Expert: James Yee - 7/11/2007

Question
QUESTION: James:
Like many out there, I am always looking for the best deals on Cuban cigars. Unfortunately, like most who are looking for the best deal, I often find myself getting screwed by merchants selling counterfeit Cuban cigars. My recent dealings were with a company named SoloCigars, out of Costa Rico. After a few orders, I realized the cigars were fake and sent them back. Then I disputed the charges on my credit card and when the merchant did not reply to the inquiry, the charges were credited back to my account. Now this company is threatening to write an anonymous letter to the ATF department, notifying them of my purchases, unless I give them back all the money. Do you have any suggestions on what I should do to make them go away?

Alan

ANSWER: Hi Alan,

I wouldn’t be too worried if I was you.  It sounds like the merchant (who is known to sell counterfeit Cuban cigars) is upset that you successfully fought to get your money back (good for you btw, I applaud what you did) so they make empty threats in hopes of scaring you in sending the money back.  If the merchant was honest and stood behind his cigars/products, he would've appealed your credit card inquiry as soon as possible but as you said, he didn’t bother to respond to it.  Any REPUTABLE business would be concerned that one of their customers is not happy with their product or service and would do their best to correct the situation and satisfy the customer as best they can, ASAP.  It seems like this guy didn’t take your inquiry seriously until the credit card company ruled in your favour and gave you your money back.  Now they’re whining,  throwing a tantrum and making threats.

What you can do now is report them to “Corporation Callini S.A.” which is the sole distributor of genuine Cuban cigars in Costa Rica.  They are appointed by the one and only Habanos S.A. corporation in Cuba and there is only one distributor responsible for each region.  Callini S.A. is in charge of Costa Rica and they know and supply every single legitimate tobacconist in Costa Rica that is authorized to carry and sell genuine Cuban cigars.  By reporting SoloCigars.com to them, Callini S.A. should know what to do or at least contact Habanos S.A. and set the wheels in motion to getting this guy shut down (Unfortunately though, even if SoloCigars.com does get shut down, the guy can just open a new website under a different name and continue selling his fake cigars.  Reporting him to Callini SA and Habanos SA is still the best step and who knows, it might get him shut down for good.)

You can reach Callini S.A. here:

Sr. Enrico Callini; Director Commercial
Tel: (506) 253-11-48
Fax: (506) 524-13-48
ecallini@habanoscr.net

Hopes this answers your question. If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I’ll be happy to help.

Regards,
James


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

QUESTION: Thanks for the response on the above question, it has really put my concerns to rest. There is another merchant I have found, but as of yet have not purchased from, named CubanHabanoscigars out of Barcelona Spain. Have you ever heard of them and are they reputable?

Thanks again,

Alan

Answer
Hi Alan,

I personally have not ordered from CubanHabanosCigars.net [yet] but I know several people that have and they seem very satisfied by the company's cigars and service.  CubanHabanosCigars.net does operate out of Spain and Spain is a good, reputable region for genuine Cuban cigars.  (Again, avoid purchasing Cuban cigars from Costa Rica and the Caribbean as they are hot spots for counterfeit cigars.)

Regards,
James.