grand cru no 2 said:
The Master said:
Matt, good post. I would like to see how many people would do a pass if there was a rule in place to not have a host bag. I am obviously very jaded when it comes to peoples motives for holding a pass. Must be all my years spent in sales where almost every buyer is a liar. LOL
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I started a pass not long after joining CigarPass and had no idea about any host bag. I started the pass simply because I liked the idea of it. When the pass returned there was no host bag and I was very happy with the result. In fact I thought guys went above and a beyond with their light takes and heavy puts.
I participate in other peoples passes often and try to pay it forwad as much as I can. I just have to believe that this is the general nature of the members of this board, not to take advantage of other members.
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Same here, Harris - the last pass I hosted had no "host bag", but there were a couple of surprises in the box at the end... I neither expected it, nor did I ask for it. Not that I wasn't pleased...
And I am asked to participate in a number of box passes. I'm kinda with MattR on this - it's a pain in the butt tracking and keeping up with the passes. I do like to participate because I like to pay back those bastids who have beaten me into submission with their generosity... :laugh: And I am mindful that, even though it's a minor pain sometimes, I should be gracious and participate when asked. And I do. To me - it's the "right" thing to do - it's an integral part of being in this community.
And NEVER - in any of the box passes or PIF's I've ever been involved in have I used the pass as a way of getting rid of the cigars I don't like. To me - that's VERY tacky. I have been known to drop my "less than desireable" cigars in a box and send them to people I know would enjoy them (yes - there are those out there that like the "less than desireable" cigars...). But, in all honesty, there are very few "less than desirable" cigars in my humidor. Remember - most of what I smoke comes from bombs, trades, passes, box splits, group buys and my local B&M. So - being the community that this is (a pretty honorable community) - very little I get is not of high quality, or at least very smokeable.
I have not had similar experiences on other boards. I have been witness to some very strange deals - and wonder why someone is allowed to get away with it (i.e. - taking 6 cigars from the pass, and putting in 15 cigars - equally worth $100, but not cigar for cigar). You end up with all the Opus', Edicion de Silvio's, high end Padron's, desireable ISOM's, etc. being taken, and a bunch of JR Alts and other bundled cigars being put in their place. To me - something is just terribly wrong with that... And the board does not allow members to complain about that. I'm sorry - that does not make the pass enjoyable for me.
I've even had individuals in my passes say they want to trade out a much lesser cigar for one of the premiums. I say skip on the trade - do something else instead - and I'll ship you the premium if you really want to try it. To me - that's the way to make it fair to the other participants.
But, Harris - I think it gets back to your sketicism and questioning of motives. I believe if you were confident all would come out in the wash - you'd probably want to participate. If you didn't feel like others were bent on taking advantage of you, you may be interested in participating. I know there is very little you can't get - so there really would be no need to participate - but maybe there is something in that box pass that may appeal to you. I'd hate to think that you don't in some way say to yourself - "I'd really like to try that, but I'm skeptical of the participants motives...".
As hard as it is - and as PO'd as some people get about the "bickering", the fact remains I believe this board has a core of some very honest, caring and generous members. And I hope you see that as a sign to you that you can confidently participate in these activities.
But the absolute beauty of this board is - you can participate and be accepted in the community WITHOUT participating in box passes, group buys, box splits, PIF's, etc. - that is not a requirement for being a member of this community.