EAR: Received Five fake boxes.

[El Presidente]

EAR= Email Assistance Required. 

 

"That about wraps it up Rob. A batch of boxes was purchased from a private estate, and it’s now clear that a portion of them are not genuine. There’s no dispute on that point. The pricing reflected market value, the family involved had no knowledge of any issues, and the loss sits with the buyer.

The wider collection being offered is significant in size. Given that roughly a quarter of the boxes already reviewed proved problematic, the question is whether there is any broader duty of care to make others aware. The family has no idea. Yet, with 120 boxes yet to sell, do prospective buyers need a warning that at least some of the boxes are not authentic?

I’m comfortable accepting this as part of the risk that comes with the territory, but I’d genuinely appreciate member perspectives on how they would approach this situation.

 

Over to you good folk 

[Gemini_Man]

What's the dilemma here exactly? Fakes are confirmed, they shouldn't be sold at all!! The original buyer already got swindled, don't replicate the scam man.

[zacca]

The family has no knowledge but they’re happy to accept market rate, so then it’s just as fair for you to warn whoever you want to. 

[El Presidente]

2 minutes ago, Gemini_Man said:

What's the dilemma here exactly? Fakes are confirmed, they shouldnt be sold at all!! The original buyer already got swindled, dont replicate the scam man.

Family estate. They don't know/likely care. That doesn't make them bad people. No doubt they are offloading a host of estate non cigar offerings as well. To them, they just want to get to the finishing line of a painful period. 

Does the buyer go on Reddit and similar to warn others? I think that is the question he was alluding to. 

[Gemini_Man]

"Do prospective buyers need a warning that at least some of the boxes are not authentic?".... In what situation exactly would it be ethical to keep quiet?! 

I'm so confused.

[El Presidente]

7 hours ago, Gemini_Man said:

"Do prospective buyers need a warning that at least some of the boxes are not authentic?".... In what situation exactly would it be ethical to keep quiet?! 

I'm so confused.

Sead set fair point. 

Assuming he was dealing with "Mrs Jones"' 86 year old mother and daughter Jane, 55 year old who wouldn't know a cigar from a carrot. Lovely people. 

My issue is that they did enough research to ask for market price. 

[Ford2112]

I would blow the whistle.

[painfreefishing]

Unfortunate situation but I would not propagate the scam. Perhaps inform the family and give them the opportunity to do the right thing. 

[chasy]

Unfortunately, we in the Habanos world are all too familiar with this tale. To simplify, let’s pretend it isn’t cigars. Let’s say it’s watches or art or vintage cars. Would you say something?

I'd let them know and ask to sell back the fakes at the purchased price and eat the shipping.

[JPark3]

At a minimum, the family should be asked if they knew some were fakes and be offered a chance to make things right before blowing the whistle.

[Lucas Buck]

Sound the alarm. Absolutely. No question.