To open or not to open

[mkz]

I think El Prez has mixed up cigar-boxes with wine-bottles...

[Van55]

In my opinion, you are asking the wrong crowd. Smokers and retailers who sell to smokers will always say that you should open the cigars for inspection before purchasing.

Collectors, I believe, will tell you the opposite. An "intact" box of cigars will always (well almost always) bring more at resale to a collector than one that has been opened, just as "mint" coins will bring more than "uncirculated" ones. This is probably more important when you are collecting limited edition or special edition cigars than run-of-the-mill regular production.

[Fuzz AI]

Collectors, I believe, will tell you the opposite. An "intact" box of cigars will always (well almost always) bring more at resale to a collector than one that has been opened, just as "mint" coins will bring more than "uncirculated" ones. This is probably more important when you are collecting limited edition or special edition cigars than run-of-the-mill regular production.

This reminds me of a comic strip in MAD Magazine regarding comic book collecting.

"As soon as you buy the comic book, you have to seal it in an airtight UV protected Mylar bag, hidden away from sunlight, heat or moisture so as to preserve it in mint condition. No serious comic book collector actually reads comic books."

[Guest rob]

This reminds me of a comic strip in MAD Magazine regarding comic book collecting.

"As soon as you buy the comic book, you have to seal it in an airtight UV protected Mylar bag, hidden away from sunlight, heat or moisture so as to preserve it in mint condition. No serious comic book collector actually reads comic books."

LOL... I've done, and still do, that.

But I'll buy multiple copies and read at least one of them.

[armedak]

So it sounds like a collector will pay a higher value for a box of sealed, unopened cigars which he in turn never opens, since by doing so, he lowers the collector value of the box of cigars... Talk about a catch 22...

[Van55]

So it sounds like a collector will pay a higher value for a box of sealed, unopened cigars which he in turn never opens, since by doing so, he lowers the collector value of the box of cigars... Talk about a catch 22...

Exactly.

But eventually a collector will sell to a smoker, who will insist that the package be opened and inspected before he buys....

[donpepe]

Finally people are starting to understand the dilemma I'm having!

[Guest rob]

Remember one thing when you are having your dilemma.... not all cigars appreciate in value as much as you would hope.

In fact, with the trouble that you have to go to keep them in A grade condition... acquiring for investment purposes may be counter productive exercise because of the expense and trouble you have to go to. And even then there is no guarantee they will age perfectly.

If you are buying to on sell at profit... well, that's clearly your call but your money may be better spent elsewhere imo.

Personally, when I buy cigars for my collection... its so that I have rare and aged stock in the future... that I wont have to pay a premium for to acquire later.

[Fuzz AI]

Personally, when I buy cigars for my collection... its so that I have rare and aged stock in the future... that I wont have to pay a premium for to acquire later.

I've got to agree with this sentiment.

I collect many things ranging from the reasonably cheap (comic books, movie memorabilia) to the ridiculously expensive (just can't stop buying Swarovski crystal!). However all my collections are for personal enjoyment. Or in the case of my wine, for my friends, as my good buddy Jay will agree.

I wouldn't bother investing in cigars for future profit. Too much of a hassle to keep them in prime condition, and too much of a headache worrying if they'll make a profit.