I just saw that CI is offering "Banned Internet Brands". Here is their explaination of what a "Banned Internet Brand" is:

http://www.cigarsinternational.com/p...m=CS-ZKA&cat=3
What’s a "Banned Internet Brand" anyway? Well, it’s like this: once in a while cigar makers introduce a brand available to retailers on the condition that the retailer will not sell it via internet or catalog, instead only if they have "brick and mortar" retail shops. The reason that makers do this is either a) the brand is indeed too limited in production for a giant like CI, or b) to appease brick and mortar retailers who want to sell a brand with enormous profit margins without competing on price. 98% of the time the reason is b). Don’t get me wrong, most brick and mortar retailers are fine folks - some are personal friends - and they’re just trying to make a living. But our motto at CI is that what’s best for the customer is the answer.

What are your thoughts? Has anyone here tried this before? How good are the prices on some of these guys?
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I have seen a bunch of the cigars listed sold on on-line retail sites. If the manufacturers were that strict, then how could CI do it (even without listing prices)?

Sounds like hype/crap to me. :-)
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Yep. My thoughts exactly. CI is known for their hype. Every description of their cigars makes it sound like the cigar you are buying is the best on the face of the earth.
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They're not???:-)
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I beg to differ...
http://www.cigarsinternational.com/p...CB7050&cat=145

I crack up everytime I read this in the catalog.:-)
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i love there fan mail too, i have yet to see them post it from anyone who didnt think it was the greatest cigar ever made. i mean i guess thats what it is "fan mail" but id much rather have something like the amazon.com reviews on stuff. honest reviews from customers
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Check out the fan mail on these babies:

http://www.cigarsinternational.com/p...&stext=cremosa

:-):-):-)
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Rp from Ohio says..."I was completely impressed with the amount of bloom on these cigars when I unwrapped them, and "...

Bloom?!? On a Cremosa?!?!:-)
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http://www.cigarsinternational.com/p...stext=phillies

MM of Erie, PA
"These cigars (Phillies) are great. I love the smooth flavor of the peach blunts."
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Duuuuude, these blunts are smoooooooooooth...:-)
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Do you think he smokes them straight up, or does he gut 'em and re-roll 'em?:-)
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The other thing is one of the cigars in the list RP olde world reserve is available on their website with prices so why would you bother to call...
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Thats freakin' hilarious...... :-)

&

Cremosas??!!!??!???!?! :-)
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That's freekin' HILARIOUS. :-) :-) :-)

:-)

I've bought some of those cigars listed from CI on c-bid. :-)
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:-) Group buy anyone? :-)
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I just entered my Cremosa review as fan mail, don't think it will make it though.
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Even Thompsons runs many of these!!! Sorry... Hype!!!
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Long ago, when I first unwittingly ordered some crap sticks from CI, naively believing they hype that they were a good value stick, I submitted an honest (read: negative) review. I thought the reviews were like Amazon, where they wanted reviews, good or bad. I got an email back telling me that if I didn't like the cigars they'd take them back and give me a pro rata refund. The email made me chuckle, because the CSR seemed almost offended that I'd submitted a negative review. I took him up on the offer for a refund -- I appreciated that. But now I know not to believe any reviews on CI.
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I believe it is more hype and a marketing scheme than anything else. Now if they had some Anejos or Opus for MSRP then I would consider the sale legit.
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I never believe any of their reviews - always finding hidden "gems" in some forgotten warehouse. :-)
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