing they are the only vendor that has them. If you don't like the price, then wait till the supply is up, and then you will see the price go down.

[miamipadronsmoker]

[quote author=Starbuck link=topic=7568.msg40066#msg40066 date=1297397395]
Excellent prices, but if those were my sticks, I might be a little worried. I would most certainly have to trust my vendor and have bought from them several times to know they were 100% legit sticks. [u][i][b]The box of 56's I had listed for sale were $535 straight out of the UK[/b][/i][/u]. Granted when I bought them, no one had them in stock, and therefore I had to pay a premium to get them since no one else had them. I didn't mind paying the price knowing I was getting the real deal from a vendor that has been around a very long time, and probably one of the most respected as well. As others have said, it's supply and demand and a lot has to do with when you bought the cigars as well. If no one has 52's in stock except for one vendor, you can bet they are going to charge $450 for a box and people will pay it knowing they are the only vendor that has them. If you don't like the price, then wait till the supply is up, and then you will see the price go down.
[/quote]

So the buyer can expect to see an EMS sticker on the box? Didn't recall seeing one in your pictures. Care to show it?

Not that showing it would change my feelings about you though. I consider you a first class shlamazel.