8 replies to this topic

[Rod]

I decided to do some searching for Opus X cigars, just to see what the average going price is. Let's take a box of Opus X Reserva 'd Chateau for instance. A really good price on this box of cigars is around $500 (if you're lucky). Of all those cigar shops who have it in stock, the average price is around $1,000 for a box.

Here's where it gets interesting... those who don't have it in stock have the box priced as low as $400. It seems some of the "big guys" use this tactic to get you in and attempt to persuade you on pricing, by giving you a false perspective. I'm sure when or if they actually ever get rare cigars such as Opus in, the price sky rockets. This isn't true with just Opus, but several expensive/rare brands I'm now noticing.

Yet another reason to stick with the small mom and pop shops; especially those who support the Cigar Pass community.

[gaspagoo]

I've noticed this trend also. I can always buy the Opus for a much better price at a local b&m than online. Many online venders charge way to much. I'd rather do business locally anyway.

[louich]

When I started hunting for some Opus I noticed the same thing Rod. But I am lucky since there are lots of cool BOTL here so I got my hands on some at resonnable prices :-)

Plus finding NC's here in Québec is somewhat impossible, If I were to find some here they would go for a ridiculus price I guess...(as any other cigar they sell here I guess...they tax tobacco to a point where it's almost a rebate to go on vacation to buy cigars)

Edited by louich, 05 July 2012 - 08:37 AM.

[nismo270r]

I have noticed this trend as well with hard to find sticks. I definitely stick to local B&M's for my Opus fix, and it's nice to have locals that actually charge the real retail price for rare smokes and don't mark them up 200% or higher. I have noticed on some of the bigger e-tailers when they do get shipments of rare stock in, they go straight to thier affiliated auction site.

[Devil Doc]

From what I understand the Fuentes don't want Opus sold by internet vendors. Therefore, they get them from secondary sources which results in the inflated prices. That's why they're cheaper at your local. Be advised however, some locals inflate their prices as well.

Doc

[grateful1]

From what I understand the Fuentes don't want Opus sold by internet vendors. Therefore, they get them from secondary sources which results in the inflated prices. That's why they're cheaper at your local. Be advised however, some locals inflate their prices as well.

Doc

Yup!

The secondary market (including cigar baord sales areas) have to pay a premium. As for the MSRP pricing on some sites, I think they just list the product to draw hits.

Izy..Puff...Keystone and the like make this a far better place!

[ironpeddler]

Been going on for years in a number of retail industries....chances are they probably sold 1 box at $400 to cover their ass should some agency come along to check the validity of their advertising. Not that box was a legitimate sale, just that they had a sales receipt to show they sold one at that price. At that point it's a crapshoot to see if the people looking at that particular box would buy something else on that website.

It's like trolling for sales...not even 'bait & switch'...just throwing a false number out there on a popular item to get someone to buy another product they sell. "Gee, they have great prices on Opus so this box of XYZ cigars must be a good price too, I better buy it".

Remember folks, not everyone is the tenacious shoppers some of us are when it comes to buying things...some people are just happy finding it at any price so they can get it done & be over with it. How many times have you been to a B&M and talked with a guy who bought a particular cigar and overpaid for it over the Internet and we just shake our heads knowing it was far less expensive at quite a few other trusted sources. For a good many of us, that's part of the game...getting what we want at a good price.

[Bayamos]

B'stard's.....

[broblues]

With the exception of a couple of brands from a few great vendors, I do comparison shop. If you don't you will eventually get boned. JMHO