A Diplomaticos Excelencia RE rant

[ayepatz]

Meanwhile, El Pres just offered top drawer Lusis. Just saying.

[shlomo]

Meanwhile, El Pres just offered top drawer Lusis. Just saying.

25 lovely Lusitanias or 10 robustos.......ez choice imho.

Sucks for the collector/set builder part of me though.

[avitus]

Disappointed too. Was in Cayo Santa Maria in January, nothing to be found there. The guys at the LcDH said they never see any of the LE or RE cigars there.

Would love to find some but not at inflated prices.

Its NOT true. Seems like the guys have no idea what they are selling. Friend of mine bought a box of Infantes and Romeo y Julieta de Luxe last December, just few months ago. Here is the video

[Smallclub]

It's virtually impossible when prices are set too low by HSA to prevent the poor Cuban distributors from selling to third-party retailers in bulk.

But the main issue is HSA is pricing these too low. In their attempt to keep prices low enough for the average Joe they actually create the opportunities for flippers and resellers, squeezing average Joe out even more.

There is only one cuban distributor and it's certainly not "poor". Only one or two european dealers benefit from a failure in the export channel. I can't see how raising the prices would solve anything.

The average Joe is HSA last concern. For a RG Perla or Quintero Favoritos, how many $25 cigars recently released?

[Fugu]

Again, high-grade whining on a very luxurious problem. To give this a slightly different direction: I am aware, it may be quite an unfair thread hijacking, and frankly and admittedly only to this a bit. But this immediately springs to my mind - similar mechanism but with a truly serious and tragical effect. Just a thought to consider for a second:

With increasing speed today, developing and emerging countries are selling big chunks of their own land and offshore claims to the industrialized countries, to those who simply have the means. To the global players, the investment funds, the syndicates and states - who then go and exploit it for those who can afford the raw materials and products: …us. With the consequence of leaving behind a local population not being able to cover its own living on a self-sustained basis anymore. We fuel our shiny economies with their livelihood. That’s the true global greed and tragedy of today - of which we are all the profiteers and losers at the same time. Since that will come at a cost, socially and environmentally. And this is something that should really make us concerned and angry.

Rant over….peace

[Lotusguy]

Who do you think the Europeans are selling them to? Not the people that have had access to them at normal price for the last few months.

Thats probably the safe way to go.

Nobody except people visiting Cuba have had access at normal price. And from what it seems, even if you were visiting, you had to be lucky or connected.

The retailers are selling them to anyone that will pay - Europe, Asia, and yes, America.

[zjory]

While I'm in the hunt too I refuse to pay $25+ each for a $9 stick. I'd rather buy a cab of SP Eslavo..great smoke, half the cost amd twice the tobacco.

Just got in on a box split of Eslavos and couldn't agree more

[Olga]

I guess I can understand the wish to make more money selling to retailers abroad but Habanos should keep at least half of its own Regional within Cuba.

And if not, just name it = Exclusivo WhoeverPaysMore =

[treberty]

There was a few boxes available in late January. Maybe it's just still too young, but it didn't blow me away by any means. It could be stellar in 2-3 years, but for now it is average at best IMHO - I actually felt foolish to spend 8.60CUC on a robusto when there was so many other good cigars available in the same price range...

I guess I'm not enough of a collector to hunt for exclusivos...

[perkinke]

So how about we quit whining and boycott the retailers who are known to do this? Stop paying the gougers, let them go broke and it will slow down. Stop buying ANYTHING from them, not just the HTF stuff and they will change their practices.

And frankly, a few holding 96% of the wealth is HARDLY limited to communist countries so I think we should be able to put that complaint to rest.

[El Presidente]

For f***ing Shame. I'm sure there's a special place in hell for greedy shameless retailers such as these. I know our host isn't among these retailers, and I won't be surprised if this thread is erased, but I can't relate how bloody incensed I am at the greed of certain retailers. Unbelievable.

You actually had dinner with a couple of them last June Chris. They appeared to be fine then as I was there.

There is more than one EU retailer buying up what they can (Cuban Regionals/Customs) while in Cuba.

"Special place in hell" please.

HSA could stop it tomorrow. 1 or 2 per customer limit. Bingo, done.

I would focus the anger at HSA for not giving a rats arse that the average bloke misses out. Hard to believe I know

[Smallclub]

So how about we quit whining and boycott the retailers who are known to do this? Stop paying the gougers, let them go broke and it will slow down. Stop buying ANYTHING from them, not just the HTF stuff and they will change their practices.

You must realize that it's not "we" (forum members, cigar nerds, aficionados), etc. that keep these european vendors alive and well.

I'm sure 90% of the FoH members who purchase a lot of habanos refuse to pay 3x or 4x the price for a Regional or special release, even those who can afford it.

[ChanceSchmerr]

You actually had dinner with a couple of them last June Chris. They appeared to be fine then as I was there.

There is more than one EU retailer buying up what they can (Cuban Regionals/Customs) while in Cuba.

"Special place in hell" please.

HSA could stop it tomorrow. 1 or 2 per customer limit. Bingo, done.

I would focus the anger at HSA for not giving a rats arse that the average bloke misses out. Hard to believe I know

Sad thing is I know who these folks are doing this, and I know I've met at least some them. Did not know the length they were going to - and whilst they were buying up REs to mark right up and sell themselves, at that time (to my knowledge) their actions weren't going to the lengths where it was preventing others from buying them in shops in the home market. They might have Canadian and Andorran and Peruvian and other REs on their Shelves, but you could also still find them in the home markets too. When 7000 boxes are made and yet none can be found because they never make it to the store shelves in Cuba - that's a problem, and a big one.

I know of at least two EU retailers buying up there (But then, I consider UK to be EU...at least until the referendum)

Hey - It's a rant, I can go overboard when greedy blokes are screwing over the average bloke.

I wish HSA would stop it. Does anyone in the HSA organization give a rats arse about the average bloke, or are they blinded by the bright lights and fat wallets of the 1% at this point? I'm guessing I know the answer to this already.

[riazp]

I defenitly got lucky when I was in Havana and managed to score a few. The thought of flipping them for 3 times more than what i payed did cross my mind, but i love cigars too much to do that. Just like my infantes, i'll sit on these and smoke them. If they end up good or bad, wont really matter to me.

When i smoke an Infantes, i think back to my very first trip to havana with Frank, Enis, SImon, Art, Gary and company, and no amount of money will make me want to sell them for that reason.

When I will smoke my exelencias, I will reflect back to my terrific week in Havana with my Fiance, our first trip we have taken together and her first time in havana, and again, no amount of money will make me want to sell them.

Its not always about the cigar.

[dangolf18]

Well it's unfair but honestly with high end NCs in the same price range, $30-$35 for a cigar is not that awful. And to be fair, if they were readily available, I'd imagine quite a few tourists snatching up a few boxes to resell. After-all, they are the only cigar you can't get anywhere else in the world.

[ChanceSchmerr]

I defenitly got lucky when I was in Havana and managed to score a few. The thought of flipping them for 3 times more than what i payed did cross my mind, but i love cigars too much to do that. Just like my infantes, i'll sit on these and smoke them. If they end up good or bad, wont really matter to me.

When i smoke an Infantes, i think back to my very first trip to havana with Frank, Enis, SImon, Art, Gary and company, and no amount of money will make me want to sell them for that reason.

When I will smoke my exelencias, I will reflect back to my terrific week in Havana with my Fiance, our first trip we have taken together and her first time in havana, and again, no amount of money will make me want to sell them.

Its not always about the cigar.

Then they are robbing blokes who travel to Cuba not only of the cigar, but of the experience and memories that go with it.

Imagine

"Ahh what a nice cigar. Reminds me of the time I paid $400CDN for the box of these from an online store in Europe"

[ChefBoyRG54]

I for one am someone who bought these at a ridiculous price from a European vendor. Most likely the main one you are referencing.

Did I know I was overpaying? Yes

Did I know he got them way cheaper? Yep

Did I expect it to be a 25 dollar cigar? Nope

Then why did I buy them? Simple, I wanted them and that's the only was I was getting them. I'm not going to Cuba anytime soon (as if I would find them there).

Sure, it's most likely not going to be better than a siglo VI, but it's unique, cool, different, and has two bands:)

Like most of these discussions boil down to, it's free market supply and demand. He had them, I wanted them, the price was x and I decided to pay it. I'm not selling them, flipping them, etc. Just have them and glad I do. If I didn't want to pay it, I wouldn't have. Period.

So all in all, despite the high price, I'm glad there are ways to get these for guys who aren't going to Cuba. Like it or not its my opinion. Cheers

[perkinke]

You must realize that it's not "we" (forum members, cigar nerds, aficionados), etc. that keep these european vendors alive and well.

I'm sure 90% of the FoH members who purchase a lot of habanos refuse to pay 3x or 4x the price for a Regional or special release, even those who can afford it.

Perhaps, but this complaint is widespread across almost every board I have ever seen, and while there is some overlap in membership it can't be the same 100 people on every board. And if it isn't the serious smokers paying these prices who is it? (Not being argumentative, actually asking) I can't imagine too many casual folks paying 400 bucks for 10 sticks.

[Puros Y Vino]

Some added perspective Chris. Like Riaz mentioned in regards to smoking those Infantes. Back when those were hot we were afraid we'd get shut out from buying them. They had been out already for a few months by the time we got there and we were already hearing about shortages and big runs on them. When we arrived in Havana, there were none to be found until our second or third day. And it was only because Hamlet had done an end run for us. We went to Partagas, Hamlet put is in the adjacent room across the entrance, plied us with some 10YO rum, showed us some of the new stuff at the time and then took our orders for the Infantes.

He made some arrangements and told us to come by the next day. Sure enough, they were in and he set aside a mastercase for us, which we took and then some! Riaz doesn't remember as he and Simon had yet to arrive. But Hamlet did us a solid favour. I'm sure similar people are getting the same treatment down there in regards to this Diplos this week. I'll never forget the look on other patrons with one or two boxes of Infantes, happy to score, catch a sight of the tower of Infantes Hamlet was stacking in front of me. I had an obscene VISA bill thanks to that one purchase. Sadly, not all of those were mine. We left Partagas content, cracked open a box to split and were delighted that the cigars smoked well. Like Riaz, flipping a couple crossed my mind, given that they were commanding $250USD+, but I decided against it. Smoking those over the years will be far more satisfying than a little profit. For some added karma, I donated one to a herf auction.

Sometimes, the thing you're railing against stacks up in your favour. Sometimes it does not. The big difference in this example is that one group was a bunch of friends, another; retailers. End result. Anyone who followed either swarm had a tough time landing a Cuban RE.

[DoubleDD]

I don't care one bit to try them at an inflated price. As I've stated in another thread, I'm buying my norms that I like, heavy Upmann 2, Lusi, BCG, BBF, SPB, Mont 2, etc. I've been lucky enough to procure La Escepcion Don Jose at a decent price and pass on splits to fellow forum members so I've went deep on them. Other than that I'm not chasing anything special. Until the price of a box of Upmann 2 or my other regulars double or triple, I'll wait to flip my ****....aka get pissed.

[skalls]

Capitalism at work on the secondary market. Would like to try but that won't happen.

[Olga]

"Ahh what a nice cigar. Reminds me of the time I paid $400CDN for the box of these from an online store in Europe"

lol

[LGC]

Communist country... poor people... highly desired product by people with money...

Just put yourself in their shoes. I understand your frustration, but I don't believe in entitlement. Fancy bands, numbered boxes, different size... I'm glad I stopped chasing the flash a while ago.

[shlomo]

I guess I can understand the wish to make more money selling to retailers abroad but Habanos should keep at least half of its own Regional within Cuba.

And if not, just name it = Exclusivo WhoeverPaysMore =

HSA did not make an increased profit. Like Rob and others have said, they dont give a rats ass about the little guys. Its all about the Benjamins baby!

[shlomo]

Communist country... poor people... highly desired product by people with money...

Just put yourself in their shoes. I understand your frustration, but I don't believe in entitlement. Fancy bands, numbered boxes, different size... I'm glad I stopped chasing the flash a while ago.

How many of the poor people saw a single peso from these sales? Ha