CAO Sopranos have been called back

[drevim]

ShawnP menntioned the Diablos were no longer being made, and it reminded me of something I had hear the other day at one of the local B&Ms. The dealer mentioned that all Sopranos were being sent back to CAO due to poor sales. At first I thought he was crazy, not thinking this would be a standard practice. Why not just mark them down and "clearance" them. Apparently the man spoke the truth, upon visiting my main B&M, the more knowledgeable one, I was told the same thing.

Now I haven't smoked any of these, I have a Boss sitting in the humi., but were they that bad or just overpriced? I can't imagine CAO paying for licensing the name and then just pulling them.

Something doesn't add up in my tiny brain. Is this common,and I'm just to new to have seen it before?

Just thought if there are any fans out there, theymay want to make a sprint to the closest place, to get some, before they're gone.

Be Good,
Drevim

[ToddziLLa]

I have not heard of the discountinuing yet, but the Sopranos I have had were very good, and they did not let me down. They are a little pricey ( > $10), so that may be the reason for poor sales, but I doubt it is because of the quality of the cigar itself.

[drevim]

Originally Posted by ToddziLLa

I have not heard of the discountinuing yet, but the Sopranos I have had were very good, and they did not let me down. They are a little pricey ( > $10), so that may be the reason for poor sales, but I doubt it is because of the quality of the cigar itself.

That was basically what I was thinking. The reviews, at least here, have not been overweming, but fair.
Still seems odd to pull the whole line.

[ToddziLLa]

Originally Posted by drevim

Still seems odd to pull the whole line.

I agree. I will check and see what the guys at my local B&M say when I go in there next time.

[Jay]

Wonder if it has anything to do with the imaging. I mean don't get me wrong, it's probably a good cigar but a cigar named after that show... Well it might put some people off in the tacky section... Anyone who wants to get rid of one though feel free to send my way

j/k

[MikeZ]

Complete conjecture on my part here...but could it be possible that if the cigars are returned to the manufacturer then the royalty doesn't have to be paid to HBO? If the cigars are discounted and sold, royalties could be due.

Of course this depends on the definition of a "sold" cigar in the deal that CAO and HBO have...or even if sales volume come into play at all. Like I said, I have no idea but it's just one slim possibility as to why a cigar might be recalled instead of blown out.

[jaxf250]

Originally Posted by MikeZ

Complete conjecture on my part here...but could it be possible that if the cigars are returned to the manufacturer then the royalty doesn't have to be paid to HBO? If the cigars are discounted and sold, royalties could be due.

Of course this depends on the definition of a "sold" cigar in the deal that CAO and HBO have...or even if sales volume come into play at all. Like I said, I have no idea but it's just one slim possibility as to why a cigar might be recalled instead of blown out.

I think you hit the nail on the head. Royalties.... that is what made them so $$ in the
first place....

[ShawnP]

I would have to agree with MikeZ on this one. While I was at my B&M yesterday they failed to say anything regarding the CAO Soprano line. But I had full intentions of picking up a belicoso size to find out they were sold out of nearly every size.


So sales are good, from what I hear taste isn't all that bad.


I don't know why, maybe a license issue with HBO?

[Nely]

Yeup they are mighty pricy for a CAO.

[Alpedhuez55]

I was in a shop last night and they had two or three boxes of Sopranos open. Naming a cigar after a TV show or celebrity would actually turn me off. I have tried a few of them (George Burns, Playboy & some Sinatra Cigar)that had made it to the sale bin and found them nothing special. So to me, naming a a cigar after the Sporanos is gimmick and trying to capitalize off of a fad.

But then again, I would not mind sampling Isabella Soprano of the Bunny Ranch



I guess they did not recall her since she is on the HBO show Cathouse!!!

[backwoods]

Originally Posted by drevim

ShawnP menntioned the Diablos were no longer being made,

I believe the Diablos had been cancelled once before? But this really bums me out if its permanent this time. One of my favorites.

[Funnymantrip]

The first one of these I had my first thought was there is no way this is a $12 cigar. My b/m sells the 3 at $10, $12, $14. I got a few over xmas and without the price shock it is a nice cigar. The boxes seem to be the biggest draw. No way would I pick one of these up over a AF DC #2

[colgate]

Adventures in slow marketing? It's just about dead as a phenomenon (The Sopranos-so played out) and now some bright guy decides to push the brand? Is Central America stuck in reruns? Slow to get HBO? What a smaltzy offering.

[TSW09]

Inspite of their price, which is a bit high, they have been selling at my local shop. I bought a couple of the robusto sized ones around thanksgiving, when they had just gotten three boxes in. When i went back just before christmas, they had only a half a box of belis left. 2.5 boxes sold in a month is not bad sales if you ask me.

[ShawnP]

Originally Posted by backwoods

I believe the Diablos had been cancelled once before? But this really bums me out if its permanent this time. One of my favorites.

I hate to break it to you backwoods, but they told my B&M they were coming to yank them all off the shelves.

I agree it sucks, I also enjoy the diablo line.