I was talking about this with another botl a month or so ago and seems like this is the trend as of late. Due to certain cigars limited status (opus, anejo, tat, viaje) seems like the big retailers are placing these items on "auction" and not putting them on their standard store. Which I see as being a great way to share the share with everyone...but they could also just sell them as singles only if they wanted. Feels like this is just a way to sell these limited cigars at over MSRP without the manufacturers getting upset. Am I the only one who feels this way?
I don't think it would botgher the manufactuers if they sold for over MSRP, though some can be quite upset (to the point of pulling prodeuct in the case of some) if the product is sold under MSRP...
There are two sides to the price issue imho..
Manufactuers creating limited runs (or artificially restricting supply to make them limited or htf), and people that are uninformed that will pay an unreal price for cigars.
I am convinced that some lines are marked as limited and supplies are held back to increase demand and price. (I likely happens in a variety of other industries too)
Then there are the people who are cult-like followers of a particular brand or individual that are willing to pay any price for product. I know one guy that said that a new cigar being released a couple of years ago was "the best cigar that is being produced, and there is nothing that will come close"... and this is BEFORE he tried the cigar and BEFORE they were released.
Different strokes I guess..
As far as the auctions go... the cigars are worth whatver people are willing to pay for them. They thrive on the uninformed, and that is how they can offer good deals on other things....
Just my two cents...
