Cigar Internet Trading or Sale Relationships.

[El Presidente]

Cigar Internet Trading or Sale Relationships.

God that topic sounds *** (not that there is any problem with that).

Still there are too many members of this forum and others who are being taken for a ride on fake Cubans. Thankfully not so much via FOH

List your Moses Tablet on how not to be taken , I will tidy it up and put it in the trading room (pinned).

In the end there are new and experienced members being taken for a ride.let's cease it as best we can.

Cheers

Rob

[StingMeadery]

Buy ONLY from official Habanos dealers...

[canucks6024]

Sometimes buying online, it's tough to discern who is/isn't an authorized dealer.

I think that a lot has to do with taking the time and effort to do research online. There's tons of info buried in old forums and websites around. Once you've done that, just bite the bullet and try an order.

After that, the rest comes from experience, and relationship building. None of which are easy processes, but they can indeed be fun and rewarding.

[El Presidente]

My rules.

1. Don't purchase via PM or e-mail unless the originator produces documentation of original purchase. This goes double for hard to get cigars.

2. You can live without it,

3. See point 1

4. For a new transaction trade (should you feel comfortable to a new trader), ship your package in pieces. You ship a box or cigars, he ships a box or cigars. OR PART THEREOF

5. If a forum has PM ability (most do). Go through there, Don't use e-mail.

6.If someone pulls out of a trade and next day someone jumps in (without history) beware.

7. If someone is coming into town (your country) to post cigars ....beware.

8. If you can't do a google search (or other private search engine) on their address with the same address coming up....beware.

9. If they are using a 3rd party delivery address ....beware.

10. if a third party (whom you do not know) contacts you out of the blue to encourage the trade with the person you are corresponding with,, beware. big time.

[canadianbeaver]

If the cigars do not have a box and date code, or the trading partner cannot provide a reasonable explanation why there isn't one, beware.

If the Habanos sticker and any other components are in the box, forget it. It came off the beach.

Some sites have feedback lists about their traders with comments by members. A nice resource.

Buyer beware about import duties. Happens sometimes even with every precaution.

Make sure the cigars are packed properly, receiving or sending. Lots of padding and air tight. Learned this the hard way.

Photos of cigars and band before purchase. No photos, no purchase.

[El Presidente]

Most of the bottom feeders will stick to you closely. They will sympathise, they will state the same problems they have had or worse.

You don't know them. Be smart. Copy their e-mails/Ip/s etal. They are smarter than that but they do trip. They do this over many forums.

[Firebender]

1. If prices are too good to be true, they are not true.

2. If there is rush/time limit required on your part, step back.

3. Check their feedback.

4. Don't make 1 large purchase / trade; break it down to few small purchase / trade.

[Maplepie]

God that topic sounds *** (not that there is any problem with that).

No need to apologise. Nothing is perfectly acceptable on the internet anymore.

It angers me when people get angry at the usage of that.

Take the etymological background of 'bad': bæde or 'badde' meaning "a man acting or dressing femininely". What's so different about using the modern English equivalent...

Sent by the Enigma on BlackBerry.

[Maplepie]

Most of the bottom feeders will stick to you closely. They will sympathise, they will state the same problems they have had or worse.

You'd think people smart enough to do this wouldn't be doing these scams... you'd think.

Sent by the Enigma on BlackBerry.

[El Presidente]

They do, They continue to do so. Who from leftwing via PM or e-mail encouraged you to do that trade? 99.9% they are part of the scam.

[Smallclub]

11. If you're completely new to this hobbie, you SHOULDN'T purchase the high end, very expensive offerings.

There is a way to go and some homework to do; no one starts to learn about wine or cognac or single malt whisky with the most expensive bottles; why should you do it with cigars?

12. Beware of people who sell tons of boxes through cigar boards. A common practice is to buy 5 or 6 boxes of the wanted cigar from a cheap discounter, then keep the best box and resale the others.

[CaptainQuintero]

Prices if they are too good to be true, they will be.

Lots of rare and HTF items, again if it seems too good to be true.

Use Google, most fake peddlers with a store are commonly listed online with buyer beware. The only exceptions are people off gumtree/Craigslist

Never ever use gumtree or craigslist!

Before doing a trade / box split / group buy do your research about the host/organiser, ask lots of people.

[Maplepie]

12. Beware of people who sell tons of boxes through cigar boards. A common practice is to buy 5 or 6 boxes of the wanted cigar from a cheap discounter, then keep the best box and resale the others.

What about those who sell 12 boxes?

Sent by the Enigma on BlackBerry.

[OZCUBAN]

I as Rule only deal with reputable companies i.e Rob

or with people i actually know ,that it that simple

[El Presidente]

What about those who sell 12 boxes?

Sent by the Enigma on BlackBerry.

I haven't sold a fake in my life. it is the reason I an constantly out of stock.

[El Presidente]

Go back to your correspondence. Look up the shipping addresses. Ask for guidance from members who are not e-mailing you to enter into such trades.

There is a racket. It is pretty well set in stone.

[Maplepie]

I haven't sold a fake in my life. it is the reason I an constantly out of stock.

T'was just lowhanging fruit to take a harmless stab at!

Sent by the Enigma on BlackBerry.

[canadianbeaver]

Caveat emptor if buying sealed boxes. If not checked out, don't complain if there are creepy things inside.

[RijkdeGooier]

If you can, look at/smoke from boxes from that source bought by friends in real life (if you have them)...

[JoeyGunz]

If doing a box split, discuss the sourece before putting your money into the pot.

Also decide what you're going to deal if the split goes sour - extra taxes, counterfit goods e.t.c.

[mk05]

edit: scratch my comment...let's go with, trade/buy only recent production to hedge storage problems, then smoke them immediately with eyes closed, and imagine them being the best cigars ever.

All problems solved with the powers of denial...I mean, the imagination.

[Rye]

edit: scratch my comment...let's go with, trade/buy only recent production to hedge storage problems, then smoke them immediately with eyes closed, and imagine them being the best cigars ever.

All problems solved with the powers of denial...I mean, the imagination.

Wow! Really? I suppose I've only traded with the right folks, for the most part, and when I gather a group to send, I tend to take pride in selecting the best or "PSP" of my stock so that my friends can experience what I rave about.

It took me a very long time before I took the plunge and ordered my first online purchase. I started by asking friends that I smoke with, seeing their stock, hearing their horror stories, and compiling the info. I now use 4-5 trusted vendors and feel no need to stray.

[LGC]

I've never bought a fake in my life, but have been gifted many. I have only purchased from reputable sources with correct pricing. For the vendor that I used the most, I would ask specifically for certain wrappers, etc. he would decline selling boxes to me that he considered subpar. I was never charged extra for his time. He would ask me for my notes on cigars that I purchased from him. A majority of my best boxes were sourced from him. In times past, he would didn't post box codes on his site. I would send him an email asking for specific vitolas I had in mind (Lonsdales, ninfas TPC, Laguito 1/2, etc). He would reply with a list of good boxes that I knew I would like. I really miss those days.

[mikek]

I have never bought A fake ,but I dealt A charity poker tournament A couple years ago.First place was A Box of Cohiba Ltd. 2004,they are Sublime,the winner gave me ten said he had no way to keep them fresh! I am and have been suspect of these,although they smoke great! But not like A Cohiba,once I get A good camera I'll post some pictures. Somebody put alot of work if these are fales! The thing is you can find minimal info on this cigar! Even A review I read on Cigar Inspector said he did'nt know if the one he reviewed was real!?

[Skyfall]

I've never bought, been gifted or smoked a fake, but my main rules to smoke by are: Only trade with brothers and sisters (Lisa) you know and trust, and find a vendor you trust and be loyal to them!

Also another good rule I live by: Peace of mind isn't free.