The Cigar Forum Newbie Guide
Cigar forums offer many ways and opportunities to engage with other lovers of the leaf. In this section, I will offer some tips and advice on how to make the most of your time on the forum. However, if I could only offer one piece of advice it would be this: conduct yourself on the forum as you would if you were speaking with these people face-to-face. In short, don't be a d*ck.
Read more than you post
...at least at first. Taking the time to read a number of threads in the various forums will give you a good "feel" of the board. Some forums are more laid back and full of ball-busters than others. Taking the time to read for awhile will help you join the forum that best fits your personality.
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Also, don't confuse post count with credibility. Having a high post count can mean that you have invested years into the board and have developed a wealth of knowledge and respect. It can also mean you just type fast.
Buying, Selling, and Trading
One of the greatest benefits to joining a cigar forum is the opporunity to exchange cigars with members around the country and the world. Most boards will want you to establish membership for a period of time before engaging in these activities. The exception to this would be if your board has a Newbie Sampler Trade thread. If so, I would highly encourage any newbie to participate. Typically, you would send one of the established members an amount of money that you agree upon, and they send back a very nice sampler of cigars. It's a good way to get your feet wet and establish some credibility on a new forum. When participating in a cigar transaction on the boards, remember these key tips:
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- Communition is key! Even when buying/selling/trading with a member you are familiar with, you are often sending or receiving money from someone you have never actually met in person. Provide tracking numbers. If you experience a delay in being able to send your end of the deal, communicate that delay with the other party ASAP. There is a large amount of trust involved with these transactions and constant communication helps to maintain that trust.
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- Ship cigars with care. Use a sturdy box and plenty of packing material. If shipment will take several days, include some sort of portable humidification device (i.e. Boveda packs). This will help to ensure that the cigars arrive at their destination intact and in good condition.
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- Know what you are shipping. The cigar world is rife with counterfeiting. If you are not absolutely certain of the origin of your cigars, do not include them in trades or passes and certainly do not offer them for sale.
Fill out your profile
When you sign up for a new account, take a few minutes to fill out your profile. Fill out as much or as little as you are comfortable with sharing on a public forum. Doing so will show the existing membership that you intend to participate in the forum.
Type like an adult
Let's be honest, cigar smokers tend to be an older group overall. Don't make posts that look like text messages from a 13-year-old. Use proper grammar, capitalization, and punctuation.