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arrrrgh - bad cigar gifts yet again
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gummy jones Offline
#1 Posted: Fri, Dec 25 2015, 2:45 PM EST
Joined: 07-06-2015
Posts: 7,969
[forcing a smile as i open them]
"yea, we knew you liked cigars"

i don't know how many times i hear that line on my birthday, Christmas, etc

it is always followed by a package of cigars with premium price tags that were recommended by skeezy shop owners to move bad inventory

so far, out of about 15 singles this year all I'm excited-ish to try are some buenaventuras (nh)



i think I'm going to go back to some of the shops and see if i can do an exchange
never tried it but am keeping my fingers crossed

otherwise they are off to our men and women overseas (unless some of you are itching for a trade for overpriced RPs, etc)
danmdevries Offline
#2 Posted: Fri, Dec 25 2015, 3:04 PM EST
Joined: 02-11-2014
Posts: 17,365
The Buenaventura isn't a bad smoke.
KingoftheCove Offline
#3 Posted: Fri, Dec 25 2015, 5:19 PM EST
Joined: 10-08-2011
Posts: 7,632
gummy jones wrote:
[forcing a smile as i open them]
"yea, we knew you liked cigars"

i don't know how many times i hear that line on my birthday, Christmas, etc

it is always followed by a package of cigars with premium price tags that were recommended by skeezy shop owners to move bad inventory

so far, out of about 15 singles this year all I'm excited-ish to try are some buenaventuras (nh)



i think I'm going to go back to some of the shops and see if i can do an exchange
never tried it but am keeping my fingers crossed

otherwise they are off to our men and women overseas (unless some of you are itching for a trade for overpriced RPs, etc)

It's better than fake Cubans................
chazbo Offline
#4 Posted: Fri, Dec 25 2015, 7:23 PM EST
Joined: 01-21-2007
Posts: 8,160
I got a bundle of assorted Victor Sinclair cigarsd'oh!
tamapatom Offline
#5 Posted: Fri, Dec 25 2015, 9:51 PM EST
Joined: 03-19-2015
Posts: 7,381
chazbo wrote:
I got a bundle of assorted Victor Sinclair cigarsd'oh!

I got one of those samplers too! Came with a travel humidor which I will definitely use.

Buenaventura is a nice cigar. I wouldn't complain.
SmokeMonkey Offline
#6 Posted: Fri, Dec 25 2015, 10:10 PM EST
Joined: 04-05-2015
Posts: 5,688
I was fortunate to avoid bad cigar gifts this year. A couple of boxes of a few favorites that have been discontinued and a gift card to my local b&m. Not bad. Or at least better than a VS sampler....
Mr. Jones Offline
#7 Posted: Fri, Dec 25 2015, 10:21 PM EST
Joined: 06-12-2005
Posts: 19,421
moldy, cracked, dryed out, plugged,
5 yr old non sellers, bad brands,....

some loser shop owners are the pits....

other good owners are helpful and honest....
just the luck of the draw I guess....
frankj1 Offline
#8 Posted: Fri, Dec 25 2015, 10:23 PM EST
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,221
same ****e happens to golfers. when I took up the sport many years ago, had to suffer through gifts like golf ball shaped soap.
bgz Offline
#9 Posted: Fri, Dec 25 2015, 10:28 PM EST
Joined: 07-29-2014
Posts: 13,023
I get all kinds of random golf crap. I get good cigars though :)

Don't know how many Darth Vader head covers I've lost... Someone needs to send me another one...

Someone gave me a yoda... It got stolen at the range though.
gummy jones Offline
#10 Posted: Fri, Dec 25 2015, 11:18 PM EST
Joined: 07-06-2015
Posts: 7,969
was able to regift quite a few to some of my younger cousins tonight - they seemed pretty appreciative

i think i just feel bad knowing how much someone paid for some of these at the b&m
zody Offline
#11 Posted: Sat, Dec 26 2015, 4:16 AM EST
Joined: 05-03-2005
Posts: 1,149
I feel for you gummy, nothing like putting on a polite face knowing you'll never even consider lighting them to avoid injured feelings from good intentions of the gifter.
Have you gotten trapped into smoking a turd for any of them right then so they can "see how mush you enjoy it?" That would be horrible, gagging down and pretending it's great.

If you know where they got them the shpo owner may not take them for exchange but you can let them they're absolute bullocks at cigar recommendations and should be ashamed of themselves.

My family early on from the depth of my obsession figured out that the best way to get me cigars is...gift certificates!!
Never had to suffer through bad cigar gifts so far.
mountainman Offline
#12 Posted: Sat, Dec 26 2015, 5:47 AM EST
Joined: 03-16-2012
Posts: 444
I know how you feel, my sister has done it to me a few times now. a set of fake Cubans and an assortment of stuff that actually made the "premium" cigar in the lot, a brown label monte robusto look like an opus. the cigars were ashed, but in the fire place... its the thought that counts.
spectresquad Offline
#13 Posted: Sat, Dec 26 2015, 6:17 AM EST
Joined: 11-23-2005
Posts: 1,061
Hmm...Wonder if that is what happens to my trades...hohoho
Mikekoz13 Offline
#14 Posted: Sat, Dec 26 2015, 7:25 AM EST
Joined: 10-21-2015
Posts: 383
My kids wanted to get me cigars. So I ordered some on line and my wife told the kids she ordered the cigars for them to give to me. I was very happy when I opened them!
Numismaniac Offline
#15 Posted: Sat, Dec 26 2015, 9:13 AM EST
Joined: 01-13-2012
Posts: 12,222
hehe
bgz Offline
#16 Posted: Sat, Dec 26 2015, 9:28 AM EST
Joined: 07-29-2014
Posts: 13,023
Couple family members / friends I exchange presents with, we send links pretty much buy ourselves a present, then act surprised.

Long time ago, a guy at the office bought me some cigars, was a cheap ass sampler from somewhere with a cheap ass humidor.

They ended up in the cheap ass humidor in our conference room and every once in a while someone would look in there and start picking out of it...

Eventually, we just chucked em, the cheap ass humidor is now my daughter's crayon box... she colored it up and made it priceless.
cacman Offline
#17 Posted: Sat, Dec 26 2015, 9:35 AM EST
Joined: 07-03-2010
Posts: 12,216
Never, ever look a gift horse in the mouth.
Always be grateful and thankful for the thought and effort.
As someone stated, someone else will appreciate the gift more than you and will be grateful for the effort.

I'm sure the troops would appreciate any cigars that aren't up to your standards. Send them a gift instead of complaining.
bgz Offline
#18 Posted: Sat, Dec 26 2015, 9:49 AM EST
Joined: 07-29-2014
Posts: 13,023
cacman wrote:
Never, ever look a gift horse in the mouth.
Always be grateful and thankful for the thought and effort.
As someone stated, someone else will appreciate the gift more than you and will be grateful for the effort.

I'm sure the troops would appreciate any cigars that aren't up to your standards. Send them a gift instead of complaining.


He once looked a gift horse in the mouth, only to find him holding another gift.

Had to...
zerohourhero Offline
#19 Posted: Sat, Dec 26 2015, 10:53 AM EST
Joined: 06-22-2015
Posts: 1,308
My mailman had some give him a bundle of Dark Sharks.... I brought my humidor out to him and had him pick a 5er to correct that travesty.
gummy jones Offline
#20 Posted: Sat, Dec 26 2015, 11:22 AM EST
Joined: 07-06-2015
Posts: 7,969
zody wrote:
I feel for you gummy, nothing like putting on a polite face knowing you'll never even consider lighting them to avoid injured feelings from good intentions of the gifter.
Have you gotten trapped into smoking a turd for any of them right then so they can "see how mush you enjoy it?" That would be horrible, gagging down and pretending it's great.

If you know where they got them the shpo owner may not take them for exchange but you can let them they're absolute bullocks at cigar recommendations and should be ashamed of themselves.

My family early on from the depth of my obsession figured out that the best way to get me cigars is...gift certificates!!
Never had to suffer through bad cigar gifts so far.


of course they were all bought with the best of intentions
luckily no one has ever encouraged me to rip one on the spot

my anger really remains on the owners of two ships in particular that, year after year, crush me with dog rockets and crush my family members with the price tags for them.

i also go enrolled in an "elite" cigar of the month club from my father in law and can only assume the price tag on it was pretty impressive as he always goes big.

I'm calling the shpo owners today to ask about exchanges and will update if i make any progress
opelmanta1900 Offline
#21 Posted: Sat, Dec 26 2015, 11:33 AM EST
Joined: 01-10-2012
Posts: 13,954
I've been hanging out at the shop all week while the owners out of town... Had a few people come in looking specifically for Christmas gifts... I convinced all of them to either pick up the MF Le Bijou or the EP La Historia... I don't want anyone coming in trying to return cigars...
KingoftheCove Offline
#22 Posted: Sat, Dec 26 2015, 11:51 AM EST
Joined: 10-08-2011
Posts: 7,632
opelmanta1900 wrote:
I've been hanging out at the shop all week while the owners out of town... Had a few people come in looking specifically for Christmas gifts... I convinced all of them to either pick up the MF Le Bijou or the EP La Historia... I don't want anyone coming in trying to return cigars...

plus, you'll be able to say that the MF was the cigar of the year for 2015....
opelmanta1900 Offline
#23 Posted: Sat, Dec 26 2015, 12:01 PM EST
Joined: 01-10-2012
Posts: 13,954
I've been saying that a lot lately! I got lucky and just happened to have a half box of those in the box pressed torpedo on the shelf when the list came out... I think we're down to three... I should've raised the price!
frankj1 Offline
#24 Posted: Sat, Dec 26 2015, 1:09 PM EST
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,221
gummy jones wrote:
of course they were all bought with the best of intentions
luckily no one has ever encouraged me to rip one on the spot

my anger really remains on the owners of two ships in particular that, year after year, crush me with dog rockets and crush my family members with the price tags for them.

i also go enrolled in an "elite" cigar of the month club from my father in law and can only assume the price tag on it was pretty impressive as he always goes big.

I'm calling the shpo owners today to ask about exchanges and will update if i make any progress

wonder if you can "register" at the shpo, like a couple getting married?
gummy jones Offline
#25 Posted: Sat, Dec 26 2015, 2:20 PM EST
Joined: 07-06-2015
Posts: 7,969
frankj1 wrote:
wonder if you can "register" at the shpo, like a couple getting married?


just got off the phone with the lady
middle eastern accent probably made her sound meaner than she really is
as usual, i was very nice nonetheless

but "absolutely no exchanges or returns on any cigars purchased"
jimbud Offline
#26 Posted: Sat, Dec 26 2015, 2:45 PM EST
Joined: 12-18-2009
Posts: 3,998
gummy jones wrote:
just got off the phone with the lady
middle eastern accent probably made her sound meaner than she really is
as usual, i was very nice nonetheless

but "absolutely no exchanges or returns on any cigars purchased"


This is the kind of thing you MUST do in person to have any chance of talking your way into an exchange. Just a gut feeling.
gummy jones Offline
#27 Posted: Sat, Dec 26 2015, 2:49 PM EST
Joined: 07-06-2015
Posts: 7,969
jimbud wrote:
This is the kind of thing you MUST do in person to have any chance of talking your way into an exchange. Just a gut feeling.


i know

the shop is 1hr 15min away though and after gifting a bunch to my cousins yesterday I'm not sure the trip is worth it for the other 8.
namadio Offline
#28 Posted: Sat, Dec 26 2015, 7:46 PM EST
Joined: 11-24-2014
Posts: 1,621
frankj1 wrote:
wonder if you can "register" at the shpo, like a couple getting married?


At a shpo in dayton ohio they track all your purchases and allow registering.

My local pointed my girlfriend to davidoffs and ashtons which i very much appreciated.
frankj1 Offline
#29 Posted: Sat, Dec 26 2015, 7:59 PM EST
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,221
I never did it but it just makes sense.
99cobra2881 Offline
#30 Posted: Sat, Dec 26 2015, 8:12 PM EST
Joined: 11-19-2013
Posts: 2,472
Just buy enough that your wife says there's no way in hell she's buying more cigars for Christmas because you have enough already. Works for me every time.
namadio Offline
#31 Posted: Sat, Dec 26 2015, 9:00 PM EST
Joined: 11-24-2014
Posts: 1,621
99cobra2881 wrote:
Just buy enough that your wife says there's no way in hell she's buying more cigars for Christmas because you have enough already. Works for me every time.


Solid strat
Whistlebritches Offline
#32 Posted: Sat, Dec 26 2015, 10:51 PM EST
Joined: 04-23-2006
Posts: 22,128
My son and daughter in law brought me a 5 pack sampler of some local rolls from a Key West shop........I am hopeful,they look good.
cacman Offline
#33 Posted: Sun, Dec 27 2015, 2:13 AM EST
Joined: 07-03-2010
Posts: 12,216
gummy jones wrote:
my anger really remains on the owners of two ships in particular that, year after year, crush me with dog rockets and crush my family members with the price tags for them.

i also go enrolled in an "elite" cigar of the month club from my father in law and can only assume the price tag on it was pretty impressive as he always goes big.

I'm calling the shpo owners today to ask about exchanges and will update if i make any progress

Why blame the B&M because the customers (your friends) didn't know what they where buying.

It's this kind of attitude that gives B&M owners a bad rep.

Can't believe you would honestly expect being able to exchange/return cigars !?!? Another noob learns a lesson.
tamapatom Offline
#34 Posted: Sun, Dec 27 2015, 9:46 AM EST
Joined: 03-19-2015
Posts: 7,381
cacman wrote:
Why blame the B&M because the customers (your friends) didn't know what they where buying.

It's this kind of attitude that gives B&M owners a bad rep.

Can't believe you would honestly expect being able to exchange/return cigars !?!? Another noob learns a lesson.

Most b and m folks are between a rock and a hard place making blind recomendations. What is a great choice for one is horrible for another. The vast majority of cigar smokers go for mild and less complex. What is the safe recommendation? You are more likely to get dogs from Internet purchases as the only recommendation is from the glowing ads.
zerohourhero Offline
#35 Posted: Sun, Dec 27 2015, 12:42 PM EST
Joined: 06-22-2015
Posts: 1,308
cacman wrote:
Can't believe you would honestly expect being able to exchange/return cigars !?!?



Why not? Literally every shpo I know of in my immediate area offers refunds/exchanges on uncut/unsmoked cigars in their original cellophane. Heck, most of the players online have the same policy.

Gifts happen, its in their best interest to allow exchanges. An exchange literally costs them nothing at a local Shpo level, and the cost of shipping on an online level (depending on the circumstances).

Guy walks into the shop and says "Hey, (Family Member X) got these for me, but theirs not my thing I haven't smoked any, but I know I like something like (Other cigar), can we do an exchange?" "sure, we can do that, youll just pay/we'll refund the difference/The cigar is worth x price, feel free to swap it out, we'll put the rest on a gift card".

Holidays are weird. Buying presents is a risk, especially when its a taste based product. I've worked in all sorts of retail environments like that, when I was at the tea room we always had a ton of returns/exchanges right after Christmas, and we took em all, because it built future customers. Sure we had to shrink out the tea because as a food product it was not resellable, but a chunk of those people always came back on a regular basis because we took care of them that one time.
gummy jones Offline
#36 Posted: Sun, Dec 27 2015, 1:06 PM EST
Joined: 07-06-2015
Posts: 7,969
cacman wrote:
Why blame the B&M because the customers (your friends) didn't know what they where buying.

It's this kind of attitude that gives B&M owners a bad rep.

Can't believe you would honestly expect being able to exchange/return cigars !?!? Another noob learns a lesson.


Heaven forbid someone with little knowledge walk into a shop, talk to the "expert" and expect to get an honest answer. regardless of your misplaced hostility, that is what gives bm owners a bad name.

im not sure what lesson i learned other than you can't expect a crooked bm owner to recommend fuente, oliva v, illusione, etc when they have a bunch of dusty stuff they need to move. on the contrary, i can guarantee if the same folks went to another shop (the only one "around" i go to) they would have walked out with just that. us noobs still living in the dream world with human decency and an ounce of honesty i guess.
Palama Offline
#37 Posted: Sun, Dec 27 2015, 1:12 PM EST
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,677
Given all the weirdos out there these days, if I owned a cigar shpo, I probably wouldn't take back / exchange cigars either unless they had proof that it had been purchased from my shpo and that it was in a tamper-resistant cello, i.e., with a factory sticker holding down the open end of the cello. No way I would take back non-cello'd cigars - even with a proof of purchase. You never know how they were handled after they left your place.

And think about it, a cigar bought online looks the same as one in a b&m so who's to stop someone from bringing in something they got somewhere else?

Unless there was a physical / distance reason, I would recommend getting a gift certificate instead so that the gifted person could pick out his / her own cigar(s).
zerohourhero Offline
#38 Posted: Sun, Dec 27 2015, 1:14 PM EST
Joined: 06-22-2015
Posts: 1,308
Palama wrote:
Unless there was a physical / distance reason, I would recommend getting a gift certificate instead so that the gifted person could pick out his / her own cigar(s).


This is the best choice for any preference based thing (Beer,Coffee,Tea,Cigars,Food, ETC). If you don't know the persons preference, get a gift card.
opelmanta1900 Offline
#39 Posted: Sun, Dec 27 2015, 1:27 PM EST
Joined: 01-10-2012
Posts: 13,954
Not a shop owner, but one thing I did experience this Christmas when people came in to buy cigars as gifts, non smokers have a hard time with cigar prices... Our MF lb runs $14.99.... The la historia runs $12.99.... Not uncommon to hear, "I was expecting to spend more like $5 per cigar"... That puts you onto a $6.99 Alec Bradley American Classic, or a 4-pack of rocky Patel edge for $25.99... One of the four made the top 25 this year, but still probably not what most veteran smokers would be happy to receive...
itsawaldo Offline
#40 Posted: Sun, Dec 27 2015, 2:05 PM EST
Joined: 09-10-2006
Posts: 4,221
Mrs Waldo asked what I wanted, I was grateful for that.

Problem is she didn't get me any cigars. No gift certificate either.

What's up with that, why would she toy with me?

If I owned a shopo and you were a regular buyer from me, I'd consider taking an exchange from you. If origin could be dubious I'd ask for a 2-1 especially if they are slow sellers for me.
As a consumer I'd do that easily if my shopo required, getting what I want.
99cobra2881 Offline
#41 Posted: Sun, Dec 27 2015, 2:15 PM EST
Joined: 11-19-2013
Posts: 2,472
opelmanta1900 wrote:
Not a shop owner, but one thing I did experience this Christmas when people came in to buy cigars as gifts, non smokers have a hard time with cigar prices... Our MF lb runs $14.99.... The la historia runs $12.99.... Not uncommon to hear, "I was expecting to spend more like $5 per cigar"... That puts you onto a $6.99 Alec Bradley American Classic, or a 4-pack of rocky Patel edge for $25.99... One of the four made the top 25 this year, but still probably not what most veteran smokers would be happy to receive...



Did you tell any of them about cigarbid? Think







Sarcasm
Buckwheat Offline
#42 Posted: Sun, Dec 27 2015, 2:30 PM EST
Joined: 04-15-2004
Posts: 12,251
You guys really understand what Christmas is all about. WTF? ram27bat
cacman Offline
#43 Posted: Sun, Dec 27 2015, 3:32 PM EST
Joined: 07-03-2010
Posts: 12,216
Buckwheat wrote:
You guys really understand what Christmas is all about. WTF? ram27bat

Exactly.
primadonas…
opelmanta1900 Offline
#44 Posted: Sun, Dec 27 2015, 3:41 PM EST
Joined: 01-10-2012
Posts: 13,954
99cobra2881 wrote:
Did you tell any of them about cigarbid? Think







Sarcasm


Cigar bid isn't actually that cheap for California residents since we are required to pay a tobacco tax at the end of the year for any online tobacco purchases we make Herfing
99cobra2881 Offline
#45 Posted: Sun, Dec 27 2015, 4:36 PM EST
Joined: 11-19-2013
Posts: 2,472
opelmanta1900 wrote:
Cigar bid isn't actually that cheap for California residents since we are required to pay a tobacco tax at the end of the year for any online tobacco purchases we make Herfing



Wow that is rediculous. I could say so much but I'm sure you've heard or thought all of it before.
zerohourhero Offline
#46 Posted: Sun, Dec 27 2015, 4:44 PM EST
Joined: 06-22-2015
Posts: 1,308
cacman wrote:
Exactly.
primadonas…


Im not here judging peoples Christmas gifts or their love of them. Im just speaking from a strictly retail manager standpoint, and my own SHPO experience.

Everyone has a had a gift disappoint them, and mentioned it to a friend, so they don't mention it to the person.

Heck, my dad got me a book of mad libs for my birthday. Im 31.
robertsccr5 Offline
#47 Posted: Sun, Dec 27 2015, 5:07 PM EST
Joined: 09-13-2012
Posts: 2,314
My wife knows better, I got some BCBS, Whistle Pig Rye, George T. Stagg, Thomas H. Handy Saz, a few Sobremesa cigars, and a sick bottle cutting kit.

That's just the consumables. Also got some new luggage, and a new Glock.
99cobra2881 Offline
#48 Posted: Sun, Dec 27 2015, 5:21 PM EST
Joined: 11-19-2013
Posts: 2,472
robertsccr5 wrote:
My wife knows better, I got some BCBS, Whistle Pig Rye, George T. Stagg, Thomas H. Handy Saz, a few Sobremesa cigars, and a sick bottle cutting kit.

That's just the consumables. Also got some new luggage, and a new Glock.



You get the 43?
robertsccr5 Offline
#49 Posted: Sun, Dec 27 2015, 5:56 PM EST
Joined: 09-13-2012
Posts: 2,314
99cobra2881 wrote:
You get the 43?

No. Since I'm in California I would need a cop friend to buy one then do a PPT to me. Same with all Gen 4s in Cali.

I have a 23 and just picked up a 17. I kinda wished I went the opposite route though and got a 22 and 19.
gummy jones Offline
#50 Posted: Sun, Dec 27 2015, 6:15 PM EST
Joined: 07-06-2015
Posts: 7,969
robertsccr5 wrote:
No. Since I'm in California I would need a cop friend to buy one then do a PPT to me. Same with all Gen 4s in Cali.

I have a 23 and just picked up a 17. I kinda wished I went the opposite route though and got a 22 and 19.


17 is a fantastic gun
are you guys stuck with 10rd mags out there or are you allowed the scary 17rd ones?

sounds like your wife has an easy gift idea for you next time around (glock19)
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