Expert: James Yee - 8/14/2007

Question
QUESTION: James can you provide any info on the following cigar shop CubanHabanosCigars.net I have searched and can not find any bad press out there but that does not mean anything.

jim

ANSWER: Hi Jim,

I haven't ordered from CubanHabanosCigars.net before but I know that they ship their cigars from Tampa, Florida (counterfeit hotspot).  Also, I recently received an email from someone that has ordered from them and they were sent a very suspicious box of cigars.  The cigars they received was a certain make of 2004 Edicion Limitada cigars.  Unfortunately, the cigars were suspicious because that specific Cuban brand didn't release any cigars of that size as an Edicion Limitada for 2004.

Regards,
James

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: This might be the wrong question to ask but do you mail order any cigars? If so would you tell me who you get them from? In 2 weeks I'm bringing my daughter back to Collage in Vermont I'm thinking of going from there up to Canada. Could you give me names of any cigar shops near the vermont border? Thanks
jim

Answer
Hi Jim,

I actually do very little cigar mailorder because there's usually very little buyer protection - even with reputable retailers - through mailorder.  Cigars are very fragile and they can easily become damaged through shipping.  Most reputable stores do honour replacement if this happens but it's such a hassle plus you have to wait longer to receive replacement cigars.  Not only this but you don't get to visually inspect a box of cigars when you buy online.  Because I love dark, oily cigars, I prefer to look at a box of cigars and examine the cigars up close before I decide to buy.  When ordering through mailorder, you don't get this option.  For Americans ordering Cuban cigars, there's always the risk of having the cigars seized by Customs.  Even with reputable mailorder companies, there is never a 100% guarantee that you'll receive your cigars.

Also, I live in Canada so it's just easier for me to walk into a cigar store and buy Cuban cigars locally or even make a trip to Cuba now and then and stock up there.

In regards to Vermont, if you head just north of Vermont across the border, you'll be in Montreal Quebec and there is a great LCDH shop in Montreal.

Here's the address:

La Casa Del Habanos - Montreal
1434 Sherbrooke West
Montreal, Quebec
Tel: (514) 849-0037

Regards,
James