I just realized after reading a post about what cigars the forum members are choosing that I may need some education. I am somewhat ashamed to say I have been buying RP cigars for a couple of years now. Mostly because i have no idea what would be a better purchase.

I see names such as Fuentes/LFD's, Padron, AVO, My Father etc. I am pretty cheap, $4.00/Cigar range. I like the free fall purchasing method but didn't see a lot of offerings for brands mentioned?

Any advice for a rookie who could use some education?

Just start trying different ones. Find what you like. Always keep exploring. There are so many good ones out there.
It is harder to find the name brands at $4 but watch and bid as you are comfortable.

I suggest heading over to the nOOb PIB thread in the Trades section of the forum, introducing yourself, and getting involved in some trades. It's a good way to start expanding your knowledge base. That's what happened to me. I traded with people who would generously send me cigars I had never heard of and were considerably better than what I was smoking.

You will need to "pick up" whomever's turn it is. Send them some cigars. After they receive, you will get to ask if anyone wants to send you cigars, and they will. You will need to go first because no one knows you (yet). You can build street cred that way and people will know you're not just here for free cigars.

Unfortunately, in today's world, a lot of $4 cigars are schlock, but there are still some buys, especially if you buy by the box. But you should probably avoid buying whole boxes of stuff right now, and spend a little more than you might otherwise have to on singles and 5-packs. You might pay a little more now, but you will save in the long run. And you won't wind up with boxes of crap you don't like anymore.

At $5 or $6 per cigar, and patience, you can get some good stuff on here and other websites. I recently bought 10 Oliva Serie V 135th Anniversary cigars on this site for $5.20 each. That's a damn good cigar for that price IMO. Don't tell anyone I said that.

Also, you will get harassed because you joined this site almost 3 years ago and are just now deigning to grace us with your presence. Frank was worried about you. Understand that people mean it in good spirit (sometimes), and accept your fate because, well, you're basically a bad person.

I'd say smoke what ya like at whatever price range ya like. Nothing wrong with Rocky Patel and those other brands mentioned are gonna be more that $4 a cigar and not found CBID as much other than full price.

Other suggestions that you'd find on free fall more would be AJ Fernandez, Oliva, CAO, Undercrown, Camacho.

PM sent….

Someone needs to adopt/Noob him as their Vet

Not sure what you're after from a cigar experience. Palates are different, so recommendations and suggestions will be a mixed bag so far as whether or not you might enjoy.

Some smokes will need to rest a bit to come around so will need humidor time. Buying and trying can sometimes lead to some confusion as one might wonder if it would have been better after a few months rest or more.

As mentioned above the nOOb PIB trade thread is a good place to get some different cigars to try

https://www.cigarbid.com/Forum/c/posts/626198/n00b-PIB