Conundrum

[Billb1960]

My local favorite B&M is managed by a very nice lady. She's managed the store through 3 ownership changes in the last 7 years and while she doesn't know a lot about cigars, she knows how to manage a retail operation profitably. Without her the current owners would be out of business. We get along just fine, she gifts me the occasional free cigar and gives me a discount on some of the pricier sticks.

Here's the issue, the shop is kept at 70% humidity and about 68-70 degrees. The HVAC system flows in through a system of vents in a large duct pipe that runs along 1 wall. One corner of the shop always seems to be a lot more humid than the rest of the store and many of the cigars in that corner, particularly the ones without cello are moldy. We've probably all seen it at some time or other, little whitish gray starfish looking bumps about the size of a pinhead all over the wrapper. I actually picked up a box of Casa Magna Domus II took it over to her and said, "Hey Deb I think you have a little issue here."

Predictably her response was, "Oh that's plume!" She then proceeded to wipe it off with her thumb and show me that since it didn't leave any discoloration on the wrapper it must be plume. It's certainly not my place to tell her how to run her store so I let it go and just put the cigars back on the shelf but it just goes to show how pervasive this whole mold/plume issue really is.

Needless to say I avoid the cigars on that side of the shop as much as possible except that's where the majority of Tatuajes are kept!

[TheGrumpyOleTroll]

Been in the same spot before...even posted it on the other site years ago about it..

Local shop had mold on alot of the higher end uncelloed cigars had mold on them. I brought it to the guy behind the counter and he replied "Oh thats good Mold"...

Same shop told me if i wasnt a member i didnt need to worry about the special releases and if they were getting any in refrence to wondering if they were going to get any Tat Dracs back when they were released.

I wont say i knew the owner/manager personally but i had dealt with him before and so i informed him of the issues...the mold issue is almost non-existant now..


The Troll

[Billb1960]

Yeah I've met the owners and I'm not impressed but I'd hate to see the place lose business because of the mold issue. At this point all I can say is I did my best and what they choose to do from here is on them.

[Branzig]

I've seen this before. It always sucks and puts the consumer in an awkward situation. No one wants to tell a store owner that "they're wrong." It's not our place.

Best you can do is give her business when you can, and just let it go on until she realizes it I guess.

[Brimy]

Yeah I've met the owners and I'm not impressed but I'd hate to see the place lose business because of the mold issue. At this point all I can say is I did my best and what they choose to do from here is on them.

If the manager is personable enough, try to educate her and let her know "it's NOT plume" and that she/owners need to do a better job of ventilating the place more evenly to prevent the mold. If she/they are receptive to the knowledge, they will address the situation.

[TheGrumpyOleTroll]

Yeah I've met the owners and I'm not impressed but I'd hate to see the place lose business because of the mold issue. At this point all I can say is I did my best and what they choose to do from here is on them.

Thats really all you can do..in my case the owner/manager was a cigar guy but the help wasnt and didnt know..

Education and tact are your keys here.


The Troll

[Billb1960]

If the manager is personable enough, try to educate her and let her know "it's NOT plume" and that she/owners need to do a better job of ventilating the place more evenly to prevent the mold. If she/they are receptive to the knowledge, they will address the situation.

Yeah she actually brought up again on her own the other day and reiterated the fact that she thought it was plume. Quite frankly it made me uncomfortable because I know it's mold but I'm not going to argue with her about it in the store in front of other customers.

[Usafvet509]

Same here. I used to have 2 cigar shops in Springfield I'd frequent. One has this issue. The kid that runs the place say "I meant to send those back with the vendor." Still there, still moldy. Now I just go to Just For Him when I'm down there. Damn shame too, he has a lot of Anejo's and Perdomo

[Zeede]

I thought mold couldn't wipe off completely. But then again, plume is only supposed to develop after really aging a cigar.

[TheGrumpyOleTroll]

I thought mold couldn't wipe off completely. But then again, plume is only supposed to develop after really aging a cigar.

Mold can be wiped off and the cigar can be enjoyed, but if the mold has made it into the filler through the foot I wouldn't recommend smoking it...

Others may chime in and I could be wrong but its what I believe from my reading and experience.


The Troll