Why 25 in a dress box?

[SirVantes]

Every time I get to the lower level of a dress box of 25s and see the wooden block/spacer, I wonder: why? Why an odd number? 25 makes sense in an 8-9-8 box because of the structural integrity of the bundle. But why 25 for a dress box? And no, I don’t accept tradition or ease of accounting as valid answers since they are very happy to have ELs/REs in tens or twenties and Trinidads are in twelves and 24s. Anyone?

[BrightonCorgi]

I put the cedar divider under the bottom 12 when I get to that level of the dress box. Old habit.

My hunch is the 25 count makes for easier inventory totals.

[99call]

10 hours ago, SirVantes said:

And no, I don’t accept tradition or ease of accounting

- You do have to accept the things you don't accept. It’s illogical to think otherwise.

- You could do 5-5-5-5-5 in the Trinidad style, but dress boxes lend themselves better to branding and illustration. I.e. a nice big flat surfaces, etc.

- Seeing and selling a visual of 13 cigars (as you open the box) as opposed to 5 is that much more alluring to the customer, and gives them a better idea of quality,

- Is packing in a 5-5-5-5-5 formation, more labour intensive and less efficient? I would imagine so. 

- People went from buying 1000’s of cigars to 100’s to 50’s. If you suddenly tried to sell them 20’s they just wouldn’t like it. I don’t like it!! I think it’s bullshit. Customers are creatures of habit, and they don’t like having 5 cigars taken off them, for a higher price tag, which is exactly whats happening now. 

- Do dress boxes fit better into brief cases for the man on the go? I would suggest they probably do. 

[SirVantes]

9 hours ago, 99call said:

- You could do 5-5-5-5-5 in the Trinidad style, but dress boxes lend themselves better to branding and illustration. I.e. a nice big flat surfaces, etc.

- Seeing and selling a visual of 13 cigars (as you open the box)  as opposed to 5 is that much more alluring to the customer, and gives them a better idea of quality,

- Is packing in a 5-5-5-5-5 formation, more labour intensive and less efficient? I would imagine so. 

I would have thought the sensible option would have been just going for 24 per box, leaving out the block - same nice dress box presentation as you mentioned, but symmetrical now.  One just sees 12 instead of 13 when one opens the box.  No more labour intensive, saves on wood?

9 hours ago, 99call said:

- Do dress boxes fit better into brief cases for the man on the go? I would suggest they probably do. 

I have no issues with dress boxes, just morbid curiosity as regards the odd number of units packed.

9 hours ago, 99call said:

Customers are creatures of habit, and they don’t like having 5 cigars taken off them, for a higher price tag, which is exactly whats happening now.

Agreed on that.  If dress boxes are henceforth packed in 24s, then we should be charged for 24 sticks - not suggesting otherwise.

9 hours ago, 99call said:

If you suddenly tried to sell them 20’s they just wouldn’t like it. I don’t like it!! I think it’s bullshit.

But might you say we'd have to accept that? 😁 

9 hours ago, 99call said:

People went from buying 1000’s of cigars to 100’s to 50’s.

This bit I think is a possible logical answer - 25s as a division of 50s/100s for accounting purposes.  But again, Trinidads, ELs/REs don't follow that logic (but then again again, they are relatively modern).

 

[99call]

8 hours ago, SirVantes said:

I would have thought the sensible option would have been just going for 24 per box, leaving out the block - same nice dress box presentation as you mentioned, but symmetrical now.  One just sees 12 instead of 13 when one opens the box.  No more labour intensive, saves on wood?

I have no issues with dress boxes, just morbid curiosity as regards the odd number of units packed.

Agreed on that.  If dress boxes are henceforth packed in 24s, then we should be charged for 24 sticks - not suggesting otherwise.

But might you say we'd have to accept that? 😁 

This bit I think is a possible logical answer - 25s as a division of 50s/100s for accounting purposes.  But again, Trinidads, ELs/REs don't follow that logic (but then again again, they are relatively modern).

 

I think the 'why not 12 over 12 in a dress box question' leads back again to tradition and accounting, which again seems 100% understandable and obvious to me, but you don’t seem similarly accepting of that. I think conflating decisions like Trinidad and EL/RE stuff with trade that was taking place 100yrs ago, on paper based accounting etc, travelling by ship etc etc. are chalk and cheese to some degree.

[ha_banos]

Wondering what web content might reveal. Dress boxes appeared mid 1800s? Seems feasible.

The prevalence of cigar dress boxes containing 25 cigars is primarily attributed to the historical influence of US regulations in the mid-19th century, which mandated specific box counts, including 25, for the purpose of tax collection. This regulatory framework established a standard that has persisted within the industry.

[BrightonCorgi]

According to ChatGPT:

Dress boxes of cigars traditionally come with 25 cigars arranged in two layers for a few reasons:

Historical Standard: The practice dates back to the 19th century when cigar manufacturers started packaging cigars in boxes of 25, 50, 100, or 250 for tax and regulatory reasons 

Presentation and Protection: Arranging cigars in two layers (typically 12 on the bottom and 13 on the top) helps in presenting them attractively while also protecting them from damage during transport 

Convenience: A box of 25 cigars is a manageable size for both retailers and consumers. It balances quantity with ease of handling and storage.

[GP012]

I feel like I listened to a Cigar Sense podcast that had an interesting tidbit about the 25ct dress boxes in the last year or so, I'd have to go back and see if I can find it.

[Jack]

Reminds me of an age-old question Americans have.

[GP012]

5 hours ago, Jack said:

Reminds me of an age-old question Americans have.

We New Englanders - as intellectual superior beings - have already solved that complex mathematical conundrum. 🤣

[El Presidente]

In a factory, traditionally a "wheel" of cigars is 100 or 50 (depending on country). 

25 is simply an easy divison of that wheel. 

[westg]

Cigar Confucius will probably steal  from this thread for content  Some amazing answers. This is what makes us great 👍. 

[Lamboinee]

5 hours ago, Jack said:

Reminds me of an age-old question American's have.

You took the words right out my mouth.

3 hours ago, GP012 said:

We New Englanders - as intellectual superior beings

WHAT, pray tell, is an everlovin' hot dog "roll"?! 

Dogs and buns, it's perfectly phallic and natiform, the way God intended it.

Cause if don't got bunz, I don't wantz nons sunz.

Rolls are for raves, or for serving pre-meal at the Cracker Barrel and Texas Road Island House.