The following is a compilation of posts, originated by some of the VETS on this board, to help the newbie. My attempt is to put as much info possible, in one post, if anyone else would like to add-on please do.
Thanks to :
Cigar Bid
SKETCHA
KNOF
SLIMBOLI
FERG
BUCKY B93
GOODY
and any others who had input in these post
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...........................................................THE NEWBIE TRADE................................................................................
NEWBIE Trade - This thread is where newbies should go to develop a positive rep with the vets on the board. Any newbie will be paired with a veteran. The veteran will ask for something, and if the newbie agrees will send the package. Upon receipt the veteran will put together a generally too big, and too generous package to kick start the newbies cigar obsession. See the Newbie Trade thread and Post there to be included.
One more thing - be proactive and by more storage NOW.
.......................................................... A TRADE CALLED P I F .............................................................................
The basic rules... PIF = Pay it forward ...
In a PIF, somebody asks, "Who wants free cigars?". The first person to respond that they want some free cigars, gets to receive some cigars from the person offering. The "suggested minimum" PIF package is 5 premium smokes. You are encouraged to send more, but no less please.
If you don't have a few quality smokes, PLEASE BUY SOME, then play. 🙂
It is then their turn to ask if anyone wants free cigars within a [approx] 24-hour time frame. It is then their job to send free cigars to the first person that responds.
Winners will be limited to one win in 7 days. The key here is to be fair, make new friends, and have a little fun...
...............................................................A TRADE CALLED P I B ............................................................................
The basic rules..........PIB = Pay it Back ...
In a PIB, somebody asks, "Who wants to send me free cigars?". The first person to respond that they want to send some free cigars, gets to send some cigars to the person asking the question. The "suggested minimum" PIB package is 5 premium smokes. You are encouraged to send more, but no less please.
If you don't have a few quality smokes, PLEASE BUY SOME, then play. 🙂
It is then their turn to ask if anyone wants to send some free cigars within a [approx] 24-hour time frame. The first person to respond will send the asker some smokes, and so on, and on . . .
Winners will be limited to one win in 7 days. The key here is to be fair and have a little fun...
.............................................................A TRADE CALLED T T T...............................................................................
The basic rules ....... TTT = Top This Trade.
Whoever is up will ask the question "Who wants to top this trade". The first to answer "I will" enters into a trade agreement with him. The asker, sends a package first to the topper. Once received it is now his turn to "top that trade" by sending better than he received, either in like quality but more quantity. Or by sending better quality, usually in at least same quantity. The next day after answering the challenge, it is now your turn to ask "Who wants to top this trade"...and so on. And of course there is flyboy's great "sadistic Saturday" rule, where the question can be asked over and over again until the day is done.
One thing I have found while participating in the TTT thread,
DO YOUR BEST TO TOP THE TRADE WITH BETTER QUALITY STICKS AS OPPOSED TO QUANTITY -- YOUR PEERS WILL RESPECT YOU MUCH MORE,
top with quantity as a last resort.
............................................................A TRADE CALLED O C T T T.............................................................................
The basic rules..........OCTTT = Outta Control Top This Trade
Same general guidelines as the TTT but this will be for those folks who just can't control themselves and love to bomb BIG (and have the sticks to support their habit).
1) ANYTHING GOES!
2) 10 stick minimum
3) No dogrockets! (if you're not sure if your sticks are DR, ask)
4) Send your end in a timely manner - I recommend a couple of days from the time you made the commitment or received the package...but use your own discretion.(I for one need to improve!)
5) If #4 is a problem then at least let the other B/SOTL know that your end will be tardy.
Note :
"Warped is too nice a name to use for some of the individuals in this arena !! This is where the heavy hitters play !
.................................................................ITEM SPECIFIC TRADES...........................................................................
Post what you have and what you want in return or vice versa.
ISO - in search of
FT - for trade
For example:
FT 5 pack of PAM 64 Diplos looking for = value of ISOMs.
.....................................................................THE BOX PASS.........................................................................................
This is a great way to make new friends and an opportunity to smoke some different sticks
Generally a box pass consist of a host and 10 - 12 other members.
The host establishes the pass rules and gathers each prospective members shipping info.
Once any revisions have been made to members info, or rules the shipping order of the pass is laid out, usually this done geographically, sometimes allowing for hand offs.
The completed pass order and the pass rules are forwarded to each member.
The host then puts together a selection of cigars, usually 30 - 40, and ships them to the first person on the list and the box pass has begun.
Once received, the member removes and adds cigars from the box in accordance with pass rules established by the host.
The box goes from member to member until it finally gets back to the host.
Usually a host bag will be generated by one of the members, this bag is where members of the pass can add sticks for the host.
Here are some examples of box pass rules :
Newbies MUST have at least 1 trading reference from a current cbid member.
You must be at least semi-active on these forums. No lurkers allowed!
3 move minimium. You must take at least 3 gars from the box and replace them with at least 3 of equal or greater value.
No trading up. Translation: Do not put 2 $5 sticks in trade for 1 $10 stick!
You must post your puts and takes on the box pass thread
You are responsible for the contents of the box until it has been received by the next member in the shipping order. So insure the box when shipping !! See the shipping options section
..................................................................BIRTHDAY CLUBS..........................................................................................
Birthday clubs are usually established in Dec. / Jan.
The club consist, ideally, of 12 members
The originator of the club establishes the rules and gathers each members shipping info and birthdates. This info is then forwarded to each member
Each month you and the other members of the club send birthday packages to the member who has a birthday in that month
In your month all other members of the club will send birthday packages to you !!!
Here are some examples of birthday club rules :
You must have developed a positive trading rep on this board
You must be at least semi-active on these forums. No lurkers allowed!
Send a minimum of 5 cigars for each birthday, but if you want to send more to anyone, feel free to. In return, they will
probably send you more on your birthday.
Send your package as close to the members birthday as possible, at least in the proper month
...................................................................CONTEST / GAMES ....................................................................................
Periodicaly a BOTL / SOTL will put on a contest or game where the winner will receive free cigars.
The originator establishes and post the rules and winnings for these contest / games
..................................................................SHIPPING OPTIONS.......................................................................................
UPS, Fed Ex, USPS, etc works for most folks.
I prefer USPS. The great thing is, you don't have to go to the post office to ship.
You will need to create a free USPS account to do this, but trust me, with as many cigars as you will be shipping to other BOTL, this makes life much easier! USPS will also send you free shipping boxes, at your request.
Simply hop on USPS.gov go to ship a package, select the proper option and pay with your credit card. Then, just send it out with the mailman. Cost Delivery Confirmation # is included when shipping 2 - 3 day USPS priority. Insurance on packages is also available
............................................ LIST OF COMMONLY USED ACRONYMS..........................................................
898 varn = 898 Varnished
AF = Arturo Fuente
AFAIK - = As far as I know
AKA = Also know as
asc = alt.smokers.cigars (a USENET Newsgroup)
bb (or bbs) = bulletin board or forum
BBF = Bolivar Belicoso Fino
Big Smoke = cA's cigar events.
BLTTW = Be less trouble that way
Bol CG = Bolivar Coronas Gigantes
Boli CG = Bolivar Coronas Gigantes
BOTL/SOTL = Brother/Sister of the Leaf
BS = Hemingway Best Seller
BTL = Hemingway Between The Lines
cA = Cigar Afficianado
cammie = Cameroon
CF = Cigar Family
Connie = Consuegra (seconds to Punch, HdM, ERDM)
CS = Conneticut Shade Wrapper
CUL8R = See you later
CW = Cigar Weekly/CigarWise
D4 = Partagas D-4 (Robustos)
DC = Don Carlos, Double Corona, or Diamond Crown
EPI 1 = Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No 1 (corona gorda)
EPI 2 = Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No 2 (robusto
ERD M = El Rey Del Mundo
FAQ = Frequently Asked Question
FCOL = For Crying Out Loud
FFOX = Fuente Fuente Opus X
FNG = F***ing New Guy
FOAD = F*** off and Die
FOG = F***ing Old Guy
FUBAR = F***ed up beyond all recognition
FWIW = For what it's worth
FYA = For your amusement
FYI = For your information
HDM = Hoyo de Monterrey
Herf = A gathering of people enjoying cigars and the company of each other
HP = Herfer's Paradise
IBTL = Hemingway In Between the Lines
IHNDIWTFYATA = I Have No Damned Idea What The F*** You Are Talking About
IMHO = In My Humble Opinion
IMNSHO = In my not so humble opinion
IMO = In my opinion
INWAP! = I'm Not Wearing Any Pants!
ISOM = Island South Of Miami
J/K = Just kidding
JL = Juan Lopez
JL S2 = Juan Lopez Seleccion No 2 (Robustos)
L = Laugh
L8R = Later
LGC = La Gloria Cubana
LL - = LaLuna
LL AF = LaLuna African Fuerte
LL LHB = LaLuna Little Havana Blend
LL MF = LaLuna Maduro Fuerte
LMAO = Laughing my a** off
LOL = Laughs Out Loud
LRE = La Rosa Especial
Lusi = Partagas Lusitanias
LVR = Hemingway Limited Vintage Release
M&B = Moore and Bode
Mac = Macanudo
Mad or Maddie = maduro
MMMM = Maria Mancini Magic Mountain
MMP = Hemingway Masterpiece Maduro
Monte = Montecristo
MP = Hemingway Masterpiece
Nat, Nattie = natural (cameroon, Conneticut Shade, etc.)
OF = Old Fashioned (seconds to Partagas, Cohiba and Macanudo)
OTT = Off The Truck
PAM = Padron Anniversario Maduro
PAN = Padron Anniversario Natural
PBP = Punch Black Prince
PERF X = FFOX Perfexcion X
PL = FFOX Petite Lancero
PP = Punch Punch
RAG = Ramon Allones Gigantes
RASCC = Ramon Allones Small Club Coronas
RASS = Ramon Allones Specially Selected
RC = Bolivar Royal Coronas
RdC = FFOX Reserva de Chateau
ROTFL = Rolling on the Floor Laughing (also ROFL)
ROTFLMAO = Roll on the floor laughing my a** off
ROTFLMAOPIMP = ROTFLMAO Peeing in My Pants
RyJ = Romeo & Julietta
RyJ CF = Romeo y Julieta Celestiales Finos (panatella)
RyJ POW = Romeo y Julieta Prince of Wales
Sams-a-dor = a cheap, but nice, humidor, purchased at Sam's Club
SD4 = Partagas Series D #4
SDB = Standard Dress Box
SIG = Hemingway Signature
SLB = Slide Lid Box (this is the slide box or mini-cab with the slide lid top)
SLR = Saint Louis Rey
SS = Hemingway Short Story
TFAMGD = Time for a Miller Genuine Draft
TIA = Thanks in Advance
TOP = A way bring attention to a msg thread without addding content
TTFN = Ta Ta for Now
TTYL = Talk to You Later or Type to You Later
UPP SW = H Uppman Sir Winston
UTS = Hemingway Untold Story
VR = Vega Robaina
VR DA = Vega Robaina Don Alejandros (prominente)
VSG = Ashton Virgin Sun Grown
WOA = Hemingway Work of Art
WTF = What the Foobar?
xXx = Opus X^3 (Power Ranger)
PLEASE REMEMBER TO POST A REPLY AND TOP THIS FOR THE NEXT GUY OR GAL