Price of cigars

[rdm3000]

I am new to buying cigars and already i've started to notice a pretty big variation in prices from one place to another for similar sticks and products and sometimes even the same stick will be 10$ somewhere and 4$ somewhere else.

1. How often do prices change and is this because of taxes like cigarettes or something else?

2. When should I assume the price is right and not worry about paying too much?


Thanks

 

[usmcpurcell]

I think IMO that depends on the retailer itself like my everyday cheap smoke I like they are like 80 bucks on a few online places and at atlantic they are 60 dollars a box. That§ why I like to look around some atlantic and emersons are great good prices and cigarplace has stupid low prices and also holts are good those are just a few of my favorite online shops.

 

[bdc30]

If you're in Canada, you're paying too much. That's about all I know :sadcry:

 

[dpricenator]

Buy some samplers to sart off, then decide what you like in a cigar. Size, brands, country of origin, etc. Then shop around.

 

[JDog]

I'm not an expert, but I believe retailers have agreements with cigar manufacturers that prohibit the level of discounting that they can perform. Obviously there is the MSRP but there is a pricing floor that they cannot go below. I'm not sure about the mechanism that a retailer must use to go below that floor price, like manufacture written consent, etc... Basically there are agreements between the manufacturers and retailers.

So, it's probably why you will not see catalogers or online retailers discount certain cigar lines or brands. If I was a manufacturer, why would I want CI discounting my cigar because they can afford slimmer margins when that will be detrimental to my B&M business.

That said, I think you need to be comfortable with both the price and the retailer. Not all retailers are created equally. Cigars have to be stored properly and shipped with care. I would first check out the BOTL sponsor sites. Basically, figure out an online retailer that has both a good reputation and price. I personally overpay on reputation since I want to make sure my cigars are treated appropriately prior to me storing them.

Good luck man.

 

[orangedog]

I am new to buying cigars and already i've started to notice a pretty big variation in prices from one place to another for similar sticks and products and sometimes even the same stick will be 10$ somewhere and 4$ somewhere else.

1. How often do prices change and is this because of taxes like cigarettes or something else?

2. When should I assume the price is right and not worry about paying too much?


Thanks

could be the age of the stock, the pricing scheme/structure of the retailer, the need for sales, etc. it seems a good number of places stick to MSRP and offer some type of loyalty or full box discount, other places charge MSRP + a premium because they can (or they think they can).

only way to know if it is a good price is to get familiar with what you are buying and shop around.

also keep in mind there is a difference between online and B&M... a good number of threads on that topic but in a nutshell, online shops usually have a slightly lower price due to a variance in taxes. read up on that, though.

 

[Tobacco Giant]

Here is a table showing the cigar taxes per state - you'll see PA doesn't have any additionally imposed cigar taxes, which is why a lot of the bigger retailers (including the bigger online retailers) are located in PA and have lower prices the other states.

http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/research/factsheets/pdf/0169.pdf

 

[GoingPostal]

I am new to buying cigars and already i've started to notice a pretty big variation in prices from one place to another for similar sticks and products and sometimes even the same stick will be 10$ somewhere and 4$ somewhere else.

1. How often do prices change and is this because of taxes like cigarettes or something else?

2. When should I assume the price is right and not worry about paying too much?


Thanks

1. Whenever the vendor feels the need to change it. as stated before, perhaps they are overstocked, got a good buy, no longer going to carry the line. Multitude of reasons affect pricing

2. the price is right when your comfortable paying that price. Hey a B&M will have higher prices but if they provide a warm comfortable place to smoke then the price is worth it. For me price is as important but just as important is thier customer service, that's why i stick with the site sponsers because i've never had a problem and whenever i have questions they respond quickly. Hey thompsons cigars has great prices on certain cigars but good luck trying to get anybody on the phone overthere.

 

[JDog]

Well put GoingPostal and forgot to mention taxes in my response as others did later...

 

[RaschNuts]

Personally I started off buying online but as I got more into cigars and started to going to the local shop to smoke and would rather support them even if it costs a little more per cigar.

Also I have been buying boxes lately as I have found cigars I regularly want to smoke. I usually go to events where they offer discounts.

The shop I go to also gives me points as I spend money so I feel it all works out in the long run.

 

[TravelingJ]

I like to use our site sponsors as a good place to check prices. E wouldn't have them around on here, if they were rip off shops.

 

[jmizzi]

Do yourself a favor before you buy, and do some research. Call around or check online what the going prices are. As you are probably aware, some cigar stores deal with certain distributors that are a little more exclusive to a product or brand. I live in Philly and Holt's Cigars in owned by Ashton, so you will get the best Ashton price from them.

 

[javajunkie]

make a point as well to travel around to as many local b&m's as you have within easy driving distance. keep like 5 or 6 brands you like in mind, and comparison shop. some places just go high because they can.

also, ALWAYS talk to the people at the local. a good relationship with a retailer will take you far. but at bare
minimum, they should be able to tell you a little about their pricing, especially discounts, promos, and close outs.

also the state tax thing. i am just south of the ohio river, and have a couple places both in ky and oh. that can affect things.

and again with the "what you want to pay". this gets easier as you become aware of the industry, but your personal taste and budget always rule. a stick may be only $4, but if you will not enjoy it, it is not WORTH $4.

fwiw

 

[cigarsc351w]

PA, FL, NH should always have the best prices on legitimate known brands. Not including internet whored out brands. These states have no premium cigar tax.

1. Most manufactures take a small yearly price increase.

2. It's crap shoot, you will figure it out with experience.

That being said. If your state has a fair cigar tax, find a good local B&M and support it. My regulars get showered in hard to finds at MSRP because they support me year round.

 

[kockroach]

That being said. If your state has a fair cigar tax, find a good local B&M and support it. My regulars get showered in hard to finds at MSRP because they support me year round.

Damn lucky bastids up there!!! LMAO

Seriously thought, totally agree. Find a B&M that you like....and support em. If they're worth your time, they will show it to you.

Also, regarding prices...yes taxes play heavily in pricing, but so do costs for that shop. High rents or property taxes will most likely be factored into the pricing too. One shop could be a couple bucks higher just because they have a higher cost for the property they have.

 

[E.J.]

Utah Cigar Tax 86% mfr. price....ugh.... (I couldn't find a kick in the jimmy emoticon, or I would have put it here)

 

[StocktonJohn]

I've found relationships are important. Sometimes I pay a bit more, but I get perfect sticks, no hassle ordering, great service, help finding the sticks I'm looking for, access to certain htf releases and I can support a local business run by great people. I think that's a bargain.

 

[rdm3000]

Utah Cigar Tax 86% mfr. price....ugh.... (I couldn't find a kick in the jimmy emoticon, or I would have put it here)

Utah seems horrible to live in. Sorry man.

 

[aroma]

...
sometimes even the same stick will be 10$ somewhere and 4$ somewhere else.
...
2. When should I assume the price is right and not worry about paying too much?

How you answer that question is going to differ widely from person to person.

If you have the time/energy/interest to scan e-tailers' websites regularly, and you have enough inventory so that you can wait and only stock up when there's an exceptional deal, you can often buy stuff for $4 that others are buying at $10.

 

[Craig Mac]

I've found relationships are important. Sometimes I pay a bit more, but I get perfect sticks, no hassle ordering, great service, help finding the sticks I'm looking for, access to certain htf releases and I can support a local business run by great people. I think that's a bargain.

Absolutely. Had 2 people say the exact thing to me tonight. I am sure a great many on this board have a local shop they always go to first.