jesse52 said:
Unfortunatly, I never got the chance to vist Sicily. Was gonna go there on a field trip with school, and ended up having the squirts. Boat rides and the squirts dont go well together lol
Sorry about that Bloof. The thought that we were kinda in a way jipping Cigar.com didn't cross my mind until later.
I think honestly, cigar.com jipps people on the stupid markup on the Opus. Over 110% markup..?
I hear you really have to be in Fuente's good graces to get them at the distribution prices. With Cigar.com's required numbers I'd imagine that's pretty hard to do.
Ive never cared for opus, but I buy them every chance I can at my shop to trade with people... I do however think the anejo shark is one of the best cigars I have ever smoked.
If I rememember correctly, Fuente doesnt allow dealers to sell Opus online or over the phone. If that is the case, C.com is buy them through someone else.
I do believe that's the case, and I also believe that although Cigar.com realizes that they might sell for a lot less, when you're a third party trying to meet the constant demands of people who keep asking for them and will pay a much higher price, what do you do? Lose them altogether?
No...just do like regular, non-price gouging stores do. Sell slightly above what you pay for to keep a profit margin, and try to keep the people that are first come, first serve happy. Limit 2 per day per size like the dealers are told to do. If its worth something to someone, they will make sure they know when something is going to be available.
Youll sell more product by keeping the prices lower, than by marking things up 110%...and after all, isnt that the point of business? Keep your customer returning, and also keeping money in your own pockets while increasing your market base.
Im not picking on c.com, but ALL of the companies that have these, in what I feel are, shady practices. MRSP is there for a reason, they know better than anyone else what their product should be priced and sold at. I understand that when you are a third party, youre paying already slightly jacked prices...but a line has to be drawn, storefronts and e-stores alike.
Youll sell more product by keeping the prices lower, than by marking things up 110%...and after all, isnt that the point of business? Keep your customer returning, and also keeping money in your own pockets while increasing your market base.
Im not picking on c.com, but ALL of the companies that have these, in what I feel are, shady practices. MRSP is there for a reason, they know better than anyone else what their product should be priced and sold at. I understand that when you are a third party, youre paying already slightly jacked prices...but a line has to be drawn, storefronts and e-stores alike.
I thought I was affirming what you pointed out in your previous post. Look, I myself openly blasted Cigar.com's prices on the Opus X last summer until I found out what I thought you pointed out in your previous post, that Cigar.Com must be a third party. If they are a third party, and I believe that's what was explained to me back then, then they are paying sky high prices to get them themselves, and have no choice but to offer them for what they are selling them at.
Unlike you however, I had to rethink my teamwork skills because I work at AmBack, and decided to let my summertime blast be my last because of the working relationship here. Having said that, I understand Cigar.Com's pricing. They probably have customers who can't get them anywhere else and are saying to them, just get them for me, I'll pay whatever you can sell them to me for. Rather than lose that customer completely, a business placed in that position will opt to be a "third party" and have no choice but to sell them for exorbitant prices.
And, in conclusion, I know what the MSRP on Opus X cigars are and what they "should" really sell for. But when people want something, . . .
you know how the rest goes.
Unlike you however, I had to rethink my teamwork skills because I work at AmBack, and decided to let my summertime blast be my last because of the working relationship here. Having said that, I understand Cigar.Com's pricing. They probably have customers who can't get them anywhere else and are saying to them, just get them for me, I'll pay whatever you can sell them to me for. Rather than lose that customer completely, a business placed in that position will opt to be a "third party" and have no choice but to sell them for exorbitant prices.
And, in conclusion, I know what the MSRP on Opus X cigars are and what they "should" really sell for. But when people want something, . . .
you know how the rest goes.
Actually, a really funny thing is that I blasted the practice of gouging on Opus X cigars in general, when the subject came up, and someone from Cigar.com stepped in to explain certain things. I didn't even know they had them or what their prices were, I was just speaking generally!!! I then realized that the "third party" Opus X merchants were a much bigger lot than I had realized. I wouldn't pay much more than MSRP for an Opus X, but evidently the third party Opus X merchants have enough customers to support their obtaining them and the prices they in turn, have to charge the clients.
It comes down to a case of supply and demand. Opus X cigars are a critical and commercial success. They are a high quality product that demands a high price. I have ten Opus X cigars and two Forbidden X cigars in my humidor aging. I would love to try one now but I want to get the most out of my smoking experience. I have plenty other cigars in my humidor to keep me busy for the next one to two years. As far as the price goes demand sets the price. If people are willing to pay the listed price then the cigars are worth that price to them. Everyone's taste and preference is different. People should buy and smoke what they like. It's as simple as that.
Joined Oct 2005
3K Posts | 14+
Central Canada, eh?
Supply and demand is a very strong motivator in all kinds of markets, and it isn't likely to go away. As long as some people are willing to pay more for a product than others, and as long as demand exceeds supply, there will be those who simply cannot afford to play the game.
Why else would you see complete computer systems for as much as some people pay for a video card alone.
There you go.
By the way Bloof, I think you handled this thread like a true gentlemen!!
Why else would you see complete computer systems for as much as some people pay for a video card alone.
There you go.
By the way Bloof, I think you handled this thread like a true gentlemen!!
Thanks. I'm working on it. Now I need to work on getting some Opus X of my own. :cryinlaugh: Actually, if I ever get any, I might keep one, the rest will have to be given away. They're better in the hands of others. I don't like passing out from a head that weighs 900 pounds. :mrgreen:
Syntax said:
When I first read this, I almost lost it. But, like Bloof, I decided to keep it cool. I would just like to say it is not like you can just call up Fuente and order a couple boxes of Opus. They send you what they want, when they want. Yea, you can order them, but who knows when you will receive them. Ever wonder why most places have a two cigar limit? When you buy Opus from a distributor like Cigar.com, they have to mark it up to make a profit, just like any other place. But since the price is marked up for them too, thats where you get the price. I am willing to bet the mark up on their Opus is less than ANY other cigar they sell. You will never see anyone here from Cigar.com pushing their Opus. Rather, they encourage cigars that most of us can afford, Dipmola, Cusano, Etc.. So please, do not accuse Cigar.com of "jipping" people. For most of us that have ordered from them, they have done nothing but help us out. They offer great packaging, superb shipping, and terrific customer service. There is a reason that we are all returning customer. End rant.