$215 for a $90 box of Four Kicks...

[mbrogan82]

PB,

Perfectly put, no idea where people complaining about price come from. Not interested, no problem, but quit bitching about the cost.... They just need to go away.

I just paid $1200 for a box of Por Larranaga Magnifico's, didn't bitch about the price, just manned up and paid the fee for not having the FORSIGHT to buy them when they came out.  Should I be yelling price gouger?

It's so childish and silly. I'm done replying on this topic, thanks for adding your 2 cents PB.

Hope you enjoy the LP A's!


[quote author=polarbear link=topic=17405.msg83520#msg83520 date=1359943281]
Another day, another thread about people "gouging"  :horse:

Here is something to think about...
I was chasing a box of Franks a while back, I was offered a box for $650. It was more than I really wanted to pay, but I had the cash to spare and really wanted to get my hands on the box. I grabbed them and they were perfect. I was very happy to get my hands on them.

Now, if I keep them for a couple of years and then decide to sell them for whatever reason. Is selling them for a little more than I paid "gouging"? If the guy who buys my Franks decides to sell them for a little more than he paid, is he "gouging"?

It's simple supply and demand. If someone has something I want, and they're aren't a lot of them around, I'll pay what ever I'm prepared to. If the offer is too rich, I'll pass and wait for another one to come along.
If someone wants to sell thier sticks at a high price, and someone is prepared to pay that high price for them, who is at fault? The seller for asking a inflated price or the buyer for condoning the action and paying it?
If the sellers price is too high, he wont get any takers and either lower his price to a more acceptable level or put them back in humi and smoke them in his own time.

My mother used to say, if you haven't got anything nice to say, don't say anything.
If a price for cigars is too high, don't pay it.

For the record, $215 for a box of Mule Kicks is a bit rich for my blood. But I don't know what the seller paid, don't know how much someone else is willing to pay and personally, I'm not interested in buying them.
[/quote]

[HibaFan]

In this world there seems to be a confusion between fraternity and business. There are those who are able to see both aspects and there are those who only see either/or. Some are here to sell period, some are here for fraternity period and some are here for both...there are those who would never consider selling for more than they paid/costs and that is admirable. There are those who are opportunistic. At the end of the day people will do what they do and calling someone out on pricing will have little affect in how one operates if that is what they are here to do. People will either pay or not and life goes on...

[ak2000]

Non of this is gouging in the strictest sense as cigars are luxury items not necessities. That said, in answer to the OP question, your overpaying does not justify the next person overcharging and vice versa IMHO and many others here. You can call it whining, bitching, whatever, but while you have the right to be opportunistic and make a profit off of your hobby, others also have the right to point it out and call it what it is. For me, and others in the cigar community, it is truly a hobby, buy what we want to smoke and leave the rest for others to do the same. If I end up selling something off, its because I don't want or need it anymore or want something else instead, its not to have others pay for my hobby. Profiteering makes you a retailer, not a hobbiest, which is obviously a sore point for many in the cigar community. There is a clear difference between covering your cost and taking advantage. This is all IMHO of course.

[mbrogan82]

The ultimate irony is that manufactures sell to B&M's, who increase the price 50% and sell the product.
Respect your opinion and have no issue being called a retailer, better than want some are calling me!
What justifies me selling the HTF product above my cost is the time & effort that goes into finding the product, tying up credit to purchase, and researching what people in this market are willing to buy. There is a premium for that service that others can pay for in return for quality product, or opt out.
You are right, people can complain about the price, but why is the part I don't get.
Anyway, thanks for your input and insight.

[quote author=ak2000 link=topic=17405.msg83529#msg83529 date=1359950970]
Non of this is gouging in the strictest sense as cigars are luxury items not necessities. That said, in answer to the OP question, your overpaying does not justify the next person overcharging and vice versa IMHO and many others here. You can call it whining, bitching, whatever, but while you have the right to be opportunistic and make a profit off of your hobby, others also have the right to point it out and call it what it is. For me, and others in the cigar community, it is truly a hobby, buy what we want to smoke and leave the rest for others to do the same. If I end up selling something off, its because I don't want or need it anymore or want something else instead, its not to have others pay for my hobby. Profiteering makes you a retailer, not a hobbiest, which is obviously a sore point for many in the cigar community. There is a clear difference between covering your cost and taking advantage. This is all IMHO of course.
[/quote]

[ak2000]

That is an incorrect comparison and I'm not going to waste my time explaining it to you. Carry on with your effort to get others to pay for your consumption.

[zrx1200]

This is an issue I think is made worse with the LE trend.

Hobbiest smokers are hard pressed to enjoy (some) great sticks and others are more concerned with profit.

[Treinenwj]

[quote author=mbrogan82 link=topic=17405.msg83531#msg83531 date=1359952106]...
What justifies me selling the HTF product above my cost is ... researching what people in this market are willing to buy. There is a premium for that service that others can pay for in return for quality product, or opt out...[/quote]

IMO, it's that mentality that has garnered the treatment you've been getting in the BZ. I'm willing to wager the vast majority of cigar enthusiasts (retailers & manufacturers excluded of course) put absolutely no time or thought into researching what they can get other people to buy.

[mbrogan82]

Treinenwj,

Well lets be careful here, it's been 3 different post. So the name calling and childish behavior is limited to 3 people in fairness, no where near the normal treatment that I have experienced on this board.
If others don't have the forsight, time, or belief that selling above their cost (whatever % that may be) is for them I get that. I also understand the brotherhood mentality that exist amongst cigar smokers & participate in many PIF & Birthday Bombs on other forums. In addition I appreciate when others have an opposite view, so long as they express it in an educated and rational way. I try to learn from all, doesn't mean I'll change my beliefs, but it increases my sensitivity to other trains of thought.


[quote author=Treinenwj link=topic=17405.msg83541#msg83541 date=1359981027]
IMO, it's that mentality that has garnered the treatment you've been getting in the BZ. I'm willing to wager the vast majority of cigar enthusiasts (retailers & manufacturers excluded of course) put absolutely no time or thought into researching what they can get other people to buy.
[/quote]

[Brlesq]

[quote author=mbrogan82 link=topic=17405.msg83531#msg83531 date=1359952106]
The ultimate irony is that manufactures sell to B&M's, who increase the price 50% and sell the product.
Respect your opinion and have no issue being called a retailer, better than want some are calling me!
What justifies me selling the HTF product above my cost is the time & effort that goes into finding the product, tying up credit to purchase, and researching what people in this market are willing to buy. There is a premium for that service that others can pay for in return for quality product, or opt out.
You are right, people can complain about the price, but why is the part I don't get.
Anyway, thanks for your input and insight.
[/quote]

I'm in favor of supply and demand economics, and have no problem with people selling for higher prices if a buyer is willing to pay it.  I also think it’s terrific that this community points out to all the members when such prices are higher than normal so that those buyers can make educated decisions to pay the premium or not.  We've all got our own reasons why we will or won't pay more.

I usually stay out of these dog-fights, but then you made the comment above.    There's a big difference between a B&M and you.  B&Ms are legitimate businesses that pay taxes, create jobs, and continuously promote the cigar industry (not just one time) in order to help those businesses succeed as well.  I doubt that you pay taxes on your profit for “premium service of time”, you certainly don’t help the economy or create jobs, and you’re so self involved that don’t even care enough to support this site and toss Wade a few bucks . . . the very site that allows you keep profiteering.    Without this kind of forum your sales are DEAD.  But you still want the free ride.  THAT really shows who you are. 

[mbrogan82]

Brlesq:

First of all thank you for posting, you have educated me on one topic. My donation was made shortly after you bringing this to my attention, I have included the receipt below without the confirmation #, full e-mail address of Wade, or the amount. This was helpful and it brought an oversight to my attention.

I would encourage you to assume people don't know, as oppose to thinking they are "self involved" or "don't care enough" when making your assumptions. In reflects poorly on you.

In addition I do pay taxes on the cigars purchased from PA (where a majority of my purchases are made), I am benefitting the economy making said purchases (locally at that), and while I have not yet been able to create jobs in this vertical, I am doing so as a small business owner in another vertical (paying federal, state, & city taxes that rival New York & California).

Hopefully, you will reconsider your quickly formed judgement, that my lack of donation shows who "I really am".

If nothing else, thank you for bringing to my attention the donation process and I appreciate your opinion.  

Receipt

Mailing Address:
Donations Coordinator:
No Mailing Address
wadefillingame

Confirmation Number: Placed on Feb 4, 2013
Purpose Donation
amount

[quote author=Brlesq link=topic=17405.msg83545#msg83545 date=1359985323]
I'm in favor of supply and demand economics, and have no problem with people selling for higher prices if a buyer is willing to pay it.  I also think it’s terrific that this community points out to all the members when such prices are higher than normal so that those buyers can make educated decisions to pay the premium or not.  We've all got our own reasons why we will or won't pay more.

I usually stay out of these dog-fights, but then you made the comment above.    There's a big difference between a B&M and you.  B&Ms are legitimate businesses that pay taxes, create jobs, and continuously promote the cigar industry (not just one time) in order to help those businesses succeed as well.  I doubt that you pay taxes on your profit for “premium service of time”, you certainly don’t help the economy or create jobs, and you’re so self involved that don’t even care enough to support this site and toss Wade a few bucks . . . the very site that allows you keep profiteering.    Without this kind of forum your sales are DEAD.  But you still want the free ride.  THAT really shows who you are.  


[/quote]