Fake Majestuosos. Part 3. Latest News
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- čas přidán 1. 09. 2023
- In 2019 I purchased in a shop in Geneva a Humidor of Majestuosos for CHF 7,500.-. In 2022 I visited the shop with a friend of mine who is a Maestro Habano and Hombre Habano. The shop assistant showed us a Humidor of Majestuosos for sale for CHF 22,000.-. My friend opened the humidor and noticed some discrepancies. Since I bought my humidor in this shop in 2019 I went to check my humidor and noticed the same discrepancies. I contacted the shop and ask the owner to replace the humidor with a real one and the shop owner denied that it was fake and offered to pay me back the money I spent. Obviously with CHF 7,500 in my pocket I could not buy a real one which was retailing for CHF 35,000 at La Casa del Habano in Nyon. I contacted my lawyers who contacted the Swiss distributor who informed me that they had not sold this humidor to the shop but that the shop had bought it from the grey market which is not illegal in Switzerland. To find out whether the humidor was fake the distributor offered to go with me to Havana in September 2022 and meet with Habanos. In April 2023, Habanos sent me a report saying that the Humidor and the cigars it contained were fake. My lawyers contacted the shop to ask them to replace the fake humidor. Here is the latest news regarding the procedure.
- Jak na to + styl
I find it very impressive that you are taking the moral high ground in terms of the conditions you would require from the shop in an effort to protect all of those that have been sold a fake box. This entire storyline has been incredibly fascinating. As a byproduct of your videos, I catch myself being more selective about which shops in Switzerland I purchase my cigars. I’m posting a comment and appreciation and sympathy and admiration for how you’ve handled the situation with the shop. You are appreciated and I wish you all the best.
Thank you. I do not consider myself a white knight but I believe that we as consumers have to react and not always bend over to thieves and liars. A Cohiba employee told me that 80% of the Cohiba cigars smoked around the workd were fakes. This is the world we live in. Habanos can help fight this but we consumers have to play our role and fight the crooks.
@@habanonews 80%! That’s tough to hear. I just received a box of PSD4s with a noticeably smaller ring gauge, probably 46 or so, that are a bit suspicious. Habanos verified but the size difference in undeniable. Flavor profile seems lighter than my other boxes of PSD4s even with a box date of JUN22 …. 🤷🏼♂️
Those MTF, which by the way we all suspect who they are, are well aware that the box is fake. They want to give you $15,000 but then sell the fake box to someone else for $30,000
This situation is still extremely unfortunate and sad to see the shop not treating you correctly. Stay strong!
Big respect for you sir, for your credibility and desire to destroy fake box.Too bad you cant reveal shop name, we have to keep merchants accountable,especially when they don’t want to destroy fake box.
You’re doing a great service exposing these scams and frauds - thanks! It’s too bad the law in Switzerland doesn’t provide an effective remedy to charge the sellers.
Tit is a new issue and the government is not aware of it. When I called my lawyer she could not believe it. Fake cigars? Why would someone make fake cigars ?
I wish the US had the same laws about libel or slander.
THEY WANT THAT BOX BACK FOR 15K ONLY SO THEY CAN RE SELL IT! thank you for being an honorable man and not letting that happen! CHEERS and much respect man!
Sorry this happened. It's unfortunate that the laws protect those who do wrong.
Surely the company should be taking out legal action against the seller as well
If it was Gucci or another high end designer knew about a high end shop was selling fakes would take legal action
yeah i agree, HABANOS S.A. should sue the shop..
If Habanos ws sueing all the conterfeiters in the world they would spend all their money on laywers. So if you are a lawyer I understand your point. If they start sueing they need private investigators to follow the boxes and their costs will have to be added to the current box prices and prices will rise even more...
Extremely disappointing that a shop you have been a customer with for 25 years and no doubt have spent a large amount of money with have taken this stance. Money aside, loyalty is the issue. You have been loyal to them, they need to be loyal to you and do right by you.
Somebody would be missing some damn fingers if they screwed me out of a $30k investment. Idc if they knew they were fake or not.
What a nightmare. Good for you for standing beside your specific principles about making sure they admit (or don't take responsibility for) what they did, but I can only imagine the frustration.
And yes, a lot of Americans (especially some of their current politicians) seem to both misunderstand and don't appreciate the freedom of speech they have, and that that isn't the case in many places, including other western countries.
That's why I only buy at La Casas del Habano. Anyway, thanks for the update about these gangsters. I hope you'll get a favourable verdict from a tribunal/court of law one day so that you can subsequently tell us who these criminals in Geneva are.
Sorry to hear about the difficult experience. Even in Switzerland you have legal protection if you say something negative about a business that is true and correct. In this case: that you bought a cigar box that has been revealed to be fake based on your investigation. I think it would be a service to the community to see the merchant's name be disclosed
Good! I'm very pleased to see the way you're handling this GOD speed
Vrijdag premium printing (printer for Cohiba and other cigar brands) is more than capable of printing bands and labels to prevent counterfeiting.
NFC chip
infrared security Ink
Ultraviolet security Ink
Thermochromic security Ink
DNA security ink
Interference security ink
Hologram security foil
Relief security ink
Cuban cigars are a high end luxury product, maybe Habanos should take extra steps to stay ahead of counterfeiters and forgers.
With the availability and prices nowadays, you could say they owe it to their customers.
I was thinking myself...if banks can put RFID chips in everyone's debit card, and amusement parks can put them in their park passes, it must not be that expensive. So putting one on a box of cigars that cost $500+ to give the consumer peace of mind and ensure your cigars are the ones being consumed makes sense. I mean everytime a fake one is smoked that's one less that Habanos S.A. has sold. Or is it???
I agree with you. ano doubt they move towards that direction soon.
glad to have this update. Thanks
Accept the 15k and give them the box because they also have the right to demand their rights through the box from the person who sold it to them.
IM sorry about your loss! Since tge chapter #1 im folowing your fight to have back your money. Seems we gonna have now another route. Hope you get better results! This is why I dint buy cohibas, too much fakes, and as you told, getting better year after year with the new techs! All the best
Thanks for sharing. My respects to you for doing the hardest thing to do in these cases. The counterfeit must be destroyed. Also, Cuba must take the leadership on this topic. They are responsible for their official sell points…
agreed
Technically the cigars are counterfeit not fake. These may be Cuban cigars but they are not THE cigars you acquired.
Make no mistake, a LOT of people in the industry at all levels know about rampant forgeries. A lot of money is being made for all the people involved. They know.
I am sure of that. The fake market is bigger than the real one.
Best wishes mate stay strong and I’m sure there will be solution in your benefit
Fact of the matter is though they sold you the fake box... had you immediately handled it within a shorter time of reference, youd be able to probably have more pull and be able to rebuy. Also... this highlights the fact that 3rd party authentication is really important on high value items
as someone who is not under the jurisdiction of Swiss law i would love to say who it was. That way other botl and sotl would know who not to do business with
If you don’t burn shops by naming them, then your burn other future customers who will end up buying other fakes or the box that you sell back to them.
Jail for a libel or slander claim by the shop is very extreme!
he can't.... they will sue him. Switzerland laws are ridiculous.
Its unfortunate for you. But a point has been made. Take the money, return the goods and walk away, with greater wisdom and experience. All the best , good luck
Sorry for the difficult situation for something that should bring you joy. Couldn't you just have an agreement with the shop for $15,000 no questions asked? You really can't fight against these large criminal enterprises without putting yourself in harms way. The best thing to do is inform the public as you are doing.
You can send your new USA friend (me) the box for review. They will be safe with me because I don't smoke cigars! I'll post my review. :)
Found your channel because of the fake and wow.. I never knew this world existed. I smoked some cigars in my early 30's and got to the point where I could tell a good from bad.. I could taste what I liked.. I had no idea there was a collectors market for cigars of this value! Blows my mind people collect like this but I guess it's all relative. I used to have $20-$80 cigars in my little box humidor.. others have $30,000 ones.
Man.. even the $7500 you paid for it is about the price I'm trying to find a used car for my daughter :)
Really glad to hear you're able to hold to your principals. The one time I worked with a layer I had said "but it's the principal" because the other person was just wrong.. His reply "principals cost money". I learned a life lesson that day.
Hope you will be compensated with the amount that you deserve. Fight the good fight. Appreciate your videos, it educates me a lot in knowing how a real cohiba should look like. Thank you Habanos news.
Thank you Sir! Well appreciated.
I stop hunting for cubans..so many other new worlds that are better Padron, Arturo Fuente just to name a couple
The Cuban mania is another luxury goods rabbit hunt just like Rolex, prices far beyond tangible value.
Why not disclose the serial number of the humidor? This way it’s publicly known that it was verified as fake. Then take the $15K. and put this behind you. This dealer whoever it may be, knows it’s fake and they are definitely going to resell it….repugnant!
Tell your friend who the shop is and let him tell us!
I would love to know where these boxes are coming from.
Dear Monsieur L., given the status which doesnt seems to reach an agreement, in a top country like Switzerland, tribunals should solve this, not as a "box of cigars" but as a "fake" deluxe expensive product case. I think if someone gets for e.g. from a trusted non-official reseller an expensive vintage fake swiss watch, given its limited or unique existence product, it may have the proper solution in a tribunal. You have many proofs, the travel to Cuba and dossier from the manufacturer. Yet i wish you the best about this and agree on your statement about the box to be destroyed.
Thanks for taking the time to write to me. There is another issue which is time. In Swiss law you have 1 year to bring back a faulty product. It can be extended but a Swiss judge will only give me my cost back i.e.CHF 7,500. and ask me to return the box to the shop.
Thanks for the update! I don’t know the law, but if the shop now has proof that the box is fake, would that not mean that they cannot resell the box?
Hello Sir. Proof is one think. Honnesty is another one especially when no one checks
I feel so sad and sorry for what happened to you. Sure u are heart broken. . ☹️☹️☹️☹️
So even if they sign the contract accepting they are fake, you still can’t say the name of the shop?
I wonder where the fakes are being made?
Did the shop ever disclose where they purchased the forgeries from?
We’re both boxes from the same source?
Do you think the shop knew they were fake?
All boxes had the same irregularities so I believe they came from the same provider. The shop necer recognized the boxes were fake even after I showed them the findings from Habanos.
A Habanos shop is selling fakes! They should loose their right to retail all Cubans. They know who they bought the boxes from. What is the shop doing about this??
You said that the box and the bands have discrepancies. What about the cigars itself?! I ask this because in my own experience, usually the cigars are absolutely fine and authentic. Long fillers.
As mentioned in my first video. Habanos did a DNA testing of the tobacco and it is definitely not their tobacco. So it cannot be fine. It might not be a bad cigar but it is definitely what I paid for, i.e. a Majestuosos unique blend. It is a bit like saying to someone who paid a lot of money for a 50 year-old Macallan Whisky that the red Johnny Walker inside the bottle might be fine.
Maybe just happen to leave the box on its side and let the internet do its thing lol
Did you try to find a lead on the original humidor with the same number? That would be fun if you manage to find the collector or the shop who owns the original one.
I tries indeed but failed to find the real box.
Best way to combat fake cigars is to stop charging so much money for cigars. Of course you can make the same argument about all luxury goods, but at least with fashion, it's not meant to be set on fire. Hope you can get some justice in this case, all the best.
If prices go down people will stock up then prices will go up on the grey market unfortunately. I believe that only a drop in demand can push prices down.
Look, I can appreciate your position, just take the $15,000 and If someone can lay out $35,000 to purchase then Oh Well. They are most likely wealthy and It should be a learning lesson to all. Another thing is as long as they're willing to give you back at a profit, albeit not the true value the next person should be afforded the same opportunity and this problem should follow the shop around for years.
The only protection is Padron
there are rumors since long that some cigars sold at gestocigars are fake
Take it on the chin and just bury the shop as putting out fakes
I have two boxes that i also bought from a shop in Switzerland last summer that i'm not sure are authentic. the shop is not listed on the Habanos SA website as a licensed LCDH dealer and the two boxes were not purchased by this shop from the official Habanos importer/distributor for Switzerland, Intertabak AG because they don't have the official Intertabak AG seal or inspection certificate. I'm assuming these two boxes were also purchased on the grey market from a distributor other than Intertabak AG. I would like to take these two boxes to Havana and have them inspected and authenticated by Habanos SA. Can you tell me how i can get in touch with Habanos SA to make this appointment. thank you!
Hello Sir,
Please kindly message me directly on LB@habanonews.com with pictures of the receipt, box description sheet, and HD picturees of the Cohiba label. I’ll be able to tell you what to do next. Regards. Laurent
What do you think about the Cohiba Siglo de Oro, year of the rabbit? Do you think will be up in price in a couple of years? Worth the investment? Best!
My two cents. Take the money and the right to report YOUR experience. 2 make them inform and destroy the boxes is none of your concern. Have an American friend tell the story. Life is to short. Move on
If you accept their offer they have the right of drafting the terms of their agreement. Unfortunately. If you want to make it a matter of principle you can, otherwise you take the money at their conditions. It’s not fair, but that is the way law works. My proposal is that you raise, maybe with a public subscription, a shitload of money and fight them to the point of shutting them down. Someone once said that the world belongs to the shrewd…no my friend, the world belongs to the wealthy.
Thanks for the comment. I do not disagree.
How many cigar store sell cohiba majastuosos' humidor in Geneva?
none anymore at leat that I know of.
Keep up the fight!!! But in America we do have freedom of speech, but you can still be sued if you say false things. It's called slander and it happens all the time. So we're not immune either.
Here in the U.S. you can only be sued for slander or defamation if they can prove u purposely lied to ruin someone's reputation. He is not lying even if he's incorrect he believes he's telling the truth. So if in America he named the shop there couldn't be any repercussions. I think that after doing good business with them for 2 decades like he said, he's giving the shop due opportunity to correct the situation. Maybe when its all over if hes not satisfied with the outcome he may decide to just not do business with them anymore and possibly calls them out.
Well, did you try one of them? That would be the first step id take. And the 3 wrong words in the letter is nothing id bother about… i dont think theres always everything correctly written. But when habanos them selves saying its fake… maybe it is…
Did you see a „real“ box with the inletter correctly written?
support
It’s a good thing to fight. But just stop when you feel enough is enough. I have been in your kind of situations multiple times without fault of mine, but had to let go after some fights. It’s hard to keep up legal fights by one person. I say you have made enough noise. Now it’s time to move on…
you are right sir. Life is too short.
I must say : i didnt knew that the shop was in Switzerland. my assumption was that the shop was in Cuba ! thats why i said what i said( but obviously not a good idea ! ),. Honestly i didnt expect that the Swiss Eidgenossen are so lazy with counterfit Cigarrs !
I have never heard about a humidor of Majestuosos being sold in Cuba.
That humidor cost half my house.
and half of my wife's engagement ring....just kidding it was much more expensive...
Take the 15k and move on. I’d be more concerned that you may have been buying fakes from them for the last 20 years!!
I don’t believe they were selling fakes in the past. I believe they sold many fake Majestuosos. I cannot prove they knew beforehand that the humidors were fake but I know they sold the one I saw in June 2022 the day after I told them I thought it was fake when it wiuld have been more decent to keep the box and ask a specialist to check it. I have check led 90% of my cigars so far and they are ok.
🇺🇸 best place to live...1st Amendment..so many people that live here need to move and see how good they have
I know the name of the shop……..it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out😂 they got robbed not long ago….😊
What do you mean by « They got robbed »?
Sounds like swisscubancigars.....
Based on what?
Swisscubancigars do not have a shop in Geneva.
I think it's GestoCigar. I only went there once and the vibe felt weird, they didn't seem to know anything about cigars. I saw a bought of aged Romeo y Julietta panatela and they sold it to me for only 200 box, which was an alarm bell considering how expensive anything aged is, let alone a box. I also bought a couple of regionals that tasted like nothing when smoked. If I had to guess its that shop.
They sell fake Cohiba cigars online and particularly in the US.