What's wrong with this picture

[knw247]

I spent the week in the Dominican Republic last week. Our excursion took us to a ranch with an "authentic" cigar manufacturer. Actually they did have a lady rolling tobacco lol.



So I wonder into their shop and find these. The salesmen ask me if I want to look at the Habanos. I responded by telling him these are not authentic. When he asked my I would say that I pointed to the Cohiba box and shared with him the first four issues this box had.


Any guesses as to what I said. After that he stopped asking me questions.

 

[CVAC085]

Glass top on the cohiba box...at least that what it looks like on my iphone....

When I was in the DR 2 years ago, they pushed Dominican's never mentioned Cuban's.

If you can get Leon Jiminez sticks theyre not bad.

OK, back to pointing out the fakes....

 

[StogieNinja]

Plastic wrap, glass top, bands, tax stamp? It's hard to narrow down, there's nothing right about it...

 

[CVAC085]

I thought the tax stamp looked a little off. I'm no where near a pro to spot fakes I'm slowly learning about it from all of you here.

 

[ChefBoyRG54]

mmmm esplendidos!

 

[knw247]

Plastic wrap, glass top, bands, tax stamp? It's hard to narrow down, there's nothing right about it...

You nailed most of the ones I pointed out and a few I missed. I told him that

• Cohiba does not sell in a 10 pack.
• They don't come with glass top boxes
• The Tax Stamp is on the WRONG side of the box
• And when I turned the box over... now Rolled on Date Stamp.

After that... they simply did not want to talk to me.

 

[bdc30]

Not that I disagree about them being fakes, but what's the point of saying that to the guys who run the shop? It's not like they're unaware of what they're selling. Plus, all that might do is give them ideas about how to improve their forgeries. ("Hey, Miguel - I tell you to put tax sticker on other side of box! -- and go make a different stamp...)

I'd make a significant point of informing any other customers so they might wisely decide not to purchase this garbage, as well as notifying the tour operator IF it was run by a reputable company. If the tour was locally organized or run by the hotel, you can bet they're getting a cut of the sales and will have less than no interest in your observations either lol

 

[Craig Mac]

Looks legit to me....

 

[ChefBoyRG54]

Not that I disagree about them being fakes, but what's the point of saying that to the guys who run the shop? It's not like they're unaware of what they're selling. Plus, all that might do is give them ideas about how to improve their forgeries. ("Hey, Miguel - I tell you to put tax sticker on other side of box! -- and go make a different stamp...)

I'd make a significant point of informing any other customers so they might wisely decide not to purchase this garbage, as well as notifying the tour operator IF it was run by a reputable company. If the tour was locally organized or run by the hotel, you can bet they're getting a cut of the sales and will have less than no interest in your observations either lol

Yeah, why F with their business model? The tour might end in a ditch....

 

[Mr. McSquirelly]

They're probably rolled with decent Dominican tobacco. Hell, I'd buy a box and smoke one. WTF! I'd cut one open first before, though! How much are they selling for?

 

[knw247]

Not that I disagree about them being fakes, but what's the point of saying that to the guys who run the shop? It's not like they're unaware of what they're selling. Plus, all that might do is give them ideas about how to improve their forgeries. ("Hey, Miguel - I tell you to put tax sticker on other side of box! -- and go make a different stamp...)

I'd make a significant point of informing any other customers so they might wisely decide not to purchase this garbage, as well as notifying the tour operator IF it was run by a reputable company. If the tour was locally organized or run by the hotel, you can bet they're getting a cut of the sales and will have less than no interest in your observations either lol

Yep, I did tell others in our group. My wife thought the workers were going to jump on me because my voice does carry. I also shared the situation with the lady who arranged the tours, but to be honest, I can't imagine they are unaware of the practice. Good point on unintentionally educating them, although, i doubt they are making these themselves. Likely there is a whole industry around these fakes.

 

[knw247]

They're probably rolled with decent Dominican tobacco. Hell, I'd buy a box and smoke one. WTF! I'd cut one open first before, though! How much are they selling for?

I never even got to the price. The Hotel has some legit Habanos for sale, but the price was North of my comfort level. 40-60 for a Cohiba and 30-40 for the Montecristos. I considered picking one up but the price was too high and honestly, all my cigars that Brought were tasting heavy (i suspect due to the high humidity in the air) so I did not think I would enjoy it. On that topic, anyone know why a humid air made all my smokes have a heavy harsh flavor?

 

[Shlippy]

Interesting. I'm not sure what I would have done in that situation.