Famous Smoke Opus X auctions

[smokinghole]

So I've been watching their auction section of the site for about a month now and they had a box of Opus X up. I forget what size it was but it sold for like $540ish. There is currently a box on there that I bid on and I know that I won't win because I refuse to bid more than retail price. I don't care about the supply and demand thing. That is nothing more than an excuse for someone to price gouge. I would compare some retailers with Opus in stock to some gas stations in Florida before a hurricane is about to land. Utterly dishonest!

I know places exist that are authorized retailers and they for the most part abide by the Fuente's msrp. I would much rather buy from retailers of that nature. How do the guys that grossly over charge get their stock of Opus? Do they just buy out a "reputable" retailer and then resell? I put reputable in "" because if they're selling out their stock to others so they can price gouge I don't consider that sound practice.

I guess what I'm getting at is this. Would you guys go head to head on these auctions to get that box at $600-$700? I have yet to smoke an Opus but since Hendy so gracefully fulfilled a NC wish I have one to smoke. I'm just waiting for this country to warm up a bit. Maybe once I smoke one then I can pass judgment as to whether in my opinion they are worth the exorbitant prices.

 

[bballbaby]

I'm finding that opus are becomnig easier to get than they once were. i see them more and more. But they were very elusive to me for quite some time and during that time, i was close to pulling the trigger at $25 a pop. There are those who do all there shopping online and to them, it must be worth it to pay $30 and 435 a stick for them. i see prices on cbid for $35 and up for the same sticks i've paid $10 or $11 for. CRAZY i tell ya!

Yes, it's wrong, but it's also capitalism at it's finest.

 

[dpricenator]

Unless my lotto numbers hit, I will never buiy a $600-$700 box of cigars. One or two sticks here and there for an occasion, Ok. But there are plenty of sticks that do the trick for me at a third of the price or less.

 

[Volusianator]

No doubt that at $540 it's over MSRP, but in a weird way, you gotta look at the apples to oranges thing. It's easy to get Opus at or very near MSRP if you're looking for a stick or two, but try to find a box at those prices and you'll be looking for a while, unless you have stellar connections. I was able to get a box of No.4's a few months back at MSRP, but it was from a member of CF, so again, it was simply a connection thing.

One thing to realize on Famous's auction site is that it's not that their asking $540 for that box, that's what someone was willing to pay, so really you can't hold it against the site. What was the starting bid?

 

[bballbaby]

No doubt that at $540 it's over MSRP, but in a weird way, you gotta look at the apples to oranges thing. It's easy to get Opus at or very near MSRP if you're looking for a stick or two, but try to find a box at those prices and you'll be looking for a while, unless you have stellar connections. I was able to get a box of No.4's a few months back at MSRP, but it was from a member of CF, so again, it was simply a connection thing.

One thing to realize on Famous's auction site is that it's not that their asking $540 for that box, that's what someone was willing to pay, so really you can't hold it against the site. What was the starting bid?

Some very nice points there wade...

 

[smokinghole]

Oh yeah no doubt I am not in any way pointing fingers at Famous for the final price of the auction. I think they're a fine retailer and will continue doing business with them. I guess my post kind of came off like that and it wasn't meant to. I was more referring to the OTHER guys that sell the damn things for $30 a pop.


The funny thing about boxes of these I've found since I started looking is that the box goes for more than the collective price of per stick retail. Totally the opposite of your box of mere mortal other boxes. Fuente has definitely created a god-like reputation with the Opus X line.

 

[Headbanger]

Here is my simple motto: Smoke what you like, buy what you want at the price you are comfortable paying; otherwise walk away and move along. Do not looking back for the should have, would have, could have or else expect disappointment for sure. When I practice this things get much easier with cigars and many things in general.

 

[Volusianator]

Fuente has definitely created a god-like reputation with the Opus X line.

The Fuente's are excellent at creating HTF's!

 

[RigilKent]

if your watching the famous auctions take a look at the Cbid auctions i have seen things go for half on cbid of what they went for on Famous. not that it is Famous' fault just people were more willing to pay for the items on Famous then on Cbid.

 

[bballbaby]

The Fuente's are excellent at creating HTF's!

But as i'm sure you will agree, the hype is well justified. They are putting out some seriously good cigars these days. They are clearly at the top of their game. The anejo, the don carlos anniversary, the god of fire (which i haven't had the nerve to burn yet) and of course, the opus x. Not to mention the maduro hemingways which i also have yet to try.

 

[Volusianator]

For the most part yes, for me though, the GOF suck. I've yet to have one where the wrapper didn't blow up on me.

 

[bballbaby]

For the most part yes, for me though, the GOF suck. I've yet to have one where the wrapper didn't blow up on me.

THat's terrible news to hear. I'm sitting on a handful and was waiting on a really good occassion to fire one up to try. I may just have to do that a little sooner than expected so i don't keep wasting money tracking these things down by the single. Thank goodness i didn't pull the trigger on a box.

I might try to get on in here in the next week or so. I'll post a full wrapper report when i do.

 

[Volusianator]

Hopefully you'll have better luck than I did.

 

[GoneDave]

For the most part yes, for me though, the GOF suck. I've yet to have one where the wrapper didn't blow up on me.

:frownno: Its terrible that that happens! It would be best for you GOF owners to send them ALL my way so they do not embarrass you in public..:devilhead

 

[Pendaboot]

I don't care about the supply and demand thing. That is nothing more than an excuse for someone to price gouge. I would compare some retailers with Opus in stock to some gas stations in Florida before a hurricane is about to land. Utterly dishonest!

I must say that I could not possibly disagree with that sentiment more. I have been in South Florida in a hurricane evacuation, and saw some gas for well over regular price. The fact is, I could have kissed that dealer!! The high price kept people from filling up with more than they absolutely needed, and thus that gas station was the only one with gas left to sell. If he had not "gouged" I would have been left to the winds, in my car with my kids, and bricks and branches and pieces of cars coming through the windshield.

Just the same, there are people who, for whatever reason, can't find their Opus Xs, and are happy to be able to buy them at any price. Others, like you, do not buy them, so that when Mr. Lazy Overpayer comes along, there is an Opus X for him to buy that otherwise would not have been there at all.

God bless the discipline of the market. Price flexibility is SO much better than government creating artificial shortages with commanded prices.:gangfire:

 

[sucol]

Here is my simple motto: Smoke what you like, buy what you want at the price you are comfortable paying; otherwise walk away and move along. Do not looking back for the should have, would have, could have or else expect disappointment for sure. When I practice this things get much easier with cigars and many things in general.

Excellent rule of thumb for us all! Well put.

 

[smokinghole]

I was in NWFL for two hurricanes. There wasn't ever a shortage before the storms there was only ever a fuel shortage afterwards in my experience. They had to start selling off-highway diesel fuel taxed at highway diesel prices in order to fill the trucks that delivered the gasoline. And it was nearly $4.00 a gallon. For the same fuel that normally goes for $.50 cheaper than clear diesel.

So you mean to tell me that you like people that price gouge? In my opinion if you're smart you go out and are prepared PRIOR to a hurricane hitting so price gouging isn't even an issue. However if you didn't have gasoline sitting around for the very emergency that can happen multiple times a year then you should be able to get fuel like any other time at market price. Before the storm, supply isn't much a problem, it's after the storm where it gets difficult. So I can see afterwards paying higher prices as acceptable, not before when all the gas was already there and supply is still coming in.

I'll let you pay $35 for a Opus X No. 5 and I'll buy other cigars waiting to find the proverbial deal for them at the retail price Fuente requires authorized retailers sell them close to. :grinFU:

 

[RigilKent]

sucol every time you post makes me want Krispy Kremes and we dont have a shop that carries them within about 50 miles. thread jack over

 

[CWS]

The market is full of a variety of cigars and people. I am amazed that people buy boxes in California paying the full tax but they do. I am amazed that I pay double and triple for a forbidden X at Casa Fuente, but I always do. The market sets it'self and each individual must decide what they will buy and how much they will pay. Many would say paying $3.00 for a cup of coffee is gouging yet millions flock to Starbucks and other designer coffee shops to pay top dollar. Many would say $4.00 a gallon for gas is gouging but when I am halfway across the mojave and the little red light has been on for twenty minutes, I will galdly pay. In each senario, the circumstances, tastes, and income level of the buyer affect the sale. We are a nation of people that have grown up on advertising. We have been led to believe that paying more means getting the best. Marketing is a wonderful thing. It turns a 50 cent cigar into a "Gurkha Centarian XXX" worth ? $20 bucks, $190 for a matzo of 6? and people pay it or they would not advertize same.

Fuente is my favorite example. Excellent cigars, limited production, already high prices = the opportunity to charge more. The mystique of the Opus X is legendary. Non-cigar smokers know the brand and believe it to be the best. I love this cigar. I have over paid for this cigar. But every day and situation is different. So, would I pay $600 for a box, no. But someone will and that makes it worth $600.

 

[dpricenator]

It turns a 50 cent cigar into a "Gurkha Centarian XXX" worth ? $20 bucks, $190 for a matzo of 6? and people pay it or they would not advertize same.

.

Not to argue, because you make great points, but the Gurkah is worth more than 50 cents a pop. That's a damn good smoke. I also know people pay way too much for the Gurkah XXX and IMHO it is no where near worth $190 a 6 pack, but it also worth way more than 50 cents a piece. Cbid or BOTL is the only place I'll try to pick these up. Otherwise we are just way out side of my comfort level