Auctions

[banzaiengr]

Well that answers my question. Was just wondering if I'm missing something. I understand the fact that someone may have already won something and they are just throwing into a shipping charge they already have. It just seems to me, especially on partial lots, that you get a better per stick price by buying a box and getting free shipping. I understand the idiot quotient, I hear about those people everyday on the news!!!

[aich75013]

Happens on Ebay as well.

I was outbid for a new, but open box fog machine. I bid up to $60, and the next guy immediately outbid me, and then the winner paid $108 + 22 S&H. I wound up buying one NIB for $99 shipped in another auction. I've had this happen to me a few times, actually. I guess some people "don't have time" to research. It can be annoying at times.

[dentonparrots]

For rare, vintage or hard to find cigars, the seller might assume that he'll simply get a higher price at auction, even after paying the auctioneers fee, than he would selling to a retailer.
The buyer might also think he'll get a bargain compared to buying from a retailer and ends up competing with them.

Look at it like this; you want those cigars, you go to the auction and end up competing alongside retailers who are looking to buy them to sell at a profit, and knowing you want them that badly you'd end up buying them from the retailer should he win them, it works out cheaper to buy them yourself at the auction.

That said, you'll always possibly come across folks with too much money and the "value" side of it drops by the wayside, espescially if they are competing against others who are rich. Boys and toys!

For new, modern cigars it does seem pointless though. Like you say, they can't be bothered researching them...either that or they're stupid!