Ebay tobacco purchases?

natenaaron · Jun 27, 2015

The 35 year old tobacco thread got me curious so I wandered over to Ebay to see what was there. There is a lot of "sealed" tobacco that, at the bottom of the description says the tobacco is non smokable. How do you know if it is smokable or not?

I am not looking to buy just wondering.

michiganlover · Jun 27, 2015

I'm thinking that statement has more to do with Ebays rules than anything; tobacco on EBay is supposed to have a "collectible" factor, such as being an older tin, in which the tin itself has value as a historical item. The merit of the item is thus the tin itself, and not the contents.

I suppose it also protects the seller if the contents are truly found to be unsmokable.

Buying vintage tobacco always contains some risk, if the tin is unopened but the seal has given way due to age, the contents could be totally dry and devoid of flavor.

Your always taking a risk that the contents could be useless, and should bid accordingly.

Hirsute · Jun 27, 2015

I have bought a lot of "collectible tins" on eBay filled with tobacco "not for consumption." I check the condition of the tin carefully before bidding and don't bid if it's dented, damaged, or shows significant rust. Every tin I've opened has been just fine.

nortac · Jun 28, 2015

I believe the "not for consumption" rule is because Ebay does not want to be in the "tobacco" business and does not necessarily reflect the condition of the tobacco one way or another.

alpster · Jun 28, 2015

I would guess also that ebay would like to avoid any flaps over sales to underage consumers and the like.

Bk124tt · Jun 30, 2015

I think if it's not terribly difficult to do I may put a bag of Stonehaven and Penzance on the bay to help fund a Grant Batson blowfish.
Of course not for consumption.

jiminyshiznit · Jun 30, 2015

Bk124tt said:
I think if it's not terribly difficult to do I may put a bag of Stonehaven and Penzance on the bay to help fund a Grant Batson blowfish.
Of course not for consumption.

déjà vu!

edit: ok, I see what you did there.. thought I was going crazy!

Bk124tt · Jun 30, 2015

jiminyshiznit said:
déjà vu!

edit: ok, I see what you did there.. thought I was going crazy!

Initially the wrong post. :-/

driftwood · Sep 12, 2015

topcatman said:
a person who goes to ebay with the sole purpose of buying vintage tins of tobacco with the intent to smoke it. is the equivalent of the person who calls 911 to complain about how their crack dealer didn't give them the full ounce of crack they bought that day.

there are so many factors of did the tobacco stay usable its not funny. even if the tin stayed intact, and all seals never broke. and the internal atmosphere never varied from when it was originally packaged and vacuum sealed at the factory. you could have two tins for 30 years, that meet those standards, and the one you hide in your crawlspace and the one you hide in the attic space.
will be completely ruined, but in different ways to due to the storage temperature and temperature swings.

So you're saying there is a risk.

Slickside · Sep 13, 2015

Ebays rules also state that the tobacco container has to be one that is not presently available. This could simply mean that the design is a discontinued one. This prevents or limits current tins from being sold. Like was said, they don't want to be in the tobacco business.

cursethis · Sep 13, 2015

No one follows that rule, and eBay never enforces it.

I've scored plenty of aged tobacco for either below market value or about the same as a new tin. You just have to make sure to check out the pics thoroughly before bidding.

Grandpa Pipes · Sep 13, 2015

natenaaron said:
The 35 year old tobacco thread got me curious so I wandered over to Ebay to see what was there. There is a lot of "sealed" tobacco that, at the bottom of the description says the tobacco is non smokable. How do you know if it is smokable or not?

I am not looking to buy just wondering.

How is it known if the tobacco is "good" after a long storage period??

One word........mold.

99% likely mold has contaminated the tobacco.

Prof. Moriarty · Sep 19, 2015

Grandpa Pipes said:
How is it known if the tobacco is "good" after a long storage period??

One word........mold.

99% likely mold has contaminated the tobacco.

73.6% of statistics are made up on the spot :laugh:

Riff Raff · Sep 20, 2015

Prof. Moriarty said:
73.6% of statistics are made up on the spot

It works everytime, 60% of the time. :lol:

Hirsute · Sep 20, 2015

Grandpa Pipes said:
How is it known if the tobacco is "good" after a long storage period??

One word........mold.

99% likely mold has contaminated the tobacco.

When you're buying sealed tins, the most important thing is to look at pics of the tin carefully. If not stored properly here can be pinholes of rust in the tin, sometimes under the label. So look at it carefully and check the overall condition of the tin. If the tin is in shape, the tobacco will be fine. You don't need to worry about mold and rot.

Prof. Moriarty · Sep 21, 2015

Riff Raff said:
It works everytime, 60% of the time.

Sex Panther powers, Activate :lol:

Riff Raff · Sep 21, 2015

Prof. Moriarty said:
Sex Panther powers, Activate

I am glad someone got the reference! Thanks, Till

jiminyshiznit · Sep 21, 2015

topcatman said:
meaning that if you buy vintage tobacco in order to smoke it, you may end up with something merely dried out or something turned to utter muck.

And there's a real good chance you'll end up with an utterly incredible smoke!

Prof. Moriarty · Sep 21, 2015

Riff Raff said:
I am glad someone got the reference! Thanks, Till

No worries mate

Prof. Moriarty · Sep 21, 2015

jiminyshiznit said:
And there's a real good chance you'll end up with an utterly incredible smoke!

Yup, its a gamble

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Ebay tobacco purchases?

natenaaron

michiganlover

Hirsute

Used to have fun with Commander Yellow Pantyhose

nortac

"Can't Raise an Eyebrow"

alpster

Bk124tt

jiminyshiznit

Bk124tt

driftwood

Slickside

cursethis

Grandpa Pipes

Prof. Moriarty

Riff Raff

Hirsute

Used to have fun with Commander Yellow Pantyhose

Prof. Moriarty

Riff Raff

jiminyshiznit

Prof. Moriarty

Prof. Moriarty

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