Buying off eBay - Be kind to a noob please.

[EugeneSax]

He claims they were called "Churchills" on the box, which made them different to the Esplendidos which apparently had "Esplendido" AND "Churchill" on the box. I assume the so-called Corona say "Corona" on the box too.

As I've pointed out to him, just because they are properly made cigars, doesn't mean they are properly made Cuban Cohibas. I did say fair-enough if he's got a tobacconist to fork out for them.

I reckon he's bought them in the DR where non-Cuban Cohibas with various markings seem very common - most usually in the ole glass-tops. Maybe these are the value-packs in only wooden boxes ;-)

Not sure why he got back to me with this latest message - his auctions have already been taken down. He might be lying, but I can't see the purpose.

[tippexx]

[QUOTE=EugeneSax;101793]Update

Even though his listings have been taken down by ebay this chap is still manaqing to sell his wares. BTW real Cohibas don't come in 10 boxes do they (with cello)?

Loads do Eugene. All the Behike and Maduro range do, and the Siglo VI. But none with cello.

By Churchill I'm guessing your fleabay pal means the Esplendido which are P3 or vBN25.

By Corona has to be the Especiales P5 or vBN25. There was a Coronas but that was delisted in 92 and was vBN25.

But whatever he's flogging ? they're fakes!

[daverave999]

Thinking more about it, what kind of idiot tobacconist would lay out ?340 if they didn't know enough about cigars to be buying them off some random bloke? I call bullshit on his story. Nicely done Eugene.

[daverave999]

Sounds like a tobacconist to avoid then... Or he could just be lying.

With things like this I use CubanCigarWebsite. I assume all the info on there is correct, but I wouldn't know any better. I've never had any reason to doubt it...

Anyways, CCW says the only churchill size is the Esplendido, and it comes in 3 or 25.

[EugeneSax]

Update

Even though his listings have been taken down by ebay this chap is still manaqing to sell his wares. BTW real Cohibas don't come in 10 boxes do they (with cello)?

"I took the boxes to the tobacconist to check if
they were genuine. He sad they was and even cut
open 1 of the cigars to make sure. He purchased 2
boxes of me for a total of ?340 and asked me to
call back in a couple of weeks if I have any left
and he will purchase another couple of boxes. This
leaves me confident that I am not perpetrating
fraud."

He had loads of boxes up for sale - I think he was probably double listing the same items on BIN & straight auction bases.

Anyhow, I contacted him to tell him his cigars were fakes and he responded to say they weren't, he'd paid extra to get them from an airport duty free (he didn't say which one, I'd guess DR) specifically to avoid fakes. He also added a couple of links to cigar shops, saying they had boxes similar to his.

I popinted out that "similar" is not the same as "SAME" & that he wouldn't find his 10 box sticks on any (reputable) site because Cohiba don't make 10's of "Chirchills", Esplendidos or "Coronas". I also pointed out they also never put such sticks in cellophane & wouldn't be seen dead putting anything as crude as the off-centre printed seals he pictured with (not ON) his boxes.

Some people just won't accept reality, even though he claimed to have investigated fake cigars before his trip, enough to avoid the glass top boxes apparently everywhere outside of the airport. Here's his reply to me:

"Surely if these were sold in the duty free section
of the airport they cant be fake. An esplendido is
a churchill cigar f you read the description in
the link below. The reason it says cohiba
churchills is because it says churchill on the
box, whereas on the esplendido box its says
esplendidos as well as churchill. [Hmm, not ever noticed either, myslef]

http://www.simplycigars.co.uk/cohiba-esplendidos-
p-1436.html

I have listed these items in good faith and will
be looking into the possibility of them being
fake. Starting by asking the local tobacconist
shop keeper to take a look at them."

I note that ebay have taken down all his cigar auctions (wonder if that's Eggy's doing or mine!) so I can't respond further. He'll probably folg them to some mug down the pub.

[davidruddell]

Don't know if I'm fortunate or not, despite buying a box of 'Real' Cohibas in the Dominican (They were the Dominican things, I was young, didn't know better) I've never seen one of the Glass top fakes in the flesh.

Glad I didn't re-contact this ploon and his fakes though, looks like eBay are removing the 'Empty box' ads wherever they find em.

How about a fake spotter forum?

[rokkitsci]

The he'll they don't

? to begin with, Cohiba robustos don't come in tubes?

You just have to make sure you get the genuine article which, as everyone knows, comes in the glass-topped boxes.

HTH

[EugeneSax]

Can u email the soon to be buyer?

I used to do just that, before I found the "report" button. It's far more effective to get ebay to remove listings, because, as the majority of responses to my early efforts showed, there's none so blind as those who don't want to see.

[davidruddell]

Blimey, ta muchly all

you chaps should get the inaugural UKCF Roger Cook foot in the door award!

Above and beyond the call of duty, consider me perm put off ever buying sticks off eBay.

David R

[tippexx]

be very carefull of what you buy on e-bay. you already know where to get the real mccoy stick with what you know. as for meeting this gentleman, i would think twice on that

Agreed ? Absolutly!

[yankeefan]

be very carefull of what you buy on e-bay. you already know where to get the real mccoy stick with what you know. as for meeting this gentleman, i would think twice on that

[Coop]

Can u email the soon to be buyer?

[daverave999]

I love how this is turning into the Ebay Hit Squad thread.
You two should be on retainer for H&F!

[EugeneSax]

Oh hahahha did you report him Too???

Yes, twice for each listing - once for fakes & second for banned substances. Although his listings said that in view of ebay policy against tobacco he had to sell the boxes empty, but he suggested people contacted him, and they "...wouldn't be disaponited ;-)". His descriptions said "unopened & sealed" ie must still contain cigars.

I trhink it's probably very difficult getting ebay to pull items foir being fake, unless you have definite proof of the claim. The appearence of dodgy looking seals separate from the box is probably not proof enough for them. However I think they'll pull right away if they even strobgly suspect banned substances are involved.

[eggopp]

Oh hahahha did you report him Too???

There is still one up with 20 hours ish left and some poor sods buying them at ?36

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Cohiba-Churchills-box-only-NO-RESERVE-/290455807204?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Collectables_Tobacciana_Smoking_LE&hash=item43a083e4e4

Of course ive emailed ebay 'again' lol