EMS - What's the difference?

[big bopper]

I was wondering about this the other day, with most of my supply coming from overseas. Is there a marked difference in quality?

[PeeJay]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the difference is that the EMS quality is guaranteed so you can take one back if it is duff.

[cigarmo]

And you get a free sticker, and who doesn't like stickers

[Simon G]

My guess is quality control (to ensure authencity).

[rascal]

Nope.

[Budgie Smuggler]

My guess is that EMS is nothing more than a ruse to try & justify the artificially high prices that we are forced to pay in the UK, but that's just my opinion.

[sheppsea]

EMS just means you pay double the amount for the cigars; I have never noticed any difference between EMS and non-EMS (and if anything have had more plugged/very tight EMS cigars)

EMS = Elaborate Marketing Strategy?

[butternutsquashpie]

Not elaborate at all

Even More Sales!

Sent by the Enigma on BlackBerry.

[TonyN]

Think it's more to do with quality control.

[Deano]

Think it's more to do with quality control.

Pretty much this.

[judders]

Does anyone know what the additional quality control steps are?

[sheppsea]

EMS - What's the difference?

I suspect the are just ensuring the cigars aren't too tight/loose etc - the stuff you would normally look for when buying a cigar), but I don't know. The following link outlines what EMS is on H&F website:

http://www.cigars.co.uk/ems/

It would be interesting to know how many cigars are sent back that don't pass the additional check

[Simon G]

Maybe they ensure the products are directly from where they should be.
Ensure the cigars aren't mouldy, etc. And then slap on a sticker

[monkey66]

My understanding is it is some level of quality control. I know of some master-cases that have been rejected completely and sent back by H and F. I have also been with UK retailers when we have opened a box and they have said they are 'not up to standard' and have returned them.

This relationship may lead to HSA being more selective with the stock they ship to the UK but certainly nothing that is ever going to be publicly admitted (or else they would have to concede they send sub-prime stock to other distributors).

I do not believe it is a per-box inspection/selection process.

A lot of information is based on a historical reputation.

It is worth saying that there (to the best of my knowledge) never been an accusation of counterfeit sticks from any genuine H and F stock. This cannot be said for all suppliers.

It is by no means a guarantee of quality when smoking but I believe they will pretty much replace anything the retailer (and probably the customer) considers below par. Certainly I have had many cigars refunded/replaced if I am with a retailer and they were crap.

To give credit to H and F they have a very close relationship with HSA.

None of this justifies UK retail prices IMHO.

NB - there have been faked H and F stickers as well although never seen them in the UK.

[big bopper]

It is by no means a guarantee of quality when smoking but I believe they will pretty much replace anything the retailer (and probably the customer) considers below par. Certainly I have had many cigars refunded/replaced if I am with a retailer and they were crap.

Having had a box recently in which the majority were plugged, I can certainly see the merit in this. Given the price though I'm still more tempted to roll the dice with duty free!