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Last post 20 years ago by ksinger. 11 replies replies.
CAO Rolling event
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ksinger Offline
#1 Posted: Thu, May 15 2003, 6:21 PM EST
Joined: 03-14-2002
Posts: 94
With all apologies to Jon...I went to the event in Cinci tonight and was under-impressed. I think it had more to do with the retail establishment than it did with CAO. The shop was pretty small, they only had about 5 chairs and their smokes weren't all that well priced. The CAOs were buy 3 (that's right THREE -- none cheaper than $6) and get a $5 Crilio free). I was there for about an hour and didn't get to meet anyone from CAO -- not sure the master roller was even there. I did ask if there was a sales rep there and was told he called and said he wasn't coming. Just as I was about to light up, I got called back home because my garage was flooding. I bought an Anniversaire Churchill and a Crilio, and the Crilio looks fantastic. Unfortunately, I didn't check the Anniversaire before I left the store and the wrapper is coming off in the mid-section and there are some spots where the wrapper has been rubbed off or something. Definitely not what I expected from CAO!
Overall, the experience wasn't worth the 45 minute drive (each way)...which means I probably won't make the drive back to exchange my almost $9 Anniversaire! To top things off, I didn't even get to enjoy the Crilio because I spent a couple hours getting the water out of the garage and making sure it wouldn't flood again tonight. Hopefully this weekend I'll try it and let you know what I think.
lifesacatch22 Offline
#2 Posted: Thu, May 15 2003, 6:39 PM EST
Joined: 03-29-2003
Posts: 174
That's too bad, I want to try to make it to a CAO event but they never get close enough to central iowa, might have to make a road trip with some ISUCC guys. If you've got a problem with a cigar if you jot a quick e-mail to the people there I'd bet they'd help you out, I, along with what I've heard from many other people have had nothing but fantastic experiences with the people there.
JustDanD Offline
#3 Posted: Thu, May 15 2003, 7:54 PM EST
Joined: 02-27-2003
Posts: 748
Sorry I missed that one, Kris. Was planning on hitting the CAO rolling in Indianapolis later this month, when I can smoke again.

That same establishement in Cincy didn't hand out cigars at the last event, either. No door prize or drawings. I did have great company to smoke with, though.

I'm new to this stuff, but I think many of them are going to "buy some get 1 free" instead of totally free. The Wharf's Indian Tabac event is on the 30th, and they have you buy 3 before getting one free. The deal for buying a box is that you get your picture taken with the "Indian Princess." Not the really big draw for a married guy with kids.

Maybe we will actually bump into each other one of these times. :-)
Dan
Arrow_34 Offline
#4 Posted: Thu, May 15 2003, 8:06 PM EST
Joined: 12-19-2002
Posts: 186
Well that must have sucked? They didn't even have a roller there? I thoght those events were for fresh rolled cigars etc. The one near me is in about 2 weeks. I have been to the shop once already, no chairs, but a nice selection of gars. I was told they will be running a special that day, buy cao 2 gars get one free. Man if that event blows that bad, I will have to send a letter to the company :)
xrundog Offline
#5 Posted: Fri, May 16 2003, 4:41 AM EST
Joined: 01-17-2002
Posts: 2,212
Sounds like the store botched that one.
hoagie55 Offline
#6 Posted: Fri, May 16 2003, 5:13 AM EST
Joined: 03-01-2003
Posts: 909
I was able to make it at the end of the event and just wanted to clear a few things up.

This was NOT a rolling event, it was just a tasting event. It was not advertised as a rolling event, and the reps sometimes have to cancel. I've had that happen at several events at other establishments in different states which is not that uncommon.

Jon's store isn't that large, but he cleared out most of his chairs as it is usually standing room only for any event he hosts. His prices are steep when compared to cigarbid, but for retail for that area they are reasonable. He runs a nice establishment. I'm sorry that you had such a negative experience. I guess that means you won't be coming down for the AVO event the end of June nor the Playboy and Graycliffe events mid-July.
Jon@CAO Offline
#7 Posted: Fri, May 16 2003, 6:07 AM EST
Joined: 08-23-2002
Posts: 745
I am very disappointed to hear about this situation. I had to re-check our 'happenings' page, and as I thought, this particular event (Bell's) was never listed as a "roller event" but rather, simply as a CAO Criollo Tasting. I apologize if there was some confusion along the way.

As to our sales rep, Michael Perales was called away to cover a private party in Detroit with our Vice President. That said, he had informed us that he was securing someone else from his company to cover and attend this event.

As to the 'defective' cigar, please feel free to e-mail me directly at [email protected], and I will address this matter directly.

Thank you.

Jon Huber
Chief Marketing Officer

CAO Cigars
JustDanD Offline
#8 Posted: Fri, May 16 2003, 6:33 AM EST
Joined: 02-27-2003
Posts: 748
CAO steps up the the plate, swings, and it's a homerun. Way to go, Jon.
hoagie55 Offline
#9 Posted: Fri, May 16 2003, 7:47 AM EST
Joined: 03-01-2003
Posts: 909
Jon,

You guys are doing a GREAT job there at CAO! Way to step up to the plate and take care of your customers.

I attended the event last evening and came home with a nice CAO ballcap as a door prize. Another great item to add to my collection! I can't wait to be able to wear that t-shirt as well.

Keep up the good work and hopefully I'll be able to attend the Indianapolis event!
Matt
Arrow_34 Offline
#10 Posted: Fri, May 16 2003, 9:02 AM EST
Joined: 12-19-2002
Posts: 186
Hey Jon,

I live near detroit, how private is private? LOL I would love to go to good event :)

What are the rolling events supposed to be like? Are there free cigars? Also are fresh rolled cigars available for sale? I am pretty new to cigars in general and only had a few CAO cigars, I am curious about fresh rolled CAO cigars?
lifesacatch22 Offline
#11 Posted: Fri, May 16 2003, 9:05 AM EST
Joined: 03-29-2003
Posts: 174
Jon saves the day like I thought he would!
ksinger Offline
#12 Posted: Fri, May 16 2003, 12:15 PM EST
Joined: 03-14-2002
Posts: 94
Just wanted to follow up with a couple things. Everyone I met at the event was very nice, including the store manager, but I felt the event could have been better run. I, like Jon, thought I remembered seeing that roller Manuel somebody was supposed to be at the event, but now that it's past the event, it's no longer on the CAO website and it was NEVER on the store's website. I think one of the things that rankled me was that they had a bunch of different cigars that were buy-1 get-1...I probably wouldn't have minded buy-2 get-1 for the CAOs. No, I probably won't attend another event at that store because of the distance, but if CAO is looking for a place in Dayton to host, there's a great retail store (IMHO) here!
Jon - appreciate the offer...I was planning on emailing you a pic to show you what I was talking about. I'll definitely do that this weekend.
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