Quote Originally Posted by Shelby07 View Post
I'd guess that their retailers might have reported damage when packed sans celo, so they reacted to it.
Yeah, I would think you're right on that one. I seem to notice damage at the b/m on the naked sticks too. I just got a free padilla miami lancero earlier this week due to a cracked wrapper that I reported to the owner when I picked up a few.

Quote Originally Posted by islcigar
I can speak as a retailer....... Cello helps prevent damage for those folks who rumage through each stick. These are the ones that feel inclined to sniff - snort, -squeeze and roll their hands all over the cigar. They know who they are. Why they feel the need to want to do this????? 99.99% have no clue about premium tobacco. Anyway, I call cello a sneeze gaurd. Personally I would love to see every cigar come naked (no cello). Just a personal preference.
O.K., I've read several threads on other boards about this kind of "fondling" and sniffing of cigars. Does it really happen that often? What would you guess the percentage of people coming in do this kinda thing?

I will almost always pick up a stick I am intending to buy, naked or not, to inspect it closely for any damage or soft spots. I was told that as long as you don't run your grubbies all over the head of the cigar, and run your nose on it that it was o.k.