Is PSP/HQ/PE worth it?

[El Presidente]

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

[leftimatic]

I'm kind of new here but I really appreciate what you're doing. I have learned a lot just in the last couple LFTH's even bought a couple boxes I wouldn't of had the balls to take a chance on. Keep up the great job, guys like me need this sort of thing. Beats wasting my time and money. Thanks Rob and Di for all you do to make my life easier.

[Lasabar]

Speaking as a new member, but not new to cigars, the fact that there is a rating system of the cigars along with the personal opinion to go with it I feel more confident going through the forum WITH the ratings.

Now, take this with a grain of salt as I have never ordered through you guys before but have just purchased two samplers and two boxes in the past two weeks because of the ratings and also recognizing the members on this forum from others.

I would not have blown my budget and pissed off my wife if I had not seen the ratings and felt an added layer of security with the ratings.

(And ask WarriorPrincess, I have bought too much as a new member!)

Keep the ratings!

[Taksan]

The most relevant aspect when buying CC is the quality. Things like age, underfilled or not, being plugged or not, quality wrapper, smell, fermentation all matter. My first impresssion always determine whether I will age the box or not. So your quality checks to me is the main reason why I get my cigars from the other side of the globe

[El Presidente]

Speaking as a new member, but not new to cigars, the fact that there is a rating system of the cigars along with the personal opinion to go with it I feel more confident going through the forum WITH the ratings.

Now, take this with a grain of salt as I have never ordered through you guys before but have just purchased two samplers and two boxes in the past two weeks because of the ratings and also recognizing the members on this forum from others.

I would not have blown my budget and pissed off my wife if I had not seen the ratings and felt an added layer of security with the ratings.

(And ask WarriorPrincess, I have bought too much as a new member!)

Keep the ratings!

See ...now you make me feel bad

The whole system was designed to make my life and my teams life easier. It didn't eventuate that way. Mind you I love to have a troll through OLH an see some of the stuff members have put away. Gorgeous. Gives me a thrill to this day.

[Fuzz]

But if you don't come down to the warehouse, how else are you going to get pipis in xo sauce or Korean fried chicken (the other KFC ) and funky rice beer?

[El Presidente]

But if you don't come down to the warehouse, how else are you going to get pipis in xo sauce or Korean fried chicken (the other KFC ) and funky rice beer?

good point Fuzz. Actually, Ellie just called me .Hopped off the phone now. Next Dinner with ourselves and Jason he will attend.

[santela]

Of course it is. I'm new here and have only bought from 12:12 and samplers. However I feel confident because I know the 12:12 are hand picked and I won't be going in blind. I plan on participating in the LFTW as soon as I can smoke away some of my stack and make room in my humidor.

Keep up the good work Rob!

[PapaDisco]

I'm a big fan of the PSP/HQ . . . to me a CC isn't a quality CC unless it's got Rob's finger and nose prints on it!

[jedipastor]

Keep it up! There is no downside. If people don't want to do HQ/PSP, they can always just buy the PE. So what's the problem? I think this is a unique service that you provide that might get you additional customers, so I can't see why you'd want to quit it unless you find internally that the additional labor costs aren't justified by the additional revenue.

[El Presidente]

Keep it up! There is no downside. If people don't want to do HQ/PSP, they can always just buy the PE. So what's the problem? I think this is a unique service that you provide that might get you additional customers, so I can't see why you'd want to quit it unless you find internally that the additional labor costs aren't justified by the additional revenue.

never about revenue. Simpy "opportunity cost" with family and partners.

[Fuzz]

good point Fuzz. Actually, Ellie just called me .Hopped off the phone now. Next Dinner with ourselves and Jason he will attend.

I'll believe it when he's actually sitting across the table from us.

[mikek]

Personaly I dig the system you have! At sixtyfive and smokeing some real dog rockets over the last thirty years it's nice to be able to know your getting quality! Everything I have received has been excellent

Good Job Ya'll

[Firebender]

We are paying the premium and snapping up those PSP boxes, aren't we? That's the ultimate test.

[Bulldog4]

I believe you have something unique something to take peoples fears away. yes it can cost more as your own personal time cost money thats just business sense. I like it I think if you enjoy doing it and the "toll" on your wife and kids isnt unbearable then keep on keepin on (always wanted to say that) you clearly enjoy it and in the end you will probably do what makes you happy

[Lasabar]

See ...now you make me feel bad

The whole system was designed to make my life and my teams life easier. It didn't eventuate that way. Mind you I love to have a troll through OLH an see some of the stuff members have put away. Gorgeous. Gives me a thrill to this day.

Not trying to make anyone feel bad. But after seeing SO MANY places to buy the best cigars in the world, I feel stupid not coming here first! The ratings and forum will keep me as a current member for quite some time!

[El Presidente]

We are paying the premium and snapping up those PSP boxes, aren't we? That's the ultimate test.

Those are the boxes I would buy If I had the coin.. HQ i have no problem with/PE either. I smoke PE most days.

If it was Padron/ Arturo Fuente I wouldn't have to do it.

[Rye]

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.

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!

[merc]

I like to get graded boxes to set a benchmark for what to expect from a brand.

I'd bought crap cigars here and there from duty free at the airport/local tobacconists (not stored in a humidor), but didn't know better.

Smoked a PSP monte #4 recently, and got the "trademark monte flavours" for the first time ever. How many bad sticks had I gone through, never realising what it's supposed to taste like!

[Hash]

It is worth it , from experience one should not buy blind boxes.it makes a big difference,when the box is inspected before buying.

[Azksig]

Continue it. Why would you want to be like everyone else? This is part of what makes you so special. Particularly for those of us who don't have access to a B&M to buy Cubans. This is the next best thing and definitely worth it IMHO.

Plus I don't know what I'd do without the PSP pictures :-)

[khamy]

If you could train someone in the HK centre Rob, might open things up a little for the Aussies like me that are priced out (not by your fault here its the govt tax's). Saying that I don't consider myself a sophisticated pallette but enjoy the blood rush you get from LFTH and LFTW generates.

The PSP and HQ samples are a good work around that i can still participate in so well done on that idea.

Either way i don't believe Ellie will be turning up either.

[Munts]

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!

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.

[BradNC]

If it wasn't offered, I wouldn't be here. Sure it's more expensive but I dare say every product category has levels and every advancing one costs more. If people don't like it then they shouldn't be here. This forum I feel frankly is for those who appreciate it. It is a huge differentiating factor. Without it, this forum would just be Ken's fan club. Xoxoxo Ken.

Brad

[mncz]

I echo the sentiment of Rye and Munts. I've chosen not to vote for that reason.