Illusione Ultra = Ultra bad!

Pat1075 · 09-03-2011, 01:04 AM

Like all cigar companies illusione is sure to make a few duds. I think it is unreasonable to expect otherwise. I have been on the receiving end of a plugged padron and a plugged behike 56, even the venerable sir winston can be plugged. The cost of these are far more than $9 and are from far more prestigious factories than tabacleria tropical.
As to Dion's reply, I can see where you thought it might be rude. But do understand that these are indeed products made of organic materials by the hands of humans. There is alot that can go wrong. For a cigar that smokes perfectly every time may I suggest Bances, an OK but inconsistent (flavor wise) machine made from Canada. The fact that he felt the need to say that the factories quality control standards were to be upped was able to be interpreted as snarky yes. However this was most likely true. I hope you have all had a wonderful day if you are just catching this, and if you see this in the morning well good morning to you all.
-Patrick

alfredo_buscatti · 09-03-2011, 05:50 AM

Two days ago I smoked 4 Oliva O's in a row that had such defects in the draw and the wrapper at the head that I rejected them, but by that time lighting four cigars in a row scorched my mouth.

I took it up with Cigar Place, where I'd purchased them, and by being cogent and insistent I netted a $18.40 refund. Over the past year I've bought ~50 boxes from them, and that's why customer service bent the rules to accommodate me.

Between the 10% sale, $1 shipping and the refund above, I reduced a box of the Ashton VSG churchills from $225.00 to $185.00, buying them in the same transaction.

Do I love this cigar! dark, rich, extra strong.

tsolomon · 09-03-2011, 06:46 AM

Not sure what would make you happy at this point, but I think Dion's reply was appropriate and correct.

I really like the Illusione cigars and I have fiver of the mk ultras. Haven't smoked any yet, but it's on the menu for this weekend.

ninjavanish · 09-03-2011, 07:42 AM

Expecting perfection? Prepare for disappoinent.

Dion's response may have been a little tongue-in-cheek but understandably so.
I'm not saying you need to lower your expectations... But you might want to lower your expectations.

These are rolled up bunched of organic materials, selected and rolled by hand, that travel thousands of miles across land, sea and air, to reach your desktop Humidor, without you ever actually needing to set foot outside of your house if you so choose. Bear that in mind the next time you pull a cigar out to smoke it.

Something i started doing a while back really enhanced my experience while smoking cigars and helped me understand the reality of this luxury: Take a little extra time to try to imagine how many different sets of hands touched that product before your own. Try to imagine the face of the roller. Then of you still feel like you have been somehow slighted because your $9 illusione wasn't all you'd hoped for, consider that if you paid what you should for that cigar, or pretty much any other, most of us would not be able to afford to smoke anything at all.

Sorry you had a bad one, but you have to take the bad with the good. Keep on puffing and pursuing that perfect cigar, but don't be too disappointed if you never find it, most of the fun is in the pursuit anyway, right?!

688sonarmen · 09-03-2011, 08:02 AM

Very tong in cheek and not what I would expect from a company of any kind.

As for the cigar I have found it happens and more often with fresh sticks. Not saying this is the case but if you take a stick that already has somewhat of a tight draw and smoke it ROTT it may not have had time to stabilize at a decent RH, however low the RH of the day may be. Some say 70% some as low as 60%. Either way I can attest like most others that it's a rare case in Illusione cigars. And up to you to continue business with them if you felt insulted.

Edit: Is Dion a member on here? If so based on the OP I can see where the response may have come from.

vudu9 · 09-03-2011, 08:27 AM

Again. Super sorry that the cigar was plugged. This is a rare issue with my line, as many of you know and is an easy fix. All comments positive and constructive are forwarded to the factory.

Dion.

Skywalker · 09-03-2011, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vudu9

Again. Super sorry that the cigar was plugged. This is a rare issue with my line, as many of you know and is an easy fix. All comments positive and constructive are forwarded to the factory.

Dion.

The fact that Dion posted here with another apology, shows his commitment to his customers!

BTW - Looks like I won't be smoking one today, but Mark (NorcalMark) at Tower Pipes & Cigars put one on hold for me to try!!!

09-03-2011, 01:04 AM	#1
Pat1075 Feeling at Home Join Date: Nov 2008 First Name: Patrick Location: Lakewood, OH Posts: 755 Trading: (11)	Re: Illusione Ultra = Ultra bad! Like all cigar companies illusione is sure to make a few duds. I think it is unreasonable to expect otherwise. I have been on the receiving end of a plugged padron and a plugged behike 56, even the venerable sir winston can be plugged. The cost of these are far more than $9 and are from far more prestigious factories than tabacleria tropical. As to Dion's reply, I can see where you thought it might be rude. But do understand that these are indeed products made of organic materials by the hands of humans. There is alot that can go wrong. For a cigar that smokes perfectly every time may I suggest Bances, an OK but inconsistent (flavor wise) machine made from Canada. The fact that he felt the need to say that the factories quality control standards were to be upped was able to be interpreted as snarky yes. However this was most likely true. I hope you have all had a wonderful day if you are just catching this, and if you see this in the morning well good morning to you all. -Patrick

09-03-2011, 05:50 AM	#2
alfredo_buscatti Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Jan 2011 First Name: Mike Location: Piedmont, NC Posts: 277 Trading: (9)	Re: Illusione Ultra = Ultra bad! Two days ago I smoked 4 Oliva O's in a row that had such defects in the draw and the wrapper at the head that I rejected them, but by that time lighting four cigars in a row scorched my mouth. I took it up with Cigar Place, where I'd purchased them, and by being cogent and insistent I netted a $18.40 refund. Over the past year I've bought ~50 boxes from them, and that's why customer service bent the rules to accommodate me. Between the 10% sale, $1 shipping and the refund above, I reduced a box of the Ashton VSG churchills from $225.00 to $185.00, buying them in the same transaction. Do I love this cigar! dark, rich, extra strong.

09-03-2011, 06:46 AM	#3
tsolomon Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Location: The Villages, FL Posts: 1,255 Trading: (31)	Re: Illusione Ultra = Ultra bad! Not sure what would make you happy at this point, but I think Dion's reply was appropriate and correct. I really like the Illusione cigars and I have fiver of the mk ultras. Haven't smoked any yet, but it's on the menu for this weekend.

09-03-2011, 07:42 AM	#4
ninjavanish Feeling at Home Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Trust me, your humi isn't big enough. Posts: 507 Trading: (16)	Re: Illusione Ultra = Ultra bad! Expecting perfection? Prepare for disappoinent. Dion's response may have been a little tongue-in-cheek but understandably so. I'm not saying you need to lower your expectations... But you might want to lower your expectations. These are rolled up bunched of organic materials, selected and rolled by hand, that travel thousands of miles across land, sea and air, to reach your desktop Humidor, without you ever actually needing to set foot outside of your house if you so choose. Bear that in mind the next time you pull a cigar out to smoke it. Something i started doing a while back really enhanced my experience while smoking cigars and helped me understand the reality of this luxury: Take a little extra time to try to imagine how many different sets of hands touched that product before your own. Try to imagine the face of the roller. Then of you still feel like you have been somehow slighted because your $9 illusione wasn't all you'd hoped for, consider that if you paid what you should for that cigar, or pretty much any other, most of us would not be able to afford to smoke anything at all. Sorry you had a bad one, but you have to take the bad with the good. Keep on puffing and pursuing that perfect cigar, but don't be too disappointed if you never find it, most of the fun is in the pursuit anyway, right?!

09-03-2011, 08:02 AM	#5
688sonarmen Shipmate! Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: Jake Location: Norwich, Ct Posts: 2,698 Trading: (17)	Re: Illusione Ultra = Ultra bad! Very tong in cheek and not what I would expect from a company of any kind. As for the cigar I have found it happens and more often with fresh sticks. Not saying this is the case but if you take a stick that already has somewhat of a tight draw and smoke it ROTT it may not have had time to stabilize at a decent RH, however low the RH of the day may be. Some say 70% some as low as 60%. Either way I can attest like most others that it's a rare case in Illusione cigars. And up to you to continue business with them if you felt insulted. Edit: Is Dion a member on here? If so based on the OP I can see where the response may have come from. Last edited by 688sonarmen; 09-03-2011 at 08:08 AM.

09-03-2011, 08:27 AM	#6
vudu9 Just in from the Storm Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Reno, NV. Posts: 38 Trading: (0)	Re: Illusione Ultra = Ultra bad! Again. Super sorry that the cigar was plugged. This is a rare issue with my line, as many of you know and is an easy fix. All comments positive and constructive are forwarded to the factory. Dion.