The Importance Of A Good & Honest Vendor

[tjohn7]

I've been smoking CCs for only a brief period, but in that short amount of time I've really learned the importance of selecting a vendor you can trust. I used non-FOH vendors (who shall remain nameless) to varying degrees of success. Sure, some smokes seemed alright, but I never came across that stick that knocked it out of the park. That is, until I began buying from our hosts. I've never looked back, and never will, because the boxes they're providing me are UNBELIEVABLE.

The reason I bring this up is because I just yesterday received a shipment from our hosts. A PSP box of Monte 2s. A few months back I purchased an equivalent box from another vendor. Those sticks just never seemed right. Since I knew I was getting the best from Rob, I decided to compare the two. On first glance, they looked fairly similar. The PSP box had more oil, but it didn't seem to be a drastic difference. Then I smelled the smokes. Wow, what a difference! A much more "Monte" flavor profile was present with the PSPs compared to the other box. I figured I would take a picture of the two side-by-side to show just how different they looked after I really started to examine them.

The box on the left are the PSPs and the box on the right is from the other vendor. You can really appreciate the increased oils on the left and the improved color of the wrapper. Once smell-o-vision is available, I will be sure to upload the drastically different scents

This exercise really showed me how important a great vendor is. I trusted in FOH to deliver, and wow, they blew me away. The other vendor, well, not so much. The proof is in the picture and honestly the prices weren't even that far from each other.

Find a vendor you trust, and stick with them. Sure there may be shipping/customs issues from time-to-time, but a great vendor will reward you for your loyalty. There are so many great people here at FOH and I couldn't be happier to be a part of it. Just wish I had found it sooner!

Tom

[...]

There is something off with the box on the right... I don't want to scream fake but a few details are quite unnerving...

[tjohn7]

There is something off with the box on the right... I don't want to scream fake but a few details are quite unnerving...

I don't believe they're fake, just drastically different than the box on the left. Shows what happens if you don't know the vendor/buy blind

[leftimatic]

Well I must agree. Not with the fake biz, but the vendor, nothing but the best service and always happy with my purchase. I too am in the middle of a NC to CC transformation and I would suspect it never would of taken place without Rob and Di and the rest of the team's help. Thanks.

[Bartolomeo]

There is something off with the box on the right... I don't want to scream fake but a few details are quite unnerving...

Please share with what you dont think is correct on box on right

TIA!

[...]

Please share with what you dont think is correct on box on right

TIA!

Nothing incorrect per se, however so many minute differences between the two boxes, using the host's one as model. Bands position, box printing quality and positioning, corner seal placement... like I said, not enough to warrant a positive diagnostic but enough to be frustrating and confusing.

[Smallclub]

Please share with what you dont think is correct on box on right

+1

[DoubleDD]

If I want something specific I email Rob and he finds it. I have not had this kind of service from ANY other vendor. They usually give some kind of excuse to why they can't complete my request. This is why Rob is now the only vendor I use and has been for some time. Top notch.

[imangelo]

I've been in heaven since discovering the PSP/HQ boxes available from our hosts. 12 boxes since becoming a member in July...might make that 13 by the end of the hour!

[tjohn7]

I've been in heaven since discovering the PSP/HQ boxes available from our hosts. 12 boxes since becoming a member in July...might make that 13 by the end of the hour!

X2. There's really no comparison

[tjohn7]

Nothing incorrect per se, however so many minute differences between the two boxes, using the host's one as model. Bands position, box printing quality and positioning, corner seal placement... like I said, not enough to warrant a positive diagnostic but enough to be frustrating and confusing.

I felt like the other vendor's were legit, just lower grade. The juxtaposition of the two boxes, really shows the difference.

[tjhernandez34]

The Czar's service is outstanding. They definitely go above and beyond to help find you the best box for your price range, whether it's PSP, HQ or PE. Thanks Rob and the Czar team!

[cigarbreak]

I felt like the other vendor's were legit, just lower grade. The juxtaposition of the two boxes, really shows the difference.

Just PM'd you

[tjohn7]

Just PM'd you

Got your PM. Just replied.

[gtejada]

Thanks for sharing Tom, I've contemplated trying to purchase boxes of marcas Czar has ran out of with some apprehension but you've just cleared that up for me. I must say thus far the service level of all Czar's staff has been above reproach. After reading your comment and seeing the picture, I feel it would be injudicious on my part to not exercise patience till they become available. Thanks again.

GT

[tjohn7]

Thanks for sharing Tom, I've contemplated trying to purchase boxes of marcas Czar has ran out of with some apprehension but you've just cleared that up for me. I must say thus far the service level of all Czar's staff has been above reproach. After reading your comment and seeing the picture, I feel it would be injudicious on my part to not exercise patience till they become available. Thanks again.

GT

Not to say that other vendors aren't reliable, but to not have any concerns about legitimacy, quality, or shipping is huge. That's why I'm a lifer for FOH.

[forgop]

Not to say that other vendors aren't reliable, but to not have any concerns about legitimacy, quality, or shipping is huge. That's why I'm a lifer for FOH.

Not that I don't greatly appreciate the opportunity to have inspected boxes, but every vendor gets the same cigars the great and the not so great. What you get differently with the host is cherry picking off the best ones for PSP/HQ offerings a day selecting those for purchase. You may get the luck of the draw with any legit vendor, but it's the whole buying blind roll of the dice that you ever get lucky.

That said, I have bought in the neighborhood of 20 boxes since July and believe the HQ's of some marcas have instilled the belief that I have just failed to get quality in some of the prior purchases that almost made me swear them off, namely the monte no 2.

[Balboa]

since I've began ordering from Rob, all my cigars have been outstanding. By the way, I've never ordered from the PSP/HQ selection, and I have never been disappointed.

That goes to show how well Rob and his staff takes care of his customers.

[srbbones]

I had experiences like you in the past. Pre FOH, I initially came to the conclusion I had fakes. I now think they were just the lowest of the low quality "real" CCs of that type. I am just glad I found FOH.

[shlomo]

Nothing incorrect per se, however so many minute differences between the two boxes, using the host's one as model. Bands position, box printing quality and positioning, corner seal placement... like I said, not enough to warrant a positive diagnostic but enough to be frustrating and confusing.

Its all done by hand by people who couldn't care less about quality control, only speed and efficiency in order to meet a quota.

Details like the bands not lining up, the chevron seal not in the perfect place, printing on the box etc... mean absolutely nothing. It just means the box is not as pretty. The cigars are what matter. Not the box.

How do the other vendor's cigars taste compared to FoH's. That is the ONLY thing that should matter.

[tjohn7]

Its all done by hand by people who couldn't care less about quality control, only speed and efficiency in order to meet a quota.

Details like the bands not lining up, the chevron seal not in the perfect place, printing on the box etc... mean absolutely nothing. It just means the box is not as pretty. The cigars are what matter. Not the box.

How do the other vendor's cigars taste compared to FoH's. That is the ONLY thing that should matter.

Taste of the other vendor's smokes =

[Smallclub]

Taste of the other vendor's smokes =

You don't know what you're talking about. This is so childish …

[El Presidente]

While I appreciate the kind words, there are plenty of good vendors out there. My definition of a good vendor is someone who has a genuine care for his/her clients. A good vendor is generally surrounded by a good team who share that care and commitment to the customer.

Care and commitment covers an array of areas but it all comes back to the culture of the organization. With the correct culture they get it right 95% of the time and do their best to correct the balance. At the same time, like bad vendors there are bad clients. Knobs buy cigars as well as good people (the vast majority) who are a pleasure to deal with. A good vendor weeds out the knobs.

Our server migration occurs this Friday night. It is not an easy process moving a forum of this size but all testing has been completed. The server migration will remove issues such as double posts, dodgy PM messaging etc (all a result of us outgrowing the Rackspace server). What it will also allow us to do is launch the new Classifieds section of FOH (it is built and hiding in the background) which will include a listing of vendors whom are ones I trust and can recommend. We are at the stage where as a supplier we are reaching our supply peak. FOH will continue to grow and there is no way I can continue to meet the forum requirements in terms of stock volumes. I would rather concentrate on what we do well and maintain the culture developed with a much loved team. Quality of relationships (internal and external) above quantity.

I look forward to the next phase of FOH. We won't always get it right but our heart is in the right place

[shlomo]

Wow alot of big steps!

Looking forward to it.

Will there be more inbox space for PMs?

[El Presidente]

Will there be more inbox space for PMs?

I think currently each member has space for 500 messages...... you know you can delete some

I am pretty sure that will be an IP Board issue. Will have Jason check to see if it can be boosted. i have it noted.