Date codes

[El Presidente]

Todd.

Understand your point but in my opinion one more unnecessary e-mail.

However, we will trial the box code system. Will need until end March. It will be accessible by Members only on a spreadsheet.

[wasch_24]

» Todd.

»

» Understand your point but in my opinion one more unnecessary e-mail.

»

» However, we will trial the box code system. Will need until end March. It

» will be accessible by Members only on a spreadsheet.

Wow! Maybe this is more of a cultural difference than I thought.

I would think an email would be easier than having a customer receive something they didn't order.

Upon edit: I apologize in advance if this causes Lisa and Smithy a few headaches in the coming weeks.

[josie67]

Wow, in all honesty, I think that putting the box codes on the forums is going to be a HUGE pain in the a$$ for Rob, Lisa, and Smithy. If you guys want box codes, just e-mail Rob or Lisa. I have never had a problem getting them. As a Pharmacist, I think I would shoot myself if I had to list the expiration dates of my drugs in my store. We get drugs every day, and the expirations change all the time, so keeping that updated would certainly send me to an early grave :-D With regards to box codes in general, the ONLY reason I want them is so I know how long I want to age them. Personally, I like around a year on them, so a quick e-mail to Lisa or Rob takes care of that.

[sleeper]

Rob is 100% correct. There is definitely an emphasis on aged stock in the US(as someone said, mostly b/c of forums/BB's) and almost every vendor I know that targets the US. And given the nature of decomposition on this natural product, there is definitely some logic to this emphasis.

I am a fan of lonsdales, dalias, lanceros, gran panatelas and various other small ring guage smokes that are known for overfilling, tight draws, and overall dowel status. With that said, Rob and his staff are one of the few vendors I have dealt with that actually ensure that I get the best stock available, or move on. I have been warned or told not to buy products. That is great service and I do not need box codes listed when I can trust a retailer who provides service like that. I suppose the relative lack of competition for the cigars that I am interested in also makes the email waiting no problem.

Also, how could someone place sooo much emphasis on age and not be willing to wait one more day(ah, more age) for an email reply? Why should Rob trouble himself when it does not really matter? Just my .02!

[guilow]

» However, we will trial the box code system. Will need until end March. It

» will be accessible by Members only on a spreadsheet.

Rob,

I'm curious as to why you are doing this. Is it because of this thread? Have you had a lot of pressure to do it? Seem like most everyone here trusts your judgement, yet you're opening up a lot of work and hassle for yourself. What is the driver for doing it?

alan

[El Presidente]

Alan

We will do a spreadsheet. Members can give a preference with their order but they won't be ordering (online anyway) specific box codes.

It is a reference for members which I think we can accomodate. The people who have pushed for this are good members. Again, only logged in members will be able to see it.

We are heading down the track of barcoding all our stock and this will be another step toward that direction.

I will always hold certain aged stock (off the list) for members who have a love for those vitola's. Aged, rare or heavily sought after stock comes in week in and week out. Quantites are always low so there is no point putting it on the web.

It is one of the great benefits of FOH participation ;-)

[jwrussell]

» Todd.

»

» Understand your point but in my opinion one more unnecessary e-mail.

»

» However, we will trial the box code system. Will need until end March. It

» will be accessible by Members only on a spreadsheet.

This is an excellent compromise from putting them on the site and really I like this method as it lets me see everything available. I'm replying before reading all the posts below this so I apologize if I go over something that has already been stated but something above kind of surprised me.

You don't email customers if you are sending something other than what they ordered? Maybe I'm weird, but that REALLY surprises me. I always ask that I specifically be contacted if anything is changed before shipment, but it surprises me if your SOP is to not do so...

Let me state that I am truly impressed with your commitment to sending out quality cigars, but if I order X brand X vitola from X date code and X factory, I expect to get that. And if I'm not going to, then I expect to be notified.

Am I out of the norm in that?

[wasch_24]

»...but if I order X brand X vitola from X date code and X

» factory, I expect to get that. And if I'm not going to, then I expect to

» be notified.

»

» Am I out of the norm in that?

Not IMO.

[guilow]

» but if I order X brand X vitola from X date code and X

» factory, I expect to get that. And if I'm not going to, then I expect to

» be notified.

Rob, you are signing up for a lot this! I'm not saying it's an unreasonable expectation, just saying it's going to happen.

[wasch_24]

» I detect some anal retentiveness in this thread.

»

» Jeez! We are talking about consumables which we set light to are we not?

»

» We smoke them very often in conditions, surroundings & states of

» inebriation where we couldn't tell the difference between a Swisher Sweet

» or an Cohiba Siglo VI.

»

» Get a life.»

» Move on.

That is a little uncalled for. Unless you are typing tongue-in-cheek.

Not everyone is inebriated while enjoying a fine cigar. That seems like a waste to me.

[Mel]

» I detect some anal retentiveness in this thread.

»

» Jeez! We are talking about consumables which we set light to are we not?

»

» [/i

Now Rumrogue, are not most all consumers of quality Cuban cigars a little anal retentive? This whole site is dedicated to luxury items meant to be destroyed.;-)

[El Presidente]

JW

I think you misinterpreted.

We always send out what is ordered including specific box codes. If we need to change for any reason and e-mail is sent in advance and acceptance of the change confirmed.

What we will not do is sell individul box codes. We will sell Monte 2's not Monte 2 FJM AGO 05. You will know our box codes from the list. 99% of members place their orders by e-mail, phone, LIVECHAT, jungle drums. It is easy to say to Lisa your preference lies with the FJM AGO 05 Monte 2 ....no problems with that and we will accomodate. If we don't think they are up to scratch then we will let you know.

If you like to order using the online shopping cart no problem. There is room for your preferences in the General Instructions area.

If you couldn't give a rats ass....use the code CGRA

[Colt45]

» We have what we call the Ugly Australian Abroad. Loud, arrogant, ignorant

» tourist who gives all Australians a bad name while not being

» representative of Australians at all.

You mean everyone doesn't run around saying things like:

"Let's throw another shrimp on the barbie!"

"Pass the vegemite, mate"

"Fosters - now that's Australian for beer"

"Aussi, Aussie, Aussie, oi! oi! oi!

I saw it on tv, it had to be true!

[genevapics]

» "Aussi, Aussie, Aussie, oi! oi! oi!

You've been watching too much Poker on ESPN!

[genevapics]

El Prez:

If you can do the Date Codes without much trouble (you mentioned going barcode soon) then I am all for it. At this point in time, I really don't have much use for it. But I certainly can see where some of the members are coming from. If it is something that can make the buying experience better then I am all for it. If, however, it detracts from your ability to determine what is best when my orders come through, then I say: "NO TO BOX DATE CODES!"

It will be an interesting experiment. That said, I guess I better read up on what the hell "DATE CODES" are!

I really appreciate your honesty and dedication to this forum. It really let's me know that I have truly found the best place in the world to buy my smokes... outside of Cuba that is!:-D

[wasch_24]

» JW

»

» I think you misinterpreted.

»

» We always send out what is ordered including specific box codes. If we

» need to change for any reason and e-mail is sent in advance and acceptance

» of the change confirmed.

»

» What we will not do is sell individul box codes. We will sell Monte 2's

» not Monte 2 FJM AGO 05. You will know our box codes from the list. 99% of

» members place their orders by e-mail, phone, LIVECHAT, jungle drums. It is

» easy to say to Lisa your preference lies with the FJM AGO 05 Monte 2 ....no

» problems with that and we will accomodate. If we don't think they are up to

» scratch then we will let you know.

»

» If you like to order using the online shopping cart no problem. There is

» room for your preferences in the General Instructions area.

»

»

» If you couldn't give a rats ass....use the code CGRA

Rob, in my experience, the bolded portion is just not true.

[jwrussell]

RumRogue,

I do hope your post was in jest. I've smoked exactly one Habanos cigar while intoxicated, and that was New Years Eve. That's one of two cigars smoked while intoxicated. The majority of my cigars are smoked in a situation that allows me to enjoy the taste and aroma to the fullest of my capabilities.

If that's not the way you enjoy cigars, fine, but don't generalize it to the rest of us please.

Thanks for the clarification Rob.

[idesign]

This has got to be one of the best threads I've read in a long time. Good info up top El Prez....

[n2advnture]

Wow, what a lively discussion.

When someone says it's a 1999, most people automatically think what a horrible year (in general, of course), then you discuss whether it's plugged, taste like crap or "Wow, this is one of the best 99's I have had in a long time!" - "Really? What's the box code?"

» The only reference to Americans is that Americans are the only ones who

» request box codes.

If find this hard to believe as many forieners I talk to (HK & European collectors) ALWAYS reference box codes in their discussions.

I think that the two reoccurring points go hand in hand - quality/box codes - you can't seperate the two.

I don't understand how a general question like "how is the quality on PSD4s?" can be asked if you don't know what specific cigar (year especially) that you are asking about. The answer could be too long. "They were great in Mar 01 but sucked in Nov 01, then were good again in Jan 02, Feb 03 is ok but not as good as Nov & Dec 03..."

Also, those who have been smoking for sometime have discovered certain months/years that they are not fond of.

Just my $.02

[tmos]

I think you missed his point that the box code doesn't mean **** since the quality can be inconsistent box to box from the same factory/date codes.

At least that's what I took out of it. I don't speak Australian though so I may have screwed up the translation.

[n2advnture]

»

» ...I in no way categorised all Americans as ignoramuses, have a re-read.

»

» I am sick and tired of having ignoramuses ask repeatedly for all the old

» stock without any question on quality. When I ask about what they are

» looking for I get "anything old..I don't care"

»

» If you have asked me for all my old stock listings and have said that you

» don't care what it is regardless of quality then in my opinion...you

» are an ignoramus.

»

Sure you did Rob...

»

» Date Codes are a fascination for US citizens. I have never had a UK

» client/japanese client/Israeli client/Malaysian Client/Australian Client

» ever ask me for a date code before asking me about quality. US clients do

» it all the time.

»

» I am sick and tired of having ignoramuses ask repeatedly for all the old

» stock without any question on quality. When I ask about what they are

» looking for I get "anything old..I don't care"

»

[Colt45]

» If find this hard to believe as many forieners I talk to (HK & European

when I'm on an international board (such as this one), I

consider myself a foreigner.

[n2advnture]

» I think you missed his point that the box code doesn't mean **** since the

» quality can be inconsistent box to box from the same factory/date codes.

»

Nope, I understood what he said.

[El Presidente]

Well Todd, I owe you an apology in that case. Please e-mail me the details and I will take it up with Lisa and Smithy.

Just to keep the topic rolling:

1. There is absolutely no proof that because someone had a great box of FEB 99 smokes coded *** *** ** that the next box with exactly the same code will be great. Complete falacy. For someone to believe that they prefer say a Montecristo No 4 from a specific month and year is mindboggling. I would invite them to spend a month here with us and open boxes of Monte 4's for a month (same codes) and witness first hand the disparity of quality. We open approximately 800 boxes per month of all types of Habanos and we have done so for a long time. I would love to say that Habanos quality has improved so much that quality is now not an issue....but I would be lying.

In summary, IT IS A NUMBERS GAME. If choosing blind for most vitola's outside of 1999 you have a 50% chance of getting a veryvery good box of cigars. Our involvement is intended to boost those percentages.

2. There were still plenty of good smokes made in 99, just twice as many bad ones than usual.

3. Not one of our Australian,UK, Japanese, Singaporean, Malaysian, Israeli, Indonesian or New Zealand private clients concerns themselves regarding box codes as any priority. Quality certainly, box codes completely secondary if at all. It is certainly not a topic of conversation in this country in and around the divans. Hong Kong comes closest to the USA in regards to the importance of Habanos Box Codes. This is understandable as it is perhaps the home of Aged Habanos Cigars.

Finally, when reading a post from anyone, seek out humour before insult. Each person has a different sense of humour but humour also differs culturally. If you feel you have been malighned or slighted....have a re-read to ensure that someone is just not taking "the piss out of you"

[^nsmoke]

Well this has been an interesting thread, opinions sure do very on this topic. I must admit that my last order came from the "aged list " and was specifically purchased because most of my stash is 04 and I wanted to have some older sticks. I have asked in e-mails if there was anything with age that is any good and have gotten some good suggestions from Rob. But to tell the truth what I really want is the Best bang for the Buck. I want my purveyor of the leaf to use all of his or her senses to provide me with the best quality product that my money can buy without regards to when it was dated. If I can get something with age then its a bonus,if not so be it!!! **** is still **** even if it is old.