With hundreds of cigar vendors online nowadays, it’s often challenging to find out which are the best – and safest – to order from. Some sites have super-cheap prices. Others carry brands that the others don’t. Some only specialize in higher-end cigars. So, in addition to there being hundreds of vendors, there are lots of parameters that will affect what vendor(s) to use. But having ordered cigars from lots of – and primarily from – online retailers, I thought I’d share my thoughts.
As an aside, when I first wrote this, I tried to combine my buying method with the online stores I shop from. But that proved to be difficult, so after a bit of thought, I decided to just write about the different online stores I buy from and my experience with them.
The reason why I chose not to share my buying process is because every online retailer has great specials at any time. For instance, last year CI had an email special for boxes of Undercrown Maduro Toro Especial for $29.99 a box. I bought four boxes. So, given that, when I’m looking for cigars, I just look at most of the sites and go with the one that has the lowest price.
As for the retailers, to make this list, the only requirement was that they had some sort of free shipping. Also, since I’m in California, I only buy from sites that don’t make me pay the California tobacco tax. That rules out sites like Small Batch because whatever savings I’d have up front would be lost to the high tax. Perhaps eventually all the sites will be put on notice with California to charge the tobacco tax, but as long as there are sites out there that don’t charge it, I’ll be shopping there!
Here are the sites I regularly purchase from (note: they’re not in any particular order):
Atlantic
Atlantic is quickly becoming one of my favorite sites to shop. I originally went there because it was one of the only sites that carried Regius sticks. But as I explored the site more, I found that they have incredible deals on lots of different sticks. Their Specials page is where it’s at for me. I’m not sure how they do it, but it’s filled with 10-packs that blow most of the competition out of the water – even CigarPage’s Scorchers! Their box prices are also super-competitive and oftentimes way better than CigarPage.
Their shipping is also fast. Like MiamiHumidor, I can count on getting my sticks within three days of ordering. They also pack sticks in airtight containers with a humidification pack. All the sticks I’ve ordered from them have been nice and fresh.
Truth be told, I’ve tended to buy specific brands from Atlantic: La Aurora, Curivari, Trinidad, and Regius. But with all their 10-pack specials and great box pricing, this has become the first place I look for sticks. Plus, no one has better prices and availability for Umbagog Bronzebacks.
MiamiHumidor
This is the place I go to get Paul Stulac and now Don Emmanuel cigars. For Paul Stulac sticks, there’s no better place to get them. Their prices cannot be beat. The only bummer is that they don’t have the Katman stick which is exclusive to Small Batch. Also, their prices are super-competitive with much larger operations and they ship FAST. I usually get an order within three days of ordering and the cigars always come packed in an airtight container with a Boveda pack.
Honestly, I originally shopped there only for Paul Stulac cigars but when I saw their prices on other stuff, they became one of the sites I search for cigars of any kind.
On top of that, their customer service is stellar. Twice they’ve contacted me directly when there was an issue with my order and resolved them within minutes. Another time I contacted them because I forgot to add a coupon code to my order and they honored it, even after they ran my credit card! Nice!
CigarPage
CP is well-known on the Internet as having great deals and lots of people recommend them and for good reason. Their Scorcher and blowout deals can be awesome. But with the exception of a few of brands, as of late I’ve found there are better deals elsewhere. I mainly buy Black Swan bundles from them or if they have an insane deal on something I’ll pull the trigger.
Buying from CP feels like buying from a clearinghouse. That’s not necessarily a bad thing but unlike other stores that regularly stock certain brands, I can’t always rely on CP for consistent stock. For instance, they started carrying Curivari. At first, they only had a couple of lines, then within a week they had several lines which have since reduced. So, what I think they’re doing is finding overstock from other retailers then flipping it. It’s great because there are great prices but they don’t always have what I want.
BUT, that said, I tend to be wary of their 10- or 5-pack deals. Some deals are fantastic, but many aren’t very good deals at all when you break the cost down to price per stick. So buyer beware! And even though their Scorcher deals may look to be good, many times they’re not. I always, always look at the price per stick and compare to other sites!
Also, shipping with CP is hit or miss. Sometimes my orders come within a few days, other times they take a couple of weeks. Also, there’s a lot of variation in how they pack their cigars. Sometimes I get Boveda packs, other times I don’t. Though most times cigars shipped in boxes, there have been other times where they come in unpadded UPS bags. No bueno.
That said, though I have slowed the amount I order from them, I still look at CP as one of the first sites to check when I’m searching for sticks. There are sometimes I go there and unexpectedly find that they carry a stick I’m looking for and it’s for an incredible price!
CigarBid
CigarBid is another clearinghouse for cigars and it’s the place I go to get most of my bundles of CAO Brazilia, La Gloria Cubana, Alec Bradley Magic Toast, AJ New World, and other value sticks. I’ve gotten a couple of good scores on Undercrown Maduro, but there are other sites that sell boxes cheaper.
The thing about CigarBid is that it is easy to get distracted by the energy of the auctions. Bear in mind that they charge for shipping, so you have to factor shipping and taxes into your max bid. I’ve learned my lesson the hard way thinking I got a great deal but after shipping and taxes, ended up paying more than competitors.
Also, CigarBid uses a Yankee bidding system. People are used to the eBay style of auctions. But in the case of a Yankee auction, you should bid early because you’ll often get your sticks at a better price than what the final bid goes for. Yeah, it’s a bit of a game.
CigarPlace
This is a sleeper site that I discovered while searching for Curivari. I will buy Curivari sticks from here if CigarPage or Atlantic doesn’t have the one I’m after. They’re also a big Gran Habano retailer and usually have the best price on the Corojo #5 Maduro. But unless I’m after Curivari or Gran Habano, I usually check this site to price compare.
Other Sites
I will occasionally check the following sites if I can’t find what I’m looking for at the sites above or simply to price compare. But my experience with these sites is that their prices aren’t usually that competitive.
- Hiland’s Cigars – I don’t always buy from them, but if I do, I usually call them direct because I found I can get better deals by speaking with a person than their online prices. Also, if I’m in Scottsdale, I will go to their store. They give great prices to walk-in traffic.
- Famous Smoke – I occasionally buy from Famous, but usually for only deals I can’t get elsewhere. For instance, I recently got four boxes of LGC 8th Street for $50/box. Not bad.
- Best Cigar Prices – I have only purchased from these guys on occasion, but they get a lot of love online. I have seen some very good deals there so I typically use them for price comparison.
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