I've been a CS member for less than a week after lurking for awhile. I noticed there was a HERF going on in Roseville, MI...an event by Olivia (one of my favorites!!) I decided I NEEDED to go because A) To meet some fellow CS members B) To get some Olivas (since I can't find them in Canada)
So I proceed to pick out some sticks that I think would be enjoyed if there was to be any trading going on. Since I don't have a large "stash", many of my sticks have a story or some little adventure behind them. Some are from faraway places, some gifted, some I've seen rolled before my very eyes., etc...Makes for good dialogue and story-telling.
So I chose to bring:
-Oliva Series G Maduro (for me to smoke)
-Cuesta Rey 1884 Cabinet (Sent from a friend in the USA, since it doesn't exist here)
-La Gloria Cubana Wavell (Picked it up in Miami..never seen one here and hard to find in the US)
-2x Ashton Esquires (in case there were women/small cigar lovers)
-House Brand Cigar, rolled in front of my eyes, at a shoppe in New Orleans that was later wiped out by the flood. I thought someone would really appreciate this one....in a nostalgic sort of way.
So I wax up my car, take half of my shift off (I work nights) and head out to the USA, a trip I make almost weekly. To be honest, I'm pretty excited to meet some fellow smokers...since they are few and far between it seems in my neck of the woods...though I later learned there is one who could be considered my "neighbor" he's so close by.
So I get up to US Customs, and this is where it all goes wrong. I declared the cigars since I was asked if I had tobacco. I explained why I had the cigars, and when asked if they were Cuban told them absolutely not. It didn't matter. I was pulled in. They told me they couldn't be sure I was telling the truth, so they "seized" my cigars. I was so upset at this point, I consider going back home and skipping the HERF altogether. I can just see the US Customs officer's laughing their asses off as they divvy up my cigars and go home and smoke them, not knowing the story behind these fine sticks...and not appreciating them. I'm still upset.
While getting 6 sticks seized may not seem like a big deal, it is to me. First, because of the story and adventure behind them. Second...because it's REALLY hard to find non-Cubans in Canada. That is to say, GOOD non-Cubans. Third is the expense. These cigars here have a value of about $15-$18 ea....as compared to $5 US. And lastly, because I don't keep a huge "stash" (never more than 40 at any given time) losing 6 sticks hurts. Alot. That's ~15% of my stash, gone.
Anyways, I continue on...angry, upset, bitter, you name it. I arrive at the store, the Smoker's Outlet. I check my gear. Cigar Wallet. Check. Cigar Lighter/Cutter. Check. Test Fire. NEGATIVE. Test fire 2. NEGATIVE. WTF?? I tested before I left...and now it doesn't work. Although it's a Colibri, it has never let me down. It has fluid, I see spark. But nothing. SIGH. My brother gave it to me, the only one in my family to have given me a gift cigar-related. I am totally demoralized at this point. No sticks, no fire, no happiness.
I'm greeted warmly by Luke, the proprietor and also by the Oliva rep. Very kind fellows. They show me the Olivas they have on hand (and I drool over) and answer a couple of questions. And we chat. I'm starting to feel better...but not much. I make my way to the lounge area and I'm greeted by a couple of guys there smoking away. We start chatting...and I just HAVE to tell someone about my crappy day. I'm only 1 minute into my story, when one of the guys there thrusts a A. Fuente Gran Reserva into my hand. I must have sounded pathetic...or he could just feel might pain. I suspect the latter. Turns out he is member "357". I ignorantly say "no thanks" at first, since I don't want to come across like a mooch. I compose myself, accept the gift and say thanks! Bear in mind...this is a complete stranger...and here he is offering me a smoke. I'm very grateful 357...thanks again!!! So we had a good chat...everyone sympathizing with my bad luck. These people understood. It's more than a cigar to many of us..given the time we take to cure them and keep them in good condition. And these guys knew that. So it felt good to vent to someone who understood.
I chatted for some time with a couple other members (I forget who now though). And we talk about meeting up again for a HERF and some poker. So despite my day starting off horribly...I mean REALLY horribly, it ended up pretty well. I met some great people, was given a great stick, (thanks again 357!) and made plans to meet again.
I'm still very bitter and upset about my losses though. I feel even worse that they will likely be smoked by people with little appreciation for a good cigar.......
So I proceed to pick out some sticks that I think would be enjoyed if there was to be any trading going on. Since I don't have a large "stash", many of my sticks have a story or some little adventure behind them. Some are from faraway places, some gifted, some I've seen rolled before my very eyes., etc...Makes for good dialogue and story-telling.
So I chose to bring:
-Oliva Series G Maduro (for me to smoke)
-Cuesta Rey 1884 Cabinet (Sent from a friend in the USA, since it doesn't exist here)
-La Gloria Cubana Wavell (Picked it up in Miami..never seen one here and hard to find in the US)
-2x Ashton Esquires (in case there were women/small cigar lovers)
-House Brand Cigar, rolled in front of my eyes, at a shoppe in New Orleans that was later wiped out by the flood. I thought someone would really appreciate this one....in a nostalgic sort of way.
So I wax up my car, take half of my shift off (I work nights) and head out to the USA, a trip I make almost weekly. To be honest, I'm pretty excited to meet some fellow smokers...since they are few and far between it seems in my neck of the woods...though I later learned there is one who could be considered my "neighbor" he's so close by.
So I get up to US Customs, and this is where it all goes wrong. I declared the cigars since I was asked if I had tobacco. I explained why I had the cigars, and when asked if they were Cuban told them absolutely not. It didn't matter. I was pulled in. They told me they couldn't be sure I was telling the truth, so they "seized" my cigars. I was so upset at this point, I consider going back home and skipping the HERF altogether. I can just see the US Customs officer's laughing their asses off as they divvy up my cigars and go home and smoke them, not knowing the story behind these fine sticks...and not appreciating them. I'm still upset.
While getting 6 sticks seized may not seem like a big deal, it is to me. First, because of the story and adventure behind them. Second...because it's REALLY hard to find non-Cubans in Canada. That is to say, GOOD non-Cubans. Third is the expense. These cigars here have a value of about $15-$18 ea....as compared to $5 US. And lastly, because I don't keep a huge "stash" (never more than 40 at any given time) losing 6 sticks hurts. Alot. That's ~15% of my stash, gone.
Anyways, I continue on...angry, upset, bitter, you name it. I arrive at the store, the Smoker's Outlet. I check my gear. Cigar Wallet. Check. Cigar Lighter/Cutter. Check. Test Fire. NEGATIVE. Test fire 2. NEGATIVE. WTF?? I tested before I left...and now it doesn't work. Although it's a Colibri, it has never let me down. It has fluid, I see spark. But nothing. SIGH. My brother gave it to me, the only one in my family to have given me a gift cigar-related. I am totally demoralized at this point. No sticks, no fire, no happiness.
I'm greeted warmly by Luke, the proprietor and also by the Oliva rep. Very kind fellows. They show me the Olivas they have on hand (and I drool over) and answer a couple of questions. And we chat. I'm starting to feel better...but not much. I make my way to the lounge area and I'm greeted by a couple of guys there smoking away. We start chatting...and I just HAVE to tell someone about my crappy day. I'm only 1 minute into my story, when one of the guys there thrusts a A. Fuente Gran Reserva into my hand. I must have sounded pathetic...or he could just feel might pain. I suspect the latter. Turns out he is member "357". I ignorantly say "no thanks" at first, since I don't want to come across like a mooch. I compose myself, accept the gift and say thanks! Bear in mind...this is a complete stranger...and here he is offering me a smoke. I'm very grateful 357...thanks again!!!
So we had a good chat...everyone sympathizing with my bad luck. These people understood. It's more than a cigar to many of us..given the time we take to cure them and keep them in good condition. And these guys knew that. So it felt good to vent to someone who understood. I chatted for some time with a couple other members (I forget who now though). And we talk about meeting up again for a HERF and some poker. So despite my day starting off horribly...I mean REALLY horribly, it ended up pretty well. I met some great people, was given a great stick, (thanks again 357!) and made plans to meet again.
I'm still very bitter and upset about my losses though. I feel even worse that they will likely be smoked by people with little appreciation for a good cigar.......
