Banned Internet Brands

Bruzee · 01-03-2009, 06:53 PM

I just saw that CI is offering "Banned Internet Brands". Here is their explaination of what a "Banned Internet Brand" is:

http://www.cigarsinternational.com/p...m=CS-ZKA&cat=3
What’s a "Banned Internet Brand" anyway? Well, it’s like this: once in a while cigar makers introduce a brand available to retailers on the condition that the retailer will not sell it via internet or catalog, instead only if they have "brick and mortar" retail shops. The reason that makers do this is either a) the brand is indeed too limited in production for a giant like CI, or b) to appease brick and mortar retailers who want to sell a brand with enormous profit margins without competing on price. 98% of the time the reason is b). Don’t get me wrong, most brick and mortar retailers are fine folks - some are personal friends - and they’re just trying to make a living. But our motto at CI is that what’s best for the customer is the answer.

What are your thoughts? Has anyone here tried this before? How good are the prices on some of these guys?

icehog3 · 01-03-2009, 08:42 PM

I have seen a bunch of the cigars listed sold on on-line retail sites. If the manufacturers were that strict, then how could CI do it (even without listing prices)?

Sounds like hype/crap to me.

elderboy02 · 01-03-2009, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icehog3

I have seen a bunch of the cigars listed sold on on-line retail sites. If the manufacturers were that strict, then how could CI do it (even without listing prices)?

Sounds like hype/crap to me.

Yep. My thoughts exactly. CI is known for their hype. Every description of their cigars makes it sound like the cigar you are buying is the best on the face of the earth.

lightning9191 · 01-03-2009, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elderboy02

Yep. My thoughts exactly. CI is known for their hype. Every description of their cigars makes it sound like the cigar you are buying is the best on the face of the earth.

They're not???

Whee · 01-03-2009, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elderboy02

Yep. My thoughts exactly. CI is known for their hype. Every description of their cigars makes it sound like the cigar you are buying is the best on the face of the earth.

I beg to differ...
http://www.cigarsinternational.com/p...CB7050&cat=145

I crack up everytime I read this in the catalog.

01-03-2009, 09:43 PM

i love there fan mail too, i have yet to see them post it from anyone who didnt think it was the greatest cigar ever made. i mean i guess thats what it is "fan mail" but id much rather have something like the amazon.com reviews on stuff. honest reviews from customers

Starscream · 01-03-2009, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j-easy

i love there fan mail too, i have yet to see them post it from anyone who didnt think it was the greatest cigar ever made. i mean i guess thats what it is "fan mail" but id much rather have something like the amazon.com reviews on stuff. honest reviews from customers

Check out the fan mail on these babies:

http://www.cigarsinternational.com/p...&stext=cremosa

Whee · 01-03-2009, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andysutherland

Check out the fan mail on these babies:

http://www.cigarsinternational.com/p...&stext=cremosa

Rp from Ohio says..."I was completely impressed with the amount of bloom on these cigars when I unwrapped them, and "...

Bloom?!? On a Cremosa?!?!

01-03-2009, 09:52 PM

http://www.cigarsinternational.com/p...stext=phillies

MM of Erie, PA
"These cigars (Phillies) are great. I love the smooth flavor of the peach blunts."

Whee · 01-03-2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j-easy

http://www.cigarsinternational.com/p...stext=phillies

MM of Erie, PA
"These cigars (Phillies) are great. I love the smooth flavor of the peach blunts."

Duuuuude, these blunts are smoooooooooooth...

Starscream · 01-03-2009, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j-easy

http://www.cigarsinternational.com/p...stext=phillies

MM of Erie, PA
"These cigars (Phillies) are great. I love the smooth flavor of the peach blunts."

Do you think he smokes them straight up, or does he gut 'em and re-roll 'em?

gvarsity · 01-03-2009, 10:30 PM

The other thing is one of the cigars in the list RP olde world reserve is available on their website with prices so why would you bother to call...

Bruzee · 01-03-2009, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illinoishoosier

I beg to differ...
http://www.cigarsinternational.com/p...CB7050&cat=145

I crack up everytime I read this in the catalog.

Thats freakin' hilarious......

&

Cremosas??!!!??!???!?!

MikeyC · 01-03-2009, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illinoishoosier

I beg to differ...
http://www.cigarsinternational.com/p...CB7050&cat=145

I crack up everytime I read this in the catalog.

That's freekin' HILARIOUS.

Quote:

Originally Posted by icehog3

I have seen a bunch of the cigars listed sold on on-line retail sites. If the manufacturers were that strict, then how could CI do it (even without listing prices)?

Sounds like hype/crap to me.

I've bought some of those cigars listed from CI on c-bid.

elderboy02 · 01-04-2009, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illinoishoosier

I beg to differ...
http://www.cigarsinternational.com/p...CB7050&cat=145

I crack up everytime I read this in the catalog.

Group buy anyone?

Don Fernando · 01-04-2009, 05:47 AM

I just entered my Cremosa review as fan mail, don't think it will make it though.

Skywalker · 01-04-2009, 10:52 AM

Even Thompsons runs many of these!!! Sorry... Hype!!!

BlackIrish · 01-04-2009, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j-easy

i love there fan mail too, i have yet to see them post it from anyone who didnt think it was the greatest cigar ever made. i mean i guess thats what it is "fan mail" but id much rather have something like the amazon.com reviews on stuff. honest reviews from customers

Long ago, when I first unwittingly ordered some crap sticks from CI, naively believing they hype that they were a good value stick, I submitted an honest (read: negative) review. I thought the reviews were like Amazon, where they wanted reviews, good or bad. I got an email back telling me that if I didn't like the cigars they'd take them back and give me a pro rata refund. The email made me chuckle, because the CSR seemed almost offended that I'd submitted a negative review. I took him up on the offer for a refund -- I appreciated that. But now I know not to believe any reviews on CI.

Nimbus · 01-04-2009, 01:47 PM

I believe it is more hype and a marketing scheme than anything else. Now if they had some Anejos or Opus for MSRP then I would consider the sale legit.

01-04-2009, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackIrish

Long ago, when I first unwittingly ordered some crap sticks from CI, naively believing they hype that they were a good value stick, I submitted an honest (read: negative) review. I thought the reviews were like Amazon, where they wanted reviews, good or bad. I got an email back telling me that if I didn't like the cigars they'd take them back and give me a pro rata refund. The email made me chuckle, because the CSR seemed almost offended that I'd submitted a negative review. I took him up on the offer for a refund -- I appreciated that. But now I know not to believe any reviews on CI.

I never believe any of their reviews - always finding hidden "gems" in some forgotten warehouse.

01-03-2009, 06:53 PM	#1
Bruzee Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: D Location: San Diego Posts: 1,508 Trading: (30)	Banned Internet Brands I just saw that CI is offering "Banned Internet Brands". Here is their explaination of what a "Banned Internet Brand" is: http://www.cigarsinternational.com/p...m=CS-ZKA&cat=3 What’s a "Banned Internet Brand" anyway? Well, it’s like this: once in a while cigar makers introduce a brand available to retailers on the condition that the retailer will not sell it via internet or catalog, instead only if they have "brick and mortar" retail shops. The reason that makers do this is either a) the brand is indeed too limited in production for a giant like CI, or b) to appease brick and mortar retailers who want to sell a brand with enormous profit margins without competing on price. 98% of the time the reason is b). Don’t get me wrong, most brick and mortar retailers are fine folks - some are personal friends - and they’re just trying to make a living. But our motto at CI is that what’s best for the customer is the answer. What are your thoughts? Has anyone here tried this before? How good are the prices on some of these guys? __________________

01-03-2009, 08:42 PM	#2
icehog3 Admiral Douchebag Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Location: Clermont, Kentucky Posts: 71,295 Trading: (60)	Re: Banned Internet Brands I have seen a bunch of the cigars listed sold on on-line retail sites. If the manufacturers were that strict, then how could CI do it (even without listing prices)? Sounds like hype/crap to me. __________________ Thanks Dave, Julian, James, Kelly, Peter, Gerry, Dave, Mo, Frank, Týr and Mr. Mark!

01-03-2009, 09:43 PM	#6
j-easy Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Banned Internet Brands i love there fan mail too, i have yet to see them post it from anyone who didnt think it was the greatest cigar ever made. i mean i guess thats what it is "fan mail" but id much rather have something like the amazon.com reviews on stuff. honest reviews from customers

01-03-2009, 09:52 PM	#9
j-easy Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Banned Internet Brands http://www.cigarsinternational.com/p...stext=phillies MM of Erie, PA "These cigars (Phillies) are great. I love the smooth flavor of the peach blunts."

01-03-2009, 10:30 PM	#12
gvarsity still crazy Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 621 Trading: (15)	Re: Banned Internet Brands The other thing is one of the cigars in the list RP olde world reserve is available on their website with prices so why would you bother to call...

01-04-2009, 05:47 AM	#16
Don Fernando Postwhore Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Ferdinand Location: Singapore Posts: 10,068 Trading: (29)	Re: Banned Internet Brands I just entered my Cremosa review as fan mail, don't think it will make it though. __________________ check out my reviews on my blog.

01-04-2009, 10:52 AM	#17
Skywalker BABOTL Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dice Location: Galaxy Far Far Away Posts: 10,168 Trading: (18)	Re: Banned Internet Brands Even Thompsons runs many of these!!! Sorry... Hype!!! __________________ Smoke what you like!!!

01-04-2009, 01:47 PM	#19
Nimbus ... Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: J Posts: 523 Trading: (7)	Re: Banned Internet Brands I believe it is more hype and a marketing scheme than anything else. Now if they had some Anejos or Opus for MSRP then I would consider the sale legit.