Mystery samplers 3 of 4

LET’S SEE WHAT CHATGPT HAS TO SAY!!!!

RenegadeCigars.com is the online presence of Renegade Cigars, a cigar lounge and retail store in Richardson, Texas. Owned by Brandon Hayes since 2014, the lounge is known for its extensive selection of premium cigars and a luxurious 4,000-square-foot lounge space featuring leather seating, ventilation, HD TVs, and refreshments​ (Renegade Cigars)​​

In addition to cigars, Renegade Cigars provides an online shopping platform where customers can purchase cigars and accessories. The website features customer reviews, blogs, and information about their cigar club​ (Renegade Cigars)​. The lounge regularly hosts events and provides a space for both novice and experienced cigar enthusiasts to relax and enjoy​

For more information, you can visit their website at Renegade Cigars.

NOW…FOR ME ….

For part 3 of my mystery sampler series ……. FIRST OFF, when I launched this series, I wanted only to review the quality of the sampler, not reviewing customer service issues, as this takes away from the fun of writing at times. Still, I have to share my experience because consumers, not influencers, are the most valuable asset in the cigar industry, and the focus should be on them being able to make the best decision possible with their hard-earned money. I picked Renegade cigars because I have been getting emails from them, and I like how they include cigar education in the emails, and they don’t spam a lot. Upon going to their website, I was greeted by this message.

“You love cigars. You also love exceptional service. Now you can have both. My name is Brandon Hayes, and I'd like to welcome you to Renegade Cigars - your brand new home for great smokes and world-class service where you'll quickly learn why customers are ditching their big-name suppliers in droves and coming to us.”

I looked around, and the website was easy to navigate, so I quickly found the mystery sampler. There was a 49-dollar and 99-dollar option. Under the 99-dollar option, the value was stated to be 175+. Sounds great! I pulled the trigger on June 20th, and I got a fancy email about earning and retaining customers after my purchase—a nice touch…if that actually happened.

I ordered on June 20th and July 3rd; I, as in me …emailed them to ask about my order 13 days later … yes, 13 DAYS. I finally reached someone after messaging them using several avenues… the excuse was that my order came in at the same time as a Davidoff preorder rush (the Diadema Grand Cru, I believe); regardless, how will you make up for this? I didn’t receive the package until July 11th…..so there was no next-day shipping either. Upon asking, I was met with, I didn’t know how to do that since we didn’t discuss it…..

The quality sampler was mid-tier…including four sticks that…to be frank, are fillers, like the equivalent of writing a college paper and using fluff to hit your word requirement. I have received these same sticks in other mystery samplers from different places with shops and online retail… with those being the El Rey, Oliva MB, Cuba Alaidos, and the Camacho. If you want to move slow sellers, say so, LOL!

Upon getting my package and questioning the quality, I was hit with a total of what the package (COUNTING THE 35 DOLLAR OLIVA SINGLE TORCH and CUTTER) value was as a rebuttal, and of course, I asked so what did you send to make up for what happened? Apparently, those didn’t make it in the package either, reportingly it being a Davidoff Cru and an El Maestro cigar…..BLAH. VALUE BELOW FROM THE SHOP

Surrogates: 10, 115th 10

Party Favors 11, Blue 9

Cuba Aliados 16, Camacho Toro 10

LLTQ 16, ATABEY 33

Plasencia 11, PT 10

Master Blend 17, El Rey 8

Lighter - 30, Cutter - 5

Total Value $196 (before any tax)

There should have been 2 additional cigars in there: El Maestro by William Ventura, Davidoff Grand Cru

"I can’t speak to what happened to those. Unfortunately, this makes a rather unfortunate end to a terrible customer experience"

The sampler never mentioned including swag in the price. Thirty-five dollars for what was surely a promo item from the manufacturer for a freebie when you order in quantity, which, if I take it away, is 166 in value. Taxes are the store’s problem and a necessary evil, so I don’t care about that part. The 17-dollar value on the Oliva MB3 is appalling as NO ONE pays that for that cigar, which is why they are always thrown into samplers and ALWAYS on discount. LOL.

In all of this, I never asked for a refund as I respect the game and the hard work of people in the industry, but I was given a total refund on the order. The resolution occurred after dozens of emails without EVER getting a response from the owner despite his customer engagement messaging on his website and his emails. Still, I'll commend the gentleman's efforts (the saving grace of it all) I spoke with during the transaction as I felt he was trying to get me to a happy place where I feel like attempting another order with them. They have some shop exclusives and good samplers on their website if I have a little left in the monthly cigar budget after I have ordered from places that deliver excellent service and compensate customers without being told how to do that.

POST COMMENTS BELOW!!!!