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(3) The second scoring element is on the breadth of brands offered. This segment was worth 15 percent last year, but has been increased to 20 percent this year and the brand list has been changed to reflect cigars with high sales volumes at varying level of cost. Each brand carried by one of the top 25 vendors was worth two points: Arturo Fuente, Avo, Baccarat, Excalibur, Gispert (a huge value seller), Hoyo de Monterrey, La Gloria Cubana, Montecristo, Partagas and Saint Luis Rey (another big cigar for value). (4) Finally, shipping and handling charges were taken into account, also counting for 20 percent of the final score, up from 10 percent last year. Fixed-price shipping costs earned the highest scores, with shipping of $5.00 or less for the first item and less thereafter earning the full compliment of 20 points. So who scored best? For the first time in the four years of rankings, the nation’s largest cigar retailer – J-R Cigars – earned the top spot. The Burlington, North Carolina giant scored 97.6 out of a possible 100 points to edge BestCigarPrices.com of Stone Ridge, New York (96.0) for first place. These were the only two retailers under the new scoring system to earn 90 or more points and were close in all categories. J-R led in the 4-cigar price test, but Best led in the 16-cigar price test. Both had perfect breadth scores but J-R’s extra-low shipping program of $2.50 per item was the difference-maker. Less than five points separated the next four: Bonita Smoke Shop of Bonita Springs, Florida (88.8), Cigars International (87.2), Famous Smoke Shop (86.4) and Holt’s of Philadelphia (84.0). It’s the first time Bonita has cracked our top ten after being very close previously. The rest of the top ten includes last year’s no. 1, Mike’s Cigars of Bay Harbor, Florida (80.8), Philadelphia-based Abner’s World (75.6) and L’il Brown Smoke Shack of Yakima, Washington and AtlanticCigar.com of Elmsford, New York in a tie for ninth (67.2). Honorable mention must be made of TNT Cigars of Phoenix, which had extraordinarily low pricing, but does not carry the H. Upmann brand except for one size. It was not, therefore, eligible to be ranked in the top 25. In our exclusive Comparison Shopper, Abner’s World, Bonita Smoke Shop and L’il Brown Smoke Shack will be added and Habana House, Tinderbox.com and TNT Cigars will be deleted. No doubt the line-up will be changed against next year. Our reader’s-only special of the week: Mike’s Cigars is celebrating its fourth straight year in the top ten with a nice special just for readers of this site. Its La Flor del Caney line, an update of an old Cuban brand, is on sale for up to 33 percent off, plus a 10-cigar bonus of Mike’s Best Cigars Sampler (two each of the 898 Collection, Bauza, Licenciados, Mike’s 1950 and La Flor del Caney). That makes 35 cigars in this deal for between $74.95 to $87.50 . . . not bad at all! Click here to take advantage of this readers-only special. Our thanks to Mike’s for the offer; you can buy as many of these specials as you like until 9 a.m. Eastern time on Monday, May 5, or until supplies run out. ~ Rich Perelman CLASSIFIED ADVERTISINGCigar Humidors and Cigar Accessories at Humidor Vault! Your online cigar humidor source, with rock-bottom pricing and fantastic customer support!Like sports? Get news and commentary you won’t see in your morning newspaper at TheSportsExaminer.com! Join the examination! A limited amount of classified advertising is available in this space on a weekly basis. For details, call Pat Harris at (213) 365-7965 or inquire by email by clicking here. Have an opinion? You can send it using the “Comment” button below! Don’t forget to register for our drawing for free cigars and accessories! Just click on the “Register & Win” button above; enter today! Looking for a cigar party? Take a look at our exclusive list of hundreds of cigar events across the country, listed by state and date, only on CigarCyclopedia.com!
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Jim Cordonier
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| JR has been my main supplier for some time. I also use Cigar Intl., Famous and Mike's. JR definitely has the best website and their newly introduced "Daily Double" has me checkiing every day. Lew is a trip, and while some others have taken his lead, none compare to his wit. Also, his Vintage Cigar Club is very enticing. CI and Famous have some great sampler deals. I don't buy many of the house brands but, there again I think JR with his Ultimate and Ult. Club Cabinet leads the way. Also, he married a girl from my area so he must be OK, even if he did come from east of the Mississippi. | |
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