Best of: Newbie trades

[Iholmes]

So as a new member (feeling incredibly welcome, thank you all for the hospitality so far) I have been reading thru the glorious amounts of information available from you shepards of wisdom whom I am grateful to call brothers.
I feel it is just about my time to jump into the newbie trade to get the ball rolling but before I dive in I was very curious about one thing: do sponsors ever enjoy what they receive from a complete green horn like myself??
I've read through the entire thread on the news trade and never seen a sponsor blasted by a news. I wasn't sure if this was a common occurrence or if I had just missed something.

So here is my question: what is the best smoke(s) you have received from a new BOTL?

P.s. I'm a visual learner so pictures are ALWAYS appreciated

 

[Iholmes]

Wow, not even one reply. Well I hope who ever I end up getting paired with doesn't get upset with me over some mediocre cigars. I'm headed to some b&ms this weekend so I'll probably be putting my name in the hat sometime next week

 

[herfdog]

I never made the newbie sampler trade, in either sides. And the main reason for postponing this was that I didn't feel I had good enough sticks. Then, I made trades and no longer was new...

Seeing how some people talk about some newbies that "try to convert crappy sticks into good ones with the newbie trade" I feel like I might have made a good choice with the knowledge and available sticks I had at the time.

So... Sorry if this does not help you out. Ask your sponsor when you are matched. Or opt for a cash deal.

 

[Iholmes]

I appreciate the reply, like you said I feel I'm only just starting to acquire decent sticks but I'll probably opt for the cash deal.

I was really just curious if anyone had ever been blown away by a newbie. I know some of the people that are new to the brotherhood have been smoking cigars for years

 

[Hamm]

Looking back at it now, and if I were able to do it over i'd probably opt for a cash deal. I was completely blown away by what I received in my newbie trade. I don't have that many really good sticks, but I sent what I could. Although, my intention is to stick around this place for a while, and participate in the newbie trade as a sponsor. That way I can pay it forward.

 

[jerseyjetset]

When I participated in the newbie trade, I didn't even realize at the time what the community was about (I didn't do any lurking around here, I just dove right in and I think my noob trade happened a day or two later). It never even occurred to me that what I might be sending out on my end might be of far lower quality than what I received; I just sent stuff I liked and didn't really have any expectations of what I might receive in return. I certainly didn't consider using it to perform "tobacco alchemy" by turning my turds into gold. In retrospect, I don't remember exactly what I sent, but I know what I was into at the time, so I probably owe @hogfarmer an apology, especially since he destroyed me with something like 15 sticks that more resembled a MAW hit than a noob trade. Sorry bro!

I've thought many times about sponsoring a noob trade now that I have been here almost a year and am starting to amass some nice sticks. I came here to learn more about cigars and try new things. The noob trade helped me in that goal. I definitely wouldn't opt for a cash deal; I would go into it fully expecting to get a pile of Gurkhas and 5 Vegas from CI samplers, but if the recipient likes even one or two of the things I send out and it causes them to explore what else is out there, then it's worth it. And maybe I'll be surprised and the guy at the other end will have even better taste - and a better arsenal - than me! But that's not what it's all about. This place is unique in its generosity and its overall willingness to help each other and share information. I think the noob trade exemplifies that.

 

[Xavier Dredo]

When I participated in the newbie trade, I didn't even realize at the time what the community was about (I didn't do any lurking around here, I just dove right in and I think my noob trade happened a day or two later). It never even occurred to me that what I might be sending out on my end might be of far lower quality than what I received; I just sent stuff I liked and didn't really have any expectations of what I might receive in return. I certainly didn't consider using it to perform "tobacco alchemy" by turning my turds into gold. In retrospect, I don't remember exactly what I sent, but I know what I was into at the time, so I probably owe @hogfarmer an apology, especially since he destroyed me with something like 15 sticks that more resembled a MAW hit than a noob trade. Sorry bro!

I've thought many times about sponsoring a noob trade now that I have been here almost a year and am starting to amass some nice sticks. I came here to learn more about cigars and try new things. The noob trade helped me in that goal. I definitely wouldn't opt for a cash deal; I would go into it fully expecting to get a pile of Gurkhas and 5 Vegas from CI samplers, but if the recipient likes even one or two of the things I send out and it causes them to explore what else is out there, then it's worth it. And maybe I'll be surprised and the guy at the other end will have even better taste - and a better arsenal - than me! But that's not what it's all about. This place is unique in its generosity and its overall willingness to help each other and share information. I think the noob trade exemplifies that.

This!

 

[ChefBoyRG54]

I've sponsored a bunch of guys and have received a wide variety of cigars. Some good and some bad. But I don't sponsor with the intention of making out and I don't believe anyone else does, just spreading the spirit of BOTL is all.

When people have asked what to send I've always said that I only ask they send sticks they actually enjoy. Like any trade, it's not a humi clean out

And to Yans point, I have had a couple occurrences where it felt as if the newbie was trying to do the trade solely to trade up for better sticks. One in particular comes to mind where the person was posting in 'today's smoke' pictures of high end sticks, but the package I received was all $1-$3 cbid sticks. Fishy to me but I still responded as I normally would. Ironically that person didn't stick around very long...

 

[THEMISCHMAN]

Just like Chef said, it's about the spirit and brotherhood of BOTL. It's about introducing someone to something they've never tried before. Cigars are intimidating enough when you first get into the hobby. No one wants to buy a cigar they don't like but it happens. The best thing about the Newb Trade is that when you send the sticks that you enjoy and are smoking right now the sponsor can determine some things that they think you would enjoy. Don't worry about what you're sending in relation to what you might receive, it's all about trying to turn someone on to some great cigars.

 

[JusBlaze]

As a fellow newb all I can say is dive in! The newbie trade is the best way imho to get started on BOTL. Welcome brother and enjoy the ride!

 

[shadowcam]

My best noobie trade is CASH. Hate to be a snob but I think I deserve it at this point

 

[CigaRamento]

I'm a newb and asked to be placed on the list to be sponsored for a trade several days ago, and still haven't been. My guess is that plenty of vets to the board have figured out that its not such a hot deal. I could be wrong though, and it could just be how long it usually takes.

All I can say is that if it's typical to get cheaper sticks from a newb, I am going to break the trend and make someone's day! (I'm new to the forum, but not new to cigars).

 

[THEMISCHMAN]

I'm a newb and asked to be placed on the list to be sponsored for a trade several days ago, and still haven't been. My guess is that plenty of vets to the board have figured out that its not such a hot deal. I could be wrong though, and it could just be how long it usually takes.

All I can say is that if it's typical to get cheaper sticks from a newb, I am going to break the trend and make someone's day! (I'm new to the forum, but not new to cigars).

It takes some time. All I can say is just be patient and someone will make it happen.

 

[Hamm]

It took a couple of weeks after I put my name in to get picked up. But it was well worth it! It was a awesome welcome to this great brotherhood.

 

[xjsnake]

I did a newb trade with Ryan (cash deal), the reason for a cash deal being that I knew I couldn't go stick for stick with a Vet. I got some fantastic sticks and hopefully developed a lasting relationship with a much more experience BOTL. Your mileage may vary

 

[danmdevries]

Having been on both ends of the noob trades within the past year, I'll repeat what's been said already. I want the new guy to send stuff he likes and from that, I can try to help find them others I think they will enjoy.

Unlike chef, I'm not above playing with a mooch. Had a new guy on another forum send me his end of bundle and unbanded short fills. When I looked to see what he'd been posing as currently smoking, it didn't match at all. So, I sent out some decent bundle smokes in return and got an angry PM from him. Disappeared from the forum shortly after.

On the other hand, when I get a noob that tries, and looking at the other posts, I make sure its worth their while.

Noob/vet trades aren't about who can hit harder. Its about welcoming someone in and helping them explore things they may enjoy based on what they like. Umm...and blowing up the fng's porch... lol. But I'm not really going to go all out on a noob. Too many times it's been a cut n run after the trade is over. And new guys crying about not getting paired, you're going about it the wrong way. Pull up a chair, grab a cigar and get involved here, get to know people and let us get to know you. It's not about getting the cigars, its about the community, and the welcome trade is part of that.

On the noob side, looking back, I feel kinda guilty about what I sent and what I received. Id sent what I thought were good smokes, and were what I enjoyed at the time, and I paid overinflated retail plus from a b&m. But, that's the point. I got some cigars I'd never had considered because their shelf price was beyond my reach. Then I started buying more online, and appreciating cigars even more as I got more experience. With the greater experience and appreciation, I'm not afraid of the top shelf because now I know I can appreciate them.

 

[Iholmes]

To all that have responded I am grateful, I've heard a lot of what I expected.
My intentions had been to research the crap out of the sponsor I get and try to give him/her something they would enjoy. I understand how the cash deal would be an easy way to get started but I plan on sticking around for quite some time just like the other forums I belong to.
I appreciate all the advice from the fellow brothers and I look forward to getting to know one of you even more with my trade and future trades to come!

 

[EO80]

I never did the newbie trade. I just started bombing people. To me it has and is not about getting. This place is all about the brotherhood part of the name.
As it has been said, get involved, post, go to chat. Get to know people.
And as far as getting picked up on the newb trade, from what I have read there is a great influx of new blood compared to sponsors.

 

[atllogix]

I have done my fair share of being an NST sponsor elsewhere in the past. The rules were a little different and I guess even the purpose was a little different.
to flat out answer your question the best thing I received was a bomb accompanying a newb NST package - Liga Privada No.9 and T52, a few Illusione, Opus X, and some others. He obviously wasn't new to cigars, but he also sent his newbesque end of the deal.

As for being a sponsor, for me that is my chance to give someone a warm fuzzy welcome to the community. It's showing a little love, it is a trade but I personally feel it should be moreorless a one sided trade. I let my botl NST sponsor know I wasn't new but I also don't want to put someone in an uncomfortable situation where they're getting rid of their prized possessions trying to match. It was a perfect trade in my book, and I can only hope @jonboy felt the same.

The cigar community has a ton of generous people, I was fortunate to be exposed to that early because that in turn led me to be the same way. When I buy something I automatically prepare for at least half of it to leave my possession, 2 out of 5 for 5 packs, no matter what it is, and I believe I do that solely from the way I was greeted and that karma (life) regulates itself for good and bad.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm totally cool with trading for sticks I wouldn't normally purchase to make a newbs day.

Ill stop now even though I wasn't done, this is getting long.

 

[Iholmes]

I have done my fair share of being an NST sponsor elsewhere in the past. The rules were a little different and I guess even the purpose was a little different.
to flat out answer your question the best thing I received was a bomb accompanying a newb NST package - Liga Privada No.9 and T52, a few Illusione, Opus X, and some others.

I automatically prepare for at least half of it to leave my possession, 2 out of 5 for 5 packs, no matter what it is, and I believe I do that solely from the way I was greeted and that karma (life) regulates itself for good and bad.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm totally cool with trading for sticks I wouldn't normally purchase to make a newbs day.

Ill stop now even though I wasn't done, this is getting long.

I really like this reply. A lot of what you said is the way I think everyday. I've read a lot on here that this forum is about more than just cigars and it's nice to see when reading thru the trades and newb trades and just general conversation.

I like the idea of reserving some of everything I buy to give away, luckily I've got two humidors. Now I know what to do with the second!!