ChanceSchmerr Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Hey Everyone - This Thread will include the Rules, Guidelines and Trading Explanation for the FOH CAN/US Box pass. Everyone Tagged in the message, please review the posts below and ensure that you're comfortable to continue. On Friday this week, I will release the list of Participants, and build the Box Pass Route. Over the weekend I will post details on the cigars that will start off in the pass. Any questions, by all means let me know! @Lotusguy @Boosted @dizedean @Erm310mce @fabes @jsummers157 @Lant63 @Nekhyludov @havanaclub @ChrisMG @jacktarnold @Charley @CatchNRelease @topdiesel @ehdg @stinkhead @Ramrod918 @zeedubbya @Knilas @khomeinist @shlomo @joshb @Wertman @Newkarian @Notsocleaver @garnett @Tave1225 @SloppyJ @Onsto @CanuckSARTech @boopdeep @devildoge9 @BarryNY @joeypots @ComancheKeen @treberty @KFBR392 @zulubravo @vintagerodshop @ChefBoyRG54 @Capt. Brett @Tommyz 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ChanceSchmerr Posted June 21, 2017 Author Popular Post Share Posted June 21, 2017 Box Pass Rules/Guidelines A Box Pass is pretty straightforward – it’s a fun way to try a few cigars that you havn’t been able to try before (or maybe you havn’t tried one for a while), as well as to share cigars that you have that others may not have tried before. I start it off by sending out a box of various cigars to a series of people. First person in line receives the box, picks some cigars that he/she wants, and proposes a trade to replace those cigars with others of equal/greater value from his/her own collection. The trade is approved/confirmed by the box pass organizer. After the trade is complete, that person removes their “Takes” from the box pass cigars, they place their “Puts” in with the remaining box pass cigars, they re-pack the box pass cigars in the same manner they received it, and send it off promptly to the next person in line. Quick turnaround is essential, because even though the cigars are sent with Boveda pouches, we don’t want these cigars to sit out of the humidor for longer than necessary. There are, of course, some rules and guidelines to govern this box pass. These rules/guidelines are in place to ensure that the box pass experience is seamless, fast, fair and enjoyable for all concerned. I encourage discussion about the rules below, but generally speaking these rules are set (unless there is considerable uproar over any one issue)If for any reason you feel that you can’t live up to or follow these rules/guidelines, please let me know now, and we can take you off the list – no harm, no foul. I want everyone to be comfortable with this box pass, and if you’re not looking forward to it, then there is a problem!Note – The mechanism of trading/posting is discussed further in the next post below. RULES I have created a gmail account for this Box Pass – [email protected]. Please use this email address for puts/takes discussions, tracking information, Mailing addresses, general comments or complaints, or anything else related to the box pass. Non-Cuban Cigars are prohibited from the pass (Friends of HABANOS. ‘Nuff said!) No Hoyo de Monterrey Cigars. (Last time it was RyJ. This time, RyJs are permitted, but Hoyos are not. Just to keep it interesting!) All Cigars placed in the Box pass must be: In good condition (no heavily cracked feet, flaking wrappers, etc) NOT FAKE (Obviously – anyone passing fakes will be publically discussed for all of FOH to see) Certified beetle-free (to the best of your ability – anyone putting in cigars that later develop beetle holes will be publically discussed for all of FOH to see) Not a duplicate of a cigar already in the pass (can't have more than one of a particular cigar in the pass) Handled with care - be careful with the cigars in the pass, they have had a long journey and may yet have a ways to go before they find a home! Custom-rolled cigars – must have their roller name, purchase point and purchase/roll date included. Only Customs rolled with Cuban tobacco are permitted. No more than two custom cigars in the pass at any one time. No more than 1 Custom Put/take per member. Minimum Take – 1 cigar. Maximum Take – 5 cigars. Cigars to be traded in 1:1 ratios (1:1, 2:2, 3:3, 4:4, 5:5). No un-even trades Participants are to check the condition of the Box Pass packaging when they receive and send out the box. If any bag has developed a hole, replace it, if a boveda pouch is used up, replace it (I will send spares to start), that sort of thing. All members are required to email me their postal addresses. I will provide each member of the pass with the postal address of the next person in line (so that each member only ever sees the mailing address of the person they are sending the box to) Box pass shipping cost is to be borne by the person sending off to the next participant. The Box Pass is always shipped in the same manner – Priority Mail (with tracking) for US Passers, Xpresspost for Canadian Passers. This is to ensure swift travel through the postal system. The Tracking number must always be communicated (via Email) to the Box Pass Organizer and the next member in line, so that the next person in line can track the package coming in and be prepared for it. DO NOT PUBLISH THE TRACKING NUMBERS PUBLICALLY. The Box Pass organizer will send out emails to the next three members after each time the package is sent out, informing the next person up, as well as the following two members. Once each Participant receives the Box, they have 3 days (72 hours) to propose and action their trade, and send off the Box to the next participant. Example 1: Joe receives the package on Monday afternoon after getting home from work. Joe must send off the Box by Thursday afternoon. Example 2: Tom receives the package on Friday morning. He must send off the package by Monday morning. Obviously, a few hours leeway is acceptable, and if there is an emergency or other mitigating circumstances, discuss with me ASAP and we can look at an extension. Otherwise, each day’s delay in sending out the pass results in a 1-cigar penalty (payable to the Box Pass collection). If there is a disagreement on Cigar Valuation, the Box pass organizer has the final say. Side trades between members are permitted within reason - to a limit of 5 separate sticks sent per participant (no separate box-trades tagging along). This is to ensure that the size of the package doesn't balloon out of control with side trades. For example, if participants 9 and 12 on the list want to make a trade, Participant #9 can use the box pass to send cigars specifically to Participant #12 (but Participant 12 would have to send his part of the trade to Participant 9 separately) – just make a note in the Box Pass notebook and mention it in your take/put post, so that those cigars aren’t taken accidentally. I recommend using a custom band with the intended recipient on it, so that there can be no mistake. Gift cigars to other members in the Box Pass are permitted - just be sure to mark the cigar clearly with who it is meant for (and make a note in the FOH BOX Pass notebook too) Cigars from 1999 are prohibited. Cigars from 2000 and 2001 can be present in the box pass, but no more than 5 cigars from these years combined at any one time. Any cigars into the pass from 2000 and 2001 must be from a box that you've recently smoked from, and you can confirm that they have not exhibited significant construction or taste issues. GUIDELINES Treat your trade (and the box pass) as if you were on the other side of the table. Don’t try to take advantage of others by taking rare sticks and proposing to put in crap cigars. Generally speaking, a box pass participant should have at least 10-15 different cigars to choose from in their home collection, to ensure that they have a wide range to sort out a trade from. There will be a notebook passed with the Box Pass - it is the original Notebook from the 2013 FOH CAN/US Box Pass! I encourage everyone to read and to use the notebook to make a permanent note of what you've taken and put. It adds to the fun....but isn't a necessity. Highly encouraged. By all means, commenting on the box pass thread is encouraged, but keep it civilized. If you have a problem with a trade, send me an email. Don’t post harsh/rude comments or you may be removed from the participant list. Don’t be a jerk! The Box Pass will have 4 categories of cigars: Regular Production, Discontinueds, Multi-Banded (LE/RE/Specials), and Customs. Generally speaking, trades should be like-for-like (RE for RE, Regular Production for Regular Production), but exceptions can be made. Discuss with me if unsure. If the Box Pass outgrows the current packaging, replace the packaging with appropriately-sized new packaging in good condition. I will leave extra space in the box, but side trades could use up that space. If you are unsure about anything with your proposed trade, and want to discuss it before posting, please email me, I’m happy to go through it with you, and provide some valuations if you’re unsure. This FOH Box Pass will be viewed and followed by most members of the FOH community. Act respectively towards all members of the pass! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChanceSchmerr Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 TRADING EXPLANATION: The heart of the Box Pass is the trade itself. This is where you pick the cigars you want, and put some of your cigars into the pass for following members to choose from. To make this work, everyone needs to be on the same page with the values of the cigars that are being traded. The Box Pass organizer (myself) is the final word on valuation – and I base my valuations on the going prices for cigars online and in stores, as well as the relative rarity and difficulty to find that particular cigar (if applicable). I use as much data as possible to come up with a fair valuation for each cigar, and draw upon my experience collecting and trading cigars as well. I will also discuss with other experienced cigar traders in instances where I’m not sure, to make sure I am fair to everyone. In the previous box FOH CAN/US Box Pass, the trade process tended to bog down sometimes. There were a few reasons for this: Members had very different ideas of cigar valuations – or had no idea going in. Some members used it as a hard negotiation – trying to work the pass for the best one-sided deal possible for them Some members just didn’t understand that the point is to make a fair trade, in the interests of all members – Put in cigars of equal or greater worth. As a result, sometimes the trade approval process would drag on for days, and that’s not the point here. So for this one, we’ve got a different process: Step 1: Once the Box pass is in the mail from the participant immediately before you, you can now post your proposed trade. My intention with this new process is to combine trust and experience with trade proposals. You need to post your trade publically before it can be approved, so the onus is on you to make sure you’re posting a fair trade, because if you don’t, other participants may voice their displeasure (in POLITE terms) and you may face some embarrassment or loss of face. Once you’re comfortable with valuations of your puts and takes: Step 2: Post a picture of your proposed Puts in the Box Pass thread, and write your full proposed trade. If you have the box pass in your possession, you can include a picture of your proposed takes, but to expedite the process, you can post your Puts before having the box pass in your possession. Step 3: IF I HAVE NO ISSUES with your proposed Puts/Takes, I will post my Approval in the Box Pass thread within 24 hours of your posted proposal. The trade is now official. Step 3a: IF I HAVE ISSUES with your proposal, I will post “Not Approved” in the Box Pass thread and email you to discuss. Once we’ve got a trade arranged that is fair and equitable, you can then post it up and I will post my Approval once I see it. Step 4: Once the trade is official and complete, package up the Box Pass and send it on to the next person on the list! If you’re not comfortable with your proposal, or if you know what you want to take, but are unsure of the valuations: email me and we’ll go over your proposed trades in private over email, so that you don’t post the trade until you’re comfortable it will be approved. Heck, if you want to email me before the pass begins, just to get ideas of valuations of cigars you might want or might want to trade in, by all means please do. The purpose of this new process is not to knowingly embarrass anyone, but to ensure that participants are fair to others in the box pass. If the trades are uneven, then people further down the line suffer because all the good cigars are gone. The goal is to have a good variety of cigars (from regular to rare) throughout the pass, so that everyone has a fair shot at some unique smokes. Some people prefer to just put higher value sticks in that what they take, so that there is no questions either way, but this is not necessarily required – as long as the trade is fair to everyone, that’s what we’re looking for. Some other guidelines: Regarding the cigar ratios: 1:1 for puts and takes is required. This means that if you want a $50 stick, you cannot trade in a $20 stick and a $30 stick together for it. But, you can even it out on the other side to keep within the ratio. Example: Unacceptable: Take: Diplo Bushido (Value- $50) Put: Por Larranaga Regalias de Londres RE UK (Value $35) SLR Pacificos RE Asia (Value $17) Acceptable: Take: Diplo Bushido ($50) Partagas D4 ($10) Put : Por Larranaga Regalias de Londres RE UK ($35) RA 898 RE Germany ($25) Also, if super rare sticks get traded into the Box Pass (valuations above $100), I will not be sticking to exact values, but will do my best to ensure a reasonable assessment of rarity and value is kept to when evaluating trades. If someone puts in a Bolivar Armonia RE or PL Magnificos RE (for example), those cigars are just as available to the next folks in the pass as any other cigar – but you will need to put in more than a PL Robusto RE to get it. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChanceSchmerr Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 FOH CAN/US BOX PASS 2017 PARTICIPANTS CANADA 1. Ramrod918 2. Garnett 3. Onsto 4. treberty 5. Shlomo 6. ComancheKeen 7. havanaclub 8. ChrisMG 9. CanuckSARTech USA 10. ChefBoyRG54 11. zulubravo 12. CatchNRelease 13. Nekhyludov 14. joeypots 15. Erm310mce 16. Tave1225 17. ehdg 18. dizedean 19. zeedubbya 20. Knilas 21. jsummers157 22. Newkarian 23. Boosted 24. SloppyJ 25. khomeinist 26. Boopdeep 27. jacktarnold 28. joshb 29. Charley 30. Notsocleaver 31. topdiesel 32. fabes 33. Lotusguy 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boosted Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Excellent posts Chris! I think you've covered everything. Well done bro.Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lant63 Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Sounds good! I'll be sending a conformation email as well with an address. Thanks for organizing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nekhyludov Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Many thanks for organizing this! That's a hell of a lot of effort on your part, and much appreciated. Email is on it's way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wertman Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Sounds great but I think i have to back out. I don't have enough different varieties. Please add me next time we do this. I will start looking for more RE and EL cigars as well. Looks like an awesome idea. Have fun guys as I will be watching from the sidelines. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChanceSchmerr Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 Thanks Guys - please understand - the participant list is not finalised yet - I'd suggest holding off on sending your address until I can confirm you're in the pass. I just want to avoid high hopes if I can't include you! Also - I have forgotten the "Turn of the Millennium" Rule. I will update the post above. 17. Cigars from 1999 are prohibited. Cigars from 2000 and 2001 can be present in the box pass, but no more than 5 cigars from these years combined at any one time. Any cigars into the pass from 2000 and 2001 must be from a box that you've recently smoked from, and you can confirm that they have not exhibited significant construction or taste issues. This rule is to ensure that the prevalence of plugged/tasteless cigars from 2000/2001 is mitigated. Yes, I know there is many cigars from those years that were rolled exceptionally and have aged very well, I have some myself! Thats why we can have a few in the pass. Again, it comes down to trust - if you put cigars in the Box Pass, remember that your reputation is on the line if you pass in cigars that you know are lousy/plugged smokes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChanceSchmerr Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 7 minutes ago, Wertman said: Sounds great but I think i have to back out. I don't have enough different varieties. Please add me next time we do this. I will start looking for more RE and EL cigars as well. Looks like an awesome idea. Have fun guys as I will be watching from the sidelines. Understood mate. Sorry to lose you, but I appreciate your honesty, and I will definitely ensure you're in the loop if/when I run another pass! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramrod918 Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Sounds fair and well thought out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fabes Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Looks great although no hopes of trading for du rois. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boopdeep Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Thanks for organizing! I can see this is a lot of work for you. Very much appreciated. Rules appear clear and well thought out. Looking forward to participating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notsocleaver Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 *No purchase necessary, void where prohibited Kidding. looks good to me. Not really sure on verifying providence custom rolls, but Id probably avoid taking or putting any in anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsummers157 Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Rules look good--Thanks for putting all this together! Have really enjoyed every box pass I've been in. Hope to make the cut this time, but if not, hope everyone enjoys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeedubbya Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Awesome work here Chris. Rules look very well thought out. Thank you for putting this together. -Z Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadianbeaver Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Have participated in this with Chris before. Absolutely awesome. Made an error in packing a large, boxed cigar wrong and it died. I learned my lesson from this a few years ago. Passing it on. Have a fantastic time guys! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treberty Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Thanks for organizing this! Just one thing I was wondering; with summer vacations around the corner should participants give you a heads up if they know they are likely to be away at some point? I would hate to slow down the pass for a couple of weeks... Really looking forward to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChanceSchmerr Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 13 minutes ago, treberty said: Thanks for organizing this! Just one thing I was wondering; with summer vacations around the corner should participants give you a heads up if they know they are likely to be away at some point? I would hate to slow down the pass for a couple of weeks... Really looking forward to it. This is a really good point - once the participant list is prepared, I will also release a tentative Box Pass route and schedule, and will identify roughly when each member can expect the pass to come their way. That way, they can confirm if they will be away from home at that time or not, and we'll amend the schedule as necessary. 29 minutes ago, canadianbeaver said: Have participated in this with Chris before. Absolutely awesome. Made an error in packing a large, boxed cigar wrong and it died. I learned my lesson from this a few years ago. Passing it on. Have a fantastic time guys! CB Thanks CB - I was wondering if you were going to join us again this time! Hopefully if we run it again next year, you'll be able to jump back in. 8 hours ago, fabes said: Looks great although no hopes of trading for du rois. Don't worry mate, you'll be okay. If the Du Rois you're thinking of are anything like the last 4 or 5 I've had (lousy lousy tasteless drab sticks)....you ain't missing much LOL 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MooseAMuffin Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 I'm excited to watch this from the sidelines. Can't wait to see all the different cigars that I've never heard of/knew existed. Have fun guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Santiago Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 I'll have to get in on this next time, it sounds like a blast Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shlomo Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 How many Guantanamera would it take to get the Diplo Bushido? I have 2 Guants, but they are easily 7 years old and have not been in a humidor since I got them. Diplo Bushido and some Lebanon RE in exchange for 2 well aged and never humidified Guants. They even come in a stunning clear plastic tube! Bet very few of you guys have Guants in your collections. Here is your chance! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChanceSchmerr Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 7 year aged Guantanameras? Damn, they must be crazy good by now! I'm sure the luxury clear plastic tube sealed perfectly and kept the top-quality tobacco in the best condition! I figured it went without saying, folks- but no Guantanameras or JLPs in the Box Pass. I don't think I'm including anything that would be that far down the valuation range so as to make an even trade for them regardless (Cherry-Flavoured Backwoods? White Owls from the 7-11?) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Santiago Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 I've got two 25 bundles of El Cacique hot off the press from Centro Havana last week! Interesting trades considered! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeypots Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Looks good to me. The side trade rule, #15, is a new twist on a box trade to me. With a large group it seems to complicate the pass and add weight to the box. May be it isn't a big enough issue to consider, but I'd ask people to pay the 7$ shipping and keep their private trades private. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now