Monthly subscription - July 2010

[captain duff]

Yeah, I like that idea actually. We set a financial figure that we could sign up to (ie, not too high, even if that means less goodies sent), have a date each month when the money has to be in by (to a [EDITED] account etc), then some of the more experienced people on here could take turns and spend whatever the pot is by each month cut off date on the best/most interesting selection, box splits etc, they can manage with the money available (taking account of postage costs of course!) and then send out to the participents.

Doing it this way would mean if someone is skint one month then they can just opt out by not sending the money so it becomes a bit more flexible than the other club, and of course it would also be a 'not for profit' mutual set up (and I like those!). Plus, I'm sure that the selectors would relish the challenge to put together the best selection that (that months) money can buy

[tippexx]

Plus, I'm sure that the selectors would relish the challenge to put together the best selection that (that months) money can buy

On the surface it's a good idea. And I'm sure the Selectors would relish it as it would be a fun challenge for them and very helpful pointer for beginners or for those with small budgets.

Trouble is. To adhere to Forum rules regarding the logistics of purchasing would require two sets of Selectors. One for here and one for the USA.

[Paulie]

I think there is merit to this idea but it would need some careful planning as I imagine the beauty of this would be that the selection send out would be very good 'value for money' if you get my meaning.

Also there would have to be firm committment from the buyers as the organising BOTL could end up with a lot of sticks they will have to pay for if people pull out.

Plus I don't envy having to package up and post out loads of jiffy bags every month.

[jdawg]

ive decided to cancel....
ive decided the money could be better used elsewhere

sorry guys

Wise move! The money could be better spent elsewhere.

[captain duff]

Yes, Paulie, it would potentially be a chore to have to bag up and send multiple packs, but if we were to have a group of the more experienced on this site that volunteered to do it and then took turns (so it wouldn't be something they would do individually too often if the panel was large enough) it would probably be ok. Plus I'm sure there would be a lot of friendly competition over the course of a year or whatever to see who could come up with the best selection so endless hours of subjective arguments and fun on that one!

As to the avoidence of unwanted cigars, well my idea was that the selection would only be purchased after all money for that month was in (less estimated postage/packing costs), even if that meant a short delay, so there shouln't be anyone left high and dry with this (in fact you could always be sure to spend slightly under the pot and any left overs just pot in the following months pot). That way it adds to the skill (and fun) of the selectors to find the best value/quality ratio for their selctions each month given what money they would have available.

Also, I take the point tipexx re obvious problems regarding our US friends, but this is a primerily a UK based site so it wouldn't be out of order to just limit it to UK members (as the cigar shop based club that was the point of this thread does anyway, again for legal reasons) would it?

[neilini]

well chew it over.as a novice i'd love the oppurtunity to have an old hand pick some smokes for me to try however i see the point about postage,major pain in the ass packaging everything up.

lets keep the thread alive though and see if anyones interested in the idea as it does have its merits

[tippexx]

I don't think the Selectors should do anything other than make their reccommendations. After that it's down to anyone who want's to buy to follow it up.

EG. Budget = ?30 plus or minus ?2 ( and US Dollar equivalent)

Selector chooses the (best) Source of the Month ? Example JJ Fox

Selector recco's a choice of 3 to 5 different sized cigars.
Example: As Simon chose.

Then anyone is free to follow that up if they wish and no one has to shell out on anyones behalf.

[Paulie]

I don't think that idea would work Tippexx as what would the point be when you could just go and buy the selector's list yourself and save everybody some hassle.

I think the idea would need to be that the cigars would not be known until they were sent out.

What could work is the selector of the month could state how much the cost is going to be and how many sticks there will be, then members can decide to buy into that or not. A given end date and postage cost could also be included in the announcement.

So by the end date exact numbers will be known and all payments made.

[captain duff]

I don't think the Selectors should do anything other than make their reccommendations. After that it's down to anyone who want's to buy to follow it up.

EG. Budget = ?30 plus or minus ?2 ( and US Dollar equivalent)

Selector chooses the (best) Source of the Month — Example JJ Fox

Selector recco's a choice of 3 to 5 different sized cigars.
Example: As Simon chose.

Then anyone is free to follow that up if they wish and no one has to shell out on anyones behalf.

Well yes, thats an easy thing to do. We could even have a monthly (no prize) competition poll of who can make the best selection list from, say, a nominal ?30 that would be spent virtually at the shop that sponors this site perhaps.

However, the advantage of actually having a monthly club (or bi-monthly or whatever) where we pool money in advance is that it allows for box splitting bulk-buy savings that would perhaps offset postage costs. Plus it would be nice to get a total suprise in terms of selection sent when you know it will be good/interesting/quality/value etc in advance...

[tippexx]

[QUOTE=Paulie;100266]I don't think that idea would work Tippexx as what would the point be when you could just go and buy the selector's list yourself and save everybody some hassle.

Because that is the point Paulie. To rely on the judgement of the Selector on how, in say August, to best spend 30 on a vitola mix of NC and CC. Beginners arrive here all the time and I really believe it could be useful to them.

All we need is a years worth, one per month, of Selectors. It's only 30 quid remember so loads of cigars will be popping up time after time.

Also I don't see why Retailer members couldn't be a Selector of the month, because then everyone might benefit.

[neilini]

maybe thats the solution,no money or posting issues that way

[Paulie]

Sure I am not saying that having a recommended list of 4 or 5 sticks a month is a bad thing.

My point was if the list is published then members have to send money to another member who then has to buy them and package/post them. Why go to that bother when they could be bought direct from the shop or retailer and save the selector the hassle of packaging and posting them all out.

I alluded to the bulk buy/box split/money saving suggestion eariler as a way in which this would work financially. Otherwise I say again, what would the motivation be for a selector to do this when anyone could buy direct rather than through them.

I could post a list of cigars up to ?30 in value for July and then tell people if they want it, go to 'x' website and buy them. Why would I ask them to send me the money for me to then repost them. If the list was not published, as per the subscription which started this thread, then that makes sense.

I am not trying to cause an arguement here, just making observations.

[captain duff]

Well thats the point paulie, you wouldn't publish the list in advance, it would be a surprise landing to be dabated afterwards.

But why pool money in advance for an unknown package? Well, a nice surprise is one reason (like the one to one stick swaps on this site), to try things that you may not otherwise buy yourself (we all get into ruts, often without realising it). But it seems to me a group of people getting together on this site (and yes, I like the idea that occsaionally a retail member could perhaps do it) has certain advantages over the retail club that this thread started from.

First, it would be 'not for profit' and therby would not suffer from the 'poor value' perception that seems to dog the 'other' club. Second, the selectors would be different each time, so the selections I would imagine would also be very different (and some very left field I would hope in terms of surprises etc). Third, once the particular months putting in the cash in advance cut off had been reached then it could be a really exciting challenge for a selector to sniff out the best (uk legal) bargains out there at any given time to make up a good value selection from whatever money is available to do it (and take advantage of bulk buy box splitting etc).

But going back to your last point Paulie, well if someone posted a 'recommended sticks for ?30' list then you are right, I may or may not go out and buy it, or some of it. However, if someone on this site with a good reputation said I will get you a surprise package of what is in my opinion the best value/quality selection that I can find if you throw me ?30 in advance then I would almost certainly say yes and be very excited about just what that person could hunt down for me...

[Paulie]

CD I agree with you, unless I misread what Tippexx was saying but I understood what he said was that the selector posts the cigar list then people can decide to 'buy' into that months selection. That's the part I disagreed with.

What I was saying and in agreement with you is that the list is not known, which to me is the whole point of this.

[captain duff]

ah, ok mate, I misunderstood, sorry!