Question to the board

[TBird55]

I received this box from FOH, along with another with the code. Never gave it a second thought, especially since it came from you Rob. I just put date received on and put it to sleep. Would I prefer to have it on. of course.

[NSXCIGAR]

Not in my eyes, but in order to avoid a potential complaint from a less-than-enlightened customer if I were the vendor I'd fully disclose and sell them as "damaged packaging" at a slight (5%) discount.

[Head83]

Not a huge deal to me buying from FOH as long as I know what the code was from the other boxes in the Mastercase for my own personal tracking.  That being said, I wouldn't trust other vendors if I received a box with no codes.  Too many shady operations in the world of CC's out there.  

[cigaraholic]

When I start smoking the codes I’ll worry about them...

[El Presidente]

OK thanks for your input 

Interesting indeed. 

From the perspective of HSA, box codes have always been an internal management tool. They do not represent a consumer aspect of packaging. No code = no fail. Verification can be undertaken utilising the serial number and the verification API at http://www.habanos.com/en/verificacion-de-autenticidad/

I would hazard a guess that the extent of boxes with no box date is 1 in 100. That makes a lot of boxes out there 

When they are struggling to put bands on boxes of Bolivar Petit Corona.....I think it is a fairly good result 

 

 

[Winchester21]

I pay more attention to the color grading sticker than the codes. I mark all boxes with date received so it makes no difference on products purchased here. If I were to buy a questionable box from another source it would certainly make a difference. But  I only buy here so it’s a moot point. 

[luckme10]

No bands? No Box Codes? I consider them misprints. Sell as collector's items!

[bugman78629]

No..... part of the GAME ?

[SticksAndSticks]

I care about the age but not about the code being on the box. As long as the age is in the listing on 24:24 I don't care at all if its stamped on the box.

[Pierre]

I voted yes. It is not only a matter of trusting your vendor, but knowing when were the cigars rolled, and no, I don't sell or flip at all, it is something relevant to me as I like to age cigars when I manage to wait.

[joncat]

When one is not aware of the source a missing box code is of concern.  I have seen many counterfeit cigar boxes that had all other labels etc but no box code.  Upon looking at the cigars it was obvious they were fakes.

Thankfully that is not the case from FOH where this is not even up for consideration.  My experience with FOH has always been excellent.  However, dates are important in determining age. I try to follow our host's advice what is the "sweet spot" to smoke them.  (Selling/flipping cigars is not my thing.  Sharing most definitely is.)  

Therefore, box codes are a definite preference but a box without from FOH would be acceptable.  I would then guestimate the age of the cigar.  

[inter4alia]

On 9/20/2018 at 2:43 PM, NSXCIGAR said:

Not in my eyes, but in order to avoid a potential complaint from a less-than-enlightened customer if I were the vendor I'd fully disclose and sell them as "damaged packaging" at a slight (5%) discount.

+1 on this. I think that full disclosure and slight price reduction would be appropriate. 

[JoeyBones777]

I voted yes for a couple reasons. First, reference point for approximate aging. Second, I'm a bit OCD and it would bug the hell outta me.? I suppose getting one from here off 24:24 wouldn't bother me as much since box codes from the master case are listed but I'd still be a little irked. 

[PigFish]

As we are discussing buying products from a failed state, conceived on a failed system of government, based on failed ideology... I will give them a pass on the box if they get the cigars right.

What I am pissed off about is that they often don't get the cigars right anymore either!

I don't really give a squat about the box. I don't need anyone to tell me what a good cigar tastes like. Sell them to me at the right price, good quality, right size, good taste, wrap them in toilet paper and I will buy them.

-the Pig

[earthson]

I would inspect the cigars much more closely upon receipt. I would also make a note of when I received them so I'd have an approximation of box age. Unless they were short filler.

[DeskSmkr]

I’d like to know the aproximate age for tracking stock - but a good cigar is good with or without a code.  

Who’s to say the code is actually accurate anyway?

[Ericbrobes]

Depends on source

[RupertPupkin]

To me, the product isn’t in the package but the quality of what is inside. If the tobacco and construction is quality then that’s what I’m putting my money in. I do understand wanting the information for long term storage and reference, but to me I wouldn’t consider it a failed product. 

I would expect the person in charge of production and quality to own that as a mistake and a failure though.. people expect it.

[BeerPimp]

I voted yes because of my OCD towards the matter.   Also the checklist for packaging cigars seem short. 

1. Are the bands on the cigars?

2.  Is the box the correct one for the cigars?

3.  Is the date stamp on the box?

4. Did you put the correct number of cigars in the box?

For something that sells for >$100 not stamping the box is a big tell in quality control.

[El Presidente]

I am not sure there is a major retailer in the world who checks to see if there is a box code on every single box.  I doubt this is going to start tomorrow either 

 

[BeerPimp]

12 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

I am not sure there is a major retailer in the world who checks to see if there is a box code on every single box.  I doubt this is going to start tomorrow either 

 

I will say my post goes towards the factories themselves.   I understand the way that the cigar world works retailers are at the whim of the factories.

[gweilgi]

Related question: how do we know a box code is itself correct?  

What is the degree of confidence that the highly qualified craftsman putting the stamps on the boxes grabbed the right stamp when he starts work in the morning?  

[PigFish]

1 hour ago, gweilgi said:

Related question: how do we know a box code is itself correct?  

What is the degree of confidence that the highly qualified craftsman putting the stamps on the boxes grabbed the right stamp when he starts work in the morning?  

... absolutely none!

There, I said it! 

Cheers! -Piggy

[gweilgi]

8 minutes ago, PigFish said:

... absolutely none!

There, I said it! 

Cheers! -Piggy

OMG, you are shattering my finest illusions in the reliability, diligence and accuracy of the Socialist Worker!  

[El Presidente]

2 hours ago, gweilgi said:

Related question: how do we know a box code is itself correct?  

What is the degree of confidence that the highly qualified craftsman putting the stamps on the boxes grabbed the right stamp when he starts work in the morning?  

well right now, given they are down to their last tobacco, if it says Jun 18 or JUL 18 ...then it will be accurate