Your own history with the manufacturer past blends 24 32.88%

trusted forum-user reviews 33 45.21%

Blogger reviews 3 4.11%

Local Sales Reps 0 0%

B&M Owners 4 5.48%

Value/Cost of the stick 4 5.48%

Its limited availablity 2 2.74%

Advertising/Manufacturer Hype 3 4.11%

I was just thinking of this with all the new releases...

What influences your purchase decision when it's a stick you haven't tried yet?

Obviously the assumption here is that you've not tried them

I'm asking which is the MOST influential.

M
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I wish I could pick more than one. Forum reviews and history with the brand are my top two, but sometimes I just trust a random recommendation. I hate the Cain line, but decided to try the Daytona on a B&M recommendation. And I thought it was a very good cigar.
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I selected "trusted forum-user reviews" but it's not so much the reviews I read online, but rather discussions of new cigars among the guys I herf with or interact with online. They may not be reviews in the truest sense of the word, but I can relate to their experiences better as I have a feel for how their palettes may (or may not) be similar to mine.
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What Vin said, def.
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:-)
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Pretty much what Vin said, there's a few people I know who have a similar palette. If they give it a :-) I'll certainly try one-5 or maybe a box, depending on price.

Every now and then I'll dip into the youtube videos if I cannot find it here. More than once have they saved me from a crappy box.
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There are guys whose reviews I trust, and with similar tastes to my own, that I give the most credence to.
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Word. I was thinking forum reviews as well but selected "my own history".

Having been around long enough, you start to notice folks who seem to enjoy what you like (similar pallets) and can use them as sort of guinea pigs/guides to the news sticks.

Nice input so far guys! :-)

M
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:-)

I did not select an option -- you need one that says "friend/BOTL recommendations".
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One more reason to love Youtube, I will have to do this more often.:-)
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This!!!


I have to admit advertising does peak my interests, a label I have never heard of but looks attractive grabs my eye. A fellow BOTL recomendation. I have had bad luck with B&M owners and Sales Reps, I beleive I have just not been to a good one.
Now I just see a Maduro and my mouth starts watering doesn't mater who makes it!
I have purchased Tatuajes and Illusiones just because of you CA BOTLs!
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There can be some good videos, but some are purely AWFUL. You'll figure that one out :-)

Everyone has their own opinion though.
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I went with best value/price of the stick. I like to find cigars that won't break the bank but still taste awesome for a good price.

Brickhouse for example. And the new Loyal from Torano will be a good one too, about 4.50 a stick.
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Past experience from the brand seems to drive me back.
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I wish I could have picked more than one answer.
How about "Someone gave me one and I liked it". Got me a few times.
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I like fancy bands. :-)
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Hype. If its being talked about, I'm more likely to try it.
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What friends of mine (whose palate in comparison to mine is a known entity) say about a cigar is the first thing.

My own experience with a maker is the second thing.
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:-) what he said!!!
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I'm with Vin on this one!:-)
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