Cuaba ELs - Mold - Yuck!

[KB24]

So is the vendor going to be replacing or is that what you are waiting to here?

[Colt45]

Plume/Bloom vs. Mold – There is a lot out there on this subject (some of it incorrect). There is also a lot of confusion. I have received a couple responses from individuals after looking at my pictures stating it to be plume/bloom.

There is no way to confuse what's growing on these cigars with plume, and no way to know the merchant's true thoughts. But it's

hard to believe he would not know this is mold from your photos.

If I had to fathom a guess, it would be simply that he doesn't want to take the loss - but that's pure conjecture on my part.

[Jimmy2]

I like to know who the vendor is ? Someone PM me i think we all have a right to know when posting pic's like that who wants the trouble of opening a box and seeing that.

We should all be looking out for each other when a problem like this happens.

Good to know when something goes wrong here which is rare its always taken care of pronto !!!

[BobLobLaw]

I like to know who the vendor is ? Someone PM me i think we all have a right to know when posting pic's like that who wants the trouble of opening a box and seeing that.

We should all be looking out for each other when a problem like this happens.

Good to know when something goes wrong here which is rare its always taken care of pronto !!!

Agree that this is important and would also like to know vendor.

[jeromeroselli]

Smokem..

How long were they in transit?

Quite honestly, it looks as if they may have been exposed to water at some point during the travel time.

Does the box look like it has stains or soft spots?

Do the cigars have stains on them? It looks like it from the photos, but that could be shadows.

Also.. Does the really bad one near the right side looks like it's warped? No?

Jeremy

[smokem]

Smokem..

How long were they in transit? About 1 week.

Quite honestly, it looks as if they may have been exposed to water at some point during the travel time.

Does the box look like it has stains or soft spots? NoDo the cigars have stains on them? It looks like it from the photos, but that could be shadows. Have to check them.

Also.. Does the really bad one near the right side looks like it's warped? No? Have to check.

Jeremy

[ilgatto]

Those look terrible. Hopefully the vendor will square it away for you.

[SethG]

Those are the worst looking cigars that I have seen in a very long time, and for them to have just been received is unbelievable. I fail to understand why anyone would instruct a vendor to ship cigars un-inspected, that would have prevented this from happening. I hope you have a honorable solution to this situation.

So they're unopened? It's really in the best interest of the vendor to have them inspected to avoid the weird return path. A lot of customers prefer unopened boxes because they know what they're dealing with and any oddities automatically exclude the vendor (unless they're REAL odd).

This looks like it's not the vendors fault at all. Probably just got a shipment stuck somewhere on a dock for a couple of weeks and never knew about it. Especially if they don't usually check the boxes.

[El Rushbo]

Okay, this is killing me. I'm a teacher at work (easy, it's my period off... ). Our filter blocks just about anything you can imagine. I'm dying to see these pic's. At this point, you can imagine my conception.

1. Would love to know who this is.

2. Interested to see how it shakes out.

3. This is why I give my business to one source.

BTW, can we put that pic in the Cigar Porn section? Some kinky people out there...

[stargazer14]

So if the vendor thinks its not mold, and is 'bloom', well heck, he should be happy to give you your money back -

some people pay extra for that stuff so he can bump up the price!

"Cuaba ELs, vintage - check out the bloom on these babys! You dont come across this everyday!

For the collector who wants only the best. If you have to ask the price, you can't afford them!"

[note: vintage cigars are sold 'as is', no returns]

[HawaiiBill]

So if the vendor thinks its not mold, and is 'bloom', well heck, he should be happy to give you your money back -

some people pay extra for that stuff so he can bump up the price!

"Cuaba ELs, vintage - check out the bloom on these babys! You dont come across this everyday!

For the collector who wants only the best. If you have to ask the price, you can't afford them!"

[note: vintage cigars are sold 'as is', no returns]

LOL....thats what I was thinking. If the vendor is sure, then he should have NO problem talking them back.

[smokem]

Okay, I'm a freakin idiot!!!

After over a week going back and forth with the vendor, he will not credit my credit card, instead store credit only, so I will have to dispute this with my credit card company, since I will never purchase another thing from him.

This is after I sent the cigars back today to where he told me. He also refuses to pay for the shipping, so the cost is out of my pocket (but hey, it's only $6.13 and I wanted the moldy box of cigars out of my humidor already. Let him enjoy the 6 bucks.)

So I defended repeatly not outing the vendor, and in this case it shows what the F was I thinking. Bottom line, I don't think I could have made up a better story about what I consider is horrendous treatment.

I will try to answer any PMs.

[Van55]

From photos to the vendor's actions, this story is appalling. Even Ray Charles, being both blind and dead, could see that those cigars are covered with mold, and not the kind you just brush off before smoking.

The vendor should either send you a replacement box or issue a full refund to your credit card.

[Colt45]

Okay, I'm a freakin idiot!!!

Not to me. You trusted someone, and dealt with them in a respectful manner.

This reflects poorly on them, not you.

[FlyFishingDude]

That's just bad business. In the long run, it will probably hurt their business and after word gets you might find others that've had the same issue(s) with this vendor. Not having read what warranty/guarantee/satisfaction policy they have, if any I can't comment on. So hopefully everything will work to your satisfaction with the cc company and you can just cross them off your list. Their loss.

Mike

[smokem]

That's just bad business. In the long run, it will probably hurt their business and after word gets you might find others that've had the same issue(s) with this vendor. Not having read what warranty/guarantee/satisfaction policy they have, if any I can't comment on. So hopefully everything will work to your satisfaction with the cc company and you can just cross them off your list. Their loss.

Mike

Mike,

I quote from their website:

"Customer satisfaction is our primary objective.

With confidence, we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back. Our guarantee applies to receipt, quality and condition of our products."

In their last email though they stated that company policy is to offer store credit and they are "going above and beyond" and doing "a lot more than any other company". What a joke! (and I feel the joke is on me)

[Van55]

This kind of thing seems to happen with some frequency when an on-line vendor ships from a distant warehouse rather than from stock on his premises.

The vendor is NOT honoring its published satisfaction guarantee, which smokem quoted in part.

Here's another bit from it:

If you are not completely satisfied with our products, you may return your purchase in its original packaging for an immediate and full refund or exchange.

[FlyFishingDude]

Take it up with your Credit Card company. Let them know you ordered a product and it was damaged upon recieipt and was returned to the company for a refund which they failed to do and only offered a store credit. Of which is not acceptable to you. (Don't mention it was a tobacco product)

Next, fire off an Email to their CS department again requesting a refund not a store credit. Tactfully mention that you're a member in several online cigar forums and your sure other members of these forums would like to know about your deceptive written policy of "100% satisfaction guaranteed or your money refunded" when you were offered "replacement" or "store credit". Explain to them replacement or store credit not an option. Be firm, but cordial.

Now you have a two prong attack and it might surprise them when they're hit a "charge back"

Mike

[greenpimp]

I have never used this vendor before, but I agree this is unacceptable.

Honestly, I would have them call you (or write that email FishDude rec'd) to express your final displeasure with them breaking their own guarantee.

Then I would just have a replacement box sent and be done with them. The hassle and heartache over dealing with CC chargebacks, esp. of an illegal product, are not worth one small box of cigars, in my opinion. How much is your time and energy worth?

Sure there is the principle of it, but you will not enlighten them on that one iota. Lesson learned for you, IMO. Wash your hands of them and email Lisa next time you order.

[El Presidente]

Somedays you hear customer service stories like this and just shake your head.

I feel for you mate. Keep in mind most operators out there are good and would have been dismayed at your photo's.

Personally I would take another box of Cuaba Piramides (inspected first) and be done with it.

[Miami101]

FYI

Guys down here pay more money for these with mold on them

[bolivr]

Vendor will suffer for this in the long run, but that's little compensation for smokem. I like Mike's idea - the two pronged attack, what have you got to lose? You got plenty of friends backing you up here

[smokem]

Somedays you hear customer service stories like this and just shake your head.

I feel for you mate. Keep in mind most operators out there are good and would have been dismayed at your photo's.

Personally I would take another box of Cuaba Piramides (inspected first) and be done with it.

Sir, I appreciate your opinions and those of others, I really do.

I originally replied to the vendor and asked either for a credit or a replacement. During the emails back and forth, the vendor insisted it was plume/bloom. The more I thought about it, the more I was glad I did order a sealed box from this vendor. What if they opened the box and wiped off the mold? I would have never known and when I smoked them perhaps they would have been sub standard with me thinking these are just so so cigars, not knowing the truth. During these communications, I decided that I didn't want any replacement, just my money back.

[jeromeroselli]

You know what I call people/businesses like this? The scum of the earth

[smokem]

Just want to thank Michael and others who have taken time to email the vendor in my support. That is very very kind of all you to try to help me out. I am especially grateful since although I post on several boards, I am relatively new here and for you guys to go above and beyond is very much appreciated.

Al