Boxes or Samplers?

[bobarian]

By only buying from CI or Cbid, you are missing the best way to acquire sticks. That is the NST(Newbie Sampler Trade). I see that several of you have zero trade feedback which means you are still eligible for the NST. Trading will expose you so many sticks you would not have otherwise had a chance to try. Good or bad it will help guide you down the slope. In addition it is a lot more fun to interact and trade with fellow gorillas and to get a chance to try some of their favorite smokes.

[mdtaggart]

Yes! Boxes and Samplers! Singles fivers, trades, splits, u name it.

[kayaker]

Originally Posted by bobarian

By only buying from CI or Cbid, you are missing the best way to acquire sticks. That is the NST(Newbie Sampler Trade). I see that several of you have zero trade feedback which means you are still eligible for the NST. Trading will expose you so many sticks you would not have otherwise had a chance to try. Good or bad it will help guide you down the slope. In addition it is a lot more fun to interact and trade with fellow gorillas and to get a chance to try some of their favorite smokes.

Good point. I'm on the NST waiting list right now. Just waiting for the green flag from shaggy. I'm looking forward to becoming a regular trader.

[BlackDog]

Originally Posted by bobarian

By only buying from CI or Cbid, you are missing the best way to acquire sticks. That is the NST(Newbie Sampler Trade).

Great suggestion! I've only been here a short time, and CS has a lot to offer, so I still haven't found all the cool things going on here.

[guy g]

I`ve done the CI samplers. I also get 'house samplers ' from Famous which arent bad. My BM has a weekly premium sampler which also saves about 20%. When I buy a box it is a mix of 4-5 different gars.

[illinoishoosier]

I started out buying samplers. Now, two humis, 2 coolerdors and one on the way.....

[seegarfan]

Originally Posted by BlackDog

I've been cruising the CI website the past couple of days, and they seem to have some excellent pricing on sampler packs. Do many of you guys go this route when buying your cigars? I'm wanting to put some more cigars in my coolerdor to age, and I'm thinking of buying some more Consegueras for daily smokes, and then some sampler packs for a variety of higher grade cigars.

And the slide begins.........Hang on it's a hell of a ride!

[texasbadbob]

I like to try a stick twice before I make up mu mind just in case the first was a bad example or if it was over the top. So at the b&m I buy 2, or I get a 5 pk. Then if I like the cigar I get a box or two. With samplers I wind up with to many loose sticks in different sizes. I do not need or want. Once you have a good idea what you like the Joe's daily deal can offer some good prices if you pay attention to the regular price.

[jm0307]

If you really like a brand, then the best of both worlds are boxes which come with free samplers. Atlantic offered a free Oliva 8-pack with most boxes of Oliva. Thus, on my last order of three boxes I received 24 free stogies. I also ordered some boxes which came with free mixed brand 5-pack samplers, but these were rather disappointing.

[Moro]

I've bought few boxes. Samplers are what I usually go for and every now and then a five pack. The only boxes I've gotten are of go-to cigars.

[dannyboy]

Originally Posted by mugen910

2) Go to the local B&M and pick up ONLY 1 stick that you wanted to try.

Exactly how do you accomplish this? You have much more willpower than I if you can walk out with only 1 stick from a good B&M, I do well to leave with less than 5, usually more like 10-15.

As for the samplers and boxes go: I learned that it makes no sense to buy a box if you are just starting out. There are so many different smokes to try and your palate will change so much in the first 6 months to a year od smoking that I needed to just try as many as I could. After 6 months, I needed to go back and try some that I didn't like the first time. Tastes change rapidly as you slide down the slope.

My advice is much like the others, buy singles/fivers/samplers and trade with other BOTLs here. You will begin to get an idea of your tastes and preferences and then you can buy a box of the few that stand out to you on a consistent basis. And most importantly...enjoy the slide down the slope!

[Hexnut]

Originally Posted by dannyboy

Exactly how do you accomplish this? You have much more willpower than I if you can walk out with only 1 stick from a good B&M, I do well to leave with less than 5, usually more like 10-15.

As for the samplers and boxes go: I learned that it makes no sense to buy a box if you are just starting out. There are so many different smokes to try and your palate will change so much in the first 6 months to a year od smoking that I needed to just try as many as I could. After 6 months, I needed to go back and try some that I didn't like the first time. Tastes change rapidly as you slide down the slope.

My advice is much like the others, buy singles/fivers/samplers and trade with other BOTLs here. You will begin to get an idea of your tastes and preferences and then you can buy a box of the few that stand out to you on a consistent basis. And most importantly...enjoy the slide down the slope!

VERY well said. Nice job

[heartbeat427]

I have noticed that samplers seem to have out standing prices some times even cheaper then boxes if you view the sale in whole one of the things that I do for ex. is knowing that I like 5 Vegas "A" series so I will look for two samples that both contain 5 Vegas and some that I haven't tried I got a sampler pack for $50 that contained 4 Graycliff 1666 those cigars are 22 a stick if you buy them single just a thought

[Poriggity]

I generally do the math... If I find 5 packs for cheap, then I would just buy 4 or 5 of the 5 packs, if its going to be cheaper than what a whole box would cost.
Scott

[Slow Triathlete]

Samplers until you find what you like and then boxes after that.