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removed repeat post

[quote author=UBB link=topic=32040.msg136601#msg136601 date=1423148647]
is it taboo here to discuss questionable or reputable sources or is there another reason you guys are talking in code?  ???
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yeah, its not a rule, but I think discussion of vendors on a public site, like this one, is not a really good idea.

[quote author=Pole Lock link=topic=32040.msg136591#msg136591 date=1423142175]
That's an interesting, but very good point.  Now when I used to buy from one of the cheapest vendors - the one who has had mold and over-humidification problems - I always received opened boxes.   Come to think of it, excepting 3 packs of Tubos, I don't think I've ever received a sealed box from overseas.
[/quote]

That particular vendor you mention is a good example. He ships only sealed boxes now, unless specifically requested otherwise. How does your secret vendor determine rejects without opening the boxes, or even master cases ? Several Grey Market vendors seem to be shipping primarily from one country, and with the same return address. That would also lead me to believe that your secret vendor is telling stories. It would be nice if you'd answer the poster who asked you who this is. Many of us would prefer to avoid vendors who "tell stories". As a rule, when somebody lies about one thing they'll lie about other stuff.

[quote author=tksamtec link=topic=32040.msg136612#msg136612 date=1423151245]
yeah, its not a rule, but I think discussion of vendors on a public site, like this one, is not a really good idea.
[/quote]

Yeah. Treasury/customs agents don't know about Google :)

[quote author=Hutch link=topic=32040.msg136614#msg136614 date=1423151588]
That particular vendor you mention is a good example. He ships only sealed boxes now, unless specifically requested otherwise. How does your secret vendor determine rejects without opening the boxes, or even master cases ? Several Grey Market vendors seem to be shipping primarily from one country, and with the same return address. That would also lead me to believe that your secret vendor is telling stories. It would be nice if you'd answer the poster who asked you who this is. Many of us would prefer to avoid vendors who "tell stories". As a rule, when somebody lies about one thing they'll lie about other stuff.
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The main guy we were talking about who charges a premium for HQ stock opens/inspects every box as far as I know.  More and more vendors are starting to do this as a service to customers to ensure a lack of mold - I [i]could[/i] request a sealed box at any point, but I prefer a pair of eyes to verify what is sent out.  Some vendors will even accept requests for specific wrapper shades.

I've heard mention of seizures from Oz but I'll just say I've not had an issue with dozens of boxes.  Quality has been second to none of the other usual sources.   

[quote author=Hutch link=topic=32040.msg136582#msg136582 date=1423111382]
Except the Gray Market vendors receive their boxes sealed...some selling to us sealed. Sounds like a story made up by a vendor unable to compete pricewise.[/quote]

I think someone misquoted Rob here.  I believe he's stated that his sub-par stock goes to lower-level retailers, golf courses and the like.  I don't think he's ever said he sends the opened/rejected boxes off to the gray market.  I'd be surprised if there's a gray market outfit that is buying from a non-distributor like him.

PE ships sealed for a specific reason: newbs want the box sealed so the vendor cannot replace real sticks with fake ones.  That is one of the many problems facing vendors today.  I know the owner of PE personally.  You would not believe the shit he has to put up with from American consumers.  Boxes returned because "i don't like the shade", boxes of authentic stuff returned because the wrappers are not the same color as the ones in cigar aficionado so they must be fake, boxes returned because they "are so underfilled that they got hot very quickly" when the person returned ALL 25 sticks.  Remember, the vast majority of CC  smokers in the US do not frequent these boards.  They have no clue what is real and what is fake.  PE had mold issues a few years ago-problem was they couldn't inspect the box before it was sent out because people want sealed boxes: catch 22 there.

I have bought 80% of my CC's over the past 17 years from PE, COH.  Occasionally from the Ladies, KL, or the few LCDHs that ship.  There is no difference between Grey Market stuff and LCDH stuff.  There iss no difference between Grey Market stuff and EMS stock.  Cuba makes a shitload of cigars and sends them out.  They could care less which region gets which box.  The whole HQ, EMS, LCDH crap is just that: an attempt to convince the general buying public that what you are getting is worth the extra cost.  IMHO it is not.

Excellent post Mike  ;)

[quote author=mcgoospot link=topic=32040.msg139839#msg139839 date=1426257138]
PE ships sealed for a specific reason: newbs want the box sealed so the vendor cannot replace real sticks with fake ones.  That is one of the many problems facing vendors today.  I know the owner of PE personally.  You would not believe the shit he has to put up with from American consumers.  Boxes returned because "i don't like the shade", boxes of authentic stuff returned because the wrappers are not the same color as the ones in cigar aficionado so they must be fake, boxes returned because they "are so underfilled that they got hot very quickly" when the person returned ALL 25 sticks.  Remember, the vast majority of CC  smokers in the US do not frequent these boards.  They have no clue what is real and what is fake.  PE had mold issues a few years ago-problem was they couldn't inspect the box before it was sent out because people want sealed boxes: catch 22 there.

I have bought 80% of my CC's over the past 17 years from PE, COH.  Occasionally from the Ladies, KL, or the few LCDHs that ship.  There is no difference between Grey Market stuff and LCDH stuff.  There iss no difference between Grey Market stuff and EMS stock.  Cuba makes a shitload of cigars and sends them out.  They could care less which region gets which box.  The whole HQ, EMS, LCDH crap is just that: an attempt to convince the general buying public that what you are getting is worth the extra cost.  IMHO it is not.
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While I tend to agree with you that HQ, PSP, ... is way overrated, I take issue with PE. This is the same company that tried to sell me obvious mold as plume, despite picture evidence. I am anything but a noob and those boxes at the time were not shipped sealed. I never ask for sealed - I take whatever I get.

PE =  :finger: