why would they though? they never want to expose the fact that they screwed up in storing their cigars. That would mean that all the sticks have the possibility of being screwed up, adn there they go, lost all the customers in the store at that time.

That said, I dont know much about cigars, but isnt plume from being stored at the right humidity? and he showed you the humidity was at almost 80%...doesnt sound right to me. I'd probably say its mold.

EDIT: For anyone who knows, about how long does it take for plume to form if the sticks are stored properly? and this might be a dumb question, but is plume that worth waiting for?