Brad and I have been in communication over the past few weeks, and today I had a chance to meet up with him at his home. He has given me permission to post this on his behalf.
As a little background, he and his wife (Susan) discovered that she was terminally ill with cancer some time back, probably over a year. Fortunately, they did some of their bucket list trips/experiences during the following months, but she eventually lost her battle in early January '23.
What most people don't know is Brad was diagnosed with kidney cancer in September '22. Since then, the cancer spread to his brain. Despite aggressive radiation and chemo treatments, they were unable to completely eradicate it from his brain. Long story short, there is nothing else the doctors can do that would be meaningful in regards to quality and/or length of life. They won't tell him exactly how long he has, but he's trying to get his affairs in order.
Part of that is selling off his collection of cigars. I volunteered to help him with the sale since he is having trouble communicating.
This is not going to be a typical sale due to the timing/logistics. Please bear in mind that:
1) Neither Brad nor I want to have to price these cigars. He isn't looking for retail, but let's try not to offer $2/each for the Opus X. Not that any of you would. You all know their value, so we are going to assume any offers will be fair and reasonable.
2) Larger orders will be prioritized. There will also be more flexibility with pricing for large orders. If there is anyone that wants to buy it all, send an offer. Sorry guys, but we are trying to make this manageable with fewer, larger orders if at all possible.
3) Brad lives about an hour from me. This isn't a situation where I can pop over and ship cigars, look at something in particular if you have a question, etc.
4) I'm still trying to think through the cadence. My initial thought is I will take orders over the course of the week, consolidate, head over to Brad's on the weekend to package/ship that week's orders, and then rinse/repeat. Payment wouldn't be expected until cigars are ready to ship.
Images can be found here:
https://imgur.com/a/uV92rJu
Please PM me with your interest or questions.
Very sorry to hear this news, he has been an amazing BOTL for as long as I have been into cigars. I will keep him in my prayers
Brad is a great guy and has always been a generous BOTL. Will be keeping him in our prayers. And you are a good friend Nathan to help him with his project. :bigthumbs:
This place will NOT be the same without him, so sorry to hear this. Thanks for letting us know Nathan.
Wow this is incredibly sad...I very much appreciate the update, geeks most certainly won't be the same without Brad, he was one of the first to welcome me and really introduced me to many of my favorite cigars...just awful.
I'm so very sorry to hear this just another example of bad things happening to good people. :-( Brad is one great geek and has been a huge contributor and leader on this site you will surely be missed here
Nathan, thank you for letting us know, and for helping Brad. You're a good dude.
Brad, damn sorry this has happened to you. You're a good dude. Godspeed.
Fu<k cancer, I hate it.
Very sad news. Brad if you see this you're in my thoughts.
Awesome you're helping him out Nathan. Hopefully the sale goes quick and it can be one less thing for Brad to worry about.
Both of you are true BOTLs and we're all better off for having you in the group.
I knew about his wife but had no idea what he was going through. Nathan thank you for helping with this. Please let Brad know we are all thinking about him and if there is anything we can do to help.
Words cannot describe how sorry I am for Brad to be going through this, I'm so sorry! :cry:
Thank you Nathan for facilitating this sale.
Terrible news. I hope the sale goes as well as can be expected. We will be thinking of you Brad.
I've had a hard time digesting this. Very sorry to hear. A really great guy.
Thanks for letting us know Nathan. So sorry to hear this.
Thank you for the update. What a tremendously sad situation, my heart goes out to him. Please pass along my thoughts and support.
I'll be riding again this year in The Ride for Roswell and fundraising for their cancer research institute. If you could ask Brad if he would be comfortable with it, I would be proud to ride in honor of Brad and his wife this year. If he'd rather be private about it I completely understand.
At times like this I have a hard time on what to say. However what I would like to say is a prayer. Dear heavenly father please put your loving hands on are friend Brad, give him strength to do the things that he needs to do. Help guide and give strength to are friend Nathan in assisting him during a extremely tuff situation, we ask this in your name Lord Jesus, AMEN.
Quote from: Beegerply on 03/01/2023 07:54 AMAt times like this I have a hard time on what to say. However what I would like to say is a prayer. Dear heavenly father please put your loving hands on are friend Brad, give him strength to do the things that he needs to do. Help guide and give strength to are friend Nathan in assisting him during a extremely tuff situation, we ask this in your name Lord Jesus, AMEN.
Amen.
So sad to hear. Really hits home for me as I've been dealing with a similar situation of my own with my wife. I had quite a few dealings with Brad over the years with his Xiphos line of cigars. I still have a nice little stash that will serve as a reminder that life is too short and nothing is guaranteed. Living more in the moment these days. Best hopes to you Brad and your family.
Wishing Brad all the best with every day.
Not to get too sappy here but I think the situation warrants it. I just want to say you all are a special group. The outpouring of responses here, the PMs, and the generous offers on the cigars has been amazing!
Pending one PM response, EVERY SINGLE cigar has sold! In a week. Truly amazing everyone, and it is much appreciated!
For those that have shown interest in a purchase, I will be working with Brad on the logistics of money transfers, packaging, and shipping. My intention is to go see him tomorrow to figure all of that out.
Quote from: nwb on 03/04/2023 06:29 AMNot to get too sappy here but I think the situation warrants it. I just want to say you all are a special group. The outpouring of responses here, the PMs, and the generous offers on the cigars has been amazing!
Pending one PM response, EVERY SINGLE cigar has sold! In a week. Truly amazing everyone, and it is much appreciated!
For those that have shown interest in a purchase, I will be working with Brad on the logistics of money transfers, packaging, and shipping. My intention is to go see him tomorrow to figure all of that out.
Wow truly amazing Nathan! Extraordinary work on your part! Very much appreciated all around I"m sure. Please send Brad our best when you see him, great work, and you are a great friend Sir...well done again
Nathan, this is awesome! I'm sure the other buyers feel as I do, that it's the least we could do to make sure he gets what they're worth and we in some measure can return the years of kindness he has shown all of us around here. I think that's why it went as smooth as that. Way to go everyone, definitely worth a sappy post or ten! :bigthumbs:
Quote from: nwb on 03/04/2023 06:29 AMNot to get too sappy here but I think the situation warrants it. I just want to say you all are a special group. The outpouring of responses here, the PMs, and the generous offers on the cigars has been amazing!
Pending one PM response, EVERY SINGLE cigar has sold! In a week. Truly amazing everyone, and it is much appreciated!
For those that have shown interest in a purchase, I will be working with Brad on the logistics of money transfers, packaging, and shipping. My intention is to go see him tomorrow to figure all of that out.
Extremely impressive everyone!
I haven't been very active on here as of late, and it's awful to check in and read news like this. Sorry to hear that news, Brad. Cancer sucks and can strike way too early in life.
But this board does have some great guys. Well done, fellas.
Visited Brad yesterday. He was in much better spirits! He said that the two Margaritas he had the night before helped. :biggrin: He and his family have booked a trip to Puerto Rico in a couple of weeks, so he has that to look forward to as well. Puerto Rico is his favorite place and he usually takes at least one trip per year there.
I went ahead and picked up all of the cigars he is selling. There are some left (~150) that haven't sold. They are mostly lower to mid-tier cigars, so I'll probably sell those as grab bags unless someone is interested in making an offer for them all. For those that have committed to a purchase already, please check your PMs.
As I was finishing up and leaving, he passed me a two pack of Pineapple White Owls. Smart-ass. :lmao:
Quote from: nwb on 03/06/2023 11:11 AMThere are some left (~150) that haven't sold. They are mostly lower to mid-tier cigars
Are these listed in any of the pictures? Just curious what remains.
Quote from: nwb on 03/06/2023 11:11 AMAs I was finishing up and leaving, he passed me a two pack of Pineapple White Owls. Smart-ass. :lmao:
Absolutely love this, I'm glad his sense of humor has remained strong!
Great to hear Nathan!! Thanks again for all of your help brother!!! It's nice to hear Brad was in good spirits, and will have some extra spending cash for his trip here :smoker: kudos to you brother, you knocked it out of the park!
Wow, I had no idea due to my long absence from this site. I'm wishing the best for Brad and hope he has the best of care.
I'll look at the remaining inventory
Quote from: shakinghorizons on 03/06/2023 12:05 PMAre these listed in any of the pictures? Just curious what remains.
Once I get all the orders out, I will sort through what's left and post pictures.
Quote from: nwb on 03/06/2023 11:11 AMAs I was finishing up and leaving, he passed me a two pack of Pineapple White Owls. Smart-ass. :lmao:
:lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:
Awesome to hear to your were able to facilitate the sales and everything sold. I'm sure that helps ease Brad's mind a bit. Thanks for the updates!
Brad is a great BOTL and always has been such a great presence here. My thoughts are with him and his family.
After a slight delay (wife and daughter had strep last weekend), all previous orders have been boxed and are ready to ship. I'm planning on getting them out tomorrow!
As promised, here is what is left:
49 Xiphos
9 Falto
10 Joya de Nicaragua
6 "Cigar Geeks" by Reinado
9 El Primer Mundo
40 Misc
Here are pics:
https://imgur.com/a/sW0CR85
If anyone wants to buy the rest, $250 shipped will do it! That comes out to about $2.00/cigar.
Quote from: nwb on 03/19/2023 04:45 PMAfter a slight delay (wife and daughter had strep last weekend), all previous orders have been boxed and are ready to ship. I'm planning on getting them out tomorrow!
Hope everyone is feeling better, thanks again for putting this all together, I'm sure it wasn't easy, appreciate it, and again I hope everyone is feeling better brother :thumbsup:
Sticks are landing :smoker: thanks again for setting this up brother, very organized for the sheer amount of sticks, I appreciate all you do brother...
Cigars landed today, thank you Nathan for all the effort that went into this. Proud to add these to my collection, and will make sure they are enjoyed as much as Brad would have wanted to. Please send along my thanks and best wishes.
@nwb - how is Brad doing?
Quote from: shakinghorizons on 11/29/2023 11:39 AM@nwb - how is Brad doing?
https://www.cigargeeks.com/index.php?topic=54547.0
Thank you, not sure how I missed that post!