Authorized Retailers

[dave]

Sorry....I should have ignored the thread. I still honestly don't understand the question. Aside from jledou's very good point about quality and price control, of course.

I guess, to me, if I'm confident that the product is genuine and has been cared for, I don't much care one way or another if a source is 'authorized' by the manufacturer or not. I'll do my own research on pricing. In fact, more often than not, the arrangements between manufacturer (or distributor) and retail pisses me off as opposed to improving my experience. Price controls, internet sale restrictions, minimum B&M facings, min B&M monthly purchases, local reps who are pricks and artificially affect regional availability....all leave a bad taste in my mouth. And let's not even get into 'authorized' shops that will sell complete inventory of 'LE' stock to privledged individuals who often just turn around and flip the merchandise.

And....my most selfish point is to confirm what you said above, Felix...if I work at it a little, I can often get the cigars I want at a better price by NOT buying from 'authorized' sources -- and when I do, I really have no sympathy for the authorized retailers, nor for the manufacturers....only exception I can think of is those dirt bags that stole the cigars from the AB warehouse -- I certainly wouldn't want any part of that secondary market. Sure hope they catch those batidges.