Quote Originally Posted by SuperChuck
I, for one, think it took some real balls for RY to post an update.

He was involved in a deal that went south for whatever reason and he was faced with the decision to walk away with 5 free smokes or come through on his end of the deal. And, given that he was catching hell from most everyone on this site (rightfully so), it's REAL easy to give everyone the finger and walk away.

As a noob, I kind of see where he's coming from, too. If I was involved in a trade with a more experienced smoker, I'd certainly wait to see what he sent me before picking out something to send back. It would really suck to receive a Cohiba, a Hemingway Signature, a Monty White, a Padron 1964, and in Opus X if you sent out a couple Rolys, a couple 8-5-8s and an Acid Nasty.

And, hey, I was a student once, too... I had to decide between cigarettes and milk at the checkout line, too. (cigarettes won)

But actions talk, so I guess we'll see if Sarge gets his smokes...
Clearly you do not understand the trade thing. If you and I do a trade, unless we agree on the terms of the trade and we leave it open for whatever. If you wait to get it so you can match it, what's the sense of doing a trade? After all - you could buy most of what I send you at the store.

Most of the FOGS that I know are some of the most generous people you'll meet - including CigarSarge. Many times I do a trade to make sure my fellow BOTL gets what he wants, knowing full well they cannot compensate me for what I send at the moment. I expect you to do two things in return - be a stand up BOTL (respect those you trade with) and pay-it-forward (if I wowed you with what I send, when you can - wow the newbie who's starting out).

I've been the recipient of the generosity of a number of BOTL's - which has provided me with cigars I'd never even dream of trying. The stuff I send out sometimes is repayment of those past kindnesses.

Take a lesson from one who is beaten up for the way he conducts himself with trades - Moochie the Clown (aka PuroBrat). If you haven't got something to trade - don't do trades. Don't mooch cigars off of others unless you fully intend on paying it back or paying it forward. If you make a mistake, fix it - make up for it - don't be afraid to overdo it a bit. MAKE IT RIGHT!!! The way you act in these trades is a reflection of your character.