Re: I gotta say something.
Posted: 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. :)
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. :)