Opinions on vendors

[vewyphishy]

The three main vendors that I see referenced are CoH, Puro, and Promo. I know for the monthly GB, the sticks usually come from the aforementioned trio... and usually the first two.

That leads me to my question... what's your impression/feeling about Promo? The prices seem pretty low and they usually carry a pretty decent selection... yet I get this feeling that not everyone is comfortable with them. If this is the case (and if you are one that this applies to), I'm curious to know why. Perhaps intact vs. unbanded? Duty fees? Questionable product?

 

[Legends of the Playground]

I was after my first buy from them early this week. But I've since been reassured by several people (here and on CW) about their trust worthiness. I think the main issue people have is that their stuff comes from Beirut.

 

[GuyMcBeerdrinker]

I don't think anybody can question their product. they are the second largest habanos distributor and they have nothing to gain, but everything to lose, from switching their product. I can't recall a time when that was put into question, same cannot be said about mo (very honest mistake from what I gathered, and he offered to make it right) and manuel. especially manuel.

I also love having prices that are shipping inclusive (express shipping :blushlove ) and IN DOLLARS. no currency conversions to mess with.

however, I think the first choice is ravi because for the most part he has the best prices (no duties to deal with, no currency conversion fees, and he is shipping inclusive) and he ships intact. sure the dispatch and transit times are getting longer but the beauty of receiving an intact product for our purposes is that they are already identified ott. there is no extra step of labeling ziploc bags, making paper bands, etc.

that being said, here's my pluses and minuses of our three main vendors:

CoH/Ravi

plus
- intact stock
- cigars are inspected and bubble wrapped prior to dispatch
- best prices in general
- transaction is done in dollars; no conversion fees
- great customer service
- bi-weekly specials
- 3% off code

negatives
- higher seizure risk
- untrackable
- long dispatch times
- language barrier/communication gaps when he's out on business
- lack of package trackability makes for a long replacement process
- no protection to outter box (well sometimes you get that bubble wrappe lined envelope)
- smaller selection and stock means that boxes are often sold out


promo

plus
- they love your relative payment. :rolling:
- huge selection and variety
- express shipping inclusive
- lots of promotions
- dollar transactions
- parcel traceability
- 0% chance of seizure
- boxes are super protected
- aged selection
- large stock of humidors, jars, ELs

negatives
- custom duties. not a whole lot at around $8, but it does add up when ordering multiple times
- dispatch time inconsistency. sometimes order goes out the next shipping day, other times they miss it. luck of the draw, I guess
- reband and reboxing
- you have to request bands and remind them to send in packaging if you got a special box
- sometimes the boxes are too big for the cigars and they either bang around in transit, or you are left with imprints from the foam inserts they use


puroexp

pluses
- truly intact stock
- short dispatch time
- shipping inclusive pricing, 'bout time
- really reasonable when the dollar rallies
- big selection
- nice protection of outer packaging


negatives
- high rate of seizures for a while
- lack of cigar protection
- euro transactions -- conversion fees, you have to watch the rates
- often sold out of the popular smokes

 

[Legends of the Playground]

Another pro for promo... Large selection of discontinued stock.

Another con for promo... Large selection of machine made stock.

 

[vewyphishy]

Jorge, that's quite more extensive an answer than I was expecting. :nodlaugh:

All great information. :yes:

 

[Legends of the Playground]

I doubt anyone's ever accused Jorge of being shortwinded. :yes:

 

[GuyMcBeerdrinker]

btw, I have nothing against other good vendors as I deal with them on a personal purchasing level. but I think we mainly focus on those main three for their pricing.

the other guys charge shipping, deal in other currencies, have higher cigar prices to begin with, etc. adding that in would increase our share pricing.

 

[Mikes]

I was after my first buy from them early this week. But I've since been reassured by several people (here and on CW) about their trust worthiness. I think the main issue people have is that their stuff comes from Beirut.

The parent Co. is located in Beirut as are all 4 lcdh's as well as the 2 in the airport, and one of several warehouses. The cigars are sent to an EU country (cyprus) and then shipped to us to avoid any scrutiny from customs on the country of origin.

I along with 4 other lucky golden ticket holders were invited to tour Wankaland...err Keeplighting/Promo, wait a Minuit lol, but it really felt like that only with cigars not candy. Got to see the HQ in Cyprus/Beirut, the warehouses at both locations, as well as all 6 (that's right SIX) Lcdh's that they own/supply. Rony and the rest of the crew are top notch people. The business is not a Mom and Pop operation like I envisioned, rather a corporate conglomerate that could be likened to a franchise, with 100's of employees.

pictures of the trip here : http://galleries.cigarweekly.com/mikes/Trip-Of-A-Lifetime?page=1

 

[GuyMcBeerdrinker]

yep, mike along with many others that have had the pleasure of visiting rony and co. asured me long ago that they are 110% legit.

hey mike, I started another thread about creating a fedex for paying duties automatically. can you tell me how you set it up again? I believe I had had too many beers when you told me.

 

[vewyphishy]

I have no doubt they're legit... especially after Mike's firsthand experience. I'm just curious why fewer and fewer people mention Promo. Granted, vendor talk is relatively open here. On other boards where thats not allowed... just feels like there's an undercurrent working.

 

[GuyMcBeerdrinker]

I do know there was some displeasure and perhaps a hint of wavering trust back in december when they suspended orders for two weeks. lots of speculation floating around. but they got that sorted out.

perhaps they are still reeling from that?

 

[Viper139]

I have exclusively used Promo. I can not chance a seizure at all so nude cigars works best for me when importing.

 

[Legends of the Playground]

I can not chance a seizure at all so nude cigars works best for me when importing.

How come?

 

[Dr. Evil]

I use PuroExpress, CoH, KL (Promo's "big brother") and Gestos. The July cigars came from Gestos. I like their quality and some of their prices, but the drawback is that in order to get the shipping to a "manageable" amount, you have to order 6 boxes.

 

[Viper139]

How come?

My real job.

 

[Legends of the Playground]

Badges? We don't need no stinking badges.

Anybody have a link to these? KL and Gestos

 

[GuyMcBeerdrinker]

b.j. -- keeplighting is essentially promo. owned by the same company, phoenicia trading. something about the client database running on an outdated version that doesn't allow new clients or something, I think I remember rena telling me that. you get a sligh discount but I've been told that's about to be phased out.

gesto

I thought I saw for about a week something on gesto's site saying they were out of business or no longer doing mail orders :dunno:

y'all keep that source on the d/l as they have some good aged stock at reasonable prices.

 

[Legends of the Playground]

You know me, so far only Ellie knows my sources for sure.

 

[vewyphishy]

Anyone remember Aristocigar.com... ? Whatever happened to them?

 

[Viper139]

Badges? We don't need no stinking badges.

Two more years!!!!!!!!!