Hello all,

I'm shocked at the outcome of a purchase and was curious if anyone had a similar experience... (sorry for being a little long, but this is my first post.)

First a thank you to those here... I have been reading this forum for a while and I appreciate what I've learned from everyone.

As you've suggested, I searched the forums and learned how to validate sources and do proper diligence in making a purchase.

I made my first purchase from what seemed to be a very reliable source. I figured I had to start somewhere.

Well, to my dismay when I tracked the package it said held for customs inspection. I figured that was the end of it and guessed I'd wait for the letter.

10 hours later, it said released from customs. I figured the box would be forwarded with a notice of the letter inside.

Today I got the package, and all the cigars were in tact. The package was definitely opened and resealed with the customs tape.

I can't wait to smoke them, but am shocked that they turned up.

Any thoughts as to what happened?

thanks for listening,

Jack

Very Interesting.

Your source is good. The official simply exchanged your cigars for the fakes they impounded the other day...

I doubt if anyone will have a credible answer for this one. Smoke one and tell us how it is.

you had them shipped with the bands as well?

what was ordered, and how were they shipped? more info!

As I said, I'm new to this and did most of my learning from reading what people here wrote.

I ordered 25 cigars total. They consisted of 5 each of Roméo y Julieta Beliciosos, Upmann No 2, Montecristo No 2, Sancho Panza Belicosos, and Diplomaticos No 2.

The shipment went through TNT. Here is the tracking information:

Date Time Location Status
27 Dec 2004 11:12 Usa Others Delivered
27 Dec 2004 08:02 Usa Others Out For Delivery
22 Dec 2004 21:59 New York Jfk Airport Onforwarded For Delivery
22 Dec 2004 21:59 New York Jfk Airport Consignment Received At Transit Point
22 Dec 2004 19:31 New York Jfk Airport Released From Customs
22 Dec 2004 10:16 New York Jfk Airport Import Received
22 Dec 2004 09:13 New York Jfk Airport Import Received
22 Dec 2004 07:00 New York Jfk Airport Consignment Held For Inspection By Customs
22 Dec 2004 07:00 Liege Euro Hub Potential Linehaul Delay Due To Technical Problems
22 Dec 2004 02:59 Liege Euro Hub Consignment Received At Transit Point
21 Dec 2004 21:45 Geneva Shipped From Originating Depot
21 Dec 2004 20:56 Geneva Consignment Received At Transit Point

I communicated with my supplier and he has not seen this before.

One more thing... Two cigars were missing from the shipment and the supplier is positive everything was there when he shipped them.

So do you think its possible customs let me have then and took two for themselves?

I'll be smoking one tonight. Probably the Montecristo.

Jack

this is strange. about the only thing I know for sure is that any cigars going through customs in New York is gonna get grabbed. thats where mine were siezed.in fact some companies are avoiding sending cigars through new york for that reason.

Sounds like you got a Christmas present Jack.

Actually, they were shipped with the bands on.

At first, I thought that was bad, but then I read that it is the recipients responsibility to prove that they are NOT Cuban, so I left it alone.

I'm starting to think Customs just had a nice streak that day (minus the two they took).

Happy Holidays was written on the package. The supplier does not remember writing that.

Anyway, I'm glad they made it and they smoke great.

I am concerned however for the next shipment. I may have to research a new contact.

Thank you,

Jack

Or, they inserted exploders in them as a joke. I'd send them back and consider them tampered with in delivery. Customs officers have been acting like jack offs lately. You wouldn't drink from a gallon jug of milk you bought at the store and saw the safety seal was tampered with. Why risk it? Send them back or tell your source what happened. If they don't replace them, don't use them again.

Yep, definitely sounds like a Christmas gift. Customs opened them, grabbed a couple for themselves and sent them off to you. Knowing it is illegal for you to have them, customs figured you wont file a complaint...everyone wins

Christmas time. I'm sure they can't sneak a whole box but some guy could sneak a couple. You must have found a good source if Customs is pinching your smokes.

Or, your vendor has set up an elaborate system of screwing his customers out of 8% of their smokes. That really increases the profit margin.

What were they, anyway?

its true that anything going through New York usually gets nabbed. I had the same thing on Tuesday and today. Packages were opened and retaped from US customs. They didnt search too much for supplier wraps in bubble wrap around brown paper and nothing inside package was touched. Thank god a box of RYJ Robusto EL's and Partagas pyramid EL's,and they came from Madrid Spain by way of fed ex

your just sore for you probably dont have the resources to get them

Well, the smokes I got taste great....

As I mentioned before they were 5 each of Roméo y Julieta Beliciosos, Upmann No 2, Montecristo No 2, Sancho Panza Belicosos, and Diplomaticos No 2.

They were wrapped in a brown shipping bag with a TNT bag on top of that.

I'm not sure what to do next. I have an aristocrat humidor on order and was planning on filling it up.

The supplier swears that customs searches are very rare (1% to 2%) of the time.

I would assume that all of his go through JFK.

Jack

Smoke 'em. Smoke 'em and write the loss off as a cost of doing business, with a discount since you got the order eventually.

Happy New Year.

nothing you can do about it . Rather move on . Its only 2 cigars , I have over 2000. And cubans are illegal in the staes so there is nothing you can do about it

Wowwwww. We're impressed.....over 2000 cigars....wowwwwwww. You're awesome.

quote:

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Originally posted by cashmaqn:
nothing you can do about it . Rather move on . Its only 2 cigars , I have over 2000. And cubans are illegal in the staes so there is nothing you can do about it

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Honestly, I don't have a concern about the missing sticks. I think it a small price to pay to get the other 23.

I don't know if I'll stay with this supplier though. With consensus that JFK is a hot spot for confiscation and all....

I appreciate everyones comments.

Jack

2000 cigars? Nice collection. How many of them came from Spain? Do you understand that the RyJ Robustos and the Partagas Pyramides were a limited edition and have not been rolled for over 3 years? Do you understand that finding boxes of them in the current market is not only highly unlikely but likely a giant red flag? I bet you can even find a few choice boxes of Serie D #3? I wouldn't be riding you about it were it not for the smart-a$$ comment you dropped on me today. You should bone up on your P.T. Barnum.