I'd Like to Try Once More

[Katmancross]

Almost a year ago, I was told to become active in the forums by my bosses. I've smoked cigars for over 40 years but never had any involvement in the forums; therefore, I was naive.
I had been out of work and without cigars,
I got some really bad advice and like a schmuck, I followed it.
As a result, I was vilified. Across the board of cigar forums. I couldn't dig myself out.
The more advice I was given, the deeper the hole.
While I don't have a job, I have a means of support and have become wiser as to how these forums work. I stepped on everyone's toes and I apologize.
I'm hoping to start up again and on the right foot.

I live in lovely Milwaukee.
I'm active on Facebook.
And I can afford to buy cigars. LOL!

Thanks,
Phil Kohn

[cigarsarge]

OK Phil...Welcome. What do you like to smoke?

[Katmancross]

Thanks, Cigarsarge, for asking......

I'm a big fan of Pete Johnson, Alec Bradley, Carillo, La Palina (although I can't afford them) and Litto Gomez. I research what I buy very closely. I've found that my favorite online stores are:
1. New Havana Cigars
2. Atlantic Cigar
3. Best Cigar Prices
4. Cigars at your own Price (this one is great...you can basically be assured of buying anything a few bucks cheaper than any other site)
I'm completely burned out on house cigars.
I discourage online stores from sending me that stuff.
There are always some good deals online but you gotta' root them out. The only problem with most deals is that they require lots of humidor time.

[Devil Doc]

I vaguely remember this guy. I wouldn't be so quick to welcome him Ken.

Doc

[ashauler]

I vaguely remember this guy. I wouldn't be so quick to welcome him Ken.

Doc

Indeed! The retailers you listed in your post wouldn't happen to supply your cigars would they katmandude?

[Katmancross]

Indeed! The retailers you listed in your post wouldn't happen to supply your cigars would they katmandude?

Nope. I am not affiliated with any of those stores. Strictly cash on the barrel head. And I never approached them for cigars for review. These are great sites. You should check them out.

[badwhale]

Thanks, Cigarsarge, for asking......

I'm a big fan of Pete Johnson, Alec Bradley, Carillo, La Palina (although I can't afford them) and Litto Gomez. I research what I buy very closely. I've found that my favorite online stores are:
1. New Havana Cigars
2. Atlantic Cigar
3. Best Cigar Prices
4. Cigars at your own Price (this one is great...you can basically be assured of buying anything a few bucks cheaper than any other site)
I'm completely burned out on house cigars.
I discourage online stores from sending me that stuff.
There are always some good deals online but you gotta' root them out. The only problem with most deals is that they require lots of humidor time.

I got a package yesterday and hope to get these sexy babies inhaled today.
I found a web site called New Havana Cigars. They strictly sell the upscale stuff. No Rocky Patel 63rds.
A little cheaper than some, more at others. Their variety is what brings me back.Attachment 2737

P.S. I stopped doing reviews for the online cigar stores. Got tired of their tired old house brands. Plus, I had to watch what I said. I certainly can't tell a story like I did in the La Gloria Cubana review. And those silly stories make it fun for me.

So, which is it? Do you do reviews for online stores, or do you just discourage them from sending you house brands?

[Katmancross]

This happened gradually. I didn't get an epiphany one day and decide to turn the spigot off.
Some honored my request. Others sent a 5 pack of something and asked me to just try them. If I liked them, I might review them. But most of the time, I didn't. I tried to be diplomatic and not hurt their feelings. I had a lot of boutique brands send me stuff. On average, 90% of the boutique cigars weren't very good. They were businessmen who would meet a blender and the blender would throw a dozen different sticks on the table and the business man would pick. Then he'd put his bands on the sticks and voila'.....a new cigar was born. In most cases, these cigars needed a lot of humidor time but the businessmen were anxious and impatient. They had sent their cigars to most reviewers and pressured them to publish a review ASAP. It was a shitty situation.
I'm still on the reviewer's list of a few manufacturers....Alec Bradley, La Palina and a couple others. Who turns down samples from these people?
The tool that really helped discourage the cigar guys was how I began to write. R rated. Throw in stories of drugs and sex and rock n roll.
So to answer your question, yes, it was a gradual process. It was not like hitting a light switch.
Now, I buy the cigars I review. It takes time to back your way out of something you tried so hard to accomplish. The last house brand I reviewed for an online store was back on Aug 9. I closed the door after that. And now I review a cigar when I feel like it.
Unfortunately, I did burn some bridges. The "customer" couldn't fathom that someone did not like their product. Such is life.