Humidor from Waxing Moon With problems.

[Swif]

I had Ed at Waxing Moon build me a custom humidor. the time to build took a little longer then he stated and shipping ended up being a little more then what he said it would be, No big deal. I received the humidor form Ed and it was packaged great. once I removed the humidor I was blown away with how great it looked. as I stat to look it over I noticed a white haze here and there. I then noticed some glue showing, no big deal. Next I noticed the trays were not squared to the humidor. I then noticed the lid did not have an even gap and in the right front corner of the sealing edge had a chipped piece of wood. Last I found the lid to be a little off center.

I contacted Ed by email and mention my concerns. I asked if he could fix them. Ed stated he would. emails go back and fourth for about 3 months nothing fixed. At that point I email Ed say to fix the humidor or refund me my money. Ed agrees to refund me and says he will have to make payments. I say fine and when will they start? Ed say he has bee struggling and he will send what he can each month. # more months go by and nothing from ED. Finally I receive about $250. then nothing more up to today. I spent about $1200. you will see I posted I spent $1220 + 160 in shipping on other post. I looked back and found I spent just under $1160 total. I state the correction on that forum. On others I state $1200. So I am $60 off.


Ed,

Sorry I have taken so long to send you the picture. I have tag the concern areas on each picture. If you need more of the white haze let me know and I will send them. Also the trays that don't have an even gap seem to be at each level.

Not sure if that is for expansion and contrasting of the wood, but I would think that an even gap would work best.

Let me know what you think and what I can do to fix the white haze and it the chipped part is going to be a problem.

Hi David,

I believe the white haze to be dust that got in to the lacquer..... Not really a hard thing to fix.... that's what it looks like to me. I try to ensure that don't happen, but sometimes it gets pretty dusty in the shop.... and my eyes don't see straight....

The chip on the SC is not an issue, happens to most of the humidors, but, I usually catch it before it goes out.... it does not affect the seal, as the bevel itself is the sealing factor.... I have sanded the edges down as much as 3/16" before.... no problem there. A little 100 grit sandpaper will even it out and will not compromise the seal...

I'm not sure about the gap on the trays.... it could be that the slats may have pulled 'em out of square.... if you want, shoot me the dims on them and I can redo....
Ed,
I am checking if you received my last email. If you have let me know what we can do to address the concerns I have. Also How do I go about cleaning up the white haze. I will get you the measurements that you asked for this week.

Hi David,

I am sorry, I read it on my phone the day you sent it and then it fell off my radar when I got home.... too many emails, I think....
I am trying to get in touch with a friend of mine in the woodworking community out in your area to see if he can be of assistance...
He would be able to tighten it up for us....
I'll holler at ya when I get it pinned down....

Ed

Ed,

were you able to contact your guy out my way about fixing my concerns in the humidor?

Thank you,
David

Hi David,

Yes, I've been talking to three fellow woodworkers in your area. I participate in a couple of woodworking forums as well.... I don't have it pinned down yet, but they are willing to help out... What day(s) would you be available, typically?

Ed

Hi David,

Yes, I've been talking to three fellow woodworkers in your area. I participate in a couple of woodworking forums as well.... I don't have it pinned down yet, but they are willing to help out... What day(s) would you be available, typically?

Ed

Ed the best time for me to go and drop off the humidor would be on the weekend.

Ed,

We are reaching a point that my concerns with the humidor are starting to drag out too long. I understand that you a business and that your humidor business is a hobby/second income, but I am starting to worry about how long the concerns will take to be addressed if at all.

The work you but in is great minus my concerns. The worked with my wife and I was great on matching what we were looking for. The build time was a little longer then expected and the shipping was a little more then expected. we understand this. The time that it is taking to see about the repairs that are needed I feel is getting long. the amount that we have paid is not drop in the bucket and we are willing to pay a premium for a custom humidor. At the same time we expect that the humidor comes with not concerns or issues as it did.

Lets get his resolved soon or start to look at a return with a full refund of the humidor and all shipping cost.

Thank you,
David

Hi David,

Thank you for the compliments.... and I will be willing to do the refund thing, but it may take me a little while to get it together.... This is my full time job... as I had given up my "day job" back in Feb....

Cutting my thumb off didn't help.... it put me way behind and then I found myself rushing... which wasn't a good thing... but, nonetheless.... it happened.

I have a few things going on, as well as some interest in the humidor by some folks - in it's as-is condition, which would expedite my ability to refund you.

I'm sorry it didn't meet your expectations... I guess we all have "off days"...

Regards,

Ed

Hi David,

I believe I have the jobs booked that will allow me to do the refund, but, I must first build the humidors.... I am thinking within a month....

Ed

Ed,

What are we looking at as far as the refund and shipping the humidor back to you?
I'm about 1/4 the way there.... shouldn't be too much longer... I have 7 humis about ready to come off the bench.
I had to relocate back to MN - my 80 year old mom isn't doing so great.... set me back a couple of weeks.
But, things are up and running now - real well.

Ed,

how far along are we with get the humidor back to you ?

Well, David.... if you want me to see about repairing it and getting it back to you, then I could probably swing the postage to get it back within the week.... And I could, most likely get it fixed up to standard for you. Otherwise for a refund, I'm still a bit away from that....
Ed,



The emails go on and on and on. Yet I am still out of my money and now I am talking about it. Say what you want about me how I handled the issue, but the fact is Ed has not held his end of the deal.
It is back to not hearing from you. I have been extremely workable with you on refunding me. this has gone way to long. Hope you are going to be sending me a refund with in the next week and a shipping label to return the humidor.

[Swif]

A few other pictures

[mrtr33]

I spent about $1200. you will see I posted I spent $1220 + 160 in shipping on other post. I looked back and found I spent just under $1160 total. I state the correction on that forum. On others I state $1200. So I am $60 off.

Wait.....you're an engineer in Bitterville too?

The chip on the SC is not an issue, happens to most of the humidors, but, I usually catch it before it goes out.... it does not affect the seal, as the bevel itself is the sealing factor.... I have sanded the edges down as much as 3/16" before.... no problem there. A little 100 grit sandpaper will even it out and will not compromise the seal...

This sounds odd to me. I dabble in woodworking, and would never dream of using 100 grit on a finished product - not on the outside of a finish piece, anyways.

I wouldn't have handled this differently. I'm not quite sure why you think anyone here cares.......?

Cutting my thumb off didn't help.... it put me way behind and then I found myself rushing... which wasn't a good thing... but, nonetheless.... it happened.

That's funny right there.

[badwhale]

Great. Waxingmoon sucks, and you're a moron for not reading about it prior.

He rarely, if ever again, posts here. What's your point? Actually, that was rhetorical. I knew what your point was about 5 posts in when you added your signature.

[buzz]

Bummer swift, and you missed the opportunity to buy the dragon humidor too...

[Swif]

Great. Waxingmoon sucks, and you're a moron for not reading about it prior.

He rarely, if ever again, posts here. What's your point? Actually, that was rhetorical. I knew what your point was about 5 posts in when you added your signature.

I guess so.

Point is to share with those who are looking to buy from waxing moon to be careful.

[badwhale]

I guess so.

Point is to share with those who are looking to buy from waxing moon to be careful.

That's fine. My point is don't join a shitload of forums just to bitch about your experience. Join to possibly fit in a community, and if the subject comes up, chime in and don't be ambiguous about it.

Will

[mrtr33]

That's fine. My point is don't join a shitload of forums just to bitch about your experience. Join to possibly fit in a community, and if the subject comes up, chime in and don't be ambiguous about it.

Will

Ditto.

I don't know too many people who can drop $1200 on a humidor. And the ones I do make damn sure they do their research before they buy anything - especially something expensive related to their hobby. I can understand you're upset - but your blowhole is showing.

[arlinliss]

xxx

[CoventryCat86]

swift, ArlinLiss makes custom built humidors for people and anyone who's been around has heard of him and knows he's one of the best, you should have done some research before throwing your money away. I don't know where you found this "WaxingMoons" guy but how does that old saying go?

[ggiese]

swift, ArlinLiss makes custom built humidors for people and anyone who's been around has heard of him and knows he's one of the best, you should have done some research before throwing your money away. I don't know where you found this "WaxingMoons" guy but how does that old saying go?

Arlin is not a "hobby" craftsman - WaxingMoon is.

Arlin is a professional humdidor builder - WaxingMoon is not.

So I have to say - if I'm going to "invest" $1,200 in a humidor, I'm going to be looking for folks like Arlin to guide me. That makes perfect sense to me - not sure why it's not making perfect sense to others.

But - Picasso's do sell for big bucks, even though it's just sometimes pencil scribblings on a piece of paper! I'm thinking if swif hangs on to that humidor for about 100 years or so - and keeps it in decent shape - there will likely be a payout. I watch that Antiques Roadshow on PBS and am often stunned by the money "folk art" gets. It is, after all, a "hand crafted" humidor, so I have to think some "expert" will call it "art" and/or "skilled" craftsmanship (even though it's not perfect) and give a very signficant "auction estimate" at that time.

To increase the value, perhaps we bring Daisy out of retirement and have her go to work painting a cock on the lid! That's sure to make the humidor more valuable!

[ashauler]

to increase the value, perhaps we bring daisy out of retirement and have her go to work painting a cock on the lid! That's sure to make the humidor more valuable!

lmfao!!!

[cinda]

To increase the value, perhaps we bring Daisy out of retirement and have her go to work painting a cock on the lid! That's sure to make the humidor more valuable!

OMG I think I just wet myself!

[arlinliss]

[[[

[ggiese]

Respectfully, "attacking the messenger" does not change the information being offered. The photos [poor as they are] show SOMETHING is wrong. And someone taking >$1000 has an obligation to fairness, and no matter how much of a day is spent doing one thing or another.

Actually anyone taking ANY MONEY has an obligation to provide a decent product, at a minimum 'built to minimum industry standards'.

A lid that does not lay flat, flaws in the finish, glue residue, trays made 'un-square' is WRONG!!! The maker should make good his workmanship out of pride and integrity. No one is perfect, but failing to 'do the best to make good' is inexcuseable.

I wish the buyer had come to me. Frankly I RESENT vendors offering so called 'quality' Humidors delivering amature workmanship. Learn your craft 1st, and then take orders. Thats the RIGHT WAY!

I am offering to inspect the Humidor and make 'correctable' repairs as need FREE !!!! Just ship it to me.

Alternatively I will give you $1160 credit [what you paid] toward a humidor from me if it proves to be un-repairable.

Cigar Humidors have been my passion and I have poured my heart and soul into them. Humidors should be 'the temple' that your prized Cigars rest in.

FWIW here is how I complete a Humidor

swif - no need to do any further research on ArlinLiss...

It is too bad more folks don't live with this kind of personal code of integrity - but it is far easier to be mediocre than expending the effort.

Waxing Moon is very much standing out in multiple online cigar communities for his "workmanship". All by his own doing, it will not be long before he will not be able to collect high $$$ for one of creations. I'm quite sure, as others have before him, he'll fade into obscurity...

[heftysmokes]

Respectfully, "attacking the messenger" does not change the information being offered. The photos [poor as they are] show SOMETHING is wrong. And someone taking >$1000 has an obligation to fairness, and no matter how much of a day is spent doing one thing or another.

Actually anyone taking ANY MONEY has an obligation to provide a decent product, at a minimum 'built to minimum industry standards'.

A lid that does not lay flat, flaws in the finish, glue residue, trays made 'un-square' is WRONG!!! The maker should make good his workmanship out of pride and integrity. No one is perfect, but failing to 'do the best to make good' is inexcuseable.

I wish the buyer had come to me. Frankly I RESENT vendors offering so called 'quality' Humidors delivering amature workmanship. Learn your craft 1st, and then take orders. Thats the RIGHT WAY!

I am offering to inspect the Humidor and make 'correctable' repairs as need FREE !!!! Just ship it to me.

Alternatively I will give you $1160 credit [what you paid] toward a humidor from me if it proves to be un-repairable.

Cigar Humidors have been my passion and I have poured my heart and soul into them. Humidors should be 'the temple' that your prized Cigars rest in.

FWIW here is how I complete a Humidor

And that is integrity.

If swifty doesn't follow up, he is a fool.

[mrtr33]

Respectfully, "attacking the messenger" does not change the information being offered. The photos [poor as they are] show SOMETHING is wrong. And someone taking >$1000 has an obligation to fairness, and no matter how much of a day is spent doing one thing or another.

Actually anyone taking ANY MONEY has an obligation to provide a decent product, at a minimum 'built to minimum industry standards'.

A lid that does not lay flat, flaws in the finish, glue residue, trays made 'un-square' is WRONG!!! The maker should make good his workmanship out of pride and integrity. No one is perfect, but failing to 'do the best to make good' is inexcuseable.

I wish the buyer had come to me. Frankly I RESENT vendors offering so called 'quality' Humidors delivering amature workmanship. Learn your craft 1st, and then take orders. Thats the RIGHT WAY!

I am offering to inspect the Humidor and make 'correctable' repairs as need FREE !!!! Just ship it to me.

Alternatively I will give you $1160 credit [what you paid] toward a humidor from me if it proves to be un-repairable.

Cigar Humidors have been my passion and I have poured my heart and soul into them. Humidors should be 'the temple' that your prized Cigars rest in.

FWIW here is how I complete a Humidor

That's very generous of you, Arlin. Good play.

[Swif]

Respectfully, "attacking the messenger" does not change the information being offered. The photos [poor as they are] show SOMETHING is wrong. And someone taking >$1000 has an obligation to fairness, and no matter how much of a day is spent doing one thing or another.

Actually anyone taking ANY MONEY has an obligation to provide a decent product, at a minimum 'built to minimum industry standards'.

A lid that does not lay flat, flaws in the finish, glue residue, trays made 'un-square' is WRONG!!! The maker should make good his workmanship out of pride and integrity. No one is perfect, but failing to 'do the best to make good' is inexcuseable.

I wish the buyer had come to me. Frankly I RESENT vendors offering so called 'quality' Humidors delivering amature workmanship. Learn your craft 1st, and then take orders. Thats the RIGHT WAY!

I am offering to inspect the Humidor and make 'correctable' repairs as need FREE !!!! Just ship it to me.

Alternatively I will give you $1160 credit [what you paid] toward a humidor from me if it proves to be un-repairable.

Cigar Humidors have been my passion and I have poured my heart and soul into them. Humidors should be 'the temple' that your prized Cigars rest in.

FWIW here is how I complete a Humidor

Thank you for this WONDERFUL offer. This shows that you truly care about the cigar community and all that are in it. I will pm you.

that fact that you would take someone else work and make it right at your own expense is amazing and shows what kind of great person you are. I could never except a $1160 credit from you because some else has done wrong.

[Swif]

Thanks for sharing your experience with this vendor, I am all for outing scammers. Sorry to hear how things went down, while surely you could have done more research, I will not pile on as I'm sure you've already learned your lesson

That is the point, to let others know about waxing moon.

It is a shame to hear how you have been treated. IMO there is no excuse for sloppy workmanship. Having less than 10 fingers has not effected me for the past 17 years at Humidor building. Anyone who makes a product with wood can have 'problems' that were unforeseen. The issue is how one responds. As a HumiButcher I too have had issues [rarely but some] and 'took
the bull by the horns' got the humidor back and got matters straightened out to the buyers satisfaction. No one is perfect, but avoiding the problem and failing to satisfy someone whose money you accepted is wrong.

Waxing moon has clearly not responded as what was expected. I gave him plenty of time. Thank you for your statement.

swift, ArlinLiss makes custom built humidors for people and anyone who's been around has heard of him and knows he's one of the best, you should have done some research before throwing your money away. I don't know where you found this "WaxingMoons" guy but how does that old saying go?

I found waxing Moon at CA. I also seen his work at BOTL. I did not seen any bad commits about his work. All his work looked good and mostly on CA the people raved about their humidors from him. So I felt with the research on those two forums he was a good builder. then I get the humidor, give him a chance to make right, then request a refund and I am here. The difference now is I am talking about and if this cause no one to buy humidors from him that is his fault. I am still out the money, but others will not have to face what I did. If people think I am full of shit then can supper Ed and maybe I get my money back. So if I am a sucker then be it. but this sucker is try to help get the information out of the poor humidor builder that other seem to protect on the forums. So hang me for looking out for others.

[ggiese]

Waxing moon has clearly not responded as what was expected. I gave him plenty of time. Thank you fo
I found waxing Moon at CA. I also seen his work at BOTL. I did not seen any bad commits about his work. All his work looked good and mostly on CA the people raved about their humidors from him. So I felt with the research on those two forums he was a good builder. then I get the humidor, give him a chance to make right, then request a refund and I am here. The difference now is I am talking about and if this cause no one to buy humidors from him that is his fault. I am still out the money, but others will not have to face what I did. If people think I am full of shit then can supper Ed and maybe I get my money back. So if I am a sucker then be it. but this sucker is try to help get the information out of the poor humidor builder that other seem to protect on the forums. So hang me for looking out for others.

swif - unfortunately, you hung yourself. This is not an issue that you were ripped off because you received something other than what was advertised. Waxing moon has made it clear he's a "hobbiest" woodworker trying to make a few bucks off his hobby - not a professional humidor maker. He clearly is trying to build his skills at the expense of his customers. Because people are lining up (including you) to buy his humidors, should be no reason for you now to take issue with waxing moon over what you expected. It is a hand built humidor, made of exotic woods. Sorry it turned out to be an opaque diamond when you expected flawless.

truth be known - everyone at one time or another made a similar bad choice. It would be awfully nice for wm to make it right with you, but it appears he does not have the cash flow to make that happen.

if it makes you feel any better - my father, a life long woodworker (carpenter) said he could not produce what waxing moon made. Despite its flaws, he thinks it's a decent specimen.

I have no idea who waxing moon is, other than he made about a dozen posts here several years ago. What I'm now reading is interesting - and reinforces why I like to chase the amateur humidor builders off this board when they try to setup their lemonade stand. You've confirmed what I suspected several years ago - I will never buy a humidor from him. Thanks for the heads up...