MSRP is set by Dion, and he is very firm that his MSRP is followed to the nickel. He is very protective of his brand, and wants to retain it's integrity. That is why you see almost the same price everywhere. If you are a retailer and you want Illusiones, you sell them at MSRP. That is the agreement you make with Dion when you become an Illusione Authorized Retailer.
Apple has been doing the same thing for years. I am sure everyone has searched for the best deals on IPod... only to find out that the price is the price no matter where you go.
Well, that's not entirely true, as far as your Apple example. There is a certain amount of discount room to good clients. I am speaking from experience.
Wurm is right, the same applies to cigars. A vendor that you look after, will look after you. Sure, as with Apple, MSRP IS set in stone but nowadays we have the tools to break stone... :sign:
Brian
True, there are always exceptions to the rule. Wurm's point is a great one. I don't discount Illusione cigars because I agreed not to and I keep my word. However, I always provide a bonus or two, regardless of what they're buying, when doing business with members here or on other boards. It's m yway of providing an incentive that some other retailers don't offer. You might not get 10% off a box, but you might get $20.00 in free smokes and free shipping.
I only mention Apple because it appears that the pricing on stuff like IPods is just about the same wherever I go. Of course, I'm one of those guys who just buys it at the most convenient location I can find!! I went to Best Buy because it was close. If I make the decision to buy, I'll take a quick look at the ads in the Sunday paper and see who's having a sale, but not much more than that.
There are always good retailers who make it worth your while to shop with them. They may not always have the lowest price, but they will help you out in other ways. It pays to have a good relationship with a retailer in ANY business, whether it's cigars or not. When I got Tatuaje Blacks in, who got first shot at them? Customers that I have the best relationship with, and that doesn't necessarily mean the ones who spend the most money. I went through 8 jars and never placed one post ANYWHERE that I had them. I once exchanged several PM's with an alleged BOTL who was looking for a particular box of cigars. It was crystal clear from the get-go that this person's ONLY concern was paying the absolute lowest price he could. So in the end he bought elsewhere because it saved him $3.00. Needless to say, he didn't get the e-mail about the Blacks... or anything else.
So save a few bucks if you can. But the sooner you start building a good relationship with a retailer, the better off you'll be. JMHO.