The price affect on pleasure???

[zmdegeor]

So I recently read this story online about how when people are given two different wines, one that costs $10 and another that costs $90, no only do they like the $90 wine better, but it actually stimulates the brain more than the $10 wine... even though they were actually the exact same wine.

Does it carry over to cigars? It seems to me that it would, even though it may seem kind of snobbish. Any insights?


p.s.
heres the link
http://www.news.com/8301-13580_3-9849949-39.html?tag=newsmap

[Infin1ty]

So I recently read this story online about how when people are given two different wines, one that costs $10 and another that costs $90, no only do they like the $90 wine better, but it actually stimulates the brain more than the $10 wine... even though they were actually the exact same wine.

Does it carry over to cigars? It seems to me that it would, even though it may seem kind of snobbish. Any insights?


p.s.
heres the link
http://www.news.com/8301-13580_3-9849949-39.html?tag=newsmap

Oh yeah, I see exactly where that could come from. If you were given two of the exact same cigar without your knowledge of them being the same. Then they told you that one was a $2 dollar cigar and the other was a $12 cigar, you would probably enjoy the $12 cigar more.

It all mental.

Now if you ask me, what they should have done was giving them 2 different wines, one being $10 and the other being $90, and not have told them the price.

[chupacabrah]

this is really similar to the discussion in the "great moki challenge" thread.

might want to check that out, too. it's a good read :tu


it's all in your head. that's why i always tell myself every cigar I smoke is expensive...even if its 50 cents. :r

[kjjm4]

It probably depends on your mindset. I've enjoyed a lot of $2 cigars, and I've smoked $10 sticks and found myself saying, "I can't believe I paid ten bucks for this." In general, I like what I like, regardless of price.

[Sauer Grapes]

There are a lot of threads here on this. moki also has a lot of info on the subjectivity of taste.

[Bax]

I find the same is true with prostitutes...:r

[hoax]

I think a large part of the problem is that when you pay more for a product over another, you think that the premium product cost more to make. That is certainly not always true. Both cigars probably cost <$1 to produce.

[bigben]

I also think with a "premium" product we inherently look for the BETTER qualities and focus on them, where as with a lower grade product we are trained to look for the worst qualities...

As a side note, i notice with my wife she will point out bad qualities in a bargain thing that DO NOT EFFECT its usefulness or ability to perform its function at all... and it makes me laugh! Who cares if one flashlight has a better finish texture than another if they both work!

[Coffee Grounds]

We use to do alot of blind wine tastings.
There would be wines from $12-to $120.
I was always lucky becaue I enjoyed the bottles under $20. So instead of buying one bottle I would buy a whole case.
This being said my buddy that is a true wine enthusiast could tell the difference. He also buys wine futures so he really knew what he was doing.

When it comes to cigars I have done the exact same thing with blind taste tests. There are some amazing cigars out there under $5.
After doing a few blind taste test I realized that you do not have to spend a lot of money on a cigar to enjoy it.
Helix 550 $2.50
La Perla Habana Black Pearl $3
Saint Luis Rey reserva $2.50
Don Pepin Garcia Black Robusto $3.25
Onyx Reserve $3.00

I would put any of these cigars in a blind taste test with cigars costing 5 times as much and I think these might out perfrom them.:2


There is so much quality out there under $5 you dont have to go broke to enjoy a good smoke!

[uncballzer]

It probably depends on your mindset. I've enjoyed a lot of $2 cigars, and I've smoked $10 sticks and found myself saying, "I can't believe I paid ten bucks for this." In general, I like what I like, regardless of price.

I'm in complete agreement. I've had some I wish I could take back to get back my money after just a few puffs, and these have been the $10 cigars!

[Addiction]

I think its completely a matter of taste and opinion. I actually find myself being harder on cigars that cost more. I've never said a cigar under $5 was not worth the money not matter how nad it was, but there are several cigars above $20 that I think would be excellent at $20 or less. I expect a superior smoke once you cross the $10 line, OK is not good enough.

[Poriggity]

Thats the way I feel. In fact, I smoke mostly cheaper cigars now, because I have found that I can get just as much, if not more enjoyment out of them.
Scott

[Sauer Grapes]

I think its completely a matter of taste and opinion. I actually find myself being harder on cigars that cost more. I've never said a cigar under $5 was not worth the money not matter how nad it was, but there are several cigars above $20 that I think would be excellent at $20 or less. I expect a superior smoke once you cross the $10 line, OK is not good enough.

:tpd: Bryan and I agree on this one.

I am less forgiving of a more expensive cigar. Of course, that being said, if I have a trouble cigar that's expensive (i.e. bad draw, burn, off taste at first), I will give it more time before tossing it. In the end, all bad cigars get tossed and good ones smoked, regardless of price.

[parshooter]

OpusX = Curly Head. Same cigar, one just has a $15 band :ss

[Scud]

If I buy an inexpensive cigar, and it turns out to be the Holy Grail of cheap smokes, then I smile throughout the smoke and buy more because I found something I like at a great price. If I spend $10 and get a mediocre cigar, I'm pissed at myself for wasting the money.

[massphatness]

wine, art & cigars ... i like what i like

[Dgar]

OpusX = Curly Head. Same cigar, one just has a $15 band :ss

Really???? I've never smoked a curly head, and to think of the money I could have saved! :)

[smokeyscotch]

I think it is present in any consumer item. I have noticed it in photography. When I was first starting out, I lowered my prices just below the market average. I ended up raising them to promote sales. It is kinda like Levi Jeans and another brand. They are made in the same factory, but because Levi cost more they think they are getting a better product.

[redryno247]

I'm sure it can be a mental thing, but I've found it to be more enjoyable overall to try and not get hung up on the brand/cost...it seems like with most things there's always a "hot" item on the market that all you end up doing is paying more for the name than the product. Given time, someone new will replace them. It's all a cycle.

I think if you stick with what you like and give something new a try once and a while (disregarding brand/price) you'll come out okay. Just my :2

[madurolover]

OpusX = Curly Head. Same cigar, one just has a $15 band :ss
I am far from a tasting expert but, you may want to rethink that one.
Of course if they taste the same to you then you are one lucky fella.:tu

[uncballzer]

I think it is present in any consumer item. I have noticed it in photography. When I was first starting out, I lowered my prices just below the market average. I ended up raising them to promote sales. It is kinda like Levi Jeans and another brand. They are made in the same factory, but because Levi cost more they think they are getting a better product.

Rustler's at walmart for $10; cheaper than any other jeans I've had, and I've only worn out 3 pairs in past couple years vs who knows how many levi's and wranglers :ss