while I agree that Heartfelt beads are a little more expensive, lets remember that it's an investment, the whole Cigar Hobby is an investment. So why would you want to cheap out on humidification options to take care of your expensive cigars? Including humidors, Hygrometers, Tupperdor, Custom cedar trays and cigars I am already about $2500.00 deep into the hobby. so why would i want to cheap out now? I ordered my first pound od beads last october, and just recently received my second pound. don't cheap out on an investment that can last you a lifetime.