Date Codes on NC Boxes?

[bwhite220]

The collector/organizer side of me loves the fact that all CC boxes come with date codes. But why do NCs not add date codes? I can't see any disadvantages to adding that and it would probably even help B&Ms. I know many NC's come with age on them anyway but they could even include two date codes: one with the date that they were rolled and one with the date they were boxed.

Any one know why NC's do not include a box code?

 

[sofc]

The collector/organizer side of me loves the fact that all CC boxes come with date codes. But why do NCs not add date codes? I can't see any disadvantages to adding that and it would probably even help B&Ms. I know many NC's come with age on them anyway but they could even include two date codes: one with the date that they were rolled and one with the date they were boxed.

Any one know why NC's do not include a box code?

Some of them do have date codes but i do not know the reasoning behind not having a box code.

 

[A Huge Nerd]

The collector/organizer side of me loves the fact that all CC boxes come with date codes. But why do NCs not add date codes? I can't see any disadvantages to adding that and it would probably even help B&Ms. I know many NC's come with age on them anyway but they could even include two date codes: one with the date that they were rolled and one with the date they were boxed.

Any one know why NC's do not include a box code?

As far as I remember, it is because of regulations. I thing the Cuban govt agency that oversees cigar production requires the date codes. Currently, the US does not require that step. I know some companies that do put date stamps on boxes (Tatuaje is the only one that immediately comes to mind). But with all the FDA crap going on, we will probably see that as a requirement here. Of course most of the beautiful artwork on the box will be covered by "THIS WILL KILL YOU" and "TOBACCO IS EVIL" stickers, but at least we might get a date code stamped on the bottom of the box.

 

[bwhite220]

As far as I remember, it is because of regulations. I thing the Cuban govt agency that oversees cigar production requires the date codes. Currently, the US does not require that step. I know some companies that do put date stamps on boxes (Tatuaje is the only one that immediately comes to mind). But with all the FDA crap going on, we will probably see that as a requirement here. Of course most of the beautiful artwork on the box will be covered by "THIS WILL KILL YOU" and "TOBACCO IS EVIL" stickers, but at least we might get a date code stamped on the bottom of the box.

Yeah, I knew Cuba regulated it and enforced the box codes. And it makes sense that Tatuaje would add it since they often try to emulate Cuban sticks (Tat Black CGs for example).

 

[StogieNinja]

Saka does it as well. I think for the big companies it's an extra step, with no clear advantages. People hunt for box codes to try and find good production, the big companies have nothing to gain by assisting that.

 

[bwhite220]

Saka does it as well. I think for the big companies it's an extra step, with no clear advantages. People hunt for box codes to try and find good production, the big companies have nothing to gain by assisting that.

This is a complete assumption but I would guess that the people who hunt for box codes would not be as high in the NC market. And even if it were, it's a small percentage of people. Most will just buy the box because they like that NC. However, there would be those who would buy an NC box over another NC box just because the year stamp is older and clearly defined.

 

[StogieNinja]

This is a complete assumption

You're a complete assumption.

 

[bwhite220]

You're a complete assumption.

But my mom says I'm special.

 

[A Huge Nerd]

But my mom says I'm special.

You are, puddn... You are.

 

[bwhite220]

And, my assumptions are based off of the fact that us on cigar forums are more educated in the hobby than the majority of those who are not on the forum. However, those of us on cigar forums are a small percentage of the whole. That small percentage is even less of you who hunt for box codes.

However, the entire population of cigar smokers would easily be able to understand a box code on a NC box - specifically the year. I would think that would drive sales a little more. If I go into a shop and I'm not looking to buy a stick or a box but I find one that's a few years old, I might gravitate towards buying it.

 

[bwhite220]

You are, puddn... You are.

Correction @StogieNinja: Matt and my mom say I'm special!

 

[StogieNinja]

...the entire population of cigar smokers would easily be able to understand a box code on a NC box - specifically the year. I would think that would drive sales a little more. If I go into a shop and I'm not looking to buy a stick or a box but I find one that's a few years old, I might gravitate towards buying it.

You may be right, but the most manufacturers have little to gain by that. The cigars have long since been sold to the retailer at that point, they gain nothing when a customer buys a 4-yr-old box at a B&M, and they probably see being able to tell how old cigars are at a glance to be a negative - if the box has sat that long without selling, they can't be great cigars, right?

 

[bwhite220]

I just thought of a downfall though - I hope not many would do this but a B&M could keep boxes with older date codes and then put new singles in them to make them look aged. Even then, they could up the cost because they are "vintage". There would be no way to verify it at that point.

 

[bwhite220]

...if the box has sat that long without selling, they can't be great cigars, right?

I could see that logic but it would also offer the Tobacconist an opportunity to further educate the consumer.

 

[StogieNinja]

I could see that logic but it would also offer the Tobacconist an opportunity to further educate the consumer.

If it's a good tobacconist and a good cigar, why have they sat on the shelf for four years?

 

[bwhite220]

If it's a good tobacconist and a good cigar, why have they sat on the shelf for four years?

Because the tobacconist is great and he/she found a great deal on the box somewhere, bought it and brought it into his B&M for his clients.

Or, he intentionally sat on it to age the box.

 

[A Huge Nerd]

A lot of it depends on how well the tobacconist knows his client base. He could but boxes of some killer cigars but his customers only want General Cigar and Altadis products. Meanwhile the Warped, CH, Tatuaje, Illusione, etc may sit in the humidor for a long time because no matter how much the tobacconist tries to tell his customer about the product, they are stuck with tunnel vision and will only buy Cohiba red dot and Quorum.

 

[bwhite220]

A lot of it depends on how well the tobacconist knows his client base. He could but boxes of some killer cigars but his customers only want General Cigar and Altadis products. Meanwhile the Warped, CH, Tatuaje, Illusione, etc may sit in the humidor for a long time because no matter how much the tobacconist tries to tell his customer about the product, they are stuck with tunnel vision and will only buy Cohiba red dot and Quorum.

Absolutely - those guys will always exist.

 

[A Huge Nerd]

Shelf real estate is important. My local B&M, where I have worked on a very part time basis, is a prime example. It is a small shop with limited shelf space. The owner has been a tobacconist for over 30 years and he knows that the success of his business has nothing to do with the best cigars, it has to do with what sells. I have tried to convince him to bring in some Warped and Illusione, but he just can't justify the space. His biggest sellers are Monte classics, Quorum, and Acid. Caldwell, Room 101, and Crux are really the only small brands that he carries. The Crux have been doing well.

 

[bwhite220]

Shelf real estate is important. My local B&M, where I have worked on a very part time basis, is a prime example. It is a small shop with limited shelf space. The owner has been a tobacconist for over 30 years and he knows that the success of his business has nothing to do with the best cigars, it has to do with what sells. I have tried to convince him to bring in some Warped and Illusione, but he just can't justify the space. His biggest sellers are Monte classics, Quorum, and Acid. Caldwell, Room 101, and Crux are really the only small brands that he carries. The Crux have been doing well.

Yeah, same here.