Are Price increases affecting your enjoyment?

[La_Tigre]

In spite of all the inclement grousing tanties, how many posts about Vegueros and short fillers flying off the shelf are flooding about? Buyers that wouldn’t touch a JLP a year ago… Bloody hell even Guantanamera posts… the very giveaway to the uninitiated to cigars at the Tropicana that left the impression that Cuban Cigars are awful…why would anyone want to smoke them??. There’s a reason Vegueros from 2016 and beyond are available. They’ve been sitting on shelves with no buyers…. 🤔 seems that product is all moving now.

Habanos….geniuses!?!???

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More likely the economics and hysteria of the CC buyers, you played yourself, son? 😝 

[jakebarnes]

I think old world cigars are facing an interesting crossroads right now: they were an "in the know" item that had luxury connotations at an everyday cost (particularly in the states where it was largely cheaper to purchase CCs compared to their NC counterparts). Now that the pricing is moving into more normalized to slightly higher territory, that's definitely affecting how people who have been along for the ride view them. 

Lots of interesting psychological factors at play in this process. 

[targa88]

Habits change as a function of age and time...

In terms of my habits - I have never been a proponent of Cohibas, BHK, etc... or LE/RE for that matter.

I know what I enjoy and will continue to enjoy them. Ironically with more time in retirement, I seem to have less patience to sit through a double corona then in the past.

I would prefer to enjoy what I have or can get my hands on, rather than contemplate what could have been..

I would certainly give credit to our hosts (@el Presidente and Fohcigars) in making stock available and introducing marcas and vitolas that I was not familiar with. As a consequence of which I am able to enjoy them.

To @Bijan point earlier - more disappointed with the discontinued marcas and vitolas. Had I known... would I have acted differently...

Prices will continue to rise as a function of economics, supply and demand... etc.

Without getting into politics - government decision to increase taxation on tobacco (for whatever the reason they claim) has also stifled availability....which drifts into economics I suspect.

When I look back at the inventory that was purchased over the years (spreadsheet including year of purchase and price) prices have always increased.

Irregardless of what Cubatobaco does, it would appear that there is no rhyme nor reason...

[Frinkiac7]

Honestly, I have been thinking more about whether to smoke some “expensive” stuff or potentially keep it for a future sale or trade. I am gravitating more towards my cheap and cheerfuls in the meantime.

[Chas.Alpha]

1 minute ago, Heels82 said:

Oof, you gotta talk sports with @Chas.Alpha.  

Ouch! I know where you’re headed with that one... 😔

[Chas.Alpha]

3 minutes ago, Heels82 said:

Do you approve of the new Top Gun?

Haven’t seen it yet. At my age, movies have to hit HBO before I can see them... 😳

[Duxnutz]

1 hour ago, Chas.Alpha said:

Haven’t seen it yet. At my age, movies have to hit HBO before I can see them... 😳

Get out and see it! Thoroughly impressed. 

[Glass Half Full]

On 6/8/2022 at 5:40 PM, El Presidente said:

absolutely!

The change of name could not have come at a better time 

For the first time, Ravi is thankful that he doesn't have a forum 

Congratulations Rob, ...though you're cheeky on that last comment.  

Your recent changes are proof of what most entrepreneurs experience at one point or another:  Sometimes what seems like bad fortune is, in reality, a wonderful time to pivot.  

You all are pivoting perfectly.  You can transition as you choose with the new name, continuing as a trustworthy source of CC's and trading upon your good reputation however you choose to adapt.  I appreciate this forum and the opportunities you make available to participants, and look forward to continuing to learn from you all.  

[dangolf18]

I will say it definitely has made me re-think smoking Trinidads. I used to be able to walk into any B&M in Western Europe and get a Vigia Tubo for 12-15 euros. Now that they are north of $50 per stick, I just can't bring myself to smoke any from my stash. As for Cohiba, it's been impossible to find anything other than Siglo I, II, Exquisitos, and Panetela for quite some time. Quality/taste really went downhill for me after 2013/2014 for Cohiba so I'm pretty indifferent to the 300% price hike there. My smoking is likely going to shift entirely to the robusto range - RyJ SC, PSD4, HDM E2, RASS, etc.. NCs still just don't do it for me.

[SCgarman]

On 6/12/2022 at 4:51 PM, Duxnutz said:

Get out and see it! Thoroughly impressed. 

Absolutely! Best movie in a long long time. Worthy of seeing a second time.

[joeypots]

Hypothetical Question. So you have a box of CORO or whatever Cohiba, resting up for slaughter in your stash. Now you see that said box of cigars has a high resale value and if sold,  you may be able to buy 2, TWO, fifty cabs of RASS with the proceeds. Or a box of Siglo IV and PP swap, for example, gives you the same ratio of four for one or even three for one. I’m talking ball park figures here and if you have to give a few bucks to get it to work, well, you get the idea. 

Would such a calculation affect your enjoyment of the cigars?

[cnov]

59 minutes ago, joeypots said:

Hypothetical Question. So you have a box of CORO or whatever Cohiba, resting up for slaughter in your stash. Now you see that said box of cigars has a high resale value and if sold,  you may be able to buy 2, TWO, fifty cabs of RASS with the proceeds. Or a box of Siglo IV and PP swap, for example, gives you the same ratio of four for one or even three for one. I’m talking ball park figures here and if you have to give a few bucks to get it to work, well, you get the idea. 

Would such a calculation affect your enjoyment of the cigars?

Yes, because I wouldn't be able to enjoy them after they've been sold on BR.

It would definitely positively affect the enjoyment of the RASS though.

[Meesterjojo]

I'm too scared to smoke anything other than the insane number of D4s I have. Literally ready for the apocalypse with those. So tired of em. 

And now that I see Trinidad appearing officially, and those prices...good lord. Those good  days are done. A single Reyes going for $34. Nope. But it's good to see these things coming back. 

Just got in a box of mag 46s that I ordered before the insanity hit hard. Probably the last Cubans for a long while. 

So now I have all my Cubans aging nicely, and I'm switching over to non Cubans and gone back to pipe smoking. 

I'm really enjoying these Rojas bluebonnet torro. And the Monticristo new york edition. 

I need to try and order off here, but it's difficult: I'm usually at work during that time just starting shift, or I'm asleep. Maybe tonight I'll be awake. FoH has great prices and last i looked good offerings.  

I don't gift Cubans any longer. Except D4s. I gave an epi 2 to a new friend a couple of weeks ago and he was blown away. Now I know where I can give my less favorite stock. 

I actually reached for a Coloniales before sitting down now to smoke. Thought twice and put it back. I really should have seen this coming. I just didn't think the party would end. 

[Chas.Alpha]

A year ago, I would have never considered selling a box on BR unless it was a partial of something that just didn’t click with me. If the price of CORO and Trini actually settles in at the new rates and there are people willing to pay it, sorry but good bye CORO, so long Trini. Not that I don’t enjoy both, but I cannot justify smoking a $65 Robusto or a $34 pc. I’d be much happier with 5 JL2’s vs. 1 CORO. My heart would be cracked letting go of the remaining 15 Fundadores I have left, but at $70+/stick, C ya bye! That’s just me...

[SCgarman]

16 minutes ago, Chas.Alpha said:

A year ago, I would have never considered selling a box on BR unless it was a partial of something that just didn’t click with me. If the price of CORO and Trini actually settles in at the new rates and there are people willing to pay it, sorry but good bye CORO, so long Trini. Not that I don’t enjoy both, but I cannot justify smoking a $65 Robusto or a $34 pc. I’d be much happier with 5 JL2’s vs. 1 CORO. My heart would be cracked letting go of the remaining 15 Fundadores I have left, but at $70+/stick, C ya bye! That’s just me...

I'd be happy with 5 of any robustos over one CORO, but hey for those with "FU" money 2K for a box of cigars is chump change.