A bit of a guide to Newbie members....

[CanuckSARTech]

For those new members registering here, and coming into the FOH community....cheers and welcome, first and foremost, and wholeheartedly. You'll find all sorts of people here, from right across the world, from all walks of life, and everyone with different levels of experiences and guidance to share, on cigars and other topics.

Now please, as new members of the community, please do your part in exchange for taking part here. The forum owners have put up some very reasonable rules and guidelines. BEFORE you start posting all over the forum, please post a simple introduction in this "Newbie Introduction" sub-forum, and then START OFF your forum experience by thoroughly reading the following threads:

Read each pinned thread in the "FOH Forum Rules" area, found here: http://www.friendsof...hp?showforum=37

There, you'll find the following threads:

• "Language"
  
• "Soliciting on FOH"
  
• "Decency and posting + Shoutbox etiquette"
  
• "The FOH Seven Commandments"
  
• "Friends of Habanos Discussion Forum Rules"
  

Then, if you have questions about buying of Cuban cigars online, please read the following awesome thread by Shrink, called "A 'Newbie's' Guide to Habanos Vendors", found here: http://www.friendsof...showtopic=53384

Also, if you have questions about Czar's stock and sales, and the PSP/HQ/PE stock (Premium Select Program / High Quality / Premium Economy....Czar's product grading system for cigars being sold), please check out this thread and the embedded video: http://www.friendsof...14295&hl=grades Please ensure to e-mail or private chat with the Czar's team if you have shipping issues or questions. You can private chat with the Czar's team by using the grey Live Chat button at the top right corner of the page, or e-mail them at: [email protected].

If you have an issue with cigars received, either via Czar's or via any other online vendor, try to work it out via e-mail or private contact first. Don't GRIPE AND MOAN on an open forum, and disparage anyone for what could have been nothing but a simple mistake or issue from the shipping itself. Many things can happen to our lovely cigars while in transit from any vendor - excessive time delays due to shipping methods, mishandling at any possible point along the route, customs issues, etc. Don't be an internet blowhard and act like you're the only person in the world that this has happened to, or that it was done on purpose just to you, etc., etc. Act like a grown up, have a civilized private discussion with your vendor, and things are easily resolved.

Also, USE THE SEARCH FUNCTION, if you have questions about Czar's products or general issues - many threads and answered questions are already out there.

And lastly, if you have questions about travelling to Cuba (and all aspects of being down there, including food, cigars, money, travel, hotels/resorts, etc.), please check out "The Ultimate Visiting Cuba Thread", found here: http://www.friendsof...howtopic=105449

Unfortunately, I have placed this here as there have been a lot of newer members lately who have been PM/e-mailing myself and others quite a lot lately, asking for everything and anything right from the get-go. Understand that some of us cannot and will not refer you to a specific vendor or source, either online or in Cuba or other countries, after you've only been a member for six-hours and only have one post. We need to get to know you a bit. Also, understand that open discussion of all aspects of shipping are taboo - the above posts explain that, but unfortunately, some new members seem to post here and in The Watering Hole sub-forum, but they don't take the time and effort to read the above threads in their special areas on the forum.

Don't make your first post(s) a post about asking for sources for Cuban cigars, or trying to sell or trade cigars, or asking for the passwords to the locked areas (or getting access to the Shoutbox, when you need to wait until you have 20 posts to take part there), or openly discussing shipping issues. If you're curious about LFTH/LFTW (Live From The Humidor / Warehouse) threads and sales, READ UP ON THEM, use the search function, and watch a few to understand what's going on. Be patient if you are new here and wanting to trade with someone, or get involved in a group buy - take the time to become a part of the conversation and of the community, let people get to know you, and you'll be invited in more readily. Be patient if you are wanting other members to share their sources with you, especially certain favoured ones, or if you want to take part in a box pass, if you only just joined yesterday and no one knows who you are. And if you take part in trades or box passes, it's always good form to "pay-it-forward" and not haggle with the decisions made by the box pass organizers. Don't demand things - ask nicely, co-operate with your fellow BOTL's/SOTL's (Brothers / Sisters Of The Leaf), and we'll guide you along, but you need to take some initiative and self-responsibility to read up on the above mentioned threads and such to become better educated right from the get-go.

The above may seem harsh, but it's not - there are many of us here ready to help out any new members to enjoy this lovely hobby/pleasure of ours, but we also need to look out for the community as a whole and ensure that government trolls and pleasure-killers don't get any more ammo than they need.

The forum owners have set up an amazing community for us here, and lots of us enjoy and partake in this community wholeheartedly. But things sometimes get disturbed when people don't contribute, don't post, etc., but then PM members asking for passwords to the locked sub-forums (register and e-mail the forum owners for that), or openly complaining or talking about shipping issues, regarding the Czar's team or any other vendors.

Help make this community better and stronger. Educate yourself by reading through the above mentioned threads. This is all truly in education and assistance, and I hope it will help you to have a stronger connection to the community here. Enjoy, share your story with us, and welcome to the community.

Cheers.

[Lotusguy]

Well stated!

[stargazer14]

Hi Canuck, welcome to the forum!

[jpn]

Hear, hear!

[Colt45]

Nice work, Keith. It should pretty much all be common sense and courtesy. But I guess perhaps it comes down to how people view Friends of Habanos - a place to have discussions, or a place to simply post "stuff"...

[Marker]

Maybe we should add a section on how to remedy cracked feet on an order.

Give exact instructions on how someone can go (moderate) themselves.

[cognacscotchcigars]

Nice work. Well stated.

[Skyfall]

[CaptainQuintero]

Cheers = thanks or the vocal equivalent of clinking glasses (Similar to saying 'bottoms up') not hello, but otherwise good stuff.

[Strada]

Good job Keith

[Fuzz]

Very well put, Keith. A must read for all new members.

I like this so much, I've pinned the topic.

[CanuckSARTech]

Cheers = thanks or the vocal equivalent of clinking glasses (Similar to saying 'bottoms up') not hello, but otherwise good stuff.

Here in Canuckistan, it's mostly used as "best wishes" or "to your health / happiness". Welcome is hello.

Therefore, when I say that, it's as in "best wishes and welcome".

[jabuan]

Nicely put. These are the things I have been trying to avoid.

[tkhu888]

SO embarrased but glad I finally found this thread.

[str8dog]

Why am I getting this deja-vu feeling?

Nice work!

[bummy]

Well said mate! It's a great site !

[SurpriseMVP]

Great post. Should be pinned at the top.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[canadianbeaver]

Great post Keith!! And maybe add about posting on LFTH?

[NJP]

Good form mate.

[smokecube]

Great post, thanks for share

[oldirtyewok]

Man I wish this thread was available when i had joined..

Awesome work Canuck

[Hubba]

Cheers = thanks or the vocal equivalent of clinking glasses (Similar to saying 'bottoms up') not hello, but otherwise good stuff.

Great addition to the thread there Cpt......fantastic post Keith.

[Jasonjv]

Thank You! That was very informative. Answered almost all the questions!

[oliverdst]

Bump (all day long).

[WhatYaSmokin]

Nice info and helpful. Might put at the top and in main forum. Hard to see down here. Luckily I saw while viewing as a guest before signing up.