Mold upon opening new box of cigars

[Alexw33]

I've just bought a box of monte 4s and 5s, pack of 5 RG perlas and 3 tubed H upmann 46's. while the montes are fine the perlas have a fair amount of mold on them and the Upmanns a lesser amount. Ive had mold before when I didnt keep my humidor very well last summer but I have never had new cigars I've bought already have it. I told the vendor and he has just said its normal and nothing to worry about. This is not acceptable to me as it seems these have been stored in poor conditions, has anyone else had any experiences like this and should I let it go and just deal with them or demand a refund or replacement?

On a side note I will post pictures when I have resolved this.

Thanks.

[Sean]

I would deffo ask for replacements. As you have said mold is down to poor conditions. Seems you have spent a few bob i wouldn't let this go mate

[Simon Bolivar]

Take a hog hair artist brush or similar & see if mold brushes off. If so not a problem, if it doesn't brush off return to sender.

[Alexw33]

I have no problem with getting rid of the mold it's just the vendors response that I question, I have never experienced it before on delivery and him saying "it's normal, it happens all the time" sounds like a poor excuse to me. I've probably only purchased a few dozen boxes in my life so wondered if any more seasoned cigar smokers had experienced anything similar.

[snooky]

As Simon says and if brushes off, then give a gentle squeeze if all seems well give some box rest all should be ok. Are they EMS ? what is the box date ?

[monkey66]

Mould is considered 'normal' in many parts of Europe ...indeed inevitable. If it is minor and brushes off don't worry but consider if you want to deal again with the retailer.

For me unless it was major or on the foot of the cigars I probably wouldn't even bother to tell the retailer.

[Alexw33]

As Simon says and if brushes off, then give a gentle squeeze if all seems well give some box rest all should be ok. Are they EMS ? what is the box date ?

They are a cardboard pack of 5 and a pack of 3 tubed, might be wrong but didn't think they have dates on them. Will check when I get home though if that is the case.

[Alexw33]

Mould is considered 'normal' in many parts of Europe ...indeed inevitable. If it is minor and brushes off don't worry but consider if you want to deal again with the retailer.

For me unless it was major or on the foot of the cigars I probably wouldn't even bother to tell the retailer.

Thanks, I will do that then, going to set up a tupodor to store them in for a while as I don't want to risk precious stock

[snooky]

Now for the pics ? Im sure they will be ok.

[Alexw33]

Now for the pics ? Im sure they will be ok.

I will certainly try at the weekend

[tippexx]

Cigar mould is funny stuff .... it can develop slowly over months or very suddenly overnight. Unpressurised cargo holds, damp atmospheric conditions, warm PO sorting offices can all impact, especially at this time of year.

A vendor oughtn't be dismissive, well not if he wants to retain a customer, but as the others have said, provided the mould is not in the foot, brush it off and your smokes should be fine.