0
It is estimated that there are more fake Cuban cigars in circulation than authentic Cuban cigars; as such, it makes sense to exercise some prudence to prevent yourself from being ripped off. There are an incredible number of fake cigars in Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, the USA, Cuba (especially Cuba), Central/South America, and everywhere else in the world.
Given that rather scary statistic, here is some advice on buying Cuban cigars:
1) If you're not in a La Casa Del Habano, don't buy Cuban cigars while on vacation.
2) If your "source" is in Miami, FL don't buy cigars from them. Period.
3) If your source has a friend/relative/associate/whatever that works in a cigar factory in Cuba, do not buy cigars from them.
4) If you're buying cigars online, and you're not extremely sure of the vendor's credentials, do not buy cigars from them.
5) Do not buy "Cuban" cigars from someone you don't know on eBay, Yahoo, etc.
6) If you aren't very sure of what the real deal is, ask someone who does before you plunk down your cash anywhere.
7) Finally, the old maxim of "If it sounds too good to be true, then it is" is applicable; look up the prices of various cigars, and if the price you're being asked to pay is significantly lower, this is a huge tip-off that the cigars are not genuine.
I don't want to see any of the purveyors of fake cigars be financially rewarded for peddling their junk, but more importantly, I don't want to see folks getting ripped off.
Please read CigarNexus.com's dated but still salient The Ultimate Counterfeit Cuban Cigar Primer for more information on spotting fake Cuban cigars.
Related links:
- Counterfeit Cubans: Exposed!
- Fake Cuban cigars
