Is PSP/HQ/PE worth it?

[polarbear]

This kinda hits it for me. As long as you are enjoying doing the grading then keep doing it. No point doing it if you don't like doing it.

^^This

I like the idea of the grading system and love watching the LFTW but on the same token, I know all of your stock is at least inspected before being offered for sale, so the odds of getting a bad box are already reduced.

If there was a particular box I was after that I wanted to be a step above the rest I would simply send you an email asking you to persoanlly pick a good one for me. To be honest, I'd do that regardless of whether you stop grading or keep the LFTW format.

If its eating too much of your time and you're not really digging it anymore, stop doing it. I doubt anyone here would think less of you or go else where.

That being said (allow me to put my Scumbag Consumer hat on), without the PSP/HQ/PE and LFTW system, Czars simply becomes "Just another CC supplier". Your attention to detail and personal serice is what sets you apart from the hundreds of other CC Suppliers out there and I know a couple fellow Aussies purchase all thier stock through you cause they refuse to buy blind. If you remove the PSP system it removes the incentive for Aussie to buy locally

[WarriorPrincess]

I personally just want to see when he will be booted out of the current hotel while he is away inspecting the stock each month

As much as this weeks LFTH was long days for me, it was great to see everyone excited about what Rob was going to post.

Keep it up honey as I know you love giving the best you can, as much as I miss you the weeks that you are gone but at least when I bring the garbage out the weeks you are away I do so fully clothed and not with just a tee shirt with my glory showing.....but that is between you and me and the neighbours

[potpest]

Personally I'd prefer a 12:12 every day. I have bought from LFTW before, but ultimateley I love a bargain. Lately the majority of my purchases have come from the 12:12 or a Sale and on the whole quality has been excellent.

If this means you get to spend more time with family it's a win win as far as I 'm concerned.

[fabes]

Man, for this reason alone, I vote to retire the format. As much as I have loved having the "man on the inside" type of experience, and the great quality cigars, always, when ordering from Oz, I can't think selfishly after reading that verse.

Family first! Thanks for all the great cigars, and a helluva forum Rob!

True indeed. Cigars are great, but family is more important.

I truly appreciate the fact that you won't sell rubbish. There's a level of integrity to that, and that's why I choose to be a patron of FOH/czar.

Expecting you to pick PSP/HQ for us is self serving. You've all put so much into this site and community and for that we are thankful.

There is a season for everything. If this is to be a season for retiring PSP/HQ rating in favor of more family time, then more power to you Rob!

[PapaDisco]

The thing is; your PE inspections generate such a high quality inventory to begin with, that HQ and PSP are just icing on the cake. I'm perfectly happy with the base PE inventory so if you had to give up the extra grading for PSP/HQ I'd still be a happy customer. I misunderstood the original question as being one of getting rid of the whole grading system.

Another thought: HQ seems to be the least desired category? From the outside looking in, one gets the impression that PSP flies out the door and PE sells in volume, but HQ doesn't do as much of either? Does it help to eliminate the category? I suppose as long as you're opening boxes it doesn't take much incremental time to tag a box as HQ, but it does create extra work downstream (posting extra pictures, inventory control, etc.).

Anyway, I love the hand selected program, and I'd be just as happy with PE only since it's such great quality anyway!

[Moogypug]

I enjoy the personal touch. I have purchased from other various vendors. Some days I get great stuff, some days I get absolute crap. Sometimes I wonder whether they're completely fake and have a bunch of fillers. Purchasing through this system gives me peace of mind. Since I can't look at the cigars myself before buying, I love the fact that Rob goes through them.

Now, if I thought Rob's integrity was in question or he was delivering crap for sake of sales and laughing his way to the bank, I wouldn't stick around. I know that "Rob the vendor" needs to make a buck but I think the system represents "Rob the man's" love of cigars, his integrity, and his business.

Finding the site was like finding a reliable mechanic. I feel like I'm in good hands. You know you can get away with buying a PE product that is higher in quality than many other vendors out there.

I am writing this as I smoke my PSP Hoyo Des Dieux and loving it. So for me, he has come through and if he continues to do it, I'll continue to come back. Plus, Diana has been great.

TL:DR - Keep the system...even though my pocket book won't like it. ?

[StingMeadery]

PSP is legendary service Rob !

That's the calibre of awesome that determines lifelong loyalty from clients.

Knowing you stand by your product, offer specialist service and are willing to share your knowledge and experience first hand in hand grading cigars for me to buy is unparalleled !!!

If you stopped i'd fly over just to "drop a Labrador on the deck"

...if family time is an issue, delegate, train staff to grade, increase premiums to adequately cover costs...

[jat]

.......

That being said (allow me to put my Scumbag Consumer hat on), without the PSP/HQ/PE and LFTW system, Czars simply becomes "Just another CC supplier". Your attention to detail and personal serice is what sets you apart from the hundreds of other CC Suppliers out there and I know a couple fellow Aussies purchase all thier stock through you cause they refuse to buy blind. If you remove the PSP system it removes the incentive for Aussie to buy locally

Good comment, I must count myself in 'scumbag consumer' group for the same reasons as expressed above.

How about just moving the warehouse to Brisvegas? I don't know the full details of your logistics chain, but nothing could be so permanent that cannot be changed for the better.

[Fuzz]

I personally just want to see when he will be booted out of the current hotel while he is away inspecting the stock each month

As much as this weeks LFTH was long days for me, it was great to see everyone excited about what Rob was going to post.

Keep it up honey as I know you love giving the best you can, as much as I miss you the weeks that you are gone but at least when I bring the garbage out the weeks you are away I do so fully clothed and not with just a tee shirt with my glory showing.....but that is between you and me and the neighbours

Rob does know that "Free Willy" was the title of a movie, not fashion advice?

[liger930]

I'm grateful to be a member here. I appreciate the wealth of knowledge, experience, humor, and sense of community.

I find that the 12:12 and LFTW are truly special bonuses for members. With or without them im confident the community will continue thrive.

Pursue personal happiness is my position.

[mncz]

Rob does know that "Free Willy" was the title of a movie, not fashion advice?

[Blace]

I think the way you guys do business is fantastic. This forum provides a real time window directly to your customers. You can gauge where the interest of the moment is, undertake surveys like this one daily and get feedback at the drop of a hat. I'm surprised the "geniuses" in Cuba don't take advantage of your close customer relationship. Surely it's second to none? Regardless, the way you've set up your business is nothing short of ingenious.

I love the personal touch to doing business with FoH and the LFTH/W is always exciting to watch and participate in. As for the grading system, I think the consensus is that having the option to buy high tier stock is always better than not. If people don't like it they can just aim for specials.

Finally, family is first followed closely by job satisfaction. I think your business is fantastic but I can see that it is labor intensive and sometimes you cop sh*t from douchebags. Still it's great to be a part of FoH, I'm learning a lot here and check the forums every single day. Keep up the great work, it is well treasured by your customers/members!!!

[soutso]

I am a new customer and forum member. Given that you are smart enough to ask questions on this forum that can assist in managing your business, I think I should bother to tell you what attracted me to your site and what gave me confidence to purchase.

1. The first thing I ever saw was your review of the Petite Monte 2. I couldn't believe that a vendor would write off a product he could potentially sell a lot of.

2. The knowledge one can gain on the forum. The forum is run in a friendly atmosphere and I am genuinely appreciative of the open way people are happy to add their opinions.

3. The video reviews are genuinely funny. That's important to me.

4. You're Australian. So am I. I used to feel so alone.

5. Industry information and updates are readily available. You are so transparent.

Based on the above I have wanted to bring my business to you people. My previous vendor never let me down in terms of sending me quality product but they didn't give any of the above.

You people know how to run your business. You deserve the support. Suck hole rant over.

The LFTW over the last few days was very entertaining. I hope you maintain it.

[subport]

Rob!

It is business, and it is part of your business. You, as a head of it are the only one who can make such a decision. Put it on the scale see what you get what you lose.

But family comes first no matter what!

[danielmgibbs]

Rob...if you're happy to keep doing it and it isn't too burdensome (you work to live not live to work my friend) then dear God please keep it up. I don't buy anywhere else and as has already been mentioned it's because I know that PSP means PSP! It is indeed what sets you guys apart and i won't go anywhere else while i know I can rely on you and the team's judgement!

[semifan1]

Personally I'd prefer a 12:12 every day. I have bought from LFTW before, but ultimateley I love a bargain. Lately the majority of my purchases have come from the 12:12 or a Sale and on the whole quality has been excellent.

If this means you get to spend more time with family it's a win win as far as I 'm concerned.

I would go with this^^^^

[DWC]

A lot of people are talking about PSP/HQ here. Don't underestimate the PE rating. It's great to have a place I can buy with confidence of quality. Even PE.

I got a box of MC #4 from a different vendor that smelled like cat piss for more than a year. I know I wouldn't get something like that from Rob and his crew.

Like others have said, with all the QC issues with CC's, it's great to have someone weed out the crap before it goes up for sale.

Thanks Rob. Keep up the good work.

Dan

[Pedro2486]

I only ask this question because of an e-mail I received today about another forums questioning of the system.

Of course how this started was members asking for the best boxes. I started a grading system I could understand, PSP top 5% of Marque/vitoal. HQ next 15%, PE next 30% The rest is wholesaled out as best we can (pubs/clubs/wholesalers etal).

12:12 is predominantly PE/HQ. We ship the best first if I have graded it. If I have not graded it personally the team here determines and they are well trained.

*****int/as is a complete mix less the crap. Graded where possible. The team checks quality.

In the end the PSP/HQ/PE system is what I would find in a big B&M/Warehouse and how I would pick my personal stock. No more no less. It is what I would spend my coin on.

To be honest I would be happy to discontinue it as it takes a week a month out of my kids and Di to do so. I could run 12;12's every day and it would be no different to the quality you would find anywhere else.

Yet I understand there would be few people over the quality of their stock as I am . I do enjoy it. i get frustrated and at the same time elated.

So a poll. Continue or discontinue the program? I will run with the consensus.

Have a cracker weekend people!

Rob

Rob, I would like to thank you for going the extra mile with your work. I like buying cigars here because it feels great to send my cash to people who actually give a toss about what they're doing and I doubt I would even be enjoying cigars as I do now without finding this place.

From what if can see Czars is the best retailer of Cubans on the entire net and recommend you to all I can. The PSP/HQ/PE program is a fantastic thing and to me separates Czars from all other sellers around, even when I'm not buying PSP or HQ boxes I still have 100% confidence that what I'm buying will be the best it possibly can be.

Thank you to Di, Alastair and the rest of the Czars team too, you all rock

[armmmmm]

I think if you are second guessing yourself from some of the things mentioned on that forum (I think I may know which forum/post you were emailed about), then please don't. There are always people that are only concerned about saving a few bucks and overlook service and quality. In the end, you usually get what you pay for. I'm sure if your PSP and HQ picks didn't hold up to the standards you claim, people would not be jumping all over them. Heck I bought 6 boxes during the LFTH because I want the sticks that I'm going to spend years aging/smoking to be high quality. Crap doesn't get better with age.

Honestly, I can go on and on about this but I'll stop here.

However, if you want to put an end to the rating system because it takes too much of your time away from your family, then I'll be on board with all the others that say family comes first.

[Colt45]

It's a great service to / for members, and I guess makes for good business. If it becomes a burden, with the possibilty of making for resentment, it might be something to weigh - carefully. Perhaps the business as a whole, as well......

[SteveGriff]

As long as people find the service worthwhile, and you and your staff are not running at a loss then continue it. But it must take a good amount of time to the select the boxes, write notes on each cigar, price the PSP & HQ, post on the website, keep a running total, reply to emails and the whole process of running LFTW.

Personally, I find the stock graded PE of sufficient quality enough and don't see the need to pay that little extra more for HQ or PSP. Like PapaDisco says above, the PE inspections gives Czar such an advantage over many other online retailers in that the customer is getting all sorts of protection against obvious crap, that it leads me to the question whether is there much benefit for me to chase a PSP box.

I'm assuming people who buy PSP and HQ boxes through the LFTW program are doing so because they want to ensure as humanly (or Cigar merchantly) possible they are are buying sticks & boxes that are as good as you're gonna get (they want quality over quantity!). And then you have some people who don't want to risk on a box of Montecristo No. 2 unless it's as good as what's come through the retailer's doors due to the Cigar's poor-quality reputation. If there's enough people on here are willing to pay for the service and is not hurting the business in other ways (overstretching workforce, personal stress etc.) then please continue it.

One thing I would say about it - it's great fun reading the LFTW thread as it's exciting and there's a lot of happy buyers on there.

[TheCoach]

I started my entire hobby based off of the advice and guidance from the members of this forum, and for the most part all of you have great knowledge, opinions, and experiences with CC'S. I've listened to most of them, and they are all different and unique in their own way. However, the only common denominator amongst the entire forum is this: CC's are a quality driven product, that must be smoked only at a certain level, and even still you are likely to come across some bad apples in the bunch. In my search for good cigars i have been BURNT by other sites, and forums. It would be a shame if the programmed were to be discontinued in my opinion. My resources for good CC's isn't as extensive as some, this is my only outlet to see what I'm getting and trust that its good.

[Webbo]

From my perspective the programme is one of the deciding factors when choosing to buy from Czars. I do not smoke a box a week, nor do I buy to lay down for the next 10 years. I buy cigars because I like to smoke them as a well earned pleasure, a luxury if you wish, maybe 2 or 3 times a week if possible. I want to take out a cigar and smoke it with the highest possibility available that it will be a good quality representation of the marque. The PSP programme does not eliminate the chance that a cigar will be shite but it tips the odds a little further in my favour. For the extra cost of a few cents per cigar it is a no brainer for me.

If you want an expert opinion in any field then you must way up if the price paid is worth the service. When buying a CC and taking into consideration all the possible pitfalls, difficulties in widespread availability and frequent QC issues associated with this hobby then for me Rob and his teams selection programme represents a clear demonstration of value over cost. Thank you.

[meatball41]

Man, for this reason alone, I vote to retire the format. As much as I have loved having the "man on the inside" type of experience, and the great quality cigars, always, when ordering from Oz, I can't think selfishly after reading that verse.

Family first! Thanks for all the great cigars, and a helluva forum Rob!

I agree with Rye and Munts as well

Take a break, see how it goes. I love the 12:12's too, I'm not going anywhere.

[DrPartagas]

Everyone enjoys top quality in their purchases throughout life. The desire to acquire top quality also applies to cigars. If you can't buy the Mercedes Benz (PSP), then there is comfort to know that there are less expensive alternate options (PE). The same applies to cigars. Keep the system. Maybe one day the Mercedes Benz (PSP) might be within reach....