Price discrepancy?

jimmyk26 · 05-24-2010, 11:00 PM

So I have been reading some reviews and some of the older threads and one thing has come up which really surprises me. That is that CCs are generally less expensive than NCs. To the tune of $4-6 per stick for premium CCs versus $8-12+ for premium NCs. Is this really true? I may be just a bit skeptical, but I have seen it referenced a few times and wanted to check.

T.G · 05-24-2010, 11:01 PM

Here we go again...

pnoon · 05-24-2010, 11:02 PM

Generally speaking, you're correct. But "premium" is relative. What I mean by that is I would say premium CCs are in the $8-$12 range and the premium NCs are in the $16-$20 range.

stearns · 05-24-2010, 11:06 PM

premium cc's could be seen as minimum $100+ as well. all depending on perspective my friend

stearns

SeanGAR · 05-24-2010, 11:09 PM

taxes .... some cigars bypass taxes ..... ;-)

jimmyk26 · 05-24-2010, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pnoon

Generally speaking, you're correct. But "premium" is relative. What I mean by that is I would say premium CCs are in the $8-$12 range and the premium NCs are in the $16-$20 range.

Thanks for being clearer about "premium." I have seen the $4-6 vs $8-12 numbers tossed around in other threads that's why I used them.

MedicCook · 05-24-2010, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeanGAR

taxes .... some cigars bypass taxes ..... ;-)

That is a huge part of it.

akumushi · 05-24-2010, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stearns

premium cc's could be seen as minimum $100+ as well. all depending on perspective my friend

stearns

Very true, although I think "rare, limited, collectable or superpremium" are more apt designations for those sticks.

The bottom line is, when Americans get CCs, it's on the black market, and generally no tax is paid, certainly never to the US government. Since tax is always a significant percentage of the price of a cigar, any cigars obtained tax free on the black market will be cheaper than those obtained through legal channels. So the answer to your question is yes and no. If you look at the prices before taxes, CCs are the just as expensive if not more expensive than equivalent NCs. The cheapness is a product of the embargo.

T.G · 05-24-2010, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmyk26

Thanks for being clearer about "premium." I have seen the $4-6 vs $8-12 numbers tossed around in other threads that's why I used them.

Bear in mind that the "premium" term being tossed around in this thread is that of a colloquial definition used to refer to a somewhat arbitrary level of perceived quality or cost that could easily differ from person to person, hence stearns's comment. Which, in turn, introduces more levels such as "Super-Premium".

"Premium", as an industry standard definition simply means handmade, in which regards, there is only "premium" and "machine-made".

South Shield · 05-24-2010, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.G

Here we go again...

LOL!

This is funny.

theonlybear4CORT · 05-25-2010, 12:01 AM

how will a CC hold up to my EDS(every day smoke) Cremosa? it's made or premium Dominican long filler.

macsauce13 · 05-25-2010, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonic_mike

how will a CC hold up to my EDS(every day smoke) Cremosa? it's made or premium Dominican long filler.

bobarian · 05-25-2010, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonic_mike

how will a CC hold up to my EDS(every day smoke) Cremosa? it's made or premium Dominican long filler.

I could arrange for you to regularly smoke the Matacan! But you only have two eyes so that wouldnt last long!

theonlybear4CORT · 05-25-2010, 12:28 AM

So its better then the cremosa?

Hahah but Bob really besides going blind in one eye it wasn't that bad.

Adriftpanda · 05-25-2010, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobarian

I could arrange for you to regularly smoke the Matacan! But you only have two eyes so that wouldnt last long!

You can have mine Mike!!! I left it in a small baggie.... although I am concerned for you right eye.

Bax · 05-25-2010, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmyk26

So I have been reading some reviews and some of the older threads and one thing has come up which really surprises me. That is that CCs are generally less expensive than NCs. To the tune of $4-6 per stick for premium CCs versus $8-12+ for premium NCs. Is this really true? I may be just a bit skeptical, but I have seen it referenced a few times and wanted to check.

It depends on many things... if you're buying a box vs. Singles. If you're actually geting REAL Cubans. The potential cost if you get nailed by customs. How many you pitch due to draw problems.

Point being you can find some very nice NC's for about 5-6 bucks a pop, the same as the CC ones. For my taste I prefer many cubans and a few NC's. If you like strong and spicy or Maduro then you may not like the Cubans as much.

Try some and see what the value is to you. If you end up buying a box you really don't like then the price per stick is very high!

OLS · 05-25-2010, 07:33 AM

I agree with limited validity. I love me some Padron cigars. Not necessarily the super premium kind,
just the 3-6 dollar kind. For instance, I think they make the best double corona and A size on the
market, bar none. But I love em all. There is just something about the Padron blend...delicious.
But do I buy them, never. No time and no money. I give all my money to the interwebs.

JJG · 05-25-2010, 08:42 AM

I'm going to stay away from the discussion of what constitutes a premium cigar, and just address the tax issue, since I believe this is the biggest reason for the price discrepancy between CCs/NCs.

SeanGAR hit the nail on the head. It is not lawful to purchase CCs in the US, so it stands to reason that they would not be taxed either.

Blueface · 05-25-2010, 08:49 AM

Wait for the day CC's become legal in the US.
Watch what happens to the price, even after the whole demand thing calms down.
Bottom line is tobacco is an easy source of revenue for our government.
If it comes in legally, it is taxed to death and hence the price difference in general.

jimmyk26 · 05-25-2010, 09:23 AM

Thanks everyone, this has been very informative.

05-24-2010, 11:00 PM	#1
jimmyk26 Jimmy Jim Join Date: May 2010 First Name: Kings of Leon Location: buy the ocean Posts: 495 Trading: (32)	Price discrepancy? So I have been reading some reviews and some of the older threads and one thing has come up which really surprises me. That is that CCs are generally less expensive than NCs. To the tune of $4-6 per stick for premium CCs versus $8-12+ for premium NCs. Is this really true? I may be just a bit skeptical, but I have seen it referenced a few times and wanted to check.

05-24-2010, 11:01 PM	#2
T.G Grrrrrr Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: The Other Adam Posts: 15,557 Trading: (37)	Re: Price discrepancy? Here we go again...

05-24-2010, 11:02 PM	#3
pnoon YNWA Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Peter Location: San Diego Posts: 29,919 Trading: (20)	Re: Price discrepancy? Generally speaking, you're correct. But "premium" is relative. What I mean by that is I would say premium CCs are in the $8-$12 range and the premium NCs are in the $16-$20 range. __________________ Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. -John Wooden

05-24-2010, 11:06 PM	#4
stearns Dogbert Consultant Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Ben Location: Park Hill Posts: 5,386 Trading: (50)	Re: Price discrepancy? premium cc's could be seen as minimum $100+ as well. all depending on perspective my friend stearns __________________ "Ignoring all the racket of conventional reality" - Keller Williams

05-24-2010, 11:09 PM	#5
SeanGAR Crotchety Geezer Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Radford VA Posts: 911 Trading: (3)	Re: Price discrepancy? taxes .... some cigars bypass taxes ..... ;-) __________________ How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?

05-25-2010, 12:01 AM	#11
theonlybear4CORT RIP Nick Montano Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mike Location: Santa Rosa Posts: 2,040 Trading: (14)	Re: Price discrepancy? how will a CC hold up to my EDS(every day smoke) Cremosa? it's made or premium Dominican long filler.

05-25-2010, 12:28 AM	#14
theonlybear4CORT RIP Nick Montano Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mike Location: Santa Rosa Posts: 2,040 Trading: (14)	Re: Price discrepancy? So its better then the cremosa? Hahah but Bob really besides going blind in one eye it wasn't that bad.

05-25-2010, 07:33 AM	#17
OLS Suck It Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Brad Location: TN Posts: 7,912 Trading: (19)	Re: Price discrepancy? I agree with limited validity. I love me some Padron cigars. Not necessarily the super premium kind, just the 3-6 dollar kind. For instance, I think they make the best double corona and A size on the market, bar none. But I love em all. There is just something about the Padron blend...delicious. But do I buy them, never. No time and no money. I give all my money to the interwebs.

05-25-2010, 08:42 AM	#18
JJG Have My Own Room Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Jeff Location: Houston Posts: 1,260 Trading: (4)	Re: Price discrepancy? I'm going to stay away from the discussion of what constitutes a premium cigar, and just address the tax issue, since I believe this is the biggest reason for the price discrepancy between CCs/NCs. SeanGAR hit the nail on the head. It is not lawful to purchase CCs in the US, so it stands to reason that they would not be taxed either.

05-25-2010, 08:49 AM	#19
Blueface Gramps 4x's Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Horatio Seymore Hiny Location: Boca Raton - North of La Habana Posts: 8,774 Trading: (8)	Re: Price discrepancy? Wait for the day CC's become legal in the US. Watch what happens to the price, even after the whole demand thing calms down. Bottom line is tobacco is an easy source of revenue for our government. If it comes in legally, it is taxed to death and hence the price difference in general. __________________ Little known fact: I am a former member of the Village People - The Indian

05-25-2010, 09:23 AM	#20
jimmyk26 Jimmy Jim Join Date: May 2010 First Name: Kings of Leon Location: buy the ocean Posts: 495 Trading: (32)	Re: Price discrepancy? Thanks everyone, this has been very informative.