View Full Version : TC order surprise
Cigarer
03-03-2015, 07:50 AM
Ordered from Thompson cigars a few months ago, did a sampler and a single AF cigar. Woke up this morning checked my email and to my surprise I have an order confirmation for a box of AF's I never ordered and they withdrew money from my account I never authorized. Have to wait until they open until I can call them. Anyone else have this issue with then?
Dijit
03-03-2015, 08:43 AM
The last time I ordered from them they had some sort of program that sent a box every month. I know it was more than a standard cigar of the month club and they said all I had to do was notify them not to ship each month. My thinking was it would be easier for me to notify them when to ship. They tried relentlessly to get me to sign up. Never did and eventually told them to stop calling me.
projectsunfire
03-03-2015, 08:45 AM
Ordered from Thompson cigars a few months ago, did a sampler and a single AF cigar. Woke up this morning checked my email and to my surprise I have an order confirmation for a box of AF's I never ordered and they withdrew money from my account I never authorized. Have to wait until they open until I can call them. Anyone else have this issue with then?
wow that's some shady sh!t right there. I have never ordered from them and now will make sure I never do
STAY AWAY FROM THOMPSON CIGARS!! They are the worst. It took about two years for them to stop sending me email messages and things in the mail even with repeated requests. After two moves, I finally lost their trail. :)
There are just too many other good, reputable retailers out there to choose from that Thompson Cigars doesn't need to be in the equation.
When I was just starting out on cigars, I ordered from them and actually even visited their store in person (when I lived in Florida). They had most things marked way up and I left very unimpressed. They suck for so many reasons.
Cigarer
03-03-2015, 09:58 AM
Called them and said I talked to two reps about doing auto shipments which I said I didn't want to do. They made it out to seem like you Join a club and get 10 percent off. The shipment isn't due until Saturday, then I ship it back and when they receive it they'll credit back the money. So in out $100+ for almost two weeks. Awesome.
Billb1960
03-03-2015, 10:09 AM
http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag360/hey_blue99/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-03/1DAAB83D-D169-42A6-8A75-7DB7DC0BE81D_zpsjy8nfmvx.jpg (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/hey_blue99/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-03/1DAAB83D-D169-42A6-8A75-7DB7DC0BE81D_zpsjy8nfmvx.jpg.html)
Cigars4Troops
03-03-2015, 10:11 AM
NEVER order from Thompsons! EVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEER!
wabashcr
03-03-2015, 10:17 AM
Anyone else have this issue with then?
Yes, pretty much everyone who has ever done business with Thompson has had this issue with them.
projectsunfire
03-03-2015, 10:28 AM
Called them and said I talked to two reps about doing auto shipments which I said I didn't want to do. They made it out to seem like you Join a club and get 10 percent off. The shipment isn't due until Saturday, then I ship it back and when they receive it they'll credit back the money. So in out $100+ for almost two weeks. Awesome.
wait...so they signed you up for an auto shipment club without your agreement?
b4z00k4
03-03-2015, 10:32 AM
wait...so they signed you up for an auto shipment club without your agreement?
I'm pretty sure it's in the fine print with Thompson that they can do this
Tombstone
03-03-2015, 12:08 PM
Luckily I had saw enough of the posts about their shady practices to before I ever considered using them. Sorry they got you but at least you got to make the first of what will be a reoccurring post on cigarbum. Hopefully someone new to the hobby will see it and they can dodge a bullet.
wait...so they signed you up for an auto shipment club without your agreement?
I'm pretty sure it's in the fine print with Thompson that they can do this
If this is true thats one of the most shady practices Ive ever heard of. They should definitely get called out on it and pressured to change their policy.
b4z00k4
03-03-2015, 12:29 PM
If this is true thats one of the most shady practices Ive ever heard of. They should definitely get called out on it and pressured to change their policy.
They have been, numerous times in the past if I recall correctly. It's definitely shady, but as long as people continue to order from them, they won't change a thing.
They have been, numerous times in the past if I recall correctly. It's definitely shady, but as long as people continue to order from them, they won't change a thing.
Ive never heard of this before but I'll take your word for it. More people should bring this up though I can't imagine how many people have fallen victim to this. Ive always avoided TC because of other things people already mentioned but this should be at the top of the list of negatives. I really don't like vendor bashing but doing this to people its just wrong and people deserve to be informed not taken advantage of.
AlanS
03-03-2015, 01:03 PM
They got me years ago. Ordered a box and arep took the liberty of sending a ten pack a month later. Seems they enrolled me in their club. I called and backed out and to this day I still get the catalogues and phone calls. Can't understand a word they say but they're persistent.
Emperor Zurg
03-03-2015, 01:05 PM
Meh, I order from them from time to time. A friend of mine likes a few of their house blends and he's anti-credit so I order them for him and usually a few singles of some higher end sticks for myself. I've always used paipal for every transaction with them and after the transaction is complete I go and cancel the recurring payment. It is annoying, the only way you can check out is to agree to recurring payments so I just go into paipal and cancel that immediately. If they want to send me a box of free cigars after that, more power to them but I ain't paying for them and I ain't sending them back - I'll be kind enough to leave them on the dash of my car until they come get them. The only other annoyance is the yokel who calls you a day or 2 after to try and pressure you into joining the '250 club' or whatever they call it. Tell that clown to put you on the 'do not call list' or you'll never buy so much as a cigarillo from them ever again and they won't bother you anymore. Their marketing is a bunch of crap though, that's why 90% of my business is with P&C, CI (the supposedly horrible dog rocket rebanders :p :p ) or Smokingpipes. Never had to put up with any BS with any of them.
theHammer56
03-03-2015, 01:10 PM
ANYONE UP FOR A CONTRARIAN OPINION? I order from TC quite a bit and yes, I am getting a monthly shipment via their "Cigar Tour" - Five 90-or-better rated cigars with a newsletter for $29 including shipping. Now, yes - they do seem to be relentless on their 'upsale' tactics - but I definitely knew I was joining when I joined, and quite frankly feel the Cigar Tour is worth every penny as a monthly sampling of top-rated cigars (all of which have been worth from $6 to $14 if I were to buy single sticks). To get the Cigar Tour offer, you DO have to be a part of their automatic shipment in their 250 Club. (What?) Like I said, they persevere relentlessly with yet another upsale, but you can call them (I put it on my calendar) and postpone your next auto-ship for 3 months out (which I've been doing over and over again for about 2 years now). They are fully aware of what I'm doing; I told them right up front what I was going to do, and they said 'fine'. I haven't purchased anything I didn't know was coming.
Too many hoops to deal with? Probably for most people. BUT I LOVE THE CIGAR TOUR. So - for me - it's worth what others would consider way to much hassle.
Cigarer
03-03-2015, 09:55 PM
I was told nothing about fees, auto ship or anything like that. I made it clear to them that was nothing I'd be interested in. She made it sound like just your membership would give you a percentage of an order, so I figured wth. Call me nieve if you wish bit my questions were clear. And to get an attitude from this dude after this surprise order - never again. I've ordered from CI and do most of my buying on cbid and never had any problems. On top of the fact that was $106 I couldn't afford this week I guess that's besides the point but just added to my frustration.
RogueBallBoy
03-03-2015, 10:08 PM
I was told nothing about fees, auto ship or anything like that. I made it clear to them that was nothing I'd be interested in. She made it sound like just your membership would give you a percentage of an order, so I figured wth. Call me nieve if you wish bit my questions were clear. And to get an attitude from this dude after this surprise order - never again. I've ordered from CI and do most of my buying on cbid and never had any problems. On top of the fact that was $106 I couldn't afford this week I guess that's besides the point but just added to my frustration.
Call your bank and tell them it was an unauthorized charge. You'll get your money back sooner, just make sure you send back the cigars or you will eventually get charged again. This will also likely get you blacklisted with TC, which from the looks of it probably won't break your heart.
Cigarer
03-03-2015, 10:15 PM
Wont break my heart at all. I'll have to give the bank a call tomorrow and hopefully they can help me out then.
Skeat5353
03-03-2015, 11:09 PM
I ordered an Ashton VSG sampler from Thompson last year. I'd never used them before. During checkout the site asked me to join some monthly promotional thing. I declined. A week later I got a phone call asking if I was "Ready to receive a sampler as part of their monthly deal program." I said no, thank you. Then I started checking my monthly banking statements to see that I was getting a $15 dollar charge each month from some tobacco company. It turns out it was Thompson Cigar Co. They had ignored my wishes and signed me up for some monthly sampler deal I had no interest in joining, AFTER I HAD REPEATEDLY DECLINED THEIR OFFER. I was f-ing furious. I called them. Got the run-around from some cunt who gave me the typical BS. Couldn't refund my money, must have misunderstood, etc., etc...I cursed her out and asked to speak to her supervisor. Same bullshit. I told him Thompson was an f-ing scam, that he was an f-ing scumbag, and that if we ever crossed paths I would break his f-legs. I told them to remove all my information from their database. Canceled my debit card. And I will NEVER ORDER FROM THOSE F-ING BASTARDS AGAIN.
thechasm442
03-03-2015, 11:27 PM
No matter what, thompsons gets you. I've never ordered from them, in fact, I've never even been on their website but i still get 1-2 catalogues a month.
bobajob
03-03-2015, 11:29 PM
I ordered an Ashton VSG sampler from Thompson last year. I'd never used them before. During checkout the site asked me to join some monthly promotional thing. I declined. A week later I got a phone call asking if I was "Ready to receive a sampler as part of their monthly deal program." I said no, thank you. Then I started checking my monthly banking statements to see that I was getting a $15 dollar charge each month from some tobacco company. It turns out it was Thompson Cigar Co. They had ignored my wishes and signed me up for some monthly sampler deal I had no interest in joining and had repeatedly declined their offers. I was f-ing furious. I called them. Got the run-around from some cunt who gave me the typical BS. Couldn't refund my money, must have misunderstood, etc., etc...I cursed her out and asked to speak to her supervisor. Same bullshit. I told him Thompson was an f-ing scam, that he was an f-ing scumbag, and that if we ever crossed paths I would break his f-legs. I told them to remove all my information from their database. Canceled my debit card. And I will NEVER ORDER FROM THOSE F-ING BASTARDS AGAIN.
"My dear, would you mind awfully allowing me to converse with your superior?"
"My good Sir, I must insist that your company employs questionable practices in the purveyance of aforementioned tobacco combustibles."
"Furthermore, I put it to you that your own airs, graces and foibles conspire to betray a lack of personal integrity."
"Should we ever happen upon occasion to be co-located, I fear I shall take it upon my countenance to enact an impulse capable of shearing in twain thy tibula and fibula of both lower appendages."
"I emplore you to disregard all records pertaining to myself. Good day."
Skeat5353
03-03-2015, 11:45 PM
http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag360/hey_blue99/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-03/1DAAB83D-D169-42A6-8A75-7DB7DC0BE81D_zpsjy8nfmvx.jpg (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/hey_blue99/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-03/1DAAB83D-D169-42A6-8A75-7DB7DC0BE81D_zpsjy8nfmvx.jpg.html)
LOLOLOL!!! That's what it felt like!!! Word to wise, if you order from them, make sure you make sure not to sign up for their shipping promotion.
Skeat5353
03-03-2015, 11:51 PM
No matter what, thompsons gets you. I've never ordered from them, in fact, I've never even been on their website but i still get 1-2 catalogues a month.
I still get them, even though I've requested to be removed from their mailing list. But on the bright side, I use one less roll of toilet paper a month.
Woodted
03-04-2015, 11:07 AM
I ordered an Ashton VSG sampler from Thompson last year. I'd never used them before. During checkout the site asked me to join some monthly promotional thing. I declined. A week later I got a phone call asking if I was "Ready to receive a sampler as part of their monthly deal program." I said no, thank you. Then I started checking my monthly banking statements to see that I was getting a $15 dollar charge each month from some tobacco company. It turns out it was Thompson Cigar Co. They had ignored my wishes and signed me up for some monthly sampler deal I had no interest in joining, AFTER I HAD REPEATEDLY DECLINED THEIR OFFER. I was f-ing furious. I called them. Got the run-around from some cunt who gave me the typical BS. Couldn't refund my money, must have misunderstood, etc., etc...I cursed her out and asked to speak to her supervisor. Same bullshit. I told him Thompson was an f-ing scam, that he was an f-ing scumbag, and that if we ever crossed paths I would break his f-legs. I told them to remove all my information from their database. Canceled my debit card. And I will NEVER ORDER FROM THOSE F-ING BASTARDS AGAIN.
Come on Jack, don't sugarcoat it, tell us your real feelings!;)
izkeh
03-04-2015, 11:20 AM
Thompson's Cigars = Columbia House or BMG
Emperor Zurg
03-04-2015, 11:25 AM
Thompson's Cigars = Columbia House or BMG
I equate them to ArtVan. Walking in the door of that place is akin to throwing rocks at a hornets nest. You're swarmed with high pressure salesmen the minute you enter. Plus everything is marked up 200% *BUT* if you BUY IT TODAY and ONLY TODAY we'll drop the price to slightly less than you can get it someplace else!!!
Consequently I don't go in that place either.
Indyhp
03-04-2015, 12:35 PM
I bought a humidor from them as they had the best price on the one I wanted.
When the first catalog came in the mail I called and asked to be taken off their mailing list. Never heard from them again.
Whew! Glad I never ordered any cigars from them. I feel like I dodged a bullet!
Billb1960
03-04-2015, 12:38 PM
Thompson's Cigars = Columbia House or BMG
Wow, talk about a trip in the Wayback Machine. I remember those, "Get 25 albums for $.01!" but then you got signed up for a 2 year album of the month deal. Nice analogy!
I order most every month from them in fact I just purchased 3-10 nub samplers today with some other cigars..had a problem the first time 3 yrs ago with the club..got that straightened out by email...nothing but good since that...
Skeat5353
03-04-2015, 01:18 PM
I order most every month from them in fact I just purchased 3-10 nub samplers today with some other cigars..had a problem the first time 3 yrs ago with the club..got that straightened out by email...nothing but good since that...
Of course...
ChiefIlliniwek
03-04-2015, 01:37 PM
I made an order from Thompsons back in 2013 when I was getting back into smoking. It was just a little 6 cigar sampler for $20. I started getting the catalogs, then I got a couple of phone calls asking if I wanted to join the auto-mail club. I said no, and haven't ordered from them since. I still got the catalogs, but then they sort of tapered off a few months ago. I was reading this thread when it started, and thinking "I haven't received a Thompson's catalog in awhile..." guess what was in my mailbox last night? A friggin Thompson's catalog.
ya and then after that comes the others...isnt it nice????
I really do buy from what I see there...to spending a lot of time looking on line...let me add this Im in the sticks..cant go around the corner or Id be sitting there right now...
StogieNinja
03-04-2015, 02:47 PM
This will also likely get you blacklisted with TC...
Wait, you can do that? Sign me up!
Cigarer
03-04-2015, 06:54 PM
Ya no kidding! Called the bank today, the lady was surprisingly unsurprised by my situation with them. I wouldn't be surprised if it is a common issue with more companies. Anyways her hands are tied because my bank makes you try and resolve through the vendor first and then takes action if they refuse. So I guess I'm left waiting until next week to get my money back.
CamoSutra
03-04-2015, 07:54 PM
I was lucky; never ordered anything from them except a catalog that didn't impress me. That was enough to put me on their mailing list, but after a couple of moves they lost track of me.
A friend who actually bought from them gave me his Thompson-branded humidor. Pretty cheap, the "woodgrain finish" was some sort of contact paper. Surprisingly, it held humidity well; but it was much smaller than I needed at the time (working two coolerdors and another desktop back then), so I gave it away.
UncleFesterESQ
03-04-2015, 09:02 PM
Thompson Cigars is the gift of a drunken one night stand with Jabba the Hut that keeps on giving for the next 18 years.
Regardless of what they can do, they are a vendor that any cigar bum veteran knows that they should stay away from as there are so many other better options.
droy1958
03-05-2015, 06:12 PM
Ordered from Thompson cigars a few months ago, did a sampler and a single AF cigar. Woke up this morning checked my email and to my surprise I have an order confirmation for a box of AF's I never ordered and they withdrew money from my account I never authorized. Have to wait until they open until I can call them. Anyone else have this issue with then?
Wow....how do you spell chickensh!t?.....Never mind, I figured it out.....
Cigarer
03-05-2015, 07:45 PM
How is that chicken shit?
wabashcr
03-05-2015, 09:05 PM
I think he's talking about Thompson's tactics, which I agree to be chickenshit.
Cool Breeze
03-05-2015, 09:18 PM
I visited their website a lot when I was first starting out with cigars. Luckily I got on the forums before I started ordering online and was quickly warned away from them.
From what I've heard, extra hidden charges are the norm, not the exception. I'll never order from them no matter what kind of deal they've got going.
theHammer56
03-06-2015, 03:31 PM
Y'all make me sound as if I'm the only guy around here that does business - and will continue to do business - with Thompson Cigar. Sure, I recognize their tactics for what they are, but a 'no thanks' and we're square. I've received automated monthly shipments in the past (that I failed to call up and cancel or postpone) and the first two times they paid the return postage; the time or two beyond that the shipping was in my lap (which I consider fair).
I spent 30 years in sales. Sales and marketing is their game. Are there better alternatives? Sure! But I recognize the gems in amongst the gravel and make my selections accordingly. I just try and cherry-pick their better offers.
ace_labrone
03-06-2015, 05:08 PM
I ordered from them when I was first starting out. Saw an add in a mag about some sampler when you sign up for the 250 club. I thought it would be a good deal, so I signed up and had to remember to tell them NOT to send my monthly allotment, every month by a certain date. Before I went to Afghanistan I asked them to not send me anything until I got back to the states. Imagine my surprise when a shipment showed up in Afghanistan when I didn't even give them my address. But I called to tell them I didn't want it and didn't order it, they said I needed to let them know by a certain date and I didn't do that, so I had to send it back. Well, I took the order to the USPS and was told I had to use UPS, TC told me I had to use the USPS. Needless to say it was a fiasco. I cancelled everything and told them not to send me anything ever again. I still get the occasional catalog. Not sure how they do it, but they do.
Skeat5353
03-08-2015, 04:16 AM
Regardless of what they can do, they are a vendor that any cigar bum veteran knows that they should stay away from as there are so many other better options.
Not according to Lynn. Jesus, if we all listened to Lynn, we'd all get screwed by Thompson. Thanks, Lynn, for looking out for the members here. Now tell us where we can buy some good crack. BTW, if you follow Lynn's advice, you'll end up buying cigars from Thompson and getting locked into some bullshit sampler promotion you didn't want or agree to. They'll whack your credit card without your approval. When you call them to complain, they'll tell you your an idiot and you should've read the fine print. Thompson Cigar Co. is nothing but a sinister marketing scam. Please be warned.
Very nice of you, Lynn, to send people into this trap. Have you nothing better to do than spew a bunch of BS in every thread you participate in? Are you some kind of sadistic creep that gets off on making people's lives that much harder? You claim to be a Marine. But my uncle was a Marine. He did three tours in Nam. He and 500 other Marines were guarding a US outpost near the Cambodian border. They were ambushed by 3000 Vietcong. Only 80 Marines survived. But they held the fort. I know my uncle well. He is a man of honor. He would never stoop so low as to join a cigar forum and purposely deceive people with a bunch of rotten nonsense. So why don't you tell us who you really are. And cease with masquerade. No Marine I ever met would carry on the way you do. You are sworn to protect people, not deceive them.
Emperor Zurg
03-08-2015, 09:01 AM
Not according to Lynn. Jesus, if we all listened to Lynn, we'd all get screwed by Thompson. Thanks, Lynn, for looking out for the members here. Now tell us where we can buy some good crack. BTW, if you follow Lynn's advice, you'll end up buying cigars from Thompson and getting locked into some bullshit sampler promotion you didn't want or agree to. They'll whack your credit card without your approval. When you call them to complain, they'll tell you your an idiot and you should've read the fine print. Thompson Cigar Co. is nothing but a sinister marketing scam. Please be warned.
Like I said earlier in this thread, I order from them somewhat regularly. I have a friend who likes their house blends. I've given him a few better sticks to try but he likes what he likes so what can I say. I've never given them a credit card number, nor would I. I pay with paipal and immediately cancel the recurring payment it sets up. I told the salesman not to call me anymore and I haven't been called since. Yes, I think they cause more hassle than they should so most of the time I shop elsewhere. That being said, they are not the pariah some are trying to make them out to be. But again, they've never had my credit card number nor will they. Too much high pressure sales gimmickry to ever trust them with that.
wabashcr
03-08-2015, 09:13 AM
Not according to Lynn.
Are you familiar with the ignore user feature? I'd highly recommend it so you don't have to see anymore of his posts. He doesn't bother me the way he seems to bother you, but if he did, I'd ignore him. Just click on his profile and you'll see the option to ignore.
Zeede
03-27-2015, 12:27 AM
When I first decided to get into cigars I watched a ton of videos by Al Remp, of Thompson Cigars. It's a pity that their sales force is so persistent, because I really learned a lot from watching his videos. I really like the way he talks :)
Bowtech4ever
03-27-2015, 01:01 AM
When I first decided to get into cigars I watched a ton of videos by Al Remp, of Thompson Cigars. It's a pity that their sales force is so persistent, because I really learned a lot from watching his videos. I really like the way he talks :)
+1 for Al Remp, but with 25 or so better online sources, it is not necessary to subject yourself to any of their substandard business practices, that will only lead to you gettin pissed off. I leaned my lesson early on.....dry sticks, dry, dry, dry, like a really crispy taquito.
Zeede
03-27-2015, 01:24 AM
Please point me to these other better online video sources :)
Hermit
03-27-2015, 03:21 AM
I still get them, even though I've requested to be removed from their mailing list. But on the bright side, I use one less roll of toilet paper a month.
People in witness protection still get their Thompson's catalogs. :cool:
Please point me to these other better online video sources :)
Check out the vendors thread. Lots of good options that don't have the reputation of hounding people.
Zeede
03-27-2015, 11:09 AM
Will do!