Verifying Habanos

[wingman01]

This is what my source said whenasked about the practice
"As regards removed codes, please do not worry, we cut off the serial
number to protect our business. We sell only original Cuban cigars.
Authenticity is 100% guaranteed!"

[Deano]

The bar codes are always cut off from various internet sources, so that they can't be sourced back to the place they're meant to be from.

[wingman01]

I had some boxes (limitadas and 1 HdM Petit Robusto) with the new bar code system.
Other than the Dukes that were successfully verified, the rest bounced or produced a result for a different vitola+brand. I am not surprised.

Ask me, Habanos don't know what they are doing. Their system sucks.

I hear that these new bands are very trendy now

This is Cuba, known for their cigars. Not for their technology
I also got some bar codes cut off of my Magicos and some other sticks I bought. Who knows, I think its a conspiracy There will be a transistion period though I would think.

[El Greco]

I had some boxes (limitadas and 1 HdM Petit Robusto) with the new bar code system.
Other than the Dukes that were successfully verified, the rest bounced or produced a result for a different vitola+brand. I am not surprised.

Ask me, Habanos don't know what they are doing. Their system sucks.

I hear that these new bands are very trendy now

[tupacboy]

if they're making fakes... how hard could it really be to put 1 single valid number on there...

[Vision]

I sent Habanos a note. I think every barcode is being rejected. I don't know anyone who has been successful checking codes on boxes they bought in Cuba.

I've had it work correctly on a box of Monte Regata.

[tippexx]

Doh!! Of course they would

Doh ..... No you were right Steve .... there is no printed Serial Number on the new Warranty Seal once the barcode has been removed. Might solve all problems if there was.

One up to you Matey!

[tippexx]

I've also had all my barcodes rejected as "fraud" by the Habanos web tool. These are all cigars bought recently from established businesses in Havana and I have the facturas with the barcode s/n listed.

I sent Habanos a note. I think every barcode is being rejected. I don't know anyone who has been successful checking codes on boxes they bought in Cuba.

This sounds like Habanos bureaucracy and technology not working in conjunction. And lets be honest the NHS arn't exactly famed for that either. How many billions did the latest 'axed' system cost.

[PoohBore]

i had 3 boxes delivered yesterday by family from cuba. I'll check the codes tonight.

[cbob]

I've also had all my barcodes rejected as "fraud" by the Habanos web tool. These are all cigars bought recently from established businesses in Havana and I have the facturas with the barcode s/n listed.

I sent Habanos a note. I think every barcode is being rejected. I don't know anyone who has been successful checking codes on boxes they bought in Cuba.

[Vision]

The site was making mistakes when it first debuted. It might be working correctly now.

[Tariacuri]

Thanks - it gave me a start at first till I figured out what was going on.

Hi Tariacuri,

A theory was put forward, earlier in this thread:


"There's a reason why some barcodes are razored off.. Some distributors are selling to vendors, when they aren't suppose to, so they razor off the barcodes so Habanos and Altadis won't be to track them down. For example, Pacific Cigar Company (Asian Distributor), razors off their barcodes before selling their product to 1001cubancigars, a Swiss vendor.

Remember that as a distributor, you're only suppose to sell your product to a specific region. "

If you've already read this, apologies.

[Stevieboy]

Not quite .... they would also need to remove the unique serial number from the Warranty Seal.

Doh!! Of course they would

[TeeEmmBee]

Interesting. I recently got a box of 15 Hoyo Epicure Especial Tubos. These had a smaller newer warranty seal with holgram plus barcode stuck over a larger older seal. Both warranty seals appear sharp and qenuine as does the holgram. I put the 7 digit code in to the Habanos website and it says I'm a victim of fraud!

Personally I have little doubt that these are genuine items. Apart from the proper high quality of the warranty seals, hologram and packaging, I find it unlikely that such a cigar as Epicure Especials in tubes would be faked.

[tippexx]

I think the vendors are willing to risk the wrath of their suppliers in order to get a sale...without the barcode, they're untraceable?!?!

Not quite .... they would also need to remove the unique serial number from the Warranty Seal. Somehow I don't think Hunters and Frankau would take too kindly to any of our UK vendors doing stuff like that!