Ebay Estate Pipes - Any Experience With Them?

[DSTRYR]

That's good advice for me too. I've been buying based on brand and the apparent condition from the pics. Perhaps it is better to go with nicer pieces. Thanks.

And, thanks for the welcome.

 

[Harlock999]

And one last word of advice, speaking from experience, try to resist the temptation to build a collection of $40 estate pipes as oppose to buying one or two nice $150 - $200 pipes. All my $40 estate pipes ended up in boxes instead of on my pipe rack.

I'm drawn to expensive pipes like a moth to flame, and I agree with the above, but I do think there are some great deals in the $40-$100 dollar range, you just have to look and hope for a little luck.
Pipe auctions that end on work days, or oddball hours tend to have less bidding action, and lower ending prices, in general. Saturday and Sunday is when most of the high profile sellers end their auctions.
Also, auctions with a high opening bid will often drive bidders away, and even though the first bid may seem high, if no one else bids, then you may win that pipe at a still reasonable price. I got a nice Ser Jacopo bulldog for $90.00 about a month ago, and I was the only bidder.
With luck and perseverance, you can build a nice, mixed rotation of pipes in a variety of price ranges.
If you have a significant other, they may not appreciate all the time you spend looking at pipes, but you should get to know the "market" before making substantial purchases.

 

[CarterHallJunkie]

If you have a significant other, they may not appreciate all the time you spend looking at pipes, but you should get to know the "market" before making substantial purchases.

I'm fortunate - she loves pipes almost as much as I do. Her father was a LONG time pipe smoker. It's a labor of memory(and love) for her.

Thanks so much for the advice - much appreciated!

 

[AlanJohn]

I have 52 pipes and around 45 of them I have bought off ebay as estate pipes. I have had no problems with any sellers, and have picked up some really unusual collectors pipes for very small prices.
I tried selling for a while, but found it wasn't worth the work for what you were likely to make.

 

[mooseisloose57]

I also have been buying a few pipes off Ebay on a limited budget. Some have been the "basket" variety pipes and a few that are nicer such as a couple by Lorenzo. The "basket" pipes have been hit and miss at best. A couple of them smoke OK and some of them are best used as paper weights. Lately I have been looking for better pipes in the range of under $40. I look for a lot of pictures and especially try to look at the bowl on the inside to see if any have issues. I have seen a few with burned out spots on an otherwise nice pipe.
I have two Lorenzo's and an Aldo Velani (unsmoked when i bought it) that were less than $35. (one of the Lorenzo's was less than $18). I'm very pleased with all three.
My best advice is to ask what is the maximum I feel the pipe is worth to me and not bid over that amount. I also consider if I will really be smoking the pipe rather than "it will look great on the pipe stand". Great bargains can be had from Ebay if you are willing to pass on a few here and there. Patience is a big asset in looking for pipes on a limited budget.

 

[Kyle Weiss]

Patience is a big asset in looking for pipes on a limited budget.

Pipes, cars, women, men, um...anything... but so true. 8)

 

[mgtarheel]

Just 2 words " Buyer Beware "

 

[Gumball]

I would like to recommend a chap called David Irving, who trades on eBay under the name accidentalpipemerchant.

I have purchased a number of pipes from him, which have all arrived as described, cleaned, and ready to smoke. He also carves and sells his own creations, but I have not purchased one yet (I intend to treat myself to a PAD next year )

 

[nograinsnotears]

I think pipe smokers (incl. pipe sellers, buyers) are nice folks and almost all problems between sellers and buyers on Ebay could be solved peacefully. It's not the case if you take a look to other professionals like fine art or antique. I've had very very very bad experiences with the sellers of music instruments but never had a problem with a pipe seller or buyer on Ebay.

 

[Dutch]

I've not been disappointed overall with my pipe purchases on ebay. My three favorite sellers to do business with are-

Great Estate Pipes- Chance Whittamore

Coopersark- Rob Cooper

Pipestud- Steve Fallon

 

[PipeCulture]

I agree with "Dutch" 100%. I've been very happy with what I've gotten from Great-estate-pipes and Pipestud. Coopersark's feedback is impeccable and one of these days I'm going to actually "win" something from him.

If it hasn't been mentioned on this thread already, you probably want to ask the seller if the piece has any heat cracks. In recent months I won an Ardor 8-panel bent pipe from a high volume seller. I sent it down to Boswell for a cleaning and found out from them that the pipe had several heat cracks. Fortunately, if I smoke it slowly and build up sufficient cake I should still be able to enjoy it for a good while.

Prior to that experience, my only other issues have been minor. I bought a Ser Jacopo L1 Maxima using a seller's Buy Now option and it was shipped to me in a bubble mailer with the stem attached!!! I once had a Boswell jumbo Oom Paul estate piece sent to me that way as well. I was amazed both weren't broken in transit. Other than that, I'm fairly certain the dings, fills, out-of-round, loose tenon, rim charring, chatter, etc., matters have already been broached.

'Hope this was of some help.

 

[Smoker99]

I dont' recommend the bay for a new smoker looking for pipes. Research what you are looking for, and know what it should cost. There are good and bad sellers, Always buyer beware. Take the sellers description with a huge grain of salt, look for yourself, and determine on you own if it is really what the seller says it is. My experience has been almost 100% positive, but use a lot of care.

 

[Zeno Marx]

I don't mind paying a premium for a pipe, but I shake my head at paying a premium to a status seller. $100 for a $100 pipe, but not $200 for a $100 pipe because of who is selling it??? Ha. But hey, A fool and their money are soon parted.

 

[PipeCulture]

Coopersark auctions tend to be too rich for my blood. Or least his buyers/bidders are Sure, I can afford a $750 pipe, I just can't "do" it. I don't think I've reached that level of curiosity yet. I can't say with confidence that my Monday would be any brighter if I'd posted the winning bid on a Chonowisch or a S Bang on a Coopersark listing.

Anyway, I would agree with Smoker99. I significantly overpaid for my very first Ebay purchased piece. While the seller's description was indeed accurate I just chose not to lose. To make matters worse I ended up selling it unsmoked at a huge loss. The old notion of "A fool and his money..."? Yes, I was him that time.

I wouldn't say you'd pay significantly more on Ebay with certain sellers; rather, you stand to pay more if the piece is in high demand and the seller consistently turns out good products. If it's any consolation, all of my Pipestud and Great-Estate-Pipe winnings were below original value.