Speak up or don't

[cigardaddyo]

I've noticed some CL members posting pictures of some very nice cigars. I also noticed some members posting pictures of some CC they purchased or received in a bomb or something. I'm not a cigar aficionado by any means but I have done research in the past on some of helpful web sites on spotting fake CC, and I must say some of the pictures I've notice made me scratch my head. You know the inconstant length of the cigars and some of the color discoloration, and even the noticeable counterfeit bands.

Would it be ok for a fellow BOTL to inform the poster they think the CC could be fake or should we just keep to ourselves? Not to disrespect anyone but just to kindly point out their thoughts.

[MMarsden]

I think going through PMs to inform the person is the right thing to do. Posting it in the thread might offend the purchaser.

That said, If you notice anything suspicious in my pictures, please PM me.

[Matt257]

I would like to know if I put pictures up and they turned out to be fake. I would rather know than not know. But thats just me. I also think the PM route is the way to go. But I wouldnt mind if someone just told me in a thread. Just my 0.02

[jitzy]

Originally Posted by MMarsden

I think going through PMs to inform the person is the right thing to do. Posting it in the thread might offend the purchaser.

That said, If you notice anything suspicious in my pictures, please PM me.

My sentiments exactly the only thing is and I'm not saying this to offend you by any means but what would make you know more than the person posting. If it where my pics you might know more than me but if it were someone else's they may know better than you. So my point is be careful who you tell, I would be happy to be told but someone else may get offended.

[MMarsden]

Originally Posted by jitzy

My sentiments exactly the only thing is and I'm not saying this to offend you by any means but what would make you know more than the person posting. If it where my pics you might know more than me but if it were someone else's they may know better than you. So my point is be careful who you tell, I would be happy to be told but someone else may get offended.

Well, you should probably phrase it as a suggestion to look over the sticks a bit, maybe say what you see that makes you suspicious, admit possible error on your part. Then the person won't feel like you're insulting them and can correct you if they know something you don't. The people here on CL seem like understanding guys, anyway.

Of course, some people take offense if you fart in the same state as them.

[Gumby]

I would like to know as well - whether through PM or a public posting. I don't know much about how to pick out these sorts of things and I think I could learn from healthy criticism and debate.

[Toasted Coastie]

I would want to be told. However, I would caution on how you tell someone. For instance:

Hahahahah, you tool, those are FAKE

in a PM might be a little much. Keep it civil and private.

[buttah]

Originally Posted by MMarsden

Of course, some people take offense if you fart in the same state as them.

oflmao:

I'd agree with everyone else send it in a PM and give a little explanation as to why you are suspicous. If you just shot me a PM saying "Your CC is a fake", I'd be a little irritated but if you sent me one saying "Look at that band on your Montecristo CC in the picture it seems a little lighter than it should be. Take a look at this website to double check that. I hope I'm wrong but I just wanted to make you aware before you swear off Montecristo CC's over a counterfeit." JMO, what do I know.

[cigardaddyo]

Great reply guys... it sounds like it would ultimately come down to how you say it. I like Landon's view on offering to showing the poster some resources and have them make their own judgment.

[cybervee-cl]

Here is the best primer on "How to spot fake Cuban cigars"

http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar...,3390,,00.html

[tx_tuff]

PM would probaly be best. I have seen some people post in the threads and sometimes it can get upseting to the person who got the cigars. But at the same time it would be nice from everybody here to learn from it and see why it could be a fake. So I think if you can do it tasteful and you know the member won't be offended than it might be ok to post.

One thing to keep in mind is that in pictures sometimes its very hard to tell what you are looking at. With the angle, placement of cigars they could look uneven but not be. Also I have seen many boxes of real ISOMs that had discoloration, so I don't think that is a good way to judge.

[iloveclmore]

I'm with most of the posts made already. PM them, but make sure you are respectful.

Also, sometimes the picture quality isn't the best since it is compressed to fit on the site, so it may just be the quality of the picture and not the actual product.

[cybervee-cl]

And buy from a known good source. If you are on vacation in a tourist spot you are probably buying fakes. Like a co-worker who just came back from Jamacia. He bought his from a guy setup right off the beach. The guy was yelling 'Cuban cigars, get your Cuban cigars here'.

If you go to an area not geared toward tourism, and find a store off the beaten path where the locals shop, they are most likely real. The store owner probably doesn't want to piss off his local customers who shop there all the time, so he wouldn't sell them fakes.

[Rah55]

You know, I'd want to be real careful about this. From what I understand it's awful hard to tell genuines form fakes, especially from pics that may have been taken on cell phones. How would you feel if you convinced someone his sticks were fakes and they later turned out to be the real deal?

[tx_tuff]

Originally Posted by cybervee

And buy from a known good source. If you are on vacation in a tourist spot you are probably buying fakes. Like a co-worker who just came back from Jamacia. He bought his from a guy setup right off the beach. The guy was yelling 'Cuban cigars, get your Cuban cigars here'.

If you go to an area not geared toward tourism, and find a store off the beaten path where the locals shop, they are most likely real. The store owner probably doesn't want to piss off his local customers who shop there all the time, so he wouldn't sell them fakes.

Good theroy but I don't think there are to many locals buying ISOMs in Jamacia. The last time I was there the highest paid job was a teacher at $5 a week.
If you plan on going on vacation check here http://www.habanos.com/distributors.aspx?lang=en for legit dealers, and you can always check out the Habanos website for all knod of info on those kind of cigars www.habanos.com