Question about buying cigars online

[Mitch]

Hey Gang,

I have some questions about buying cigars online. I see deals where I can buy boxes of cigars for $50 on cigar international. I also seen great deals on "name brand seconds" which look like great cigars. Am I going to get really bad cigars if I buy 15 for $39. I am used to smoking CAO Italia, Oliva, Ashton, Rocky, etc. Any help would be great, I have only bought at cigar shops, but I am looking to save some money.

[cherrymax]

Mitch,
I've bought severals bundles of "2nds" from CI. Nothing to worry about, always good sticks. Like they say, cosmetic reasons. Have always tasted and burned well for me.

[Mitch]

What does it mean if they are 2nds.

[thebayratt]

Easily put, they are a B Grade as far as looks. It could be a little too long or short, a sun spot in the wrapper, be to toothy for the cigar "look", too dark or light of a wrapper.
But they are all the same blend and should taste the same as a "1st". Most 2nds do not come with a band, so if you are cigar-ego conscious of a band then beware.

Alternatives is where a seller makes a cigar to try to taste and resemble another famous stick.

I'd buy a second before I'd buy an alternative even if a few bucks more.

[sanity1082]

I have order from CI many times with no problems. If you know the brands that you like you can look for specific samplers from that company.

[Mitch]

Yeah I have noticed I can buy the cigars I know of. I am thinking of branching out though. But I am afraid to smoke the ones that are not in cigar shops cause of how cheap they are. I know price doesn't make everything, but I have smoked some cheap cigars and I was not impressed.

[sanity1082]

Originally Posted by Mitch

Yeah I have noticed I can buy the cigars I know of. I am thinking of branching out though. But I am afraid to smoke the ones that are not in cigar shops cause of how cheap they are. I know price doesn't make everything, but I have smoked some cheap cigars and I was not impressed.

you can check the fan mail box and see what some people have thought. I being a noob to the cigars will buy samplers with different brands to see what i like. so far i have had good success with the samplers. i have only hit about one in 10 i didnt care for

[bimmian]

I agree, there's nothing to worry about buying online, except where you're gonna store all your new sticks, lol!

Be warned though, don't smoke them for at least a week after shipping... The cigars will probably be "in shock" from the extreme temp/humidity changes during travel. They'll go right back to normal after several days/weeks of proper storage, but smoking imediately after receipt is strongly advised against. No matter how tempting!

CI's samplers are a great way to get started/smoke a bunch of different cigars, and they seem to be pretty good at choosing tasty sticks, from my experience. They also sell some 5-packs.

There's a site called nice ash cigars, and most of their cigars are also offered as 5-pks or even singles, so you can make your own sampler... I really like that feature, as I try to only buy boxes I know I'm not gonna regret later... This way I can try a lot and not go broke!

I don't even shop in B&Ms anymore, unless I really like the owners, or I can't find something I really wanna try a single or a few of online.