What would you do?

[Silverstix]

I am at a resort down in the Dominican Republic enjoying some time with my wife. I brought plenty of my own cigars to smoke and it has been a great week so far.

 

Tonight after dinner, walking through the lobby, there was a cigar stand set up with a few guys from the resort working the table. They had some boxes of Montecristo, Cohiba, and an assortment of Dominican cigars as well. Naturally I had to stop over and check them out, but of course my radar is on high alert looking out for fakes.

 

The one guy asked me what I like to smoke, I told him I like my Cubans. So he takes out an open box of CoRo, tells me a bit about it, quickly takes one out, clips it, and lights it up for me to try. Red flag #1 - nobody is giving out real CoRo for me to try for free. But ok, I’ll go with it. The box didn’t look bad, at first glance the band didn’t look bad either. I’m thinking ok, I’ll know for sure as soon as I light this thing up. Right away, it’s obvious this is a fake. Red flag #2 - wide open draw. Red flag #3 - peppery cheap tobacco. He proceeds to tell me about the special price they have for the resort, $568 for the box....After listening to his speech and hard sell for a few minutes I got out of there (without a box of cigars).

 

Now - what would you do? Would you tell him you know they are fakes or would you just let it go and keep it moving?

 

 

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[MigsG]

I've encountered such fakes quite a bit in touristy areas in Mexico.  I don't bother letting them know as they themselves most likely know...  it won't change a thing if they know, they know they'll have customers anyway, a couple out of every 10 interested parties will bite.  They're also trying to make a living just like everyone else.   Even if it's resort employees, they probably set that up to create extra income, and may be receiving commission for every sale.  

Good thing you brought your own!  Always nice to enjoy a nice cigar you've properly stored yourself.  I always bring the max I can when I travel. 

[captain]

I would keep moving but maybe mention it to the hotel management as I’m sure they don’t want their guests being sold fakes. If you mentioned it to him directly that you knew you may find yourself in a word battle with a guy that might not know the truth but must defend his honor.

[Lomey]

Personally I wouldn't have even stopped to check them out.  If I did stop out of curiosity I would not tell him I know they are fake and just moved on.

[LLC]

  On 3/21/2019 at 1:47 AM, Lomey said:

Personally I wouldn't have even stopped to check them out.  If I did stop out of curiosity I would not tell him I know they are fake and just moved on.

X2


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[Silverstix]

  On 3/21/2019 at 1:47 AM, Lomey said:

Personally I wouldn't have even stopped to check them out.  If I did stop out of curiosity I would not tell him I know they are fake and just moved on.

You’re right. Shouldn’t have even stopped. Curiosity got the best of me


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[MD Puffer]

  On 3/21/2019 at 1:41 AM, Silverstix said:

Now - what would you do? Would you tell him you know they are fakes or would you just let it go and keep it moving?

 

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Why waste your time telling him something he already knows and will dispute once you call him out on it.  I'd just move along, savoring the fact that I didn't get suckered.

[Cazador]

Just keep walking. 

[Fuzz]

What? You mean you didn't immediately jump up and down, yelling to everyone in earshot, that this guy was ripping people off by selling fake Cuban cigars? And that you didn't run up to the front desk and demand that the person be fired, you receive compensation from the hotel from the trauma of smoking a fake Cuban, and also demanding a free upgrade to a suite?

[LonAlex]

a few years ago in the Dominican Republic in the hotel Barcelo Bavaro Beach, I also said that their Cubans were fake, for 15 minutes they tried to convince me that I was wrong. And then they began to ask aggressively to leave the store))) maybe if I were a little less they would have the courage to fight with me)))

[Chef]

  On 3/21/2019 at 3:14 AM, Fuzz said:

What? You mean you didn't immediately jump up and down, yelling to everyone in earshot, that this guy was ripping people off by selling fake Cuban cigars? And that you didn't run up to the front desk and demand that the person be fired, you receive compensation from the hotel from the trauma of smoking a fake Cuban, and also demanding a free upgrade to a suite?

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Guess we know what you would have done, Fuzz. LOL. 

If I had brought my own cigars, I wouldn’t have stopped by the stand just b/c I’d have no need. Also, I’m not an expert fake detective, so protecting myself is not tempting myself. 

[oliverdst]

They don't care if it's fake or not. They just want to sell it.

[koosh]

I would whisper to him to get real CoRos and age them for 5-10 and come back to the lobby and sell them at that price. The guy would sleep better at night and because of the honey in the aged CoRo, would save his breath and not have a need to make too many speeches.

[Stump89]

The DR is infamous for fake Cubans. And fake Dominican cigars too.  It's bad when you see fake Fuente and La Aurora sticks, but ones I saw were not even close.

[DaBoot]

Yea, I would just continue on my day and mind my own,

[Jimmy_jack]

You're in their world man. I would do nothing. Just enjoy the trip.

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[BrightonCorgi]

Management knows this guy is selling fake cigars. 

I would've said I brought my own, but thanks for the offer and a cigar!

[CaptainQuintero]

I think I'd be excited that there's someone to talk to cigars about  in all likelihood they're probably just staff and don't know what they are, the boss probably even told them they are real.

  Do most people not actively involved in the hobby think there is much difference between a real and a fake? It's still all tobacco right?

  Maybe in the conversation it might come up to be able to lean in and ask if he has any real ones etc but I can't see me being worked up over them, they probably have an interesting story about the business regardless. I'd probably enjoy having a chat over how they source their stock and hour they got into it etc fake or not. Would probably be more interesting if they are fake!