The BIL and wifey had us over to their place this evening and finally handed me the 'box of Cubans' he brought back for me...:-)
The first clue...
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no seal or hologram.
The second clue...
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no factory or date codes.
The third clue....
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paperboard sheet instead of cedar...
The sticks good pretty good for obvious fakes,
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I'll dissect one tomorrow and see what the insides look like.
They look like they used the old Mille Fleurs boxes and the sticks are rolled to that gauge and length.
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Sorry to hear about this! At least he (BIL) meant well!
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It's the thought that counts in this case, Darryl...Merry Christmas. :-)
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i need the newsletter
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Just say "Thank you", and move on.
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:-):-):-)
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Oh well, maybe they'll taste delicious and be a Xmas miracle!
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Wow. *sigh*


The cigars themselves look decent. The bands even line up. I would, however, tell my BIL what they are. Stop the black market with education at all times possible, so no money is thrown away next time. But, I would probably tell him next week. :-)

:-)
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why sigh it says up there under his post does any newbs need the newsletter so i asked if i could get one
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Sorry to hear Darryl...but then again, it's the thought. Fill him in next week, so he doesn't make the same mistake twice. :-) Merry Christmas!!
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The biggest upset is I was willing to educate them both before they left on their trip, as to where to buy, and more importantly where NOT to buy....:-)
I try to do this with all my good little mules, but they were 'too busy' to sit in on a class.:-)
Like has been said, it's tempting to smile, say Thanks and move on.
I will however inform him of their true heritage after I cut one open later today to see what the insides look like.
More pics to come.
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Thought that counts...:-):-)
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PM me your snail mail addy and I'll pop it in the mail sometime this week.:-)
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I agree, they tried. Give one a try, you never know.
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In a lot of countries it's VERY inconsiderate to refuse or criticize a gift. America is one of those countries.

Just say "Thank you" and let it go.
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Don't say anything UNLESS he asks how they were. Then, it would be considered inconsiderate to lie to him. Like in my case in another thread, I let my BIL down easy. Even though he refused the money I courteously offerred to pay him back, my MIL was not as generous since I found it was she that actually paid for them. I sent my SIL to get them but she was 'too busy' to visit the La Habana dealer so she assigned the task to her brother. All I can say is FOL's.
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Very thoughtful of your BIL. It is the thought that matters. Not everybody can understand the importance of cigars to us, it's a nice gesture.
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If someone ever said they were unhappy with a gift I gave them, they wouldn't have to worry about that ever again.

One and done.
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Educating someone to the existence of counterfeit cigars and telling someone you are "unhappy" with a gift are two completely different things. :-)
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Although I'm hesitant to ask - what's the newsletter?
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