Selling seconds?

General pipe discussion
Post Reply
User avatar
sethile
Posts: 770
Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:00 pm
Location: Murray, KY
Contact:

Selling seconds?

Post by sethile »

Hello All,
I'm completely new to selling my pipes (have yet to actually sell one, but I'm now trying).

I've got several that are very decent in terms of craftsmanship, but have larger flaws than I'm comfortable with for my primary line. For examle, one has a crack in the bottom, it's Poker, so it's well away from the chamber or anything that I'm worried about structurally, but very distracting (to me at least). Another has a fissure that blasted out pretty deeply. A third is an early effort that I think just doesn't quite hold up against what I'm making now.

I've had some interest in these, but kind of hate letting them out. The ones interested indicate these are naturally a part of the wood, and actually seem to kind of like that, to some extent at least.

So, is it a mistake to sell these, even at significant discounts, with some sort of a seconds grading to them? What about offering some bargins by creating a line for these? Or is it better at this point to just not risk having my name associated with anything but firsts (such as they are loosely defined in todays market).

To clarify, for the most part these would be natural seconds (problems in the briar that do not effect the smoking charectoristics) as opposed to something that is simply not well crafted. They would have my name on them, but be clearly defined as not making the cut in terms of first. To put pictures on this. Here are links to the pipes of which I speak, from my old site:
One with the crack:
http://pipedreams.radioministries.org/etude19.htm
One with the large fissure:
http://pipedreams.radioministries.org/etude21.htm
The early effort:
http://pipedreams.radioministries.org/etude12.htm

Any thoughts?
Scott E. Thile
Collector, smoker, and aspiring pipemaker.
http://sethilepipes.com
Sysop: http://pipedia.org
---------------------
User avatar
Nick
Posts: 2171
Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:00 pm
Location: United States/Connecticut

Post by Nick »

I've no expirience in selling pipes, but I wouldn't sell seconds at this point. You have not established your brand yet. Selling seconds will associate you with second quality pipes. Keep 'em or give them to your good friends.
User avatar
Tyler
Site Supporter
Posts: 2376
Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:00 pm
Location: Farmersville, TX
Contact:

Post by Tyler »

I don't think its a big deal to sell seconds, though I would suggest that you never put your stamp on any second. (Make up some new way to mark seconds.) That way no on can pick up a pipe, see your stamp, and conclude that such a second represented your normal work. Also, all the seconds I have sold have been in person. The buyer had the pipe in hand, and I pointed out all that made it a second. If someone still wants it, they are going in with their eyes wide open.

One second I sold probably generated 4 or 5 normal sales. The buyer thought I was too nit picky, and did not think my reason for rejection was a big deal. He also thought the price was a steal after he talked me into naming one for the pipe. He bought it, and he went on and on about the pipe to friends. It actually enhanced my reputation in the eyes of people that saw his pipe because they were shocked that such a pipe was a reject.

I'd say the decision to sell seconds is really only one for relatively new pipe makers with budgetary constraints. (IOW, the motivation for the sale is to recoup expenses so you can buy more briar.) As you develop as a maker, most pipes that will be rejected will be abandoned as a project before completion. It is just more efficient to be working on a full-priced piece. There are occasional exceptions to this, but you will likely find that you don't really have seconds to sell in a few years. You make fewer mistakes, and you quit on pipes that aren't going to be firsts. Also, once you sell your pipes it is hard to make a pipe for yourself. You will set out to do so, make a killer pipe, then ask yourself it you'd really rather have $450 for it. It is only when a second comes along that you can keep one for yourself without that dilemma. So even when you do make one, you likely won't sell it in a few years.

Tyler
User avatar
KurtHuhn
Site Admin
Posts: 5326
Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:00 pm
Location: United States/Rhode Island

Post by KurtHuhn »

I agree with Tyler. I have huge collection of seconds, all from one pipe maker....

These days I rarely make one, and I'd never sell it. It'd sooner give it away unstamped. But, more often than not, they end up in the pile for the grill before they reach that point.
Kurt Huhn
AKA: Oversized Ostrogoth
artisan@k-huhn.com
User avatar
sethile
Posts: 770
Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:00 pm
Location: Murray, KY
Contact:

Post by sethile »

Thanks Nick and Tyler. Extremely helpful!

Tyler, I really apprecaite your perspective on this. It makes perfect sense to only sell one under the condition of a face to face encounter, with very clear disclosure and no name stamp. I'll keep away from offering them on the site, in spite of how badly I need to raise money for briar right now :roll:

Great story about the second you sold that generated so many normal sales!

Thanks again guys!
Scott E. Thile
Collector, smoker, and aspiring pipemaker.
http://sethilepipes.com
Sysop: http://pipedia.org
---------------------
User avatar
sethile
Posts: 770
Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:00 pm
Location: Murray, KY
Contact:

Post by sethile »

Thanks Kurt!
You snuck that post in while I was writing the last one.

Yes, I can relate... I've got quite a collection of second started here too! At least I'll plenty of pipes to smoke....
Scott E. Thile
Collector, smoker, and aspiring pipemaker.
http://sethilepipes.com
Sysop: http://pipedia.org
---------------------
josh_ford
Posts: 140
Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:00 pm
Location: Ohio

Post by josh_ford »

I have been thinking of the same thing a lot lately. Though I'm not even selling firsts yet, much less seconds. I think the best solution is to pack those in a box, send them to my house, then you don't have to worry about them anymore :wink:

I really appreciate all the advice from the others though.

Josh
User avatar
JSPipes
Posts: 255
Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:00 pm
Location: Rancho Cordova, CA
Contact:

Post by JSPipes »

I either keep mine if they are smokeable or the really nice 2nd's I give away. In both cases, they aren't stamped.
User avatar
bscofield
Posts: 1641
Joined: Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:00 pm
Location: United States/Illinois
Contact:

Post by bscofield »

I actually have a small group of people whom I trust have a perfect understanding of what a second is that i can sell pipes to. That's what I do... but I do very deeply discounted, around the price of 1 or 2 blocks of wood :)
madgarry
Posts: 90
Joined: Sun Nov 26, 2006 5:40 am
Location: UK

Post by madgarry »

Scott, make a seconds line or give them away or smoke them yourself, the 3 youve posted are all nice lookers, but I love that bulldog Hint Hint.
The pipe is the meaning of life
E.L.Cooley
Posts: 363
Joined: Thu Feb 13, 2014 3:36 pm
Location: Colorado Springs, Co

Re: Selling seconds?

Post by E.L.Cooley »

I know this is an old thread, but. Aren't these seconds what becomes "shop pipe" for a lot of makers?
wdteipen
Posts: 2817
Joined: Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:05 pm

Re: Selling seconds?

Post by wdteipen »

If they get far along enough before the flaw is encountered. Otherwise they are usually abandoned/tossed in the burn pile like Tyler stated above. Most of us can't afford to waste time on an inferior pipe let alone making a high quality pipe for ourselves.
Wayne Teipen
Teipen Handmade Briar Pipes
http://www.teipenpipes.com
E.L.Cooley
Posts: 363
Joined: Thu Feb 13, 2014 3:36 pm
Location: Colorado Springs, Co

Re: Selling seconds?

Post by E.L.Cooley »

If I threw them in the burn pile. I'd stay pretty warm


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
User avatar
mightysmurf8201
Posts: 712
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2012 12:44 pm
Location: Hudson, OH
Contact:

Re: Selling seconds?

Post by mightysmurf8201 »

Ccoolee, I can relate to not wanting to chuck a flawed briar that would otherwise smoke well. As a beginner with limited funds, I have a hard time not equating tossing away briar with tossing away money, and the thought of selling a pipe for little or no money is hard to do for me at this point because of the need to recoup my investment. My solution has been to spend the few extra bucks on some decent plateau which decreases the amount of rejected stummels. I just sold a beautifully straight grained dublin for $200 without even trying when I normaly charge around $100 for my pipes. It sold within minutes, if that, of offering it for sale. Although this is the exception rather than the rule for me, it becomes easier to justify paying an extra $15 on a better quality block of briar over an $8 ebouchaun that a) has a much higher chance of being chucked for imperfections, and b) has a less pretty grain pattern. My 2 cents.
#shellaclivesmatter

Emmanuel Atilano
https://www.instagram.com/atilanohandmade/
E.L.Cooley
Posts: 363
Joined: Thu Feb 13, 2014 3:36 pm
Location: Colorado Springs, Co

Re: Selling seconds?

Post by E.L.Cooley »

Mightysmurf, I totally feel what you're saying here. So far I've only used plateaux. I have only lost one so far to the burn pile. Well, I am gonna try to salvage the wood for tamps or something. I feel like if I'm gonna screw it up so be it. But, if I make it nice the nicer block will be more appreciated. I think if you work with the best materials, tools, stains ect. That you are able. When ones skills get better it will shine through. Congrats on that Dublin sale. I read so good threads on pricing pipes for sale. I have not posted any of mine yet, but once I get this one I've been working on polished and waxed I'll be looking for critiques. I'll go look for any pics from you. Good piping!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
User avatar
mightysmurf8201
Posts: 712
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2012 12:44 pm
Location: Hudson, OH
Contact:

Re: Selling seconds?

Post by mightysmurf8201 »

Ccoolee, keeping in mind what I posted above, I personally would stick with less expensive blocks if you are still learning. Beginners naturally make lots of mistakes, and there's no point in ruining a more expensive blocks. I myself am still learning and still make lots of mistakes, but I'm at a point where my success rate is much higher than when I started, so the cost for me is offset. However, if the cost is not a factor for you, then my advice is less relevant.
#shellaclivesmatter

Emmanuel Atilano
https://www.instagram.com/atilanohandmade/
E.L.Cooley
Posts: 363
Joined: Thu Feb 13, 2014 3:36 pm
Location: Colorado Springs, Co

Re: Selling seconds?

Post by E.L.Cooley »

Meh, money is no object here. J/k so far I've only ruined the one? I'm hoping my success rate gets better. I just get what I can afford when I can. So far the wife is supportive. We all know how loss of that support can hamper a plan.


Sent from my banana phone.
Post Reply