Cheapest fake cigar

[Cjake75]

12 minutes ago, Cigar Salute said:

Also, the bands have been 100% faked at this point...UV marks, the whole nine.  Haven't seen the embossing look quite as good, but reputable source is your best protective measure by far.  There is no more "oh, well the band has this, I'm good".  They've copied the damn thing soup to nuts.  

I’ve only purchased from FOH recently and from two other vendors that are reputable. Certainly will not be purchasing anything from where this guy gets them. Said was interesting to have come across this and good thing I do a lot of reading. Now I want a real one!!!

[Bijan]

1 minute ago, Cjake75 said:

Certainly will not be purchasing anything from where this guy gets them.

I know we're not supposed to discuss vendors or prices, but did he get them from an online shop? And was it at a large discount?

I feel bad for your friend if he paid full price!

[Cigar Salute]

9 minutes ago, Bijan said:

Has anyone seen fakes with the correct serial number/barcode? It seems with people posting pictures of boxes online with barcode numbers, and with their ability to forge the bands with holograms it wouldn't be much more trouble to copy the valid serial number onto a forged warranty seal...

Yes, but those serials are outdated typically.  So you might see a box with a 2018 box date rocking a 2015-era serial number...even though it checks out in database....no bueno.  The serial system isn't perfectly sequential, but it's close enough where certain numbers can be tied to a time period.  I dont wanna overstep my boundaries on this forum, with admin's or Rob's blessing, I'd be happy to share some images from a counterfeit band that they received early this year in a private sale.

[Bijan]

4 minutes ago, Cigar Salute said:

Yes, but those serials are outdated typically.  So you might see a box with a 2018 box date rocking a 2015-era serial number...even though it checks out in database....no bueno. 

Interesting! Though there are a lot of photos online with barcode visible and box code/date given or visible. And all you need is to walk into a physical store and take a look at a box, or even acquire an empty box, can't imagine they are so hard to come by. Doesn't seem there is any real barrier to getting the box code and corresponding serial number to match and verify on the fakes. Other than the forgers laziness and or the fact that with a number that checks out online there's little to gain by getting the correct box code range.

[Cjake75]

5 minutes ago, Bijan said:

I know we're not supposed to discuss vendors or prices, but did he get them from an online shop? And was it at a large discount?

I feel bad for your friend if he paid full price!

Wasn’t online or a big retailer. What threw the flag for me was the price. Let’s say a quarter of what the box is going for from most. Hope that’s not a flag.