Number verification.

[mazolaman]

Just been reading about this(as usual,I'm behind the times).

Does everyone go on Habanos sa to verify the validity of their boxes?no offence meant to our hosts,whom I know are stand up guys.

I notice a couple of boxes that I have from another retailer have the numbers missing.....must have been fakes..grrrrrr.

Edit;

I've just checked out the "Fakes " section,and there are details of some retailers removing the code so they are not traceable to the retailer...maybe they weren't fakes..they certainly smoked as they should.

[Dbone]

From what I understand, this is a new measure of verification from HSA to counteract fakes. Although it's far from a perfect system so I've not check #'s in a while. As you stated Mazo, I've been specifically told by one supplier he removes all barcodes to protect the retailer. I can only speculate what that means.

[Colt45]

Just been reading about this(as usual,I'm behind the times).

Does everyone go on Habanos sa to verify the validity of their boxes?no offence meant to our hosts,whom I know are stand up guys.

I notice a couple of boxes that I have from another retailer have the numbers missing.....must have been fakes..grrrrrr.

Edit;

I've just checked out the "Fakes " section,and there are details of some retailers removing the code so they are not traceable to the retailer...maybe they weren't fakes..they certainly smoked as they should.

Yes, removed barcodes usually means gray market - a distributor supplying a retailer outside the normal region. Not necessarily fakes, but I think buyer beware

fits here.

I haven't used the verification yet, but it's because I don't have such recent boxes. A number of members have reported problems. Sometimes you actually

have to punch in the number where it says to scan, etc.

[bolivr]

Yes, removed barcodes usually means gray market - a distributor supplying a retailer outside the normal region. Not necessarily fakes, but I think buyer beware

fits here.

I haven't used the verification yet, but it's because I don't have such recent boxes. A number of members have reported problems. Sometimes you actually

have to punch in the number where it says to scan, etc.

Yes, I just tried it for the first time as I only have one box with the new bar code and hologram. You can choose to punch in the number or scan, click the type of label you have and click verify. Worked fine for me this one time

[Jesuscookies]

The one box I did check came directly from El Presidente. It warned me that I had a counterfeit/fake. Since then I have not bothered using the site. At best it is unreliable, at worst, I can it imagine it could much undue harm to honest vendors reputations.

[jsd]

I've used it on boxes from a vendor that ships from two locations. The box that shipped from their main location had the code and was verified on the site. Two boxes shipped from their other location in another country and the codes were removed. Product was good. Guessing they are being supplied by Habanos and a mystery supplier.

[mazolaman]

It's all a bit murky isn't it?

I'm pretty sure I have only had fakes once,and never used that retailer again.

This code thing gave doubt about a regular supplier,whom I believe has always given me good quality smokes.

[Tarks]

To answer your question. NO. I never verify my boxes on S.A. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that my cigars are 100% authentic. Bottom line, trust your source. If you feel the need to verify your boxes, it's time to find another vendor. My 2 cents.

[mazolaman]

I wouldn't use a source that I didn't trust.

My point was,that the practice of removing this number by some retailers gave me a doubt,untill I understood why.

[adic88]

My verification device to spot fakes is much more sophisticated.

I call it "my tongue".

[mazolaman]

I once had some BBF that I was convinced were fake,but they were just very young,and are now smoking beautifully.

I have heard people cry fake when they are not experienced enough to know haw to keep cigars,and how long to leave em.

My taste buds tell me my supplier is good,which was why I was perplexed by this practice,but now I know why......

[CanuckSARTech]

I've used this system, all with a number of boxes from Czar's. All boxes numbers' rang up as true and authentic (5 or 6 boxes now, I think). I didn't do this to verify Czar's product - the initial impressions and aromas did that for me. But it was more for a fun experiment, to see how this new system worked.

For me, it rang up all. But, it isn't without it's glitches. For one particular box of Monte 4's, it rang up as true and authentic. Then, only a week or so later, I put in that number again, just to see. It came up as number unknown. Another time, unknown, fraudulent, or whatever it says. Then, ran two more times after that, and authentic and legit. It's a screwy system, but a neat extra check. Once the bugs are worked out, I have no doubt that it will become another invaluable check, same as the other authentic hallmarks in place.

And yes, it is a standard thing for some vendors to cut the hologram/barcode off. I have another supplier that I use (but maybe not too much longer due to other issues) who's stock always has this info sliced off, usually not very cosmetically either. Gray market stuff - not necessarily fakes (none of mine have been from this vendor), but the quality is always a roll of the dice. I've been lucky, 90% of the time, and the vendor was decent and reputable the other times to exchange/replace product.

[Ellery]

I tried it once when the system first came out, but thats about it.

[Frinkiac7]

I think it's a cool system and is good for folks with genuine concerns about the authenticity of their product, but for folks who smoke a lot and are fairly familiar with Habanos, it's redundant. I've only used it once or twice just to give it a whirl, as I'd never done it before. Sure enough, authentic smokes...not like I had any doubt.

The idea that having a code on there is somehow going to prevent counterfeiters, or more specifically, the grey market undercutters that HSA is so concerned about, is rather silly. Even if the barcode is not on there, a discerning buyer can look at his label and see where the barcode USED to be, and was cut off. So even if he can't go online and check them, he can at least see that yeah, there was a code and thus this box is almost certainly authentic.

[mazolaman]

Fair point,you can see that the box had a number on it.

We know how our brands and vitola should look and taste,so I think it would be very difficult to create a fake that comes anywhere near.

The only other question that arises from this thread,how does the "grey" market exist?Is it dodgy?Or are they just cigars that are not sold to the LCDH franchised shops?

[ajgagnon]

I once bought a box of H. Upmanns from a government cigar shop in Cuba and when I learned of this feature of the HSA site, I checked my code... fake! I think they were reusing boxes or something because the store was above board, and connected to a factory.

[Habanos2000]

I've yet to receive a box with numbers, but when I do I don't think I'd take the time to see if it comes up as legit or not.

I guess it's a good system for customers that don't know or trust their vendors. I don't have that problem.

[aes8]

Bottom line is TRUST YOUR VENDOR.

This is why is it always a good idea to develop a relationship with your vendor and not always just go for the lowest price.

[mazolaman]

So I emailed one of my suppliers regarding this subject,I would add that this is a supplier whom I trust.

This is the response I recieved.

Dear Kevin,

Thank you for your note.

The bar code you speak of is removed from boxes for all orders that are exported out of ????? This bar code is for traceability for Habanos distributors. As the cigars we receive from the ???????? Habanos Importer are suppose to be sold on the ???????? territory, we remove this tracing bar code to protect the local Habanos distributor. we are not suppose to sell these cigars outside of ?????????. I believe most online retailers do this, otherwise they are putting at risk the hand that supplies them.

Of course I remain at your disposal, should you need any further information or assistance.

Best regards

???????

This is a fairly straight forward answere,

[tsolomon]

I have used it and you have to be careful about getting the right format for the label selected. I put in the bar code for the first box and it was authentic, but when I put in the second one it told me it wasn't. When I closed and then re-opened the page and then selected the correct label format, it told that the box was also authentic. To answer the question, no I don't use it to check my boxes. It was something I saw posted on one of the boards and I said that's neat and I checked it out once and haven't used it again.

[cgarner]

No cant ever get it to work.

[PigFish]

... wait, wait... wait a minute! There is a Cuban system in place that is designed to limit counterfeit and gray market merchandise??? Give me a few minutes to compose myself while the absurdity of the concept sets in and I catch my breath from a hearty laugh!

Several rules apply to buying cigars. Trust your vendor, trust you palate and TIC (this is Cuba). The Cubans wanting to control the gray market... now that is funny!!! Which gray market, theirs or someone else's??? -LOL

[El Presidente]

Which gray market, theirs or someone else's??? -LOL

The grey market the VP was running

...of course this verification system was brought in under his watch.....so it must be effective

[Guest rob]

I have used it once... I typed in the number and it told me the legit box of Partagas Lusitinias I bought were in fact Romeo Y Julieta Short Churchills.

I have not used it since.

[OZCUBAN]

I have only used it once and it took a couple of goes

But i would hazard a guess that there a lot of "no labels or bits missing" out there

OZ