Ninja's "Group Buy Cuban Customs"...

[nick2021]

[quote author=CanuckSARTech link=topic=42662.msg173542#msg173542 date=1503336298]
Granted, so I worded that wrong.  I'm not editing that, because that looks worse, IMO.  I tried to clarify more what my main concern with all this was in follow up, and I stand corrected on that, and gladly so.  My bad for not communicating it better.  C'est la vie.

But I do have concerns with it being the 75% down thing.  With how cautionary the cigar community can be, I'm just surprised that a business model having people put 75% down works, when you factor in my main two concerns.  IE - if he gets shafted on that end on supply, or on this end with a seizure, what recourse do you have for 75% deposit then?

[/quote]

Dallas addressed part of your concern towards the end of his post.  To be honest, surprised he isn't asking for 100% upfront as typically that's what's required for most groupbuy-type runs.  Groupbuys for regular production cigars are no different than this.  You still have custom issues, stock issues, etc.  Usually nothing is guaranteed in some group buys.  He also states he doesn't do ppff so the refund option is not an issue (although I don't know how the money order issue would work but I'm sure the buyer is fine given what I've seen and what he has posted). 

On a side note:  What others have said is correct.  I got more issues from Cuba customs than US customs---and all of the scrutiny has been on custom-rolled cigars vs regular production cigars. 

[Lotusguy]

[quote author=nick2021 link=topic=42662.msg173548#msg173548 date=1503339838]
Dallas addressed part of your concern towards the end of his post.  To be honest, surprised he isn't asking for 100% upfront as typically that's what's required for most groupbuy-type runs.  Groupbuys for regular production cigars are no different than this.  You still have custom issues, stock issues, etc.  Usually nothing is guaranteed in some group buys.  He also states he doesn't do ppff so the refund option is not an issue (although I don't know how the money order issue would work but I'm sure the buyer is fine given what I've seen and what he has posted). 

On a side note:  What others have said is correct.  I got more issues from Cuba customs than US customs---and all of the scrutiny has been on custom-rolled cigars vs regular production cigars. 
[/quote]
Regular group buys don't usually involve the buyer making a very significant profit - not that there is anything wrong with that. However, 75% down covers the buyer's cost and then some.

[todd]

Dont get hung up on the words 'group buy'.  I used it when I said it is a 'group buy of sorts'.  But that is not the term Dallas uses. I know it is only semantics.

To the OP, I dont know how I can say it any other way.....  Dallas guarantees the purchase.  If they get confiscated he replaces them or I imagine could issue a refund but I dont know that for sure.  

He also does not use paypal friends and family.  So you would have the dispute rights via paypal if an issue arose.  But I would bet none would.

By the way, I would think a pm or email to Dallas would answer any further questions.  You apparently have grasped the communities feelings about this and I am sure Dallas could help understand anything else that wasnt addressed here???

[Boss Hog]

Leave it to Paul Blart to start such a useless and unnecessary thread.  :cop:

Seriously... WTF?

[la1994]

Glad to see we are all rocking and rolling and getting dirty again...
:angl:

[Fshaw]

[quote author=la1994 link=topic=42662.msg173590#msg173590 date=1503425801]
Glad to see we are all rocking and rolling and getting dirty again...
:angl:
[/quote]

Funny quote from you Sticky Fingas....

[la1994]

[quote author=Fshaw link=topic=42662.msg173592#msg173592 date=1503429009]
Funny quote from you Sticky Fingas....
[/quote]
I couldn't help it. I'm just glad that all parties came to a mutually agreeable ending the first thread this guy started...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[forgop]

[quote author=CanuckSARTech link=topic=42662.msg173504#msg173504 date=1503188864]
My main reason I'm wondering is actually this - it seems like a LOT of deposit down.  And to me, it just seems to be too much variety there, and just way too many rollers, from way too many locations, and potentially way too much quantity.  From my experience, there's just a cautionary note there about too many hands being involved - that's what MY OWN first impression is / would be. 

As I mentioned in my initial post, no, I'm not trying to shade Dallas - but aren't there (or haven't there been) quality control issues or provenance issues or items-getting-swapped-out on the way to Dallas?

I'm inquiring as I simply am wondering about it.  As Lisa mentioned, we had something similar happen with someone in the Toronto area a number of years ago, and it just about fucked a lot of people.  We had Customs and gov't heat on vendors, mules, re-sellers, etc., both domestically and overseas too.  There was a bit of a shit show about it. 

Just because someone's been "doing it forever" doesn't automatically legitimize something.  And likewise, me "moving on" or not, or liking it or not, has nothing to do about it.   Just because someone maybe isn't invested in the stock market doesn't mean you don't want to learn what you can and check out the details in the news.

[/quote]

Just my take...

Traveling to Cuba ain't cheap.  A guy takes his personal time down there, flight, hotel, etc that comes out of his pocket, which is certainly covered by sales.  Additionally, I'm guessing Dallas doesn't have a line of credit to use with the rollers and must pay at the time he picks up. 

You also have the tire kicker crowd to contend with here, who will want something, but seems to flake out and not follow through with purchases.  That's not the case with most long standing and respected members here, but it happens.  It eliminates the hassle of being stuck with cigars that weren't paid for because I'm sure there would be buyers in every group buy who would come back 30 or 60 days later saying something came up and didn't have the funds. 

Frankly, I've just paid the 100% of it up front and not had worry about it later.  He's not always successful filling everything ever single trip as rollers can run behind and just not have it ready when he's there, but offers refunds/substitutions for what he cannot deliver as planned.  I think the process works just fine. 

[forgop]

[quote author=Lotusguy link=topic=42662.msg173552#msg173552 date=1503345086]
Regular group buys don't usually involve the buyer making a very significant profit - not that there is anything wrong with that. However, 75% down covers the buyer's cost and then some.
[/quote]

Just curious...

How much is he profiting when all is said and done?  LMK about how much out of line his prices are with all other customs once they reach the states. 

If you think they're too high, you're free to pay for a plane ticket and going down yourself. 

[Lotusguy]

[quote author=forgop link=topic=42662.msg173671#msg173671 date=1503710988]
Just curious...

How much is he profiting when all is said and done?  LMK about how much out of line his prices are with all other customs once they reach the states. 

If you think they're too high, you're free to pay for a plane ticket and going down yourself. 
[/quote]
I'm not buying his nor any other custom rolls. Not interested. Can't estimate his profit without knowing how many bundles are being purchased but my guess is it's about 300% minus travel expenses. He can do whatever he wants and so can the buyers. Thanks for implying that I am simply too cheap to buy them - you couldn't be more wrong.

Calling it a "group buy" is a misnomer, though, and that was my only point above.