Greetings everyone

[ironworker]

I am fairly new to smoking cigars and have a few questions

I found a few different cigars that I really liked at my local tobacco shop, Partagas, Punch and Romeo Julieta Reserve.

The Partagas 8-9-8 cigars are my favorite (smoking one now) and my local tobacco shop was asking $234.00 a box. They claimed the box was about 3 years old. I looked online for cigar prices and found Thompson’s Co and the price for the same box of cigars was $150.00.

After looking at a few online catalogs I noticed that prices are drastically lower online. I know you could probably get some counterfeit cigars online but this company looks trustworthy.

Is it a good idea to buy cigars this way?
Has anyone had bad dealings with that company?
Why are the prices so much lower?
Last but not least, I know that an aged cigar is better than one that is not but how can I tell how old they are?

Thank you for any answers you can provide me with.

Richard

[ggiese]

I am fairly new to smoking cigars and have a few questions

I found a few different cigars that I really liked at my local tobacco shop, Partagas, Punch and Romeo Julieta Reserve.

The Partagas 8-9-8 cigars are my favorite (smoking one now) and my local tobacco shop was asking $234.00 a box. They claimed the box was about 3 years old. I looked online for cigar prices and found Thompson’s Co and the price for the same box of cigars was $150.00.

After looking at a few online catalogs I noticed that prices are drastically lower online. I know you could probably get some counterfeit cigars online but this company looks trustworthy.

Is it a good idea to buy cigars this way?
Has anyone had bad dealings with that company?
Why are the prices so much lower?
Last but not least, I know that an aged cigar is better than one that is not but how can I tell how old they are?

Thank you for any answers you can provide me with.

Richard

$234 a box for Partagas 8-9-8 seems a bit steep to me.. $150 sound a little more reasonable...

As far was why there is a difference, it is probably more in the taxes that are charged than anything else. It depends on what your state and local tax situation where your shop is. Some states charge 100% tax on tobacco products.

Also, online cigar stores don't have the overhead a Brick & Mortar (B&M) operation has. My local shop charges a bit more than I could find it online for, but I also can relax in their lounge, in one of the leather chairs and watch the big screen TV - so it's worth it to me...

Aging definitely helps the cigar, usually making it smoother and more complex. It's usually desirable to find aged cigars. But not at $234 a box (unless its something spectacular)!!!

Thompson's is a pretty reputable dealer. They offer good customer service, and have been around for a while. There are a number of other dealers as well. You might want to talk to Hex about pricing - He has a smaller operation than Thompson's, and I believe he may have some decent prices as well (and I believe he stocks Torano, which you may like and might have trouble finding). Go with the Torano 1959 Exodus SILVER label, if you want an awesome smoke....

Good luck!!!

[razrbakcrzy]

I am also fairly new to smoking cigars, But I have bought my whole collection over the internet, I use Thompsons, White ash, Famous, Corona Cigar Company and many others. You will eventually find a batch of fakes or counterfeits but not from the larger companies.

The age of a cigar is not the reason you will pay more in a tobacco store as opposed to over the internet. It is the markup of Retail versus Wholesale. The large companies sell 400 to 500 boxes a week and that little home town store sells 2 a month. He still has to pay the rent, electric, insurance.... He has to have a 100% markup just to stay in business.

Now that being said Cigars that are aged in a large humidor that has been monitored and maintained are very desirable because of their smoking charteristics. Some people prefer to buy very expensive sticks for special occasions one at a time to keep from having $500.00 invested in 1 single box that it will take you 10 years to smoke. Instead you could have 5 boxes @ 100.00 each and a large variety of smoking sensations.

There are many reasons to buy from your local guy, but if you are looking for the best all around value I would suggest you shop the internet and make you purchases with some of the larger companies. While you are at it buy yourself a couple very nice 150 to 200 stick humidors and age those babies yourself.

There are also many alternative to fancy high priced humidors if you need a less expensive strorage facility try using a coolerador, Buy a large igloo cooler get some spanish cedar peices, a hygrometer and a large humidifier and filler up. many people use this method including me. I have (1) Coolerador (2) Humidors and (1) Tupperador. I have in my possition about 450 cigars right now.

You have a lot to learn but it is not impossible, and the learnig curve is fast. Get to buying and have some fun.

[SFG75]

Welcome! Pretty solid advice from razr. Also check these places out as well.

http://www.cigarsinternational.com

http://www.rockyscigars.com

http://www.jrcigars.com

http://www.superiorcigars.com

There's plenty more, just be sure to fish around until you find what you like(price wise as well.) Glad to have another Brother Of The Leaf here!.

[ironworker]

Thanks for the prompt replies.

I figured it was just an overhead thing when it came to the price of cigars. I questioned it because I was told that the Paragas 8-9-8 cigars were aged for 3-5 years from the local shop and Thompson Co. made no such advisement.

I was given a really nice humidor and an assortment of cigars as a gift, ever since then I have been trying to find out what a good cigar is.

Until just recently I thought when you purchased a box of cigars you just smoked them until they were gone and then you got another box. I really had no idea you aged and saved special brands for special occasions and so forth.

I was thinking about trying to find some everyday smokes that I enjoyed just any time and then having a selection of more expensive smokes for different occasions.

I could smoke a $100's worth of $20.00 cigars a day, so this could get real expansive if I don't watch out

Richard.

[ironworker]

Welcome! Pretty solid advice from razr. Also check these places out as well.

http://www.cigarsinternational.com

http://www.rockyscigars.com

http://www.jrcigars.com

http://www.superiorcigars.com

There's plenty more, just be sure to fish around until you find what you like(price wise as well.) Glad to have another Brother Of The Leaf here!.

Thank you for the links, I allready found the same 8-9-8's I just paid 148 US for $110,
Thats a huge savings.
Matter a fact it made me order another box

Rich

[ggiese]

I am also fairly new to smoking cigars, But I have bought my whole collection over the internet, I use Thompsons, White ash, Famous, Corona Cigar Company and many others. You will eventually find a batch of fakes or counterfeits but not from the larger companies.

Aside from an occasional Opus X, I've not seen fakes or counterfeit domestic cigars. What have you seen, Razr???