Black band project

[dinoa2]

Got an email from an outfit called the black band project. their website seems to be a blind tasting project of cigars. it sounds like they want you to watch a video a week for 4 weeks and then they send you cigars.

has anyone ever heard of this ? I think I am going to sign up but at the first sign of any costs, i am going to run for the hills. anyone ever run across this before ??

[d_day]

Definitely sounds interesting. I know nothing about it, but I would agree with you; if there ever are any charges, or someone asks for a credit card number for something like "age verification," get out. I think odds are it's some sort of scam, but it will be interesting to find out.

Edit: I've now checked out their website. I don't really think it's a scam anymore, but rather, a viral marketing scheme. My guess is it's a fairly new company who is passing out free samples of their stuff. Looks like they think this will make you want to take them.

[Cypress]

The Black Band Project

[dinoa2]

so what do you think--safe to sign up as long as they dont ask for money or credit cards ??

[Cypress]

Go for it if you dont have to spend a dime or install any software.

[Buddha024]

Well I filled out the part on the homepage, but haven't gotten the confirmation email yet. We'll see what happens.

[d_day]

I went through the signup process on the website. Got one of those confirmation emails where you click a link to verify everything. Here is the email...

Hello Xxxx

Get ready to be taken on an episodic journey through myths and
misconceptions surrounding the enjoyment of premium cigars.

At the end of this voyage you will receive a final set of
instructions on how to secure your special reward.

My agents are standing by to send you our first mission. So do me a
favor and click the link below to confirm your information.


-----------------------------------------------------------
CONFIRM BY VISITING THE LINK BELOW:

[url removed]

Click the link above to give us permission to send you
information. It's fast and easy! If you cannot click the
full URL above, please copy and paste it into your web
browser.

-----------------------------------------------------------
If you do not want to confirm, simply ignore this message.

Mr. X | Agent No. 099
Independent Cigar Review Bureau

8360 Mills Drive, Miami, Florida 33183

Request generated by:
IP: [removed]
Date: March 17, 2009 11:39 EDT

This of course gave me some information to work with. I did a Google search for the Independent Cigar Review Bureau. It turned up very little. What it did turn up was a few links to a Twitter profile, and a few links to their video which is plastered all over the net.

I also searched for the address listed above, which leads to lots and lots of web pages (mostly online yellowpages listings) for a Degage Dancing Supplies. The address is also located in the Miami Mills shopping mall.

The link that was sent was not generated from the Black Band Project website, but rather a thrid party website called aweber. I did several Google searches for aweber, and found out that it is an email autoresponder. There have been quite a few shady things associated with aweber, but they appear to be generated by aweber's users. aweber appears to be a legitimate company that helps businesses market their product. So, it's aparent that is defintiely some sort of marketing campaign.

Now, it's entirely possible that Degage has gone out of business, and a cigar shop has moved in to their spot in the mall, and Google has just not been able to update the info as yet. I haven't dug deep enough to find out for certain, but I'm considering calling the phone numbers listed for Degage to see what happens.

As of right now, I have no intention of clicking the link that was emailed to me. I just don't have a good feeling about it. I may dig deeper into this. If so, I'll let everyone here know what I find out.

dinoa2, I can't in good faith recommend that you submit your information to these people. It may be legit, but I don't know for sure. Ultimately, the decision lies with you. Whatever you choose to do, I hope you excersize caution.

[audio1der]

Unless they're reviewing and sending out Cubans, they're wasting their time on me.

[ThinAirSmokin]

I called the number for the address listed(have free long distance...figured...what the heck) and i got a voicemail that said Hi,you have reached Dan Xxxx(last name) leave a message after the beep


sounds fishy to me!!

[d_day]

Originally Posted by ThinAirSmokin

I called the number for the address listed(have free long distance...figured...what the heck) and i got a voicemail that said Hi,you have reached Dan Xxxx(last name) leave a message after the beep


sounds fishy to me!!

That actually kind of fits with the dance store going out of business theory.

[dinoa2]

hey guys, thanks for all the help. I really didnt expect you to spend all the time you did researching this out. I guess if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Thought this might be something good that other people might want to get in on. Think I will stay away. thanks

[ThinAirSmokin]

Originally Posted by d_day

That actually kind of fits with the dance store going out of business theory.

Could be...but if a cigar shop moved in,seems like a wierd message to have for a business line.

[Quasimoto]

I dont know as long as nothing is asked for like CC or Social I'd go for it and see what happens

[d_day]

Originally Posted by ThinAirSmokin

Could be...but if a cigar shop moved in,seems like a wierd message to have for a business line.

But if a new shop moved in, they wouldn't get the old buisiness's phone number. Instead, they'd get a new number assigned to them.

[ThinAirSmokin]

Originally Posted by d_day

But if a new shop moved in, they wouldn't get the old buisiness's phone number. Instead, they'd get a new number assigned to them.

Ahh...i see what you are sayin.Makes sense