Confused about C & D Pricing

[Slow Triathlete]

So I was on C & D's website this morning and was stumped by the prices. Why are they so high on the company's own website? For example, a 2 oz tin of Kajun Kake would run you $10.50 on the C & D website, while at the same time you can get it at smokingpipes.com for $7.85 and even cheaper at JRs for $6.50.

Anyone know why this is? I would think that if you were to order directly from them that it would actually be cheaper because you knock out the middle-man but this is not the case. I can understand them charging more for ones that are hard to find or only available on their website but the others have me stumped!!

[tzilt]

Originally Posted by Slow Triathlete

So I was on C & D's website this morning and was stumped by the prices. Why are they so high on the company's own website? For example, a 2 oz tin of Kajun Kake would run you $10.50 on the C & D website, while at the same time you can get it at smokingpipes.com for $7.85 and even cheaper at JRs for $6.50.

Anyone know why this is? I would think that if you were to order directly from them that it would actually be cheaper because you knock out the middle-man but this is not the case. I can understand them charging more for ones that are hard to find or only available on their website but the others have me stumped!!

My theory is that a lot of times when you order direct from a manufacturer they sell at the "suggested retail price." It would be kinda unfair to their retailers if everyone could buy from the source for way cheap. This is true for lots of stuff.

[tzaddi]

Originally Posted by tzilt

My theory is that a lot of times when you order direct from a manufacturer they sell at the "suggested retail price." It would be kinda unfair to their retailers if everyone could buy from the source for way cheap. This is true for lots of stuff.

Wineries area a good example of this. They have agreements with their distributors not undercut them, which means sell below the MSRP. That is why many manufacturers don't sell direct but still display a product line on their web page with information on where to buy.

[hyper_dermic]

Yup, thats how it goes with almost any product, not just tobacco.
As a retailer, there is no way you could compete with the manufacturer in terms of cutting prices.
Therefore the manufacturer always has high prices if they sell the product online. Otherwise, noone would carry their product.



-hyp

Originally Posted by tzilt

My theory is that a lot of times when you order direct from a manufacturer they sell at the "suggested retail price." It would be kinda unfair to their retailers if everyone could buy from the source for way cheap. This is true for lots of stuff.

[Slow Triathlete]

Now I understand. I'll be in the mountains next month and was going to swing by. Not sure if I will now. Although there is one blend they have that I have never seen anywhere else. It's called 839 Boker Or and is part of their HEBRAICA SERIES. Has anyone else had this that they can chime in with their opinion? Here's the description:

An unusual base of light yet rich orientals serves as a backdrop to a real Perique presence, enveloping stoved red Virginias sweetened with a bit of black cavendish. Perfect with a cup of strong coffee or on a morning stroll.