Verifying Habanos

[national12]

bar code checking

I tried some barcodes from 3 packs I bought a few months ago. Apparently I am a victim of fraud. But how recent must the bar code be for this to work?

I tried one from each online vendor i have purchased from and none of the bar codes are recognized as authentic. Maybe they're all fake. I thought I knew a bad cigar when I tasted one.

Maybe I've just gotten used to the taste of fake CCs.

we are talking about Cuba here,nothing works correctly to start with.i have no doubt all your Cigars are genuine.same thing has happened to me and i think i know what a CoRo tastes like by now,having bought from different vendors over the years.

[cohibaIV]

[PoohBore]

Just checked my box of PSD4's and after selecting the scanner option rather than manual it came back as verified.

Happy as a pig in poo !

[cj121]

Anyone got a pic or so of the barcodes and their position as none of my small collection of boxes have any.

[Tariacuri]

Interesting, I just got an 08 box of Lusitanias and the barcode and hologram were sliced off.

No doubt the sticks were real but was wondering about the surgery on the seals.

I had also assumed the box would be from the last year - perhaps not a popular size. I suppose most of us don't have 2+ spare hours to chill with a large cigar anymore. Sad statement.

[cj121]

Hi Tariacuri,

A theory was put forward, earlier in this thread:


"There's a reason why some barcodes are razored off.. Some distributors are selling to vendors, when they aren't suppose to, so they razor off the barcodes so Habanos and Altadis won't be to track them down. For example, Pacific Cigar Company (Asian Distributor), razors off their barcodes before selling their product to 1001cubancigars, a Swiss vendor.

Remember that as a distributor, you're only suppose to sell your product to a specific region. "

If you've already read this, apologies.

[PoohBore]

it would be worth playing about a bit with the checker site's options. Mine worked but only after i played about a bit.

[tippexx]

Hi Tariacuri,

A theory was put forward, earlier in this thread:


"There's a reason why some barcodes are razored off.. Some distributors are selling to vendors, when they aren't suppose to, so they razor off the barcodes so Habanos and Altadis won't be to track them down. For example, Pacific Cigar Company (Asian Distributor), razors off their barcodes before selling their product to 1001cubancigars, a Swiss vendor.

Remember that as a distributor, you're only suppose to sell your product to a specific region. "

If you've already read this, apologies.

Would that not be a bit like Tesco's selling their Heinz Baked Beans to the PoundShop so that the PoundShop could sell them at a lesser price than they do. Dos'nt sound much of a sound retailing proposition to me. Especially when the Pacific area is an expanding market and has more than enough shop and online vendors to keep Pacific Cigar Happy.
Tesco would NOT risk pissing off Heinz. Pacific Cigar would NOT risk pissing off Habanos SA. (At the end of the day it only takes one disgruntled employee with a razor to e-mail Habanos). And neither, would I think deliberately offer up price advantages to their competition, especially in today's world where the e-fight for cigar sales is no longer confined to areas.

[Stevieboy]

I think the vendors are willing to risk the wrath of their suppliers in order to get a sale...without the barcode, they're untraceable?!?!

[tippexx]

I think the vendors are willing to risk the wrath of their suppliers in order to get a sale...without the barcode, they're untraceable?!?!

Not quite .... they would also need to remove the unique serial number from the Warranty Seal. Somehow I don't think Hunters and Frankau would take too kindly to any of our UK vendors doing stuff like that!

[TeeEmmBee]

Interesting. I recently got a box of 15 Hoyo Epicure Especial Tubos. These had a smaller newer warranty seal with holgram plus barcode stuck over a larger older seal. Both warranty seals appear sharp and qenuine as does the holgram. I put the 7 digit code in to the Habanos website and it says I'm a victim of fraud!

Personally I have little doubt that these are genuine items. Apart from the proper high quality of the warranty seals, hologram and packaging, I find it unlikely that such a cigar as Epicure Especials in tubes would be faked.

[Stevieboy]

Not quite .... they would also need to remove the unique serial number from the Warranty Seal.

Doh!! Of course they would

[Tariacuri]

Thanks - it gave me a start at first till I figured out what was going on.

Hi Tariacuri,

A theory was put forward, earlier in this thread:


"There's a reason why some barcodes are razored off.. Some distributors are selling to vendors, when they aren't suppose to, so they razor off the barcodes so Habanos and Altadis won't be to track them down. For example, Pacific Cigar Company (Asian Distributor), razors off their barcodes before selling their product to 1001cubancigars, a Swiss vendor.

Remember that as a distributor, you're only suppose to sell your product to a specific region. "

If you've already read this, apologies.

[Vision]

The site was making mistakes when it first debuted. It might be working correctly now.

[cbob]

I've also had all my barcodes rejected as "fraud" by the Habanos web tool. These are all cigars bought recently from established businesses in Havana and I have the facturas with the barcode s/n listed.

I sent Habanos a note. I think every barcode is being rejected. I don't know anyone who has been successful checking codes on boxes they bought in Cuba.