Generally not to worry, provided that you don't list the shipment as "cigars" or "tobacco" on the required form.
But it also depends on the country to which you are shipping them. Shipments to Canada have been troublesome, as I understand it. Shipments to the UK and to Australaia can also be iffy, due to the huge tobacco taxes/duties in those countries. But in all these cases the risk is on the receiving end rather than on your end.
I've never done it, but sending them out isn't a problem. Customs inspects incoming stuff. I avoid the hassle because it means that my stuff has to go through Customs twice, so usually I'm contented with what I get. I'd do something about it if I got some seriously damaged smokes though.
A good vendor will not ask you to send back cigars that are obviously damaged. They will replace them or refund your money as long as you provide them with photographic evidence of the problem.
Better beautiful than perfect
Posts: 1257 | Location: AZ | Registered: September 11, 2005
My main reason is that I got a 5pack of Cohiba's that seem suspect. There are two white squares to the right of the "COHIBA" that aren't perfect squares and it looks as the white squares on the TOP of "COHIBA" are touching the gold band, this leads me to believe fakes.
I've done my bitching and moaning about I did get sold crap, but they offered to "Take them back and send them to Habanos SA for inspection and replacing at no extra charge."
I figured that I already wrote the vendor off, but if they ARE legit and got duped themselves it's worth the $12 shipping to see if they can send real ones. ALSO, I smoked the Partagas D No. 4 and it was DELIGHTFUL, half was woody and cedar and the second half was a spicy little guy that I nubbed and only ashed thrice.
So, as long as it's okay to send OUT I will do so tomorrow and hope for the best, if I get more fakes then I've already made peace with that.
From your description of the abnormalities of the band on this thread, it would be hard to determine that the Cohiba's are fake. You have enjoyed other cigars sent to you from this same Vendor, and it sounds like the Vendor is willing to work with you on your concerns. Unless you have smoked the same Cohiba's before and smoke at least one of the suspect cigars, so that you know what they are suppose to taste like, the Vendor may correct this situation for you and then cut you off from future orders. A good Vendor doesn't need the hassle of someone making false accusations without discernable proof. Think about it.
From your description of the abnormalities of the band on this thread, it would be hard to determine that the Cohiba's are fake. You have enjoyed other cigars sent to you from this same Vendor, and it sounds like the Vendor is willing to work with you on your concerns. Unless you have smoked the same Cohiba's before and smoke at least one of the suspect cigars, so that you know what they are suppose to taste like, the Vendor may correct this situation for you and then cut you off from future orders. A good Vendor doesn't need the hassle of someone making false accusations without discernable proof. Think about it.
I'm not even raising the War flag on them either... There were other cigar construction issues as well, one that I had smoked had three large green spots, it was loosely filled on one side and dense on the other, it also seemed to be filled in a circle and not bunched in groupings within the cigar, and the cigar did taste something young (not really BAD, but very young and bitter)
I know that all of these imperfections do not lead to a fake but ALL of these things added up had me make and inquiry (not calling the vendor out in any way, just letting them know I was disappointed with the quality) and since they have a guarantee then I will just send them back.
If THEN they send back MORE suspect ones or ones that aren't up to the standards of the other Cubans I have received then I am the one who will be cutting them off, but I am one to give the benefit of the doubt and pay for return shipping.
I know vendors are very cautious when the word "FAKE" is thrown around so I did not start throwing Napalm, I was stern in my letter for the construction issues, and hinted at their validity, but did not get belligerent.
One shows uneven rolling, one shows a large green spot (I know it's just a water spot and not a big deal), and one shows the uneven squares to the right and the top row touching.
Remember that Cuban cigars are a hand-assembled product (including the packaging)and that tobacco is an agricultural product. Because of this, Cuban cigars are not all going to look aesthetically perfect....NC's won't either.
So, from the photos you've posted, I'm not exactly sure why it would occur to you to return them, unless during the smoking experience you had reason to believe that they may be counterfeit.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: The Peacemaker,
Better beautiful than perfect
Posts: 1257 | Location: AZ | Registered: September 11, 2005
Peacemaker and I agree a bit more often lately, but I'm going to have to differ with him on this one. I don't usually weigh in on real/fake, but Ive see those cigars before, the effort that goes into a cohiba usually excedes other regular production cigars. The reason that foot isnt burning evenly is because those cigars appear to be underfilled. The crooked label, and the slightly funky wrapper I am willing to overlook, but even burn should be an Esplendido trademark.
Originally posted by Don Andres: Peacemaker and I agree a bit more often lately, but I'm going to have to differ with him on this one. I don't usually weigh in on real/fake, but Ive see those cigars before, the effort that goes into a cohiba usually excedes other regular production cigars. The reason that foot isnt burning evenly is because those cigars appear to be underfilled. The crooked label, and the slightly funky wrapper I am willing to overlook, but even burn should be an Esplendido trademark.
Cheers Drew P
Drew, my point was that the OP seemed to want to return them before he had even smoked one. From his description, I didn't see anything that would make one scream fake, so that's why I asked him about his smoking experience. Now, we also both know that any, and I mean any cigar can burn unevenly if it is not stored at the proper RH or if it is smoked too fast. Although, yes, they do look a little underfilled.
I don't know if these are real or fake, as a) I don't know what vendor they came from and b) I haven't smoked one. I'm just saying that anyone should do their due diligence before approaching a vendor with claims of fakery....since, unfortunately, many good vendors have to deal with the hassle of newbies seeing one tiny discrepancy and screaming "FAKE" way too frequently. It's costly for the vendors and guess who they pass those costs on to?
Now, if these do turn out to be DEFINITIVELY fake, then one should use all means possible to have the situation remedied as well as warn others as to the wares that the vendor is selling.
It's just that we have both extremes on this board....a) people who repeatedly buy fakes and refuse to hear that they are doing so and b) people who go over every single cigar they purchase with a fine tooth comb looking for anything out of the ordinary....almost wishing that they have fakes so that they can scream "fake". There is a middle ground between recklessly blind and obsessively paranoid that will usually keep people from declaring fakes authentic and authentics fake. I am simply trying to be a voice for that line of reasoning.
Better beautiful than perfect
Posts: 1257 | Location: AZ | Registered: September 11, 2005
but an even burn should be an Esplendido trademark.
"Hallmark" would be a better word than "trademark," but that's trivial.
My own opinion is that you can tell very little about whether a given cigar, Esplendido or not, is counterfeit based on the burn. How cigar burns depends on several factors, among them how the cigar was stored. For example, a cigar that has been allowed to try and was only recently been restored will probably tunnel becuase the filler is drier than the wrapper and binder. If a cigar is stored with one side close to the humidification device, it can canoe or burn unevenly.
As these cigars have apparently only just recently been received from the vendor, the storage contiditions are completely unknown.
I don't know if these are real or counterfeit based on the evidence presented, but I would take the vendor up on his offer to replace them after returning them.
Originally posted by Nasty Nate: I have smoked one and I also only got through 1/4 of it for it was bitter and tasted bad. And it is kept at 65/68 in a wine fridge.
It did not have the signature Cuban smell compared to my Romeo, Monte, Partagas and BFF that I have boxes of. 2 of the boxes are from the same vendor!
Again, the construction and the smoking of it it making me send it back. And the sending is of the Vendor's own suggestion.
I just wanted to see if I'd get in trouble if I sent these OUT, not calling out the vendor.
Nate
So, you have cigars that you believe to be legit from the same vendor? Interesting. If you don't mind, would you email me the name of the vendor in question? I could possibly be of help.
Better beautiful than perfect
Posts: 1257 | Location: AZ | Registered: September 11, 2005
Nate, as usual Peacemaker gives some damn good advice.
I had a similar concern once with my regular vendor. Got on the phone and told him I was disappointed, why I was disappointed, and he said ship it back. I shipped it back and was offered either a refund or replacement. I choose replacement, which met my expectations, and was gifted a few extra sticks.
At no time did I accuse him of sending me fakes or posted my complaint on a public forum. I was disappointed with what I got and expressed that to him. He made it right by me. For me that's all that matter. We are all human and bound to make mistakes. It's what a vendor do to make things right that matter to me. Don't get me wrong, mistakes/disappointment/concern of this type from an honest vendor is one thing, getting fakes for purveyor of fakes is another thing.
It does look underfilled... and the construction looks suspect as well.
quote:
Originally posted by Don Andres: Peacemaker and I agree a bit more often lately, but I'm going to have to differ with him on this one. I don't usually weigh in on real/fake, but Ive see those cigars before, the effort that goes into a cohiba usually excedes other regular production cigars. The reason that foot isnt burning evenly is because those cigars appear to be underfilled. The crooked label, and the slightly funky wrapper I am willing to overlook, but even burn should be an Esplendido trademark.
Originally posted by Baldyisme: Nate, as usual Peacemaker gives some damn good advice.
I had a similar concern once with my regular vendor. Got on the phone and told him I was disappointed, why I was disappointed, and he said ship it back. I shipped it back and was offered either a refund or replacement. I choose replacement, which met my expectations, and was gifted a few extra sticks.
At no time did I accuse him of sending me fakes or posted my complaint on a public forum. I was disappointed with what I got and expressed that to him. He made it right by me. For me that's all that matter. We are all human and bound to make mistakes. It's what a vendor do to make things right that matter to me. Don't get me wrong, mistakes/disappointment/concern of this type from an honest vendor is one thing, getting fakes for purveyor of fakes is another thing.
I am agreeing with your thought process... I am not going to war, just disappointed with what I got... and Believe it's a fluke!
