Dunhill Pipe Price Increase

[Kyle Weiss]

Everything has a hedge. Mine in the pipe market are cobs, no-namers and fixer-uppers. They see intrinsic and gained VOT much more so that direct depreciation/appreciation.

Got my own Three Card Monte game, and I get the bean under the shell every time (because I install 66% more beans). :lol: The game is rigged! :tongue:

Sorry, Alfred D. You make swell stuff, the envies of briar-lovin' men, but I'm comfy over here. I promise.

8)

 

[pepesdad1]

Everything has a hedge.  Mine in the pipe market are cobs, no-namers and fixer-uppers.  They see intrinsic and gained VOT much more so that direct depreciation/appreciation.    

Got my own Three Card Monte game, and I get the bean under the shell every time (because I install 66% more beans).   :lol: The game is rigged!  :tongue:

Sorry, Alfred D.   You make swell stuff, the envies of briar-lovin' men, but I'm comfy over here.  I promise.  

8)

Kyle said it!  Cobs are the best.....great smoke every time!

 

[Kyle Weiss]

One of my pipes I took some paint and put a white dot on top of the OEM stem. Might take the burner and write "Dunhil" or something slightly askew on the shank. :lol: I do it for the $5K club at my local B&M. Still haven't wrapped any of the cobs in gold foil. Need to work on that. :tongue:

 

[Puff Daddy]

Certain brands see themselves as the pinnacle of their ilk and demand that they command the highest pricing in their categories. Half a dozen years ago you could buy a Rolex Submariner for roughly $4500. Now they are about twice that. There have been a few improvements made, but not enough to justify doubling the price. What happened was brands like Omega improved their watches a bit and priced them where Rolex was, so Rolex had to counter to maintain their place at the top. They countered with percieved market position based on cost, not on quality. In actuality there is very little difference in quality between Omega and Rolex, but the watch collecting world had little issue with Rolex maintaining their position. Dunhill can't have lesser (in their eyes) brands being priced right alongside them.

 

[monbla256]

Certain brands see themselves as the pinnacle of their ilk and demand that they command the highest pricing in their categories. Half a dozen years ago you could buy a Rolex Submariner for roughly $4500. Now they are about twice that. There have been a few improvements made, but not enough to justify doubling the price. What happened was brands like Omega improved their watches a bit and priced them where Rolex was, so Rolex had to counter to maintain their place at the top. They countered with percieved market position based on cost, not on quality. In actuality there is very little difference in quality between Omega and Rolex, but the watch collecting world had little issue with Rolex maintaining their position. Dunhill can't have lesser (in their eyes) brands being priced right alongside them.

EXCELLENT POINT P-D. As many older smokers can remember, Charatan and Dunhill were the two "top" makers of high-end manufactured pipes with Charatan striking out with freehand designs and they were the first brand to break the $100.0 retail price point for a pipe back in the early '60s. Dunhill followed suit, but BOTH had pipes priced in the below $100.00 range into the mid '70s. After Dunhill "killed" Charatan after they bought them, it was an open field for them to establish THHEIR idea of product placement with no real competitor left. Since the pipe and tobacco end of the corporate Dunhill efforts, (I believe they are part of the Richmont Luxury goods conglomerate now days) pricing and the attendant sales effects are not really part of the corporate mandate except as where it continues to place the "brand" in the luxury goods market. They are NO LONGER producing pipes for all smokers, merely product for the Luxury "image" segment that smokes a pipe. And this market has seemingly ALWAYS bought into the concept that more cost equates to a "better" product. So it's no wonder they continue to increase prices. But, considering how long they have produced pipes and the number produced over this time, why bother with new when there are so many available on the "estate" market at far more reasonable $s. ( I know,"... EVERYTHING should cost  $.05 ! :twisted: )

 

[pepesdad1]

Certain brands see themselves as the pinnacle of their ilk and demand that they command the highest pricing in their categories. Half a dozen years ago you could buy a Rolex Submariner for roughly $4500. Now they are about twice that. There have been a few improvements made, but not enough to justify doubling the price. What happened was brands like Omega improved their watches a bit and priced them where Rolex was, so Rolex had to counter to maintain their place at the top. They countered with percieved market position based on cost, not on quality. In actuality there is very little difference in quality between Omega and Rolex, but the watch collecting world had little issue with Rolex maintaining their position. Dunhill can't have lesser (in their eyes) brands being priced right alongside them.

EXCELLENT POINT P-D. As many older smokers can remember, Charatan and Dunhill were the two "top" makers of high-end manufactured pipes with Charatan striking out with freehand designs and they were the first brand to break the $100.0 retail price point for a pipe back in the early '60s. Dunhill followed suit, but BOTH had pipes priced in the below $100.00 range into the mid '70s. After Dunhill "killed" Charatan after they bought them, it was an open field for them to establish THHEIR idea of product placement with no real competitor left. Since the pipe and tobacco end of the corporate Dunhill efforts, (I believe they are part of the Richmont Luxury goods conglomerate now days) pricing and the attendant sales effects are not really part of the corporate mandate except as where it continues to place the "brand" in the luxury goods market. They are NO LONGER producing pipes for all smokers, merely product for the Luxury "image" segment that smokes a pipe. And this market has seemingly ALWAYS bought into the concept that more cost equates to a "better" product. So it's no wonder they continue to increase prices. But, considering how long they have produced pipes and the number produced over this time, why bother with new when there are so many available on the "estate" market at far more reasonable $s. ( I know,"... EVERYTHING should cost  $.05 ! :twisted: )

Excellent analysis!

 

[KevinM]

I once had a conversation with an up-market type of fella Re: watches that went like this --

me: How do you know your watch is any better than my Swiss Army job?

he: Common sense! It cost more!

Thank you, Mr. Pavlov.

Most of it is just consumer conditioning. Once you get past a point of satisfactory functionality for any consumer item, everything elso is just social pressure and personal perception. That and devilishly clever advertising.

 

[Northern Neil]

I would love to try smoking a Dunhill at some point in my life. However, my current financial situation will not allow it.
I have heard of people wanting to trade their entire pipe collection once they smoked a Dunhill because nothing will compare to the quality. That being said, I still have a hard time justifying the $500 starting price point

 

[sisyphus]

I like modern Dunhills and have several in my collection. They compare favorably to Dunhills from the 50s and 60s. However, you can buy a Comoy's or GBD estate on eBay for $50 that is finished as nicely and smokes as well, so for God's sake don't spend money on a Dunhill unless you can really afford one.

For me the draw of current production Dunhills is that there simply isn't anyone else left from the glory days of London made pipes. You can't buy a current production Loewe or a Sasieni or a Charatan or a Comoy's or a GBD or an Orlik that has any connection to the legacy that made those names famous. Only Dunhill. So for that alone, Dunhills justify their existence. They are a great pipe, they are not, however, a good value.

 

[Andy Lowry]

I would love to try smoking a Dunhill at some point in my life. However, my current financial situation will not allow it.  
I have heard of people wanting to trade their entire pipe collection once they smoked a Dunhill because nothing will compare to the quality. That being said, I still have a hard time justifying the $500 starting price point

The second-worst smoking pipe I ever had was a Dunhill. (1st place goes to a Digsby.) Even a big name can turn out a clunker.

 

[Puff Daddy]

I know at some point Dunhill (the brand) was purchased by a luxury goods corporate machine (Richemont?) that marketed high end clothing and other luxury goods under the Dunhill name, and then divested itself of the Dunhill pipes segment of the business (ironic full circle). Now the pipes are (though still technically Dunhills) marketed as The White Spot pipes (www.whitespot.co.uk). I have no idea who owns it, who makes them or where, or how much connection there actually is to the original Dunhill pipe manufacturing company.

FWIW, I wear a Hamilton Jazzmaster Cushion watch, same base movement as in the Omega (eta 2824), all stainless, built solid, $500 (I bargain hunted for a sale, msrp $995)  

 

[Anonymous]

I think all the relevant bases have been covered in this :

I have heard of people wanting to trade their entire pipe collection once they smoked a Dunhill because nothing will compare to the quality.

De gustibus non disputandem. But it's possible they were comparing them to basket pipes. (?)  I don't think anyone would seriously advocate that they were/are "better than" other, equivalent high grades, then or now.

For me the draw of current production Dunhills is that there simply isn't anyone else left from the glory days of London made pipes. You can't buy a current production Loewe or a Sasieni or a Charatan or a Comoy's or a GBD or an Orlik that has any connection to the legacy that made those names famous. Only Dunhill. So for that alone, Dunhills justify their existence.

Whatever floats your boat. But why confine yourself to current production that's going to lose 50%+ of its value by the time you get it home ?

considering how long they have produced pipes and the number produced over this time, why bother with new when there are so many available on the "estate" market at far more reasonable $s.

And many of them are already broken in for you. If they're haunted, Mike Myers can fix that cheaply.

Everything has a hedge. Mine in the pipe market are cobs, no-namers and fixer-uppers. They see intrinsic and gained VOT much more so that direct depreciation/appreciation.

Even if you want to confine yourself to English pipes (and, for real -- how many Scottish or Welsh pipes have ever been made ?), with "estates," you can't taste the name. Really. Most of the pre-1980 no-names (Genuine Imported Briar) & private-labels (Veebelfeetzer's Smoke Shop) came from the same factories that produced the "names."

At the $100 total investment point, a cleaned-up, re-stemmed old no-name that was well made of good briar to begin with puts you miles ahead of anything you can find out there new.

The sole exception to that I can think of would be a new maker just getting started (like the sale Scotties is having) or basically working for friends (Growley).

But people are so relentlessly programmed to buy NEW stuff that they don't even consider the alternatives. If they really did get what they paid for in value, it would be one thing. But the way things are going, I increasingly doubt that's the case.

:face:

 

[Kyle Weiss]

Even if you want to confine yourself to English pipes (and, for real -- how many Scottish or Welsh pipes have ever been made ?), with "estates," you can't taste the name. Really. Most of the pre-1980 no-names (Genuine Imported Briar) & private-labels (Veebelfeetzer's Smoke Shop) came from the same factories that produced the "names."

At the $100 total investment point, a cleaned-up, re-stemmed old no-name that was well made of good briar to begin with puts you miles ahead of anything you can find out there new.

The sole exception to that I can think of would be a new maker just getting started (like the sale Scotties is having) or basically working for friends (Growley).

But people are so relentlessly programmed to buy NEW stuff that they don't even consider the alternatives. If they really did get what they paid for in value, it would be one thing. But the way things are going, I increasingly doubt that's the case.

:face:

Generally speaking, I agree. There's something to be said about "new," and with two schools of thought: "Because I can," and "Because I want."

New cars? I don't care much for 'em. Talk about a depreciation in value. Anything that starts out as good as it can get and slowly drift to lesser-than, that's gotta suck. New houses? Perhaps they're okay, provided they're custom and done the way someone wants (build quality, layout, etc)...at least they can be improved. Me? Always dug the older stuff, the they-don't-make-'em-like-this-anymore. Not surprising, I know.

New pipes? The only new pipes that I have bought in the 2+ years I've been at this with any degree of seriousness are Peterson and the small-time guys. I was shocked at the two Greek basket pipes I picked up, the ones I talk about non-stop. They might be a once-they're-gone-they're-gone kind of thing, and two out of two I've gotten--perfect smokers. Better than the new Nordings I've fallen out of love with. Better than the new Wiley pipe that set me back a pretty penny. But just as good as the old briar that I've picked up and have had given to me, like the cracked-shank GBD that was repaired nicely--wonderful pipe. An old Peterson with an altered P-lip--wonderful pipe. A shop-name/no-name bulldog--wonderful pipe.

So yeah, new = something else with pipes. If it's gotta be new, name means nothing to me, for the most part. Rather get one of these talented gents to turn me something if I have money burnin' a hole in my pocket. Otherwise, it's tuning-up and making right these old classics that have charmed the hell out of me the past year. :heart:

 

[Anonymous]

Heads Up : http://www.dgehandmadepipes.com/catalog/dge-briar-pipes

Nordh or Ivarsson he's NOT, but good briar, competent airway engineering & clean (no fills), smooth finishes for that cheap ? ! ? I'm tempted. I think at least one of them had a lucite stem.

:face: 

 

[Kyle Weiss]

Heads Up :  http://www.dgehandmadepipes.com/catalog/dge-briar-pipes  

Nordh or Ivarsson he's NOT, but good briar, competent airway engineering & clean (no fills), smooth finishes for that cheap ? ! ?  I'm tempted.  I think at least one of them had a lucite stem.

:face: 

Gonna go for one?

Inquiring minds wouldn't mind a range report.

8)

 

[pepesdad1]

Having had Dunhills...I'm more impressed with Briar Spirit Pipes even over my exalted Comoys.  Just got two from Kirk Fitzgerald and they are outstanding smokers....draw is perfect...love the heft and the styles.

So we have some "local" artisans that are turning out new turn of the century smokers that are equal to or better than those old "glory pipes".  Outstanding, I say.

 

[sisyphus]

Having had Dunhills...I'm more impressed with Briar Spirit Pipes even over my exalted Comoys.  Just got two from Kirk Fitzgerald and they are outstanding smokers....draw is perfect...love the heft and the styles.

So we have some "local" artisans that are turning out new turn of the century smokers that are equal to or better than those old "glory pipes".  Outstanding, I say.

let's not get carried away. Aren't you the guy that collects Italian made Comoy's? Not in the same league as the pre-Cadogan London made pipes.

 

[pepesdad1]

Having had Dunhills...I'm more impressed with Briar Spirit Pipes even over my exalted Comoys.  Just got two from Kirk Fitzgerald and they are outstanding smokers....draw is perfect...love the heft and the styles.

So we have some "local" artisans that are turning out new turn of the century smokers that are equal to or better than those old "glory pipes".  Outstanding, I say.

let's not get carried away. Aren't you the guy that collects Italian made Comoy's? Not in the same league as the pre-Cadogan London made pipes.

Never had an Italian made pipe.  All my Comoys are pre-1964.  So I have no idea what you are talking about.  I think you are confused, or are confusing me with someone else.

 

[sisyphus]

my mistake, there is a guy here who keeps posting pics of his Italian Comoy's PADs

 

[Bluefisher]

dunno, I just bought an 80's bent pot on fleabay for $100 and I feel pretty happy about it. When it lands it's headed right back out the door to Mike at Walker for a little TLC. When that's done I'll have spent, oh, maybe $150 for a pipe I really liked the look of. Plus now I can cross that off the list and go find some GBD, Comoy, Ashton, etc briar. Overall I don't feel too bad about how things worked out.