Cigar Geeks

Marketplace => Online Retailer Perspectives => Topic started by: nwb on 07/24/2014 10:48 AM

Title: Thompson Cigar
Post by: nwb on 07/24/2014 10:48 AM
http://www.thompsoncigar.com/

Thompson Cigar
5401 Hangar Ct
Tampa, FL 33634
Tel: 800-237-2559

Presence @ Geeks: No
Title: RE: Thompson Cigar
Post by: nirab on 07/24/2014 10:51 AM
Um, no thank you!  :biggrin:
Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: freakydeakydutchman on 07/24/2014 11:41 AM
not that i would order from them.. but why the haiting on thompson cigar here.. it seem like alot of people dont like them.?
Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: Camshaft83 on 07/24/2014 12:22 PM
I bought from them along time ago and the selection and prices were good but customer service sucked. I had set up a reacurring order through them and they wouldn't let me cancel it and kept charging me. I ended up canceling that credit card.
Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: tvolball on 07/24/2014 12:45 PM
I have never bought from them but I have a few buddies that have and they said they get called on a regular basis about buying more. On the upside, I get a quarterly mailer from them and they have had some really great deals in it, I just have never bought any of them.
Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: dddddmorgan on 07/24/2014 12:46 PM
I've ordered a couple of times from Thompson; both times were a little over two years ago.

My first order I did a lot of button clicking to assure that I didn't have a recurring order, seems I missed a button as the next month I got an order automatically. The customer service rep seemed to be very helpful and got things sorted out so I went ahead and placed another order.

Eventually I had two recurring orders, long story made short, I had a lawyer who owed me a favor and after a strongly worded letter my automatic orders quit.

That was two years ago, I have no experience since then. Thompson's seems to have good specials and such but with a plethora of online retailers to choose from I have no need to return to them.

To be fair, if any other retailer treated me as Thompson's did I wouldn't return to them either.
Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: sauraspop on 07/24/2014 01:18 PM
Over the years I have bought from Thompson and even belonged to their cigar club at one time. I never have had any problem with them, and while I was a club member, never had trouble suspending an order or changing the cigars I requested with club membership. I just got tired of having to call all the time to make changes or suspend the auto ship. I haven't bought rom them in a while (don't buy from anyone that frequently except my B&M and cigarplace.biz) but I would buy from them if the price was right. Still look at their catalog when they send it. At one time they were about the only catalog and online store out there.
Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: Vroomp on 07/24/2014 01:55 PM

I too, once belonged to Thompson's COM club. After I quit they continued to call me about reinstatement into the club for a couple months. I finally informed them I would never go back to the club and to please remove my number and email for future calls which they did.

I now buy from them regularly (for about three years now)  since they are the only ones that have two of my favorite daily smokes. The Alec Bradley K147 Robusto and the My Father La Reloba Seleccion Oscuro. I order these about every two months and never receive phone calls anymore..... I am quite satisfied with the current arrangement and I get bonus sticks/ extra 5 packs/ free shipping/ discounts from time to time as well and no pesky emails!   :-)

Title: RE: Thompson Cigar
Post by: gitfiddl on 07/24/2014 02:52 PM
I've never had an issue with Thompson.  Over the years I've purchased a probably half a dozen of their Cherrywood humi combos back when they were in the $20-30 range.  The humidors I haven't given away are still solid.  My son is still using the one I gave him with no issues, as is my neighbor.  I've NEVER been contacted by them by phone.  Most of their house brands aren't that great and they change quite frequently (I think a lot of them are re-labeled over-runs and seconds), but I kind of like their Don Lugo and Phoenix brands as knock-around better than average yard-gars, and look for deals on them.  

And like Brad (Vroomp) said, they do have some stuff you can't find any where else.

As for them not reaching out and interacting, I remember Dad getting catalogs when I was a kid and I'll be 49 in December.  I'm pretty sure they've got a substantial part of the geezer market wrapped up and aren't that interested in being the first choice of the buyer looking for the latest boutique cigar.
Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: Cigary on 07/24/2014 03:26 PM
Thompsons is one Vendor who is the Gurkha of Cigars......sometimes they are good but most times you know they are reaching into your pocket while they are holding a conversation with you.  It's the smart consumer who just looks both ways....finds a good deal...makes the purchase and doesn't leave any email address for them to hound you.  It's strictly a hunt and purchase Vendor.
Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: freakydeakydutchman on 07/24/2014 03:49 PM
ok good to know.. i should be safe.... they dont ship to Canada
Title: RE: Thompson Cigar
Post by: Ken Kelley on 07/24/2014 05:34 PM
Quotegitfiddl - 7/24/2014  5:52 AM

I've never had an issue with Thompson.  Over the years I've purchased a probably half a dozen of their Cherrywood humi combos back when they were in the $20-30 range.  The humidors I haven't given away are still solid.  My son is still using the one I gave him with no issues, as is my neighbor.  I've NEVER been contacted by them by phone.  Most of their house brands aren't that great and they change quite frequently (I think a lot of them are re-labeled over-runs and seconds), but I kind of like their Don Lugo and Phoenix brands as knock-around better than average yard-gars, and look for deals on them.  

And like Brad (Vroomp) said, they do have some stuff you can't find any where else.

As for them not reaching out and interacting, I remember Dad getting catalogs when I was a kid and I'll be 49 in December.  I'm pretty sure they've got a substantial part of the geezer market wrapped up and aren't that interested in being the first choice of the buyer looking for the latest boutique cigar.


A lot of the geezer traffic might be due to Thompson ads in Field and Stream, Outdoor Life, and other magazines of the sort. I remember seeing ads for Thompson cigars way back when I was a pup. And, yeah, the magazines were printed with moveable type even way back then...on Gutenberg presses!  :biggrin:
Title: RE: Thompson Cigar
Post by: nwb on 07/25/2014 04:55 AM
:lmao: @ Ken.

Although it has been quite some time, I've ordered from Thompson before with minimal problems.  The order was accurate, it was shipped quickly, and the cigars were in great condition.  The only drawback was I received multiple calls from their telemarketing department.  After the initial call, I did not answer any of the others, and they stopped calling after about a week.
Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: Remodelx15 on 08/04/2014 06:09 PM
When I got into this hobby a few months ago I placed my first online order with Thompsons.  Got the product in a timely fashion and in good shape, no complaints.  They sent a ton of follow up emails which has slowed down to once a week or so now.  They never called me, so that hasn't been a problem.
Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: Cfickter on 08/04/2014 06:41 PM
ordered early in my on-line buying years.  Never had an issue with quality or shipping just like many others the constant calls about joining the club, yada, yada, yada...
Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: Chrism305 on 08/04/2014 07:35 PM
I use their auction site to buy Padron 1926's. I can usually get a box in the mid to low $130's. Other than that I can usually shop better other places.
Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: Hot Stuff x on 08/05/2014 01:33 AM
Only problem I have with them is the few times I have ordered from them, it took a long time to get the cigars.  I usually get orders from other vendors in 10 days or less.  Thompson orders are three weeks or more, consistently.
Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: 05Venturer on 08/05/2014 06:38 AM
I have placed a few orders with Thompson and was completely satisfied. Never received any phone calls or emails. Got my orders timely and good pricing. No problems for me plus I do get a catalog occasionally in the mail which I love paging through. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: Cigary on 08/05/2014 08:07 AM
If u need to find somebody. ..give Thompsons their name. ..best detectives in the biz!
Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: benchjockey on 08/05/2014 09:03 AM

QuoteCigary - 8/5/2014  11:07 AM  If u need to find somebody. ..give Thompsons their name. ..best detectives in the biz!

 

This is true. I haven't ordered from Thompson in years and certainly not since I moved to Florida. I have ordered from several other online

sources, however. Thompson started sending a catalogue to the woman I'm living with--and she isn't a cigar smoker. They must have learned

someone in this house is buying cigars.

Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: Brlesq on 08/18/2014 10:14 AM
Over a dozen years ago I bought their $19.99 entry level humidor/cigar combination for a neighbor that was starting to take up the hobby.  Started getting calls to join their cigar club and a ton of solicitation emails to my work email address.  Tried to get them to stop, so they stopped directly but sold my email to a list of spammers that continue daily to try and sell me cigars (none of them say "Thompson", but the link you click on takes you to the Thompson website.)  The spammers probably collect a click through fee.   I still get 3-4 of these every day!
Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: Chip Lemaster on 08/18/2014 01:44 PM
I have always had good service with Thompson's,  got one call about the COM club told them no way and have never been asked again,,,even their boxes arrived in great shape compared to other places,,,again my $0.03,,
Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: DonM on 09/03/2014 10:46 AM
Ok so I broke down and bought some La Reloba Oscura from them on Friday of Labor Day weekend. They called me on Tuesday, before I even got my cigars in the mail. They didn't even wait until I got to smoke one!  I let it ring. The next time they call we will have a conversation about them not calling if they want me to order from them again
Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: clami on 12/18/2014 12:33 PM
Just tried to order from them, and get this email about verifying my age (cause they hand out credit cards to lots of minors these days??).  They wanted me to send them a picture of my Drivers License.  I don't think so.  Canceled the order.  Seems very shady to me.
Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: DonM on 12/18/2014 01:27 PM
Quoteclami - 12/18/2014  3:33 PM

Just tried to order from them, and get this email about verifying my age (cause they hand out credit cards to lots of minors these days??).  They wanted me to send them a picture of my Drivers License.  I don't think so.  Canceled the order.  Seems very shady to me.

A new policy?  I would have been reluctant to send them a pic of mine as well. Any one else had this happen?
Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: Ken Kelley on 12/18/2014 01:32 PM
QuoteDonM - 12/18/2014  4:27 AM

Quoteclami - 12/18/2014  3:33 PM

Just tried to order from them, and get this email about verifying my age (cause they hand out credit cards to lots of minors these days??).  They wanted me to send them a picture of my Drivers License.  I don't think so.  Canceled the order.  Seems very shady to me.

A new policy?  I would have been reluctant to send them a pic of mine as well. Any one else had this happen?


Yikes! That reminds me that I need to get my driver's license renewed by the 22nd!  :-0
Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: Vroomp on 12/18/2014 01:41 PM
That seems very suspect to me... :?:
Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: Hot Stuff x on 12/20/2014 02:58 AM

I ran into this age verification issue a couple of years ago with CI.  Here is part of the email they sent me, my initial reply, and their follow up.  I was able to satisfy their age verification by providing a former residential address.  This was a one-time thing and I never got asked again:                

"Les, Thank you for choosing Cigars International. For future orders we will need some additional information. Due to pending FDA regulations, age verification will be required for the purchase of cigar products. So that we are in compliance, Cigars International has elected to begin verifying now. We will do everything we can to make verification as easy as possible. We are committed to providing you with the highest level of service, while maintaining the privacy and security of your personal information. We are using a third party company, Veratad Technologies, to assure that you are of legal age to purchase cigar products. With the information we have on file for you, Veratad was unable to confirm your age with the publicly available information contained in their databases. In most cases it’s a simple fix. We’ve found that verifications can be stalled due to minor spelling or punctuation differences. If you could please call me at 1-888-244-2790 extension 713, I can troubleshoot the situation and get this cleared up in no time."            

 

 

My Reply:    

 

Evan,    I live overseas and work on a U.S. military base, so calling you is very inconvenient, not only due to the time difference, but also because it is an international phone call, and thus not "toll-free" for me.   Let me know if there is some other way I can accomodate your age verification requirement.  Perhaps I could provide some information via email?  What kind of proof of age would you require?    Sincerely, Les  

 

 Counter-reply from CI:    

 

"Les, My apologies, we have an email drafted up for those that are abroad. Basically there are two options. The first of which is to provide a few old residential addresses that you lived at in America. The reason I ask for these is due to the fact Veratad’s database dates back six to seven years and also does not verify at APO’s. The second option, which is the solution if the old addresses do not work is to send in a photo copy of an ID. The ID has to simply have your name and date of birth, everything else can be blacked out. Most people have sent their driver’s license or passport, I have also received military ID’s. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to ask. Below I will attach the general email we are sending to those outside of the country. Thank you for choosing Cigars International. Respectfully, Evan XXXX Verification Specialist Cigars International"

Title: RE: Thompson Cigar
Post by: okieeagle on 12/03/2015 11:06 AM
Outside of their extensive selection of cigars, their very competitive prices, and proven quality in their products I have always found Thompson's customer service to be nothing but stellar. A good example is my call to them today. I have been receiving their 5 cigar sampler pack for quite some time. I have also recently inventoried my humidor in the Cigar Geeks Humidor application. Of course, I was not much of an aficionado and thus I would simply give the sample pack newsletter a read, then simply discard it. Well, I now need that information to properly determine when I purchased these cigars to add that information to the Cigar Geeks Humidor application. So, I called Thompson's and simply asked if they had them. Not only did they say they did, up to a certain date of maybe a year or two back, they offered to gather them for me, and mail them to me Wow, now, not only do I have the information I need, I can also get into the habit of keeping that for reference, and to make notes when I smoke these cigars.

I know there are many online cigar retailers, and I am absolutely open to checking others out, but quite honestly, with service, selection and price being primary considerations I really have no reason to go to another source.

Cheers and happy smoking,

okieeagle
Title: RE: Thompson Cigar
Post by: Ken Kelley on 12/03/2015 12:53 PM
Quoteokieeagle - 12/3/2015  3:06 AM

Outside of their extensive selection of cigars, their very competitive prices, and proven quality in their products I have always found Thompson's customer service to be nothing but stellar. A good example is my call to them today. I have been receiving their 5 cigar sampler pack for quite some time. I have also recently inventoried my humidor in the Cigar Geeks Humidor application. Of course, I was not much of an aficionado and thus I would simply give the sample pack newsletter a read, then simply discard it. Well, I now need that information to properly determine when I purchased these cigars to add that information to the Cigar Geeks Humidor application. So, I called Thompson's and simply asked if they had them. Not only did they say they did, up to a certain date of maybe a year or two back, they offered to gather them for me, and mail them to me Wow, now, not only do I have the information I need, I can also get into the habit of keeping that for reference, and to make notes when I smoke these cigars.

I know there are many online cigar retailers, and I am absolutely open to checking others out, but quite honestly, with service, selection and price being primary considerations I really have no reason to go to another source.

Cheers and happy smoking,

okieeagle



I'm glad to see a newcomer poking through the old threads. As much as you like Thompson's I think you are unnecessarily restricting yourself in your cigar experience. There are many other sites besides Thompson's offering excellent deals on some excellent cigars. There is plenty of information here on CG as to which ones they are and you may find a couple in your ramblings that surprise you.

By the way, Welcome to Cigar Geeks!   :biggrin:
Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: Cfickter on 12/03/2015 06:23 PM
Now back to our regularly scheduled program
Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: 05Venturer on 12/03/2015 06:28 PM
QuoteCfickter - 12/3/2015  8:23 PM

Now back to our regularly scheduled program

OR
Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: StogieDad on 12/03/2015 07:20 PM
These retailer forums were meant to be revisited and update experiences.  Good on you Francis for sharing.

I actually just ordered a box of Dunhill Heritage from them.  Had the best price by far, shipped quick, fairly uneventful and easy.  They did try and call me twice for some unknown reason, as everything had already shipped.
Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: bmac7754 on 12/03/2015 08:25 PM

QuoteStogieDad - 12/3/2015  10:20 PM  These retailer forums were meant to be revisited and update experiences.  Good on you Francis for sharing.  I actually just ordered a box of Dunhill Heritage from them.  Had the best price by far, shipped quick, fairly uneventful and easy.  They did try and call me twice for some unknown reason, as everything had already shipped.

 (http://www.cigargeeks.com/../images/emoticons/BigThumbs.gif)..They do their annoying phone calls trying to sucker you into their cigar of the month club.  I had a buddy get suckered into it and it was the worst cigar of the month club I've seen yet.

Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: okieeagle on 12/03/2015 08:52 PM
So, as a participant of said cigar of the month club, I can tell you that most of the cigars that are delivered are of quite good quality.  I check the prices, and reviews of those cigars  and on average, at least 4 of the cigars have received quite good reviews, and usually have an individual price that pretty much adds up to more than the monthly cost of the club.  The 5th stick, most of the time is an average one, and sometimes yes, it's a dud, but quite honestly, with the good ones that I've received, it's worth it.

Happy Smoking,

okieeagle
Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: MT21 on 12/04/2015 05:34 AM
I've only ordered from them a couple of times and EVERY time I would receive relentless phone calls from them.  I should have typed in the phone number for CI or Cigar.com or some other internet sales provider.  

I don't need their business.  There are enough web sites to order from without getting all the harassment.
Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: Cfickter on 12/04/2015 05:39 AM

Quoteokieeagle - 12/3/2015  11:52 PM  So, as a participant of said cigar of the month club, I can tell you that most of the cigars that are delivered are of quite good quality.  I check the prices, and reviews of those cigars  and on average, at least 4 of the cigars have received quite good reviews, and usually have an individual price that pretty much adds up to more than the monthly cost of the club.  The 5th stick, most of the time is an average one, and sometimes yes, it's a dud, but quite honestly, with the good ones that I've received, it's worth it.  Happy Smoking,  okieeagle

 I think that the COM program has its place, but IMO they should really wow you.  Nothing in the image that Thompson shows for their COM program, and I understand that is it only meant to be representative, would make me want to join.  they are average to below average sticks
Look at the program at Cigar Federation.  Yes, it is $10/Mo more but they show you not only what you are getting but what they sent out over the past 18 month. 

Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: 05Venturer on 12/04/2015 05:43 AM
QuoteStogieDad - 12/3/2015  9:20 PM

These retailer forums were meant to be revisited and update experiences.  Good on you Francis for sharing.
.

Agreed
A Resurrection can be a good thing.
Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: millarddj on 12/04/2015 06:01 AM
QuoteCfickter - 12/4/2015  8:39 AM

 I think that the COM program has its place, but IMO they should really wow you.  Nothing in the image that Thompson shows for their COM program, and I understand that is it only meant to be representative, would make me want to join.  they are average to below average sticks
Look at the program at Cigar Federation.  Yes, it is $10/Mo more but they show you not only what you are getting but what they sent out over the past 18 month. 


Chuck, do you recommend CF's Cigar-of-the-month program? Their sticks are markedly better than what I've seen in reviews from other sites (including Thompson), and I've been tempted by it.

I have never ordered directly from Thompson, but I have purchased off of their auction site a couple of times. Unfortunately, the sticks I got from those transactions (both) were quite dry and obviously not well-stored, so I resolved not to use that service anymore. I have been tempted by Thompson's (the core site) prices a few times. I will probably give them a shot sooner or later just to test the waters.

Though I gotta say, I'm pretty much a devoted Famous customer at this point.  :biggrin:
Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: ninfiction on 12/04/2015 09:18 AM
Don't do it, even if by chance they have a lower price on a cigar, it won't be much lower and no worth the hassle of the phone calls. I've heard it's very difficult to quit the CotM club once you join and they have your cc info.

I was tempted to join CF's club, but I find myself buying a lot of those cigars already since I tend to lean heavily towards boutique brands instead of General or Altadis. And like Chuck said, they don't hide what they've sent in the past and almost every month is easily worth cost of the club.

My dad has been getting the Thompson club for several years, he likes it, but at the same time even though he's been smoking for decades he doesn't know much of anything about brands other than General and Altadis, but I am slowly converting him.
Title: Re: Thompson Cigar
Post by: okieeagle on 12/04/2015 12:49 PM
QuoteCfickter - 12/4/2015  5:39 AM

Quoteokieeagle - 12/3/2015  11:52 PM  So, as a participant of said cigar of the month club, I can tell you that most of the cigars that are delivered are of quite good quality.  I check the prices, and reviews of those cigars  and on average, at least 4 of the cigars have received quite good reviews, and usually have an individual price that pretty much adds up to more than the monthly cost of the club.  The 5th stick, most of the time is an average one, and sometimes yes, it's a dud, but quite honestly, with the good ones that I've received, it's worth it.  Happy Smoking,  okieeagle

 I think that the COM program has its place, but IMO they should really wow you.  Nothing in the image that Thompson shows for their COM program, and I understand that is it only meant to be representative, would make me want to join.  they are average to below average sticks
Look at the program at Cigar Federation.  Yes, it is $10/Mo more but they show you not only what you are getting but what they sent out over the past 18 month. 


To be honest, I get a gem almost every month.  I mean some really good cigars that I wish I was more of a geek because I'd be writing them down and probably buying them in multiples.  If I wasn't thoroughly pleased with the club, I'd have stopped long ago.  On the other hand, I will check out the CF club.  Thanks for that info.

Cheers and Happy Smoking,

okieeagle