Hi there mateo...I have to admit that I do use CigarBid from time to time. However, my experience si that you really need to know the value of the items you are bidding on. For items that tend to be more difficult to find like Opux X, Anejos, etc. you may be willing to pay a premium, but oftentimes, I find that items sell for more than they are worth - both at Cigars International or at a competitors online retail store. Don't get me wrong, there are some phenomenal deals on CigarBid, but those tend to be on the more run of the mill products and cigars (where they have higher profit margins anyway), the premium swag and cigars can sometimes go higher than you can find through other online venues. That is how they make their profits. So, just keep in mind "Buyer Beware." One other thing about CigarBid. It is the "Devil Site" in terms of people buying more than they need, but you have to keep in mind the shipping charges...it does not make sense to buy a single and pay the kind of freight they are going to charge you, so people sometimes end up buying more than they need.
Looking at your purchases...
For the humidifier, you paid a little less than CI charges normally; however, if you look around, previous buyers often recommend beads instead. Next time you might want to think about getting a Puck Humidifier. In my experience beads have worked the best in terms of passive humidification.
I would have to agree with tomthirysix that you can go ahead and chuck the hygrometer. For anything worth a damn you will need a digital hygrometer, and preferably one that is adjustable. Hygrometers of this type are made by several manufacturers and can even be found on CigarBid.
On the Medium Full Taster pack, I definitely think you got a good deal. You paid a good price for those sticks, assuming those were all sticks you wanted to try.
On the Cohiba Black Pequenos you paid a bit more than you would have if you just bought the tin directly from CI's retail site. They charge $11.95 for a tin of 6 as they are currently on sale, you paid $13. Often times it helps to check the prices against CI's webiste as almost everything sold on CigarBid is sold on their regular website.
On the Cuban Sun Grown Fuente Belicoso I noticed you paid $9. You can pick up a single on CigarFox for $6.50. However, on CigarFox, I think the minimum order is 5 sticks; however, their prices are generally reasonable, they have a great selection, and you can mix and match any variety you desire. They cigars they ship are also packaged better than at CigarBid and are sent boxed, covered with a cedar sheet, any additionally needed padding and with a humidity packet to keep them fresh.
It does look like you saved a few bucks on the Xikar Eris lighter if you look at most sites, but you could have gotten the same lighter for under $60 using the "Buy It Now" feature on eBay.
Now granted, ordering from multiple sites incurs additional shipping charges. I guess you need to work that out for yourself according to what you want and need. I would just say that you should search around before you enter that bid on CigarBid, especially if you were outbid by someone else...and do a little research on the internet looking at reviews of items you may be interested in purchasing first.
In regards to how well you did on your purchase...while I think you could have done better in terms or prices paid on some items and the quality of other itmes you purchased, all in all, I think that you made out all right given the amount you saved on the Medium Full Sampler - but you could have probably done better with a little more legwork.
