This is my first post and I'm jumping into the deep-end so to speak. Please be merciful...

I'm in Panama City on business last week and decide that I'd like to pick up some Cubans. There is a well-known cigar establishment VERY CLOSE to where I'm staying and I'm thinking, "There's no way they sell fake cubans, too many people frequent this place, including locals. They would ruin their rep" My guard was down and I'm just not savvy in this area yet.

I ended up purchasing two boxes of Cohiba Maduro 5's. After I picked up these, I was looking for a 3rd box of something...and guess what I was recommended? You guessed it, the holy grail...Cohiba Piramides EL 2007!

I'm not a hardcore smoker (recreational) but wanted to stock up when going to Panama and assumed that with the rep of this place (from what I've seen), they sold legit cigars.

The notion occurred to me the other day when I started Googling LE 2007 for Cohiba Piramides and found nothing. As it is, I'm still on the fence thinking the Maduros might be real as they are just amazing but I know the LE 2007's are bogus. They tasted "meh" from the first time I puffed on 'em. Taste developed into nothing. The bands on the LE's are kinda shoddy but the Maduros are spot on. Embossed, aligned correctly, all dots correct. I'll post some pics soon.

I talked to CARIBBEAN CIGARS CORPORATION N.V. today (Central American distributor) and confirmed that the retailer in question isn't an authorized Habanos retailer.

I'm gonna call tomorrow and see if they wanna make right on the deal. If not, besides trashing them on every board I can find...is there anything else that can be done?

Thanks for the advice and for the AWESOME info. I've learned a ton here this evening.

There are probably more well informed members here, but I'd say there is very little you can do to recover your losses. Assuming the retailer from where you purchased the cigars is unauthorized, they are unlikely to honor returns or make a reimbursement to you. And, if you are located in the United States, you will be afforded little recourse legally in the courts due to the laws prohibiting the purchase of goods of Cuban origin.

Also, be careful about "trashing" the retailer on the boards. I've read about other users who were threatened with law-suits because of their description of the retailer's practices, quality of goods, etc. You might consider accepting your loss and avoiding any future problems. Take this as a lesson to purchase from authorized retailers (especially LCDH) only.

Good luck to you. . . .

Note: if there are any more experienced members out there who disagree, please let me know. This advice is based on the information I've gathered after reading the boards for the last several months.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: lawstudent10,

The infamous Cohiba Piramide 2007. That sucks.

Well at least you learned something. Unlikely they will do anything to help you.

The real Cohiba Piramide 2006 EL is an amazing smoke, and in your future travels you should try and get a few boxes of these cigars.

hey funk49... that does sucks indeed .... but take it as a lesson.. lots of people take the bait the first time (and sometimes even more than once )..

this is why it's particularly importnat to ONLY buy from authorized retailers when travelling abroad.. and specially anywhere Amercain touristss are known to visit...

now as to recovering your losses, I really don't think there's anything you can do... seeing how you're probably from the US, attempting to take any legal action would be like increminating yourself... so you see the little fickel you'd be in..

what you can do though, is learn from your experience, and help others so they don't make the same mistake you did... spread the word my man !!!

At least the other cigars are smokable and real as you have said.Not the end of the world.Caulk it up to experience and live by the golden rule.Only shop at LCDH.

Did someone mention only shop at LCDHs? Well, you can never say that enough. That or do what you've already done, email the distributor of the country/city you're going and ask for recommended shops. Not every distributor will reply, but no harm in trying.

To see an accurate list of current production cigars including Regional Edicions and Edicion Limitadas, go to Trevor's website: http://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/

Unfortunately, anyone can put an "Authorized Haabanos Dealer" sticker in their window or post in on their website. I've seen "Zagat Rated" stickers in windows of restaurants that had no such coverage. Ever. Have even seen doctored Zagat ratings posted in restaurant windows. One deli on 8th Ave. (NYC) posted their rating and write-up. They went from a 19 in my book to 27 in their window.
This instance here of fakery posted by funk49 sounds like a parallel market dealer. Often times the dealer doesn't know that he is getting fakes. Just because they deal in cigars doesn't mean that they know the difference or even care to know. And with too many American tourists more concerned with price than quality, perpetuating the fraud is not only easy, but indirectly encouraged.

quote:

This instance here of fakery posted by funk49 sounds like a parallel market dealer. Often times the dealer doesn't know that he is getting fakes. Just because they deal in cigars doesn't mean that they know the difference or even care to know.

Thanks for the kind words guys...I really appreciate it. Yeah...ya live and you learn is all I can do at this point. I would almost agree with Gregory above but at the same time, anyone that deals with Cubanos at the retail level should friggin' know that there are no Cohiba LE 2007's. If it was just a normal cigar, I would right it off as them not knowing.

I'm gonna post photos of the labels and the response I get from the retailer later this evening.

I deal with Internet fraud in my profession and know better than most that "if the price is too good to be true, it's a scam." I should have known better and can't believe I fell for it.

Thanks again guys...